Swainsonine-induced lysosomal storage disease in goats caused by the ingestion of Turbina cordata in Northeastern Brazil.

A disease of the central nervous system in goats was observed in the municipalities of Juazeiro, Casa Nova and Cura?a, state of Bahia, and Petrolina, state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. The disease was produced experimentally in two goats by the administration of dry Turbina cordata mixed with grain. Clinical signs were observed after the ingestion of 62 and 106 g/kg body weight in 28 and 54 days, respectively. The concentration of swainsonine in the plant varied from less than 0.001% to 0.14% (dry weight). Clinical signs of natural and experimental cases included difficulties in standing, ataxia, hypermetria, wide-based stance, intention tremors, spastic paresis mainly in the hind legs, nystagmus, abnormal postural reactions, head tilting, and falling. Diffuse vacuolation of neurons, epithelial cells of pancreas, thyroids, and renal tubules were observed on the histology. From the electron microscopy of Purkinje cells the vacuoles represented dilated lysosomes. These findings demonstrated that T. cordata causes an acquired glycoprotein lysosomal storage disease. The intoxication occurs at least in an area of 27,000 km2 causing severe losses in goats, and some farmers report the disease also in cattle.     

Intoxication by Ipomoea sericophylla and Ipomoea riedelii in goats in the state of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil.

A disease of the nervous system was observed in goats from two farms of the semiarid of the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Ipomoea sericophylla was found in one farm and I. riedelii in the other. Both plants were administered experimentally to five goats each. Both plants induced clinical signs similar to those observed in spontaneous cases. Two goats died spontaneously and five were euthanatized. Three goats recovered after the withdrawal of the plants. Histological examination showed that all goats that died spontaneously or were euthanized had diffuse vacuolation of neurons, macrophages of lymphatic tissues, and epithelial cells of pancreas, thyroid, renal tubules and liver. On electron microscopy of Purkinje cells, numerous dilated membrane bordered vacuoles were identified as lysosomes. On lectin-histochemical analysis, cerebellar cells gave positive reactions to Concanavalia ensiformis, Triticum vulgaris, and succinylated-T. vulgaris, which indicate the storage of alpha-D-mannose, alpha-D-glucose, beta-D-N-acetyl-glucosamine, and acetyl-neuraminic acid. The chemical analysis of I. sericophylla and I. riedelii showed 0.11 and 0.14% of swainsonine, respectively. The latter also contained calystegines B1, B2 and C1. It is concluded that I. sericophylla and I. riedelli cause a lysosomal storage disease.     

Poisoning by Marsdenia hilariana and Marsdenia megalantha (Apocynaceae) in ruminants

Neurological signs were observed in cattle consuming the roots of Marsdenia hilariana and sheep consuming leaves of Marsdenia megalantha. Similar nervous signs to those observed in spontaneous poisoning were induced experimentally by the administration of roots of M. hilariana to goats, and by the administration of leaves and roots of M. megalantha to sheep. No lesions were observed at necropsies and on histological examination of the nervous system and other tissues.     

Poisonous plants affecting livestock in Brazil

Plant poisoning, together with rabies and botulism, are the main causes of death in adult cattle in Brazil. Estimates indicate that about one million head of cattle die annually through plant poisoning in this country. There are approximately 75 plants of practical importance to animal husbandry that have had their toxicity confirmed by experiments with the animal species affected under natural conditions. The great majority of these plants only occur in Brazil and neighbouring countries. A few of them are forage plants that can become toxic under certain conditions. In this review the poisonous plants of interest to animal husbandry of Brazil are divided according to the clinical–pathological picture they cause in cattle; only cyanogenic plants, plants that cause nitrate/nitrite poisoning and the ones that cause oxalate poisoning, are grouped according to their toxic principles. Plants and their toxic principles, or of which possible toxic compounds have been isolated, are listed.     

