Tricothecene toxicity occurs worldwide in chickens, turkeys, layers and breeders of all ages. It is caused through consumption of feed containing grains infected with fungi producing tricothecene mycotoxins. T-2 toxin; diacetoxyscirphenol (DAS) and deoxynivelanol (DON, vomitoxin) can be produced by the fungi Fusarium trichinctum, F. calonectria, F. gibberella, F. cephalosporium and F. trichoderma.
- Causes of Tricothecene toxicity >
- Effects of Tricothecene toxicity >
- Diagnosis of Tricothecene toxicity >
- Treatment & Control of Tricothecene toxicity >
Causes of Tricothecene toxicity
Chickens, turkeys, layers and breeders of all ages are susceptible to this acute to chronic disease. The severity of the disease depends on the dosage of toxin (higher-acute), age of bird (young birds have acute, older have chronic), and duration of exposure (longer periods cause chronic toxicosis). Consumption of feed containing grains infected with fungi producing trichothecenes toxins cause the disease. The following trichothecenes: T-2, diacetoxyscirphenol (DAS) and deoxynivalenal (DON or vomitoxin) can be produced by Fusarium trichinctum, F. calonectria, F. gibberella, F. cephalosporium and F. trichoderma.
Mode of transmission
Feed contaminated with trichothecenes toxins, which are very caustic. It can occur in corn, sorghum, barley, safflower, seed, oats and brewers grain.
Special note
T-2 toxin is the most common and pathogenic of the trichothecenes.
Effects of Tricothecene toxicity
Signs include off feed, impaired growth, uneven and poorly formed feathers, and emesis (vomiting). Thin shelled eggs, reduced egg production, swelling of the face, caustic injury to skin, cyanotic (blue-coloured) combs and wattles, seizures and tremors may be seen.
Postmortem lesions
Whitish to yellow focal nodules in base of mouth, near the salivary ducts and tongue can occur. An inflamed GI tract, atrophy of bursa and thymus, necrosis of gizzard and proventriculus, dermatitis on the toes, pale or yellow bone marrow, yellow hemorrhagic liver and gout can also be seen.
Diagnosis of Tricothecene toxicity
Feed analysis for toxins and feed refusal in many farm animals is diagnostic. It simulates wet pox, vitamin A deficiency, thrush, trichomoniasis, ochra and aflatoxicosis, IBD and visceral gout.
Treatment & Control of Tricothecene toxicity
Prevention
Prevention is the same as for the other Mycotoxins, including mould inhibitors and use of dry grain only. Mouldy grains should never be added to feed.
Treatment
The treatment is the same as for other mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin. Increasing the protein content of feed by 1%, increasing vitamin and mineral content of feed and adding gentian violet* to feed have a sparing effect on aflatoxin-induced disease.
*Not authorised in the US.
