T-2 toxins are agriculturally among the most important mycotoxins that present a potential hazard to health worldwide. These compounds are derivatives of a ring system referred to as trichothecenes [4]. T-2 toxins belong to a large family of chemically related toxins produced by fungi in taxonomical genera such as Fusarium, Myrothecium and Stachybotrys .
The trichothecene family boasts of a wide range of toxins, and T-2 is one of the earliest investigated and amongst the most toxic members of the family as compared to other mycotoxins (Table ​(Table2).2). The toxicity and deleterious effects of T-2 vary on the basis of numerous factors, such as the route of administration; the time and amount of exposure; the dosage administered; and the age, sex and overall health of the animal along with presence of any other mycotoxin [23]. Intoxication often occurs after feeding on feed made from grain, hay and straw, wintering in the open and becoming contaminated with F. sporotrichiella and F. poae . Poisoning in humans is known as alimentary toxic aleukia. The toxins produced by these species (T-2 and Diacetoxyscirpenol) have a local irritant effect and cause serous hemorrhagic inflammation; necrosis and ulceration in the digestive tract; and dystrophy in liver, kidney, heart, brain and peripheral ganglia of the vegetative nervous system. Damage is seen in the blood vessel walls, and hemorrhagic diathesis is provoked.
So if t2 toxin produced by Fusarium is the most deadly why are we not testimg for it? Why are we not testing for mycotoxin t2? Since it possess the most hazard. ? Further research into this toxin reaveals a possible reason.
D
uring a speech to the Berlin Press Association
on September 13, 1981, U.S. Secretary of State
Alexander Haig made a dramatic allegation. He
accused the Soviet Union of supplying mycotoxins— namley T2 toxin
compounds synthesized by fungi—to its Viet-
namese and Laotian Communist allies for military use
against resistance forces in Laos and Cambodia
(Kampuchea), and of employing the same agents in com-
bat operations in Afghanistan. “For some time now,”
Haig said
The hypothesis that trichothecenes have been used in gas attacks
is supported by the information released by the U.S.23
. Not only were
relatively high levels of trichothecenes found in samples from loca-
tions where gas attacks occurred, it has also been reported that a
metabolite of T-2 toxin, the deacetylated T-2 toxin form, called HT-
2 toxin, was found in the blood of victims24
. In other samples from
attacks in Southeast Asia, high concentrations of vomitoxin, T0 2 toxin,
diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) and zearalenone have been identified25
. The
levels reported are unusually high when compared with findings of
trichothecenes in mouldy feeds26
. Naturally occurring levels are around
2ppm (parts per million), the largest quantity ever found to occur
naturally being reported as 71.5 ppm of T-2 toxin27
. Under laboratory
conditions, up to 2,250 ppm28
of trichothecenes and more can be
produced readily.
The question of “natural background” levels of mycotoxins and
toxigenic fungi in Southeast Asia has been raised frequently in the
discussion of this topic and to find an answer was one of the objectives
of this Canadian study.
The Thai’s are quite aware of the potential natural existence of
mycotoxins in their country. The occurrence of aflatoxin is well doc-
umented since “Udorn Encephalopathy” (Reye’s Syndrome) in Thai-
land was associated with aflatoxin in 197129
. Outbreaks of afiatoxin-
poisoning in pigs in particular are a common experience"1
and a vast
number of Thai foods have been sampled for aflatoxin51
. The neph-
rotoxic ochratoxin is also fairly well studied32
, and the occurrence of
zearalenone, an estrogenic mycotoxin, is suspected33
.
There are no indicatations that the Thai’s have been looking for
trichothecenes in particular, but physicians and veterinarians who are
aware of the diseases caused by these toxins34
have yet to see a natural
disease outbreak.
Vegetation and soil samples collected by the author close to the
Thai-Kampuchean and Thai-Laos borders did not contain any
mycotoxins35
, but various fungal species were isolated, such as Fusar-
ium equiseti, F. moniliforme, F. oxysporum, F. semitectum and F. solani.
These results agree well with more extensive, earlier investigations in
this region36
. The findings indicate that potential producers of tri-
chothecenes do exist in Southeast Asia, but neither naturally occurring
diseases due to trichothecenes are described or seen, nor are there
any detectable levels of toxins in the environment.
36
Fuarsium is known to attack cannabis with fuarsium oxysporum cannabis know ro attack cannabis ezclusivly. Some say it was even created by our own government.
All fingures point to a conapiraxy to damage the health of our nation. This cannot stand.