Intoxicação natural por Tephrosia cinerea em ovinos na região Oeste do Rio Grande do Norte / Natural poisoning by Tephrosia cinerea in sheep from Western Region of Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT

Background: Tephrosia cinerea is a toxic plant responsible for liver fibrosis, which results in ascites and weight loss insheep and probably goats. Although T. cinerea is widespread in Brazil, reports of poisoning are described in the Eastern“Seridó” region of Rio Grande do Norte state, Central “Sertão” region of Ceará state, and “Sertão” of Paraíba state. Thus,this paper aimed to report clinical-epidemiological, laboratorial, pathological and ultrasonographic findings of sheepspontaneously poisoned by T. cinerea in the Western region of Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeastern Brazil.Cases The evaluated cases occurred in sheep raised on properties located in the municipalities of Areia Branca and Tibau,Western region of Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeastern Brazil. In all visited farms, the pasture had a marked predominance of the T. cinerea. Clinical signs included progressive weight loss, dehydration, bilateral abdominal distension, andrespiratory dyspnea. Other less frequent clinical signs were hyporexia, pale mucosae, rough hair coat and polyuria. Hematology revealed leukocytosis by neutrophilia, while serum biochemical analysis revealed increased activities of GGTand ALT and reduced levels of total proteins, albumin and globulins. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed in onesheep, revealing a large amount of anechoic peritoneal effusion without floating echogenic debris or spots, and distentionof hepatic vessels and portal veins. Gross pathological findings included severe ascites, moderate hydrothorax and hydropericardium, and liver showing irregular nodular surface, whitish areas and hardened consistency. Microscopic evaluationof liver revealed hepatocyte necrosis, diffuse deposition of collagen fibers, and...