fered repeated intoxications suggest that the symptoms are not
diminished in repeated attacks. Antibodies might nonetheless have
been formed to CTX yet confer little significant protection. If
CTX-specific antibodies are formed, even though they may be
of little benefit to the victim, they are valuable scientifically
because they are specific: they react with CTX (the antigen).
"Aha," you say, "antibodies could be the basis of a test for CTX."
True, but it is a very long, technically sophisticated way from
obtaining CTX antibodies and having a test which must be both
sensitive and reliable.
 In addition to analyzing human blood samples for anti-
bodies to CTX, especially from victims of second or third poison-
ings, it may be possible to produce antibodies experimentally.
CTX is probably too small a molecule to be a potent antigen
since most antigenic substances have a molecular weight over
10,000. To make CTX more antigenic it is necessary to chemically
link it to another, larger molecule. Small amounts of this conju-
gated molecule, CTX-protein for example, may then be repeatedly
injected into experimental animals such as rabbits or sheep. After
several injections over an appropriate period of time, blood samples
may be obtained and screened for specific CTX-protein antibodies.
Once good quality antibodies are obtained they may be labelled
in some fashion. When antibodies are radio-actively labelled they
form the basis for a radio-immune assay (RIA). Attempts have
been made to develop a RIA for CTX but while it seems sensitive
enough it also yields up to 80 percent false positives. If the RIA
can be refined it will certainly be at the least a valuable research
tool. If and when the CTX-RIA is make reliable, it is unlikely to
have widespread, practical application because of the complex
technology and expense involved. It is probably best viewed as
an important step toward a test for CTX that can be used by
fishermen, merchants and consumers.
 Another line of scientific inquiry is the search for CTX
 mechanisms) of action. How does it produce such a curious array
 of symptoms in humans? Might there in fact be more than one
 toxin involved to produce so many symptoms? How can the medi-
 cal treatment of ciguatera victims be improved? Unfortunately,
 seeking answers to these important questions has also been im-
 peded somewhat by the shortage of purified CTX. Research has
 proceeded nonetheless, employing CTX extracted from toxic fish
 for use in experimentation on animals and their organs, tissues and
 cells. Much has been learned. It is beyond the scope of this paper,
 however, to discuss this work in any detail. Suffice it to say that a
 great deal remains to be elucidated.

 Finally, a plea for cooperation. Since the Ciguatera Research
 Project began at C.V.I. in 1977, we have been the beneficiaries of
 splendid cooperation from the entire Virgin Islands' community.






 CARI. GAS


 GAS FOR COMMERCIAL,
 INDUSTRIAL
 AND DOMESTIC USE 77
 773-0602 774-0602


We are grateful. If we are ultimately to succeed in overcoming the
ciguatera problem, this must continue.
 The interested reader who wishes to obtain an earlier article
 on this topic may contact the author.

 CIGUATERA
 FISH POISONING

THE COLLEGE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS CON-
DUCTING RESEARCH ON CIGUATERA POISONING.
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW BECOMES ILL
AFTER EATING LOCAL FISH, PLEASE 1) PLACE
THE REMAINING PORTIONS OF THE FISH IN A
PLASTIC BAG AND FREEZE THEM, AND 2) PHONE,
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE CIGUATERA RE-
SEARCH PROJECT, C.V.I., 4-5366.




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 SUPPLIES

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 DIVISION OF C R E PPSES SAILBOAT
 RENTALS

 31E KING CROSS STREET
 CHRISTIANSTED. ST. CROIX
 U. S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 00820 (809) 773-5849


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