Which shellfish toxin causes Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP)?

Which shellfish toxin causes Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP)?

• A. Nitrates
• B. Okadaic Acid
• C. Norovirus
• D. Outbreak

Answer: (B)

Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning is caused by specific shellfish toxins that build up when shellfish feed on certain algae. The toxin most closely linked to DSP is okadaic acid, along with related dinophysistoxins. When shellfish accumulate these toxins, people who eat the contaminated shellfish can develop diarrhea, often with nausea and abdominal cramps, typically within a few hours. The way it works is by inhibiting certain cellular enzymes (protein phosphatases 1 and 2A), which disrupts the intestinal lining and leads to the diarrheal symptoms. Nitrates are chemical contaminants, not shellfish toxins; norovirus is a cause of gastroenteritis but it’s a virus, not a toxin produced by shellfish; and “outbreak” isn’t a toxin at all.

Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning is caused by specific shellfish toxins that build up when shellfish feed on certain algae. The toxin most closely linked to DSP is okadaic acid, along with related dinophysistoxins. When shellfish accumulate these toxins, people who eat the contaminated shellfish can develop diarrhea, often with nausea and abdominal cramps, typically within a few hours. The way it works is by inhibiting certain cellular enzymes (protein phosphatases 1 and 2A), which disrupts the intestinal lining and leads to the diarrheal symptoms.

Nitrates are chemical contaminants, not shellfish toxins; norovirus is a cause of gastroenteritis but it’s a virus, not a toxin produced by shellfish; and “outbreak” isn’t a toxin at all.