Bioassay Procedure for the Diagnosis of Aflatoxicosis in a Pig Farm in Nsukka, South East Nigeria (original) (raw)
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Bioas-say Procedure for the Diagnosis of Aflatoxicosis in a Pig Farm
The owner of an intensively reared pig farm in Nsukka, SouthEast Nigeria reported the deaths (within one week) of 90 piglets (2-3 months of age) out of 150 piglets on the farm. The piglets were being fed home-compounded ration composed of spent grain (which appeared moldy) and other locally sourced materials. Clinical signs observed in affected piglets include sudden loss of appetite, diarrhea and distress grunting sound prior to death. Symptomatic treatment of the piglets which included the use of antibiotics (tetracycline, LA) did not appear to have ameliorated the condition. At necropsy carcasses were generally in fair to good body condition; with subcutaneous hemorrhages, mainly under the skin of head and neck regions. Lungs were congested and ede-matous, with froth along the tracheal and bronchial airways. The liver and spleen were moderately congested, while the mucosae of the gastrointestinal tract (which was free of ingesta) appeared mildly hyperaemic. No pathogenic bacterium was isolated from the heart blood and spleen. Histo-logic section of the liver showed centrilobular hepatocytes vacoulation and necrosis with hyper-trophy of Kupffer cells that were in erythrophagocytosis. There was moderate fibrinous exudation into the interlobular septae. Spleen section showed severe erythrophagocytosis, but mild haemo-siderosis. White pulp was either reactive or depopulated. Lungs were severely haemorrhagic with bronchitis and bronchiolitis. A tentative diagnosis of mycotoxicosis was made and the spent grain-compounded ration was fed to different groups of ducklings, with/without arginine and ly-sine supplementation. On the bases of clinical signs and mortality pattern; gross and histologic changes in the liver of the ducklings, a definitive diagnosis of aflatoxicosis was made. This paper emphasizes the experimental feeding of suspected feeds/feed ingredient to ducklings as a reliable diagnostic model for aflatoxicosis.
Field cases of aflatoxicosis in pigs
Australian Veterinary Journal, 1982
Five cases of aflatoxicosis in pigs in southern Queensland are described. One peracute case where aflatoxin concentrations of up to 5000pg aflatoxin B,/kg were demonstrated in stomach contents was presumed to be caused by consumption of mouldy bread. High levels of toxins were also present in the livers. Two cases of acute toxicity were caused by feeding mouidy peanut screenings containing 22000pg aflatoxin BJkg. One case of subacute and one of chronic toxicity were caused by sorghum grain based rations with lower aflatoxin levels (4640 and 255 pg/kg). Peracute toxicity caused collapse and deaths within several hours, acute toxicity caused deaths within 12 h and with subacute toxicity deaths occured after 3 weeks on a toxic ration. Anorexia and 111 thrift affecting only growing animals were seen with chronic toxicity. Extensive centrilobular liver necrosis and haemorrhage occured with peracute toxicity and in cases of acute poisoning there was hepatic centrilobular cellular infiltration, hepatocyte swelling and bile stasis. With subacute toxicity hepatocyte vacuolatlon together with bile stasis and bile ductule hyperplasia were seen.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic efficacy of protexin (probiotic), inulin (prebiotic) and both (synbiotics), when included in a diet containing aflatoxins and fed to growing broiler chicks (from 1 to 21 days old). The criteria of the evaluation included body weight gain, haematological profile and biochemistry, in addition to associated lesions in chicks. A total of 160 Hubbard male day-old broiler chicks were separated into eight groups that all received different diets (additional aflatoxins, protexin, inulin and symbiotic). The birds were weighed and sacrificed at the age of 21 days. Compared to the controls, aflatoxins alone significantly (p<0.05) decreased body weight gain in one group. No difference in body weight gain was found in three groups, indicating apparent protection against the deleterious effects caused by aflatoxins. The weight gain of chicks fed on the diet containing synbiotics alone or synbiotics and aflatoxins was significantly (p<0.05) greater than that of chicks on a diet containing the other treatments. The birds the second group showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in the haematological parameters in comparison with the controls. The biochemical analysis showed a considerable (p<0.05) increase in the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), uric acid and creatinine levels, with a reduction in the serum total proteins, albumin and globulins. The addition of protexin, inulin, or both, diminished the adverse effects of aflatoxins. Finally, it was concluded that the protexin, inulin and synergism of both are effective in the amelioration of the toxic effects of aflatoxins that may be present in poultry rations at levels up to 4 mg/kg diet. Synbiotics (protexin and inulin) are more effective than the protexin and the inulin alone which are variable in the alleviation of toxic effects caused by aflatoxins.
Comparative consequences of two sources of aflatoxins in ducklings experimental aflatoxicosis
Veterinary Research Forum, 2021
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of two aflatoxins (AFs) sources for experimental induction of aflatoxicosis in ducklings. Dietary supplementation of aflatoxin-contaminated grounded rice grains previously was cultured by Aspergillus parasiticus and dietary supplementation of aflatoxin methanolic extract of contaminated rice grains. A total number of 18 four-day-old ducklings were treated with varying sources of AFs. Treatments included: A: Control (basal diet without AFs), B: Contaminated feed with 0.20 mg kg-1 AFs (ground rice grains), C: Contaminated feed with 0.20 mg kg-1 AFs (methanol extract of contaminated rice grains). Results showed a significant decrease in serum levels of total protein, albumin, glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL, LDL and creatinine. The serum’s hepatic enzymes levels were not affected in AFs-treated groups but lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration increased by the two AFs sources. The relative weight of the liver and spleen...
