Diplodia maydis: a cause of death of cattle in Argentina.
METHODS
This report describes an outbreak of high mortality of heifers after they consumed harvested maize fields parasitised with the fungus Diplodia maydis.


RESULTS
Clinical signs observed were generalised muscle tremors, incoordination, ataxic hindquarters, paralysis and death. The morbidity of the outbreak was 27/500 (5.4 %) and mortality 10/27 (37%). No gross lesions were observed, however histopathological examination revealed moderate to severe degeneration of myelin shafts in the white matter of the cerebellum. Diplodia maydis infection of maize was identified from visual characteristics of mycelia and pycnidia.


METHODS
Diplodia toxicity (diplodiosis).


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first description of the poisoning of cattle by maize contaminated with D. maydis in Argentina, where feeding cattle on harvested maize fields is common practice. It is possible this disease could occur in other countries, like New Zealand, where this fungus is known to be present.
Odriozola
E
E
Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropacuaria, Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce, CC 276 (7620) - Balcarce, Bs As, Argentina. eodriozola@balarce.inta.gov.ar
Odeón
A
A
Canton
G
G
Clemente
G
G
Escande
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D001203:Ascomycota; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D002423:Cause of Death; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000506:poisoning*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000382:microbiology*
D009183:Mycotoxins