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Respiratory Illness as a Reaction to Tropical Algal Blooms Occurring in a Temperate Climate
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To the Editor: In the summers of 2003 and 2004, 2 microalgal blooms of potentially toxic dinoflagellates (genus Ostreopsis, usually distributed in tropical waters) occurred along the coasts of Bari, south Italy. Our findings suggest an association between this phenomenon and concomitant symptoms in people exposed to marine aerosols.
Methods
During mid-August 2003 and early September 2004, symptoms of rhinorrhea, cough, wheezing, and fever were observed during periods of 7 and 5 days, respectively, in people exposed to marine aerosols by recreational activities on the beach (swimming or sunbathing) or working activities (swimming attendants involved in entertainment activities in the water and on the beach, assistance to the swimmers, and cleaning the beach and swimming pools). Although a mild macroalgal mucilage was floating on the surface, the water appeared clear. Some people described a metallic taste of the water. Three days after the onset of symptoms during both summers, marine . . . [Full Text of this Article]
Mauro Gallitelli, MD
mauro.gallitelli@libero.it
Department of Internal Medicine and Public Medicine
Section of Internal Medicine
University of Bari
Bari, Italy
Nicola Ungaro, BD
Laboratory of Marine Biology
Bari
Luigi Mario Addante, MD;
Vito Procacci, MD
Department of Emergency Medicine
Policlinico
Bari
Nicolò Gentiloni Silver, MD
Chair of Emergency Medicine
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
Rome, Italy
Carlo Sabbà, MD
Chair of Emergency Medicine
University of Bari
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