MU Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

Fescue Toxicosis/Ergot Alkaloid Exposure Updates

Fescue Toxicosis/Ergot Alkaloid Exposure Updates

The prevention and management of fescue toxicosis and exposure to other sources of ergot alkaloids, such as ergotized grasses and small grains, continue to be ongoing challenges to bovine practitioners and cattle producers in certain parts of the U.S in 2020. Let’s briefly review ergot alkaloid intoxication and provide updates on animal and forage management approaches, which can be utilized to minimize production losses associated with endophyte-infected tall fescue and grasses and/or grains infected with ergot.

What is Fescue Toxicosis?

• Associated with endophytic ergot (ergopeptine) alkaloids in tall fescue grass.
• The endophytic fungus (Epichloë coenophiala) is not visible to the naked eye.
• There is a symbiosis between the endophyte and tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum).
• Ergot alkaloids (specifically ergovaline) cause hypoprolactinemia and vasoconstriction.
• Dry gangrene (fescue foot) is observed in winter (cold temperatures).
• Summer slump is observed during the summer (hot temperatures).
• Genomic, epigenomic, and microbiomic effects.

What is Ergotism?

• Associated with fungal ergot (ergopeptine) alkaloids produced by Claviceps purpurea.
• Claviceps purpurea infects the seed heads of many grasses and small grains (NOT corn).
• Claviceps infection occurs most frequently following cool, wet springs.
• The ergot bodies (sclerotia) of Claviceps species are visible to the naked eye.
• Ergot sclerotia can contain high concentrations of ergot (ergopeptine) alkaloids.
• These ergot (ergopeptine) alkaloids cause hypoprolactinemia and vasoconstriction.
• The signs of ergotism can be indistinguishable from those of fescue toxicosis.
• However, ergotism is less dependent on ambient temperature and can be fatal.

Forage Management Strategies for Fescue Toxicosis:

• Fescue toxicosis is likely a reality in the beef industry for the foreseeable future.
• Toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue is not ALL BAD and can be managed.
• Several agronomic practices can eliminate/reduce the effects of tall fescue toxicosis.
• Testing tall fescue pastures can provide important information.
• Renovation of toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue can eliminate the problem.
• Over-seeding tall fescue fields with clovers can dilute the effects of endophytic toxins.
• Avoidance of high nitrogen fertilization rates reduces the severity of fescue toxicosis.
• Removal (mowing) of seed heads can reduce ergovaline content.
• The forage ergovaline concentration can also be reduced by drying (production of hay).
• Ammoniation of hay has also been shown to reduce forage ergovaline content.

Forage Management Strategies for Ergotism:

• Observation/testing of pastures for ergot can provide important information.
• Removal (mowing) of seed heads can reduce the number of aerial ergot bodies.
• Mature ergot bodies can be physically removed during the production of hay.

Animal Management Strategies for Fescue Toxicosis and Ergotism:

• Most management strategies focus on the management of summer slump.
• Feeding supplements has been reported to be helpful in minimizing clinical effects.
• Rotation of cattle to warm-season forages in summer and stockpiled tall fescue grass in the fall has been proven to be a helpful management strategy for fescue toxicosis.
• Recent research shows that animal tolerance to fescue toxicosis is possible.
• Using tolerant livestock where exposure to toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue is unavoidable might give innovative producers a competitive edge.

The Toxicology Section at the MU VMDL routinely tests for ergot alkaloids ($90) and ergot/fescue alkaloids ($110) in feedstuffs. Please contact Tim Evans, DVM, MS, PhD, DABVT, DACT (Toxicology), with any questions about testing or results.

COVID-19 and Pets

There is no evidence that humans can get COVID-19 from pets or livestock.

 

Testing Pets for COVID-19:

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) agree that there is no need to routinely test companion animals for COVID-19 at this time.
    • In agreement with these recommendations, the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) will not authorize testing of the general companion animal population.
  • The decision to test an animal must be authorized by Missouri State Veterinarian Dr. Steve Strubberg or, in the event he is unavailable, Missouri Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. Jean Schmidt, in conjunction with Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Howard Pue or, in the event he is unavailable, OVPH Senior Epidemiology Specialist Molly Baker.
  • The Missouri state and public health veterinarians can only authorize testing of Missouri origin animals.

