Alterations in circulating lymphoid cell populations in systemic small vessel vasculitis are non-specific manifestations of renal injury.

Innate lymphocyte populations, such as innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), γδ T cells, invariant natural killer T (iNK T) cells and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are emerging as important effectors of innate immunity and are involved in various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the frequencies and absolute numbers of innate lymphocytes as well as conventional lymphocytes and monocytes in peripheral blood from a cohort of anti-neutrophil cytoplasm autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients. Thirty-eight AAV patients and 24 healthy and disease controls were included in the study. Patients with AAV were sampled both with and without immunosuppressive treatment, and in the setting of both active disease and remission. The frequencies of MAIT and ILC2 cells were significantly lower in patients with AAV and in the disease control group compared to healthy controls. These reductions in the AAV patients remained during remission. B cell count and frequencies were significantly lower in AAV in remission compared to patients with active disease and disease controls. Despite the strong T helper type 2 (Th) preponderance of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, we did not observe increased ILC2 frequency in this cohort of patients. The frequencies of other cell types were similar in all groups studied. Reductions in circulating ILC2 and MAIT cells reported previously in patients with AAV are not specific for AAV, but are more likely to be due to non-specific manifestations of renal impairment and chronic illness. Reduction in B cell numbers in AAV patients experiencing remission is probably therapy-related.

HuCOP1 contributes to the regulation of DNA repair in keratinocytes.

We have previously demonstrated that the E3 ligase Human Constitutive Photomorphogenic Protein (huCOP1) is expressed in human keratinocytes and negatively regulates p53. The MutS homolog 2 (MSH2) protein plays a central role in DNA MMR mechanism and is implicated in the cellular response to anticancer agents, such as cisplatin. Our aim was to clarify whether huCOP1 plays a role in DNA MMR by affecting MSH2 protein level in human keratinocytes. To define the role of huCOP1 in DNA mismatch repair, we determined whether huCOP1 affects MSH2 abundance. MSH2 protein level was detected by immunocytochemical staining using a keratinocyte cell line in which the expression level of huCOP1 was stably decreased (siCOP1). To investigate whether huCOP1 silencing influences cisplatin-induced cell death, control and siCOP1 keratinocyte cells were treated with increasing concentrations of cisplatin and cell viability was recorded after 48 and 96 h. Stable silencing of huCOP1 in human keratinocytes resulted in a reduced level of MSH2 protein. huCOP1 silencing also sensitized keratinocytes to the interstrand crosslinking inducer cisplatin. Our results indicate that decreased huCOP1 correlates with lower MSH2 levels. These protein level changes lead to increased sensitivity toward cisplatin treatment, implicating that huCOP1 plays a positive role in maintaining genome integrity in human keratinocytes.

Ebola virus disease: awareness among junior doctors in England.

The current Ebola virus epidemic continues to pose a threat to the UK. Junior clinicians are often at the frontline of medical care in hospitals and their awareness of the clinical features and management of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) may significantly influence the timely implementation of infection control measures. In view of this, we carried out a cross-sectional survey of 119 junior doctors across four different hospitals in England in order to assess their level of knowledge of EVD. We demonstrate that there is currently a deficiency of knowledge about critical aspects of EVD in this population.

UVB-dependent changes in the expression of fast-responding early genes is modulated by huCOP1 in keratinocytes.

Ultraviolet (UV) B is the most prominent physical carcinogen in the environment leading to the development of various skin cancers. We have previously demonstrated that the human ortholog of the Arabidopsis thaliana constitutive photomorphogenesis 1 (COP1) protein, huCOP1, is expressed in keratinocytes in a UVB-regulated manner and is a negative regulator of p53 as a posttranslational modifier. However, it was not known whether huCOP1 plays a role in mediating the UVB-induced early transcriptional responses of human keratinocytes. In this study, we report that stable siRNA-mediated silencing of huCOP1 affects the UVB response of several genes within 2 h of irradiation, indicating that altered huCOP1 expression sensitizes the cells toward UVB. Pathway analysis identified a molecular network in which 13 of the 30 examined UVB-regulated genes were organized around three central proteins. Since the expression of the investigated genes was upregulated by UVB in the siCOP1 cell line, we hypothesize that huCOP1 is a repressor of the identified pathway. Several members of the network have been implicated previously in the pathogenesis of non-melanoma skin cancers; therefore, clarifying the role of huCOP1 in these skin diseases may have clinical relevance in the future.

