Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Toxins Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Mycotoxins in Farm Animals: Health Disorders and Preventive Strategies

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Toxins (ISSN 2072-6651). This special issue belongs to the section "Mycotoxins".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 14041

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Vasileios Papatsiros

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece
Interests: porcine medicine; porcine herd health management; porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV); porcine-circovirus-associated diseases (PCVAD); porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC); reproductive diseases in sows and boars; welfare and production; heat stress; alternatives to antibiotics; vaccines; feed additives; mycotoxins; zoonoses
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Food and animal feed contamination with various mycotoxins remains a high-risk agroeconomic problem, resulting in signiﬁcant economic losses due to decreased growth performance and health disorders in farm animals as well as increased veterinary care costs. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi (e.g., genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium), which have toxic properties and are commonly found in cereal grains. Some major mycotoxins include aﬂatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, fumonisins, and ergot alkaloids. The co-occurrence of mycotoxins under ﬁeld conditions is common. Especially in Europe, mycotoxins’ occurrence patterns are expected to alter due to the increase in average environmental temperatures. For this reason, the risk of mycotoxins is increasing year by year because of climate change to warmer and drought-like environmental conditions. Traditionally, mycotoxin detection relies on laboratory examination, which is time-consuming and laborious. Thus, it is necessary to develop a more precise and quick detection methodology, such as using biomarkers for the detection of mycotoxins. The chosen biomarker should be speciﬁc for each mycotoxin and target species, reﬂect the real exposure load, and be easily detectable with sensitive analytical methods validated for the matrix used. Mycotoxin contamination can occur at any stage of the feed supply chain, including crop cultivation, harvesting, storage, and the distribution of crops as well as compound feeds. Preventative measures should be taken to minimize mycotoxin contamination. Mycotoxin-detoxifying agents as feed additives are widely used for the control of mycotoxins in farm animals under field conditions. Depending on the mode of action, mycotoxin-detoxifying agents can be categorized into biotransforming agents and adsorbing agents according to a scientific report submitted to the ESFA; however, there is a continuous need for the development of novel detection and decontamination strategies for effective mycotoxin risk management. We look forward to receiving your contributions to this Special Issue in the form of original research, case studies, or review papers, shedding light on perspectives on mycotoxicosis in farm animals and its implications for health disorders, as well as on prevention strategies under field conditions.

Dr. Vasileios Papatsiros
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Toxins is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

mycotoxins
biomarkers
health disorders
prevention
detoxifying agents
farm animals
climate

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (8 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

22 pages, 552 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of a Multicomponent Mycotoxin Detoxifying Agent on Health and Performance of Weaned Pigs Under Combined Dietary Exposure to Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Zearalenone (ZEN)

by Jog Raj, Panagiotis Tassis, Klaus Männer, Hunor Farkaš, Zdenka Jakovčević and Marko Vasiljević

Toxins 2025, 17(3), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17030146 - 19 Mar 2025

Viewed by 506

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a multicomponent mycotoxin detoxifying agent (MMDA, MYCORAID, Patent Co, Mišićevo, Serbia) in weaned pigs receiving contaminated feed with deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN). In total, 168 pigs were equally allocated in four experimental groups from day 25 to day 66 of age. The T1 group received feed without mycotoxins or MMDA. The pigs in group T2 received contaminated feed (CF) with 1.5 mg of DON/kg feed and 0.9 mg of ZEN/kg feed for the first two weeks and 1.2 mg of DON/kg feed and 0.9 mg of ZEN/kg feed for the rest of the trial period, without the addition of MMDA. Groups T3 and T4 received the CF with the addition of 1.5 g of MMDA/kg feed (T3), or 3 g of MMDA/kg feed (T4). Performance parameters, stress, and inflammatory biomarkers, as well as mycotoxin residues in liver, kidney, and muscle tissue were assessed. The results demonstrated improved average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) along with reduced DON residues in kidney samples in groups T3 and T4 when compared with the T2 group. Although a typical dose–response relationship was not present in all parameter alterations, the results of the study proved the efficacy of the test product with improved growth performance and reduced mycotoxins absorption under the concurrent DON and ZEN exposure conditions and supported its use as a mitigating tool against mycotoxicosis under field conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mycotoxins in Farm Animals: Health Disorders and Preventive Strategies)

22 pages, 5899 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ablation of Gut Microbiota Alleviates DON-Induced Neurobehavioral Abnormalities and Brain Damage in Mice

by Yujing Cui, Samuel Kumi Okyere, Haoyue Guan, Zixuan Hua, Youtian Deng, Huidan Deng and Junliang Deng

Toxins 2025, 17(3), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17030144 - 18 Mar 2025

