Embryonic loss, abortion, and malformations in ewes caused by the ingestion of hay leaves of Cenostigma pyramidale / Perda embrionária, aborto e malformações em ovinos por ingestão de Cenostigma pyramidale na forma fenada

Determining if reproductive failures in ewes at the semiarid region in the state of Bahia are related to the consumption of the species Cenostigma pyramidale (Tul.) Gagnon & G.P. Lewis, and this study was developed using pregnant ewes divided into six groups: G1, G2, G3, G4 with six animals each, G5 and G6 with ten animals. Each group received fence leaves in the proportion of 1%, 2%, 0.5%, and 0.25% of live weight (LW) respectively; G5 and G6, with ten animals each, receiving 0.25% and 0.5% of the LW, respectively, and the Control Group, comprising 16 ewes, were grass feeding (Cynodon dactylon). Ewes from G1 to G4 were the same, except for two, and started ingestion of the plant four days after ending of natural mating on the 80th day of gestation, while those regarding from G5 to G6 groups started ingestion on the 26th day of gestation ending on the 98 day. The ultrasonographic test was performed weekly. In G1 ewes (1%), there was an embryonic loss on the 32nd and 39th days of gestation and abortion on the 46th day. In G2 (2%), the embryo loss was earlier (on the 26th day of gestation), and abortion on the 46th day of gestation. In G3 group (0.5%), there was an embryonic loss around the 40th day of gestation. In G4 group (0.25%), it was observed the occurrence of one death lamb with bone malformations. In G6 (0.5%), abortion occurred later (108 days), followed by retained placenta. This was also verified in G5 group (0.25%). The presence of fetal malformation was found in death lambs born in G4 group, born alive from G5 and G6 groups, and one aborted from G6. In G5 and G6 groups, there were also genetic alterations on surviving lambs. In addition to these results, recurrent estrus was observed without gestation in G1, G2, G3, and G4 ewes. From the Control Group, 13 normal lambs were born without genetic alterations; furthermore, concerning a quadruple birth, three lambs were born dead. The results infer that species of C. pyramidale in low doses causes reproductive losses in pregnant ewes, therefore it is not recommended for sheep diet over the first 60 days of gestation.(AU)

Para determinar se falhas reprodutivas em ovelhas na região semiárida da Bahia estão relacionadas ao consumo de Cenostigma pyramidale (Tul.) Gagnon & G.P. Lewis, foi realizado um estudo utilizando-se ovelhas prenhes divididas em seis grupos e dois Grupos Controle. Os grupos G1, G2, G3 e G4 com seis animais cada. Cada grupo recebeu folhas fenadas na proporção de 1%, 2%, 0,5% e 0,25% do peso vivo (PV) respectivamente; G5 e G6, com 10 animais cada, que receberam 0,25% e 0,5% do PV respectivamente. Os Grupos Controle foram alimentados com ração e capim (Cynodon dactylon). Ovelhas dos grupos 1 a 4 iniciaram ingestão da planta quatro dias após monta natural com término aos 80 dias de gestação, enquanto as dos grupos 5 a 6 iniciaram ingestão no 26º dia de gestação com término aos 98 dias. Avaliação ultrassonográfica foi realizada semanalmente. Nos animais do G1 (1%), verificou-se perda embrionária aos 32 e 39 dias de gestação, e aborto aos 46 dias. Nos do G2 (2%) a perda embrionária foi mais precoce (26 dias), e aborto aos 46 dias. No G3 (0,5%), houve perda embrionária em torno dos 40 dias. No G4 (0,25%), verificou-se ocorrência de natimorto com malformações aos 150 dias de gestação. No G6 (0,5%) o aborto ocorreu mais tardiamente (108 dias), seguido de retenção de placenta. Essa ocorrência também foi verificada no G5 (0,25%). A presença de malformação fetal foi encontrada em fetos natimorto do G4, nascidos vivos do G5 e G6, e um abortado do G6. No G5 e G6 também foram observadas alterações de aprumos em cordeiros sobreviventes. Do Grupo Controle nasceram 13 borregos normais, porém uma ovelha apresentou gestação quádrupla com três natimortos. Os resultados inferem que C. pyramidale fenada em baixas doses causa perdas reprodutivas em ovelhas gestantes, não sendo por isso recomendada para a dieta de ovelhas durante os primeiros 60 dias de gestação.(AU)

Spontaneous poisoning by Stryphnodendron rotundifolium var. villosum in cattle / Intoxicação espontânea por Stryphnodendron rotundifolium var. villosum em bovinos

