Sporadic Clinical Human Mycotoxicosis—

Abstract

Over hundreds of years, huge losses of human life have resulted from the ingestion of plant mycotoxins. These virulent. toxins are manufactured at times by certain fungi which speedily infest cereals stored at moisture levels of more than 15%, a situation that is very common in subsistence farming. As these toxins can withstand both boiling, and gastric acid and they can pass the placental barrier, it is fair to say that huge numbers of humans are exposed to them from intra-uterine life to the very grave. It would be strange thus were they not responsible for wide-spread sporadic (non-epidemic) disease, either as a sole agent or one that conditions humans to the ill effects of other agents, especially when compared with effects upon animals. This paper sets out the bases for these suggestions, and reviews clinical patterns and details results of investigations upon hospitalised patients.