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The pathology of chronic Drechslera campanulata toxicosis in inbred rats
M G Collett1, J E Fincham, R C Tustin
1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag, Onderstepoort, Republic of South Africa.
Abstract:
Cultures on autoclaved maize of the phytopathogenic fungus, Drechslera campanulata, were incorporated into diets and fed to male inbred BDIX rats. In a pilot trial, a diet containing 30% D. campanulata culture material killed 5 out of 5 rats in 15-25 days. Lesions included gastric corpus erosions, gastrorrhagia and ulcerative typhlitis. Diets containing 5% or 10% culture material induced erosive to ulcerative typhlitis and oedema and hyperplasia of the ileocaecal lymph nodes in 40 out of 40 rats. Other changes included: mass loss; normocytic, hyperchromic anaemia; leukocytosis with neutrophilia; reductions in plasma proteins, creatinine, calcium and cholesterol; elevated serum enzymes; hepatosis, nephrosis and mycoplasma-like interstitial pneumonia. No lesions were present in control rats, and their profiles were normal. Ulcerative typhlitis induced by D. campanulata in rats resembles that seen in chronic piperonyl butoxide intoxication as well as that due to single treatments of indomethacid, although small intestinal ulcers are more frequent in the latter. Overgrowth of intestinal flora may be involved in ulcer pathogenesis. The pathology of drechsleratoxicosis in rats is compared to that in sheep and goats where necrotic lesions in the forestomach and, to a lesser extent, in the caecum are characteristic findings.
Insights
Feeding rats diets with the fungus Drechslera campanulata caused severe gastrointestinal lesions, including ulcerative typhlitis. This study details the toxic effects of drechsleratoxicosis in rats, highlighting potential risks of fungal contamination in feed.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Mycotoxicology
- Animal Toxicology
Background:
- Phytopathogenic fungi can contaminate animal feed, posing potential health risks.
- Drechslera campanulata is a fungus known to grow on plant material.
- Understanding the toxicological effects of fungal metabolites is crucial for animal health and food safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxicological effects of Drechslera campanulata culture material when incorporated into rat diets.
- To characterize the pathological lesions induced by Drechslera campanulata in male inbred BDIX rats.
- To compare the observed pathology with known toxicological conditions in rats, sheep, and goats.
Main Methods:
- Male inbred BDIX rats were fed diets containing varying percentages (5%, 10%, 30%) of autoclaved maize cultures of Drechslera campanulata.
- Clinical signs, gross lesions, and histopathological changes were assessed.
- Hematological and biochemical parameters were analyzed.
- Pathology was compared to other known intoxications and species.
Main Results:
- A diet containing 30% D. campanulata was lethal, causing gastric erosions and ulcerative typhlitis.
- Diets with 5% or 10% induced ulcerative typhlitis, ileocaecal lymph node edema/hyperplasia, mass loss, anemia, leukocytosis, and biochemical alterations.
- Hepatosis, nephrosis, and interstitial pneumonia were also observed.
- Control rats showed no lesions.
Conclusions:
- Drechslera campanulata is toxic to rats, inducing significant gastrointestinal and systemic pathology, termed drechsleratoxicosis.
- Ulcerative typhlitis is a prominent lesion, potentially linked to intestinal flora overgrowth.
- The pathology in rats shares similarities with, but also differs from, conditions like piperonyl butoxide intoxication, indomethacin treatment, and natural drechsleratoxicosis in ruminants.