Review article
https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2259
The Impact of Mycotoxicoses on Human History
Maja Peraica
; Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb
Dubravka Rašić
; Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb
Abstract
Mycotoxicoses are acute or chronic diseases of humans and animals caused by mycotoxins, toxic compounds produced by moulds. Of about 400 known mycotoxins only a small number are known to cause mycotoxicoses in humans. Organs that are most targeted are those in which mycotoxins are metabolised, that is, the liver and kidneys, but the lesions may affect the neurological, respiratory, digestive, haematological, endocrine, and immune systems as well. The epidemics of mycotoxicoses are often connected with times of famine, when population consumes food that would not be consumed in normal circumstances. Mycotoxicoses have influenced human history, causing demographic changes, migrations, or even influencing the outcomes of wars. Fortunately, epidemics affecting so many persons and with so many fatalities belong to the past. Today they only appear in small communities such as schools and factory canteens. This paper presents epidemics and pandemics of mycotoxicoses that infl uenced human history.
Keywords
alimentary toxic aleukia; ergotism; putrid malignant fever; slow fever disease; tenth plague
Hrčak ID:
93663
URI
Publication date:
14.12.2012.
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