Paralytic Shellfish poisoning

- shellfish: clams, scallops, mussels - toxin produced by toxic algae (Gonyaulax catanella, Alexandrium catanella) that shellfish feed on, accumulates in tissue - several toxins can cause paralytic shellfish poison (Saxitoxin) - short incubation period, symptoms within 1hr of consumption - toxin is heat stable, not destroyed by cooking - sporadic occurrence, depends on growth of toxic algae