Toxicological evaluations of cyclopiazonic acid and ochratoxin A in broilers

The individual and combined effects of ochratoxin A (OA) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) were evaluated in Petersen x Hubbard broiler chickens from 1 d to 3 wk of age. The experimental design was a 2 x 2 factorial with treatments of 0 and 2.5 mg OA/kg feed and 0 and 34 mg CPA/kg feed. Production performance, serum biochemistry, and gross pathological observations were evaluated. Body weight gain was reduced (P < 0.05) by OA, CPA, and OA-CPA in combination at the end of 3 wk. Ochratoxin A significantly increased the relative weight of the kidney and serum concentrations of uric acid and triglycerides and decreased total protein, albumin, and cholesterol. The toxicity of CPA was expressed primarily through increased relative weights of the proventriculus and increased activity of creatine kinase. Exposure to OA-CPA was characterized by increased relative weights of the liver, kidney, pancreas, and proventriculus; decreased concentrations of serum albumin, total protein, and cholesterol; increased activity of creatine kinase; and increased concentrations of triglycerides and uric acid. Postmortem examination revealed that the chickens fed CPA or OA-CPA had thickened mucosa and dilated proventricular lumen. Data from this study demonstrate that OA, CPA, and the OA-CPA combination can limit broiler performance and adversely affect broiler health. The interaction of the compounds was primarily additive or less than additive in the parameter in which the interaction occurred.

Coinfection of cerebral toxoplasmosis and neurosyphilis as the first manifestation of AIDS

A male in his 30s with a medical history of newly diagnosed HIV with a CD4 count of 292 cells/mm3 presented with a bilateral frontal headache and left upper and lower extremity weakness and paraesthesias. A few months prior, the patient experienced a desquamating rash on his scalp and a pruritic, papular genital rash, which both self-resolved. CT head without contrast revealed extensive vasogenic oedema involving the right basal ganglia, thalamus, temporal and occipital lobes. MRI of the brain with and without contrast revealed two enhancing masses in the right lentiform nucleus and right temporal-occipital junction with associated vasogenic oedema. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies confirmed cerebral toxoplasmosis with positive CSF Toxoplasma gondii PCR and neurosyphilis with positive serum rapid plasma reagin and CSF venereal disease research laboratory test. He was treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and intravenous penicillin G with the resolution of his symptoms.

Non-T2 asthma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the non-T asthma phenotypes. Asthma is an umbrella term that defines a complex group of heterogenous airway disorders, which are broadly categorized into predominantly T2 or non-T2 phenotypes depending on the presence and levels of airway and systemic biomarkers associated with a T2 inflammatory response. Individuals with predominant T2 asthma have greater numbers of peripheral blood eosinophils, exhaled nitric oxide and IgE. These patients have more atopy and earlier onset asthma. In contrast, the absence or low levels of these biomarkers define non-T2 asthma. This is a heterogenous group with a later onset of asthma that is also more commonly associated with obesity and with females.

RECENT FINDINGS

This article summarizes new information regarding the plasticity that exists between T2 and non-T2 mechanisms, including their role in exacerbation-prone and nonexacerbating asthma, and many of the risk factors associated with the non-T2 phenotype, such as viral infections, ambient air pollution exposure, smoking, genetic and metabolic factors. It also provides new information on the immunological and metabolic mechanisms associated with non-T2 asthma. We also discuss how to manage this asthma phenotype and how treatment responses differ for these patients.

SUMMARY

Non-T2 asthma defines a heterogenous group of asthma phenotypes. However, acknowledging that the absence of T2 biomarkers is influenced by several factors is important and can longitudinally change in relation to exacerbations, particularly in children.