Ciguatoxin detection methods and high-throughput assays

Ciguatera, the most common form of ichthyosarcotoxism, is caused by consumption of fish contaminated with heat-stable polycyclic neurotoxins known as ciguatoxins. Although ciguatera affects at least 50,000 people annually and is a serious public health concern, no effective treatments are available. Thus, identification of ciguatoxic fish and avoidance of consumption remain key to reducing the impact of ciguatera without restricting essential dietary sources of fish protein. However, while significant advances in detection and quantification of ciguatoxins have been made, no single assay is available currently that can detect ciguatoxins in a rapid, quantitative and highly sensitive manner. Here we review and summarise the pharmacology of ciguatoxins and outline the advantages and disadvantages of in vivo assays, antibody-based assays, receptor binding assays, functional and cell-based assays, as well as mass spectrometry for detection and quantification of ciguatoxins