Bloody Feces Research Articles

EXPERIMENTAL PRODUCTION OF NECROTIC ENTERITIS IN BROILER CHICKENS

The present study was conducted to isolate and identify the Clostridium perfringens, the etiology of necrotic enteritis (NE) from broiler chickens and experimental production of NE with this isolate. A total of 50 samples were collected from jejunum of necropsied birds for isolation and identification of Cl. perfringens. Out of 50 samples, only 4 isolates of Cl. perfringens were isolated and identified (prevalence 8%). In experimental NE, the birds of group A (orally administered with only 0.1 ml (1x103 sporulated Eimeria acervulina oocysts/bird) showed dullness, ruffled feather, vent feather soiled with bloody faeces after 1 week of coccidial challenge. The birds of group B (orally administered 1x103 sporulated Eimeria acervulina oocysts/bird and 1 ml of 2 days old broth culture of Cl. perfringens) showed severe depression, ruffled feathers, bloody faeces with fibrinous cast with 80% prevalence rate and 30% mortality in experimental NE. The birds of group C (orally inoculated with 1 ml of 2 days old broth culture of Cl. perfringens) showed no striking clinical, gross and histopathological lesions. Postmortem changes in small intestine (duodenum) were congestion and haemorrhages specially for birds of group A. The most severe gross lesions comprised of ascites, enlarged liver and heart, intestinal distension, profuse haemorrhage, fibrinous cast, fragile intestinal wall and gas bubble formation in the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) of birds of group B. Histologically, birds of group B showed hemorrhage and congestion in liver, heart and intestine, desquamation of intestinal epithelium and intense leukocytic infiltration in intestine, liver and heart. The findings obtained from this study showed that simultaneous coccidial infection enhanced the pathological lesions of NE. DOI = http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v9i1.11207Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2011). 9(1): 33–41

Transmesenteric hernia due to double-loop formation in the small intestine: A fatal case involving a toddler

We report a unique case of transmesenteric hernia resulting in death, which went undiagnosed during a recent hospital visit. The victim was a 2.5-year-old girl who - with the exception of chronic constipation - had no medical history. One night she complained of abdominal pains and was taken to a pediatric hospital where doctors performed an abdominal X-ray and echography. No significant findings suggesting bowel obstruction (e.g. air-fluid levels or dilation of the bowel) were obtained on examinations and bloody feces were not observed in this particular episode. As her abdominal pain gradually attenuated, the doctor allowed her to return home. A few hours later, she lost consciousness and expired despite resuscitation efforts attempted at an emergency hospital. A subsequent autopsy revealed that the small bowel had herniated through a defect in the mesentery resulting in two consecutive and inversely forming loops, in which each loop protruded on either side of the mesentery. This rare morphological anatomy seems to have progressed in a two-step process. The girl's mild abdominal pain was likely induced by herniation and formation of the first intestinal loop, followed by severe shock occurring when the subsequent intestinal segment invaginated into the same defect forming the second loop on the opposite side of the mesentery. This case illustrates the difficulty of diagnosing transmesenteric hernia due to the presentation of unspecific symptoms; especially in infants and toddlers. Furthermore, this report demonstrates the value of a complete autopsy in cases of sudden and unexpected deaths involving children.

Oral nuclear factor-κB decoy oligonucleotides delivery system with chitosan modified poly( d, l-lactide-co-glycolide) nanospheres for inflammatory bowel disease

Chitosan (CS)-modified poly( d, l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanospheres (NS) were developed and evaluated for use with a nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) decoy oligonucleotide (ODN) oral delivery system in an experimental model of ulcerative colitis (UC). Decoy ODN-loaded PLGA NS were prepared by an emulsion solvent diffusion method, and the physicochemical properties of NS were investigated. CS-modified PLGA NS (CS-PLGA NS) showed positive zeta potential, while unmodified PLGA NS (plain-PLGA NS) were negatively charged. Decoy ODN uptake studies with Caco-2 cells using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) indicated that CS-PLGA NS were more effectively taken up by the cells than plain-PLGA NS. Decoy ODN-loaded CS-PLGA NS were able to improve the stability of ODN against DNase I or an acidic medium, such as gastric juice. Daily oral administration of CS-PLGA NS in a rat model significantly improved dextran sulfate sodium-induced diarrhea, bloody feces, shortening of colon length, and myeloperoxidase activity. Furthermore, decoy ODN-loaded CS-PLGA NS were specifically deposited and adsorbed on the inflamed mucosal tissue of the UC model rat. These results suggested that CS-PLGA NS provide an effective means of colon-specific oral decoy ODN delivery in UC.

