Diagnostic and Clinically Important Aspects of Cyanobacterial (Blue-Green Algae) Toxicoses

Previous efforts have been made to provide concise summaries on the hazards of toxicoses from exposures of domestic animals to blue-green algae. It is clear, however, that veterinarians need improved access to information currently emerging with regard to blue-green algae toxicoses. Recent investigations are shedding light on the identity of the potent toxins responsible and the pathophysiology of the syndromes produced. Reviews from the past few years provide an idea of the reported occurrence of cyanobacterial toxicoses and the toxins detected, but the diagnosis of blue-green algae toxicosis has remained difficult because of a lack of concise information on appropriate diagnostic procedures. One must recognize that many algal blooms are not hazardous; therefore, a diagnosis of toxicosis following ingestion of an algal bloom, even when it is dominated by organisms known to have produced toxins in the past, should be confirmed. At the present time, demonstration of toxins in the algae and documentation of appropriate responses in the animal form the basis for many diagnoses.