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A Linsell

Publications and source records attributed to A Linsell.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1987

Aflatoxin exposure, hepatitis B virus infection and liver cancer in Swaziland.

A study was carried out in Swaziland to assess the relationship between aflatoxin exposure, hepatitis B infection, and the incidence of liver-cell carcinoma, which is the most commonly occurring malignancy among males in Swaziland. Levels of aflatoxin intake were evaluated in dietary samples from households across the country, and crop samples taken from representative farms. Prevalence of hepatitis B markers was estimated from the serum of blood donors, and liver cancer incidence was recorded for the years 1979-83 through a national system of cancer registration. Across 4 broad geographic regions, there was a more than 5-fold variation in the estimated daily intake of aflatoxin, ranging from 3.1 to 17.5 micrograms. The proportion of HBV-exposed individuals was very high (86% in men), but varied relatively little by geographic region; the prevalence of carriers of the surface antigen was 23% in men, and varied from 21 to 28%. Liver cancer incidence varied over a 5-fold range, and was strongly associated with estimated levels of aflatoxin. In an analysis involving 10 smaller subregions, aflatoxin exposure emerged as a more important determinant of the variation in liver cancer incidence than the prevalence of hepatitis infection. Aflatoxin estimates from crop samples appeared to be a reasonable surrogate for dietary measurements. A comparison with dietary aflatoxin levels measured in an earlier survey in Swaziland suggested that programmes aimed at reducing contamination levels had had some success.

Aflatoxins↗
PubMed1984

Primary liver cancer: global epidemiology and main aetiological factors.

Liver cell cancer is the most frequent primary liver cancer worldwide and it is among the most malignant of cancers whether judged by clinical development, prognosis or response to treatment. The high frequency of this cancer in countries with large populations, in sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia and China, makes it globally one of the most common cancers. Recent research has incriminated aetiological factors which offer good possibilities for prevention. The most important of these is a relationship with Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV). The cancer is associated with the chronic carrier state of this infection acquired in the perinatal period or early infancy rather than in adult life. Vaccines against HBV have been developed and are widely available although expensive at the present time. The evidence justifying intervention is presented. The vaccines have been found effective and safe and strategies for prevention are being developed in many areas. As chemical carcinogens so frequently produce liver cell cancers in animal models, possible associations with the human disease have been sought for many years. Naturally occurring mucotoxins, the aflatoxins found on many staple foods in areas of high frequency of the cancer, are suspect and the evidence justifying preventive measures against food contamination is also presented. The prospects for prevention of this cancer are encouraging but will require careful evaluation over many years.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Liver cancer and mycotoxins.

The evidence from laboratory and epidemiological studies for the potential role of the aflatoxins in the causation of hepatocellular carcinoma is discussed. As these mycotoxins also present acute health hazards, it is recommended that preventive measures should be undertaken without delay in rural areas where there is a high risk of crop contamination. The monitoring of mycotoxin control should be linked with the evaluation of hepatitis B infection in any studies assessing the effects of such preventive measures on the incidence of liver disease.

Aflatoxins↗
PubMed1980

Liver cell cancer--a global problem.

Global variations in the natural history of Primary Liver Cancer and relationship to aetiology is discussed. The global incidence of this cancer is still incomplete but in Africa and the Far East where the disease is common, the establishment of Cancer Registries have provided suitable data for comparison with developed cancer registries in North America and Europe. Research into aetiology has been active in recent years and has given good clues to aetiology. Some of these studies may later lead to studies on primary prevention.

Africa↗