Poisoning by Jatropha ribifolia in goats

Human poisoning by Jatropha species and poisoning when livestock have been fed processed plant material has been described. Additionally, poisoning has been experimentally reproduced in various animal models. But, no cases of poisoning in livestock grazing standing and unprocessed Jatropha spp. has been reported. This study reports the poisoning of goats with Jatropha ribifolia in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil during the dry season. The mortality of the goats ranged from 6% to 40%. The main clinical signs were apathy, anorexia, soft feces, weight loss, and severe dehydration. The skin, lips, horns, and teeth of the affected goats were stained with a reddish pigment that is present in the J. ribifolia plant. Emaciation was the main lesion observed in one necropsied goat. In 2 out of 3 goats that ingested a single dose of J. ribifolia, 10 g or 20 g of leaves of the plant per kg body weight (g/kg), mild dehydration and soft feces were observed. The plant was also administered daily to two goats for 8 days. One animal received 10 g/kg per day, and the other received 20 g/kg per day and the goats showed clinical signs after 4 and 3 days, respectively. The goat that received 10 g/kg daily recovered, and the other was euthanized. The clinical signs and lesions that were observed were similar to those observed in the spontaneous cases. This is the first case of Jatropha spp. poisoning in grazing animals that ingested the plant spontaneously.     

Poisoning by Centratherum brachylepis in ruminants

A disease causing anorexia and ruminal indigestion in cattle and goats, and also edema of the lips, tongue and face in goats, was associated with the ingestion of Centratherum brachylepis in pastures containing large amounts of the plant. On 3 farms with a total of 217 cattle and 140 goats, 57 (26%) cattle and 56 (40%) goats were affected, and 11 (5%) cattle and 34 (24%) goats died. In one cow that died there were widespread and severe histologic lesions in the rumen that consisted of vacuolation and ballooning degeneration of keratinocytes, and vesicle and pustule formation in the epithelium. C. brachylepis was administered orally to 3 sheep and 11 goats. Clinical signs similar to those observed in spontaneous field cases in goats were reproduced in 2 sheep and 3 goats that ingested 30-50 g/kg body weight of the plant when administered within 48 h of it being collected. C. brachylepis collected between 2 and 13 days prior to being administered caused no clinical signs in 1 sheep and 8 goats at dose rates of 30-300 g/kg body weight of the plant. These feeding studies provide evidence that C. brachylepis is the cause of the field disease observed and that the plant loses toxicity after harvesting.     

Ageratum houstonianum toxicosis in zebu cattle

Ageratum houstonianum (Ageratum, flossflower, blue billygoat weed) is an annual plant that tends to become a pest in gardens and pastures. Clinical signs for A. houstonianum toxicosis in cattle are characterized by either an acute hemorrhagic course or sub-acute photodynamic dermatitis. The toxicosis has often been associated with Holstein-Friesian or crossbreed Holstein cattle less resistant to tropical climate conditions. During a recent especially dry spring about 40 adult Zebu cattle were found dead, while another 40/800 animals were sacrificed. The animals had been relocated to the problem area about 4 mo before, where due to the prolonged drought, A. houstonianum was almost exclusively the only pasture available. The intoxicated cattle did not show the characteristic toxic dermatitis reported for A. houstonianum acute toxicosis; but post-mortem examination revealed bloody serous fluid in coccyx-femoral joints and hemorrhages in the large muscle tissues, while liver, kidney and heart also had hemorrhages. To confirm the toxic plant as cause of the toxicosis, phytochemical Qualitative screening and a novel thin-layer chromatographic characterization of plant extracts were done. The chromatographic profiles of coumarin compounds, alkaloids and triterpens in ruminal and intestinal contents were similar to those obtained from A. houstonianum plants from the same area, confirming ingestion of A. houstonianum as cause of the toxicosis. The coincidence of adverse nutritional conditions together with the cattle's ignorance of the grazing area predisposed the plant toxicosis.     

Selenium toxicosis in three California sea lions (Zalophus californianus)

Selenium poisoning occurs worldwide in nearly all domestic animals. Acute selenium poisoning is associated with feeding high levels or injecting excessive amounts of selenium and is usually fatal. The acute poisoning may cause gastrointestinal disturbance, muscle weakness, depression of the central nervous system, prostration and death (1-2). Chronic selenium poisoning in cattle, sheep and horses may result from the consumption of seleniferous plants over an extended period of time. Chronic selenium results in ataxia, incoordination, partial blindness, paralysis, loss of hair or wool, abnormal hoof growth and possibly abnormal changes in behavior (1). There is little information regarding the clinical signs and pathology of selenium toxicosis in marine mammals. Likewise, there is little information regarding normal tissue levels or toxicologically significant levels of selenium in these species. The results of these investigations in sea lions, based on clinical signs, pathologic findings and tissue levels of selenium, suggest subacute or chronic selenium poisoning was most likely from dietary fish high in selenium.     

