A 4-year study of the mycological aspects of Kashin-Beck disease in Tibet

Abstract

In order to clarify the association between mycotoxin-producing fungi in food and Kashin-Beck disease (KBD), we examined the occurrence and contamination levels of fungi in samples of barley grain, from KBD-affected families and from unaffected families in endemic areas. A control area without the occurrence of KBD served as reference. The first results obtained in 1995 showed that total mesophilic fungal contamination of barley grain was consistently higher in families with KBD. Trichothecium roseum (Pers) Link ex gray, Dreschlera Ito and Alternaria Nees ex Fr. were the three most common fungi significantly associated with KBD. In 1996 we again observed a significant difference between affected and non-affected families, especially with Trichothecium roseum and Ulocladium Preuss. On this basis, measures to prevent KBD were suggested and a preventive program has been set up since 1998 in 20 new villages.Résumé Afin de vérifier l'hypothèse d'une relation entre la contamination des aliments par des moisissures et leurs toxines, avec la maladie de Kashin-Beck, nous avons évalué l'occurrence et le taux de contamination fongique dans les grains d'orge. Les études ont été menées en zones endémiques, chez des familles affectées par la maladie et chez des familles non-affectées. Une vallée contrôle, non affectée, a servi de référence. Les premières données obtenues en 1995 montre que le taux de contamination totale des grains d'orge par les moisissures mésophiles est régulièrement plus élevé chez les familles avec KBD. Trichothecium roseum (Pers.) Link ex gray, Dreschlera Ito et Alternaria Nees ex Fr. sont les trois fongus dont la présence est significativement corrélée avec la maladie. En 1996, nous avons à nouveau obtenu une différence significative entre les familles affectées et non affectées, particulièrement pour Trichothecium roseum et Ulocladium Preuss. Sur cette base, des mesures pour éviter le KBD furent suggérées et un programme préventif a démarré en 1998 dans 20 nouveaux villages.

Environmental selenium in the Kaschin–Beck disease area, Tibetan Plateau, China

“…A variety of hypotheses (Fang 1988;Zamana 1995;Chasseur et al 1997;La et al 2001;Chasseur et al 2001;Suetens et al 2001) have been proposed since 1849 when the disease was first discovered in Russia. Selenium deficiency in the environment, organic matter in drinking water, and fungal contamination in stored grains or food are three dominating opinions on the etiology of KBD (Tan et al 1988).…”

Effects of physical environment on the evolution of Kashin-Beck disease in Tibet

“…However, the histological observation of small necrotic lesions in the cartilage of the growth plate [14] may explain the evolution of the disease. Also, since a good relation exists between mycotoxins produced by fungi in barley grain and the prevalence of KBD [2,3,5,6], it is clear that a multifactorial aetiology should be considered.…”

“…Three million people are affected in Tibet, China and south-east Siberia. Aetiological hypotheses include micotoxin in stored barley grains [2,3,5,6], Selenium (Se) deficiency [4,12,13] and excess of fulvic acid in drinking water [9].…”

Hair Selenium Levels of School Children in Kashin–Beck Disease Endemic Areas in Tibet, China

“…Since KBD was first described in 1949 in Russia, various hypotheses about the etiology had been proposed [4][5][6][7][8]. While the etiology remains obscure, there were three dominating hypotheses: Se deficiency in the environment, organic matter in drinking water such as humic acid, and cereal contamination by myco-toxin producing fungi [9][10][11][12].…”