Granulomatous myelitis associated with hemorrhagic syndrome due to consumption of Vicia villosa by cattle

An unusual case of spontaneous Vicia villosa poisoning affected a 6-year-old Holstein cow. Although the most striking findings included a generalized hemorrhagic condition associated with granulomatous myelitis, histological lesions typically seen with the vetch-associated systemic granulomatous syndrome were also present. Prominent gross findings were bloody nasal and oral discharges, disseminated hemorrhages, and bloody feces. Generalized hemorrhages associated with infiltration of numerous organs by lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages, multinucleated giants cells, and eosinophils were the main microscopic findings. Anti-CD68 immunostaining confirmed the presence of moderate histiocytic infiltrate and multinucleated giant cells in the bone marrow. These changes in the bone marrow probably caused the generalized hemorrhagic changes described here.

Kampo medicines improved blood test and QOL in two vasculitis cases of Churg–Strauss syndrome and Henoch–Shönlein purpura after inadequate treatment with conventional therapies

Based on the tenets of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, Kampo medicines were selected and applied to two cases of Churg-Strauss syndrome and Henoch-Shönlein purpura. Two vasculitis syndrome patients exhibited persistent symptoms and abnormal blood tests after treatment with conventional therapies. As the two cases had "blood stagnation" and "damps and heat" and one had a "yang deficiency" in terms of TCM theory, we applied certain selected Kampo medicines. In case 1, the patient presented with hypereosinophilia, venous thrombosis, pulmonary infarction, decreased platelet count, ulner nerve palsy and Raynaud's phenomena, which led to a diminished quality of life. After starting the Kampo medicines, the patient improved quickly and recovered within 11 months. In case 2, persistent purpura, abdominal pain, and bloody feces quickly improved and disappeared after Kampo treatment. After starting the Kampo medicines, prednisolone was stopped at 21 days without any sign of relapse to date. Kampo medicines helped clear the persistent abnormal symptoms and laboratory findings of vasculitis syndromes, Churg-Strauss syndrome and Henoch-Shönlein purpura, which had responded inadequately to the conventional therapies administered.

Disease facts - Swine dysentery

Affected individuals are usually pyrexic, depressed and inappetant, with withdrawn flanks (Fig. 3), often with foul smelling bloody mucoid faeces running down the perineum. Untreated it can kill or alternatively leave a chronically affected individual that fails to thrive, ultimately requiring euthanasia. Within an infected population, growth can slow by 10% and feed conversion efficiency can be depressed by 0.5 (i.e. 20% loss of efficiency). Milder strains of the bacterium are known to exist which may be asymptomatic within the population, or mildly

Temporal and Spatial Analysis of Clinical and Molecular Parameters in Dextran Sodium Sulfate Induced Colitis

BackgroundInflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including mainly ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), are inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract caused by an interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Murine colitis model induced by Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) is an animal model of IBD that is commonly used to address the pathogenesis of IBD as well as to test efficacy of therapies. In this study we systematically analyzed clinical parameters, histological changes, intestinal barrier properties and cytokine profile during the colitic and recovery phase.MethodsC57BL/6 mice were administered with 3.5% of DSS in drinking water for various times. Clinical and histological features were determined using standard criteria. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, transepithelial permeability and proinflammatory mediators were determined in whole colon or proximal and distal parts of colon.ResultsAs expected after administration of DSS, mice manifest loss of body weight, shortening of colon length and bloody feces. Histological manifestations included shortening and loss of crypts, infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophil, symptoms attenuated after DSS withdrawal. The MPO value, as inflammation indicator, also increases significantly at all periods of DSS treatment, and even after DSS withdrawal, it still held at very high levels. Trans-mucosal permeability increased during DSS treatment, but recovered to almost control level after DSS withdrawal. The production of proinflammatory mediators by colonic mucosa were enhanced during DSS treatment, and then recovered to pre-treated level after DSS withdrawal. Finally, enhanced expression of proinflammatory mediators also revealed a different profile feature in proximal and distal parts of the colon.ConclusionExperimental colitis induced by DSS is a good animal model to study the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and intervention against IBD, especially UC.

