A pilot study to evaluate aflatoxin exposure in a rural Ugandan population. Issue 5 (24th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Asiki, Gershim; Seeley, Janet; Srey, Chou; Baisley, Kathy; Lightfoot, Tracy; Archileo, Kaaya; Agol, Dorice; Abaasa, Andrew; Wakeham, Katie; Routledge, Michael N.; Wild, Christopher P.; Newton, Robert; Gong, Yun Yun
• Is Part Of: Tropical medicine & international health. Volume 19:Issue 5(2014:May)
• Page Start: 592
• Page End: 599
• Publication Date: 2014-02-24
• Subjects: Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 616.988
• DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12283
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-2276

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="tmi12283-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="tmi12283-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>The fungal metabolite aflatoxin is a common contaminant of foodstuffs, especially when stored in damp conditions. In humans, high levels can result in acute hepatic necrosis and death, while chronic exposure is carcinogenic. We conducted a pilot study nested within an existing population cohort (the General Population Cohort), to assess exposure to aflatoxin, among people living in rural south‐western Uganda.</p> </sec> <sec id="tmi12283-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Sera from 100 adults and 96 children under 3 years of age (85 male, 111 female) were tested for aflatoxin–albumin adduct (AF‐alb), using an ELISA assay. Socio‐demographic and dietary data were obtained for all participants; HIV serostatus was available for 90 adults and liver function tests (LFTs) for 99.</p> </sec> <sec id="tmi12283-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Every adult and all but four children had detectable AF‐alb adduct, including five babies reported to be exclusively breastfed. Levels ranged from 0 to 237.7 pg/mg albumin and did not differ significantly between men and women, by age or by HIV serostatus; 25% had levels above 15.1 pg/mg albumin. There was evidence of heterogeneity between villages (<italic>P</italic> = 0.003); those closest to trading centres had higher levels. Adults who consumed more Matooke (bananas) had lower levels of AF‐alb adduct (<italic>P</italic> = 0.02) than adults who did not, possibly because their diet contained fewer aflatoxin‐contaminated foods such as <italic>posho</italic> (made from maize). Children who consumed soya, which is not grown locally, had levels of AF‐alb adduct that were almost twice as high as those who did not eat soya (<italic>P</italic> = 0.04).</p> </sec> <sec id="tmi12283-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Exposure to aflatoxin is ubiquitous among the rural Ugandans studied, with a significant number of people having relatively high levels. Sources of exposure need to be better understood to instigate practical and sustainable interventions.</p> </sec> </abstract>