This is a report on an outbreak of cattle poisoning by Stryphnodendron rotundifolium var. villosum (Benth.) Scalon in the state of Goiás in Brazil. In a herd of 80 cattle that consumed the mature fruit of this plant that was present in their pasture, 12 animals fell ill and died. The clinical signs that they presented were apathy, progressive weight loss, reeling, bristling, and dry stools containing seeds. The main necropsy findings were jaundice, an increased lobular pattern and orange coloration in their liver, enlarged kidneys with yellowish medullae, and pre-stomachs containing fruit peels and seeds. A histopathological examination revealed vacuolar degeneration and necrosis in the liver and kidneys and vacuolar degeneration in the rumen, omasum, reticulum, and intestine. The diagnosis of poisoning by S. rotundifolium var. villosum was based on epidemiological data, clinical findings, and pathological changes. Our results can aid in the differentiation between poisoning by S. rotundifolium var. villosum and poisoning by other toxic plants that are of interest to lifestock.(AU)

Relata-se um surto de intoxicação em bovinos por Stryphnodendron rotundifolium var. villosum (Benth.) Scalon no estado de Goiás, Brasil. De um rebanho composto por 80 bovinos, os quais consumiram frutos maduros da planta presente na pastagem, 12 animais adoeceram e morreram. Os sinais clínicos apresentados foram apatia, emagrecimento progressivo, andar cambaleante, pelo eriçado e fezes secas contendo sementes. Os principais achados de necropsia foram icterícia, fígado com padrão lobular e coloração alaranjada, rins aumentados e com amarelamento da medular e pré-estômagos com presença de cascas e sementes do fruto. Ao exame histopatológico, notou-se degeneração vacuolar e necrose no fígado e rins e degeneração vacuolar no rúmen, omaso, retículo e intestino. O diagnóstico da intoxicação por S. rotundifolium var. villosum baseou-se nos dados epidemiológicos, nos achados clínicos e nas alterações patológicas. Nossos resultados podem auxiliar na diferenciação entre a intoxicação por S. rotundifolium var. villosum e a intoxicação por outras plantas tóxicas de interesse pecuário.(AU)

Acute fatal poisoning by spontaneous ingestion of Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Mimosidae) pods in horses.

An outbreak of acute poisoning of horses by Enterolobium contortisiliquum pods is reported in the state of Goiás, Brazil. Three horses presented apathy, hyporexia, prostration, jaundice, recumbency and died in 24-48 hours. The main pathological findings were a yellowish liver with an enhanced lobular pattern, multifocal hepatic necrosis mostly in the midzones of lobules and sometimes with a random distribution across the hepatic lobes and swelling of hepatocytes. E. contortisiliquum trees has a wide distribution in South America and cases of poisoning have not been reported in horses.

Acute-onset high-morbidity primary photosensitisation in sheep associated with consumption of the Casbah and Mauro cultivars of the pasture legume Biserrula.

BACKGROUND: Primary photosensitisation (PS) subsequent to ingestion of the pasture legume Biserrula pelecinus L. (biserrula) has recently been confirmed in grazing livestock. Given the potential utility of this pasture species in challenging climates, a grazing trial was undertaken to examine if both varieties 'Casbah' and 'Mauro' were able to cause photosensitisation in livestock, and if this could be mitigated by grazing in winter, or in combination with other common pasture species. RESULTS: A controlled grazing trial was undertaken in winter in Australia with plots containing a dominant pasture of Biserrula pelecinus L. cv. 'Casbah' or 'Mauro', or mixed biserrula/perennial ryegrass populations. A photosensitisation grading system was established. 167 prime meat ewe lambs were introduced to the plots and monitored twice daily. Mild clinical signs were observed at 72 h on pasture. All animals were removed from biserrula dominant stands at this point. Four animals grazing 'Casbah' dominant pasture rapidly proceeded to severe photosensitisation in the following 12 h. Animals remaining on mixed biserrula/ryegrass stands did not exhibit severe PS but showed an 89% incidence of mild to moderate photosensitisation over the following 14 days. Animals on mixed lucerne showed significantly lower PS score than animals grazing biserrula varieties of any composition. The trial was halted at 14 days as only plots with low biserrula proportion still contained unaffected animals. Necropsy revealed severe multifocal erythematous ulcerations and alopecia of the ear pinnae, severe bilateral periorbital and conjunctival oedema and variably severe subcutaneous facial oedema. No evidence of hepatopathy was present. A diagnosis of acute unseasonal primary photosensitisation caused by biserrula ingestion with no other underlying pathology was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: We report an unseasonal outbreak of acute photosensitisation in sheep grazing Biserrula pelecinus L cvs.'Casbah' and 'Mauro' with exceedingly high morbidity. A grading system is also proposed as a tool for objective and consistent clinical appraisal of future PS outbreaks. This finding expands our definition of seasonal and temporal risk periods for biserrula photosensitisation, and is the first to identify that both commercial cultivars of biserrula can cause primary photosensitisation in sheep.

