Aflatoxins are toxins produced by fungi as secondary metabolites. This has been classified as a Class I carcinogen and different countries have different standards. More than five billion people in developing countries across the world are at risk of chronic exposure to aflatoxins through consumption of contaminated foods (Mukherjee 2013). Hepatocellular carcinoma is the leading aflatoxin-associated disease and the third leading cause of liver cancer worldwide with 550,000 to 600,000 new cases per year. Aflatoxins are toxic polyketides found in an estimated 25% of crops contaminated each year by fungi. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayAcute exposure: Acute aflatoxicosis is linked to very high doses of aflatoxins and characterized by hemorrhage, acute liver damage , edema and death in humans. These conditions are due to limited access to food, poor environmental conditions and the lack of a strong regulatory system. A good example to cite is the case of epidemic in Kenya in 1982 by consumption of home-grown maize, in which 12 people died and in 2004, 317 people fell ill and 125 people died in the central provinces. Chronic Exposure: Due to exposure to high and moderate concentrations of aflatoxicosis could lead to acute primary aflatoxicosis. Symptoms include hemorrhage, acute liver damage, edema, digestive problems and death. Chronic exposure to foods contaminated with aflatoxins can lead to cancer, with nutritional deficiencies leading to morbidity and mortality. Aflatoxins are also mutagenic and alter or mutate the genetic code, alteration of DNA leading to chromosomal breaks, rearrangements, loss or gain of chromosomes or changes within a gene. As they are carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic in nature, preventing and detoxifying these compounds constitutes a real challenge. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Being aflatoxins of lipolytic nature are readily absorbed across cell membranes via the site of exposure such as gastrointestinal and respiratory tract and enter the bloodstream and liver. It is metabolized in the liver. The effect of aflatoxins on human organs or systems: Pathological changes: enlarged liver, kidneys and spleen, fatty liver syndrome. Urinary system: inflammation of the kidneys which can lead to kidney failure. Digestive system: decreased digestion and absorption of proteins. and fats, breakdown of carbohydrates, decreased motility, diarrhea, colon cancer. Nervous system: abnormal behavior, depression. Reproductive system: reduced sperm count and infertility. Neonatal outcomes – low birth weight. Growth: Aflatoxin reduces growth rate. Gene and gene expression: teratogenic effect (congenital anomaly). Gene and gene deletion: carcinogenic effect – higher incidence of cancer. Immunosuppression: reduced resistance and susceptibility to HIV and tuberculosis. , and other opportunistic infections.