The aflatoxins are toxic and carcinogenic metabolites of Aspergillus flavus, A parasiticus, and others. Aflatoxicosis in poultry primarily affects the liver but can involve immunologic, digestive, and hematopoietic functions. Aflatoxin adversely affects:
Susceptibility to aflatoxins varies, but in general, ducklings, turkeys, and pheasants are susceptible, whereas chickens, quail, and guinea fowl are relatively resistant.
Aflatoxin causes:
Aflatoxins are carcinogenic, but tumor formation is rare with natural disease, probably because the animals do not live long enough for this to occur.