An outbreak of primary photosensitisation in lambs secondary to consumption of Biserrula pelecinus (biserrula).

CASE REPORT: An outbreak of photosensitisation affecting approximately 25% of a flock of 120 meat lambs that was grazing a monoculture of the pasture legume Biserrula pelecinus var. Casbah (biserrula) was investigated. Blood samples were taken from sheep with moderate to severe clinical signs, and from apparently normal animals, for a complete blood count and biochemistry; 5 affected animals were subjected to a full necropsy. Histopathological investigation showed lesions consistent with photosensitisation of the exposed unpigmented skin of the face and ears. No histopathological or clinical pathological abnormalities suggestive of a hepatopathy were detected in any of the cases, indicating that the lesions observed in this flock were caused by a primary photosensitising agent present in B. pelecinus. CONCLUSION: This is the first confirmation that photosensitisation caused by ingestion of biserrula is caused by a primary photosensitising agent.

Intoxicação por Enterolobium contortisiliquum em bovinos na região Nordeste do Brasil / Poisoning by Enterolobium contortisiliquum in cattle in Northeastern Brazil

Descreve-se um surto de fotossensibilização causada por favas de Enterolobium contortisiliquum em bovinos no Estado de Pernambuco, Nordeste do Brasil. Os sinais clínicos observados foram hiporexia, prostração, perda de peso, edema generalizado, dermatite e icterícia. Havia anemia e atividades séricas de AST, LDH e GGT elevadas. A concentração sérica de ureia encontrava-se levemente aumentada e creatinina, proteínas séricas e albumina estavam em níveis normais. Na necropsia, o fígado estava aumentado de tamanho e difusamente alaranjado e os rins estavam aumentados de volume e apresentavam estriações esbranquiçadas irregulares entremeadas por áreas escuras na superfície subcapsular. Histologicamente, observou-se na pele, dermatite ulcerativa. No fígado havia vacuolização e necrose de hepatócitos da região centrolobular e ocasionalmente necrose individual de hepatócitos em outras regiões. O rim apresentava nefrose tubular tóxica. O diagnóstico diferencial da intoxicação por E. contortisiliquum na região semiárida deve incluir as intoxicações por Brachiaria spp, Panicum dichotomiflorum e Froelichia humboldtiana, que também causam fotossensibilização...

An outbreak of photosensitization caused by Enterolobium contortisiliquum pods is reported in cattle in the state of Pernambuco, semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil. The clinical signs included decreased appetite, prostration, weight loss, subcutaneous edema, dermatitis and jaundice. The animals presented mild anemia, elevated serum activities of AST, LDH and GGT, and increased serum concentrations of urea. Serum concentrations of creatinine, total proteins and albumin were within normal ranges. At necropsy, the liver was increased in size and diffusely orange. The subcapsular surface of the kidneys showed irregular whitish striations interspersed with dark areas. Histologically, the skin showed dermatitis, and the liver had centrolobular vacuolation and necrosis of hepatocytes and occasionally single cell necrosis. Tubular toxic nephrosis was also observed. The poisoning by E. contortisiliquum should be differentiate from photosensitation caused by other plants including Brachiaria spp., Panicum dichotomiflorum and Froelichia humboldtiana...

Baptisia poisoning: a new and toxic look-alike in the neighborhood.

BACKGROUND: Baptisia is commonly found in residential gardens as an ornamental plant, in municipal "rain gardens" for water control, as well as in native and restored prairie habitat. Cytisine, an alkaloid with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist properties, is a component of Baptisia. CASE REPORT: Two patients poisoned after simultaneously ingesting Baptisia plant material are presented. In addition to findings of generalized nicotinic agonist toxicity, including generalized weakness and gastrointestinal symptoms, profound ataxia was present in both, consistent with recently described nicotinic subunit activity in the cerebellum. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Baptisia, a native prairie plant commonly found in restored prairie habitats and public spaces, has striking "look-alike" characteristics, in its immature state, to asparagus. As future exposures by foraging citizens will be likely, awareness of this relationship and the toxic manifestations of cytisine will be useful.