Authorization for testing will be conducted on a case-by-case basis:

  • When requested by a private veterinarian who is reporting:
  • A new, concerning illness that cannot be otherwise explained, AND
  • The companion animal has had close contact with a person with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection, AND
  • That testing for infectious diseases that commonly cause companion animal illness has been conducted to rule out COVID-19.
  • When requested by academic institutions for the purpose of research:
    • The proposal, sampling criteria, animal species and scope of the project will be outlined prior to authorization.
    • Researchers will establish an endpoint for each study in conjunction with MDA based upon time and date or number of animals/households tested.
    • If the scope of the project, the testing criteria, or the endpoint changes, the state veterinarian must authorize those changes.
    • Researchers must obtain institutional approval prior to the start of their project.

Veterinarian Authorization:

  • Once the decision is made to test, the state veterinarian will authorize and designate a state-appointed veterinarian, USDA accredited veterinarian, or foreign animal disease diagnostician (FADD) to collect the sample using appropriate personal protective equipment.
  • Sample collection methods will be verified with guidance from the University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.
  • Official sampling will follow USDA guidance.

Laboratory and Reporting:

  • The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory will conduct initial animal testing and provide test kits to authorized veterinarians.
  • SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) detection in any animal is reportable per OIE guidance.
  • Positive results
    • Will require confirmation through additional testing by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL).
    • Will only be reported publicly when confirmed by NVSL and information has been communicated with the Missouri state veterinarian and the public health veterinarian.
    • MDA will communicate the information to USDA, AVMA, CDC and National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials (NASAHO) and work with those groups for unified messaging.

Management of animals in COVID-19 positive households:

  • MDA will default to AVMA guidance and CDC’s guidance concerning the management of animals in shelters and households in which a human has tested positive for COVID-19.
  • There is no current guidance available regarding quarantine of test positive dogs, cats or other pets. MDA will follow any guidance provided by the USDA/CDC working group if new information becomes available.
  • If an animal has a positive result, MDA will not remove the animal from the home.
  • AVMA guidance states that every effort should be made to allow companion animals to continue to co-habitate with their family when possible. However, if temporary sheltering becomes necessary, a number of precautionary steps should be taken including:
    • Dogs should be walked outside for elimination and exercise but direct contact with other companion animals should be avoided as a best practice to protect animal health.
    • Feces should be collected using gloved hands or a bag and disposed of immediately.
    • Ideally, these dogs should be walked in an area that can be readily sanitized in a dedicated area separate from the general animal population.

Important COVID-19 Resources:

New VMDL Policies Regarding COVID-19

The University of Missouri has announced changing policies to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Although policies change on a daily basis, the VMDL will do its utmost to continue serving its clients throughout these difficult times. The VMDL will operate with reduced staffing and mission critical personnel in all lab sections.

How does this impact our clients?

  • Our facilities will be secured and no clients or visitors will be allowed inside. We will provide a drop box for daytime sample submission located outside our receiving entrance. This drop box will not be available after hours. We encourage clients to prepare paperwork in advance.
  • We will continue to receive specimens via FedEx, FedEx billable stamps, UPS, and US Mail.
  • Turnaround times and testing capabilities may be impacted. We will do our best to meet your needs, but it may take longer than usual.

What about necropsies?

  • We encourage our clients to consider field necropsy with tissue collection as an alternative to whole animal submission, whenever possible.
  • When submitting a whole body, please have paperwork ready. We will be limiting in-person interactions and will offload the specimen with the client remaining in their vehicle. Smaller animals may be placed in the drop box.
  • Digital photographs of gross lesions may be submitted with field necropsy specimens, when available. Please call 573-882-6811 if you would like to provide images with your submission.
  • We will be limiting necropsy specimen submission to daytime business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 AM- 5 PM).

Thank you for your continued business and support. Please stay safe.

Dr. Shuping Zhang
Director, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
Professor, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology

VMDL Avian Pathologist Position

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL) and MU Extension need a qualified avian pathologist to fulfill the tripartite mission of a land grant institution, which includes teaching, service and research. Poultry is one of Missouri’s top commodities. A poultry health specialist (board certified avian pathologist) has been recognized by MU Extension as one of the top needs of the state. The VMDL also needs an avian pathologist to teach avian diseases to veterinary students and provide diagnostic services to industry and regulatory agencies. The VMDL is the only full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians in the state of Missouri. The VMDL is a Level I Lab of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and Tier I Lab of FDA Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN). The VMDL is composed of eight diagnostic service sections: anatomic pathology, avian pathology, bacteriology, clinical pathology, histopathology, molecular biology, serology and toxicology. The anatomic pathology section currently has 6 pathologists and 1 part-time boarded certified avian pathologist. The successful candidate will share responsibilities in diagnostic service with the team of anatomic pathologists, participate in teaching of veterinary professional and graduate curricula, training residents, and supporting MU research community.

