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Leukoencephalomalacia in a horse induced by fumonisin B1 isolated from Fusarium moniliforme
W F Marasas1, T S Kellerman, W C Gelderblom
1South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, Republic of South Africa.
Abstract:
Each of two horses was dosed by stomach tube with culture material on maize of Fusarium moniliforme MRC 826. One horse developed severe hepatosis and mild oedema of the brain after 6 doses of 2.5 g of culture material/kg body mass/day in 7 days. The second horse, in a similar experiment but at a dosage rate of 1.25 g/kg/day, developed mild hepatosis and moderate oedema of the brain. In both animals the brain oedema was particularly noticeable in the medulla oblongata. The mycotoxin fumonisin B1 was extracted and purified from the culture material of F. moniliforme MRC, 826 which contained approximately 1 g/kg of this compound. A horse was injected intravenously 7 times from Day 0-Day 9 with 0.125 mg of fumonisin B1/kg body mass/day. Clinical signs of neurotoxicosis, which appeared on Day 8, included nervousness followed by apathy, a wide-based stance, trembling, ataxia, reluctance to move, paresis of the lower lip and tongue, and an inability to eat or drink. Euthanasia was performed on the horse on Day 10 while the animal was in a tetanic convulsion. The principal lesions were severe oedema of the brain and early, bilaterally symmetrical, focal necrosis in the medulla oblongata. This report provides experimental evidence that fumonisin B1, produced by F. moniliforme, causes equine leukoencephalomalacia.
Insights
Fusarium moniliforme produces fumonisin B1, a mycotoxin that causes equine leukoencephalomalacia. This study demonstrates fumonisin B1
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Toxicology
- Equine Pathology
- Mycotoxicology
Background:
- Fusarium moniliforme is a common fungal contaminant of animal feed.
- Fumonisin B1 is a mycotoxin produced by F. moniliforme with known toxicity.
- Equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELE) is a devastating neurological disease in horses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causative agent of equine leukoencephalomalacia.
- To experimentally induce ELE in horses using Fusarium moniliforme culture material and purified fumonisin B1.
- To elucidate the toxicological effects of fumonisin B1 in equine species.
Main Methods:
- Two horses were administered Fusarium moniliforme MRC 826 culture material via stomach tube at different dosages.
- Fumonisin B1 was extracted and purified from the culture material.
- One horse was intravenously injected with purified fumonisin B1.
Main Results:
- Horses dosed with culture material developed hepatosis and brain edema, particularly in the medulla oblongata.
- Intravenous administration of fumonisin B1 induced clinical signs of neurotoxicosis, including ataxia and paresis.
- Histopathological examination revealed severe brain edema and focal necrosis in the medulla oblongata in fumonisin B1-treated horses.
Conclusions:
- Fumonisin B1 produced by Fusarium moniliforme is the causative agent of equine leukoencephalomalacia.
- Experimental evidence confirms the neurotoxic effects of fumonisin B1 in horses.
- This study highlights the importance of controlling F. moniliforme contamination in equine feed to prevent ELE.
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