AUTHOR=Craig A. Morrie , Klotz James L. , Duringer Jennifer M. TITLE=Cases of ergotism in livestock and associated ergot alkaloid concentrations in feed JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry VOLUME=3 YEAR=2015 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2015.00008 DOI=10.3389/fchem.2015.00008 ISSN=2296-2646 ABSTRACT=

Ergot-induced disease in humans was known long before Biblical times and has been the root cause for countless human epidemics spanning from the early fourteenth century to the late sixteenth century. In contrast, many of these same ergot alkaloids have been utilized for their medicinal properties to mitigate migraine headaches and have had indications as anti-carcinogens. Although ergot alkaloids have been used for centuries by humans, basic pharmacokinetic data has not been documented for clinical disease in livestock. Consequently, a threshold dose and accurate dose-response data have yet to be established. Throughout the past several years, new detection techniques have emerged to detect these alkaloids at the parts per billion (ppb) level which has allowed for new efforts to be made with respect to determining threshold levels and making accurate clinical diagnoses in affected animals. This perspectives article provides a critical initial step for establishing a uniform interpretation of ergot toxicosis from limited existing data.