Mycotoxins of Aspergilli exposure and health effects

Abstract

Mycotoxins derived from Aspergilli can be encountered both in domestic and occupational environments, and the exposure may lead to severe health hazards. Several Aspergillus species are associated with mycotoxin production: A. ochraceus with ochratoxin A, A. fumigatus with fumitremorgins, gliotoxin and verrucologen, A. versicolor with sterigmatocystin, and A. flavus and A. parasiticus with aflatoxins. Sterigmatocystin may also be produced by A. flavus, A. nidulans, A. rugulosus, and A. unguis. Exposure to mycotoxin may occur via enteric, inhalation or direct contact to skin and mucosa. Acute and chronic disorders, irritation, systemic reactions and even cancer may develop after the exposure to these toxins. Mycotoxins act as immunosuppressants which may be in association with an increased prevalence of repeated infections found among the inhabitants of buildings with moisture problems.

Virulence of fungal spores determined by tracheal inoculation of goats following inhalation of aerosolized sterile feedyard dust

“…41 This may allow fungal spores to escape phagocytosis. It is also conceivable that fungal spores could infect or release immunosuppressive mycotoxins 16,17 that may damage the delicate lung tissues. The possible overloading of alveolar macrophages with sterilized feedyard dust may decrease the immune response sufficiently to allow inoculated fungal spores to induce tissue damage prior to their elimination from the lungs.…”

“…13,15 When fungal spores escape the innate immune system, then T-and B-cell acquired immunity develops. 11 It is conceivable that fungal spores could infect the lungs or release immunosuppressive mycotoxins 16,17 that may damage delicate lung tissues. The objective of the study reported here was to compare the virulence of 7 fungal spore types administered weekly to goats via intratracheal inoculations for 6 weeks.…”

Effect of vitamin E and polyphenols on ochratoxin A-induced cytotoxicity in liver (HepG2) cells

“…Its occurrence has been reported in cereal grains, coffee beans, nuts, wine, pork, beer, cheese and several spices (Fazekas et al, 2002;Studer-Rohr et al, 1995;Van Egmond and Speijers, 1994). A number of studies have suggested a role for OTA in the development of several types of cancer (Reijula and Tuomi, 2003;Schwartz, 2002). In mice, oral administration of OTA led to an increase in hepatocellular tumours and renal-cell adenoma and carcinoma (Bendele et al, 1985).…”

Sterigmatocystin-Induced DNA Damage Triggers G2 Arrest via an ATM/p53-Related Pathway in Human Gastric Epithelium GES-1 Cells In Vitro

“…It has been shown that sterigmatocystin (ST), which is mainly produced by several Aspergillus species, such as A. versicolor , A. chevalieri , A. ruber , A. amstelodami , and A. aureolatus , is a quite frequent contaminant in grains, corn, bread, cheese, spices, animal feed, and damp indoor environments [1], [2]. Being structurally related to aflatoxins, ST exposure could induce tumors in several organs in different animals [3]–[5], and ST has been recognized as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer [6].…”