Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2010, 7(1), 178-188; doi:10.3390/ijerph7010178
Article

Aflatoxin Contamination in Food and Body Fluids in Relation to Malnutrition and Cancer Status in Cameroon

Angele N. Tchana* email, Paul F. Moundipa* email and Félicité M. Tchouanguepemail
Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology and Pharmacology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon
* Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 16 November 2009 / Accepted: 18 December 2009 / Published: 18 January 2010
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Abstract: Aflatoxins are food contaminants usually associated with hepatitis, immunodepression, impairment of fertility and cancer. The present work was to determine the presence of aflatoxins in eggs, milk, urine, and blood samples that were collected from various sources and periods; and hepatitis B virus antigen in blood samples. Aflatoxin was found in eggs (45.2%), cow raw milk (15.9%), breast milk (4.8%), urine from kwashiorkor and marasmic kwashiorkor children (45.5%), and sera from primary liver cancer patients (63.9%); HbsAg was also detected in 69.4% of the serum samples, but there was no association between both factors. Both AF and hepatitis B virus seem to be risk factors that could increase the incidence and prevalence rates of malnutrition and cancer in Cameroon.
Keywords: aflatoxins; egg; milk; malnutrition; hepatitis B virus; cancer; Cameroon

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MDPI and ACS Style

Tchana, A.N.; Moundipa, P.F.; Tchouanguep, F.M. Aflatoxin Contamination in Food and Body Fluids in Relation to Malnutrition and Cancer Status in Cameroon. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2010, 7, 178-188.

AMA Style

Tchana AN, Moundipa PF, Tchouanguep FM. Aflatoxin Contamination in Food and Body Fluids in Relation to Malnutrition and Cancer Status in Cameroon. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2010; 7(1):178-188.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tchana, Angele N.; Moundipa, Paul F.; Tchouanguep, Félicité M. 2010. "Aflatoxin Contamination in Food and Body Fluids in Relation to Malnutrition and Cancer Status in Cameroon." Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 7, no. 1: 178-188.

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