Identity

A critical, systemic toxicological disease caused by ingestion of aflatoxins produced by moldy feed. It severely targets hepatic protein synthesis, leading to liver damage, lipid accumulation, and critical immunosuppression resulting in vaccination failures.

Overview

Aflatoxicosis is a critical toxicological pathogen driven by highly toxic secondary metabolites (primarily Aflatoxin B1). Molds grow on feed ingredients (maize, groundnut) when moisture >15% and humidity >75%. The toxins are metabolized in the liver into reactive epoxides that covalently bind to DNA/RNA, halting protein synthesis and causing severe hepatic lipid accumulation. This results in profound immunosuppression (failure of NDV/IBD vaccines) and predisposes flocks to secondary diseases like Colibacillosis and Visceral Gout. Prevention relies on testing raw ingredients (rejecting >20 ppb) and utilizing feed-based toxin binders (HSCAS).

Structured Facts

Classification

Toxicological > Non-Infectious

Epidemiology

• Prevalence in India: Widespread feed contamination
• Severity: Critical
• Affected Species: Poultry (Broilers and ducklings highly susceptible)
• Affected Age: All ages
• Transmission: Ingestion of contaminated feed
• Seasonality: Associated with warm ambient temperatures (25°C to 35°C) and high humidity
• Mortality: 5% to 30% (acute)
• Morbidity: Approaches 100% in exposed flocks
• Economic Importance: Critical (FCR impact, severe public health risk via milk/egg residues AFM1)

Clinical Signs

• Early/Intermediate: Drop in feed intake, stunted growth, poor feathering, increased bruising
• Advanced: Severe immunosuppression, targets Hepatic and Coagulation systems
• Postmortem Findings: Enlarged, pale-yellow, greasy, friable liver with subcapsular petechiae. Enlarged gallbladder with thick green bile. Severe atrophy of bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen.

Diagnosis

• Field Diagnosis: Stunted flocks with pale greasy livers
• Laboratory Tests: HPLC or ELISA of feed samples to quantify aflatoxin levels. Histopathology: hepatocellular vacuolization, biliary hyperplasia.
• Differential Diagnosis: Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome, Inclusion Body Hepatitis

Treatment

• Immediate Actions: Remove contaminated feed
• Supportive Care: Lipotropic factors (choline, methionine) and Vitamin therapy
• Medicines: High-affinity toxin binders (Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate - HSCAS)
• Withdrawal: Not applicable

Prevention

• Vaccination: None (Aflatoxicosis causes vaccination failure for other diseases)
• Biosecurity: Feed screening (rejecting > 20 ppb)
• Farm Management: Maintain feed moisture < 12%, use multi-functional mycotoxin binders

Quantitative Data

• Morbidity Rate: 100%
• Mortality Rate: 5% to 30% (Acute)
• Regulatory Threshold: > 20 ppb (rejection)
• Environmental Triggers: Moisture > 15%, Humidity > 75%, Temp 25-35°C
• Safe Moisture Level: < 12%

Relationships

• Vaccines: Impairs efficacy of NDV and IBDV vaccines
• Medicines: HSCAS (Toxin Binders), Choline, Methionine
• Related Diseases: Colibacillosis, Visceral Gout, Systemic Mycotoxicosis