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Mycopathologia1992; 117(1-2); 109-114; doi: 10.1007/BF00497286

A review and update of animal toxicoses associated with fumonisin-contaminated feeds and production of fumonisins by Fusarium isolates.

Abstract: During the 1989 corn harvest season, numerous reports of equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM) outbreaks and a pulmonary edema (PPE) syndrome in swine from several regions of the United States were received by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), Ames, Iowa. Previous and concurrent research linked Fusarium moniliforme and fumonisin-contaminated feeds to both diseases. Chemical and mycological investigations revealed fumonisin B1 (FB1) concentrations of 20 to 360 ppm in suspect swine feeds and 8 to 117 ppm in suspect equine feeds. Nonproblem feeds contained concentrations below 8 ppm. Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium proliferatum were isolated from both problem and nonproblem equine and swine feeds. When cultured on autoclaved corn, the F. moniliforme and F. proliferatum isolated produced respective FB1 and fumonisin B2 (FB2) that range from less than 5 to more than 2450 ppm and less than 5 to more than 1000 ppm, respectively. Isolates from both problem and nonproblem feeds produces high levels (greater than 500 ppm) in culture. Reported here is a review of chemical and mycological data resulting from the study of several cases of PPE and ELEM.
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Publication Date: 1992-02-01 PubMed ID: 1513366DOI: 10.1007/BF00497286Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates illnesses in horses and swine linked to eating feed contaminated with fungal toxins. The study presents an overview of the chemical and microbiological findings after examining various feed samples related to these animal disease outbreaks.

Research Context

  • The study was prompted by multiple reports of equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM), a fatal disease affecting horses, and pulmonary edema syndrome (PPE), a lung condition affecting pigs, during the 1989 corn harvest season in several regions of the United States.
  • Both diseases were associated with Fusarium moniliforme, a fungus that contaminates feed, and fumonisin, the toxic byproduct produced by this fungus. This established link formed the foundation for the study’s investigation.

Research Findings

  • On testing feeds suspected to cause the illnesses, the research found large concentrations of fumonisin B1 (FB1) – ranging between 20 to 360 parts per million (ppm) in pig feed and 8 to 117 ppm in horse feed. Feed considered non-problematic contained less than 8 ppm.
  • The fungus Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium proliferatum were identified in both problematic and non-problematic feeds for horses and pigs.
  • When cultured on sterilized corn, these fungi produced large amounts of FB1 and another toxic variant, fumonisin B2 (FB2), in concentrations ranging from less than 5 up to more than 2450 ppm and less than 5 to more than 1000 ppm respectively.
  • These fungi, whether isolated from problematic or non-problematic feeds, all produced high levels (greater than 500 ppm) of these toxins in culture.

Conclusion

  • The research successfully reviewed and updated chemical and microbiological data surrounding the illnesses of PPE in pigs and ELEM in horses.
  • This comprehensive investigation may contribute to better understanding of animal toxicoses associated with fumonisin-contaminated feeds and shape future research in mitigating the risks posed by such feed contamination.

Cite This Article

APA
Ross PF, Rice LG, Osweiler GD, Nelson PE, Richard JL, Wilson TM. (1992). A review and update of animal toxicoses associated with fumonisin-contaminated feeds and production of fumonisins by Fusarium isolates. Mycopathologia, 117(1-2), 109-114. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00497286

Publication

Mycopathologia
ISSN: 0301-486X
NlmUniqueID: 7505689
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 117
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 109-114

Researcher Affiliations

Ross, P F
  • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Science and Technology, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, USDA, Ames, IA 50010.
Rice, L G
    Osweiler, G D
      Nelson, P E
        Richard, J L
          Wilson, T M

            MeSH Terms

            • Animal Feed / analysis
            • Animals
            • Encephalomalacia / chemically induced
            • Encephalomalacia / veterinary
            • Food Microbiology
            • Fumonisins
            • Fusarium / metabolism
            • Horse Diseases / chemically induced
            • Horses
            • Mycotoxins / analysis
            • Mycotoxins / biosynthesis
            • Mycotoxins / poisoning
            • Pulmonary Edema / chemically induced
            • Pulmonary Edema / veterinary
            • Swine
            • Swine Diseases / chemically induced
            • Zea mays

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            This article includes 14 references
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