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Increased Dissemination of Aflatoxin- and Zearalenone-Producing Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. during Wet Season via Houseflies on Dairy Farms in Aguascalientes, Mexico

Summary

This study found that during rainy seasons on Mexican dairy farms, houseflies carry more mold spores that produce harmful toxins called aflatoxins and zearalenone. These toxins contaminate cattle feed and milk, posing health risks to both animals and humans. The research shows that controlling houseflies during wet seasons is crucial to reduce toxic mold contamination of dairy products and animal feed.

Background

Aflatoxins and zearalenone are mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus and Fusarium species that contaminate crops and dairy products, threatening human and animal health. These mycotoxins have significant economic impacts on livestock production and food safety. Environmental conditions, particularly humid and warm weather, influence fungal proliferation and mycotoxin production.

Objective

To evaluate under field conditions the influence of wet season environmental conditions on the dissemination of aflatoxin- and zearalenone-producing fungi via houseflies collected from dairy farms in Mexico’s semi-arid Central Plateau.

Results

A total of 693 Aspergillus and 1274 Fusarium isolates were obtained, with 58.6% producing aflatoxins and 50.0% producing zearalenone. During the wet season, fly abundance increased 5.1-fold and toxigenic fungal contamination increased significantly (p<0.001), with 29.6% of flies contaminated compared to 8.6% in the dry season.

Conclusion

Wet season environmental conditions significantly increase the dissemination of aflatoxin- and zearalenone-producing fungi via houseflies on dairy farms. Housefly control during wet seasons is essential to reduce fungal spread to feed ingredients and limit mycotoxin contamination of feed and raw milk, requiring holistic farm management strategies.
  • Published in:Toxins (Basel),
  • Study Type:Descriptive Non-experimental Field Study,
  • Source: PMID: 39057942
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