🔅 Alternaria artenata is a type of fungus that belongs to the genus Alternaria, which includes many allergenic and pathogenic species.

– Alternaria artenata can produce various mycotoxins; such as: alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, and tenuazonic acid, that can have negative effects on human health.

– Some of the possible health effects of exposure to Alternaria artenata and its mycotoxins are:

🔅 Allergic reactions; such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, skin rash, or asthma

🔅 Respiratory infections; such as sinusitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia

🔅 Fungal keratitis; which is an infection of the cornea of the eye

🔅 Oesophageal cancer; which is a type of cancer that affects the tube that connects the mouth and the stomach

🔅 Cytotoxic effects; such as damage to the cells of the intestine and liver.

Symptoms of exposure to Alternaria artenata mycotoxins:

– Exposure to Alternaria artenata mycotoxins can cause various symptoms, depending on the type and amount of mycotoxins, as well as the route and duration of exposure. Some of the possible symptoms are:

🔅 Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, irritated, watery eyes, coughing, wheezing, itchy eyes, nose, and throat, and dry, scaly skin. These are typical symptoms of allergic reactions to Alternaria spores.

🔅 Diarrhea, muscle tremors and convulsions, dizziness, salivation, and vomiting. These are some of the toxic effects of tenuazonic acid (TA), a mycotoxin produced by Alternaria artenata and other species.

🔅 Tachycardia:

– This leads to massive bleeding from the digestive tract, motor dysfunction, and even death. These are some of the severe effects of high doses of TA.

🔅 Hemato-toxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic activities:

– These are some of the potential effects of alternariol (AOH), alternariol-monomethyl ether (AME), and altenuene (ALT), other mycotoxins produced by Alternaria artenata and other species.

– If you suspect that you or someone else has been exposed to Alternaria artenata mycotoxins, you should seek medical attention immediately.

– The risk of exposure to Alternaria artenata and its mycotoxins depends on several factors, such as: the level and duration of contamination, the type and amount of food or feed consumed, the susceptibility and immune status of the individual, and the presence of other environmental or genetic factors.

– The most common sources of exposure are contaminated food products such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, and grains.

Prevention and risk reduction measures:

– To prevent or reduce the exposure to Alternaria artenata and its mycotoxins, some of the possible measures are:

• Avoiding or minimizing the consumption of moldy or spoiled food products.

• Washing and peeling fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking.

• Storing food products in dry and cool conditions.

• Using proper methods of processing, preservation, and cooking of food products.

• Maintaining good hygiene and sanitation practices in food production and handling.

• Monitoring and controlling the levels of mycotoxins in food products.

• Seeking medical attention if symptoms of infection or toxicity occur.