Nephropathy and edema syndrome induced in miniature swine by corn cultures of Penicillium viridicatum.

Nephropathy and a syndrome of edema were produced in miniature swine by cultures of Penicillium viridicatum grown on autoclaved corn. The dried and ground cultures were mixed at a 50% concentration with a commercial pig feed. After a few days of feeding, the pigs became depressed, developed anorexia, posterior paresis, elevated blood urea nitrogen levels, proteinuria, and glycosuria. Gross lesions included subcutaneous edema, ascites, hydrothorax, hydropericardium, and mesenteric edema. Perirenal edema with accumulation of variable amounts of bloody fluid between renal capsule and parenchyma was a remarkable feature of the toxicosis. Microscopic lesions included edema of various tissues and degenerative changes in the kidney.