Immunobiological activities of mould products: functional impairment of human monocytes exposed to aflatoxin B1

Cusumano, Vitaliano; Rossano, Fabio; Merendino, Rosaria Alba; Arena, Adriana; Costa, Gaetano Bruno; Mancuso, Giuseppe; Baroni, Anaila; Losi, E.

doi:10.1016/0923-2508(96)84713-9

Cited by 41 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…They can cause serious animal health related problems as they may be hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic [1,2] and may impair immune responses resulting in increased risk to secondary infection [3]. In addition, these toxins also compromise animal performance arising from reduced feed intake, poor feed utilization, loss in weight gain, decreased barrier function, reduced reproductive capacity and even death [4] leading to serious economic losses [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of Multi-Mycotoxin Contamination in South African Compound Feeds

Njobeh

Dutton

Åberg

et al. 2012

Toxins

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A total of 92 commercial compound feeds from South Africa were investigated for various mycotoxins. The data reveal the highest incidence of feed contamination for fumonisins (FB) (range: 104–2999 µg/kg) followed by deoxynivalenol (DON) (range: 124–2352 µg/kg) and zearalenone (ZEA) (range: 30–610 µg/kg). The incidence of ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxins (AF)-contaminated samples were generally low, i.e., 4% and 30% of samples with levels ranging between 6.4 and 17.1 µg/kg (mean: 9.9 µg/kg) for OTA and 0.2 to 71.8 µg/kg (mean: 9.0 µg/kg) for AF. No samples contained T-2 toxin or HT-2 toxin. However, all samples analyzed were contaminated with at least one mycotoxin with a majority containing several mycotoxins. In particular, 3 of 4 positive samples mainly cattle feeds that had relatively high contents of OTA (ranging from 7 to 17.1 µg/kg) also contained high amounts of AF (>27.5 µg/kg) together with FB, DON and ZEA. Apart from a few samples, the levels of mycotoxins may be regarded as safe for livestock production in South Africa. However, the persistent co-occurrence of mycotoxins in samples, especially those at high concentrations, i.e., AF and OTA, together with other mycotoxins studied, may elicit synergistic or additive effects in animals. This should raise concern as multiple contaminations may pose a risk to livestock production and health.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of Multi-Mycotoxin Contamination in South African Compound Feeds

Njobeh

Dutton

Åberg

et al. 2012

Toxins

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“…Extremely low doses (0.05-0.1 pg/mL) of aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) decreased phagocytosis and the microbiocidal activity (against Candida albicans) of human monocytes in vitro (Cusumano et al 1996) and decreased the secretion of interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (Rossano et al 1999). These studies are striking when considered in the light of levels of free AFB 1 reported in sera in West Africa, which range up to 3 ng/mL (Denning et al 1988).…”

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confidence: 99%

Modification of immune function through exposure to dietary aflatoxin in Gambian children.

Turner

Moore

Hall

et al. 2003

Environ Health Perspect

403

262

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Aflatoxins are immunotoxins that frequently contaminate staple foods in The Gambia and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa, resulting in high exposure throughout life. Impaired infant immune system development may be a key predictor of mortality from infectious disease. In this study we aimed to determine the effect of dietary aflatoxin exposure on a number of immune parameters in Gambian children. A cohort of 472 Gambian children 6-9 years of age was recruited. Serum aflatoxin-albumin (AF-alb) adducts were analyzed to provide a measure of exposure. Immune parameters included secretory IgA (sIgA) in saliva, cell-mediated immunity (CMI), determined using the CMI multitest where test antigens are applied to the skin, and antibody responses to both rabies and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines. Birth weight, current anthropometry, and micronutrient status were also recorded. AF-alb adducts were detected in 93% of the children (geometric mean level 22.3 pg/mg; range 5-456 pg/mg). AF-alb level was strongly influenced by month of sampling. In a multivariable analysis, sIgA was markedly lower in children with detectable AF-alb compared with those with nondetectable levels [50.4 micro g/mg protein (95% confidence interval [CI] 48.0-52.8) and 70.2 micro g/mg protein (95% CI 61.1-79.2), respectively; p < 0.0001]. Antibody response to one of four pneumococcal serotypes, but not rabies vaccine, was weakly associated with higher levels of AF-alb. There was no association between CMI responses to test antigens and AF-alb. These data confirm that children in rural Gambia are frequently exposed to high levels of aflatoxin. The study provides evidence that sIgA in saliva may be reduced because of dietary levels of aflatoxin exposure. Given the high burden of infection-related mortality in West Africa, further investigation of the immune effects of aflatoxin exposure in children is merited.

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“…The chemotaxis of human polymorphonuclear cells was reduced by high concentration of AFB 1 (Ubagai et al, 2008). Phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Candida albicans were impaired in mononuclear cells treated with low doses of AFB 1 (0.1 pg/ml), although the pretreatment of mononuclear cells with AFB 1 did not modify the antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus or superoxide production (Cusumano et al, 1996).…”

Section: Chapter 13 Mycotoxins In Seeds and Nutsmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…The immunotoxic effects in humans have been inferred by means of in vitro experiments, and studies in populations naturally exposed to aflatoxins. Ubagai et al, 2008Cusumano et al, 1996 Lower levels of activated T and B cells and lower levels of cytotoxic T cells with perforin and granzyme Jiang et al, 2005 Lower counts of T regulatory and cytotoxic T cells with perforin in HIV patients Jiang et al, 2008 * In vitro studies.…”

Section: Part 1 General Aspects and Overviewsmentioning

confidence: 99%