Fatal enterocolitis in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) caused by infection with Eimeria phocae

Coccidiosis due to Eimeria phocae infection has been described in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from the western Atlantic population, but not in any detail in seals from the eastern Atlantic...

THE LIFE CYCLE AND PATHOGENICITY OF COCCICIUM EIMERIA NOCENS (KOTLÁN, 1933) IN DOMESTIC GOSLINGS

Twenty-four 10-day-old, artificially reared, coccidia-free goslings (Anser cygnoides var. domestica) were inoculated orally with 1.0x10(5)-1.0x10(6) sporulated oocysts of Eimeria nocens, and killed at intervals from 30 to 336 hr postinoculation (PI). Parts of the visceral organs, including intestines, kidney, liver, gallbladder, and spleen from inoculated goslings, were fixed and sectioned. The life cycle of E. nocens and histologic changes during infection were examined microscopically. The results showed that at least 3 generations of meronts developed in the endogenous stage of the life cycle of E. nocens. Two types of meronts were found. The first completed maturation at 54 to 78 hr PI. These meronts were the first generation, with each forming about 12 merozoites. The second completed maturation at 102 to 240 hr PI. These meronts were the second or third generations, with each meront forming about 24 merozoites. Development of gamonts began at about 198 hr after infection. The prepatent period was 9 days and discharge of oocysts continued for 4 days. Sporulation of oocysts occurred in 60-72 hr at 25 C. Eimeria nocens invaded the posterior jejunum, ileum, caecum, rectum, and cloaca. Developmental stages were localized within the epithelial cells of villi and crypts, and in lamina propria. Marked histological changes, including desquamation and necrosis of intestinal epithelium, submucosal edema, hemorrhages, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and villous atrophy, were seen during the periods of late merogony, gamogony, and oocyst shedding. They were most pronounced in the ileum and the regions nearby. The infected goslings showed severe diarrhea, bloody feces, anorexia, emaciation, and even death, suggesting that E. nocens is highly pathogenic for goslings.

Protective Effect of Lactulose on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colonic Inflammation in Rats

Promising results have recently been obtained with pre- and probiotic therapy in ulcerative colitis (UC). The prebiotic potential of lactulose is well established, but it has not yet been investigated in experimental colitis models. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of lactulose on an UC model induced by 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) solution added to drinking water for 7 days in male Wistar rats. Lactulose (300-1000 mg/kg) or 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA; 150 mg/kg) was administered orally twice daily for 6 days. Colonic ulceration area, colon length, body weight changes, diarrhea/bloody feces, colonic mucosal myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and histology were examined. Treatment of animals with DSS for 7 days resulted in severe colonic lesions accompanied by diarrhea, bloody feces, a decrese in body weight, shortening of the colon length, and an increase in MPO activity as well as TBARS, compared to normal rats. Lactulose treatment ameliorated DSS-induced colitis in a dose-dependent manner, and at 1000 mg/kg all of the parameters examined, except TBARS, were shown to improve significantly as compared to controls. Daily administration of 5-ASA also significantly reduced the severity of colonic lesions following DSS treatment. These results demonstrated the protective effect of lactulose in this rat colitis model and suggested that the background of this lactulose effect may be due to alterations of colonic microflora.

Hemorrhagic Complication of Endoscopic Polypectomy Is Liable to Occur in Patient with Hypertension

