Mold-Help.org - The world's largest TOXIC MOLD website
  • Mold Basics
    • Mold Overview
    • Mold Symptoms
    • Mold Types & Images
    • Fungal Infections
  • Resources and Tools
    • Home Care
    • Health & Diet
    • Tips for Parents
    • Coping with Loss
    • Private Research
    • Legal Suggestions
    • Mold in the Bible
  • Mold News
    • Current Headlines
    • “Sick Buildings”
    • The Environment
    • Construction Industry
    • Govt. & Politics
    • The Workplace
    • Landlords & Tenants
    • Insurance Companies
    • Schools & Institutions
    • Strange Fungal Tales
    • Personal Mold Stories
    • Additional Articles
  • Agencies & Experts
  • About Mold-Help
    • Mold-Help News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Aflatoxicosis

in Fungal Infections /by Carolyn Willbanks

Aspergillus fumigatus is a mold that is common in most soils. This species is usually involved in decay of plant materials. The mold commonly causes stored grains to heat and decay and, under certain conditions, invades grain in the field. The problem is serious world-wide where beans, corn, rice, peanuts, wheat, milk, eggs and meat are important in the human diet.

Mold sickness in animals (and humans) can be caused by or result from:
1. Allergic sensitivity to mold spores
2. Growth of pathogenic molds within the body
3. The effects of ingested or inhaled toxic compounds (mycotoxins) produced by molds

Mycotoxins have very real toxic side effects to plants, animals and humans. Aflatoxin B1 is one of the mycotoxins produced by A. fumigatus commonly found in grains. The name aflatoxin comes from A(Aspergillus) + FLA(flavus) + toxin. Research has shown that Aflatoxin B1 is the most potent naturally occurring carcinogen in animals.

Infection of crops is most common after the kernels have been damaged by unfavorable weather and/or insect damage. Aflatoxins persists under extreme environmental conditions and are even relatively heat stable at temperatures above 212 degrees F, the boiling point of water. This species is also resistant to very low temperatures.

Effects on Animals

Aflatoxins (mold poisons) are found in animals fed aflatoxin-contaminated feeds. Aflatoxicosis is the poisoning of animals (and humans) from the ingestion of aflatoxins in contaminated food. All animal species are susceptible to aflatoxicosis. Regular or occasional consumption of feed containing aflatoxins results in decreased feed consumption, poor feed conversion, stunting, and decreased flesh growth. Once the damage has been done, the animals will not fully recover, and this condition could possibly lead to death.

In addition to the direct effect of the aflatoxin, animals become more susceptible to other diseases because of reduced immunity. For example, in poultry, besides fatty liver and kidney disorders, muscle and bone problems can develop. Recently, the addition of binding agents such as edible bentonite, montmorillonite and zeolite (volcanic) clays and natural supplements to the diet decrease the effects of mycotoxins.

When fed to animals, these natural products provide nonspecific binding to the mycotoxins, reducing the passage time through the gut. Although not specifically approved for this purpose, various products that have this ability are approved as binding or anti-caking agents.

Effects on Farmers and Grain Handlers

Aflatoxins are present in the spores of Aspergillus. When corn is combined and unloaded at elevators or other transfer points, it generates considerable dust, and some of this dust may contain aflatoxins. Hazmat suits and heavy gloves should always be worn when handling obviously moldy grain.

Inhaling aflatoxin-contaminated dust is a health hazard to humans as well as animals. Pulmonary Aspergilloma is a disease that afflicts the lungs of people and animals who come in contact with contaminated dusts containing mold spores and hyphae. Aspergilloma is frequently associated with skin irritation, fever, sneezing, wheezing, breathlessness, cough, ulcers and anorexia.

Aspergillus not only affects grain handlers, but also affects people who eat products made from contaminated crops. In addition, the effects of aflatoxins are immumosuppressive, causing increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, especially in populations where people ingestion is chronic. Click here to read more about contaminated peanut butter and the dangers to children.

Carolyn Willbanks
Author: Carolyn Willbanks

Tags: mould, toxic mold, mold illness, fungal disease, AFLATOXINS, aflatoxicosis
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://www.mold-help.org/wp-content/uploads/2003/04/Mold-growth-on-cattle-feed-stuff.jpg 223 333 Carolyn Willbanks https://www.mold-help.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/moldhelp-654x300.png Carolyn Willbanks2003-04-08 00:00:002019-04-27 23:33:56Aflatoxicosis
You might also like
Mold-Help logo Reports Of Mold In The Coatesville Area
Mold-Help logo Insurers Nix Mold Coverage
Mold-Help logo Mold blamed in health issues; $100 million lawsuit Pending
Mold-Help logo Toxic Mold Litigation Landmark News
Mold-Help logo Light Therapy May Help with Fungal Infections
Mold-Help logo Atlanta, GA - The Centers for Disease Control, Along With the EPA, Have Been Under Rigid Scrutiny

Mold Basics

  • Mold Overview
  • Mold Symptoms
  • Mold Types & Images
  • Fungal Infections

Latest Posts

  • Michigan Family Finds Toxic Mold Inside Home
  • California Winter Storms: Water Damage and Mold Exposure Concerns in California
  • Office and Commercial Buildings at Risk for Mold after COVID-19 Closings
  • COVID-19 Symptoms May Include Loss of Taste and Smell
  • New Mold Detox Information on the Horizon
  • COVID-19 Courses of Action
  • Stachybotrys
  • Simple and Easy Ways to Prevent the Coronavirus
  • Your Air Conditioning Unit Helps Eliminate Mold
  • Construction Workers Are Learning to Control Dust and Debris

Search Our Site:

Need Help with Mold?

Are you being affected by mold or other mycotoxins in your environment? Our team and community has over 15 years experience and can provide guidance. You can reach us by submitting your contact or through our Facebook page.

Have a Story to Share?

We're looking for stories and input to expand our database and to add to the personal experiences we've received from the thousands of victims over the last 15. If mold has impacted your life, please take the time to share your story. Your information is confidential and will only be shared with your permission.

Seeking Mold Experts

Are you an expert in the treatment of mold-affected health illnesses, or a provider of services to victims of mycotoxin exposure? Submit your information for listing consideration in our Agencies & Experts resource database.

Additional Resources

  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Glossary of Terms
  • Survivor Resources
  • General Inquiries
  • Legal Disclaimer

© Copyright - Mold-Help Organization
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Mold Basics
  • Resources and Tools
  • Agencies & Experts
  • Mold News
  • About Mold-Help
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OKLearn more

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Accept settingsHide notification only