Abstract. In 1989, corn screenings were associated with acute interstitial pulmonary edema, hydrothorax, and death in swine. Attack rate was 5-50%, case fatality rate was 50-90%, and clinical course was 1-2 days. Screenings from farms with pigs affected with pulmonary edema contained 20-330 µg fumonisin B 1 per gram. Screenings containing 92 µg fumonisin B 1 per gram fed to weanling pigs caused pulmonary edema and death. Sterilized corn inoculated with Fusarium moniliforme and diluted 1:1 with clean corn contained fumonisin B, (17 µg/g) and caused acute pulmonary edema when fed for 5 days. Survivors developed subacute hepatotoxicosis with individual hepatocellular necrosis, hepatomegalocytosis, and increased numbers of mitotic figures. Similar liver lesions occurred in pigs given fumonisin B 1 intravenously at 0.8 mg/kg body weight for 14 days.Previous experimental work established the chemical structure, toxic potential, and probable carcinogenic nature of Fusarium moniliforme and the associated toxin fumonisin B 1 (FB 1 ) in several animal speciesl-4,6,7,11 Previous experimental feeding of F. moniliforme culture material to swine resulted in pulmonary edema, 5 and pulmonary edema in swine was recently reported from natural exposure to the fungus and the associated toxin fumonisin B 1 via corn screenings.3 However, except for equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM), large outbreaks of toxicosis associated with F. moniliforme in other species have not been reported. This report describes fumonisin associated toxicosis in swine herds in Iowa and Illinois.During October and November 1989, the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory received numerous reports of an acute fatal porcine pulmonary edema (PPE) syndrome. Each instance was associated with feeding corn screenings from the 1989 harvest, and most deaths occurred in mature animals. Reports were primarily from the southeast quadrant of Iowa and the northwest corner of Illinois. Clinical course described by referring veterinarians included acute onset of dyspnea, weakness, cyanosis, and death. Abortions were observed from 1 to 4 days after the onset of acute signs. Pathologic findings included concurrent pulmonary edema and hydrothorax but no lesions of cardiac hemorrhage or necrosis. Deaths occurred with- Received for publication May 20, 1991. in 4-10 days after the first feeding of corn screenings. The epizootiologic, clinical, and pathologic features of 16 PPE cases in Iowa and Illinois are described. In addition, the experimental confirmation of PPE and the association of FB 1 with hepatotoxicosis is reported. Materials and methodsField investigation. Clinical and epizootiologic information for 16 PPE cases was associated with the 1989 corn crop. Clinical signs and gross lesions were observed and described, and where available, corn or feed samples were collected for fumonisin analysis and fungal culture. Nine herds were visited by veterinarians from the Iowa State University Diagnostic Laboratory, and attending veterinarians and owners provid...

Cockleburs (Xanthium spp.) are herbaceous annuals with worldwide distribution. Toxicoses are usually associated with the consumption of the seedlings in the cotyledon stage, which contain a high concentration of the toxic principle, carboxyatractyloside. The seeds are also known to contain the toxin, but it has long been assumed that the spiny capsule would deter their consumption. Six of 70 yearling calves died while being fed round bale hay composed predominantly of foxtail and mature cocklebur plants with burs. Clinical signs ranged from acute death to hyperexcitability, blindness, tense musculature, and spastic gaits with heads held high and ears erect. Some symptomatic calves would stumble, fall to lateral recumbency, convulse, and later recover. Overall, the herd was very uneasy. Prominent gross lesions were ascites and a firm, pale liver with a mottled hemorrhagic pattern on cut surface. The rumen contained numerous intact burs and well-ruminated grass. Histological examination of the liver revealed marked centrolobular degeneration and necrosis with associated hemorrhage and congestion. Brain lesions were present. Plant and tissue samples were analyzed for carboxyatractyloside with various results. Samples of rumen contents, urine, and burs contained 100-200 ppm, 0.1-0.05 ppm, and 0.1 ppm, respectively. Based on the history, clinical signs, pathological lesions, and chemical analyses, cocklebur toxicosis associated with consumption of mature Xanthium strumarium in hay was confirmed.

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