Abstract
Earlier studies in Sierra Leone have indicated that some local foodstuffs were contaminated with aflatoxins B1 and G2, ochratoxin A (OTA) and B (OTB). Recently, high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) examination of biological specimens of infants revealed a high to moderate contamination rate of these specimens by aflatoxins and ochratoxins. Urine samples (54) were 100% contaminated with aflatoxins, 24% OTA and 20% OTB. Ninety-four percent of serum samples contained aflatoxins, 33% OTA and 23% OTB. Stool specimens were 94% aflatoxin positive, 33% and 58% OTA and OTB positive, respectively. The compound 4-hydroxyochratoxin A (4R-OTA), a metabolite of OTA, was for the first time discovered in human samples. Contamination of urine (45%) and stool (46%) specimens by 4R-OTA was observed. The major source of mycotoxin ingestion by infants is breast milk which has been shown to be 88% aflatoxin and 35% OTA contaminated.