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Mycotoxins can appear in the food chain as a result of fungal infection of crops, either by being eaten directly by humans or by being used as livestock feed. In 2004 in Kenya, 125 people died and nearly 200 others required medical treatment after eating aflatoxin -contaminated maize. [ 34 ]
Alimentary toxic aleukia is a mycotoxin-induced condition characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, leukopenia (aleukia), hemorrhaging, skin inflammation, and sometimes death. [1] Alimentary toxic aleukia almost always refers to the human condition associated with presence of T-2 Toxin. [1]
T-2 mycotoxin is a trichothecene mycotoxin. It is a naturally occurring mold byproduct of Fusarium spp. fungus which is toxic to humans and other animals. The clinical condition it causes is alimentary toxic aleukia and a host of symptoms related to organs as diverse as the skin, airway, and stomach.
Mycotoxin-contaminated grain and other food products have a significant impact on human and animal health globally. According to the World Health Organization, roughly 25% of the world's food may be contaminated by mycotoxins. [58] Prevention of mold exposure from food is generally to consume food that has no mold growths on it. [48]
Some Aspergillus species cause disease on grain crops, especially maize, and synthesize mycotoxins including aflatoxin. Aspergillosis is the group of diseases caused by Aspergillus. The symptoms include fever, cough, chest pain or breathlessness. Usually, only patients with weakened immune systems or with other lung conditions are susceptible. [1]
When such contaminated food is processed or consumed, the aflatoxins enter the general food supply. They have been found in both pet and human foods, as well as in feedstocks for agricultural animals. Animals fed contaminated food can pass aflatoxin transformation products into milk, milk products, and meat. [2]
Even during food processing, there are several procedures that strip foods of their poisons to make them human-friendly. Check out the slideshow above to learn what common edible contains cyanide ...
The consumption of OTA is found to have neurotoxic, immunosuppressive, genotoxic, carcinogenic and teratogenic effects in humans. [7] Toxicological studies have shown OTA to have strong carcinogenic mycotoxin effects on the liver and kidney of humans. [30] Renal failure in human subjects have been reported after the inhalation of OTA. [31]