Trichothecene Mycotoxins

This page is a basic fact sheet about Trichothecene Mycotoxins.

• Normocyclic Trichothecenes: produced mainly by Fusarium species; more than 40 derivatives including nivalenol, deoxynivalenol (DON), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin
• Macrocyclic Trichothecenes: produced by Stachybotrys atra and other species; the toxins include Verrucarin, Roridin and Satratoxin
• the toxins are low molecular weight proteins
• they contain food refusal and emetic factors
• Trichothecene mycotoxins are stable for long periods of storage and are, therefore, highly persistent

• lethal dosage (estimated LD50 for humans - dose which would kill half the exposed humans): 0.5 mg/kg

• skin irritation potential (especially with cutaneous exposure)
• cause radiomimetic (cytotoxic) injury of intestines, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen and thymus, resulting in leukopenia and bone marrow atrophy
• effects on central nervous, circulatory and reproductive systems
• Normocyclic Trichothecenes
  • Alimentary Toxic Aleukia (time course: 8 weeks with rapid onset of symptoms)
  • burning sensation in alimentary tract
  • vomiting
  • tachycardia
  • leukopenia
  • petechial hemorrhages with necrosis in skin
  • internal hemorrhages
• Macrocyclic Trichothecenes
  • Stachybotryotoxicosis
  • conjunctivitis
  • rhinitis
  • leukopenia
  • dematitis
  • pulmonary fibrosis

• avoid consumption of contaminated food and water
• grain stored improperly, especially under wet and cold conditions, may be severely infected by trichothecene-producing molds
• Macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins may be liberated upon burning contaminated grain or straw; therefore steam sterilize contaminated clothing or hospital dressings, do NOT burn
• mixtures of naturally-occurring macrocyclic trichothecenes are highly potent and can produce death of animals within 24 hours
• protection required: gas mask and protective clothing

• wash contaminated skin with soap and water
• use active-absorbent compounds such as charcoal or bentonite to reduce absorption from the gut
• provide supportive therapy as required to improve cardiovascular function