Plant Description

  1. Anabaena
    1. this blue-green algae is a unicellular organism, microscopic in size, with no organized nucleus
    2. colonies of this organism grow in filamentous clumps (strands or chains)
  2. Microcystis
    1. this blue-green algae is also a unicellular organism, microscopic in size, with no organized nucleus
    2. colonies of this organism form clusters of small coccoid cells that grow in gelatinous aggregations or clumps

Toxic Principles

  1. Anabaena produces the following toxins:
      1. Anatoxin-a which is a potent neurotoxin causing very rapid death
      2. Anatoxin-a (s) which is also a neurotoxin which acts much like an Organophosphate or Carbamate insecticide (cholinesterase inhibitor)
    1. Microcystis produces a powerful toxin called Microcystin, which acts on the liver and the gastrointestinal tract.

Disease

  1. Anatoxin-a can cause death in minutes or up to 3 or 4 hours
    1. prior to death, you may see muscle tremors, convulsions, paralysis, and respiratory arrest
  2. Anatoxin-a (s) causes animals to salivate, urinate and defecate excessively. Secretions into the bronchi and lungs cause severe respiratory problems, and can lead to death.

  4. Microcystin -- the onset time for clinical disease is usually 30-60 minutes
    1. acute gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea which may be bloody
    2. acute liver failure leading to jaundice and possible photosensitization
    3. muscle tremors, convulsions, coma, death

Treatment

  1. Try to detoxify using activated charcoal
  2. Treat for shock and liver failure
  3. Administer fluids to correct dehydration
  4. Use copper sulfate in ponds to kill algae
  5. Remove animals from pond area, especially from pond treated with copper sulfate