Ochratoxin A Toxicosis in Swine

Ochratoxicosis was induced in young female swine by a diet contaminated with a rice culture of Aspergillus ostianus that contained ochratoxin A and by daily oral doses of 2.0 or 1.0 mg/kg body weight pure ochratoxin A. Mycotoxicosis was characterized early by depression and reduction in feed intake and loss of body weight, followed by diarrhea, polyuria, polydipsia and dehydration. The pigs given pure ochratoxin A were dead or moribund in 5 to 6 days. Packed cell volume, hemoglobin, total plasma protein, and blood urea nitrogen were increased. Progressive leukocytosis, neutrophitia and moderate left shift in the differential count occurred. Concentrations of lactic dehydrogenase, isocitric dehydrogenase and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase in the serum and urine were increased by the fourth to sixth day, but only the increase in urinary concentrations was significant. Gross findings included dehydration, enteritis, pale tan discoloration of the liver, and edema and hyperemia of the mesenteric and other lymph nodes. Microscopic lesions were most frequent and severe in the kidney and gastrointestinal tract. Necrosis of renal tubular epithelium was most frequent in the convoluted tubules. Many renal tubules were dilated. The intestinal lesions were focal and necrotizing and occurred in mostanat omic regions. Fatty change was demonstrated in most of the livers. In lymphoid tissues the changes were edema, hyperemia and focal necrosis of lymphocytes within germinal centers and around follicles.