roquefortine and Poisoning

Fungi in the genus Penicillium, particularly P. crustosum, produce tremorgenic mycotoxins, as well as suspected tremorgenic compounds. The accidental intoxication of six dogs with such toxins are reported. The clinical signs included vomiting, convulsions, tremors, ataxia, and tachycardia, all of which are indicators of intoxications affecting the nervous system. This symptomatology caused us to think that the dog poisoning was the result of tremorgenic mycotoxins. One dog was euthanized in the acute phase, while three others recovered completely within a few days. However, neurological symptoms were still observed four months after the poisoning of two of the dogs. One of these recovered completely within the next 2-3 months, while the other still suffers from ataxia three years later. Available samples of feed, stomach content and/or tissues from the intoxications were subjected to mycological and chemical analysis. Penitrem A was found in all reported poisonings and roquefortine C in all cases when this toxin was included in the analysis. The producer of these toxins, Penicillium crustosum, was detected in all cases where material suitable for mycological examinations (feed or vomit) was available. To our knowledge, this is the first report documenting the presence of penitrems and roquefortine C in organs from poisoned dogs. Furthermore, the report indicates that the recovery period after severe poisonings with P. crustosum may be protracted.

Topics: Animals; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Food Analysis; Food Microbiology; Gastrointestinal Contents; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings; Indoles; Male; Mycotoxins; Penicillium; Piperazines; Poisoning; Tremor

Penitrem A is a well-recognized tremorgenic mycotoxin produced by several Penicillium spp. However, most natural cases of penitrem A intoxication have been associated with Penicillium crustosum. Another Penicillium sp., Penicillium roqueforti, is used for the production of blue cheese and is found in silage and feeds. Penicillium roqueforti produces a mycotoxin, roquefortine C, which is also produced by P. crustosum. In contrast to a tremorgenic syndrome produced by penitrem A, roquefortine C toxicosis is characterized by a paralytic syndrome. Two cases of penitrem A intoxication in dogs are presented to investigate the use of roquefortine C as a biomarker for penitrem A exposure. The vomitus, serum, and urine were analyzed for roquefortine C and penitrem A. Results suggest that roquefortine C can be a sensitive biomarker for penitrem A intoxication. However, the detection of roquefortine C in the absence of penitrem A could merely suggest ingestion of blue cheese or spoilt silage or feed. A review of the literature did not identify any case positive for penitrem A but negative for roquefortine C. In cases in which both mycotoxins were detected, roquefortine C concentration was always higher than penitrem A concentration. In contrast, several cases have been described where the clinical history suggested penitrem A intoxication, but only roquefortine C was detected. In conclusion, roquefortine C can serve as a sensitive biomarker for penitrem A intoxication, but the clinical presentation needs to be considered for proper interpretation of its detection in the absence of penitrem A.

Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Fatal Outcome; Female; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings; Indoles; Male; Mycotoxins; Piperazines; Poisoning; Tremor