Immunotoxicological risk of mycotoxins for domestic animals

Abstract

Mycotoxins are a group of structurally diverse fungal secondary metabolites that elicit a wide spectrum of toxicological effects. Of particular interest is the capacity of some mycotoxins to alter normal immune function when present in food at levels below observable overt toxicity. The sensitivity of the immune system to mycotoxin-induced immunosuppression arises from the vulnerability of the continually proliferating and differentiating cells that participate in immune-mediated activities and regulate the complex communication network between cellular and humoral components. Mycotoxin-induced immunosuppression may be manifested as depressed T- or B-lymphocyte activity, suppressed antibody production and impaired macrophage/neutrophil-effector functions. The immune system is primarily responsible for defence against invading organisms. Suppressed immune function by mycotoxins may eventually decrease resistance to infectious diseases, reactivate chronic infections and/or decrease vaccine and drug efficacy.

Duodenal morphology and immune responses of broiler chickens fed low doses of deoxynivalenol

“…Numerous studies conducted on host resistance, antibody responses, and cell mediated immunity have revealed that trichothecenes stimulate or suppress the immune function depending on the dose, exposure frequency, and timing of functional immune assay (Pestka et al 2004). It is very likely that mycotoxins have their greatest effect on the mucosal lymphoid tissue (particularly gut and bronchial) before they are absorbed and subsequently metabolized (Oswald et al 2005).…”

“…, immunity, vomitoxin, morphometry, toxicity, poultry Deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) is mycotoxin produced by Fusarium graminearum and is included into B type trichothecenes which can cause serious problems of animals and poultry when consumed via contaminated cereal grains. Consumption of lower amounts of fungal toxins may result in impaired immunity and decreased resistance to infection diseases (Oswald et al 2005).…”

Concomitant bovine viral diarrhea, mycotoxicosis, and seneciosis in cattle from northern Paraná, Brazil

“…Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi that grow on a wide variety of feedstuffs and food consumed by domestic animals and humans (OSWALD et al, 2005;UPADHAYA et al, 2010). The most important mycotoxins of interest to food production are aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and fumonisin (OSWALD et al, 2005;MOSTROM;JACOBSEN, 2011).…”

“…Clinical manifestations of peracute toxicosis include hemorrhage, bloody diarrhea, and acute death (GALEY, 2009). Chronic aflatoxicosis predispose susceptible ruminants to infectious diseases (OSWALD et al, 2005;GALEY, 2009;UPADHAYA et al, 2010), due to impaired secretory functions and viability of neutrophils and macrophages (OSWALD et al, 2005). Affected animals can demonstrate reduced growth rate, decreased feed efficiency, rough hair coat, and hepatic fibrosis with regeneration (GALEY, 2009).…”

“…The most important mycotoxins of interest to food production are aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and fumonisin (OSWALD et al, 2005;MOSTROM;JACOBSEN, 2011). However, intoxication is more frequently associated with peracute, acute, or chronic aflatoxicosis (OSWALD et al, 2005;GALEY, 2009). Clinical manifestations of peracute toxicosis include hemorrhage, bloody diarrhea, and acute death (GALEY, 2009).…”