Experimental T-2 toxicosis in swine. II. Effect of intravascular T-2 toxin on serum enzymes and biochemistry, blood coagulation, and hematology

T-2 toxin was given as a single intravascular dose at either 0.6 or 4.8 mg/kg to different groups of 50-kg female swine. Blood samples were taken at hourly intervals for determination of concentrations or activities of the following substances in serum or plasma: creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, total calcium, ultrafilterable calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, total protein, albumin, cholesterol, glucose, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin. Coagulation analyses included prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, activated coagulation time, and fibrin degradation products. Red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet counts, hemoglobin concentrations, and hematocrits were determined from whole blood samples. An initial leukocytosis was followed by a leukopenia. The numbers of red cells, the hemoglobin concentration, and the hematocrit were increased. Nucleated red blood cells were seen in the blood smears. The serum concentration of bound calcium decreased, while phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium increased. Clinical screening tests detected no evidence of a coagulopathy in swine given T-2 toxin intravascularly.