title: Using roquefortine C as a biomarker for penitrem A intoxication.
abstract: Penitrem A is a well-recognized tremorgenic mycotoxin produced by several Penicillium spp. However, most natural cases of penitrem A intoxication have been associated with Penicillium crustosum. Another Penicillium sp., Penicillium roqueforti, is used for the production of blue cheese and is found in silage and feeds. Penicillium roqueforti produces a mycotoxin, roquefortine C, which is also produced by P. crustosum. In contrast to a tremorgenic syndrome produced by penitrem A, roquefortine C toxicosis is characterized by a paralytic syndrome. Two cases of penitrem A intoxication in dogs are presented to investigate the use of roquefortine C as a biomarker for penitrem A exposure. The vomitus, serum, and urine were analyzed for roquefortine C and penitrem A. Results suggest that roquefortine C can be a sensitive biomarker for penitrem A intoxication. However, the detection of roquefortine C in the absence of penitrem A could merely suggest ingestion of blue cheese or spoilt silage or feed. A review of the literature did not identify any case positive for penitrem A but negative for roquefortine C. In cases in which both mycotoxins were detected, roquefortine C concentration was always higher than penitrem A concentration. In contrast, several cases have been described where the clinical history suggested penitrem A intoxication, but only roquefortine C was detected. In conclusion, roquefortine C can serve as a sensitive biomarker for penitrem A intoxication, but the clinical presentation needs to be considered for proper interpretation of its detection in the absence of penitrem A.
authors.affiliation: California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, Toxicology Laboratory, University of California, West Health Science Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA. aktiwary@ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Asheesh K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Tiwary
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Puschner
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Poppenga
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004285:Dogs; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006576:Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D007211:Indoles / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000506:poisoning*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D011041:Poisoning / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006576:Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings; D007211:Indoles; D009183:Mycotoxins; D010879:Piperazines; C003626:tremortin; C012536:roquefortine