N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonism decreases motility and inflammatory activation in the early phase of acute experimental colitis in the rat.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases are accompanied by severe motility disorders. The aim of our study was to investigate whether the blockade of peripheral N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-sensitive glutamate receptors (NMDA-Rs) alters motility changes in chemically induced acute colitis and how this modulation is accomplished. METHODS: The inflammatory and motility changes in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis were studied in anaesthetized Wistar rats following treatment with the natural NMDA-R antagonist kynurenic acid (KynA) or SZR-72, a blood-brain barrier-permeable synthetic KynA analogue. The macrohaemodynamics, serosal microcirculation (visualized by intravital videomicroscopy), plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), inflammatory enzyme activities (xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS)), and colonic motility (with a strain-gauge technique) were evaluated 17 h after colitis induction and compared with the control conditions. KEY RESULTS: The TNBS enema induced a systemic hyperdynamic circulatory reaction, increased the serosal capillary blood flow, significantly elevated the mucosal XOR, MPO and NOS activities and augmented the colonic motility relative to the controls. The NMDA-R antagonist treatment with KynA or SZR-72 significantly reduced the XOR, NOS and MPO activities, decreased the motility and increased the tone of the colon. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: These data demonstrate a potential modulatory mechanism of NMDA-R in altered colonic motility in TNBS colitis. Inhibition of the enteric NMDA-Rs may provide a therapeutic option via which to influence intestinal hypermotility, microcirculatory changes and inflammatory activation simultaneously.

Aflatoxin and ochratoxin A content of spices in Hungary.

In October and November 2004, 91 spice samples (70 ground red pepper, six black pepper, five white pepper, five spice mix and five chilli samples), the majority of which originated from commercial outlets, were analysed for aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) and ochratoxin A (OTA) content by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after immunoaffinity column clean-up. Eighteen of the 70 ground red pepper samples contained AFB1, seven of them in a concentration exceeding the 'maximum level' of 5 microg kg(-1) (range 6.1-15.7 microg kg(-1)). Of the other spices assayed, the AFB1 contamination of one chilli sample exceeded 5 microg kg(-1) (8.1 microg kg(-1)). Thirty-two of the 70 ground red pepper samples contained OTA, eight of them in a concentration exceeding the 10 microg kg(-1) 'maximum level' (range 10.6-66.2 microg kg(-1)). One chilli sample was contaminated with OTA at 2.1 microg kg(-1). The AFB1 and OTA contamination of ground red pepper exceeding the 'maximum level' (5 and 10 microg kg(-1), respectively) was obviously the consequence of mixing imported ground red pepper batches heavily contaminated with AFB1 and OTA with red pepper produced in Hungary. This case calls attention to the importance of consistently screening imported batches of ground red pepper for aflatoxin and ochratoxin A content and strictly prohibiting the use of batches containing mycotoxin concentrations exceeding the maximum permitted level.

Ochratoxin a content of urine samples of healthy humans in Hungary.

The ochratoxin A (OTA) content of urine samples from 88 healthy humans living at five settlements in three counties of Hungary was determined by immunoaffinity column cleanup and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). OTA was detected in 61% of the samples in an average concentration of 0.013 ng/ml (range: 0.006-0.065 ng/ml). OTA concentrations measured in urine samples from men and women were not significantly different. The OTA concentration of samples from Heves county was significantly (t-test; p < 0.003) higher than that of samples from Hajdú-Bihar and Somogy counties. The regional differences in OTA concentration of urine samples indicate regional differences in the OTA exposure of the human population. Further studies are necessary to determine the cause of the regional differences in the OTA intake. The studies allow us to conclude that the OTA intake of the majority of the Hungarian population is low (< 1 ng/kg of body weight per day) but a certain part of the rural population may take up higher levels of OTA.

