Alimentary toxins

Alimentary toxic aleukia Fusarium sporotrichioides, F. poae (T-2 toxin)... 

The toxic effects of mycotoxins in humans have been reviewed by Peraica (Peraica et al, 1999). Toxins produced by F. sporotrichioides, with T-2 toxin believed to be the principal toxin, were implicated with the human disease alimentary toxic aleukia (ATA). Alimentary toxic aleukia was recognized prior to 1900 in the USSR, with thousands of people developing ATA and many dying after consuming cereals that overwintered in fields during and after World War II. 

Lutsky, I., Mor, N., Yagen, B., Joffe, A.Z. (1978). The role of T-2 toxin in experimental alimentary toxic aleukia a toxicity study in cats. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 43 111-24. 

The toxic efiects of the 12,13-epoxytrichothecenes are associated with the more highly oxidized members such as T-2 toxin (9.8) and vomitoxin (deoxynivalenol) (9.6) together with their macrocychc esters. The symptoms of alimentary toxic aleukia in test animals (cats) were detected on administration of T-2 toxin at a level of 0.08 mg kg per day. Structure activity studies on T-2 toxin revealed a requirement for the presence of the 12,13-epoxide and the 9-ene. The compounds exert their activity by the inhibition of protein synthesis. The trichothecenes interfere with the peptidyl transferase in the ribosomes. 

Treatment of a person poisoned by ricin involves alimentary canal decontamination procedures so as to prevent absorption of the toxin. These include the use of syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting, activated charcoal to adsorb the toxin and cathartics to accelerate expulsion. Where a suspected poisoning has occurred but the patient remains asymptomatic, alimentary canal decontamination should still be undertaken and hospital observation for at least six hours after suspected poisoning should take place. The patient should be told to return immediately if symptoms begin. Where more severe poisoning has occurred treatment with intravenous fluids, monitoring for haemolysis and hypoglycaemia, supportive care and the possibility of hypovolaemia should be considered. 

Originally, it was thought that these compounds could provide the structural basis for the design of pesticides because it is unlikely that insects would develop resistance to their own or closely related hormones [120]. However, this has proven not to be the case. Most insects possess enzymes such as mixed function oxidases and esterases in their alimentary tract and haemolymph which are, among other functions, important for the metabolism of plant toxins [121, 122]. For example, insects which have developed resistance to insecticides may also show resistance to JH... 

Joffe AZ. Alimentary toxic aleukia. In Kadis S, Ciegler A, Ajl SJ, eds. Microbiol Toxins. Vol 7. In Algal and Fungal Toxins. New York, NY Academic Press 1971 139-189. 

Decades ago in the former Soviet Union, improperly grown and cultivated wheat led to mold (Fusarium) infestation of the grain. Due to the toxin produced by the fungus trichothecene (and others), thousands were stricken with alimentary toxic aleukia (ATA), a condition reported by Russian scientists in... 

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