Proventricular hyperplasia (malabsorption syndrome) in broiler chickens.

A syndrome has occurred in broilers over the past several years in widespread localities, including Georgia, Arkansas, and Texas. Poor feed conversion and delayed marketing are the principle clinical features. Lesions consist of enlargement of the proventriculus, gizzard erosion and dilatation, and decreased spleen and bursa size. Trichothecenes were demonstrated in the rations sampled at several broiler facilities. The clinical features and gross and microscopic changes observed in the field syndrome were duplicated by feeding chicks multiple combinations of a trichothecene mycotoxin (T-2 toxin) with histamines and diamines for 6 to 8 weeks.