FN Archimer Export Format PT J TI Health impact of unicellular algae of the Ostreopsis genus blooms in the Mediterranean Sea: experience of the French Mediterranean coast surveillance network from 2006 to 2009 BT AF TICHADOU, Lucia GLAIZAL, Mathieu ARMENGAUD, Alexis GROSSEL, Hubert LEMEE, Rodolphe KANTIN, Roger LASALLE, Jean-Luc DROUET, Geneveve RAMBAUD, Loic MALFAIT, Philippe DE HARO, Luc AS 1:1;2:1;3:2;4:3;5:4,5;6:3;7:2;8:1;9:6;10:2;11:1; FF 1:;2:;3:;4:PDG-DOP-LER-LERPAC;5:;6:PDG-DOP-LER-LERAR;7:;8:;9:;10:;11:; C1 Hop Salvator, Ctr Antipoison, F-13009 Marseille, France. Drass PACA, Marseille, France. IFREMER, La Seyne Sur Mer, France. Univ Paris 06, Oceanog Lab, Villefranche Sur Mer, France. CNRS, Marine Microbial Ecol Grp, Oceanog Lab, Villefranche Sur Mer, France. Inst Veille Sanit, Dept Sante Environm, St Maurice, France. C2 HOP SALVATOR, FRANCE DRASS PACA, FRANCE IFREMER, FRANCE UNIV PARIS 06, FRANCE CNRS, FRANCE INVS, FRANCE SI TOULON ARCACHON SE PDG-DOP-LER-LERPAC PDG-DOP-LER-LERAR IN WOS Ifremer jusqu'en 2018 copubli-france copubli-univ-france IF 1.623 TC 124 UR https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00016/12716/9694.pdf LA English DT Article DE ;Dinoflagellate;Algal bloom;Ostreopsis;Mediterranean Sea;Palytoxin AB Objective. Ostreopsis ovata and Ostreopsis siamensis are tropical unicellular algae that have been found recently in the Mediterranean. Both of these dinoflagellates produce palytoxin (PTX)-like toxins that are powerful vasoconstrictors in mammals. Since 2003, Ostreopsis blooms in Italy and Spain have been accompanied by reports of respiratory problems and skin/mucosa irritation in persons in contact with toxic microalgal cells (epiphytes, plankton, or sea spray) or associated toxins. Methods. In France, a surveillance network has been set up to monitor water conditions and to protect swimmers from contamination due to Ostreopsis. Results. Between 2006 and 2009, a total of nine blooms were observed on the French Mediterranean coast including five that led to manifestations in divers, swimmers, and shoreline inhabitants. A total of 47 patients presented symptoms of involving benign or mild skin, mucosal, and/or respiratory irritation that regressed spontaneously without treatment within 12-72 h (4-12 h with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). During the study period, five beaches were temporarily closed. Discussion. In the Mediterranean, Ostreopsis blooms induce skin and respiratory disorders when human beings are exposed to saltwater with a high concentration of algal cells. However, palytoxin dosages carried out on the food chain (urchins, mussels) indicate that this risk of toxins accumulation in seafood must be taken into account and that the surveillance network should be upgraded accordingly.