Aflaxicosis is the most common cause of intoxication poisoning in modern poultry production systems. Specific species of Aspergillus (a fungal disease caused by Aspergillus, a common mold which is a type of fungus that lives indoors and outdoors) and Penicillium (a blue mold found on food, used in some cheeses, and to make penicillin) in feed can produce Aflatoxins (Merck Veterinary Manual. (2018). "The cause of this disease in poultry and other food-producing animals has been attributed to the ingestion of various feeds contaminated with A. flavus. This toxigenic fungus is known to produce a group of extremely toxic metabolites, of which aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is most potent. Avian species especially chicks, goslings, ducklings and turkey poults are most susceptible to AFB1 toxicity" (RR, D. 2018).
What are Aflatoxins?
Aflatoxins are poisons which can be made by some strains of a fungus called Aspergillus flavus.
Causes of Aflatoxin in Poultry Feed?
What happens to birds affected by Aflatoxins?:
Aflatoxins affect the birds liver and cause a reduced immune response to some diseases, such as thrush, sour crop, coccidiosis and others. "There are multiple effects on poultry fed aflatoxin-contaminated feed, and almost all systems in the body are affected. For example, deformities caused by interference in bone metabolism resulted in decreased bone strength and a reduction in bone diameter. Aflatoxin caused changes in the arrangement of the muscles, resulting in decreases in dressed weight and breast yield, while back, wing, drum, and thigh weight increased [. This can result in a significant impact on the marketable quality of the poultry meat" (Morrison, D. M., Ledoux, D. R., Chester, L. F. B., & Samuels, C. A. N. 2017). Birds most susceptible to AFB1 toxicity are chicks, goslings, ducklings and turkey poults (RR, D. 2018). .
Symptoms of chicken or other poultry affected by Acute Aflatoxicosis:
"Prevention and avoidance are the best way to control aflatoxicosis, natural contamination of crops with A. flavus is sometimes unavoidable."
Treatment for Aflaxicosis (Aflatoxin poisoning)
What are Aflatoxins?
Aflatoxins are poisons which can be made by some strains of a fungus called Aspergillus flavus.
Causes of Aflatoxin in Poultry Feed?
- Tropical conditions
- Rainy weather
- Wet feed
- Wet bedding
- Moldy feed
What happens to birds affected by Aflatoxins?:
Aflatoxins affect the birds liver and cause a reduced immune response to some diseases, such as thrush, sour crop, coccidiosis and others. "There are multiple effects on poultry fed aflatoxin-contaminated feed, and almost all systems in the body are affected. For example, deformities caused by interference in bone metabolism resulted in decreased bone strength and a reduction in bone diameter. Aflatoxin caused changes in the arrangement of the muscles, resulting in decreases in dressed weight and breast yield, while back, wing, drum, and thigh weight increased [. This can result in a significant impact on the marketable quality of the poultry meat" (Morrison, D. M., Ledoux, D. R., Chester, L. F. B., & Samuels, C. A. N. 2017). Birds most susceptible to AFB1 toxicity are chicks, goslings, ducklings and turkey poults (RR, D. 2018). .
Symptoms of chicken or other poultry affected by Acute Aflatoxicosis:
- Inappetence-Lack of appetite
- Ataxia-Loss of body movements
- Convulsions-Sudden, violent or irregular movement of body parts
- Opisthotonos-Muscle spasms that cause the head, neck and spine to arch.
- Depression-Listlessness, not their usual active self, sitting in one place for long periods, not acting like they normally do.
- Drop in egg production
- Increased susceptibility to infections
- Death
- "A gross lesion often seen with acute aflatoxicosis is an enlarged yellow liver" (Merck Veterinary Manual. 2018).
- "Hepatocellular tumors, particularly in ducklings, is considered to be one of the serious consequences of aflatoxicosis RR, D. (2018). .
- Change feed out daily
- Remove uneaten food
- Wash and dry food dishes regularly
"Prevention and avoidance are the best way to control aflatoxicosis, natural contamination of crops with A. flavus is sometimes unavoidable."
Treatment for Aflaxicosis (Aflatoxin poisoning)
- Activated charcoal
- Phenobarbital
- Cysteine
- Glutathione
- Betacrotene
- Fisetin
- Selenium
References:
1. Overview of Poisonings in Poultry - Poultry - Merck Veterinary Manual. (2018). Veterinary Manual. Retrieved 14 October 2018, from https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/poisonings/overview-of-poisonings-in-poultry
2. Definition of Aspergillosis | Aspergillosis | Types of Fungal Diseases | Fungal Diseases | CDC. (2018). Cdc.gov. Retrieved 14 October 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/aspergillosis/definition.html
3. Morrison, D. M., Ledoux, D. R., Chester, L. F. B., & Samuels, C. A. N. (2017). A Limited Survey of Aflatoxins in Poultry Feed and Feed Ingredients in Guyana. Veterinary Sciences, 4(4), 60. http://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci4040060
4. RR, D. (2018). An overview of aflatoxicosis of poultry: its characteristics, prevention and reduction. - PubMed - NCBI . Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 15 October 2018, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3541365
1. Overview of Poisonings in Poultry - Poultry - Merck Veterinary Manual. (2018). Veterinary Manual. Retrieved 14 October 2018, from https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/poisonings/overview-of-poisonings-in-poultry
2. Definition of Aspergillosis | Aspergillosis | Types of Fungal Diseases | Fungal Diseases | CDC. (2018). Cdc.gov. Retrieved 14 October 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/aspergillosis/definition.html
3. Morrison, D. M., Ledoux, D. R., Chester, L. F. B., & Samuels, C. A. N. (2017). A Limited Survey of Aflatoxins in Poultry Feed and Feed Ingredients in Guyana. Veterinary Sciences, 4(4), 60. http://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci4040060
4. RR, D. (2018). An overview of aflatoxicosis of poultry: its characteristics, prevention and reduction. - PubMed - NCBI . Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 15 October 2018, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3541365
