FUMONISIN TOXICOSIS IN SWINE - CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS

From a series of experimental studies with Pigs (12-16 kg), either pul monary edema or liver failure emerged as a distinct pathogenetic expre ssion of fumonisin B1 (FB1) toxicosis. The primary determinant as to w hich pathogenetic consequence developed was the quantity (dose) of the mycotoxin fed or intubated per kilogram of body weight per day. Pigs intubated with a minimum of 16 mg FB1/kg/day developed severe interlob ular edema with or without hydrothorax and variably severe pulmonary e dema. Pigs intubated with < 16 mg FB1/kg/day or pigs fed diets contain ing 200 mg FB1/kg of feed developed marked icterus and hepatocellular necrosis. The spectrum of degrees of severity of pulmonary edema obser ved in the experimental pigs allowed rational speculation regarding ev olution of the pathologic changes.