Swine, pulmonary edema fumonisins

Haschek, W. M., Gumprecht, L. A., Smith, G., Tumbleson, M. E., and Constable, P. D. (2001). Fumonisin toxicosis in swine An overview of porcine pulmonary edema and current perspectives. Environ. Health Perspect. 109(Suppl 2), 251-257. 

Fumonisin Bj is produced by Fusarium monili-forme, a fungus that predominantly grows worldwide on corn. Fumonisin Bj causes pulmonary edema and respiratory distress in swine. Numerous deaths have been reported in swine fed fumonisin-contaminated corn screenings. 

Fumonisins are recently discovered mycotoxins which cause leukoencephalomalacia in horses and pulmonary edema in swine (9). The toxicity of the fumonisins is currently being assessed. The fumonisins are analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or TLC. 

Fumonisins at high dosages produce severe interlobular edema and hydrothorax that culminates rapidly in respiratory embarassment, cyanosis, and death (due to arxrxia) in swine. There Is typically a 3- to 5-day latent period, followed by rapid progression of dyspnea, pulmonary edema, and death from arKrxia over a clinical course of just a few hours. 

Osweiler, G.D., Ross, P.F., Wilson, T.M., et ah, 1992. Characterization of an epizootic of pulmonary edema in swine associated with fumonisin in corn screenings. J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. 4, 53-59. 

Colvin, B.M. and Harrison, L.R. 1992. Fumonisin-induced pulmonary edema and hydrothorax in swine. Mycopathologia 117 79-82. 

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