Final answer:
Signs of brevetoxin include neurological symptoms such as memory loss and confusion, as well as gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. These symptoms can develop after consuming shellfish contaminated during red tides caused by dinoflagellates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Signs of brevetoxin, a seafood toxin, comprise several neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms. Brevetoxin is produced by dinoflagellates like Karenia brevis, which cause red tides. Exposure to brevetoxin, particularly via consumption of contaminated shellfish, can lead to a range of severe signs.
Neurological symptoms may include memory loss, confusion, and in severe cases, similar to botulism, symptoms like blurred vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, and muscular paralysis. Gastrointestinal symptoms encompass nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. Because these symptoms can escalate quickly and be life-threatening, identification of the toxins in food samples or specimens from affected individuals is crucial for accurate diagnosis.