Acute hepatic necrosis and death in a subadult southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) associated with exposure to sterigmatocystin in forage contaminated with Aspergillus nidulans
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| Authors: | BR Bryant M Campbell C Sangster |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Obley Road, Dubbo, New South Wales 2830, Australia;2. Taronga Zoo, Mosman, NSW, Australia |
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| Abstract: | A young male southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), which was resident in a zoo as part of a multi‐rhinoceros group, died suddenly. Necropsy and histopathological findings supported a diagnosis of death from acute hepatic necrosis. The microscopic distribution of liver lesions was suggestive of hepatotoxicosis. Further investigation revealed potential exposure to a mycotoxin, sterigmatocystin, present in spoiled lucerne hay contaminated with Aspergillus nidulans. It was concluded that mycotoxicosis was the likely cause of the hepatic necrosis and death in this animal. |
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| Keywords: |
Aspergillus nidulans
hepatic necrosis hepatotoxin mycotoxin sterigmatocystin white rhinoceros |
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