roquefortine and Ataxia

In this report, we describe the natural intoxication of 2 dogs that consumed moldy dairy products found in the household garbage and the procedures used to identify and quantify the tremorgenic mycotoxins, roquefortine and penitrem A, in the remaining portions of ingested materials. Following the ingestion of mycotoxins, the dogs of our report developed muscle tremors or seizures that resembled clinical signs of strychnine poisoning. Roquefortine was the predominant mycotoxin in a moldy cream cheese wrapper that was found among scattered garbage consumed by the first dog. Penitrem A was the only mycotoxin detected in discarded moldy macaroni and cheese that was consumed by the second dog. Treatment of dogs with tremorgenic mycotoxin intoxication involves supportive care. Close monitoring is important because the development of aspiration pneumonia is common and has been reported as the cause of death. Clinical signs of intoxication gradually resolve within 24 to 48 hours.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Ergolines; Female; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings; Indoles; Male; Mycotoxicosis; Mycotoxins; Penicillium; Piperazines; Status Epilepticus; Tremor

Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites that induce undesirable effects. The effects of these mycotoxins vary depending on the chemical structure of the toxin and degree of toxicity. Mycotoxins that induce muscle tremors, ataxia, and convulsions are termed tremorgenic mycotoxins. Our report documents the clinical course of 4 dogs from a single household that were simultaneously affected by tremorgenic mycotoxins. Diagnosis of tremorgenic mycotoxicosis was confirmed by stomach content analysis from 1 of the dogs. The mycotoxins identified were penitrem A and roquefortine, which are both produced by Penicillium spp. Treatment goals following tremorgenic mycotoxin ingestion include minimizing absorption, controlling tremors and seizures with methocarbamol and pentobarbital sodium administration, and providing supportive care. Two of the affected dogs required ventilatory support. With early aggressive treatment, prognosis is good and recovery is complete without sequelae. It is helpful for the clinician to be familiar with the typical clinical signs at the time of admission, treatment, and clinical course of dogs with tremorgenic mycotoxicosis.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Ergolines; Gastrointestinal Contents; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings; Indoles; Male; Mycotoxicosis; Mycotoxins; Piperazines; Seizures; Tremor

Two dogs developed alarming tremorgenic nervous stimulation shortly after ingesting discarded rice that had been forgotten in a refrigerator for an undetermined period and that was covered with a grey-green mould. Both dogs exhibited vomition followed by slight salivation, tremors and ataxia and 1 showed such severe agitation and seizures that it necessitated anaesthesia with thiopentone followed, on recovery, by xylazine. The other dog was only sedated with xylazine. They made an uneventful recovery. The rice vomitus yielded a pure culture of Penicillium crustosum. On chemical analysis it was negative for organochlorine, organophosphor and carbamate insecticides, as well as for strychnine, but contained 2.6 microg/g of the mycotoxins penitrem A as well as 34 microg/g of roquefortine as determined by LC-MS and confirmed by MS-MS. This is the 1st South African case of naturally occurring penitrem A toxicosis and also the 1st case where quantification of the levels of mycotoxins in dog vomitus is reported. The tremorgenicity of roquefortine and its contribution towards this syndrome, is questioned.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Ergolines; Female; Food Contamination; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Gastrointestinal Contents; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings; Indoles; Mycotoxicosis; Mycotoxins; Penicillium; Piperazines; Tremor; Vomiting

Penitrem A and roquefortine poisonings were diagnosed in a Laborador retriever following garbage consumption. Clinical signs of mycotoxicosis included polypnea, tachycardia, and ataxia that quickly progressed to lateral recumbency and seizures. Removal of the mycotoxins from the stomach soon after ingestion allowed the dog to recover within 72-96 hours.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Ergolines; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings; Indoles; Male; Mycotoxicosis; Mycotoxins; Piperazines; Seizures