Abstract
Poster session 3, September 23, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Objectives
The genus Aureobasidium includes 14 species, amongst which Aureobasidium pullulans is the most well-known species. Aureobasidium pullulans, includes two well-documented varieties found in indoor environments and associated with health issues: A. pullulans var. pullulans and A. pullulans var. melanogenum. Aureobasidium pullulans is a mold belonging to the family Dothioraceae. It colonizes nails, hair, and skin in humans. Deleterious immune reactions may occur in humans, like hypersensitivity pneumonitis and allergies. Respiratory allergies may result due to high levels of Aureobasidium in the air. The metabolites of the mold, like mycotoxin, are known to cause toxic-irritant effects. In view of this, the present work evaluates the effects of the toxic secondary metabolites of A. pullulans var. pullulans (CBS 577.93) in a murine model.
In order to maximize the toxicological potential of A. pullulans pullulans (CBS 577.93) for the production of mycotoxins, an understanding of its mode of action in an animal model is necessary. In the present study, we report the mycotoxicological activity of A. pullulans pullulans (CBS 577.93) in experimental mice.
Material and Methods
Mycotoxins isolated from A. pullulans pullulans (CBS 577.93) were used for the experimental induction of mycotoxicosis in Swiss mice (C3HHC strain). The mycotoxin was administered intraperitoneally (IP) and intranasally (IN). To assess the toxic effects of the A. pullulans mycotoxins, eight organs, namely liver, lungs, kidney, spleen, stomach, heart, brain, and testis, were taken into consideration. The hematological, histopathological, and biochemical aspects of A. pullulans-induced mycotoxicosis were investigated.
Results
Behavioral observations—A significant decrease in the consumption of feed in both IN and IP groups was noted. The weights of the mice increased in both the IP and IN groups.
Anatomical observations—Gross lesions on the liver and lungs and the presence of cysts or polyps were noted on autopsy in both groups. Likewise, relative organ body weight percentage also increased in all the organs except the testis.
Hematological analysis—Lymphocytosis and neutropenia were observed in IP as well as IN groups.
Biochemical analyses—Elevated malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) production; abnormal levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were observed, which signifies A. pullulans mycotoxin induced oxidative stress.
Histological observations—Histopathological changes characterized by inflammation and amyloid in the liver, edema in the lungs, tubule hypertrophy in renal tissues, angiectasis in the spleen, hyperplasia in gastric tissues, neurodevelopmental anomaly in the brain, and degeneration in the testis were observed.
Cell apoptosis factor—The reduced activity of caspase-3 enzyme was noted in both the mycotoxicosis-induced groups.
Conclusion
Thus, from the present study, we concluded that mycotoxins isolated from A. pullulans (CBS 577.93) documented toxicity in all eight organs, with the testis and lungs being the worst affected organs. Even at a very small concentration and short exposure, the mycotoxin caused severe damage to the vital organs. New risk assessment approaches should be considered to investigate the toxicological interactions of A. pullulans mycotoxins in the indoor environment and in animal models.