The coverage of cancer patients by designated palliative services: a population-based study, South Australia, 1999.

Our aims were to determine the extent of coverage by designated palliative care services of the population of terminally ill cancer patients in South Australia, and to identify the types of patients who receive these services and the types who do not. All designated hospice and palliative care services in South Australia notified to the State Cancer Registry the identifying details of all their patients who died in 1999. This information was cross-referenced with the data for all cancer deaths (n=3086) recorded on the registry for 1999. We found that the level of coverage by designated palliative services of patients who died with cancer in 1999 was 68.2%. This methodology was previously used to show that the level of coverage had increased from 55.8% for cancer deaths in 1990 to 63.1% for those in 1993. Patients who died at home had the largest coverage by palliative services (74.7%), whereas patients who died in nursing homes had the lowest coverage (48.4%). Patients who did not receive care from these palliative services tended to be 80 years of age or older at death, country residents, those with a survival time from diagnosis of three months or less, and those diagnosed with a prostate, breast, or haematological malignancy. Gender, socioeconomic status of residential area, and race were not related to coverage by a designated palliative service, whereas migrants to Australia from the UK, Ireland, and Southern Europe were relatively high users of these services. We conclude that the high level of palliative care coverage observed in this study reflects widespread support for the establishment of designated services. When planning future care, special consideration should be given to the types of patients who most miss out on these services.

Ochratoxin a contamination of cereal grains and coffee in Hungary in the year 2001.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin, a secondary metabolite produced by mould fungi belonging to several Aspergillus and Penicillium species. It is formed during the storage of cereal grains and other plant-derived products. OTA ingested by humans and animals with the food or feed may exert deleterious effects on health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ochratoxin contamination of the most important potential sources of OTA. The OTA content of cereal samples for human consumption (36 baking wheat, 16 wheat flour and 6 maize coarse meal samples) and feed grain samples (30 feeding wheat, 32 feeding maize and 20 feeding barley samples) collected in the mid-phase or at the end of the storage period and of 50 commercial coffee samples was determined. The analyses were performed by immunoaffinity column--high-performance liquid chromatography (IAC-HPLC). The limit of detection of the method was 0.1 ng/g. Of the wheat samples intended for human consumption, 8.3% contained OTA at 0.29 ng/g on the average (OTA ranges: 0.12-0.5 ng/g; Table 2). The OTA contamination of wheat flour and maize meal samples for human consumption was similar to that of the baking wheat samples. OTA contamination was found in 26.7% of the feeding wheat, 15.6% of the feeding maize and 35% of the feeding barley samples. The average values and the ranges of OTA levels found in the above samples were 12.2 and 0.3-62.8 ng/g, 4.9 and 1.9-8.3 ng/g, and 72 and 0.14-212 ng/g, respectively (Table 3). Sixty-six percent of the coffee samples were contaminated with OA (average level: 0.57 ng/g, ranges: 0.17-1.3 ng/g; Table 4). OTA contamination of baking wheat samples was found to be relatively low, presumably as a result of the favourable weather at harvest and the optimal storage conditions. Calculations made on the basis of the obtained results show that the daily OTA intake of an adult human from edible cereals is only 6.7 ng, while the amount taken up with coffee is 4.1 ng daily. The high prevalence and high levels of OTA contamination in feed grains can be explained by the unfavourable storage conditions, and this finding suggests that OA-related health problems may arise in animals, and that foods of animal origin may be contaminated with this mycotoxin.