Viewed by 381

Abstract

Background: Deoxynivalenol (DON) poses a threat to animal and human health, particularly causing damage to the nervous system. Intestinal flora can regulate the nervous system through the gut–brain axis; however, there is currently a lack of evidence on the effect of changing the intestinal flora on the damage to the nervous system caused by DON. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of gut microbiota ablation on neurotoxicity induced by exposure to deoxynivalenol. Methods: One hundred-twenty (120) specific pathogen-free (SPF) male C57BL/6j mice were randomly divided into four groups (control group, microbiota-uncleaned group + 5 mg/kg/BW DON, microbiota-cleared group, and microbiota-cleared group + 5 mg/kg/BW DON). The open field and Morris behavior tests were used to evaluate behavior changes after DON exposure. After 14 days of treatment, the mice were euthanized and brain tissues were collected for further analysis. Results: The tests showed that DON exposure led to anxiety and decreased learning ability in mice with no gut microbiota ablation. We also observed pathological changes including neuronal shrinkage, degeneration, and cortical edema in the mice with no microbiota ablation after DON exposure. In addition, the protein and mRNA levels of tight junction proteins and anti-inflammatory factors were decreased in the mice with no microbiota ablation after DON exposure compared with mice with ablated microbiota. Conclusions: We concluded that the presence of microbiota plays a key role in the neurotoxicity induced by DON; thus, ablation of the intestinal microbiota can effectively improve brain damage caused by DON. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mycotoxins in Farm Animals: Health Disorders and Preventive Strategies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2040 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Delineation of Aflatoxicosis on Health and Performance of Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and Its Therapeutic and Nutritional Management

by Rajesh Kumar, Sanjay Kumar, Supriya Chhotaray, Madhu Singh, Rupali Rautela and Avijit Dey

Toxins 2025, 17(2), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17020097 - 18 Feb 2025

Viewed by 555

Abstract

A symptom of reduced feed intake, conception and progressive emaciation was noticed in the Murrah buffalo farm of the institute with tail gangrene in some buffaloes and the sudden death of many animals. Thus, the objective of the study was for the systemic investigation to find out the causative agents and necessary ameliorative measures. The tail lesion includes alopecia, scales, necrosis, oedematous and a painful area. After thorough examination of the signs and symptoms of the disease, it was speculated that the case may be due to the presence of mycotoxins in the feeds offered to the animals. The severely affected buffaloes that died subjected to post-mortem examination demonstrated liver damage, nephritis and haemorrhages in all the vital organs. The analyses of offered feed revealed a high concentration of aflatoxin B1 content in maize, groundnut cake, cottonseed cake and compound feed mixtures. The case was typically diagnosed as the aflatoxicosis in water buffalo and ameliorative measures viz. the withdrawal of contaminated feeds, supplementation of toxin binder and penta-sulphate mixture in the feed taken sustained animal health and production performances. Severely affected animals with tail gangrene were treated with local disinfectants and antibiotics as well as systemic injection with broad-spectrum antibiotics and supportive vitamins and minerals to recover to their previous stage. Therefore, routine check-ups of feeds are of utmost importance to prevent feeding of aflatoxin-contaminated feeds. Systemic efforts viz. therapeutic management with topical medicines, broad-spectrum antibiotics, supportive therapies with vitamins and antioxidants along with replacement of contaminated feeds and inclusion of peta-sulphate mixture, and a toxin binder are effective in the prevention and control of aflatoxicosis in buffaloes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mycotoxins in Farm Animals: Health Disorders and Preventive Strategies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 6972 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exposure to Subclinical Doses of Fumonisins, Deoxynivalenol, and Zearalenone Affects Immune Response, Amino Acid Digestibility, and Intestinal Morphology in Broiler Chickens

by Revathi Shanmugasundaram, Laharika Kappari, Mohammad Pilewar, Matthew K. Jones, Oluyinka A. Olukosi, Anthony Pokoo-Aikins, Todd J. Applegate and Anthony E. Glenn

Toxins 2025, 17(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17010016 - 1 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1443

