Abstracts:

SMALL INTESTINAL INJURIES IN MICE CAUSED BY A NEW TOXIN, AZASPIRACID, ISOLATED FROM IRISH MUSSELS

Emiko Ito1 , MasayukI Satake 2, Katsuya Ofuji 2, Terry McMahon 3, Joe Silke 3, Kevin James 4 and Takeshi Yasumoto5

1Research Center for Pathogenic Fungi and Microbial Toxicoses, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku 260-8673, Japan. 2Faculty of Agriculture, Tohoku University, Tsutsumidori-Amamiya, Aobaku, Sendai, 981-8555, Japan. 3Marine Institute, Fisheries Research Center, Abottstown, Dublin, 15, Irland. 4Chemistry Department, Cork Institute of Technology, Cork, Ireland. 5Japan Food Research Laboratories, 6-11-1, Nagayama, Tama, Tokyo, 206-0025, Japan

A new type of food poisoning resulting from ingestion of mussels from Ireland occurred in the Netherlands in 1995 and then reocurred in Ireland in 1997. This type of poisoning have been reported in Sweden, Scotland, Finland and France, also. As the causative agent, azaspiracid, was isolated in pure form and revealed to have an entirely new structure, in vivo studies with mice were carried out to elucidate the pathological injuries caused bythetoxin. By peros administration, other than pathological changes in lymphoid issues and fatty changes in the liver, the small intestinal villi were the target organ. This report focused on the changes in the small intestine. First, the toxin caused necrosis in thelamin apropria then atrophy of the laminapropria, and finally erosion of villi.

| Back to the keyword index |

For more information, please contact the conference secretariat:

Conference Design Pty. Ltd., PO Box 342, Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia 7006.
Telephone: +61 3 6224 3773.
Fax: +61 3 6224 3774.
Email: mail@cdesign.com.au.

| abstracts | registration | location | programme | submissions | general information |