The effectiveness of local adaptation of nationally produced clinical practice guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Local adaptation is often reported in the literature to be an important strategy in achieving local ownership and relevance of guidelines in order to increase the likelihood of their uptake and implementation. However, the process is also potentially time-consuming and costly. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of local adaptation of nationally produced clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on the knowledge, attitude and reported practices of GPs. METHODS: Two Divisions of General Practice in Adelaide, Australia were selected and randomized to adapt a nationally produced CPG (on Stroke Prevention) by the National Health and Medical Research Council or use the original version. The order of the interventions was reversed for a second guideline (on management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men). An identical multifaceted dissemination strategy was adopted for both sets of guidelines in the two divisions. Prior to the intervention, a random sample of 200 GPs from each Division was sent a postal survey about their knowledge, attitudes and reported practices. This was repeated 3 months after the dissemination phase. RESULTS: Sixty-one per cent (243/400) of the GPs responded to the initial survey and, of these, 76% (184/243) responded to the follow-up survey. Overall, awareness of both sets of guidelines was significantly increased. For stroke, 38% of respondents across both Divisions reported that their practice had changed as a result of the guidelines. For management of lower urinary tract symptoms in men, the corresponding proportion was 52%. Agreement with specific recommendations from both guidelines was also increased following their dissemination. However, these changes were independent of whether or not the guidelines had been locally adapted. The local adaptation process involved no substantive change in content and was estimated to cost AUD$5600 (per Division) independent of the costs of the dissemination process. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst this study found significant changes in knowledge, attitude and reported practice as a result of disseminating guidelines, it did not find any additional effect from the local adaptation process itself. This suggests that the emphasis and investment in promoting guideline implementation should be placed on multifaceted dissemination strategies rather than local adaptation per se.

Determination of zearalenone content in cereals and feedstuffs by immunoaffinity column coupled with liquid chromatography.

The zearalenone content of maize, wheat, barley, swine feed, and poultry feed samples was determined by immunoaffinity column cleanup followed by liquid chromatography (IAC-LC). Samples were extracted in methanol-water (8 + 2, v/v) solution. The filtered extract was diluted with distilled water and applied to immunoaffinity columns. Zearalenone was eluted with methanol, dried by evaporation, and dissolved in acetonitrile-water (3 + 7, v/v). Zearalenone was separated by isocratic elution of acetonitrile-water (50 + 50, v/v) on reversed-phase C18 column. The quantitative analysis was performed by fluorescence detector and confirmation was based on the UV spectrum obtained by a diode array detector. The mean recovery rate of zearalenone was 82-97% (RSD, 1.4-4.1%) on the original (single-use) immunoaffinity columns. The limit of detection of zearalenone by fluorescence was 10 ng/g at a signal-to-noise ratio of 10:1 and 30 ng/g by spectral confirmation in UV. A good correlation was found (R2 = 0.89) between the results obtained by IAC-LC and by the official AOAC-LC method. The specificity of the method was increased by using fluorescence detection in parallel with UV detection. This method was applicable to the determination of zearalenone content in cereals and other kinds of feedstuffs. Reusability of immunoaffinity columns was examined by washing with water after sample elution and allowing columns to stand for 24 h at room temperature. The zearalenone recovery rate of the regenerated columns varied between 79 and 95% (RSD, 3.2-6.3%). Columns can be regenerated at least 3 times without altering their performance and without affecting the results of repeated determinations.

Where patients with cancer die in South Australia, 1990-1999: a population-based review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the place of death of South Australians who die of cancer. DESIGN: A population-based, cross-sectional study of data from the South Australian Cancer Registry. PARTICIPANTS: 29,230 patients with cancer dying in 1990-1999. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Place of death; patient demography; year of death; survival from diagnosis; and type of cancer. RESULTS: 25.0% of patients died in a metropolitan public hospital, 19.9% in a hospice, 16.9% in a country hospital, 15.8% at a private residence, 12.7% in a metropolitan private hospital, and 9.7% in a nursing home. Although the change in place of death was not marked, multivariate logistic regression showed a secular trend away from metropolitan public hospitals towards metropolitan private hospitals and, in 1998-1999, towards nursing homes. Patients dying of cancer in a metropolitan public hospital were more likely to be younger, males, born outside Australia, and residents of lower socioeconomic areas of Adelaide. They were also more likely to have died within three months of diagnosis, and to have a haematological malignancy or a cancer of the upper digestive tract, lung or female breast. In contrast, patients dying at a private residence tended to be under 70 years and comprise longer-term survivors. Country residents were less likely than Adelaide residents to die in a hospice. CONCLUSION: The proportion of patients dying in different settings have health service implications. The relatively low use of hospice facilities by country patients may reflect differences in access to hospice facilities.

