Interaction of T-2 Toxin with Salmonella Infections of Chickens

A significant (P less than 0.05) interaction resulting in increased mortality occurred in chickens fed T-2 toxin (16 mug./g. of diet) and infected with either Salmonella worthington, S. thompson, S. derby, or S. typhimurium var. copenhagen, all species that cause paratyphoid. No interaction on growth rate or relative size of the bursa of Fabricus occurred, although T-2 toxin alone caused a significant (P less than 0.05) regression of that organ. The spleen size relative to the body weight was decreased (P less than 0.05) by T-2 toxin and increased (P less than 0.05) by the Salmonella infections. Interactions were observed on spleen size between the toxin and S. thompson (P less than 0.05) and S. derby (P less than 0.10). Total serum proteins were not affected by T-2 toxin or Salmonella infections. Agglutinins were formed in response to the infections, but the titers were unaltered by T-2 toxin.