The term emerging mycotoxicoses refers to toxicoses caused by newly recognized and less studied mycotoxins. Because their risks are not yet fully understood, further research and regulation guidelines in poultry are needed.
Examples of mycotoxins in this category affecting poultry include the following:
Enniatins:
produced by various Fusarium fungi in cereal grains
linked to reproductive and developmental harm
Beauvericin:
produced by Beauveria bassiana and Fusarium spp fungi in cereal grains
associated with immunosuppression and cytotoxic effects
Moniliformin:
produced by various Fusarium spp present in nature as a highly water-soluble organic acid
very toxic to chickens and other poultry species
has shown acute degenerative lesions of the myocardium, kidneys, and other tissues
may be immunosuppressive
Sterigmatocystin:
biogenic precursor of aflatoxin closely related to aflatoxin B1
reported to be hepatotoxic, hepatocarcinogenic, and cytotoxic
Alternaria mycotoxins (alternariol monomethyl ether, alternariol, and tenuazonic acid):
can be found in feedstuffs such as grains, fruits, vegetables, and seeds such as sunflower seeds
cytotoxic effects have been reported; toxic levels in poultry are not established
