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Lupinosis, also known as phomopsin toxicosis or mycotoxinic lupinosis, is a mycotoxicosis primarily affecting sheep, caused by ingestion of Phomopsis—Mycotoxin produced by the fungus Diaporthe toxica (formerly identified as Phomopsis leptostromiformis). The fungus colonizes Lupinus plants following seed emergence but lies dormant until saprophytic growth occurs when plants senesce at the end of the season.Williamson et al. (1991) Formation of subcuticular coralloid hyphae upon latent infection of narrow leafed lupins by Phomopsis leptostromiformis. Plant Disease, 75:1023-1026 The disease has also been reported in cattle, goats, donkeys, horses, and pigs, and has been experimentally induced in various other species, including rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, rats, dogs, ducklings, and chickens.
First recognized in Germany in 1872 following numerous sheep deaths linked to lupin ingestion, lupinosis has since been reported in countries such as the United States, Poland, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Spain. In Australia, particularly Western Australia, where lupin stubble is extensively used as fodder, the disease has had a significant economic impact. In 1983, lupinosis was estimated to cause an annual economic loss of $16.3 million (1983 AUD).Allen (2009) Lupinosis in Western Australia, Australian Veterinary History Record, pp 13-17. Australian Veterinary History Record
Clinically, lupinosis is characterized by severe liver damage, leading to symptoms such as inappetence, weight loss, lethargy, jaundice, and often death. Microscopically, the disease is marked by arrested and abnormal mitosis of Hepatocyte. The disease course may be acute, subacute, or chronic, depending on the amount and duration of phomopsin exposure. Additional effects include reproductive issues like Abortion in late pregnancy, Embryo loss, reduced lambing percentages, decreased wool production and quality, nutritional myopathy, and starvation ketosis in cattle. (1998). 9780851992242, CAB International. ISBN 9780851992242
In Western Australia, lupinosis was first recorded in 1948 in sheep grazing dead plants of Lupinus cosentinii. Subsequent outbreaks occurred annually during summer and autumn, particularly affecting sheep grazing on dead bitter lupin plants or stubbles of sweet, narrow-leafed lupins.
Research in the 1960s identified a toxicogenic fungus as the likely cause of lupinosis. In 1966, studies in Western Australia demonstrated that non-toxic lupins could be rendered toxic by inoculating them with a mixed fungal suspension from toxic lupins. Initially, the causative fungus was thought to be a Cytospora or Pleospora species.
In 1969, a severe outbreak in South Africa led to isolating a fungus identified as Phomopsis leptostromiformis (Kühn) Bubák, which reproduced the disease in sheep under experimental conditions. Further studies concluded that P. leptostromiformis and P. rossiana were the same species, with synonyms including Cryptosporium leptostromiforme and Phoma rossiana.
In 1975, the teleomorph (sexual stage) of P. leptostromiformis was described as Diaporthe woodii but in 2015 was reclassified as Diaporthe leptostromiformis.Rossman et al (2015) Recommendations of generic names in Diaporthales competing for protection or use. IMA FUNGUS 6 (1) 145–154 Recommendations of generic names in Diaporthales competing for protection or use
A study in 1991 found two varieties of P. leptostroformis and that only one, P. leptostromiformis var leptostromiformis, produced high levels of the toxin. Shivas, Allen & Williamson (1991) Infraspecific variation demonstrated in Phomopsis leptostromiformis using cultural and biochemical techniques. Mycological Research, 95 (3) 320-323 Subsequent research in 1994 identified a new and distinct teleomorph of the toxicogenic variety and named it Diaporthe toxica, establishing it as the true causative agent of lupinosis.Williamson et al. (1994) Diaporthe toxica sp. nov., The cause of lupinosis in sheep. Mycological Research, 98 (12): 1367 | Diaporthe toxica sp. nov., the cause of lupinosis in sheep
The identification of D. toxica concluded over a century of investigation into the cause of lupinosis, providing clarity on the disease's etiology and facilitating the development of resistant lupin varieties.
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