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Human aflatoxicosis in developing countries: a review of toxicology, exposure, potential health consequences, and interventions.

Authors :
Williams JH
Phillips TD
Jolly PE
Stiles JK
Jolly CM
Aggarwal D
Source :
The American journal of clinical nutrition [Am J Clin Nutr] 2004 Nov; Vol. 80 (5), pp. 1106-22.
Publication Year :
2004

Abstract

Aflatoxins are well recognized as a cause of liver cancer, but they have additional important toxic effects. In farm and laboratory animals, chronic exposure to aflatoxins compromises immunity and interferes with protein metabolism and multiple micronutrients that are critical to health. These effects have not been widely studied in humans, but the available information indicates that at least some of the effects observed in animals also occur in humans. The prevalence and level of human exposure to aflatoxins on a global scale have been reviewed, and the resulting conclusion was that approximately 4.5 billion persons living in developing countries are chronically exposed to largely uncontrolled amounts of the toxin. A limited amount of information shows that, at least in those locations where it has been studied, the existing aflatoxin exposure results in changes in nutrition and immunity. The aflatoxin exposure and the toxic affects of aflatoxins on immunity and nutrition combine to negatively affect health factors (including HIV infection) that account for >40% of the burden of disease in developing countries where a short lifespan is prevalent. Food systems and economics render developed-country approaches to the management of aflatoxins impractical in developing-country settings, but the strategy of using food additives to protect farm animals from the toxin may also provide effective and economical new approaches to protecting human populations.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0002-9165
Volume :
80
Issue :
5
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
The American journal of clinical nutrition
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
15531656
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/80.5.1106