Archive of Oncology 2011 Volume 19, Issue 3-4, Pages: 64-66
https://doi.org/10.2298/AOO1104064V
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Cyanotoxins: A dermatological problem
Vranješ Nenad (Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, Novi Sad)
Jovanović Marina (Clinic of Dermatovenereology Diseases, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad)
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), that are common inhabitants of water and
terrestrial environments throughout the world, produce a broad spectrum of
secondary metabolites - biologically active products that could be toxic
(cyanotoxins). Scientific literature data unequivocally showed adverse
effects of cyanotoxins on animal and human health, above all their
hepatotoxic and neurotoxic activities. However, the cutaneous adverse effects
of cyanobacteria and their cyanotoxins are often under-diagnosed,
misdiagnosed or under reported together with a long-standing lack of
knowledge about it, not only amongst primary healthcare providers, but also
amongst dermatologists. The seaweed dermatitis is the first described
cutaneous adverse effect that occurred after contact with marine waters in
cyanobacterial toxic bloom condition. This acute irritant dermatitis was
connected with the benthic marine filamentous cyanobacterium Lyngbya
majuscula (Gomont) and its toxins (debromoaplysiatoxin, aplysiatoxin and
lyngbyatoxin A). Apart from irritant cutaneous adverse effects, the
hypersensitivity immune responses were reported as well, i.e. allergic
contact dermatitis due to cylindrospermopsin from Cylindrospermopsis
raciborski. Aside from direct or indirect (airborne dermatitis) local effects
of cyanotoxins on the skin and/or mucous membranes, a severe systemic
manifestations were also diagnosed, such as hay fever, asthma and generalized
urticarial rash, as well as ocular symptoms and signs e.g., itchy edematous
eyelids associated with conjunctivitis. Potentially toxic cyanobacteria and
their toxins are present in water resources of the Republic of Serbia, which
means that an adequate, relevant and more-coordinated monitoring of all water
environments is crucial for preventing human exposure to cyanobacteria and
their toxins. A significant role in all of these could and should be taken by
dermatologists, above all in the identification of the cyanobacterial adverse
effect on skin and mucous membranes, as well as in diagnostic allergy
testing.
Keywords: Cyanobacteria, Bacterial Toxins, Dermatitis, Contact