Harmful Algal Blooms

University of Central Florida

Status

Enrolling

Conditions

Red Tide

Study type

Observational

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT07091058

STUDY00007298

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to compare the frequency of symptoms, exposure and health impacts in persons living in areas where they are exposed to bloom and non-bloom periods of cyanobacteria and red tide in Florida.

Full description

Florida has experienced multiple harmful algal blooms during the past several years of two predominant types of Florida red tides occur in the Gulf of Mexico and are due to proliferation of the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis which produces a suite of highly irritative compounds known as brevetoxins. Human illness is primarily due to inhalation of aerosols, which results in a well-characterized syndrome of respiratory tract symptoms due to the irritative effects of brevetoxin.

The proposed study will utilize a case-control approach to compare symptom frequency during bloom and non-bloom period sampling to compare exposures and health impacts. In addition, for the exposed group, comparison of bloom cell density will be examined. As in our previous study, sampling locations will include Fort Myers region, Stuart, and communities around Lake Okeechobee (for example Clewiston and Indiantown). Continuing data collection sites will include: The Volunteers in Medicine Clinic (VIM) in Stuart, Public Health Department in Clewiston, Florida Public Works Department in Cape Coral, and FAU Clinical Research Unit in Boca Raton, FL.

Enrollment

400 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

18 years or older
live, visit, and/ or work in the following Florida counties: Indian River, St. Lucie, Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Indian River, and/or Sarasota
able to read and understand English

Exclusion criteria