Epidemiology
Although T-2 mycotoxin was not isolated until the 1960s, the first recorded outbreak was in Orenburg, Russia in the 1940s.[4] Due to World War Two, there was delayed harvesting and inappropriate storage of wheat, as well as scarcity of food, resulting in the mass consumption of contaminated food. Those affected developed initial gastrointestinal symptoms, followed by bone marrow hypoplasia with leukopenia and haemorrhage. Thousands of people died. A similar condition in horses had been documented in Ukraine in 1931 and named alimentary toxic aleukia (ATA). In a global survey of mycotoxins in animal feed, T-2 mycotoxin was most commonly detected in Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe. Climate, weather, and agricultural practices are strong determinants of mycotoxin contamination in food.[5]
T-2 mycotoxin in aerosolised form (termed 'yellow rain') was allegedly used during the military conflicts in Laos (1975-1981), Kampuchea (1979-1981), and Afghanistan (1979-1981) resulting in thousands of deaths.[6] However, it has been suggested that exposure was due to the ingestion of contaminated foods and that the yellow droplets seen were actually faecal matter from swarms of honey bees.[4][7]
T-2 mycotoxin was suggested as a possible cause of 'sick building syndrome' along with other mycotoxins, such as satratoxins G and H, and the aflatoxin precursor sterigmatocystin. However, there are difficulties in detecting indoor environmental mycotoxins, defining significant levels of exposure, and proving anything beyond association.[8] Currently it is not believed to play a causal role in this phenomena.[9]
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