Toxic effects of mycotoxin mixtures

It is important to better characterize the hazard induced by the simultaneous presence of mycotoxins. Indeed, most of the data concerning the toxic effect of mycotoxins were done with a single mycotoxin and few data are available on toxin mixture. When mycotoxins are present simultaneously, interactive effects can be classified as additive, synergistic, or antagonistic (Klaasen and Eaton 1991; Kubena et al., 1988). Additive effects occur when the combined effects of two mycotoxins are equal to the sum of the effect of each toxin given alone. The combined effects of two mycotoxins are described as synergistic when they are much greater than the individual effects of each toxin alone. Antagonistic effects occur when the specific effect of one mycotoxin decreases or is modified in presence of another mycotoxin. Some experiments were done with domestic animals, to determine the effect of co-contamination (CAST
2003). They mainly demonstrate additive or less than additive effects, however synergistic interactions or antagonistic interactions have also been described. It should be noted that most of these studies were done on poultry, using high doses of toxin and just investigating performances.

In conclusion, humans and animals are generally exposed to several mycotoxins at the same time. However, the toxicological data available concern mainly toxin taken individually and there are very few data on toxicological effects resulting from the association of mycotoxins. Data resulting from contamination toxicological studies may contribute to changes in current regulations and lower regulatory levels if synergies were demonstrated in vivo and in vitro.