T-2 toxin as an emetic factor in moldy corn

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Toxicology
• Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• Fusarium species are common contaminants of cereal grains.
• Some Fusarium species produce trichothecene mycotoxins, including T-2 toxin.
• Ingestion of contaminated grains can lead to adverse health effects in animals and humans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the emetic activity of Fusarium poae extracts.
• To identify the specific toxin responsible for emetic effects.
• To determine the toxic and lethal doses of the identified toxin.

Main Methods:

• Culturing Fusarium poae on corn and in liquid media.
• Administering fungal extracts and purified T-2 toxin orally and intravenously to pigeons.
• Observing and quantifying emetic responses and mortality.

Main Results:

• Fusarium poae extracts exhibited significant emetic activity in pigeons.
• T-2 toxin was identified as the causative agent of emesis.
• The oral and intravenous toxic doses of T-2 toxin were determined to be 0.72 mg/kg and 0.15 mg/kg, respectively.
• The oral mean lethal dose of T-2 toxin was 2.75 mg/kg.

Conclusions:

• T-2 toxin induces emesis at nonlethal concentrations.
• This emetic property of T-2 toxin likely contributes to vomiting observed after consuming Fusarium-infected grains.
• Understanding the emetic effects of T-2 toxin is crucial for food safety and animal health.