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SEROLOGIC EVALUATION OF HUMAN MICROCYSTIN EXPOSURE
Citation:
HILBORN, E., W. W. CARMICHAEL, M. YUAN, R. M. SOARES, J. C. SERVAITES, H. A. BARTON, AND S. AZEVEDO. SEROLOGIC EVALUATION OF HUMAN MICROCYSTIN EXPOSURE. Presented at Intl Symposium on Cyanobacteria and Harmful Algal Blooms, Research Triangle Park, NC, September 07 - 10, 2005.
Description:
Introduction Microcystins (MCYST) are among the most commonly detected toxins associated with cyanobacteria blooms worldwide. Biological evidence of human exposure is needed in order to evaluate potential MCYST-associated health effects. MCYST are detectable in free and bound forms in human serum. We will provide an overview of current methods to detect biological evidence of exposure in humans, and the issues associated with interpretation of results. Methods: We analyzed serum samples collected from MCYST-exposed patients after exposure events at Brazilian dialysis clinics during 1996 and 2001. We used a commercially available enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA) method to detect free MCYST, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) to detect free MCYST, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to detect 2-methyl-3-methoxy-4-phenylbutyric acid (MMPB). MMPB is derived from both free and protein-bound MCYST by chemical oxidation, so it appears to represent total MCYST present in serum. Results: Exposed patients provided blood samples for analysis after exposure. In a subset of 10 serum samples we found similar concentrations of free MCYST between the ELISA and LC/MS methods (Spearman r=0.96, p<