Ciguatoxic fish in the French West Indies.

An epidemiological study on ciguatera fish poisoning in the French West Indies on St-Barthelemy, St-Martin and Anguilla was conducted in the years 1985-1986-1987 and 1991-1992. A study on the toxicity of coral fish was realized. The toxicity of 700 fish belonging to 57 species was evaluated by bio-assays. 430 mosquito-bio-assays were performed on individual fish (flesh or liver) and 19 on pools (flesh or liver; with 4 to 24 fish). A second group was evaluated on liver by the chick feeding-test (33 individual and 64 on pools with 2 to 24 fish). The results showed that many species are involved in the toxic food chain. At least 25% may have a high level of toxicity, 32.5% are intermediate and 10% are doubtful. Major results concern: (1) high risk species (Caranx bartholomaei, C. lugubris, Lutjanus apodus, L. jocu, Gymnothorax funebris, G. moringa, Mycteroperca venenosa, M. tigris, Epinephelus morio, Sphyraena barracuda); (2) intermediate species (Caranx latus, C. ruber, Lutjanus buccanella); (3) low risk species (Balistes vetula, Haemulon album, Priacantus arenatus, Alphestes afer). Occasionally other species or new species are involved Etelis oculatus, Lutjanus analis, Pristipomoides macrophtalmus, Rhomboplites aurorubens, Haemulon album, Scarus vetula.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Capilariose vesical no cäo: descriçäo de um caso / Capillariosis of the bladder in a dog: a case report

Algumas afecçöes parasitárias, por sua raridade, surpreendem o veterinário clínico que as diagnostica. No presente caso, Capillaria plica foi identificada na urina de uma cadela de dez anos, levada à consulta em mau estado geral. Discute-se, a partir deste caso, os sintomas, diagnóstico e tratamento da capilariose, doença parasitária capaz de atingir o aparelho urinário do cäo

[Risk factors of ciguatera in the French West Indies in Saint-Barthélémy, Saint-Martin and Anguilla]. / Facteurs de risque ciguatérique aux Antilles dans la région de Saint-Barthélémy, Saint-Martin et Anguilla.

An epidemiological study on ciguatera fish poisoning in the French West Indies (St-Barthelemy, St-Martin and Anguilla) was conducted during the years 1985-1986. The investigation on intoxications shows a non seasonal significant prevalence. Though it was difficult to list the cases, the morbidity seems to vary between 7 and 30 per thousand. A study of fish toxicity was realised; 46 different species were tested (individually or by pools) by the mosquito bio-test. Observations of intoxications give the following results: High risk species: Caranx bartholomaei, C. lugubris, Seriola dumerili, Lutjanus apodus, L. jocu, Pristipomoides macrophtalmus, Gymnothorax funebris, G. moringa, Scomberomorus cavalla, S. regalis, Mycteroperca venenosa, M. tigris, Epinephelus morio, Sphyraena barracuda. Intermediate species: Caranx latus, C. ruber, Lachnolaimus maximus, Lutjanus analis, L. buccanella, L. griseus, Malacanthus plumieri, Scomberomorus maculatus. Low risk species: Balistes vetula, Alectis ciliaris, Haemulon album, Bodianus rufus, Halichoeres radiatus, Priacanthus arenatus, Alphestes afer. Many species are involved in the toxic food chain. New ones have been identified, but it is difficult to determine the toxic level range. A cartography is presented but no place is free of risk. A research of Gambierdiscus toxicus, the causal agent, on algal surface from dead corals was conducted around St-Barthelemy and St-Martin. The dinoflagellate is found in low or medium populations all around the islands with no difference between North and South. There is a maximal activity during the spring. A model of the epidemiology of the ciguatera in the area is proposed.