Abstract

ARBELAEZ ALAVARADO, Daniel  and  RUIZ VERA, Jorge Mauricio. Dynamics of the bioaccumulation of ciguatoxins in a food chain. Rev Cubana Invest Bioméd [online]. 2013, vol.32, n.3, pp. 271-283. ISSN 0864-0300.

Introduction: Island regions in tropical countries often report cases of ciguatera fish poisoning associated with consumption of certain types of fish feeding on toxic algae. The emergence of intoxication is unpredictable, and fish carrying ciguatoxins taste and smell just like uncontaminated fish. Therefore, it is very difficult to prevent this disease, which causes serious socio-economic problems in the communities inhabiting these regions. Objective: with the purpose of understanding the bioaccumulation of ciguatoxins in the marine food chain, a proposal is made of a non-linear system of differential equations which may be used as a tool to lay down closed seasons in fish consumption and thus mitigate poisoning risks. Methods: an analysis is conducted of the stability of the equilibrium solution of the system which makes ecological sense, and a presentation and discussion are provided of numerical simulations for various scenarios of ciguatoxin outbreaks. Results: results show that evolution of the toxin transport and bioaccumulation system depends on the dynamics of the population system. Conclusions: the model may be used as a guideline for ecologists carrying out field research into the disease, since important measures are suggested which are required to calibrate the model and turn it into a valuable tool for the taking of decisions by public health authorities in Caribbean coastal areas where the disease is endemic.

Keywords : ciguatera fish poisoning; non-linear dynamics; marine toxins.

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