Saxitoxin

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Saxitoxin

• Texas Department of Health
• Infectious Disease, Epidemiology and Surveillance

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History of Saxitoxin

• ...And the waters that were in the river were
  turned to blood. And the fish that were in the
  river died And the river stank and the Egyptians
  could not drink of the water of the river...
• Exodus 7 20-21

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History of Saxitoxin

• Saxitoxin is the best studied of 12 neurotoxins
  produced by several species of diflagellates.
  These algae are affiliated with red tides or
  harmful algal blooms.
• It is highly toxic to fish, whales, animals and
  man.
• It was obtained by the central intelligence
  service for proposed covert use 1950 to 1975.

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History of Saxitoxin

• 1970 - presidential directive to destroy all
  stock.
• 1975 CIA admits to retaining some saxitoxin
  supplies at that point distributed to
  scientists.
• Used in suicide pills given to agents.
• 1977 synthesized by Kishi at Harvard.

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History of Saxitoxin

• Still human poisonings from this agent occur.
  Causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).
• Usually from ingestion of clams, oysters, mussel
  which concentrate the toxin by ingesting the
  algae.
• Currently used in science to study sodium channel
  blockade.

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Structure of Saxitoxin