Which of the following is NOT a typical necropsy finding in ionophore poisoning?

Which of the following is NOT a typical necropsy finding in ionophore poisoning?

• A. Myocardial necrosis
• B. Skeletal muscle necrosis
• C. Renal cortical necrosis
• D. Liver necrosis

Answer: (C)

Ionophore poisoning primarily targets muscle cells by disrupting ion gradients, leading to necrosis in tissues with high energy demands. The most consistent necropsy findings are myocardial necrosis and skeletal muscle necrosis, reflecting direct muscle cell injury from disturbed calcium handling and energy depletion. Renal cortical necrosis is not a typical feature of ionophore poisoning. If kidney injury occurs, it is more commonly tubular necrosis due to myoglobin release from damaged muscle or other secondary effects, rather than focal cortical necrosis of the kidney. Liver involvement can occur with severe systemic toxicity, but it is not the hallmark pattern either. The standout mismatch for ionophore poisoning is renal cortical necrosis, which is not characteristic of this toxin’s muscle-targeted injury.

Ionophore poisoning primarily targets muscle cells by disrupting ion gradients, leading to necrosis in tissues with high energy demands. The most consistent necropsy findings are myocardial necrosis and skeletal muscle necrosis, reflecting direct muscle cell injury from disturbed calcium handling and energy depletion.

Renal cortical necrosis is not a typical feature of ionophore poisoning. If kidney injury occurs, it is more commonly tubular necrosis due to myoglobin release from damaged muscle or other secondary effects, rather than focal cortical necrosis of the kidney.

Liver involvement can occur with severe systemic toxicity, but it is not the hallmark pattern either. The standout mismatch for ionophore poisoning is renal cortical necrosis, which is not characteristic of this toxin’s muscle-targeted injury.