{"id":1392,"date":"2019-02-15T09:00:43","date_gmt":"2019-02-15T09:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.danielleal.pt\/?p=1392"},"modified":"2019-02-16T12:22:45","modified_gmt":"2019-02-16T12:22:45","slug":"the-hidden-danger-of-mycotoxins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/danielleal.pt\/en\/the-hidden-danger-of-mycotoxins\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hidden Danger of Mycotoxins"},"content":{"rendered":"

The pathogenic potential of mycotoxins (toxins produced by fungi) is increasingly recognized in the scientific literature, justifying a greater degree of awareness, especially in patients with chronic diseases of unknown origin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mold is often regarded as an inert substance with only cosmetic implications. However, in reality, mold represents populations of fungi that produce toxins to defend themselves from the surrounding environment.<\/b> The carcinogenic potential of aflatoxins (mycotoxins produced by fungi of the genus Aspergillus) when ingested in contaminated food has long been documented. But the danger of mycotoxins goes beyond direct ingestion.<\/span><\/p>\n

How can mycotoxins cause problems?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Mycotoxins can cause considerable damage to the human body, with ochratoxins, aflatoxins, trichothecenes and gliotoxins being the most pathogenic.<\/b> It is a question of dose, route of exposure, but also of genetic susceptibility. According to the work of Dr. Richie Shoemaker, a pioneer in this field in the USA, it is estimated that about 25% of the population has certain types of HLA (human leukocyte antigen) that makes them especially vulnerable to mycotoxins.<\/b> The genes of the HLA system encode proteins that recognize antigens and present them to the immune system, allowing a reaction and consequent removal of the antigens from circulation. Genetically susceptible individuals have a lower ability to recognize mycotoxins, allowing them to accumulate in the body, where they can have direct cell toxicity and incite an inflammatory cytokine cascade response.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Fig. 1 – The inhalation route is the main entry point of mycotoxins in the body.<\/span><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

What are the symptoms of exposure?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The symptoms may be unspecific and may affect multiple organ systems, and include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n

– Respiratory symptoms<\/b> – due to the inhalation of mycotoxins. Manifestations of airway hyperreactivity, such as asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis and chronic cough, are common in cases of mold sensitivity. This is not an IgE (the immunoglobulins normally associated with respiratory allergies) mediated allergic reaction and can not be diagnosed with common allergy tests.<\/span><\/p>\n