Aflatoxins

Question 1

Types

Answer 1

most often A. flavus and A. parasiticus produce mycotoxin

Question 2

Types important in wildlife

Answer 2

B1, B2, G1, G2, M1, M2
B1 most prevalent and most toxic

Question 3

Hosts

Answer 3

waterfowl, galliform birds, fish, passerine birds, sea turtles, domestic fowl, ruminants

Question 4

Transmission

Answer 4

-ingestion of contaminated feed or milk
-direct contact with mold-infested substrates
-inhalation of spore-borne toxins
-cycle similar to other forms of aspergillosis

Question 5

Pathogenesis

Answer 5

metabolized in liver to an epoxide-> binds to macromolecules
-mutagenesis due to alkylation of nuclear DNA-> carcinogenesis-> teratogenesis-> reduced protein synthesis-> immunosuppression

Question 6

Acute Clinical Signs

Answer 6

sudden death, inappetence, vomiting, lethargy, hemorrhaging, jaundice

Question 7

Subacute clinical signs

Answer 7

unthriftiness, weakness, anorexia, reduced growth

Question 8

Acute pathologic lesions

Answer 8

hepatic necrosis, diffuse hemorrhaging and icterus

Question 9

Subacute pathologic lesions

Answer 9

hepatomegaly, gallbladder edema, glandular atrophy in GI mucosa, rare degeneration and regeneration of kidney tubules

Question 10

Chronic clinical signs

Answer 10

diffuse liver fibrosis, carcinomas in bile ducts

Question 11

Diagnosis

Answer 11

clinical signs and signalment, postmortem findings, CBC, chemistry, coagulation panel, analyze feed

Question 12

Management

Answer 12

-prevent leaving out feed in bad weather or where insects can infest it
-examine grain bought for wildlife for signs of fungal growth -> store in airtight containers in a place with minimal heat or humidity