Aflatoxin and Reye's syndrome.

This study indicates the association of a mycotoxin (aflatoxin B1) with Reye's syndrome. The presence of aflatoxin B1 in livers from 4 girls and 1 boy aged from 3 to 11 months was detected using two different techniques: a) direct chemical titration of aflatoxin B1 in liver extracts; and b) fluorescence microscopy of unstained liver sections. Our results suggest the existence of acute intoxication by aflatoxin in these children.