MUSC epidemiologists and marine biomedical investigators will be participating in a $6.6 million federal grant to track the spread and effects of Pfiesteria piscicida in South Carolina coastal waters and estuaries.

The primitive, but complex, microscopic organism in the algae family is responsible for massive fish kills in Maryland and North Carolina waters and has been linked to rashes, blisters, peeling skin, memory loss, mood changes, disorientation, eye infections, and weakness among laboratory workers directly exposed to the organism's toxins. The illness has also occurred among fishermen who work in estuaries, and among recreational boaters and water skiers.

The algae, which could be the result of favorable conditions created by agricultural and suburban runoff, is known for its summertime "blooms" and has been tracked in an annual progression from its first appearance along Maryland's coast in 1988 and the early 1990s to North Carolina waters.

Officials anticipate the appearance of Pfiesteria piscicida in South Carolina coastal waters this summer.

MUSC and VA Medical Center hospital epidemiologist Bruce Ribner, M.D., MPH, and MUSC marine biomedicine director Eric Lacy, Ph.D., are participating in a coordinated statewide effort to notify clinicians, biomedical scientists and virtually anyone associated or in contact with brackish estuarine waters of the danger the organism presents to people directly and to the state's aquaculture industry.

Ribner will focus his activities on the epidemiological aspects of the organism, namely surveillance of areas where the organism might infect people and fish. He will evaluate the treatment people who present with the symptoms receive and will track their recovery. He will also be responsible for educating health care providers about this illness. Lacy, whose focus is more the public education and research aspects of an anticipated outbreak, will remain in close contact with the Watermen's Association (commercial fishermen), the state's aquaculture industry and shrimpers to make them aware of the danger. He will also facilitate research into the nature of the organism with investigators at the National Ocean Service at Ft. Johnson. It is expected that this research will lead to a reliable test of the organism's presence in water.

"Pfeisteria is particularly difficult to detect," Lacy said, describing how the organism can change from one form more characteristic of a plant to that of an animal. In actuality, Pfiesteria piscicida is neither virus, fungus, nor bacterium. As a member of the algae family, it produces toxins that can kill fish and some shellfish, such as blue crabs. One toxin stuns the fish and another dissolves the outer wall of the fish, creating ulcers near the cloacae (excretory opening). It seems to thrive on fish excrement and proliferates in the brackish waters of poorly flushed estuaries, especially where nitrogen levels are high from the runoff of agricultural fertilizers and animal waste.

First discovered in 1988, the organism was more closely studied in the early 1990s. A number of graduate students in contact with it became physically ill, presenting disorientation, weakness, mood swings and learning disabilities. Since then, similar symptoms have appeared among watermen who report disorientation within minutes of contacting the organism. Police called to investigate their predicament also became sick.

"Within two to three months, the neurological findings are mostly resolved," Ribner said.

The $6.6 million federal funding will support the combined efforts of agencies in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida, which will serve as an advisory group directing a surveillance strategy that could lead to selected closings of affected waterways to fishing and recreational boating.

In South Carolina, a Pfiesteria task force has been formed. Partners in the task group include the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, NOAA/National Ocean Service-Charleston Laboratory, University of South Carolina, Clemson University, MUSC and the VA Medical Center.

A South Carolina task force representing a number of state service agencies will hold an on-the-record press briefing to address issues associated with Pfiesteria piscicida at 10 a.m. May 7 in the Department of Health and Environmental Control's Trident Environmental Quality Control Office conference room 302 at 1362 McMillan Ave., Suite 300, in Charleston. The office is located inside the gates of the former U.S. Naval Base. The meeting will be moderated by task force chair Rick DeVoe of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.