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Microbiol Biotechnol Rep | Volume 1, Issue 2
November 16-17, 2017 Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Annual Congress on
Mycology and Fungal Infections
Ergotism and the ergot fungus in Ethiopia
Dawit Abate
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
E
rgotism is a current human health problem on the Ethiopian highlands. A few outbreaks of ergotism in the
country have been documented in the last few decades. The problem continues to date and a multi-purpose
research was undertaken. Field studies showed that the problem is prevalent on highlands between 2,300- 3,000
m above sea level and where barley and wild oats (
Avena abyssinica
) are grown as major crops. It was found
that
A. abyssinica
is the only cereal host for the Ethiopian ergot fungus. Based on molecular mycological studies,
the fungus is characterized as a pathovar of
Claviceps purpurea
. Both gangrenous and convulsive ergotism
are apparent in affected village communities with symptoms typical of ergotism. It was noted that extensive
invasion by the fungus and development of the sclerotia on wild oats in farmers’ fields and the consequent
outbreak of ergotism in Ethiopia is unpredictable in time and space. Farmers, unfortunately, are not aware of the
source and cause of the problem. Chemical analysis of ergot sclerotium showed that a cocktail of 16 toxic ergot
alkaloids including ergocornine, ergocryptine, ergometrine, ergosine and lysergic acid derivatives are contained
in the sclerotium. From studies based on affected communities, it was apparent that ingestion of the sclerotium
from ergot infested oats is the cause of the problem. Prevention and control of ergot toxicosis requires a deeper
understanding of environmental variables and a systematic ecological study.
dawitabate0@gmail.com