Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Pathology and Poultry Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Diyala, Iraq
2
Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Diyala, Iraq
3
Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Diyala,Iraq
4
Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Diyala, Iraq
5
Department of Pathology and Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Diyala University, Iraq
10.21608/ejabf.2025.426216.6629
Abstract
Aflatoxins are highly toxic, carcinogenic fungal secondary metabolite that contaminate food and can have harmful effects on both humans and animals if consumed. The current study was designed to detect the presence of Aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) in the muscles and liver of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) sold in Baqubah markets in Diyala Province, as well as in fish feed used by fish farmers, in order to assess the bioaccumulation of AFB1 in fish and the potential risk to human health associated with its consumption. Twenty fresh fish samples of Cyprinus carpio weighing 1- 2.75kg were collected randomly. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to estimate the AFB1 concentration in the muscles, liver of collected fish and in fish feed. Histopathological sections were made to assess the toxic pathological effects of AFB1 on organs of Cyprinus carpio. The HPLC analysis showed that 35% of muscles samples were contaminated with AFB1 and 100% of liver and feed samples were contaminated with AFB. Histopathological findings of the liver revealed cloudy swelling of hepatocytes, slight edema with severe blood vessels congestion and inflammatory cells infiltration, in addition to the presence of slight necrosis and congestion in central vein. Histopathological findings of the spleen section showed congestion, hemosiderin precipitation with severe depletion in splenic parenchyma and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Intestinal section showed closing of villi with infiltration of inflammatory cell; moreover, there were congestion, increase in the number of goblet cells together with slight infiltration of mononuclear cells and complete damage of villi. In conclusion, AFB1 is present in Cyprinus carpio sold at Baqubah markets and in fish feed, which appears to be the primary source of contamination in fish. Thus, it is important to make sure that the materials used to feed fish are of a high quality.
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