Development of a sensitive ELISA for the determination of fumonisin B(1) in cereals.

Monoclonal fumonisin B(1) antibodies with high titer were raised by using FB(1)-glutaraldehyde-keyhole limpet hemocyanin immunogen prepared by a short cross-linker reagent (glutaraldehyde). Mean cross-reactivities of the selected monoclonal antibody for FB(1), FB(2), and FB(3) were 100, 91.8, and 209%, respectively; no reactivity was found with hydrolyzed fumonisin. A direct, competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the quantitative determination of FB(1) in cereals has been developed with this antibody. Fifty percent acetonitrile-based solvent with some additives was used for extraction of cereals, and the diluted extracts were used without cleanup in the test. The mean within-assay and interassay coefficients of variation for the standard curve were <10%. The measuring range of this test is 10-500 ng/g, with a detection limit of 7.6 ng/g FB(1). The toxin recovery from cereals infected with 50-200 ng/g of FB(1) varied between 61 and 84%. According to the comparable results of naturally infected maize samples, this test proved to be suitable for the rapid screening of food and feed samples for the presence of FBs.

Natural deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination of wheat samples grown in 1998 as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A high-performance liquid chromatography--diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method was developed for determining the deoxynivalenol (DON) content of wheat and other cereals. The samples were extracted with a mixture of acetonitrile and water (84 + 16). Part of the extract was evaporated and purified on Florisil and activated charcoal columns. HPLC separation was performed on a C18 column, using acetonitrile-water (8 + 92) as eluent. Diode array detection (DAD) was performed at 218 and 236 nm, by determination of the UV spectrum. Quantitative analysis was carried out by the external standard method, using the UV spectrum obtained by DAD for confirmation. The recovery rate of DON was 75 +/- 3.1% and the detection limit was 0.05 mg/kg DON. Using this method, the DON content of 99 feeding wheat samples grown in the northeastern part of Hungary in 1998 was determined. Eighty-eight percent of the samples originating from three counties contained 0.94 mg/kg DON on the average. The highest individual value was 4.3 mg/kg. DON contamination of wheat was of higher prevalence (100%) and severity (0.27-4.3 mg/kg) in the southeastern county of Békés than in Szabolcs county located in the northeastern part of Hungary (ratio of positive samples: 82%; DON concentration: 0.05-1.3 mg/kg). The higher than usual DON contamination of feeding wheat can be explained by the rainy summer weather. DON contamination of feeding wheat poses a major risk to the production and animal health status of pig herds.

A comparison of subcutaneous morphine and fentanyl in hospice cancer patients.

This study compares subcutaneous (s.c.) morphine and fentanyl with respect to pain control and side effects using a 6-day randomized, double-blind, cross-over design. Results were obtained from 23 patients (12 males and 11 females: mean age of 70.5 years) who could tolerate morphine. Thirteen patients were randomized to receive morphine for the first 3 days followed by fentanyl; 10 received fentanyl first followed by morphine. There were no significant differences in the scores for pain between the two drugs, suggesting that fentanyl is equally efficacious and the conversion ratio of morphine 10 mg: fentanyl 150 micrograms is appropriate. Patients had more frequent bowel movements during days 4-6 while on the fentanyl arm [t-test, df (22), P = 0.015]. Other measures for nausea, delirium, and cognitive function showed no differences between the two drugs. This study highlights the need to further assess the role of various opioids in hospice patients, and emphasizes the requirement for sensitive and simple cognitive tests in this population.

Reusability of immunoaffinity columns for determination of fumonisins in maize.

Eighteen maize samples were assayed for fumonisin B1 (FB1) and B2 content by immunoaffinity column coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The FumoniTest columns were used once for the isolation of fumonisins (single-use column method). In the second part of the assay the columns were regenerated. After elution with methanol, PBS solution was left on the column for one day at room temperature to regenerate the columns (regenerated column method). The efficiency of columns regenerated twice was tested by determining FB, recovery and the reproducibility of the determinations. The recovery rate of FB1 proved to be 82% by the single-use column method (RSD: 5.7%) and 82.6% (RSD: 5.6 %) by the regenerated column method; 500-8,000 ng FB1 loaded onto the columns did not affect column performances. Nearly identical values were obtained when the FB1 content of fumonisin-containing maize samples was determined by both methods. The results indicate that the FumoniTest columns can be regenerated by the method applied at least twice without decrease in column performance. The fumonisin affinity, capacity and specificity of the regenerated columns were not changed. Thus, columns regenerated in this way can be used for determining the fumonisin content of maize samples at least three times.

