The Effect-Inhaled Spores of Mycotoxin Producing Fungi on Animals

Eeva-Liisa Hintikka, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Head of the Department of Bacteriology, National Veterinary and Food Research Institute, Helsinki, FINLAND

Animals in contact with a mouldy environment are exposed to respiratory fungal infection, lung mycosis. Toxic fungal spores in the air create a risk of respiratory effect. Animal experiments have shown that pure mycotoxins administered to the respiratory organs have only a transient or no effect in the lungs. Toxin-containing spores of Stachybotrys atra administered to the respiratory organs of mice cause severe haemorrhages and lung inflammation.