Higher School of Health Technology of Lisbon/Institute Polytechnic of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal.
J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2012;75(22-23):1330-40. doi: 10.1080/15287394.2012.721164.
Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) has been recognized to produce cancer in human liver. In addition, epidemiological and laboratory studies demonstrated that the respiratory system was a target for AFB₁. Exposure occurs predominantly through the food chain, but inhalation represents an additional route of exposure. The present study aimed to examine AFB₁ exposure among poultry workers in Portugal. Blood samples were collected from a total of 31 poultry workers from six poultry farms. In addition, a control group (n = 30) was included comprised of workers who undertook administrative tasks. Measurement of AFB₁ in serum was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For examining fungi contamination, air samples were collected through an impaction method. Air sampling was obtained in pavilion interior and outside the premises, since this was the place regarded as the reference location. Using molecular methods, toxicogenic strains (aflatoxin-producing) were investigated within the group of species belonging to Aspergillus flavus complex. Eighteen poultry workers (59%) had detectable levels of AFB₁ with values ranging from <1 ng/ml to 4.23 ng/ml and with a mean value of 2 ± 0.98 ng/ml. AFB₁ was not detected in the serum sampled from any of the controls. Aspergillus flavus was the fungal species third most frequently found in the indoor air samples analyzed (7.2%) and was the most frequently isolated species in air samples containing only Aspergillus genus (74.5%). The presence of aflatoxigenic strains was only confirmed in outdoor air samples from one of the units, indicating the presence of a source inside the building in at least one case. Data indicate that AFB₁ inhalation represents an additional risk in this occupational setting that needs to be recognized, assessed, and prevented.
黄曲霉毒素 B₁（AFB₁）已被证实会导致人类肝脏癌症。此外，流行病学和实验室研究表明，呼吸系统是 AFB₁的靶器官。暴露主要通过食物链发生，但吸入是另一种暴露途径。本研究旨在检查葡萄牙家禽工人的 AFB₁暴露情况。从六家家禽养殖场共采集了 31 名家禽工人的血液样本。此外，还纳入了一组 30 名从事行政工作的工人作为对照组。通过酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）测量血清中的 AFB₁。为了检查真菌污染，通过撞击法收集空气样本。空气采样在内部和外部场所进行，因为这是被认为是参考位置的地方。使用分子方法，在所研究的属于黄曲霉复合体的物种组中调查了产毒菌株（产黄曲霉毒素）。18 名家禽工人（59%）的血清中可检测到 AFB₁，浓度范围为<1ng/ml 至 4.23ng/ml，平均值为 2±0.98ng/ml。对照组的血清中均未检测到 AFB₁。黄曲霉是室内空气样本中分析的第三常见真菌物种（7.2%），也是仅含黄曲霉属的空气样本中最常分离到的物种（74.5%）。仅在其中一个单位的室外空气样本中确认存在产黄曲霉毒素菌株，表明至少有一个来源在建筑物内。数据表明，在这种职业环境中，吸入 AFB₁ 代表了另一种需要被识别、评估和预防的额外风险。
