Satratoxin-H

Satratoxin-H, a trichothecene mycotoxin, is a naturally-occurring mold byproduct of Stachybotrys chartarum which is toxic to humans and animals. The clinical condition it causes is known as Stachybotrotoxicosis. It is related to the mycotoxin T-2, but unlike T-2 has not been reported to have been used as a biological weapon.

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Properties

Satratoxin-H is almost completely insoluble in water, but is easily soluble in lower alcohols and polar solvents such as ethanol, methanol, isopropanol (rubbing alcohol), acetone and chloroform.[1]

Satratoxin-H is not officially classified as a chemical weapon.

Effects

Satratoxin-H is extremely versatile. Contact with the solution through ingestion, inhalation, or even physical contact produces symptoms similar to those listed below.

• a rash that becomes a moist dermatitis
• nosebleeds
• chest pain
• pulmonary hemorrhage (bleeding in the lungs)
• hyperthermia (raised temperature)
• headache
• fatigue

However, if consumed in large quantities, it can be lethal. Satratoxin-H has little effect on bare skin, and does not blister in the way many chemical weapons do. However, upon sensitive surfaces (eyes, interior of mouth or nose), it can irritate the skin or cause a rash.

The toxicology of satratoxin-H shows that it has an LD₅₀ for mice of 1.0 - 1.4 mg/kg, upon injection. Otherwise it is reported to be about five times as toxic as the T-2 toxin.[2]

References

• Croft. W.A., Jarvis, B.B., and Yatawara, C.S. 1986. Airborne outbreak of trichothocene toxicosis. Atmos. Environ. 20:549-552.
• Effects of Intranasal Exposure to Spores of Stachybotrys atrain Mice*1, Fundamental and Applied Toxicology, Volume 35, Issue 2, February 1997, Pages 182-188 Marjo Nikulin, Kari Reijula, Bruce B. Jarvis, Pirjo Veijalainen and Eeva-Liisa Hintikka