(Introduction) Hemorrhagic complication of endoscopic polypectomy is occasionally serious and life threatening. Hemorrhage during the procedure is able to be controlled using appropriate devices such as hemostatic clips or others. However, hemorrhage after the procedure is difficult to predict and we have no means to completely prevent it. The aim of this study is to assess the risk factors of hemorrhage after endoscopic polypectomy. Special attention was given not only to features of polyps but also to patients' characteristics. (Method) Between October 1995 and August 2003, 3138 cases with 6617 colorectal polyps underwent endoscopic resection at our hospital. We advised all patients to stop drinking and hard exercise for 7 days after the day of endoscopic resection. We conducted medical interview to the patients at 14 days after the day of resection, asking whether bloody feces appeared twice or more. We conducted a case control study using a control group matched by age, sex, features of tumor including size, shape and location of tumors, and method of resection. We compared alcohol consumption, smoking habit, presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or hyperlipidemia between cases with hemorrhage after the procedure and those without. (Result) Hemorrhage after the procedure occurred to 38 lesions (0.57%) in 37 cases (1.18%). Of these, 22 cases needed endoscopic procedures for hemostasis, and only one case required blood transfusion. The size of tumors with hemorrhagic complication was larger than that of not complicated tumors; 10.0±6.9 mm in the former and 5.6±3.8 mm in the latter (P<0.0001). Hemorrhage occurred to 11/3733 lesions (0.29%) by hot biopsy, 23/2492 (0.92%) by snare polypectomy, and 4/362 (1.10%) by endoscopic mucosal resection, respectively. In the case control analysis, 67.6% (25/37) of the case subjects with hemorrhage had hypertension, as compared with 28.4% (21/74) of the controls. Adjusted odds ratio was 4.7(95% CI;1.8-12.1, P=0.001). There was no difference in alcohol consumption, smoking, presence of diabetes mellitus or hyperlipidemia between cases and controls. Furthermore, among the patients with hemorrhagic complication, the mean time to occurrence of hemorrhage was significantly longer in cases with hypertension than those without; 4.9±3.5 days in the former and 2.3±2.7 days in the latter (P=0.04). (Conclusion) Hypertension is a significant risk factor of hemorrhagic complication. Especially, in cases with hypertension, late onset hemorrhage is liable to occur.

The isolation of canine parvovirus and pathological changes of infected dogs

The aims of this study are to isolate canine parvovirus (CPV) from the field case and to evaluate its histological aspects in CPV infected dogs. Samples were collected from intestine, intestine contained and mucose, as well as dogs feses from diarrhoea and blood diarrhoea. The suspension of those specimen was inoculated into Feline Kidney cells and observed for cythopathic effect (CPE) . The presence of CPE indicated that there was viral isolate and continued to further identification using Haemaglutination (HA) test with pig red blood cells. Samples with positif in HA test were further identification using Haemaglutination Inhibition (HI) test against reference CPV antisera. Isolation result showed that from 81 samples processed, 10 samples indicated CPE in cell cultures, and had agglutinated in pig red blood cells and neutralised reference CPV antisera as the same titer of reference CPV antisera. Nine isolates were obtained from feces and 1 isolate was obtained from Mucose intestine from bloody diarrhoea dogs. Those isolates were also obtained from 1 to 2 days post blood diarrhea clinical signs. Two from 10 cadavers examined showed histological changes to CPV infection. Isolate of CPV, originally from feces, was also obtained from one of the two cadavers. Based on the results it was concluded that more CPV viral isolates can be obtained from bloody diarrhea feces. Key words: Canine parvovirus, inhibition, isolation, pathology, identification

THREE-MONTH SUBACUTE ORAL TOXICITY STUDY OF MOFEZOLAC (N-22) IN DOGS

Mofezolac (N-22) is a new developed analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. A subacute oral toxicity test of N-22 was carried out at dose-levels of 0, 2, 6 and 20 mg/kg/day using male and female beagle dogs. Treatment for 3 months was followed by 1 month recovery period except in the case of both sexes receiving 20 mg/kg/day. The results obtained from the present study were as follows. 1. Observation of general conditions revealed vomiting, sporadic bloody feces, anemia, recumbency and hyposthenia in both sexes receiving 20 mg/kg/day. Anemia or erosion of tongue was observed in each female receiving 6 mg/kg/day. 2. Respectively 3 dogs of both sexes receiving 20 mg/kg/day died during dosing period. In these animals, perforating ulcers were observed in the pars pylorica ventriculi or duodenum, and loss of blood, peritonitis and aggravation of general exhaustion were considered as causes of death. 3. Body weight tended to decrease in both sexes receiving 20 mg/kg/day, and food and water consumption levels decreased in males receiving 2 mg/kg/day or above and females receiving 2 mg/kg/day. 4. Urinalysis demonstrated an increasing tendency for specific gravity of urine and a decreasing tendency for urine volume in males receiving 2 mg/kg/day or above. 5. Hematological examination showed decreases in red blood cell count and Hb concentration in males receiving 2 mg/kg/day or above, and in Ht values in males receiving 6 mg/kg/day or above. 6. Serum biochemical examination revealed decreases in total protein and albumin in both sexes receiving 20 mg/kg/day. 7. There were no remarkable changes in hepatic and renal function, ophthalmological findings or electrocardiogram. 8. In the organ weights, significant decrease in thymus weights was observed in the dead animals receiving 20 mg/kg/day. 9. Pathologically, the dead animals receiving 20 mg/kg/day were found to exhibit peritonitis with perforating ulcers in the pars pylorica ventriculi or duodenum. In the surviving animals of this group, scar ulcers in the pars pylorica ventriculi and small intestine were evident on necropsy, and histopathology revealed neutrophils infiltration and thrombosis in blood vessels in the thickened submucosal stomach tissues. Moreover, localized hepatocyte necrosis and intrasinusoidal cellular infiltration in liver, as well as interstitial cellular infiltration, degeneration and dilatation of the renal tubules in the kidney were observed. In females receiving 6 mg/kg/day, the changes in kidney were similar to those in surviving animals receiving 20 mg/kg/day, and male of the group showed atrophy of thymus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

