14 results
People
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 1998-132
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Distribution, abundance and population dynamics of beachworms (Onuphidae) in Queensland/NSW and the impact of commercial and recreational fishing

To date, very little research has been done on Australian beachworms (Family: Onuphidae), yet recreational fishing is a very popular activity in Australia and a variety of invertebrates, including beachworms, is used for bait. Exploitation of these animals for use as bait may remove considerable...
ORGANISATION:
University of Queensland (UQ)
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 1987-009
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Diseases of abalone

In 1985 and 1986 many greenlip abalone Haliotis laevigata near Edithburg in the St Vincent Gulf died. The protozoan parasite, Perkinsus olseni, was suspected to be the cause. We showed that Perkinsus olseni was seasonally abundant in greenlip from the edge of the die-back area. It was also common in...
ORGANISATION:
University of Queensland (UQ)
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 1986-096
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Diseases of prawns in aquaculture: to develop procedures to detect pathogens of prawns shipped interstate

This project found and described a baculovirus similar to Monodon Baculovirus (MBV) that was called Plebejus Baculovirus (PBV) as it was in eastern king prawns (Penaeus plebejus). It later found it in Australian cultured Penaeus monodon. The project investigated other conditions, particularly...
ORGANISATION:
University of Queensland (UQ)
Industry
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 1981-020
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Investigations into QX disease in oysters and other problems associated with marine parasites

This long running FIRTA grant supported a center in Australia for research, consultancy and training on parasites and diseases important to the fishing industry. The center was established by FIRTA in 1977. During the life of FIRC 1981-020 many industry problems were successfully...
ORGANISATION:
University of Queensland (UQ)
Environment

Investigations into the toxicology of pectenotoxin 2 seco acid and 7-epi pectenotoxin 2 seco acid to aid in a health risk assessment for the consumption of shellfish contaminated with these diarrhetic shellfish toxins in Australia

Project number: 2001-258
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $20,000.00
Principal Investigator: Glen Shaw
Organisation: University of Queensland (UQ)
Project start/end date: 28 Mar 2002 - 30 Mar 2003
Contact:
FRDC

Need

The need for the research lies in the fact that no guideline values exist for pectenotoxins in shellfish. To produce these guidelines toxicological data need to be produced and currently there is a lack of knowledge of the PTX metabolism and mechanisms of toxicity. There is currently no oral toxicology data on the PTX2- seco acids and thus their inpact on human health cannot be assessed. There have been no published works of their metabolism in mammals or humans, and their chronic effects on health are unknown. The clinical symptoms are non-specific to DSP poisoning and it is believed that cases of bacterial poisoning and DSP are mis-diagnosed due to lack of toxicological information.

The presence of pectenotoxins can impose significant economic burden on the shellfish industry. Clear toxicological data on pectenotoxins will be used to undertake a risk assessment of pectenotoxins to enable the shellfish industry and regulators to make informed decisions about the withdrawal of product from sale or closure of farms in the presence of pectenotoxins in shellfish.

Objectives

1. A comprehensive study has been undertaken in which the aims are to (i) develop a robust method for extraction, purification and quantification of pectenotoxins in shellfish, (ii) investigate the pathology caused by the pectenotoxins when ingested orally, (iii) investigate P450 metabolism of the purified PTXs with the use of microarray technology and (iv) conduct a health risk assessment for the consumption of seafood contaminated with pectenotoxins. This study will provide a greater understanding of the metabolism and mechanisms of toxicity for the PTXs and provide information useful in the clinical assessment of poisoned patients and also provide information to be used in the setting of guideline values for pectenotoxins in seafood.

Final report

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