Occupational Exposure to Aflatoxin B₁in Swine Production and Possible Contamination Sources

Abstract

Although the adverse health consequences of ingestion of food contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are known, relatively few studies are available on the adverse effects of exposure in occupational settings. Taking this into consideration, our study was developed aiming to elucidate the possible effects of occupational exposure to AFB1 in Portuguese swine production facilities using a specific biomarker to assess exposure to AFB1. In total, 28 workers participated in this study, providing blood samples, and a control group (n = 30) was composed of subjects without any type of agricultural activity. Fungal contamination was also studied by conventional methods through air, surfaces, and new and used floor coverage. Twenty-one workers (75%) showed detectable levels of AFB1 with values ranging from <1 ng/ml to 8.94 ng/ml and with a mean value of 1.91 ± 1.68 ng/ml. In the control group, the AFB1 values were all below 1 ng/ml. Twelve different Aspergillus species were identified. Aspergillus versicolor presented the highest airborne spore counts (3210 CFU/m3) and was also detected in higher values in surfaces (>300 CFU/cm2). Data indicate that exposure to AFB1 occurs in swine barns, and this site serves as a contamination source in an occupational setting.

Aflatoxins of type B and G affect porcine dendritic cell maturationin vitro

“…Although there are differing proportions of AFB 1 , AFB 2 , AFG 1 , and AFG 2 in Aspergillus-contaminated feed, aflatoxinogenic molds predominantly produce AFB 1 and to a lesser extent the other three AF in feed (Cervino et al, 2008;Joubrane et al, 2011;Li et al, 2009). Worldwide, occupational exposure to AF is alarming; a level of even $8 ng AFB 1 /ml in blood of swine 'workers' whose exposure was by the inhalation, oral, and/or dermal routes, has been reported (Viegas et al, 2013). Further, in countries where mycotoxin-monitoring programs are absent, livestock may encounter far higher levels of the AF than the doses used here.…”

“…The AF and their toxic effects on key immune cells is a threat to animal and human health worldwide (CAST, 1989;Luongo et al, 2013;Reddy et al, 2009;Viegas et al, 2013). Recent data indicate that the chronic exposure of piglets to low mycotoxin levels still could affect the intestinal immune system and prolong infection with intestinal pathogens (Devriendt et al, 2009;Oswald et al, 2003).…”

Seasonally Feed-Related Aflatoxins B1 and M1 Spread in Semiarid Industrial Dairy Herd and Its Deteriorating Impacts on Food and Immunity

“…As such, routine harsher monitoring of AFs levels in different feedstuffs is urgent in semiarid northeastern Iran. For the detection of AFB 1 and AFM 1 , herein we used ELISA with sensitivity and specificity of above 98% with acceptable recovery rate, LOD/LOQ, and precision; nevertheless it is worth simultaneously confirming their quantification with some more advanced analytical tool like HPLC or LC/MS/MS as done by others [12,13].…”

“…Unfortunately, pivotally food animals increasingly consume aflatoxigenic mold-contaminated feed, worldwide [5,7,10]. Advanced analytical methods on AFB 1 /M 1 detection have revealed that even in Europe AFs routinely circulate in the body of food-producing animals and humans through feed/foods [12,13]. Predominantly hydroxylated AFB 1 metabolite (AFM 1 ) is as carcinogen as AFB 1 and bioaccumulates everywhere (meat, milk, etc.)…”

Human Biomonitoring – An overview on biomarkers and their application in Occupational and Environmental Health

“…Both markers of internal and effective dose are therefore preferable to measuring external levels of the compound in question (for example in the workplace), as they take into account biological variations in absorption, metabolism and distribution of the compound between individuals [15,17]. Other examples of applications in occupational contexts are the recent publications regarding exposure to Aflatoxin B1 in several settings [20][21][22][23]. The use of an exposure biomarker demonstrates that occupational exposure is occurring in specific settings, even when exposure to this natural toxin is recognized to occur essentially through food consumption.…”