Bever CT ; Grattan L ; Morris JG ;

Md Med J vol. 47 (3)   pp. 120-3, Mai 1998

University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Baltimore, USA.

Although the recently identified dinoflagellate, Pfiesteria piscicida, may have neurotoxic effects on humans, the precise nature of the neurologic symptoms associated with varying levels of exposure is unknown. Toward this end, we review the neurologic symptoms of three Pfiesteria-exposed laboratory workers reported to data and compare them to the evaluation of an exposed waterman from Maryland. The occupational exposure of a Maryland waterman appears to produce a mild, reversible encephalopathy which predominantly affects functions associated with the frontal and temporal lobes. A comprehensive neurologic examination is recommended for all Pfiesteria piscicida and morphologically related organism-exposed, symptomatic persons.

Adult ;  Animal ;  Case Report ;  Delirium,Dementia,Amnestic,Cognitive Disorders: diagnosis: etiology ;  Dinoflagellida ;  Fish Diseases: diagnosis: etiology ;  Fishes ;  Human ;  Male ;  Marine Toxins: adverse effects ;  Nervous System Diseases: diagnosis: etiology ;  Occupational Diseases: diagnosis: etiology ;  Occupational Exposure: adverse effects ;  Support,Non-U.S.Gov't ;  Support,U.S.Gov't,P.H.S. ;  2350 ;