Aflatoxins

Changed by Daniel J Bell, 5 Nov 2018

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Aflatoxins are naturally occuring-occurring mycotoxins that are produced by Aspergillus species, especially Aspergillus flavus. They are acutely toxic and carcinogenic.

Acute exposure

High-level aflatoxin exposure can result in acute aflatoxicosis with acute hepatic necrosis, leading to cirrhosis, and potentially hepatocellular carcinoma

Chronic exposure

Chronic, subclinical exposure doesn'tdoes not result in aflatoxicosis.  In children, it may cause developmental delay and growth retardation. Chronic exposure can also result in increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. 

Aflatoxin metabolites can intercalate into DNA resulting in mutation of p53, one of the tumour suppressor genes.  Some base pair locations are preferentially affected, e.g. the third base of codon 249 1.

  • -<p><strong>Aflatoxins</strong> are naturally occuring mycotoxins that are produced by <a href="/articles/aspergillus">Aspergillus species</a>, especially <em><a href="/articles/aspergillus-flavus">Aspergillus flavus</a></em>. They are acutely toxic and carcinogenic.</p><h4>Acute exposure</h4><p>High-level aflatoxin exposure can result in acute aflatoxicosis with <a href="/articles/acute-hepatic-necrosis">acute hepatic necrosis</a>, leading to <a href="/articles/cirrhosis">cirrhosis</a>, and potentially <a href="/articles/hepatocellular-carcinoma">hepatocellular carcinoma</a>. </p><h4>Chronic exposure</h4><p>Chronic, subclinical exposure doesn't result in aflatoxicosis.  In children, may cause developmental delay and growth retardation. Chronic exposure can also result in increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. </p><p>Aflatoxin metabolites can intercalate into DNA resulting in mutation of <a href="/articles/p53">p53</a>, one of the tumour suppressor genes.  Some base pair locations are preferentially affected, e.g. the third base of codon 249 <sup>1</sup>.</p>
  • +<p><strong>Aflatoxins</strong> are naturally-occurring mycotoxins that are produced by <a href="/articles/aspergillus">Aspergillus species</a>, especially <em><a href="/articles/aspergillus-flavus">Aspergillus flavus</a></em>. They are acutely toxic and carcinogenic.</p><h4>Acute exposure</h4><p>High-level aflatoxin exposure can result in acute aflatoxicosis with <a href="/articles/acute-hepatic-necrosis">acute hepatic necrosis</a>, leading to <a href="/articles/cirrhosis">cirrhosis</a>, and potentially <a href="/articles/hepatocellular-carcinoma">hepatocellular carcinoma</a>. </p><h4>Chronic exposure</h4><p>Chronic, <a title="Subclinical disease" href="/articles/subclinical-disease">subclinical</a> exposure does not result in aflatoxicosis.  In children, it may cause developmental delay and growth retardation. Chronic exposure can also result in increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. </p><p>Aflatoxin metabolites can intercalate into DNA resulting in mutation of <a href="/articles/p53">p53</a>, one of the tumour suppressor genes.  Some base pair locations are preferentially affected, e.g. the third base of codon 249 <sup>1</sup>.</p>

Systems changed:

  • Oncology
  • Hepatobiliary
  • Paediatrics

Updates to Synonym Attributes

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