Collection and Identification of Potentially Toxic and Allergenic Cyanobacteria from the Greater Cincinnati Area

We report here on the recent occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms in the Greater Cincinnati area. Bloom samples were collected from several ponds in Ohio and Northern Kentucky in 2012. Many cyanobacteria produce liver and/or neurotoxins. Recent studies have suggested that there is also a correlation between exposure to cyanobacteria and their toxins and allergic reactions. Monitoring ponds near highly populated areas can be important to public health particularly because cyanobacterial blooms have become much more common in recent years. The most prevalent cyanobacteria in all our samples were Microcystis, which potentially produce Microcystins - liver toxins. We identified five morpho-species: M. aeruginosa, M. flos-aquae, M. viridis, M. wesenbergii, and M. botrys. We also found Synechococcus aeruginosus, a lipopolysacharide endotoxin producer. Samples also contained cyanobacteria in the genera Anabaena, Oscillatoria, Planktothrix, Woronichinia Pseudoanabaena, Aphanizomenon, Merismopedia, Anacystis, and Lyngbya. Cyanobacteria from these collections are being cultured and analyzed for toxin production and for their potential as allergens at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Cincinnati and at the University of Cincinnati Medical School.