brevetoxin

noun

brev·​e·​tox·​in ˌbre-və-ˈtäk-sən How to pronounce brevetoxin (audio)
: any of several neurotoxic substances that are produced by a dinoflagellate (especially Karenia brevis synonym Gymnodinium breve) found in red tides, that may cause massive fish die-offs and sicken or kill marine mammals and birds, and that in humans may cause respiratory symptoms (such as coughing or shortness of breath) when inhaled and neurotoxic shellfish poisoning when ingested

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Cite this Entry

“Brevetoxin.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/brevetoxin. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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