Immunotoxicity of Trichothecene Mycotoxins

The trichothecene mycotoxins are sesquiterpene alcohols or esters. Several genera of imperfect fungi, including; Trichoderma, Trichothecium, Myrothecium, Stachybotrys, Cephalosporium, and Verticimonosporium are known to produce trichothecene mycotoxins, most notable, however, are several Fusarium species. To date approximately 100 naturally occurring trichothecene mycotoxins have been identified. However, the rarity of most has limited toxicology research, primarily, to the study of; 4-deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin), 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3-acetyl-DON), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS, anguidine), fusarenon-X (FUS-X), nivalenol (NIV) , and T-2 toxin (T-2). Often described as secondary, plant metabolites, without obvious benefit to the organism, mycotoxins are believed to be produced in response to various environmental stresses. Trichothecene-producing fungi are distributed widely, and found in temperate as well as subtropical climates.