Role of Mycotoxins for Health and the Efficiency of Vaccination in Swine

Mycotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites detected in many agricultural commodities, especially cereals. Pigs are exposed to these toxins due to their high consumption of cereals. In the European Union, regulations and/or recommendations exist in pig feed for aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, fumonisins, zearalenone, and the trichothecenes; deoxynivalenol (DON) and T/HT-2 toxin. The mycotoxins have different toxic effects, but they all target the immune system. They have immune-stimulatory or immunosuppressive effects depending on the toxin, the concentration and the parameter investigated. Ingestion of mycotoxin-contaminated feed can result in an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, a reactivation of chronic infection and a decreased vaccine efficacy.