Prevention is the only solution! Mycotoxicosis is the group of diseases and disorders in animals and humans caused by toxic secondary metabolites (mycotoxins). Mycotoxins are produced by various Fungi species. Mycotoxins can be divided into groups based on origin of development:
- Field
- Storage
| ORIGIN | MOULD | MYCOTOXIN |
|---|---|---|
| FIELD | Fusarium |
Zearalenone
T-2 Toxin
Fumonisins
DON (Deoxynivalenol)
|
| Claviceps | Ergot Alkaloids | |
| STORAGE | Aspergillus |
Aflatoxins
Ochratoxins
|
| Penecillium |
Ochratoxins
Citrinin
|
- The presence of moulds doesn’t necessarily imply the presence of mycotoxins.
- On the other hand, mycotoxins can be present even without the visual presence of moulds.
- At a certain stage of plant development, moulds can produce mycotoxins, which persist even when the moulds have been destroyed.
| MYCOTOXICOSIS EFFECTS ON POULTRY – CLINICAL AND VISIBLE SIGNS | ||
|---|---|---|
| CLINICAL SIGNS | PATHOMORPHOLOGICAL SIGNS | |
| Aflatoxin B1 |
Liver damage |
Liver damage (fatty infiltration) Kidney damage(nephrosis), Damage to blood flow(Anemia, Hemorrhages in muscles). |
| Zearalenon | Less sensibile on Zearalenon | |
| Ochratoxin A | Renal impairment Polydipsia Poor egg shell quality Load reduction Consumption reduction Immunosuppression |
Pale and enlarged kidneys Degeneration of the tubules Hemorrhages (broilers) Fatty degeneration of liver |
| Trichotecenes | Leather and oral lesions Reducing the weight of the eggs Increase number of soft-shell eggs Immunosuppression Performance loss |
Changes in the liver (fatty dystrophy) Inflammation, and mucosa of the mouth necrosis Intestinal villus atrophy Kidney necrosis Degenerative changes of the heart Cystic degeneration of ovaries |
