Trichothecene Mycotoxins
Trichothecene mycotoxins are a family of mycotoxins produced by toxic molds and fungi such as Stachybotrys, Fusarium, Verticimonosporium, Trichoderma, Trichothecium, Cephalosporium and Myrothecium. There are 60 known types of trichothecene mycotoxins.
Trichothecene is one of the most common and well known mycotoxins because it is produced by the infamous toxic black mold Stachybotrys chartarum which grows indoors. Trichothecene mycotoxins produced outdoors can become a health hazard as well because they are produced on grains such as maize, oats and wheat by the toxic mold species Fusarium.
Trichothecene is also one of the most problematic mycotoxins because of its high resilience and extreme toxicity. Also because of its stability and deadliness, the trichothecene mycotoxin T-2 has been used in biological warfare.
Trichothecene Types
Some of the different types of Trichothecene mycotoxins are:
- Deoxynivalenol
- Diacetoxyscirpenol
- HT-2 mycotoxins
- Neosolaniol
- Nivalenol
- Satratoxin-H
- T-2 mycotoxins
- Verrucarin A
- Vomitoxin
Trichothecene Toxicity
Trichothecene mycotoxins are some of the most toxic mycotoxins. The LD50 (the dosage level that caused 50% of the group to die) rate for laboratory mice who were given trichothecene mycotoxins was between 1 and 7 mg/kg depending on the specific type of trichothecene and the exposure method.
Trichothecene Mycotoxin Symptoms
Exposure to Trichothecene mycotoxins can result in:
- Dry eyes
- Tiredness, fatigue
- General discomfort
- Vomitting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Mental impairment
- Rash
- Bleeding
Stability & Killing Trichothecene Mycotoxins
Trichothecene mycotoxins can remain toxic for years in a natural environment. Ultraviolet light does not break down trichothecenes and they are not soluble in water. They can also withstand freezing and very high temperatures, with a temperature of 500 fahrenheit being needed to destroy them. A 5% sodium hydrochlorite solution can also destroy trichothecene mycotoxins.
T-2 Trichothecene Mycotoxins in Biological Warfare
T-2 Trichothecene mycotoxins are the only mycotoxins that have been used in biological weapons. These Trichothecene mycotoxins have the advantages of being highly stable in the air, not degrading under ultraviolet light and being able to withstand heat. They are also used because they can be produced relatively easily and cheaply and they are extremely toxic with no antidote or vaccine available. T-2 mycotoxins are also the only substances used in biological warfare that can be absorbed through a person's skin.
The United States military is reportedly doing 90% of its current biological weapons research in T-2 mycotoxins. The Yellow Rain biological attacks used in Vietnam and Afghanistan were concentrated T-2 mycotoxins and Gulf War syndrome is believed to be caused by American soldiers' exposure to T-2 mycotoxins during biological attacks in Desert Storm.