Abstract
A naturally occurring cardiomyopathy (Round Heart Disease) which is potentiated by inbreeding and a cardiomyopathy produced by furazolidone, a nitrofuran derivative, were studied for an associated alpha-l-antitrypsin deficiency in two flocks of turkeys-one inbred for Round Heart Disease and a commerical flock. At age four weeks, the furazolidone fed birds of both flocks, demonstrated a significant increase in mortality and cardiac dilatation associated with disordered hepatic metabolism when compared to their controls. (p<.01) Although PAS positive, diastase-resistant globules were observed in the livers of both strains of turkeys fed furazolidone, these globules were present inlysosomes and not in the rough endoplasmic reticulum as in alpha-l-antitrypsin deficiency. The control inbred birds with Round Heart Disease did not demonstrate histologic or biochemical evidence of an alpha-l-antitrypsin deficiency. It is proposed that furazolidone in the turkey produces primary hepatic damage that is reflected in lowered total serum proteins including trypsin inhibitory capacity and that the alterations produced by furazolidone are super imposed on Round Heart Disease in the inbred flock.
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Staley, N., Noren, G., Bandt, C. et al. 162 FURAZOLIDONE-INDUCED CARDIOMYOPATHY IN TURKEYS: ASSOCIATION WITH A RELATIVE ALPHA-I-ANTITRYPSIN DEFICIENCY. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 390 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00167
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00167