IMR Press / FBL / Volume 8 / Issue 5 / DOI: 10.2741/978

Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark (FBL) is published by IMR Press from Volume 26 Issue 5 (2021). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with Frontiers in Bioscience.

Article

Mycotoxins of aspergilli; exposure and health effects

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1 Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Uusimaa Regional Institute, Arinatie 3 A FIN-00370 Helsinki, Finland
Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed) 2003, 8(5), 232–235; https://doi.org/10.2741/978
Published: 1 May 2003
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.

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