![]() In some circumstances, they can result in sudden death. Cyanobacteria produce several types of toxins that can cause clinical diseases including respiratory, gastrointestinal, dermatological, and neurologic disease. These proliferations are termed harmful algal blooms (HABs).Īt least 95 cyanobacteria species have the potential to produce toxins, and cyanobacterial toxicosis has been documented in humans, companion animals, livestock, and wildlife. These organisms can proliferate in a body of water under specific environmental conditions, such as warm water temperatures and availability of phosphorus and nitrogen. CyanobacteriaĬyanobacteria, a type of microalgae, are ancient photosynthetic freshwater prokaryotic organisms found worldwide. Changes in our environment and our way of life have increased the frequency of HABs and have brought a new focus to their impacts on animal populations. The microalgae that create HABs are impacted by environmental changes. Toxicosis can result in acute or chronic disease in most vertebrates, depending on the type of toxin and amount of toxin absorbed. The toxins produced by HABs vary depending on the organisms. HABs are found in both freshwater and marine environments and are caused by a variety of toxin-producing microalgae, including prokaryotic blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria) and eukaryotic microalgae. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) can affect all living organisms.
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