Aflatoxin and Reye's syndrome: a case control study.

Aflatoxin levels were determined in serum and urine of 17 patients with Reye's syndrome and in control subjects. No significant difference in aflatoxin levels was found for the two groups. However, 23% of all persons studied had levels of aflatoxin indicative of recent exposure. Aflatoxin levels were associated with ingestion of cornmeal and corn bread but not peanut-containing products. This prevalence of aflatoxin may be of public health importance.