title: Acute inhalation toxicity of T-2 mycotoxin in the rat and guinea pig.
abstract: In this study, concentration-response parameters were determined for rats and guinea pigs systematically exposed to an aerosol of T-2 toxin. The LC50 for a 10-min exposure to T-2 toxin aerosol was 0.02 mg T-2/liter air for rats and 0.21 mg T-2/liter air for guinea pigs. Data from total T-2 deposition in rats and guinea pigs exposed to their respective LC50 aerosol concentration gave an LD50 of 0.05 mg T-2/kg body weight for the rat and 0.4 mg T-2/kg body weight for the guinea pig. These data show that inhaled T-2 toxin is approximately 20 times more toxic to the rat (0.05 mg T-2/kg body wt inhaled vs 1.0 mg T-2/kg body wt ip) and at least twice as toxic to the guinea pig (0.4 mg T-2/kg body wt inhaled vs 1-2 mg T-2/kg body wt ip) than ip administered T-2 toxin. Histopathologic examination of major organs in both the rat and guinea pig after respiratory exposure to T-2 toxin indicated that lesions were similar to those described after systemic administration of the toxin. Gross and microscopic alterations of respiratory tract tissue after T-2 aerosol exposure were minimal and could not account for the increase in toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Pathophysiology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland 21701-5011.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Creasia
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Thurman
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Wannemacher
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Bunner
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000633:toxicity*; D013605:T-2 Toxin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013605:T-2 Toxin