DISTRIBUTION:
Lupins are cultivated chiefly in the southern and south-western areas of the Cape province as a fodder crop.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION:
Lupinus spp.:
General: Spreading, erect, annual herb about 60 cm high.
Leaves: Digitally compound with 7 to 11 narrow leaflets
Flowers: Golden yellow, blue, white or pink. Fragrant and borne at the ends of branches.
Fruit: The flat pod is slightly hairy and contains 4-5 seeds.
• Phomopsis leptostromiformis (Diaporthe toxica) is a phytopathogen of most Lupinus spp.
• Also grows saprophytically on the dead host under favourable conditions.
TOXIC PRINCIPLE:
Cyclic hexapeptides. Phomopsin A – the principle toxin. Relatively stable toxin.
SYNDROMES:
Hepatogenous photosensitivity primarily due to liver parenchymal damage.
SYSTEMS AFFECTED:
Liver.
CLINICAL SIGNS:
Acute lupinosis:
• Sheep become sick in 2-3 days after lethal dose and die in 4-8 days.
• Anorexia
• Ruminal stasis• Constipation• Weakness• Icterus - Photosensitivity rare, but occurs
Chronic syndrome:
• Same as above, plus weight loss.
NECROPSY:
Macroscopical findings:
1. Hepatosis
Acute: white (also orange-yellow) swollen, fatty liver
Chronic: markedly atrophic (especially left side, so-called boxing glove liver) fibrotic, nodular regeneration
2. Icterus
3. GI stasis.
HISTOPATHOLOGY:
• Fatty degeneration, cholestasis
• Anisonucleosis, megalocytosis, multinucleation and nuclear vesiculation.
TREATMENT:
Symptomatic and supportive.