Congenital skeletal malformations and cleft palate induced in goats by ingestion of Lupinus, Conium and Nicotiana species

K. E. , R. F. , T. D. and R. J. . Review article — Congenital skeletal malformations and cleft palate induced in goats by ingestion of Lupinus, Conium and Nicotiana species. Toxicon 28, 1377–1385, 1990.—Three piperidine alkaloid containing plants, Conium maculatum (poison-hemlock), Nicotiana glauca (tree tobacco) and Lupinus formosus (lunara lupine), induced multiple congenital contractures (MCC) and palatoschisis in goat kids when their dams were gavaged with the plant during gestation days 30–60. The skeletal abnormalities included fixed extension or flexure of the carpal, tarsal, and fetlock joints, scoliosis, lordosis, torticollis and rib cage abnormalities. Clinical signs of toxicity included those reported in sheep, cattle and pigs—ataxia, incoordination, muscular weakness, prostration and death. One quinolizidine alkaloid containing plant, Lupinus caudatus (tailcup lupine), on the other hand, which is also known to cause MCC in cows, caused only slight signs of toxicity in pregnant goats and no teratogenic effects in their offspring.     

Intoxication of goats by Plumbago scandens in Northeastern Brazil

In the State of Paraiba, Northeastern Brazil, goat mortality occurred with the ingestion of Plumbago scandens. The fresh plant was then given experimentally to 4 goats at 5, 10, 17.5 or 25 g/kg bw. Depression, anorexia, salivation with foamy saliva, bellowing, bruxism, humpbacked posture, bloat, ruminal atony, continuous lateral head movements, tachycardia, dyspnea and dark brown to black urine were observed in the goats given 17.5 or 25 g/kg bw. The goats receiving 5 or 10 g/kg bw had less severe signs. The goat dosed with 25 g/kg bw died after 18-20 h. All others recovered in 3-9 d. At necropsy of the high dose goat, the main lesions were dark violet to black discoloration of the mucosa of the tongue, esophagus, reticulum and ventral sac of the rumen, and gelatinous edema in the visceral ruminal peritoneum. Histologically the reticulum and ventral rumen sac had diffuse epithelial necrosis and severe edema and neutrophilic infiltration of the submucosa. Separation of the ruminal epithelium from the submucosa was observed. Epithelial degeneration and necrosis was also seen in the omasum, esophagus and tongue. Reproduction of the disease with clinical signs similar to those observed by the farmer in the spontaneously affected goats suggests that the clinical mortality was caused by ingestion of Plumbago scandens.     

Cephalosporins in veterinary medicine - ceftiofur use in food animals

Cephalosporins are an important class of antibacterial agents in use today for both humans and animals. Four generations of cephalosporins have evolved, all of which contain the beta-lactam sub-structure first found in penicillin. The range of cephalosporins available for use in food-producing animals, which is the subject of this review, is limited compared to humans. A few first- and second-generation cephalosporins are approved worldwide strictly for treatment of mastitis infections in dairy cattle. A third-generation cephalosporin, ceftiofur, and a fourth-generation cephalosporin, cefquinome, have been developed strictly for veterinary use. Cefquinome has been approved in several countries for the treatment of respiratory disease in cattle and swine, foot rot in cattle and for mastitis in dairy cattle. Ceftiofur has worldwide approvals for respiratory disease in swine, ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) and horses and has also been approved for foot rot and metritis infections in cattle. Ceftiofur has also been approved in various countries for early mortality infections in day-old chicks and turkey poults. This review summarizes cephalosporin use in general terms, and provides an overview of ceftiofur, in terms of its spectrum of activity, indications, metabolism, and degradation in the environment. The safety of ceftiofur is also reviewed, with respect to food-animal residues, rapid metabolism and degradation, and non-persistence of ceftiofur in the environment. The environmental fragility of cephalosporins have not been explored generally, but may be an important characteristic of this antibiotic class with respect to safety of use in animals.     

Calcinosis--calcinogenic plants.

