Using roquefortine C as a biomarker for penitrem A intoxication

• Published in: Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation 2009-03, Vol.21 (2), p.237-239
• Main Authors: Tiwary, Asheesh K, Puschner, Birgit, Poppenga, Robert H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; bioassays; biomarkers; Biomarkers - analysis; Biomarkers - metabolism; blood serum; case studies; chemical concentration; dietary exposure; disease diagnosis; dog diseases; Dog Diseases - chemically induced; Dogs; Fatal Outcome; Female; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings - analysis; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings - metabolism; Indoles - analysis; Indoles - metabolism; Male; mycotoxicosis; mycotoxins; Mycotoxins - metabolism; Mycotoxins - poisoning; pathogen identification; Penicillium crustosum; Penicillium roquefortii; penitrem A; Piperazines - analysis; Piperazines - metabolism; poisoning; Poisoning - metabolism; Poisoning - veterinary; roquefortine C; Tremor - chemically induced; Tremor - metabolism; Tremor - veterinary; urine; vomiting
• ISSN: 1040-6387; 1943-4936
• DOI: 10.1177/104063870902100210

Correspondence: 1 Corresponding Author: Asheesh K. Tiwary, California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, Toxicology Laboratory, University of California, West Health Science Drive, Davis, CA 95616, e-mail: aktiwary{at}ucdavis.edu 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. Key Words: Biomarker • dogs • intoxication • penitrem A • poisoning • roquefortine C • tremors