[Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of T-2 toxin, a trichothecene produced by Fusarium fungi].

When V79 cells were treated for 24 hr by T-2 toxin, a significant increase in micronuclei was observed with or without the addition of activation system. Positive results were also noted in rat hepatocyte-mediated 6TG resistant mutation and rat esophageal epithelial cell-mediated SCE, indicating genotoxic effects of T-2 toxin on V79 cells. Tumors in different organs were induced in rats by prolonged gavaging of small amounts of T-2 toxin. Epithelium of the forestomach appeared to be more reactive to T-2 toxin with the development of papillomas and carcinomas. However, tumors and other lesions were also observed in the anterior pituitary, adrenal, pancreatic islets and other organs, showing that T-2 toxin may exert a weak carcinogenic action in rats.