Abstract

Fusarium mycotoxins often co-occur in broiler feed, and their presence negatively impacts health even at subclinical concentrations, so there is a need to identify the concentrations of these toxins that do not adversely affect chickens health and performance. The study was conducted to evaluate the least toxic effects of combined mycotoxins fumonisins (FUM), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEA) on the production performance, immune response, intestinal morphology, and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens. A total of 960 one-day-old broilers were distributed into eight dietary treatments: T1 (Control); T2: 33.0 FUM + 3.0 DON + 0.8 ZEA; T3: 14.0 FUM + 3.5 DON + 0.7 ZEA; T4: 26.0 FUM + 1.0 DON + 0.2 ZEA; T5: 7.7 FUM + 0.4 DON + 0.1 ZEA; T6: 3.6 FUM + 2.5 DON + 0.9 ZEA; T7: 0.8 FUM + 1.0 DON + 0.3 ZEA; T8: 1.0 FUM + 0.5 DON + 0.1 ZEA, all in mg/kg diet. The results showed that exposure to higher mycotoxin concentrations, T2 and T3, had significantly reduced body weight gain (BWG) by 17% on d35 (p < 0.05). The T2, T3, and T4 groups had a significant decrease in villi length in the jejunum and ileum (p < 0.05) and disruption of tight junction proteins, occludin, and claudin-4 (p < 0.05). Higher mycotoxin groups T2 to T6 had a reduction in the digestibility of amino acids methionine (p < 0.05), aspartate (p < 0.05), and serine (p < 0.05); a reduction in CD4+, CD8+ T-cell populations (p < 0.05) and an increase in T regulatory cell percentages in the spleen (p < 0.05); a decrease in splenic macrophage nitric oxide production and total IgA production (p < 0.05); and upregulated cytochrome P450-1A1 and 1A4 gene expression (p < 0.05). Birds fed the lower mycotoxin concentration groups, T7 and T8, did not have a significant effect on performance, intestinal health, and immune responses, suggesting that these concentrations pose the least negative effects in broiler chickens. These findings are essential for developing acceptable thresholds for combined mycotoxin exposure and efficient feed management strategies to improve broiler performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mycotoxins in Farm Animals: Health Disorders and Preventive Strategies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2195 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Increased Dissemination of Aflatoxin- and Zearalenone-Producing Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. during Wet Season via Houseflies on Dairy Farms in Aguascalientes, Mexico

by Erika Janet Rangel-Muñoz, Arturo Gerardo Valdivia-Flores, Carlos Cruz-Vázquez, María Carolina de-Luna-López, Emmanuel Hernández-Valdivia, Irene Vitela-Mendoza, Leticia Medina-Esparza and Teódulo Quezada-Tristán

Toxins 2024, 16(7), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins16070302 - 1 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1564

Abstract

Crops contamination with aflatoxins (AFs) and zearalenone (ZEA) threaten human and animal health; these mycotoxins are produced by several species of Aspergillus and Fusarium. The objective was to evaluate under field conditions the influence of the wet season on the dissemination of AF- and ZEA-producing fungi via houseflies collected from dairy farms. Ten dairy farms distributed in the semi-arid Central Mexican Plateau were selected. Flies were collected in wet and dry seasons at seven points on each farm using entomological traps. Fungi were isolated from fly carcasses via direct seeding with serial dilutions and wet chamber methods. The production of AFs and ZEA from pure isolates was quantified using indirect competitive ELISA. A total of 693 Aspergillus spp. and 1274 Fusarium spp. isolates were obtained, of which 58.6% produced AFs and 50.0% produced ZEA (491 ± 122; 2521 ± 1295 µg/kg). Houseflies and both fungal genera were invariably present, but compared to the dry season, there was a higher abundance of flies as well as AF- and ZEA-producing fungi in the wet season (p < 0.001; 45.3/231 flies/trap; 8.6/29.6% contaminated flies). These results suggest that rainy-weather conditions on dairy farms increase the spread of AF- and ZEA-producing Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. through houseflies and the incorporation of their mycotoxins into the food chain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mycotoxins in Farm Animals: Health Disorders and Preventive Strategies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 10078 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modulation of Broiler Intestinal Changes Induced by Clostridium perfringens and Deoxynivalenol through Probiotic, Paraprobiotic, and Postbiotic Supplementation

by Marielen de Souza, Ana Angelita Sampaio Baptista, Maísa Fabiana Menck-Costa, Larissa Justino, Eduardo Micotti da Glória, Gabriel Danilo Shimizu, Camila Rodrigues Ferraz, Waldiceu A. Verri, Filip Van Immerseel and Ana Paula Frederico Rodrigues Loureiro Bracarense

Toxins 2024, 16(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins16010046 - 14 Jan 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2792

