Pharmacokinetics of the trichothecene mycotoxin, T-2 toxin, in swine and cattle

The pharmacokinetics of the trichothecene mycotoxin, T-2 toxin, were determined in growing gilts and heifers. Following intra-aortal administration in swine and intravenous administration in calves, the disappearance of the parent T-2 toxin followed a 2-compartment open model. Mean elimination phase half-lives were 13.8 and 17.4 min and mean apparent specific volumes of distribution were 0.366 and 0.376 l/kg in swine and calves, respectively. The fraction of T-2 toxin eliminated as parent compound in the urine was negligible. In spite of administration of a lethal oral dose in swine (2.4 mg/kg) and toxic oral doses (up to 3.6 mg/kg) in calves, no parent T-2 toxin was detected in plasma or urine. After intra-aortal administration in swine, tissue concentrations of T-2 toxin were consistently highest in lymphoid organs. Tissue residues of T-2 toxin were rapidly depleted such that, in spite of administration of a potentially lethal intra-aortal dose, no quantifiable T-2 toxin was present in any of the tissues collected at 4 hr after dosing. No T-2 toxin could be detected in liver, even at 1 hr after dosing.