Clinical-Epidemiological Investigation of Moldy Corn Poisoning in mules due to Penicillium spp and its treatment by using toxinbinder, herbal liver tonic.immunomodulater at Udayapur District, Nepal

A feature article by karkiked, Mar 08, 2008         

Clinical-Epidemiological Investigation of Moldy Corn Poisoning in mules due to Penicillium spp and its treatment by using toxinbinder, herbal liver tonic.immunomodulater at Udayapur District, Nepal 1: Dr.Kedar Karki
Vet. Officer,
Dr.Poornima Manandhar
SVO
Central Vet. Laboratory. Tripureswor Kathmandu Nepal Summary:
An clinical epidemiological investigation of Acute sudden death syndrome due to which 31 mules from a herd of 9oo died within the period of 2006-7-12 to2006-10-21 in Udayapur District Nepal. These animals were being used for good transportation work in hilly region of Nepal. On rout these animals were being fed only whole maize and grame.Normally healthy looking animals started dying suddenly. Initially suspected for acute bacterial disease and treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and vaccinated with bacterial vaccine.On close observation of herd their feed stuff revealed grains fed to these animal during rainy season was found 20% moldy in appearance. On Postmortem examination acute severe congestion and hemorrhages in liver, lung, spleen heart, intestinal mucosa were found.Histopathological examination of tissue from these organs revealed infiltration of mononuclear cell in tissue indicative of chronic nature of condition.Continous use of apparently 15-20% moldy grain (maize, gram) was used as feed. On laboratory analysis of sample of same grain was found to be containing 60-110CFU/gm of Penicillium spp of fungus. When remaining herd still using same feed treated with toxin binder (toxicurb, varishta), liver tonic like bioliv, digevet, mineral mixture promin and immunocare controlled the mortality may be indicative of the disease syndrome being caused by moldy corn poisoning similar to condition Equine Encephalomalacia.Laboratory findings and response of treatment indicates that during rainy season and immediately after rainy season feeding of stored grains are going to be detrimental to equine species. During this period care should be taken to feeding grains to this animal if treated with any toxin binder as well as herbal immunomodulater is going to reduce the chances of occurring this syndrome. History and Background of Outbreak:
The DLSO Udayapur reported the periodic death of total 31 adult mules during o63/2/16-o63/7/6.With sowing symptoms like Abnormal behavior, aggression, changing habits, Abnormal proprioceptive positioning, Abnormal pupillary response to light, Agalactia, Anorexia, Ataxia, Blindness, Circling, Colic, Coma, Cyanosis, Decreased amount of stools, absent feces, constipation, Decreased borborygmi, Decreased, absent thirst, hypodipsia, adipsia, Dehydration, Difficulty in prehending or chewing food, Disoriented, Dullness, Dysmetria, Dysphagia, Dyspnea, Excessive salivation, Excitement, Generalized weakness, Head pressing, Head shaking, , Head, face, ears, jaw weakness, droop, Head, face, ears, jaw, nose, nasal, swelling, Head, face, neck, tongue hypoesthesia, Hemoglobinuria or myoglobinuria, Hyperesthesia, Icterus, Inability to stand, Increased respiratory rate, Mydriasis, Opisthotonus, Paraparesis, Petechiae or ecchymoses, Propulsion, Red or brown urine, Reluctant to move, Seizures or syncope, Skin edema, Sudden death, Sweating, Tetraparesis, Tongue weakness, Trembling, Tremor, Underweight, poor condition, thin, emaciated, unthriftiness, ill thrift, Weight loss

Death within 10-15 minutes after collapsing on the ground. These herd were being treated with antibiotics and vaccinated against anthrax during this period with unchecked mortality. On field investigation, obtaining a thorough history and completing a physical examination, it was discovered that the horses were being fed cracked and moldy corn. Material and Methods:
Mule population and Husbandry in Udaypur: A total 900 mules are being used for domestic good transportation to hilly district under Mule Transporters Society since.2004.A total of 50 members are being involved in this bissunes.Mules are generally fed on dry whole maize,grame grains. These grains are generally purchased from market only small part of it is utilized from domestic production. These grains are having moldiness upto15-20%and are not processed before feeding.

