Mycotoxins diagnosis

PCR-Based Diagnosis and Quantification of Mycotoxin-Producing Fungi... 

Knoll, A., Niessen, L., and Vogel, R. F. (2000). Application of a PCR protocol for the diagnosis of trichothecene producing Fusarium species in deoxynivalenol contaminated wheat. Mycotoxin Res. 16A, 240-243. 

In the absence of a biological detector or a particular characteristic of the aerosol (such as color or odor), diagnosis of an attack with trichothecene would depend on clinical observations of casualties and identification of the toxins in biological or environmental samples. This would involve a combined effort between the medical and chemical units in the field. The early signs and symptoms of an aerosol exposure to trichothecene mycotoxins would depend on particle size and toxin concentration. For a large-particle aerosol (particles > 10 pm, found in mist, fog, and dust similar to that used in Southeast Asia), the signs and symptoms would include rhinorrhea, sore throat, blurred vi-... 

The presence of cutaneous features with an appropriate history may suggest the diagnosis. T-2 mycotoxin may be detected by specific tests, including gas diromatography, which require specialised laboratory services. T-2 mycotoxin antigens may be detected up to 28 days following exposure. Bone marrow suppression may lead to pancytopenia, which can be identified by full blood cotmt. 

---