High serum concentrations of aflatoxin in Nepal as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent serum assay.
1 Sera from 28 Nepalis, both patients and workers in a hospital in Banepa, Nepal were examined for AFB1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 2 This assay, previously validated using spiked sera, provides a sensitive rapid determination of serum aflatoxin (B1, G1 and Q1). 3 All 28 sera were positive with concentrations from 60 pg ml-1 to 10 ng ml-1. 4 These results suggest that consumption of aflatoxin in Nepal is high (greater than 50-800 ng kg-1 d-1). 5 No reports of the degree of contamination of food, human consumption or body fluid concentrations of aflatoxin in Nepal have been previously published. 6 Aflatoxin may contribute to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, which is probably a common tumour in Nepal.
Denning
D W
DW
Department of Infectious Diseases (Lister Unit), Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex.
Sykes
J A
JA
Wilkinson
A P
AP
Morgan
M R
MR
D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000097:blood*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D009390:Nepal
D000348:Aflatoxins