This full-time faculty appointment will be hired at the level of either tenure-track or clinical track Assistant or Associate Professor. Academic rank and tenure status will be commensurate with experience, qualifications and career aspirations. For a tenure track position, active scholarly program and extramural funding are expected. The Department of Veterinary Pathobiology will be the academic home of this position.

Title: Assistant or Associate Professor, FTE: 1.0

Term of Appointment: 12 months

Tenure Status: Tenure or Clinical Track

Type: Ranked

Home Department: Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

Responsibilities:

1.   Teaching: 0.1 to 0.2 FTE. Primary teaching responsibilities will be in the Diagnostic Pathology and Special Species Medicine course offered to veterinary students (6 weeks x 8 blocks per year). Additional opportunities are available to individuals capable of teaching veterinary professional courses. If the candidate has undergraduate or graduate degree in poultry science, the individual may teach poultry production for Animal Science department. In that case, the FTE for teaching will be 0.2.

2.   Diagnostic Service: 0.4 to 0.5 FTE. The major commitment of this position is to provide comprehensive diagnostic services to poultry producers, pet bird owners, zoos, and government agencies. Responsibilities include performing postmortem examinations and biopsy evaluations, providing consultation to clients, and supervising avian serology laboratory.

3. Extension: 0.4 FTE. The expectation of this position is to provide expertise related to poultry health, nutrition, eggs, sanitation, biosecurity, husbandry and management. The avian pathologist must work closely with university based extension research faculty associated with poultry production and practices that enhance meat and egg quality. Major extension responsibilities will include planning, implementing, conducting and evaluating a broad educational program for poultry enterprises of any sizes.

Qualifications

Candidate must possess a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent. An MS or PhD degree or having an established scholarly record is preferred. Preference will be given to candidates with an advanced degree and ACVP board certification. Candidates for an associate professor appointment should have appropriate experiences, a record of excellence in anatomical pathology diagnostics and a documented record of scholarship. A commitment to the three-fold academic missions of service, teaching and research. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required. Team spirit is expected.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Interested individuals should submit a letter stating career goals and current expertise, a curriculum vitae, and names and addresses of three references.

Application materials and CV must be submitted online at https://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job

Screening and review of applications shall begin immediately and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

For more information contact:

Michael Zinn, DVM, Dipl. American College of Veterinary Pathologists
Assistant Clinical Professor, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

901 E. Campus Loop
Columbia, MO 65211
Tel 573-882-6811  

Diversity Commitment

The University of Missouri is fully committed to achieving  the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff and students. We seek individuals who are committed to this goal and our core campus values of respect, responsibility, discovery and excellence.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America. For more information, call the Vice Chancellor of Human Resource Services/Affirmative Action officer at 573-882-4256.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Disability Inclusion and ADA Compliance Manager at 573-884-7278.

EEO IS THE LAW

To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) please use the following links:

Message from the Director

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL) is a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory and Missouri’s only laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The VMDL is a Level I Lab of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, Tier I Lab of the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Response Network, and a National Poultry Improvement Plan authorized lab. The VMDL maintains an effective quality assurance and quality control program.

The VMDL has formal anatomical pathology, clinical pathology, and clinical microbiology training programs. The VMDL faculty hold academic appointments in the Departments of Veterinary Pathobiology and Veterinary Biomedical Sciences. The director is administratively responsible to the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine for the overall operation of the laboratory and its multiple missions of public service, teaching, research and continuing education/extension.

The VMDL faculty and staff work diligently to provide relevant, timely and cost-effective diagnostic services to our clients and to create a positive learning environment for our students and residents. In 2019, the VMDL processed approximately 51,668 accessions and performed more than 167,000 diagnostic tests. The diagnostic service was utilized by veterinarians and owners in 107 counties in Missouri and 44 US states and Canadian provinces.

About the MU VMDL

The VMDL is a full-service laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD). The VMDL provides in-depth laboratory diagnostic support to veterinary practitioners, livestock and poultry industry interests, companion animal interests, wildlife conservationists, scientists utilizing animals in their research throughout the university, state and regulatory officials, and clinicians of the MU Veterinary Health Center.

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Columbia, MO 65211

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