Recent findings of paralytic shellfish toxins linked to the genus Alexandrium Halim in Mediterranean mollusc production areas.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning is a human intoxication syndrome associated with the consumption of seafood that has been contaminated with paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), a group of natural neurotoxic alkaloids produced by marine dinoflagellates, including some Alexandrium species. This study presents findings of PSTs in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) during 2018-2019 in several mollusc production areas of Sardinia (Italy, western Mediterranean). Investigations of the presence and abundance of PST-producing microalgal species in marine water and of the toxins associated with shellfish were carried out concomitantly.