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Experimental induction of ciguatera toxicity in fish through diet
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ABSTRACTS and BANIVFR, A. H. (Hawaii Marine Lab., Univ . of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii). Experimental induction of ciguatera toxicity in fish through diet . Nature, Lond., 197, 1025, 1963 . HEI-FRICH, P. H .
THE cause of ciguatera fish poisoning has been believed by many to originate through the diet of the fish . The authors utilized two specimens of the Hawaiian surgeon fish, Acanthurus xanthopterus Cuvier and Valenciennes, a reputedly non-toxic species, to determine the possibility of toxin uptake by feeding them the toxic flesh of Lutjanus bohar (Forskal), a known toxic species. Two control specimens of A . xanthoprerrrs were fed non-toxic Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus) . Subsequent bioassays on mongoose indicated that the fish fed on toxic flesh became toxic. The controls were not tested for toxicity. The authors conclude that the toxin causing ciguatera may be passed through the food chain without apparent change in the toxin and without harm to the carier . B.W .H . Herrrotv, A. W., MORSE, R. A. and KOSIKOWSKt, F. V. (Dept. of Entomol. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York). Bioassay and standardization of venom of the honey bee. Nature, Lond., 198, 295, 1963 . THE authors describe a microbiological method for assay of honey bee and other Hymenoptera venoms . These venoms have an antibacterial effect best demonstrated when nutrient discs saturated with venom dilutions are placed on seeded plates of non-nutrient agar. The inhibition curve obtained is similar to that obtained with penicillin . Autoclaving the venom solutions at 15 lb for 15 min does not affect the antibacterial activity. The Cornell venom unit is defined as : "That amount of sterilized venom contained in I ml which will cause a clear zone of inhibition 8-Of0~3 mm in diameter around a 635 mm nutrient disc when placed on a reverse-phase assay plate pre-warmed at 36° and containing 10 ml of non-nutrient agar seeded with spores of Bacillus subtilis at a concentration of about l m per ml and incubated for 5 hr at 36-37°". S.A .M . TSUDA, K., SUSUMU, L, KAWAMURA, M ., TACHIKAWA, R. and MIYADERA, T. C. (YayiUC110, Bunkioku, Tokyo) . On tetrodotoxin. V. Synethesis of C9- bases methylethers. Chem . Pharnr. Bull. (Tokyo), 10, 865, 1962 .
THE total synthesis of the C,-base-methylether is described. Through the partial reduction of (4-amino-5methoxy-iso-phtalaldehyde) by (lithium-tri-tert-buthoxyaluminum hydride) (2-amino-5-hydroxymethyl31 methoxybenzaldehyde) is prepared ; by the action of guanidine this is converted into the (2-amino-óhydroxymethyl-8-methozyquinazoline which is identical with the C,-base-methylether . J.F.G . EPHRATr, P. (Kaplan Hosp . for Negev. Rehovoth, Israel) . Observations on 125 cases of viper bite . Harefuah, 63, 315, 1962 .
125 cases of viper bite reviewed by the author 3 are described in detail . One of these presented the classical course of envenomation ; cerebral edema as a manifestation of Quincke's allergic edema developed in the second one, and prolonged hypotension, probably as the result of damage to the adrenal medulla, was observed in the third one. Jaundice (hepatocellular), fever, and melena were observed in other patients . Of the total number, 77 were mild cases, 26 moderately severe, 13 severe, 6 very severe, and 3 fatal. Shock developed in 27 of the patients . A totviquet was applied in 33 patients, but its therapeutic eflîcacy cannot be definitely estimated. 1n 24 cases the tourniquet was suddenyl released ; in 6 of these rapid progtrssion of the local lesions took place, and in 12 manifestations of the general envenomization ensued. Nonspecific treatment in the form of fluids, blood, or norepinephrine did not noticeably change to the course of the severe cases. Antivenin serum was given to 46 patients, but only 14 received it in adequate quantities (40 ml or more). Early treatment with antivenin serum shortened the period of hospitalization in the severe cases. When the administration of serum was delayed, hospitalization was prolonged. In patients in whom signs of general envenomization appear early, the author recommends the intravenous administration of from 50 to 80 ml of serum. However, the use of large doses of antivenom serum involves dangers ; a case of neuritis of the brachial plexus is described. J.F .G . OF THE
ABSTRACTS and BANIVFR, A. H. (Hawaii Marine Lab., Univ . of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii). Experimental induction of ciguatera toxicity in fish through diet . Nature, Lond., 197, 1025, 1963 . HEI-FRICH, P. H .
