The genus Fusarium produces many mycotoxins injurious to poultry. The trichothecene mycotoxins produce caustic and radiomimetic patterns of disease exemplified by T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS). Deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin, DON), fumonisins, and zearalenone are common Fusarium mycotoxins that are relatively nontoxic for poultry but toxic for swine.
In poultry, fusariotoxicosis may result in:
Other Fusarium mycotoxins cause defective growth of long bones. The fumonisin mycotoxins produced by F verticillioides impair feed conversion without causing specific lesions. Moniliformin is also produced by F verticillioides and is cardiotoxic and nephrotoxic.