The calcinogenic plants are among the most noxious plants to animals in the world. The pathological and biochemical effects of calcinogenic plants in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, buffalo and laboratory animals have been determined. The chemical nature of the toxic agents and the precise mechanism by with the calcinogenic plants induces calcinosis have been defined. Most of the active principle present as steroidal glycoside is hydrolyzed in intestine, rumen and other tissues or by the bacterial flora releasing the steroidal fragment, in most cases 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). The excess of vitamin D stimulates CaBP synthesis and calcium and phosphate absorption, producing hypercalcemia and/or hyperphosphatemia. The excessively absorbed mineral cannot be physiologically accommodated, and the deposition in soft tissues results in calcinosis. The different means of treatment of calcinosis and control of calcinogenic plants are discussed with regards to their effectiveness. A number of potential uses of calcinogenic plants have been suggested but none has been exploited on a large scale. The understanding of the mechanisms involved with calcinosis contributed enormously to the compression of vitamin D mechanism. Research methods were developed and improved but a lot is to be done in this fascinating subject.     

Investigations on the presence of antibodies to several flaviviruses in humans and some domestic animals in a biotope with a high frequency of migratory birds.

Data are reported on the presence of HAI antibodies to several flaviviruses (tick-borne encephalitis, West Nile, and Ntaya viruses) in humans and some domestic animals in a biotope with a high frequency of migratory birds. The results obtained prove the presence in humans of specific antibodies in a proportion of 11.8% to tick-borne encephalitis and of 25.5% to West Nile and Ntaya antigens. Among domestic animals it was only possible to detect antibodies to West Nile (4.9% in sheep, 4.1% in cattle, and 12% in goats) and to Ntaya antigens (1.9% in sheep, 1.6% in cattle, 8% in goats, and 13.9% in swine).     

Neuropathological effects and deaths of cattle and sheep in Argentina from Phalaris angusta.

Neuropathological disorders and mortality occurred in cattle and sheep grazing P angusta. This native plant of South America is frequently found as a good quality component of natural pastures. Cattle and sheep feeding in pastures where P angusta was dominant started dying or showing signs 3 to 5 d after rain-falls started following a period of drought. Some animals died suddenly, while others nervous effects( incoordination, inability to walk normal, recumbency) and death for up to 2 w after the beginning of the signs. Postmortem findings were bilaterally symmetrical, greenish pigmented areas in the grey matter of the brain stem and diencephalon. A greenish tinge was also noted between the cortex and the medulla of the kidneys. Granules of a brown pigment were noted within the cytoplasm of neurons. An alkaloid substance was detected in the plant. Morbidity was 2.3 to 10.5% in herds B and A, and 0 to 3.4% in flocks D and C, respectively. Mortality was 0.8 to 1.0% in herds B and C, and 3.4 to 11.7% in flocks D and C, respectively. P angusta behaves, in terms of toxicity, as other Phalaris spp. Its widespread distribution in areas of extensive grazing poses a threat to cattle and sheep production in Argentina.     

Serological investigations on the presence of antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis virus in domestic animals and birds and in humans

The presence of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis virus was investigated in serum samples from domestic animals (217 from swine, 214 from cattle, 179 from goats and 161 from sheep) and birds (214 from geese and 171 from ducks), as well as from 511 apparently healthy subjects of a biotope with particular ornithological and entomological characteristics. The proportion of positive reactions was very low in cattle (1.4%) and goats (1.1%) and more elevated in humans (11.3%). All the serum samples from swine, sheep, geese and ducks gave negative serological results.     

The toxicity of Burttia prunoides in rats and goats

Studies of the toxicity of the leaves and seeds of the plant Burttia prunoides from Singida district of Tanzania were conducted in rats and goats. One group of rats was drenched with a decoction of powdered seeds or leaves while the other group was fed rations containing different proportions of powdered seeds or leaves. The goats were drenched with aqueous suspensions of powdered seeds or leaves. All animals were observed for behavioral changes and clinical signs. Leaves were not toxic to the rats or the goats. In rats the seeds induced a severe acute central nervous system (CNS) disorder and death and also a subacute syndrome characterized by emaciation and milder CNS signs. In goats the seeds induced a severe CNS disorder where unlike the rats the animals did recover. Postmortem findings in the rats included hemorrhage and inflammation of the glandular stomach and edema and congestion of the lungs, brain and mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. The kidneys were congested and showed complete nephrosis of the proximal tubular epithelium. Livers were congested and had focal areas of necrosis. The findings in this study resemble those obtained in calves and sheep using the same plant.     

