Question

The mold of Claviceps purpurea occasionally grows on grain, especially rye, and eating infected grain results in an illness called ________, which can cause headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and gangrene of the fingers and toes.

A) coturnism
B) angiolathyrism
C) tarantism
D) ergotism

Answer 1

Eating grain infected with Claviceps purpurea, particularly rye, causes an illness called ergotism, which can lead to gangrene of the extremities and central nervous system effects like hallucinations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The illness caused by consuming grain infected with Claviceps purpurea, specifically rye, is known as ergotism. Ergotism can lead to severe symptoms including headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and specifically gangrene of the fingers and toes.

The responsible mycotoxin is ergot toxin, an alkaloid that can cause gangrenous ergotism, which results in vasoconstriction and can lead to gangrene, as well as convulsive ergotism, which affects the central nervous system causing hallucinations and mania. This toxin is related to the drug LSD and has had significant historical impacts, such as the outbreak in Eastern Europe during the 5th century AD.