Mycotoxicoses & Ascaridia galli

Question 1

A mycotoxicosis is a disease caused by a natural toxin produced by a fungus. In poultry, these toxins primarily result from toxin-producing fungi growing in ____

Answer 1

Grain and feed

Question 2

Aflatoxicosis in poultry primarily affects which organ?

Answer 2

Liver

Question 3

Regarding susceptibility to aflatoxins, which group of poultry is generally considered relatively resistant?

Answer 3

Chickens, Japanese quail, and guinea fowl

Question 4

At necropsy for chronic aflatoxicosis, the liver of affected birds typically appears ____

Answer 4

Yellow to gray and atrophied

Question 5

Which genus of fungus is responsible for producing trichothecene mycotoxins, which cause caustic and radiomimetic patterns of disease in poultry?

Answer 5

Fusarium

Question 6

Deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin, DON) and zearalenone are common trichothecene mycotoxins. While relatively nontoxic for poultry, these toxins are specifically mentioned to cause disease in which other species?

Answer 6

Pigs

Question 7

Fusariotoxicosis caused by trichothecenes in poultry results in various lesions. Which of the following is a characteristic lesion listed for this mycotoxicosis?

a) Diffuse renal tubular necrosis.
b) Necrosis and ulceration of the oral mucosa.
c) Severe generalized edema.
d) Hemorrhage in the brain and spinal cord.

Answer 7

Necrosis and ulceration of the oral mucosa

Question 8

What specific Fusarium mycotoxin is described as cardiotoxic and nephrotoxic in poultry?

Answer 8

Moniliformin

Question 9

Ochratoxins are highly toxic to poultry and are primarily known for causing disease in which organ system?

Answer 9

Renal (kidney) system

Question 10

Ochratoxicosis is chiefly caused by mycotoxins produced by?

Answer 10

Penicillium viridicatum and Aspergillus ochraceus

Question 11

Ergotism is caused by toxic ergot alkaloids produced by Claviceps spp. These fungi attack cereal grains, with which grain being “especially affected”?

Answer 11

Rye

Question 12

In ergotism, the ergot alkaloids found within the sclerotium primarily affect three systems. Name the three systems.

Answer 12

Nervous system
Vascular system
Endocrine system

Question 13

Citrinin is a mycotoxin produced by Penicillium and Aspergillus. What is its primary clinical manifestation in poultry?

Answer 13

Diuresis resulting in watery fecal droppings.

Question 14

Oosporein mycotoxicosis in poultry is characterized by visceral and articular gout. This condition is directly related to:

a) Impaired liver function.
b) Increased plasma concentrations of uric acid.
c) Direct neural damage.
d) Pulmonary edema.

Answer 14

Increased plasma concentrations of uric acid.

Question 15

Which poultry species is noted to be more sensitive to oosporein than turkeys?
a) Ducks.
b) Geese.
c) Chickens.
d) Pheasants.

Answer 15

Chickens.

Question 16

Cyclopiazonic acid is a metabolite of Aspergillus flavus. In chickens, lesions commonly develop in which combination of organs?

Answer 16

Proventriculus, gizzard, liver, and spleen.

Question 17

In cases of cyclopiazonic acid mycotoxicosis, what specific lesion is described in the proventriculus?

Answer 17

Dilation, thickened mucosa, and sometimes ulceration.

Question 18

Sterigmatocystin is a biogenic precursor to aflatoxin. While hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic, it is described as:
a) More common than aflatoxin.
b) Less common than aflatoxin.
c) Only affecting the kidneys.
d) Primarily neurotoxic.

Answer 18

Less common than aflatoxin

Question 19

Beyond primary organ effects, aflatoxin can also adversely affect:
a) Feather quality exclusively.
b) Immunologic, digestive, and hematopoietic functions.
c) Respiratory tract integrity.
d) Muscle development without affecting other systems.

Answer 19

Immunologic, digestive, and hematopoietic functions.

Question 20

In cases of chronic aflatoxicosis, why is tumor formation rare, despite aflatoxins being carcinogenic?

Answer 20

The birds do not live long enough for tumors to occur.

Question 21

The trichothecene mycotoxins, T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), are described as producing what specific pattern of disease?

Answer 21

Caustic and radiomimetic

Question 22

In laying hens affected by fusariotoxicosis, in addition to decreased egg production, which of the following clinical signs can be observed?

Answer 22

Depression, recumbency, feed refusal, and cyanosis in the comb and wattles.

Question 23

Another group of Fusarium mycotoxins, specifically the fumonisins produced by F. verticillioides, are noted for causing what specific effect in poultry without causing specific lesions?

Answer 23

Impaired feed conversion.

Question 24

Ochratoxicosis in poultry also affects the liver, immune system, and bone marrow, but its primary effect is on the ______________

Answer 24

Renal system

Question 25

In older birds affected by ergotism, vasoconstriction specifically affects which anatomical areas, causing them to become atrophied and disfigured?

