Aflatoxins in liver biopsies from Kenya

The results of aflatoxin analysis of 15 needle liver biopsies from a rural hospital in Kenya are reported. Nine of the biopsies were from living subjects and six were post mortem. Blood and urine collected the same day was also analysed for aflatoxin content. Aflatoxins in the liver specimen from living subjects were only found in 3 out of 5 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, but not in their blood. Aflatoxins were detected in 4 out of 6 post mortem liver specimens. In all three cases of cirrhosis aflatoxins were detected in blood and urine, but only one liver specimen showed aflatoxins. Our findings support the existing theory about the incrimination of aflatoxins in the aetiology of hepatocellular carcinoma, and the possible role aflatoxins may have in the pathogenesis of some forms of liver cirrhosis.