High Serum Concentrations of Aflatoxin in Nepal as Measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Serum Assay

1 Sera from 28 Nepalis, both patients and workers in a hospital in Banepa, Nepal were examined for AFB1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).2 This assay, previously validated using spiked sera, provides a sensitive rapid determination of serum aflatoxin (B1, G1 and Q1).3 All 28 sera were positive with concentrations from 60 pg ml-1 to 10 ng ml-1 .4 These results suggest that consumption of aflatoxin in Nepal is high (> 50-800 ng kg -1 d-1).5 No reports of the degree of contamination of food, human consumption or body fluid concentrations of aflatoxin in Nepal have been previously published.6 Aflatoxin may contribute to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, which is probably a common tumour in Nepal.