Successful investigation and prevention of mycotoxic problems requires
close collaboration between scientists from several disciplines rangi
ng from agronomists and technologists required during production of fo
od and feeds, to toxicologists and pathologists examining the effects
of mycotoxins on animals and man. Zootoxic metabolites following funga
l infection result from four general mechanisms: (i) secondary fungal
metabolism (mycotoxins, eg, aflatoxins); (ii) bioconversion of vegetal
compounds (eg, dicoumarol); (iii) plant reactions (phytoalexins, eg,
coumestrol); and (iv) plant-fungus associations (endophytes, eg, Acrem
onium/Festuca). In reported pathologic field cases, close cooperation
through a selected veterinary network has allowed diagnosis of acute a
nd subacute mycotoxicoses in France. Natural stachybotryotoxicosis may
not be limited only to cold climates, but may also occur in mild and
warm ones (eg, south west of France, Morocco). A considerable variatio
n was observed in symptoms and lesions depending on toxin levels, rang
ing from a poor performance in a horse race to a general haemorrhagic
syndrome. Several cases of acute equine leucoencephalomalacia, charact
erized by pathognomonic lesions and recently supported by fumonisin an
alysis, have been diagnosed in the southern part of France and other c
ountries (eg, New Caledonia and the Ivory Coast). Facial eczema in she
ep is endemic in the Basque country, as a result of specific bioclimat
ic and zootechnic conditions. Reproductive disorders in sheep, cattle,
goats and rabbits have been associated with high levels of coumestrol
in alfalfa, clover and their derivatives. A few cases of fescue foot
disease, associated with the endophyte Acremonium, have been diagnosed
recently. In addition, several nervous disorders may be due to unknow
n mycotoxins. These acute or subacute mycotoxicoses suggest a potentia
lly widespread occurrence of low level toxins and insidious asymptomat
ic mycotoxicoses, and justify interdisciplinary research in order to i
mprove diagnosis and preventative measures.