Fumonisin B1 contamination of maize and experimental acute fumonisin toxicosis in pigs.

The fumonisin B1 content of 69 visibly mouldy and 23 mould-free maize samples grown in Hungary in 1993-1995 was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fumonisin B1 was found to occur in 70-73% of the mouldy samples. The mycotoxin level increased from year to year: the highest fumonisin B1 concentration was 75.1 mg/kg. The samples that were mould-free on visual inspection showed a much lower prevalence of fumonisin B1 contamination (30%) and contained fumonisin B1 in markedly lower concentrations (average, 1.52 mg/kg; maximum concentration, 5.1 mg/kg). Using the Fusarium moniliforme strain designated 14/A, isolated from the sample that had the highest mycotoxin concentrations, fumonisin B1 toxin was produced on maize by an internationally accepted procedure. Subsequently, two weaned piglets were fed a diet containing 330 mg fumonisin B1 per kg of feed. The experimental animals developed hydrothorax and pulmonary oedema, and died in 5-6 days. The clinical symptoms and pathological lesions were consistent with those of porcine pulmonary oedema (PPE) diagnosed in the USA in 1989-1990, as well as with those of a disease entity that had already been described in Hungary in the 1950s as the so-called fattening or unique pulmonary oedema of pigs but considered to be of unknown aetiology. The results of the feeding trial confirm that this pig disease, which has occurred in Hungary for a long time, is caused by the mycotoxin fumonisin B1.

Data on the contamination of maize with fumonisin B1 and other fusariotoxins in Hungary.

The fumonisin B1, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and T-2 toxin content of maize samples collected in the period of storage and harvesting was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. Of the mouldy maize samples collected in the period of storage, 70.8% contained fumonisin B1 (0.05-19.8 mg/kg; average concentration: 2.6 mg/kg), 87.5% contained zearalenone (0.01-11.8 mg/kg, average concentration: 1.26 mg/kg), 70% contained deoxynivalenol (0.07-21.2, average concentration: 4.33 mg/kg), and 41.7% contained T-2 toxin (0.06-0.39, average concentration: 0.2 mg/kg). These mycotoxins often occurred together in the samples. In the non-mouldy samples, both the positivity rate and the mycotoxin concentration were markedly lower. In the harvesting period, the mycotoxin content of maize ears more or less affected by moulds (so-called "affected sample") and of the average sample was determined separately for each maize-field involved in the study. Of the affected samples, 70% contained fumonisin B1 (0.095-52.4 mg/kg; average: 6.64 mg/kg), 17% contained zearalenone (0.006-0.079 mg/kg; average: 0.03 mg/kg), 13% contained deoxynivalenol (0.05-0.118 mg/kg; average: 0.09 mg/kg), and 39% contained T-2 toxin (0.05-0.551 mg/kg; average: 0.165 mg/kg). Fumonisin B1 and T-2 toxin often occurred together in the affected maize samples. Of the "average samples", 30% were contaminated with fumonisin B1 (0.06-5.1 mg/kg; average: 1.52 mg/kg) and 9% with T-2 toxin (min.-max.-average: 0.05 mg/kg). The results call attention to the fact that maize cultivated in Hungary is often contaminated with fumonisin B1. High concentrations of fumonisin B1 were found primarily in the mouldy or affected maize ears; therefore, the development of diseases caused by fumonisin B1 should be reckoned with primarily if such maize is fed. Besides fumonisin B1, mouldy or affected maize usually contains also other fusariotoxins, which raises the possibility of mycotoxin interactions. Because of the high prevalence of fumonisin B1 in maize grown in Hungary, the authors suggest that samples of maize used for feeding horses and pigs should be checked for fumonisin B1 content.