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Tetrodotoxin

All articles tagged with #tetrodotoxin

world4 days ago•6 min saved

Med invader: Toxic pufferfish spurs barriers and fishing payouts

An invasive silver-cheeked toadfish carrying the deadly neurotoxin tetrodotoxin is spreading through the Mediterranean, prompting Greek authorities to install floating barriers, warn tourists, and pay fishermen to catch the fish. Bites occur mainly when people handle the fish, and no part of it is safe to eat due to toxin levels. A 2024 study documented human incidents linked to pufferfish, including fatalities from poisoning. With few natural predators, authorities are expanding nets and barriers to protect beachgoers as the species proliferates.

via Fox News|

#fishing-subsidies #floating-barriers #mediterranean-invasion

science1 month ago•82 min saved

CRISPR-edited hookworms turn into living antidote factories inside the body

Researchers modified hookworms (Ancylostoma ceylanicum) with CRISPR to secrete an antibody that neutralizes tetrodotoxin, showing in hamsters that a parasite can act as a living factory for therapeutics; a first‑of‑its‑kind proof of concept with potential to deliver antibodies or other drugs inside the body, though human use is years away and future work must address durability and safety.

via Live Science|

#antibody #biotech #genetic-engineering

science1 year ago•4 min saved

The Deadly Secret of the Blue-Ringed Octopus

The blue-ringed octopus is highly dangerous due to its production of tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin that can paralyze and potentially kill humans. This toxin, produced by symbiotic bacteria in its salivary glands, is used for defense, hunting, and reproductive purposes, and makes the octopus the most venomous among cephalopods. Despite its small size, its venom is extremely potent, with a few reported human fatalities, though some bites result in no serious effects if treated promptly.

via Live Science|

#blue-ringed-octopus #marine-animals #neurotoxin

health2 years ago•1 min saved

Fatal Consequences: Man Dies After Eating Gifted Poisonous Pufferfish

A Brazilian man died after cooking and eating a poisonous pufferfish he received as a gift, despite warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about the deadly toxins it contains. The man and a friend became seriously ill within an hour of consuming the fish, with the man suffering cardiac arrest and seizures. The friend survived, but the man was put on life support and later died from poisoning. The FDA warns that pufferfish can contain toxins more deadly than cyanide, and symptoms can include tingling, dizziness, muscle weakness, and paralysis, with no way to destroy the toxins through cooking or freezing.

via WJW FOX 8 News Cleveland|

#brazil #fda-warning #food-poisoning

health2 years ago•3 min saved

"Fatal Consequences: Man Dies from Consuming Poisonous Pufferfish"

A Brazilian man died after consuming a poisonous pufferfish gifted to him by a friend, despite spending five weeks in the hospital. The toxic fish, known to be 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide, caused severe illness and ultimately led to the man's death. Pufferfish contain deadly toxins that can cause paralysis, respiratory failure, and death. Despite being considered a delicacy in some cultures, their consumption is highly dangerous and regulated due to the potential health hazards.

via Fox News|

#brazil #food-safety #health

biology3 years ago•3 min saved

Woman suffers multiple bites from highly toxic blue-ringed octopus.

A woman in Australia was bitten twice on her abdomen by a blue-ringed octopus, one of the world's most toxic animals, while swimming at a beach near Sydney. Blue-ringed octopuses contain tetrodotoxin, a powerful neurotoxin that can paralyze and kill humans even in small doses. There is no known antidote for tetrodotoxin, and death can occur anywhere between 20 minutes and 24 hours after the toxin enters the body. Despite being so toxic, blue-ringed octopuses have caused only three confirmed deaths.

via Livescience.com|

#australia #biology #blue-ringed-octopus