amnesiac shellfish poisoning

pathology

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June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

Amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) is a human illness caused by consuming shellfish contaminated with domoic acid. This neurotoxin is produced by certain diatoms, such as those in the Pseudo-nitzschia genus.123

Symptoms of ASP in humans can progress from abdominal cramps and vomiting to disorientation, memory loss, and in severe cases, death. The poisoning is best avoided by adhering to local public health quarantine regulations.24

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algae
Toxicity
Amnesic shellfish poisoning is caused by domoic acid produced by diatoms (class Bacillariophyceae), such as Nitzschia pungens and N. pseudodelicatissima. Symptoms of this poisoning in humans progress from abdominal cramps to vomiting to memory loss to disorientation and finally to death.
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Amnesic shellfish poisoning is caused by domoic acid produced by diatoms (class Bacillariophyceae), such as Nitzschia pungens and N. pseudodelicatissima. Symptoms of this poisoning in humans progress from abdominal cramps to vomiting to memory loss to disorientation and finally to death.
Read More