THE cause of ciguatera fish poisoning has been believed by many to originate through the diet of the fish . The authors utilized two specimens of the Hawaiian surgeon fish, Acanthurus xanthopterus Cuvier and Valenciennes, a reputedly non-toxic species, to determine the possibility of toxin uptake by feeding them the toxic flesh of Lutjanus bohar (Forskal), a known toxic species. Two control specimens of A . xanthoprerrrs were fed non-toxic Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus) . Subsequent bioassays on mongoose indicated that the fish fed on toxic flesh became toxic. The controls were not tested for toxicity. The authors conclude that the toxin causing ciguatera may be passed through the food chain without apparent change in the toxin and without harm to the carier . B.W .H . Herrrotv, A. W., MORSE, R. A. and KOSIKOWSKt, F. V. (Dept. of Entomol. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York). Bioassay and standardization of venom of the honey bee. Nature, Lond., 198, 295, 1963 . THE authors describe a microbiological method for assay of honey bee and other Hymenoptera venoms . These venoms have an antibacterial effect best demonstrated when nutrient discs saturated with venom dilutions are placed on seeded plates of non-nutrient agar. The inhibition curve obtained is similar to that obtained with penicillin . Autoclaving the venom solutions at 15 lb for 15 min does not affect the antibacterial activity. The Cornell venom unit is defined as : "That amount of sterilized venom contained in I ml which will cause a clear zone of inhibition 8-Of0~3 mm in diameter around a 635 mm nutrient disc when placed on a reverse-phase assay plate pre-warmed at 36° and containing 10 ml of non-nutrient agar seeded with spores of Bacillus subtilis at a concentration of about l m per ml and incubated for 5 hr at 36-37°". S.A .M . TSUDA, K., SUSUMU, L, KAWAMURA, M ., TACHIKAWA, R. and MIYADERA, T. C. (YayiUC110, Bunkioku, Tokyo) . On tetrodotoxin. V. Synethesis of C9- bases methylethers. Chem . Pharnr. Bull. (Tokyo), 10, 865, 1962 .
THE total synthesis of the C,-base-methylether is described. Through the partial reduction of (4-amino-5methoxy-iso-phtalaldehyde) by (lithium-tri-tert-buthoxyaluminum hydride) (2-amino-5-hydroxymethyl31 methoxybenzaldehyde) is prepared ; by the action of guanidine this is converted into the (2-amino-óhydroxymethyl-8-methozyquinazoline which is identical with the C,-base-methylether . J.F.G . EPHRATr, P. (Kaplan Hosp . for Negev. Rehovoth, Israel) . Observations on 125 cases of viper bite . Harefuah, 63, 315, 1962 .
125 cases of viper bite reviewed by the author 3 are described in detail . One of these presented the classical course of envenomation ; cerebral edema as a manifestation of Quincke's allergic edema developed in the second one, and prolonged hypotension, probably as the result of damage to the adrenal medulla, was observed in the third one. Jaundice (hepatocellular), fever, and melena were observed in other patients . Of the total number, 77 were mild cases, 26 moderately severe, 13 severe, 6 very severe, and 3 fatal. Shock developed in 27 of the patients . A totviquet was applied in 33 patients, but its therapeutic eflîcacy cannot be definitely estimated. 1n 24 cases the tourniquet was suddenyl released ; in 6 of these rapid progtrssion of the local lesions took place, and in 12 manifestations of the general envenomization ensued. Nonspecific treatment in the form of fluids, blood, or norepinephrine did not noticeably change to the course of the severe cases. Antivenin serum was given to 46 patients, but only 14 received it in adequate quantities (40 ml or more). Early treatment with antivenin serum shortened the period of hospitalization in the severe cases. When the administration of serum was delayed, hospitalization was prolonged. In patients in whom signs of general envenomization appear early, the author recommends the intravenous administration of from 50 to 80 ml of serum. However, the use of large doses of antivenom serum involves dangers ; a case of neuritis of the brachial plexus is described. J.F .G . OF THE