放牧牛に集団発生した牛コクシジウム病に対するサルファ剤の治療効果と増体に及ぼす影響

Nine days after admission to the pasture 21 of 50 growing Cows began to suffer from diarrhea with bloody feces. Oocysts which seemed to be of Eimeria zuernii were detected from the feces. OPG was 3.8×104 in severely affected cows. A diagnosis of bovine caccidiosis was made. Mild and sevree cases were cured with 1-3 dasages and 4-9 dosages of sulfamonomethoxine, sespectively. Gain in body weight was hardly seen in severely affected cows for about a month. It returned to a normal condition in these cows four months after treatment.

Experimentally induced malignant hypertension in beagle dogs.

The pathology of malignant hypertension in dogs induced either purposely or inadvertently by the Goldblatt procedure has not been previously reported. Malignant hypertension was experimentally produced in beagle dogs by a modified Goldblatt procedure; in a single surgical procedure, one kidney was removed and the blood flow to the remaining kidney was reduced by 50%. A sudden onset of severe clinical signs developed within one to three weeks after surgery. The dogs were markedly depressed or in shock, were vomiting, and had either bloody feces or bloody diarrhea. Hematologic changes compatible with a diagnosis of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia consisted of hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and the presence of burr cells and schistocytes. Some dogs had neutrophilia and slight to moderate increases in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. At necropsy, there were gross hemorrhages in the heart, brain, urinary bladder, and gastrointestinal tract. Histologic findings consisted of multifocal parenchymal hemorrhage, fibrinoid necrosis of arterioles, medial smooth muscle hyperplasia, adventitial fibroplasia and mononuclear cell infiltrates, and microthrombi. The vascular clamp most likely protected the kidney from the systemic hypertension since the remaining kidney was largely not remarkable by light or electron microscopy. The dog appears to be a good model to study the pathology of malignant hypertension and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia.

一醗酵オガクズ豚舎における急性豚鞭虫症の発生状況と薬剤添加飼料による発症予防の試み

In May, 1985 acute trichuriasis occurred among swine on a breeding farm in Kagoshima. On this farm pig pens were operated by the sawdust fermentation floor system with a sawdustlayer about 30cm in thickness. The saudust remained unchanged for about a year. Diarrhea and bloody feces were observed in a herd of pigs fed on a sawdust floor which had been used for 7 months. All the pigs received flubendazole when trichuriasis was diagnosed in them. Six of 79 pigs died of the disease. Many growing and embryonated Trichuris eggs were detected from all the sawdust samples collected. New piglets were introduced into the farm and divided into two group M and F. Group M was placed in 3 pens and given 30ppm morantel citrate in feed continually. Group F was placed in 4 pens and medicated with 10mg/kg/day of flubendazole for 2 days at 14-day intervals. As a result, flubendazole was effective in treating trichuriasis and morantel citrate in preventing infection with Trichuris suis.

&lt;I&gt;Clostridium Perfringens&lt;/I&gt; AおよびC型菌が検出された新生豚の壊疽性腸炎

On a hog farm in Miyazaki Prefecture a home-produced primiparous sow gave birth to 9 piglets, fiveof which died within 24 hours after birth, discharging red bloody feces. Autopsy revealed hemorrhagic enteritis in the small intestine, especially in the jejunum. Necrosis, hemorrhage, and emphysema were seen in villi, submucosa, and tunica propria mucosae of the jejunum.After bacterial culture a small amount of Clostridium perfringens was isolated from parenchymatous organs and 109-1010 organisms jg of this species were from the jejunal contents in dead piglets. When 4 isolated strains were examined for toxin type, 2 strains were of type A organisms and another two of type C ones. The 4 strains showed an a-toxin value of more than 3.The isolates were highly Sensitive to penicillin, aminobenzyl penicillin, and bacitracin, but not at all to streptomycin, kanamycin, or colistin. Finally, this case was diagnosed as enterotoxemia caused by mixed infection with type A and C organisms of a high virulent strain of C. perfringens.

