The synergism of hepatitis B and aflatoxicosis in hepatocellular carcinoma development: A mini-review

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the twelfth most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of worldwide cancer related death. Chronic hepatitis B infection, caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and exposure to aflatoxins is fundamental in the formation of HCC in developing countries. This review of scientific publications aims to establish the detrimental effects of aflatoxin-contaminated foods and highlights the correlation between aflatoxin and hepatitis B viral-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Research has shown a significant increase in the occurrence of HCC in HBV-infected individuals exposed to fungal toxins. HBV demonstrates the ability to integrate and bind to p53 protein in the host DNA and propagate hepatocyte vulnerability through carcinogenic aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) damage. Although there has been clear evidence about the synergistic interaction of exposure to AFB1 and HBV infection in the induction of HCC, other literature has shown otherwise, mainly because incomplete and vague findings and hypotheses were made in regions where AFB1 and HBV pose a public health risk. Vaccination against hepatitis B and measures such as robust food safety systems to avoid hepatotoxicity and hepatocellular carcinogenesis induced by AFB1 is the most effective methods in the prevention of HCC induced by HBV and AFB1

The Bioload and Aflatoxin Content of Market Garri from some Selected States in Southern Nigeria: Public Health Significance

Background: Garri is consumed by several millions of people in the West African sub-region and in Nigeria in particular regardless of ethnicity and socio-economic class. How- ever production and handling methods have not been standardized resulting in a product with varying quality and safety indices hence varying public health concern. Objec- tives: To investigate the microbial contamination level; presence; prevalence and distribution of Aflations B1; B2; G1 and G2 in market garri with the aim of developing useful indices for safe handling and acceptable public health standards. Methods: A total of 300 samples comprising of 30 samples each from various market in both urban and rural settings were randomly collected using sterile polyethylene bags. These were analysed for microbiological quality and aflatoxins content using standard procedures. Results: Eight bacteria genera (Bacillus; Staphylococcus; Streptococcus; Pseudomonas; Clostridium; Salmonella Klebsiella and Coliforms groups) genera and six fungi genera (Asper- gillus; Penicillium; Rhizopus; Botrytls; Fusarium and Cladosporium) were detected and isolated. Aflatoxins B1; B2; G1 and G2 were detected in varying concentrations amongst the samples analysed within and amongst the states investigated with an average occurrence rate of 17.5Conclusion: Market garri was found to contain high bioload with vast array of micro-organisms and Aflatoxins in all the states investigated. Results are useful in developing and establishing public health standards for the production and safe handling of garri

Dietary aflatoxin exposure and impaired growth in young children from Kisumu District, Kenya: Cross sectional study

Cereal grains are the basis of weaning gruel in Kenya yet they run a high risk of mycotoxin contamination. Children could be at a higher risk of dietary mycotoxin exposure than the rest of the population.. This paper presents information on the association between nutritional state of children and dietary exposure to aflatoxins in Kisumu District. Weaning flour samples were collected randomly from 242 households in Kisumu District; Kenya. A questionnaire was used to collect information; from mothers whose flour were sampled; on the types of weaning foods; handling and storage. The nutritional status of the children in question was assessed and their weight and height measured. The flour samples were analyzed for aflatoxins by thin layer chromatography. Cultural studies of the flour were also done. Thirty one percent of the children were malnourished. The number of children who were wasting and were being fed on flour contaminated with mycotoxins was highly significant (P = 0.002). Seventy samples (29) were positive for aflatoxins (concentration range 2-82 ?g/kg); some exceeding the advisory limit

Aflatoxin and human diseases

Fungi invasion of our agricultural products and food lead to mouldiness and production of mycotoxin . These mycotoxin are toxic secondary metabolites elaborated by the fungi. They can cause diseases generally referred to as mycotoxicoses; the fungi per se are not involved in the disease process. One of such secondary metabolites of mouldiness is aflatoxin (which are exotoxin). The aflatoxin - producing species of fungi belong to the genus aspergillus Micheli 1729; which forms a large proportion of all the moulds encountered in our agricultural and industrial works. Their contamination of the foods and feeds (maize; sorghum; millet; rice; wheat soyabean etc) constitute an important toxicological hazard