Unit 2 - Mycotoxins Flashcards
What are mycotoxins?
Secondary metabolites of fungi
What influences mycotoxin production?
Plant varieties, climate and weather, crop monoculture, seed coat damage, insects damage, storage quality, milling practices
T/F: Optimal conditions for mycotoxin production vary.
True
What fungi creates aflatoxin?
Aspergillus flavus and A. Parasiticus
What are the sources of aflatoxin?
High energy grains
Corn, peanuts, milo, and cottonseed
What factors favor aflatoxin?
Temp: 78-90F Drought stress Insect damage High humidity High moisture
What is the MOA of aflatoxin?
- AFB1 metabolized to epoxide
- Epoxide binds to nucleic acids
- Inhibition of protein synthesis
- Cell processes are disrupted
- Cell death
- Necrosis
What predisposes animals to aflatoxin?
Low protein diet, low antioxidants, low vitamin A, low choline/methionine
What acute clinical signs are associated with aflatoxin?
Anorexia Depression/weakness Emesis Bloody diarrhea Hemorrhage Icterus
What chronic clinical signs are associated with aflatoxin?
Decreased weight gain/production Immune suppression Hepatic damage Teratogenic Carcinogenic
What acute gross lesions are associated with aflatoxin?
Liver- tan to yellow
Multi-organ hemorrhage
What acute microscopic lesions are associated with aflatoxin?
Hepatocellular vacuolization
Centrilobular congestion and necrosis
renal tubular necrosis
What chronic gross lesions are associated with aflatoxin?
Nutmeg liver
What chronic microscopic lesions are associated with aflatoxin?
Hepatocellular vacuolization
Hepatic fibrosis
Bile duct proliferation
Why is aflatoxin a human health concern?
It is considered carcinogenic
What are the favored conditions for tricothecene mycotoxin (T2)
production?
Cool temperatures OR
Alternating cool & warm temps and high moisture
What are the wide range of effects on the body that tricothecene mycotoxins cause?
Hematopoetic, dermal, lymphoid, GI
What syndrome does T2 toxin cause?
Radiomimetic syndrome - affects rapidly dividing cells
It is also a severe irritant and causes dermal and mucosal necrosis
T2 toxin causes immunosuppression, how does it show it in the lymphoid tissues?
Lymphoid depletion, thymic involution, and pancytopenia
What is the main source of the mycotoxin Deoxynivalenol?
Corn
What are the optimal conditions for deoxynivalenol?
Cool and wet
Deoxynivalenol is produced alongside what?
Zearalenone
What is the most sensitive species to deoxynivalenol?
Swine - specifically younger pigs
What clinical signs are associated with deoxynivalenol toxicosis in swine?
Feed aversion, vomiting, feed refusal
What species are resistant to deoxynivalenol?
Ruminant and horses
What is the main source of the mycotoxin zearlenone?
Corn
What are the optimal conditions for zearalenone production?
Cool and wet
What is zearalenone produced alongside with?
dexynivalenol
What type of compound is zearalenone?
Estrogenic
What compound is zearalenone typically found with?
Vomitoxin
What is the MOA for Zearalenone?
- Zearalenone binds to estradiol receptor
- Promotes signs of estrogenism
- Decreased follicular maturation and inhibition of ovulation
What clinical effects does zearalenone cause in females?
Hyperestrogenism Anestrus Embryonic loss Mammary gland development Luteotripic Heifers - infertility
What clinical effects does zearalenone cause in males?
Decreased lqibido and semen quality
What are the most affected species by fumonisin toxicosis?
Equine and swine
What is the MOA of fumonisin toxicosis?
Inhibits sphingolipid synthesis which are important components of cell membranes and nervous tissue
Fumonisin primarily causes ________ signs in swine, whereas it causes ______ signs in horses.
Looking for a body system here
Respiratory signs in swine
Neurologic signs in horses
What clinical signs are associated with fumonisin toxicosis in swine?
Dyspnea, cyanosis, weakness, and acute death
What clinical signs are associated with fumonisin toxicosis in equine?
Ataxia, blindness, and depression
What gross lesions are associated with fumonisin toxicosis in swine?
Wet heavy edematous lungs
Pulmonary edema
Tan friable liver
What microscopic lesions are associated with fumonisin toxicosis in swine?
Pulmonary edema, centrilobular necrosis, portal fibrosis, and fatty disposition
What gross lesions does fumonisin toxicosis cause in horses?
Leukoencephalomalacia (!!!)
Brown- yellow liver