Aflatoxin affects liver causing cirrhosis, hepatoma, hepatitis, and Rey's disease as, well as affect other organs like kidney, myocardium, and muscles. Even it may lead to decreased immunity in animal. A study conducted among the Philippine people with liver cancer showed 440% higher consumption of aflatoxin as compared to controls.
Time to time there has been outbreaks of aflatoxin toxicity caused by the consumption of moldy grain. A recent outbreak of jaundice due to aflatoxin toxicity occurred in Kenya. The mortality rate was as high as 39%. The problem is more in this part of the world where there is no proper place to keep the grains dry for long time. It is very difficult to keep all foodstuff in airtight containers. In an outbreak, 106 people died and 291 showed symptoms of hepatic dysfunction after consumption of moldy maize. Although liver, kidney, and muscles are commonly affected by aflatoxin, the brain is also affected. Autopsy of Thai children who died due to encephalopathy showed aflatoxin in their specimen. There are reports of the presence of aflatoxin in the blood of people from Nepal, who consumed contaminated food and feed. In a study, more than 11% children with kwashiorkor showed aflatoxin in their blood as compared to none of the controls. It has been shown that the birth weight of the baby is also affected if mothers have taken aflatoxin in their food during pregnancy. A strong negative correlation between aflatoxin and birth weight has also been observed.
Aflatoxin not only gives rise to cases of poisoning but is also associated with cancer (liver), kwashiorkor, and growth retardation among children.
http://www.indianjmedsci.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5359;year=2005;volume=59;issue=8;spage=331;epage=336;aulast=Koirala
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