Toxic Responses to Aflatoxins in a Developing Host

Aflatoxins, the carcinogenic fungal toxins produced by Aspergillus flavus group of fungi are exposed to us through food, air and variety of other routes. A developing host is at exposure risk to aflatoxins at various stages. The most important and least dealt with route of exposure is the in utero exposure of metabolized or unmetabolized aflatoxins during pregnancy. The in utero exposure may lead to severe teratological damages and malfunctioning of various physiological processes. The next stage of aflatoxin exposure to a developing host is through mother's milk. Aflatoxins have been detected in breast milk samples collected from countries of high aflatoxin incidence. The occurrence of aflatoxins has also been reported in market liquid and powder milk samples aften used for baby feeding. Since a developing baby is fed on milk in early stages of development, the possible health hazard of aflatoxin as a result of chronic exposure can not be ruled out.Aflatoxins have shown their teratogenic responses in various animal species. They have also been reported to exhibit their transplacental carcinogenicity. The impairment of immune functions as a result of aflatoxin exposure to a developing host may enhance its susceptibility to infections and development of malignancies. Aflatoxins are also incriminated in some childhood diseases like Indian childhood cirrhosis and kwashiorkor.It is concluded that extensive research has to be done to elucidate effects of aflatoxins on developing nervous system and its interrelationship with immune functions. Studies should also be conducted in malnourished host in order to extrapolate the findings in tropics where coNeurrent occurrence of aflatoxins and malnourishment is very prevalent.