豚の増殖性出血性腸炎の発生について

Proliferative hemorrhagic enteritis (PHE) has been prevailing on two collective hog farms and a comprehensive farm in Okayama Prefecture since May, 1978, when 2 pigs died suddenly of it. Up to May, 1980, 309 hogs and young breeding pigs were affected. Of them, 112 died an acute death and the others recovered after treatment with several antibiotics or were condemned.Characteristic findings were extreme anemia, stinking tar-like feces, and acute or peracute death after a course of 1-2 days. Autopsy revealed plicate mucosal thickening of the ileum and deposition of bloody feces. Histologically, adenomatous proliferation of the mucosal epithelium led to the formation of irregular crypts and marked thickening of the mucosa. A number of Campylobacter organisms were found in the cytoplasm of hyperplastic epithelial cells. An attempt was made to isolate these organism by culture, but in vain.

1. Clinical Effects of Prednisolone Suppositories (AS-1 Suppositories) on Ulcerative Colitis

Prednisolone suppositories were administered in treating 192 cases of ulcerative colitis and8 cases of radiation colitis. In both these types of colitis, main active lesion were in the rectum and sigmoid colon.The following results were obtained :1. Ulcerative colitisMucous blood in the feces and bloody diarrhea had disappeared in 90 cases (47 %) after two weeks, and in 134 cases (70 %) after four weeks of administering the suppositories, by which time improvement of symptoms had developed in 176 cases (92 %). Deterioration was observed in only one case (0.5 %).On the colonofiberscopic examination in these cases, however, complete remission could be?found in only 57 cases (36 %), and improvement of mucosal changes in only 89 cases (56 %) even after eight weeks. Deterioration was not observed.2. Radiation colitisMucous blood on the feces and bloody diarrhea had disappeared in 5 of the 8 cases after two weeks of administering suppositories, but colonofiberscopy revealed that a decrease in inflammation, erosion and bleeding had occurred in only one case after the same period of time.3. There was no adverse reaction except in two cases, in which partial stimulation for rectum occurred, To sum up, this suppository is extremely effective in treatment of ulcerative colitis. While it is being administered, however, regular or periodic endoscopic examinations should be made to confirm whether dosage might be decreased or suspended altogether, because of the long period of time between the disappearance of bloody feces and the achievement of endoscopic remission.

The role of T-2 toxin in experimental alimentary toxic aleukia: A toxicity study in cats

The Role of T-2 Toxin in Experimental Alimentary Toxic Aleukia: A Toxicity Study in Cats. Lutsky, I., Mor, N., Yagen, B., and Joffe, A. Z. (1978). Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 43, 111–124. The toxicity in cats of T-2 toxin [3α-hydroxy-4β,15-diacetoxy-8α-(3-methylbutyroloxy)-12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-ene] and a fusarial extract containing T-2 toxin was investigated. Both compounds were derived from an “authentic” strain of Fusarium sporotrichioides involved in a clinical outbreak of alimentary toxic aleukia (ATA). T-2 toxin administered in gelatin capsules per os produced a severe intoxication, characterized initially by vomiting, ataxia, and bloody feces, and subsequently by anorexia, weight loss, dyspnea, paralysis, and death. The mean survival time was inversely related to the amount of T-2 toxin ingested (dosage 0.06 to 0.10 mg/kg). A generalized pancytopenia, with marked leukopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were consistent hematologic findings. Severe emaciation, intestinal hemorrhage, and enlarged lymph nodes were frequently seen at necropsy. Common histologic observations included necrosis of intestinal epithelium, pulmonary edema, hemorrhagic lymph nodes, and cloudy swelling of the renal tubules. Cats receiving the same fusarial extract, from which T-2 toxin had been removed, remained healthy and showed no gross or histologic changes. No disease-related role can be postulated for unsaturated steroidal lactones, as previously proposed by Soviet authors. Our results establish that the trichothecene T-2 toxin is that component in the extract of F. sporotrichioides responsible for the ATA-like syndrome in the test animals, and that T-2 toxin of itself can produce all of the signs, symptoms, and pathologic changes associated with this disease.