Which toxin is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium spp and associated with Alimentary toxic aleukia?

Which toxin is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium spp and associated with Alimentary toxic aleukia?

• A. Saxitoxin
• B. Diacetoxyscirpenol T-2
• C. Tetrodotoxin
• D. Aflatoxin

Answer: (B)

Alimentary toxic aleukia is linked to Fusarium-produced mycotoxins in contaminated grain. The toxin most associated with ATA is the T-2 toxin, a trichothecene produced by Fusarium species. It strongly inhibits protein synthesis by binding to ribosomes, leading to damage of rapidly dividing tissues such as the gastrointestinal mucosa and bone marrow. That explains the combination of GI symptoms and leukopenia seen in ATA. Other toxins listed come from different organisms or have different effects: saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin are neurotoxins from marine sources, causing nerve transmission problems; aflatoxin is produced by Aspergillus and is a potent liver carcinogen. Therefore, the Fusarium mycotoxin tied to Alimentary toxic aleukia is T-2 toxin (diacetoxyscirpenol).

Alimentary toxic aleukia is linked to Fusarium-produced mycotoxins in contaminated grain. The toxin most associated with ATA is the T-2 toxin, a trichothecene produced by Fusarium species. It strongly inhibits protein synthesis by binding to ribosomes, leading to damage of rapidly dividing tissues such as the gastrointestinal mucosa and bone marrow. That explains the combination of GI symptoms and leukopenia seen in ATA. Other toxins listed come from different organisms or have different effects: saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin are neurotoxins from marine sources, causing nerve transmission problems; aflatoxin is produced by Aspergillus and is a potent liver carcinogen. Therefore, the Fusarium mycotoxin tied to Alimentary toxic aleukia is T-2 toxin (diacetoxyscirpenol).