| Abstract: | Mycotoxins such as the aflatoxins and deoxynivalenol (DON) are frequent contaminants of food. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and DON affect the immune system and restrict growth; additionally AFB1 is carcinogenic. To date there are limited descriptive biomarker data concerning maternal exposures during pregnancy, and none on co-exposures to these mycotoxins. This survey was a cross-sectional assessment providing descriptive data on the concentrations of serum aflatoxin–albumin (AF-alb), urinary aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), and urinary DON for 98 pregnant women from Egypt, in relation to diet and socioeconomic status, during the third trimester. AF-alb was detected in 34 of 98 (35%) samples, geometric mean (GM) of positives?=?4.9?pg AF-lys?mg?1 albumin (95% confidence interval (CI)?=?4.1–5.8?pg?mg?1), and AFM1 in 44 of 93 (48%) samples, GM of positives?=?19.7?pg?mg?1 creatinine (95%CI?=?14.8–26.3?pg?mg?1). AF-alb and AFM1 levels were positively correlated (R?=?0.276, p?=?0.007). DON was detected in 63 of 93 (68%), GM of positives?=?2.8?ng?mg?1 (95%CI?=?2.1–3.6?ng?mg?1). Aflatoxin and DON biomarkers were observed in 41% of the subjects concurrently. The frequency and level of these biomarkers in Egyptian women were modest compared with known high-risk countries. However, this study represents the first biomarker survey to report on the occurrence of DON biomarkers in an African population, in addition to the co-occurrence of these two potent mycotoxins. This combined exposure may be of particular concern during pregnancy given the potential of toxin transfer to the foetus. |
