Trichothecenes

Abstract

This chapter provides state-of-the-art overviews on foodborne diseases caused by Trichothecenes in relation to their etiology, biology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Trichothecenes are sesquiterpenes whose biosynthesis proceeds from the farnesyl pyrophosphate route. Trichothecenes are synthesized by a complex metabolic route that begins with a sesquiterpene cyclization and involves a series of up to eight oxygenations and four esterifications. The acute phytotoxicity of trichothecenes, their production in infected plant tissues, and their production by plant-pathogenic fungi all provided evidence of a role for trichothecenes in plant disease. Trichothecenes act as translational inhibitors, suppress the defense response in host plants, and keep the plant from sealing the diseased tissue. Although acute outbreaks associated with human exposition to trichothecenes are uncommon, these compounds have been implied in a small number of epidemic diseases since their discovery.