Neurological illnesses associated with Florida red tide (Karenia brevis) blooms.

ABSTRACT: Human respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses can result from exposures to brevetoxins originating from coastal Florida red tide blooms, comprising the marine alga Karenia brevis (K. brevis). Only limited research on the extent of human health risks and illness costs due to K. brevis blooms has been undertaken to date. Because brevetoxins are known neurotoxins that are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, it is possible that exposure to brevetoxins may be associated with neurological illnesses. This study explored whether K. brevis blooms may be associated with increases in the numbers of emergency department visits for neurological illness. An exposure-response framework was applied to test the effects of K. brevis blooms on human health, using secondary data from diverse sources. Af

SUBMITTER: Diaz RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9933543 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature