The immunosuppressive effects of mycotoxins may also result in the incomplete protection of farm animals against viral diseases following vaccination, as their antibody formation is impaired. That, in turn, increases the cost of animal health care and the use of anti-infective agents – particularly antibiotics – with a consequent increase in the risk of induction and the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

That elevated susceptibility to disease necessitates an increase in therapeutic interventions with antibiotics and anti-parasitic drugs. The presence of moderate to low amounts of mycotoxins in daily feed rations increases the susceptibility of animals to viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases. While impeded growth and reduced productivity are economically significant, the intrinsic activity of many mycotoxins in an animal’s immune system is of even more concern. The presence of moderate to low amounts of mycotoxins in daily feed rations increases the susceptibility of animals to viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases Mycotoxin effects on the immune system Some of the most significant effects of low mycotoxin concentrations can be observed in the immune and antioxidant systems, where mycotoxin contamination often remains undetected. More common, however, are subacute and, often, subclinical alterations of organ function that impair weight gain and reduce productivity.

The adverse health effects associated with the contamination of feed materials by mycotoxins may lead to acute intoxications, which can be life-threatening. This term describes an early stage or mild form of a medical condition, no symptoms of which are detectable. For animal producers, these subclinical losses are often of greater economic importance than losses from acute effects – but, again, these lower levels are even more difficult to diagnose. Additionally, these mycotoxins have been known to interact with other stressors, leading to subclinical losses in performance, increases in the incidence of disease and reduced reproductive performance. However, even low mycotoxin levels – which often go undetected – can be responsible for reduced production efficiency and an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Thanks to continuous innovations in mycotoxin management and control, acute mycotoxicosis outbreaks are now considered rare events in modern animal production. Considering their high frequency of occurrence along with the concentrations in which they are found, it is extremely likely that mycotoxins are routinely consumed by animals. Of all the animal species, pigs are among the most sensitive to the negative impact of unwanted toxins.

Respiratory diseases of unknown origin could be caused by low-level mycotoxins in feed.

Pig rihanna work