Mircrobial Toxins

Microbial toxins are toxins produced by micro-organisms, including bacteria and fungi. Microbial toxins promote infection and disease by directly damaging cells and by disabling the immune system.

Toxins act at the site of infection, but can also be transported to other areas of the body via the bloodstream, a condition caused toxaemia.

FUngal Excretion

Just like other living organisms, fungi need to get rid of the waste products from their chemical reactions (metabolism). Just like bacteria, fungi may also secrete toxins from their cells. Some of these toxins are highly poisonous.

For example Amanita muscaria, the fly agaric toadstool is highly toxic. Some Aspergillus species release cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens) called aflatoxins when they are grown on peanuts.

Mycotoxins (fungal toxins) are chemicals produced by fungi (especially moulds) under certain conditions. They are not essential for fungal growth and reproduction, and are toxic to humans and animals. Scientists do not yet know how many mycotoxins exist, even though more than 250 have been detected. They are produced by a number of well known fungi including Aspergillus, Stachbotrys, Penicillium and Fusarium. Some of these species of moulds are found in damp houses in New Zealand homes and are responsible for a number of illnesses. Disease in animals caused by mycotoxins are called mycotoxicoses. Mycotoxicoses are not contagious and are usually caused by the consumption of contaminated food. They affected the cells of the body.