Furazolidone-induced cardiomyopathy in turkeys. Association with a relative alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency.

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 alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency in two flocks of turkeys (one inbred for round heart disease and a commercial flock). At 4 weeks of age, the furazolidone-fed birds of both flocks demonstrated a marked increase in mortality and cardiac dilatation associated with disordered hepatic metabolism when compared with controls. Although PAS-positive, diastase-resistant globules were observed in the livers of both strains of turkeys fed furazolidone, these globules were present in lysosomes and not in the rough endoplasmic reticulum as in alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency. The control inbred birds with round heart disease did not demonstrate histologic or biochemical evidence of an alpha1-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 superimposed on round heart disease in the inbred flock.