Abstract

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a predisposing factor for necrotic enteritis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a DON and Clostridium perfringens (CP) challenge on the intestinal morphology, morphometry, oxidative stress, and immune response of broilers. Additionally, we evaluated the potential of a Lactobacillus spp. mixture as an approach to mitigate the damage induced by the challenge. One-day-old broiler chickens (n = 252) were divided into seven treatment groups: Control, DON, CP, CP + DON, VL (DON + CP + viable Lactobacillus spp. mixture), HIL (DON + CP + heat-inactivated Lactobacillus spp. mixture), and LCS (DON + CP + Lactobacillus spp. mixture culture supernatant). Macroscopic evaluation of the intestines revealed that the CP + DON group exhibited the highest lesion score, while the VL and HIL groups showed the lowest scores. Microscopically, all Lactobacillus spp. treatments mitigated the morphological changes induced by the challenge. DON increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the jejunum, and CP increased ROS levels in the jejunum and ileum. Notably, the Lactobacillus spp. treatments did not improve the antioxidant defense against CP-induced oxidative stress. In summary, a Lactobacillus spp. mixture, whether used as a probiotic, paraprobiotic, or postbiotic, exerted a partially protective effect in mitigating most of the intestinal damage induced by DON and CP challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mycotoxins in Farm Animals: Health Disorders and Preventive Strategies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1087 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Turmeric Powder Counteracts Oxidative Stress and Reduces AFB1 Content in the Liver of Broilers Exposed to the EU Maximum Levels of the Mycotoxin

by Neenu Amminikutty, Veronica Spalenza, Watanya Jarriyawattanachaikul, Paola Badino, Maria Teresa Capucchio, Elena Colombino, Achille Schiavone, Donato Greco, Vito D’Ascanio, Giuseppina Avantaggiato, Sihem Dabbou, Carlo Nebbia and Flavia Girolami

Toxins 2023, 15(12), 687; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15120687 - 7 Dec 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2881

Abstract

The most frequent adverse effects of AFB1 in chicken are low performance, the depression of the immune system, and a reduced quality of both eggs and meat, leading to economic losses. Since oxidative stress plays a major role in AFB1 toxicity, natural products are increasingly being used as an alternative to mineral binders to tackle AFB1 toxicosis in farm animals. In this study, an in vivo trial was performed by exposing broilers for 10 days to AFB1 at dietary concentrations approaching the maximum limits set by the EU (0.02 mg/kg feed) in the presence or absence of turmeric powder (TP) (included in the feed at 400 mg/kg). The aims were to evaluate (i) the effects of AFB1 on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant parameters, histology, and the expression of drug transporters and biotransformation enzymes in the liver; (ii) the hepatic accumulation of AFB1 and its main metabolites (assessed using an in-house-validated HPLC-FLD method); (iii) the possible modulation of the above parameters elicited by TP. Broilers exposed to AFB1 alone displayed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation in the liver, which was completely reverted by the concomitant administration of TP. Although no changes in glutathione levels and antioxidant enzyme activities were detected in any treatment group, AFB1 significantly upregulated and downregulated the mRNA expression of CYP2A6 and Nrf2, respectively. TP counteracted such negative effects and increased the hepatic gene expression of selected antioxidant enzymes (i.e., CAT and SOD2) and drug transporters (i.e., ABCG2), which were further enhanced in combination with AFB1. Moreover, both AFB1 and TP increased the mRNA levels of ABCC2 and ABCG2 in the duodenum. The latter changes might be implicated in the decrease in hepatic AFB1 to undetectable levels (<LOD) in the TP supplemented group. Overall, our findings further support the use of TP as an effective feeding strategy to prevent AFB1-related adverse effects in broilers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mycotoxins in Farm Animals: Health Disorders and Preventive Strategies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of a Multi-Component Mycotoxin-Detoxifying Agent on Oxidative Stress, Health and Performance of Sows

by Vasileios G. Papatsiros, Christos Eliopoulos, Nikolaos Voulgarakis, Dimitrios Arapoglou, Insaf Riahi, Meritxell Sadurní and Georgios I. Papakonstantinou

Toxins 2023, 15(9), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15090580 - 19 Sep 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2927

Abstract

This in vivo study aimed to investigate the effects of a multi-component mycotoxin-detoxifying agent, containing clays (bentonite, sepiolite), phytogenic feed additives (curcumin, silymarin) and postbiotics (yeast cell wall, hydrolyzed yeast) on the antioxidant capacity, health and reproductive performance of pregnant and lactating sows challenged by mycotoxins. Eighty (80) primiparous sows (mean age 366 ± 3 days) per each of the two trial farms were divided into two groups in each farm: a) T1 (control group): 40 sows received the contaminated feed and b) T2 group (experimental group): 40 sows received the contaminated feed plus the mycotoxin-detoxifying agent, one month before farrowing until the end of the lactation period. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyls (CARBS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were evaluated as biomarkers of oxidative stress. Clinical and reproductive parameters were recorded. Our results indicate that the administration of a multi-component mycotoxin-detoxifying agent’s administration in sow feed has beneficial effects on oxidative stress biomarkers and can improve sows’ health and performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mycotoxins in Farm Animals: Health Disorders and Preventive Strategies)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Mycotoxins in Farm Animals: Health Disorders and Preventive Strategies

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (8 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI