Kikuyu poisoning in sheep

A review of kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) poisoning in cattle

“…Kikuyu grass ( Pennisetum clandestinum ) is a perennial pasture species with a spring to autumn growth habit. Although it is usually grazed without ill effect, spasmodic incidents of poisoning in cattle 1 and, to a much lesser extent, sheep 2 and goats, 3 have been encountered. The aetiology and pathogenesis of kikuyu poisoning remains poorly understood.…”

IsFusarium torulosumthe causal agent of kikuyu poisoning in Australia?

“…There are conflicting reports of the association of fungi with toxic kikuyu pastures. Although cultures of species of the common pasture fungi Myrothecium and Phoma were reported to cause kikuyu poisoning-like symptoms in ruminants (Di Menna and Mortimer 1971;Martinovich and Smith 1972), no consistent relationship between these fungi and kikuyu poisoning has been established (Bourke 2007). In a study of fungi isolated from five toxic kikuyu pastures in NSW Wong et al (1987) found that Fusarium semitectum, Fusarium moniliforme var.…”

Kikuyu poisoning of cattle

“…Similarities between the disease and two experimental mycotoxicoses have been de, scribed ; however, its cause is at present unproven. Sheep may be affected (Martinovich and Smith, 1972) but appear le.ss susceptible than cattle.…”

“…(1972) andMartinovich and Smith (1972) have referred briefly to the presence of necrosis and inflammation in the fore-stomach mucosa of animals with Kikuyu poisoning. However, there are no previous detailed accounts of the histological lesions in the disease.…”