Health Risks Associated with Exposure to Filamentous Fungi

Mary Augustina Egbuta, Mulunda Mwanza and Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
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Mary Augustina Egbuta: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
Mulunda Mwanza: Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
Olubukola Oluranti Babalola: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-17

Abstract: Filamentous fungi occur widely in the environment, contaminating soil, air, food and other substrates. Due to their wide distribution, they have medical and economic implications. Regardless of their use as a source of antibiotics, vitamins and raw materials for various industrially important chemicals, most fungi and filamentous fungi produce metabolites associated with a range of health risks, both in humans and in animals. The association of filamentous fungi and their metabolites to different negative health conditions in humans and animals, has contributed to the importance of investigating different health risks induced by this family of heterotrophs. This review aims to discuss health risks associated with commonly occurring filamentous fungal species which belong to genera Aspergillus , Penicillium and Fusarium , as well as evaluating their pathogenicity and mycotoxic properties.

Keywords: mycotoxicity; infections; Aspergillus; Fusarium; Penicillium (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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