Studies on Aspergillus Fumigatus, Experimental Mycotoxicosis in Mice, Chicks and Pigs with the Appearance, in Pigs, of Perirenal Edema

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Abstract
The post-mortem picture following parenteral administration of toxin from Aspergillus fumigatus in mice, chicks, and pigs was dominated by a kidney lesion. It seemed to initiate as a degeneration of the intermediate parts of the proximal convoluted tubules, aggravated, on the administration of larger amounts of toxin, into a complete cortical necrosis. The pig carcases were richly edematous, especially in the perirenal region, where the edema was localized inter- and subcapsularly. Edema was also present subperitoneally in the abdominal wall and the large intestine. In some of the pigs the edema fluid was generously mixed with blood. In some pigs and mice there was a hydrothorax, the pigs thereby also presenting ascites. All the animal species examined presented a liver lesion consisting of fatty infiltration, swelling, and vacuolization of the liver cells, and edema of the space of Disse. In one chick centrolobular liver necroses were observed. The similarity of the lesions observed in the pigs to those in other diseases characterized by edema in this species, and especially perirenal edema, is discussed. No clinical symptoms and no post-mortal lesions were observed in the experimental animals following per oral administration of the toxin.