Dietary ergot alkaloids as a possible cause of tail necrosis in rabbits

Abstract

This study describes the association between tail necrosis in rabbits and mycotoxins in rabbit feed. Clinical cases of tail necrosis were observed in 14 out of 103 rabbits kept in an outdoor group housing, fed with hay and a commercial pelleted feed. The observed clinical symptoms, alopecia, erosions, crusts and necrosis were restricted to the tail area and exclusively occurred in young rabbits aged 113 ± 20 days. Dermatological examination suggested that ischemia had caused necrosis. Analysis of blood samples showed an elevated level of creatine kinase. No weight loss occurred in affected rabbits. Trauma caused by injuries or technopathic lesions was also excluded. Histopathologically, the lesions were characterized by acute muscle fibre degeneration and chronic active dermatitis with granulation tissue formation. Necropsy of one rabbit revealed hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis as remarkable findings. Feed analysis for ergot alkaloids by enzyme immunoassays yielded a mean and maximum ergot alkaloid content of 410 ± 250 μg/kg and 1,700 μg/kg, respectively. Faeces of affected rabbits contained ergot alkaloids at levels up to 200 μg/kg. The mean and maximum dietary intake of total ergot alkaloids were 17 and 71 μg/kg bodyweight, respectively. Fusarium toxins (trichothecenes, zearalenone, fumonisins) were also found in the feed, but at levels which did not explain the observed effects. The results indicate that ergot alkaloids may have been the cause of tail necrosis, which is supported by literature data showing that rabbits are especially sensitive towards these toxins.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12550-014-0208-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Ergot Alkaloids Mycotoxins in Cereals and Cereal-Derived Food Products: Characteristics, Toxicity, Prevalence, and Control Strategies

“…Pigs, cattle, sheep, rabbits, and poultry have shown symptoms after being infected with EAs causing financial problems to both breeders and the meat industry [14,98]. Animals can become infected with EAs after eating EA-contaminated grains, and various diseases can affect any part of their body.…”

“…Ergot alkaloids (EAs) is one class of mycotoxins, mainly produced by fungal Claviceps species, whose effects have been known since the fifth century AD. Ergotism, the oldest known mycotoxicosis, is the human and animal disease historically known as St. Anthony's Fire, or holy fire, which occurs after consuming EAs contaminated food or feed [12][13][14]. The first documented ergotism epidemic occurred in 944-945 AD in France, and led to the deaths of about 10,000 people [15].…”

Ergot Alkaloids at Doses Close to EU Regulatory Limits Induce Alterations of the Liver and Intestine

“…Their toxicity is linked to their structural similarity with dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline and serotonin, enabling binding to the biogenic amine receptor and the interruption of neurotransmission [ 2 ]. Typical clinical symptoms of ergot poisoning are vasoconstriction, which may progress into gangrene, disruption of reproduction, abortion, neurotoxic signs including feed refusal, dizziness and convulsions, agalactia and adverse effects to the cardiovascular system [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Although acute poising has become rare, EAs are still a source of concern because they continue to be detected in cereals and cereal products in Europe and North America [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Role of mycotoxins in herds with and without problems with tail necrosis in neonatal pigs

“…Similarly, the clinical feature of tail necrosis was already described in rabbits linked to dietary ergot alkaloids 45 . In the current study the involvement of ergot alkaloids in the clinical appearance of tail necrosis in neonatal piglets was not investigated.…”

“…Similarly, the clinical feature of tail necrosis was already described in rabbits linked to dietary ergot alkaloids. 45 In the current study the involvement of ergot alkaloids in the clinical appearance of tail necrosis in neonatal piglets was not investigated. This efect in combination with the additive or synergistic efect of other mycotoxins might also be involved in the pathogenesis of neonatal tail necrosis.…”