MYCOTOXICOSIS

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Causative Agent(s)

Aflatoxicosis: Commercial ducklings are the class most susceptible. Chickens are relatively resistant. Primary histopathologic lesion (any species) is bile duct hyperplasia. Other effects can be on immunologic, digestive, reproductive, and hematopoietic systems. Clinical signs: Inappetence, reduced growth, abnormal vocalizations, feather picking, purple discoloration of legs and feet, and lameness. Ataxia, convulsions, and opisthotonos precede death.

Ergotism: Claviceps spp. in multiple grains (especially rye). Nervous system effects including convulsions and sensory disorders. Also, vascular, and endocrine effects. Vasoconstriction results in vesicles on the comb, wattles, face, and eyelids (also shanks and toes). Permanent atrophy and disfigurement follow. In chicks, toes may become darkly discoloured due to ischemia.

Fusarium: Produces a group of toxins called trichothecenes, which include deoxynivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, and T-2 toxins. T-2 toxins typically cause lesions of the mouth (caustic injury). There is necrosis and ulceration of the oral mucosa, reddening of the mucosa of the remainder of the gastrointestinal tract, mottling of the liver, atrophy of the spleen and other lymphoid organs and visceral haemorrhages. There could also be defective growth of long bones, with varus or valgus deformity. Radiomimetic injury to feathers. This group also includes vomitoxin, but this is toxic to pigs but not birds.

Ochratoxin: produced by Penicillium viridicatum and Aspergillus ochraceus, are among the most toxic mycotoxins to poultry. Affects mostly the kidney, liver, immune system, and bone marrow.

Clinical Presentation and Epidemiology

Decreased activity, huddling, hypothermia, diarrhoea, rapid weight loss and death. In addition, mycotoxicosis causes gizzard erosion, immunosuppression, passage of undigested feed, and reduced growth and egg production.

Diagnostic Consideration

Diagnosis requires feed analysis, necropsy, and histopathology.

Management and Treatment

Withdraw suspected feed. Administer vitamin/mineral supplementation. Antifungal agents such as organic acids (propionic acid at 0.5-1.5 g/kg of feed) are effective inhibitors.