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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet J / Toxicological effects of aflatoxins in horses.
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2010; 188(3); 270-273; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.06.002

Toxicological effects of aflatoxins in horses.

Abstract: Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins principally produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, which are both natural contaminants of food and feedstuff. Aflatoxin B(1) is the most prevalent member of this group that is normally detected and is the most powerful hepatocarcinogen known. Few naturally occurring episodes of aflatoxicosis in horses have been reported in the literature. Indeed, the published information about aflatoxin exposure, metabolism and the effects on horses is limited and controversial, possibly indicating a lack of awareness rather than the rarity of the occurrence. The target organ in horses, as in other animal species, is the liver and horses suffering from aflatoxicosis show signs of inappetence, depression, fever, tremor, ataxia and cough. Necropsy findings include a yellow-brown liver with centrilobular necrosis, icterus, haemorrhage, tracheal exudates and brown urine. A possible link between aflatoxin exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been hypothesised.
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2010-07-08 PubMed ID: 20619706DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.06.002Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study focuses on the impact of aflatoxins, mainly produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, on horses’ health. It identifies a potential relationship between aflatoxin exposure and conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in horses.

Introduction to Aflatoxins

  • Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins, toxic compounds derived from certain fungi which can contaminate food and animal feedstuffs. These toxins are primarily produced by two types of fungi: Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus.
  • The most prevalent and potent toxin from this group is Aflatoxin B1, known to be the most powerful hepatocarcinogen. Hepatocarcinogens are substances capable of causing cancer in liver cells.

Impact of Aflatoxins on Horses

  • While there are limited natural instances of aflatoxin poisoning reported in horses, the study suggests that this could point to a lack of awareness rather than the rarity of the occurrence.
  • The liver is the main target organ for aflatoxins in horses, just as in other animal species. Horses suffering from aflatoxicosis or aflatoxin poisoning show symptoms such as lack of appetite, depression, fever, shaking, loss of coordination (ataxia), and coughing.
  • The physical post-mortem markers of aflatoxicosis evident in horses include a yellow-brown liver with centrilobular necrosis (death of cells in the central area of the liver lobule), jaundice (icterus), bleeding (haemorrhage), tracheal exudates (fluid discharge from the windpipe), and dark-colored urine.

Possible Connection with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

  • The study also suggests a potential correlation between aflatoxin exposure and the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in horses. COPD is a long-term lung disease characterized by difficulty in breathing, cough, and mucus production.

Cite This Article

APA
Caloni F, Cortinovis C. (2010). Toxicological effects of aflatoxins in horses. Vet J, 188(3), 270-273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.06.002

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 188
Issue: 3
Pages: 270-273

Researcher Affiliations

Caloni, Francesca
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences and Technologies for Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy. francesca.caloni@unimi.it
Cortinovis, Cristina

    MeSH Terms

    • Aflatoxins / poisoning
    • Animal Feed / analysis
    • Animals
    • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology
    • Female
    • Food Contamination
    • Horse Diseases / chemically induced
    • Horses
    • Male
    • Mycotoxicosis / veterinary
    • Necrosis / veterinary
    • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / veterinary

    Citations

    This article has been cited 10 times.
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    6. Wong J, Magun BE, Wood LJ. Lung inflammation caused by inhaled toxicants: a review. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2016;11:1391-401.
      doi: 10.2147/COPD.S106009pubmed: 27382275google scholar: lookup
    7. Korn AK, Gross M, Usleber E, Thom N, Köhler K, Erhardt G. Dietary ergot alkaloids as a possible cause of tail necrosis in rabbits. Mycotoxin Res 2014 Nov;30(4):241-50.
      doi: 10.1007/s12550-014-0208-0pubmed: 25234267google scholar: lookup
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      doi: 10.1111/evj.70124pubmed: 41448947google scholar: lookup
    9. Feng Y, Li M, Zheng Y, Qu H, Li P, Dong B, Wang Y, Liu G, Jia B, Ma Q. Toxicokinetics of a Single Oral Dose of Aflatoxin B(1) in Plasma, Feces, and Urine of Male Donkeys. Toxins (Basel) 2025 Apr 20;17(4).
      doi: 10.3390/toxins17040206pubmed: 40278704google scholar: lookup
    10. Li L, Li S, Ma H, Akhtar MF, Tan Y, Wang T, Liu W, Khan A, Khan MZ, Wang C. An Overview of Infectious and Non-Infectious Causes of Pregnancy Losses in Equine. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jul 2;14(13).
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