Larkspur (Delphinium spp.) poisoning in livestock

Larkspurs (Delphinium spp.) are toxic plants that contain numerous diterpenoid alkaloids which occur as one of two structural types: (1) lycotonine, and (2) 7,8-methylenedioxylycoctonine (MDL-type). Among the lycoctonine type alkaloids are three N-(methylsuccinimido) anthranoyllycoctonine (MSAL-type) alkaloids which appear to be most toxic: methyllycaconitine (MLA), 14-deacetylnudicauline (DAN), and nudicauline. An ester function at C-18 is an important structural requirement for toxicity. Intoxication results from neuromuscular paralysis, as nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the muscle and brain are blocked by toxic alkaloids. Clinical signs include labored breathing, rapid and irregular heartbeat, muscular weakness, and collapse. Toxic alkaloid concentration generally declines in tall larkspurs with maturation, but alkaloid concentration varies over years and from plant to plant, and is of little use for predicting consumption by cattle. Knowledge of toxic alkaloid concentration is valuable for management purposes when cattle begin to eat larkspur. Cattle generally begin consuming tall larkspur after flowering racemes are elongated, and consumption increases as larkspur matures. Weather is also a major factor in cattle consumption, as cattle tend to eat more larkspur during or just after summer storms. Management options that may be useful for livestock producers include conditioning cattle to avoid larkspur (food aversion learning), grazing tall larkspur ranges before flowering (early grazing) and after seed shatter (late grazing), grazing sheep before cattle, herbicidal control of larkspur plants, and drug therapy for intoxicated animals. Some potentially fruitful research avenues include examining alkaloid chemistry in low and plains larkspurs, developing immunologic methods for analyzing larkspur alkaloids, developing drug therapy, and devising grazing regimes specifically for low and plains larkspur.     

Senecio spp poisoning in cattle in southern Brazil.

Epidemiological, clinical, necropsy and histopathological data were accumulated during the study of 15 outbreaks of Senecio spp poisoning in cattle occurring during the last 3 y in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Morbidity averaged 17% and mortality was virtually 100%. The peak mortality occurred during spring and early summer. The most constant clinical signs included anorexia, depression, tenesmus often followed by rectal prolapse, and rough hair coat. Affected animals remained apart from the rest of the herd, lost weight, presented ascites, and had signs of digestive and neurological disturbances. Icterus, photodermatitis, polydipsia, and dependent subcutaneous edema were occasionally noticed. Two main clinical courses could be distinguished. In the protracted form, progressive weight loss terminated with death within many weeks or months. Alternatively, an acute or subacute course led to death in a few days. In both forms, necropsy and histopathological findings included diffuse fibrosis of the liver, hepatomegalocytosis, and biliary hyperplasia. Extrahepatic lesions included gastrointestinal and mesenteric edema, distension, edema and adenomatoid hyperplasia of the gallbladder, and spongy degeneration of the cerebral white matter. S brasiliensis and S oxyphyllus were the species involved in the field outbreaks.     

Congenital skeletal malformations and cleft palate induced in goats by ingestion of Lupinus, Conium and Nicotiana species

K. E. Panter, R. F. Keeler, T. D. Bunch and R. J. Callan. Review article — Congenital skeletal malformations and cleft palate induced in goats by ingestion of Lupinus, Conium and Nicotiana species. Toxicon28, 1377–1385, 1990.—Three piperidine alkaloid containing plants, Conium maculatum (poison-hemlock), Nicotiana glauca (tree tobacco) and Lupinus formosus (lunara lupine), induced multiple congenital contractures (MCC) and palatoschisis in goat kids when their dams were gavaged with the plant during gestation days 30–60. The skeletal abnormalities included fixed extension or flexure of the carpal, tarsal, and fetlock joints, scoliosis, lordosis, torticollis and rib cage abnormalities. Clinical signs of toxicity included those reported in sheep, cattle and pigs—ataxia, incoordination, muscular weakness, prostration and death. One quinolizidine alkaloid containing plant, Lupinus caudatus (tailcup lupine), on the other hand, which is also known to cause MCC in cows, caused only slight signs of toxicity in pregnant goats and no teratogenic effects in their offspring.