Aflatoxin and liver cancer in Karachi - A preliminary survey

A cause and effect relationship of Aflatoxin and liver cancer is well established. The incidence of liver cancer is 3.6 percent in Karachi [Zuberi et ail., 1976] and Aflatoxin have been detected in 43 percent of 28 samples of food analyzed in this study. The long term ingestion of aflatoxin with food may have some effect on the existing pattern of liver cancer in Karachi

Aflatoxin in uncooked market commodities: spices

Seventy one samples of different spices sold open as well as packed were collected from different localities of Karachi city to evaluate their aflatoxin contamination. Thirteen percent of foods sold open were contaminated with aflatoxin while no aflatoxin was detected in foods packed in polythelene bags

Urinary excretion of aflatoxin and liver cancer in Karachi

Two hundred urine samples from apparently healthy subjects were examined for aflatoxin Aflatoxin was detected in the urine of 9.5% of subjects from the lower and 5% from the upper socioeconomic groups. Liver cancer is also more common in less privileged individuals. Aflatoxin excretion had no relationship with the age or sex of the subjects studied