Urinary aflatoxin M1 in Port-au-Prince and a rural community in north-east Haiti
Jeremy R Schwartzbord1, Jef L Leroy2, Linda Severe3
1a Institute for Comparative Environmental Toxicology , Cornell University , Ithaca , NY , USA.
Abstract:
Aflatoxins (AFs) are hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxins that can contaminate grains and oil seeds in tropical and sub-tropical areas and have been detected in maize and peanut products of Haiti. The first objective was to assess human exposure to AFs among Haitians at an urban hospital (GHESKIO) and a rural health centre (HCBH). The second objective was to test the association between AF exposure and reported dietary intake of potentially contaminated foods, such as maize, peanut products and milk. Measurement of urinary AFM1 by HPLC revealed that among 367 participants 14% and 22% at GHESKIO and HCBH, respectively, had detectable AFM1. The maximum and median AFM1 concentrations for all detected samples were 700 pg AFM1 ml(-1) and 11.7 pg ml(-1), respectively. Detection of AFM1 was significantly associated with peanut consumption (p < 0.05). Controlling for diet and age group in a logit model, patients who reported peanut consumption the day of the survey and patients from HCBH had greater log odds of excreting detectable AFM1 (p < 0.001 and 0.002, respectively); females had lower log odds (p = 0.020). Recalled frequency of consuming non-dairy animal-sourced foods, an indicator of diet quality, approached significance (p = 0.056) as an inverse predictor of urinary AFM1 detection. The findings augur the need for interventions that will improve food safety in Haiti and limit exposure to AFs, particularly among rural communities.
Insights
Haitians in rural areas show higher exposure to aflatoxins (AFs), toxic compounds found in contaminated foods like peanuts. Peanut consumption significantly increases the risk of detecting AFs in urine, highlighting the need for improved food safety measures.
Area of Science:
- Food safety
- Toxicology
- Public health
Background:
- Aflatoxins (AFs) are hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxins prevalent in tropical/subtropical regions, contaminating staple foods like maize and peanuts.
- AFs have been detected in Haitian maize and peanut products, posing a significant public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess human exposure to AFs in urban (GHESKIO) and rural (HCBH) Haiti.
- To investigate the association between AF exposure and dietary intake of potentially contaminated foods (maize, peanuts, milk).
Main Methods:
- Urinary aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) levels were measured using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) in 367 participants.
- Dietary intake, including peanut consumption and frequency of animal-sourced foods, was assessed via surveys.
- Statistical analysis, including logistic regression, was used to determine associations between AFM1 detection and demographic/dietary factors.
Main Results:
- 14% of participants at GHESKIO and 22% at HCBH had detectable urinary AFM1.
- AFM1 detection was significantly associated with peanut consumption (p < 0.05).
- Higher odds of detectable AFM1 were linked to peanut consumption and rural location (HCBH), while female sex showed lower odds. Better diet quality (non-dairy animal-sourced foods) approached inverse significance.
Conclusions:
- Rural Haitian communities exhibit higher aflatoxin exposure, primarily linked to peanut consumption.
- Urgent interventions are needed to enhance food safety and reduce AF exposure, especially in rural areas.
- Dietary patterns play a crucial role in AF exposure, necessitating targeted public health strategies.
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