Cutaneous Ulceration and Necrosis in Pigs Fed Aflatoxin- and T-2 Toxin-Contaminated Diets
Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 1990
Aflatoxins (AF) are secondary fungal metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus or A. parasiticus, and animal exposure to these toxins can result in hepatotoxicosis, mutagenesis, immunosuppression, teratogenesis, or carcinogenesis. Pigs are highly sensitive to the effects of AF, and feeding of AFcontaminated diets can result in altered serum chemistries, reduced clinical performance, and pathologic lesions. 1,2 T-2 toxin is a Fusarium-origin trichothecene mycotoxin that can cause feed refusal, lymphoid necrosis, and damage to the visceral organs, 5 the skin, 6 and the gastrointestinal tract. 7 When environmental conditions are favorable for fungal growth on grain or feed, there is an increased likelihood that multiple mycotoxins could be produced. Because high density swine diets may be formulated from multiple sources, pigs are considered at risk for multiple mycotoxin exposure. When fed in combination, mycotoxins can cause additive, antagonistic, or synergistic responses in pigs not found with the feeding of single-mycotoxin-contaminated diets. 3.4 The objectives of the present study were to investigate the toxicity of AF and T-2 toxin in combination and to describe the major toxic effects of these diets fed to growing barrows for 28 days. Four groups of 6 barrows each (mean weight = 16 kg) were assigned by weight to either control, 2.5 mg AF/kg feed, 10.0 mg T-2/kg feed, or 2.5 mg AF plus 10.0 mg T-2/kg feed. Aflatoxin was produced through the fermentation of rice by Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999, and the rice was autoclaved, dried, ground to a powder, and added to diets not to exceed 1% of the diet. The AF content was 79.0% AFB 1 , 16.0% AFG 1 , 4.0% AFB 1 , and 1.0% AFG 2. The T-2 toxin was >99% pure. Diets were corn/soybean based and were fed ad libitum for 28 days. Body weights and feed consumption were recorded weekly. At the termination of the study, blood samples were collected for serum chemistry analyses, and pigs were euthanized and subjected to necropsy.
J_ 2018_Aflatoxicosis in African greater cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus).pdf
Aim: Aflatoxicosis is a widespread problem in captive animals fed on stored food and has been reported in various animals both domestic and wild. This report documents the clinicopathologic, microbial diagnostic findings and therapeutic regime for a study on the presentation, management, and outcome of aflatoxicosis in greater cane rats.
Aflatoxicosis in African greater cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus)
Veterinary World, 2018
Aim: Aflatoxicosis is a widespread problem in captive animals fed on stored food and has been reported in various animals both domestic and wild. This report documents the clinicopathologic, microbial diagnostic findings and therapeutic regime for a study on the presentation, management, and outcome of aflatoxicosis in greater cane rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 65 greater cane rats suspected to be exposed to the toxin were examined clinically along with their environment. Feed samples, recently deceased carcasses and some moribund carcasses were collected for the study. Carcasses were subjected to gross and histopathologic investigations while feed and organs were subjected to microbiological investigations. Results: Gross lesions included hepatic lipidosis with ecchymotic hemorrhages, distended gallbladder, and renomegaly with ecchymosis among others. Histopathology revealed loss of hepatocellular architecture with massive centrilobular hepatocyte necrosis and diffuse steatotic damage characterized by macrovacuoles. Other histologic findings included pulmonary congestion, moderate renal tubular degeneration, and necrosis of epithelial tubular cells. Aspergillus flavus was isolated from the feed and ingesta. Total aflatoxin detected in feed sample was found to be over 400 ppm. Klebsiella species, Staphylococcus species, and Bacillus species were isolated from the liver and intestinal content. Management was attempted using Fungizal® (Avico, Jordan) (which contains Thymol, benzoic acid, sorbic acid, and kaolin) and Orego-Stim® (Saife, USA) (which contains carvacrol and thymol) which were instituted in feed and Superliv® (Ayurvet, India) (polyherbal) liquid was instituted in water for 5 days at manufacturers' dosage. All clinical signs disappeared, and no more deaths were recorded following management. Conclusion: This report concludes that aflatoxicosis causes severe mortality in greater cane rats and can be prevented and managed successfully.
Monitoring of Aflatoxins in Broiler, Quail and Ostrich feed samples
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), 2023
Aflatoxins are types of biological toxins also known as mycotoxins and can be produced by 100 different types of fungi. The most common types of mycotoxins are AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2. These are toxic metabolites that are produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. In the present study, the most common method thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used to estimate the levels of aflatoxins in broiler, quail and ostrich feed samples. A total of 18 samples were collected from different sites of broiler, quail, and ostrich farms and local shops in Lahore. Upon quantification by TLC method, the contamination was detected in 12 samples (66.66%) out of 18 samples. B1, B2, G1 aflatoxins were detected in different feed samples. The prevalence of the aflatoxins in overall feed samples was noticed in the following order B1>B2>G1. A less amount of contamination was noticed in broiler feed samples as compared to quail and ostrich feed samples. Results were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA and significant differences in p-value < 0.05 were noticed for aflatoxins in broilers with quail and ostrich. While non-significant differences at p-value > 0.05 were noticed for ostrich and quail feed samples. By independent sample T-test, a significant difference was noticed in positive feed samples of summer and winter seasons at p-value < 0.05. The most contaminated samples were found in the summer season as compared to the winter season. However, it was concluded that might be the storage conditions of feed samples need to improve and should be regulated by feed authorities so that the effects of aflatoxins can be reduced in the feed samples.