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Pfiesteria piscicida

Unveiling the mysteries surrounding Pfiesteria piscicida, exploring its impact on aquatic life and humans, and strategies for prevention. Dive deep into the research findings and controversies to understand this enigmatic microorganism.

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Pfiesteria piscicida

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  1. Pfiesteria piscicida Monster or merely misunderstood By: Erica Hudson

  2. Discovery • Pfiesteria piscicida was first discovered at North Carolina State University where it was blamed for a large fish kill in 1988 (Miller and Belas 2003). • ‘Pfiesteria hysteria’, which reached a peak in 1997 (Miller and Belas 2003). • Because of all of this public attention more funding was allotted to research and many interesting things have been discovered about Pfiesteria piscicida and other dinoflagellates.

  3. Pfiesteria piscicida • Phagotrophic dinoflagellates that use a feeding tube to prey upon phytoplankton • JoAnn Burkholder proposed a life history of 19 stages • Recent research proposes a simpler life history

  4. Toxicity • So far the toxin remains unknown • Effects on humans include: significantly lowers learning and higher cognitive functions, skin lesions, dizziness, headaches, and short term amnesia. • All symptoms disappeared after 3-6 months of no exposure.

  5. How can blooms be prevented? • Planktonic ciliates like Strombidium prey upon the P. piscicida zoospores and are able to keep the population in check even at low numbers. • Treating nutrient rich waste run-off before it reaches the ocean

  6. References • Fogg, G.E. “Harmful Algae – A Perspective.” Harmful Algae. 1 (2002) p 1-4. • Gordon, A.S. et al. “Comparative toxicity of Pfiesteria spp., prolonging a toxicity of P. piscisida in culture and evaluation of toxin(s) stability.” Harmful Algae. 1 (2002) p 85-94 • Grattan, Lynn M. et al. “Learning and memory difficulties after environmental exposure to waterways containing toxin-producing Pfiesteria or Pfiesteria-like dinoflagellates.” The Lancet. 352 (1998) p 532-539. • Levin, E.D. et al. “Rapid neurobehavioral analysis of Pfiesteria piscicida effects in juvenile and adult rats.” Neurotoxicology and Teratology. 22 (2001) p533-540. • Levin, E.D. et al. “Learning impairment caused by a toxin produced by Pfiesteria piscicida infused into the hippocampus of rats.” Neurotoxicolgoy and Teratology. 25 (2003) p 419-426. • Litaker, R.W. et al. “Lifecycle of the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Pfiesteria piscicida (Dinophyceae),” Journal of Phycology. 38 (2002) p 442-463. • Miller, Todd R. and Belas, Robert. “Pfiesteria piscicida, P. shumwayae and other Pfiesteria-like dinoflagellates.” Research in Microbiology. 154 (2003) p 85-90. • Rezvani, Amir H. et al. “Specificity of cognitive impairment from Pfiesteria piscicida exposure in rats attention and visual function versus behavioral plasticity.” Nuerotoxicology and Teratology. 23 (2001) p 609-616. • Setala, Outi. et al. “Predator-prey interactions between a planktonic ciliate Strombidium (Ciliophora, Oligotrichida) and the dinoflagellate Pfiesteria piscicida (Dinamoebailes, Pyrrophyta).” Harmful Algae. 4 (2005) p 235-247. • Swinker, Marian. et al. “Human Health effects of exposure to Pfiesteria piscicida: a review.” Microbes and Infection. 4 (2002) p 751-762.

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