| Biomonitoring Brevetoxin Exposure in Mammals Using Blood Collection Cards Elizabeth R. Fairey, Noah G. Shuart, Mark Busman, Peter D. R. Moeller, and John S. Ramsdell Marine Biotoxins Program, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-National Ocean Service, Charleston, South Carolina, USA Abstract
A method has been tested in laboratory mice to monitor for the presence of brevetoxins in blood after exposure. The use of blood collection cards is an adaptation of a method employed for routine diagnostic and genetic testing of newborns. Blood is collected and applied to a 0.5-inch diameter circle on a specially prepared blood collection card and allowed to dry. The blood spots are then extracted and the presence of toxin activity is first screened using a high throughput receptor binding assay. Positive samples are then examined for specific brevetoxin congeners by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Preliminary experiments tested the efficiency and linearity of toxin extraction from blood spiked with brevetoxin-3 (PbTx-3) . Blood from treated mice was tested for the presence of brevetoxin at different times following exposure to a sublethal dose (180 µg/kg PbTx-3) . Brevetoxin activity determined by receptor assay increased to 25 ± 7.4 nM PbTx-3 equivalents within 4 hr after exposure and was still detectable in three of four animals 24 hr after exposure. Tandem mass spectrometry provided confirmation of PbTx-3, which also increased for the time points between 0.5 and 4.0 hr exposure. However, PbTx-3 was not detected at 24 hr, which suggested the formation of a biologically active metabolite. We anticipate that this approach will provide a method to biomonitor brevetoxins in living marine resources (e.g., finfish) , protected species, and humans. Key words: blood, brevetoxin, harmful algae, red tide. Environ Health Perspect 109:717-720 (2001) . [Online 5 July 2001] http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2001/109p717-720fairey/ abstract.html Address correspondence to J.S. Ramsdell, Chief, Coastal Research Branch, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, NOAA National Ocean Service, 219 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412 USA. Telephone: (843) 762-8510. Fax: (843) 762-8700. E-mail: john.ramsdell@noaa.gov We thank W.H. Hannon for introducing us to the use of blood collection cards, J. Mei and M. Early for providing technical information regarding the use blood collection cards, and K. Kimm-Brinson for conducting the exposure study in mice. This work was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The National Ocean Service (NOS) does not approve, recommend, or endorse any proprietary product or material mentioned in this publication. No reference shall be made to NOS, or to this publication furnished by NOS, in any advertising or sales promotion which would indicate or imply that NOS approves, recommends, or endorses any proprietary product or proprietary material mentioned herein or which has as its purpose any intent to cause directly or indirectly the advertised product to be used or purchased because of NOS publication. Received 7 July 2000 ; accepted 12 January 2001.
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