Presence, Co-Occurrence, and Daily Intake Estimates of Aflatoxins and Fumonisins in Maize Consumed in Food-Insecure Regions of Western Honduras.

Foodborne mycotoxins are a significant food safety risk in developing countries. Our objective was to determine the occurrence of and exposure levels to aflatoxins (AFs) and fumonisins (FBs) in maize intended for human and animal consumption in food-insecure regions of western Honduras. Total AFs and FBs were quantified with a monoclonal antibody-based affinity spectrofluorimetric method. FBs were detected in 614/631 samples of maize destined for human consumption at 0.3 to 41 mg/kg (mean, 2.7 mg/kg). Of the 614 positive samples, 147 had FB levels exceeding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory threshold of 4.0 mg/kg. AFs were detected in 109/631 samples of maize for human consumption with concentrations between 1.0 and 490 µg/kg (mean, 10 µg/kg). AF levels in 34 samples exceeded the FDA regulatory limit (i.e., 20 µg/kg). The average probable daily intake of AFs in western Honduras ranged from 0 to 260 ng/kg body weight/day, and for FBs, the average probable daily intake ranged from 17 to 53 µg/kg body weight/day. AFs and FBs co-occurred in 106/631 samples with 60 samples containing both toxins at levels greater than the FDA regulatory levels. Samples of maize intended for animal feed had significantly higher AF (mean, 22 µg/kg) and FB (mean, 7.6 mg/kg) contamination levels than those observed in samples destined for human consumption. Thus, the maize supply chain in western Honduras is contaminated with mycotoxins at levels that pose health risks to both humans and livestock. More effective mycotoxin surveillance and implementation of effective mitigation strategies are needed to reduce mycotoxin contamination and exposure.

Incidence of aflatoxins and fumonisins in grain, masa and corn tortillas in four municipalities in the department of Lempira, Honduras.

In Honduras, corn is the most important staple food for the majority of the population. This high-demand crop is susceptible to biological contamination with mycotoxins, which could represent a latent hazard for consumers. To assess the incidence of aflatoxins and fumonisins in grain, masa and tortilla, and the dietary exposure to these substances among consumers, a study was conducted in four municipalities in the department of Lempira. Total aflatoxin and fumonisin content were quantified by fluorometry in 144 samples from 48 farmers. Sixty five percent of the samples were contaminated with aflatoxins with levels of 1.28-32.05, 1.15 to 12.61, and 1.01-5.98 µg/kg in grain, masa and tortilla, respectively. Fumonisins were detected in 100% of the samples at levels between 0.82 and 28.04, 0.66 and 14.36, and 0.63 and 12.04 mg/kg in grain, masa and tortilla, respectively. The reduction in aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination after processing grains into tortillas was of 83% and 52%, respectively. The difference in aflatoxin and fumonisin concentration in the three products was significant (p < 0.05). With a per capita tortilla consumption of 490 g/day, dietary exposure was estimated between 0.003 and 0.073 µg/kg bw/day for aflatoxins and 6.16 and 151.98 µg/kg bw/day for fumonisins. Therefore, the risk of exposure to mycotoxins in the evaluated communities was considered high. Mixed effect models showed that postharvest grain management and the nixtamalization process affect the incidence of mycotoxins in corn-based products.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of seasonal influenza vaccination among older adults in nursing homes and daycare centers, Honduras.

BACKGROUND: Older adults represent 70-90% of seasonal influenza-related deaths and 50-70% of influenza-related hospitalizations. Vaccination is the most efficient means of preventing influenza and reducing influenza-related illnesses. We aimed to describe knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of seasonal influenza vaccination among older adults in Honduras. METHODS: From August 29-October 26, 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional KAP survey regarding seasonal influenza vaccinations to samples of older adults 1) admitted to nursing homes and 2) attending daycare centers. We used the Minimental State Examination (MMSE) psychometric tool to assess the cognitive status of older adults and included participants with scores of ≥23 points in the survey. We reported frequency distributions for demographics, KAP of influenza virus and vaccination, and vaccination coverage. We used logistic regression to analyze associations between demographics and verified influenza vaccination. RESULTS: Of 511 MMSE participants, 341 completed the survey (95 adults in 12 nursing homes and 246 older adults in ten daycare centers). Almost all participants knew that influenza causes severe illness and may be transmitted from person to person, vaccination is safe and protects against disease, and older adults have greater risk of complications. Of 284 participants with verified vaccinations, 81.3% were vaccinated for influenza: 87.9% attending daycare centers and 61.4% in nursing homes. Among all participants, verified current influenza vaccination was associated with self-reported influenza vaccination in previous year (aOR: 14.05; 95% CI: 5.36-36.81); no formal education (aOR: 4.83; 95% CI: 1.63-14.37) or primary school education (aOR: 4.51; 95% CI: 1.79-11.37) having ≥secondary as reference; and indigenous (aOR: 4.55; 95% CI: 1.18-17.49) having Mestizo as reference. Reasons for vaccination were perceived self-benefits, protection against influenza complications, favorable vaccination hours, and healthcare provider recommendations. CONCLUSION: Four-fifths of older adults were vaccinated for seasonal influenza. Educational efforts provided in conjunction with vaccination campaigns resulted in high knowledge of influenza virus, transmission, and vaccination. Further outreach regarding disease risks and vaccine safety needs to be directed towards older adults in nursing homes who had lower knowledge and coverage than older adults in daycare centers.

Cambios en la situación nutricional, anemia y diabetes en embarazadas del área semirural hondureña / Changes in the nutritional situation, anemia and diabetes in pregnant from Honduran semi-rural area

La adecuada nutrición durante la gestación es crucial para el desarrollo del feto; la malnutrición incrementa el riesgo de diabetes gestacional y anemia en la madre. Objetivo: evaluar los cambios en la situación nutricional, prevalencia de anemia y diabetes gestacional de las mujeres embarazadas de una zona semirural de Honduras. Material y métodos: el estudio fue retrospectivo y transversal. Los datos se obtuvieron de historias clínicas de un centro de salud semirural, con muestra aleatoria de 98 embarazadas. Se utilizó una gráfica argentina, para la evaluación del estado nutricional de la embarazada por semana gestacional. Los datos se analizaron con estadística descriptiva (frecuencias absolutas y porcentajes). Resultados: el rango de edad de las embarazadas fue de 19 a 42 años, 53 (54%) culminaron estudios secundarios. La estatura promedio fue de 1.55 m, y a su último control de peso, 72 (73%) de las embarazadas se encontraron con índice de masa corporal normal; desde el primer control de peso hasta el último, 82 (83%) de la población se mantuvo en su mismo estado nutricional; 4(45%) del grupo de 19 y 20 años se estimaron con bajo peso, 4 (4%) de la muestra eran fumadoras, 4 de 75 (5.3%) tuvieron hemoglobina alterada (primer trimestre) y 4 (4%) diabetes gestacional; 52 (53%) de las embarazadas presentaron antecedentes familiares de riesgo para enfermedades crónicas. La muestra de embarazadas presentó ventajas socioeconómicas frente a indicadores nacionales. Conclusión: Existe un adecuado seguimiento del peso de las embarazadas para atender su estado nutricional. En promedio la anemia no fue grave, pero en el último trimestre se requiere un seguimiento estricto de sus niveles de hemoglobina. La diabetes gestacional no constituyó un problema de gravedad. El embarazo en adolescentes, con bajo peso o sobrepeso, y sus antecedentes familiares, las colocan en situación de alta vulnerabilidad...(AU)