Question

Sol. Key concept: Ergot poisoning results from fungal alkaloids in infected cereal grains.

St. Anthony’s fire is the historical name for ergotism. Rye and some other grasses can be infected by the fungus Claviceps purpurea. Its compact fungal structures, called sclerotia or ergots, replace the grains and may contaminate harvested food.

Ergot alkaloids can cause severe blood-vessel constriction, burning sensations and tissue damage; some forms of poisoning also cause neurological symptoms. Thus the illness follows ingestion of toxin-contaminated grain.

The responsible genus is Claviceps, so d is correct. Candida, Aspergillus and Russula are not the organism responsible for classical rye-associated ergotism.