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Preliminary Field Investigation:
Mules in the herd were in normal feeding but average poor health .Post-mortem examination of death Mule revealed severe congestion of liver, lung,speen, heart,serosangqinus fluid in thoracic cavity.Haemorrhage in stomach mucosa. Preliminary cause of sudden death was suspected for moldy grain poisoning. Samples collected For bacteriological culture of smear, swab,blood. Liver, lung, spleen, heart tissue for: Histopathology. Blood for :bacteriological, parasitological examination. Liver, lung, spleen, heart, intestine for: toxicological analysis .Fecal samples for: endoparasite examination. Serum for: serological examination.
Feedgrains:Maize,Grame for mycological culture identification,quantitification were collected. Mules in herds were provided with toxinbinder, adaptogen, immunomodulater, vitaminBcomplex as treatment and preventive measure.

Laboratory Investigation:
Bacteriological culture of tissue specimen, swab blood: revealed no growth of any bacteria. Blood parasite: Negative.Chemical toxin in tissue: negative. Intestinal parasite: Mixed Strongyels spp. Penicillium, Aspergillus, Candida spp on mycological media. 6*10-110*10 CFU/gm Penicillium colonies recorded in feed samples. Histopathological changes: Liver,: Fatty degeneration of hepatocytes.Mononuclear cells infiltration in the form of few nodules. Lungs: Perivascular cuffing. Infiltration of mononuclear cells in the form of nodules. Kidney:Deep medullary region reveals infiltration of mononuclear cells. Spleen: The number of white cells seems to be increased in the area of white pulp. Suggestive of chronic/viral disease. Serum sample :
Revealed positive for for Japanese's Encephalitis(Elisa) Treatment and Control Measure advised:
Advised for proper drying of grain before feeding. 2% Copper sulfate to be mixed in grain before feeding. Commercial toxinbinders,Varishta, Toxicurb @ 1kg/tone of grain for 15days along with Liver tonic, Immunomodulaters, Vitamin B complex.

Result and Discussion:
Approximately 15-20% moldy corn infestated with Penicillium spp being fed regularly to these herd.Intermitent but acute sudden death during post rainy season suggest the death due to fungal toxin.Histopathological changes in the tissue of lung ,liver, kidney are similar to the findings of other workers. Histologically, a center of necrosis with no recognizable structure will be observed. The transition between normal and necrotic tissue will often show hemorrhage, edema, congested blood vessels and neuronophagia. In animals with the hepatotoxic syndrome, livers will be swollen and a diffuse yellow-brown color. Irregular nodules and pale foci can be seen in hepatic parenchyma. (Dr. Steve Hooser, Dr. Duane Murphy 2003).Pathogenicity of Fusarium revealed that it causes hepatic congestion with mild triaditis, pulmonary congestion, and splenic lymphoid hyperplasia (Karki 2003) .Further more a positive response to treatment with toxinbinder, adaptogen,immunomdulater further confirm the sudden death was due to moldy corn poisoning. Further monitoring of finding of this investigation is suggested. Conclusion:
Findings of this investigation indicates that moldy feed grains and ingredients are infested with toxic fungus is emerging as a new health hazard for livestock and poultry.Simultonious use of toxinbinder,adaptogen like livertonic,mineralmixture and Immunomodulaters drugs promises to help in minimizing health risk in livestock and poultry production should be looked into. References:

1:MOLDY CORN POISONING HORSES:(Equine LeukoencephalomalaciaMark Russell, PhD, Department of Animal Sciences Don Scott, PhD, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology William Hope, DVM, Department of Veterinary Clinical SciencesCooperative Extension ServicePurdue UniversityWest Lafayette, IN 47907 , BOLETIM TÉCNICO No. 15 - http://www.micotoxinas.com.br/ Retrieved on 21/6/2007 2:FINAL DIAGNOSIS -Moldy Corn Poisoning (Equine Leucoencephalomalacia, Fumonisin Toxicity) in Horses : Dr. Steve Hooser, ADDL Toxicologist Dr. Duane Murphy, ADDL Pathologist Spring 2003 Newsletter http;//www.addl.purdue.edu/newsletters/2003/Spring/finaldx.shtml. Retrieved on 21/6/2007

3:Prevent mycotoxin's harmful effects from impacting your horse's health and performance.Mycotoxins in Equine Feed,: By Trevor K. Smith, PhD, PAg www.ecmagazine.net/.../mycotoxin2.jpg Retrieved on 21/6/2007

4:Grain Molds and Mycotoxin in Corn: Jim Stack, Extension Research Plant Pathologist Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture.http://cbc.homestead.com/Archives.html, Retrieved on 21/6/2007 5: Toxocurb: www.polchemgroup.com/.
6: Varishta: www.varshagroup.com
7:Pathogenecity Assessment of Fusarium graminearium in Mice. Kedar B.Karki:pp14, Vetcon 2003, 7th national veterinary conference 2003,Nepal Veterinary Association.

drkedar_karki@yahoo.com

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