title: Studies of the influence of ochratoxin A on immune and defence reactions in weaners.
abstract: Even in subtoxic amounts, the mycotoxin, ochratoxin A, produced immunomodulation in weaner pigs in a dose-dependent mode. In addition to increased counts of total leukocytes and neutrophils in the blood, reduced lymphocyte levels were observed. There was a striking increase in the counts of eosinophils and of apoptotic phagocytes. Functionally, there was a predominance of the production of reactive oxygen radicals in whole blood, reduced phagocytosis performance and reduced expression of a swine-specific surface marker (SWC1) on lymphocytes. In a few single experiments, clinical manifestations could be demonstrated. Lung clearance and the degree of severity of experimental pneumonia as well as cutaneous hypersensitization may be influenced by ochratoxin A.
authors.affiliation: Federal Institute for Health Protection of Consumers and Veterinary Medicine (BgVV), Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kielstein
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rosner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berndt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Köhler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007107:Immune System / Q000276:immunology*; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D013552:Swine / Q000276:immunology*; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D009183:Mycotoxins; D009793:Ochratoxins; C025589:ochratoxin A