Answer 25

Comb, wattles, face, and eyelids

Question 26

Oosporein mycotoxicosis is linked to impaired renal function and increased plasma concentrations of uric acid, leading to its characteristic manifestation of _______

Answer 26

Visceral and articular gout

Question 27

Chaetomium spp., the producers of oosporein, are commonly found on which types of feed and grains?

Answer 27

Peanuts, rice, and corn

Question 28

In cyclopiazonic acid mycotoxicosis, which organ lesion includes dilation, thickened mucosa, and sometimes ulceration?

Answer 28

Proventriculus

Question 29

Cyclopiazonic acid is a metabolite of which fungal species, also known as the predominant producer of aflatoxin?

Answer 29

Aspergillus flavus

Question 30

What is the primary route by which mycotoxins typically enter the poultry system, leading to disease?

Answer 30

Ingestion via contaminated grain and feed.

Question 31

Mycotoxins may have "additive or synergistic effects." This implies that?

Answer 31

They can cause worse effects when combined with other natural toxins, infectious agents, or nutritional deficiencies.

Question 32

In ducks and geese affected by fusariotoxicosis, what specific lesions develop in the esophagus, proventriculus, and gizzard?

Answer 32

Necrosis and pseudomembranous inflammation

Question 33

What is the visible, hard, dark mass of mycelium that displaces the grain tissue and contains ergot alkaloids in ergotism?

Answer 33

Sclerotium

Question 34

Which mycotoxin, when present, can cause impaired feed conversion and decreased weight gain, leading to mortality, with lesions in the proventriculus, gizzard, liver, and spleen?

Answer 34

Cyclopiazonic acid

Question 35

Mycotoxins are produced by various molds belonging primarily to which three genera?

Answer 35

Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium

Question 36

Chronic ingestion of low levels of mycotoxins in chickens can lead to a wide range of disturbances, including ______

Answer 36

Metabolic, physiologic, and immunologic disturbances

Question 37

Which specific mycotoxin is primarily associated with liver damage, tumors, and suppressed immune system in poultry?

Answer 37

Aflatoxins

Question 38

Damage to the intestinal barrier of the GI system, decreased nutrient absorption, and predisposition to necrotic enteritis are associated with which mycotoxin?

Answer 38

Fumonisin

Question 39

Reproductive impairment and problems with egg shell quality in poultry are clinical effects of exposure to which mycotoxin?

Answer 39

Zearalenone (ZEA)

Question 40

Oral lesions, irritation, hemorrhage, and necrosis of the digestive tract, along with immune system impairment, are clinical signs specifically linked to which mycotoxin?

Answer 40

T-2 Toxins (T-2)

Question 41

On necropsy, gizzard ulcerations, proventriculitis, and enteritis are indicators of exposure to which group of mycotoxins?

Answer 41

Trichothecenes

Question 42

Flushing, a diuresis response, and pasting with urates around the vent are clinical signs that indicate exposure to nephrotoxic mycotoxins, particularly ______

Answer 42

Ochratoxin, oosporein, citrinin, and aflatoxins

Question 43

Certain enzymes have the potential to biodegrade specific mycotoxins into nontoxic metabolites. Which mycotoxin is given as an example that can be detoxified this way (enzymatic biotransformation)?

Answer 43

Fumonisin

Question 44

Which sorbent compound is explicitly mentioned as effectively binding and preventing the absorption of aflatoxin?

Answer 44

Hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS)

Question 45

Ascaridia galli is the largest gut dwelling helminth of chickens. It is most common in which age group of chickens?

Answer 45

Young chickens (less than 3 months of age)

Question 46

Ascaridia galli is described as a yellowish-white, thick worm that lives, reproduces, and lays eggs primarily in which part of the chicken's digestive tract?

Answer 46

Small intestine (duodenum)

Question 47

A. galli has a direct life cycle. What is the infective stage for the chicken host?

Answer 47

An egg with L3 larva

Question 48

What is the approximate prepatent period after infection with A. galli in chickens?

Answer 48

5-8 weeks

Question 49

What is the maximum period A. galli eggs can survive in the environment after passing through feces and become infective?

Answer 49

Up to 8 months

Question 50

Earthworms can play a role in the transmission of A. galli by acting as ____

Answer 50

Paratenic hosts.

Question 51

What specific lesion mentioned can be detected occasionally in ascaridiasis, in addition to thickened intestinal walls?

Answer 51

Ulcerative proventriculitis

Question 52

For treating adult large roundworms (A. galli), which drug is often considered the drug of choice, though it is only effective against adult worms?

Answer 52

Piperazine

Question 53

Which anthelmintic mentioned should not be used in severely debilitated chickens due to its potential impact on their ability to fight infection?

Answer 53

Levamisole

Question 54

Nutritional supplementation can play a role in making birds less susceptible to worm infections. Which vitamins are specifically mentioned as being beneficial to include in the diet?

Answer 54

Vitamin A and B complex vitamins