Ochratoxicosis occurs worldwide in all poultry species and all ages, however the young are most susceptible. It is caused by consumption of feed containing grain (corn, wheat and barley) which is contaminated with ochratoxin produced by Aspergillus ochraceous or Penicillium viridicatum.
- Causes of Ochratoxicosis >
- Effects of Ochratoxicosis >
- Diagnosis of Ochratoxicosis >
- Treatment & Control of Ochratoxicosis >
Causes of Ochratoxicosis
Mycotoxins are toxic metabolic by-products of fungal growth on grains. High moisture content of grains can lead to fungal growth and toxin production. Fungi can produce toxins before or after grain harvest. Drought and insect damage to grain and grain increase susceptibility to fungal growth. This happens mainly with grains produced in colder climates.
All ages, but in particular young birds are susceptible. This disease has an acute to chronic action depending on the level of toxin (high levels produce acute disease, low-chronic), duration of exposure (long-term chronic, acute short-term) and the age of the bird (young birds have acute, chronic-old). Consumption of feed containing grain (corn, wheat and barley), which has been contaminated with toxin produced by. Aspergillus ochraceous or Penicillium viridicatum may cause ochratoxin intoxication.
Mode of transmission
Consumption of feed containing the toxin causes disease.
Effects of Ochratoxicosis
Signs include diarrhea, depressed growth, reduced pigmentation, soiled eggs, tremors, hypotension and bradycardia (slow heart rate).
Reduced egg production, fertility and hatch ability and reduced egg size and shell quality can occur.
Post mortem lesions
Fatty liver with haemorrhage, enlarged pale kidneys with urates, heart necrosis, and urat deposits on the liver, spleen and pericardium can be seen.
Diagnosis of Ochratoxicosis
The clinical signs and lesions are helpful, but the only definitive diagnosis is from feed analysis for the presence of toxin.
It Simulates aflatoxicosis, visceral gout, infectious bronchitis (IB), IBD, Citrinin toxicity and malabsorption syndrome.
Treatment & Control of Ochratoxicosis
Prevention
Feed ingredients should be thoroughly dried and sanitised feed bins. Moldy feed should never be given to birds. Mold inhibitors can be added to the feed and feed storage time reduced to prevent the growth of fungi and toxin production. Toxin binders, have little or no effect on ochratoxin.
Treatment
Increasing the protein, vitamin and mineral and energy content of the diet can alleviate symptoms. Ochratoxin is less common than Aflatoxin, but is more toxic (ppb) and immunodepressive.
