TITLE:
Bioassay Procedure for the Diagnosis of Aflatoxicosis in a Pig Farm in Nsukka, South East Nigeria
AUTHORS:
S. V. O. Shoyinka, K. F. Chah, C. P. Eze, W. S. Ezema, I. R. Onoja, P. U. Umeakuana
KEYWORDS:
Pigs, Spent Grain, Aflatoxicosis, Ducklings
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine,
Vol.4 No.7,
July
29,
2014
ABSTRACT: The owner of an intensively
reared pig farm in Nsukka, South-East Nigeria reported the deaths (within one
week) of 90 piglets (2-3 months of age) out of 150 piglets on the farm. The
piglets were being fed home-compounded ration composed of spent grain (which
appeared moldy) and other locally sourced materials. Clinical signs observed in
affected piglets include sudden loss of appetite, diarrhea and distress
grunting sound prior to death. Symptomatic treatment of the piglets which included
the use of antibiotics (tetracycline, LA) did not appear to have ameliorated
the condition. At necropsy carcasses were generally in fair to good body
condition; with subcutaneous hemorrhages, mainly under the skin of head and
neck regions. Lungs were congested and edematous, with froth along the tracheal
and bronchial airways. The liver and spleen were moderately congested, while
the mucosae of the gastrointestinal tract (which was free of ingesta) appeared
mildly hyperaemic. No pathogenic bacterium was isolated from the heart blood
and spleen. Histologic section of the liver showed centrilobular hepatocytes vacoulation
and necrosis with hypertrophy of Kupffer cells that were in
erythrophagocytosis. There was moderate fibrinous exudation into the
interlobular septae. Spleen section showed severe erythrophagocytosis, but mild
haemosiderosis. White pulp was either reactive or depopulated. Lungs were
severely haemorrhagic with bronchitis and bronchiolitis. A tentative diagnosis
of mycotoxicosis was made and the spent grain-compounded ration was fed to
different groups of ducklings, with/without arginine and lysine supplementation.
On the bases of clinical signs and mortality pattern; gross and histologic
changes in the liver of the ducklings, a definitive diagnosis of aflatoxicosis
was made. This paper emphasizes the experimental feeding of suspected
feeds/feed ingredient to ducklings as a reliable diagnostic model for
aflatoxicosis.