Immunotoxiciteit van natuurlijke toxinen. Een literatuur overzicht

The data about the possible toxicity of natural toxins indicate that many of these toxins are immunotoxic. This was found in various animal species and in man. The effects on the immune system often involve clinical implications, i.e. reduced resistance towards infections. For many of the natural toxins, however, investigations on the immunotoxic effects are far from complete. The relation of the observed effects on the immune system to other toxic effects is often not clear. On several occasions effects on one or more immunological parameters have been described, whereas the significance for the ultimate functionality remains unclear. This means that the knowledge about the potential immunotoxicity is fragmentary for the majority of the natural toxins. The knowledge on the toxicological profile of many less well investigated natural toxins would be desirable. In particular attention should be given to the immune system as a possible target for toxicity. The mycotoxins Fumonisin B1 and Ochratoxin A should be considered for further immune toxicity studies, in view of the toxicological significance, the gaps in the knowledge and the possibilities to have enough material available for (immune-)toxicity studies.