Experimental Phomopsis leptostromiformis mycotoxicosis of pigs.

The susceptibility of the domestic pig to intoxication by the causative mycotoxin of lupinosis was established experimentally. The symptomatology and pathology of the disease produced by the administration of toxic cultures of the fungus, Phomopsis leptostromiformis (Kuhn) Bubak ex Lind to pigs are described. The toxin induced severe loss of weight and, in many cases, posterior paresis or paralysis. The principal gross lesions were generalised icterus, orange-red discoloration of the liver, nephrosis and, in some, enterorrhagia. Microscopically there was severe necrosis of hepatocytes and kidney tubular epithelium as well as myocardial degeneration. In the more chronic cases hepatocytes became anaplastic and arranged in acini. The production of toxin by P. leptostromiformis on yellow maize is reported and a method for production of toxic material is described.