Mycotoxicosis

Intro=
ingesting toxins produced by fungi growing on grains or feed or contaminated litter.
Growing fungi produce a vast array of complex chemicals as by-products and
Fungal growth is required for mycotoxin production in grain but this growth
may or may not produce visible damage to the grain
Fungi can infect and grow in grain prior
to harvest, during storage or after inclusion in fi nished feeds.
Individual fungal strains often synthesize more than one
mycotoxin, and these toxins often act synergistically so that the toxicity of the toxins together
is much greater than the sum of their individual toxicities

Agnet= Mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus, Penicillium puberulum

common  mycotoxicosis- Aflatoxicosis, ochratoxicosis and trichothecene mycotoxicosis are the most common

Afl atoxin is the most prevalent and economically signifi cant mycotoxin to be consumed by
poultry.

Both fungi are ubiquitous in the environment, contain toxigenic and
nontoxigenic strains, and produce afl atoxin in warm (30–35 C), high-humidity (0.90–0.99
water activity) conditions.

Clinical sign=most economically signifi cant eff ects of afl atoxicosis on growing birds are decreased
growth and poor feed conversion ( 1 ppm

marked decrease in resistance to
infections such as salmonellosis, coccidiosis, infectious bursal disease and candidiasis
normal pigmentation and increased bruising

Intoxicated
adult hens have decreased egg production and the hatchability of those eggs that are produced



Gross and microscopic lesion=depend on the age of the host and the dose of toxin and
enlarged livers which become friable and yellow with increasing dose, kidney and spleen enlargement
diminution of the bursa of Fabricius, thymus and testes.
Petechial haemorrhages or bruises after trauma (decreased clotting factor synthesis and increased capillary fragility.)


Diagnosis- Isolation, identificaion and quantifiation of specific toxin from feed samples
A necropsy and related diagnostic tests should accompany feed analysis if mycotoxicosis is suspected. 

Treatment

• Remove toxic feed and replace with unadulterated feed
• Treat concurrent disease to alleviate disease interactions
• Correct substandard management practices
• Provide supportive care with vitamins, trace minerals, and increased dietary protein(
   (especially selenium), protein, and lipids and can be compensated for by feed supplementation and water-based treatment.)

Prevention and control

• Use feed and ingredients free of mold growth and mycotoxins
• Apply management practices that prevent mold growth and mycotoxin formation during feed manufacture, transport, and storage