Abortion in goats after experimental administration of Stryphnodendron fissuratum (Mimosoideae).

The abortive properties and the clinical and pathological features of poisoning by the pods of Stryphnodendron fissuratum were studied in 8 pregnant goats. Two goats that ingested 3.25 g/kg body weight daily doses for 2 days, and 2 that ingested 2.5 g/kg daily doses for 3 days showed digestive clinical signs and aborted, but the animals that ingested 3 daily doses of 2.5 g/kg died. Lesions of the digestive system and liver were observed at necropsy. Two goats that ingested a single dose of 5.5 g/kg showed mild clinical signs and recovered without abortion. Another 2 goats that ingested single doses of 5 g/kg showed no clinical signs. These results demonstrate that Stryphnodendron fisuratum pods cause digestive disorders, liver disease, abortion and death.

Intoxicação por Stryphnodendron fissuratum (Mimosoideae) em bovinos / Poisoning by Stryphnodendron fissuratum (Mimosoideae) in cattle

Descrevem-se aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos da intoxicação natural por Stryphnodendron fissuratum em bovinos na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Esta planta possui favas retorcidas, conhecidas popularmente por "rosquinha", que amadurecem entre julho e setembro, caem ao solo e são consumidas por bovinos, sendo relacionadas com mortalidades. Foram investigados surtos de intoxicação espontânea que ocorreram nos municípios de Aruanã, GO, Guiratinga e Rondonópolis, MT e Rio Verde de Mato Grosso, MS. Em geral, a intoxicação ocorreu em propriedades de pecuária extensiva, com rebanhos da raça Nelore e em pastagens de Brachiaria spp. Nos casos naturais, a evolução clínica variou em média de 24 horas até 10 dias e a morbidade e a letalidade variaram de 0,9 a 25 por cento e de 15 a 100 por cento, respectivamente. Os principais sinais clínicos na intoxicação natural foram depressão, anorexia, agressividade, icterícia, sialorréia, incoordenação motora, dismetria, retração abdominal, inquietação, fezes pastosas enegrecidas ou ressequidas com muco e estrias de sangue, diarréia, edema de barbela e fotossensibilização. À necropsia havia icterícia, edema do tecido subcutâneo, principalmente na região cervical, petéquias e equimoses de serosas abdominais e torácicas, ascite e hidrotórax leves, edema do mesentério, edema perirrenal, aumento do volume de fígado e rim, avermelhamento ruminal e úlceras multifocais no abomaso. O exame histológico revelou lesões degenerativas e necrose no fígado e rim e no abomaso áreas de necrose na mucosa. O diagnóstico de intoxicação por S. fissuratum foi estabelecido com base nos achados epidemiológicos, clínicos, patológicos e, em parte, na reprodução experimental pela administração das favas desta planta para bovinos...

Epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of natural and experimental Stryphnodendron fissuratum poisoning in cattle in Central-Western Brazil were evaluated. The coiled pods of this tree are popularly known as "rosquinha" (small coil); they mature during July-September, when they fall to the ground, and are consumed by cattle causing mortalities. Spontaneous outbreaks of poisoning were investigated in the municipalities of Aruanã, State of Goias, Guiratinga and Rondonópolis State of Mato Grosso, and Rio Verde de Mato Grosso, State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Commonly the poisoning occurred in properties with Nelore cattle herds, which were raised extensively on Brachiaria spp. pastures. The clinical course in natural cases ranged from 24 hours to 10 days, and the morbidity and case fatality rates were 0.9-25 percent and 15-100 percent, respectively. The main clinical signs in the spontaneous poisoning were apathy, anorexia, agressiveness, jaundice, sialorrhoea, incoordination, dysmetria, retraction of the abdomen, uneasiness and pasty black feces with stings of mucus or blood, diarrhea, edema of the dewlap and photosensitization. At necropsy, jaundice, edema of the subcutaneous tissue, mainly of the cervical region, hemorrhages of serous membranes, ascitis and hidrotorax, edema of the mesentery, perirenal edema, increased size of liver and kidney, reddening of the ruminal mucosa, and abomasum ulcers were observed. The diagnosis of S. fissuratum poisoning was based on epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings, and in the experimental reproduction by the administration of the pods of this plant to cattle. Experimentally, daily doses of 4 and 20g of pods by kg body weight, respectively, were administered to two bovines...

Suicide attempt by ingestion of rotenone-containing plant extracts: one case report in French Guiana.

INTRODUCTION: Several species of plants in the Fabaceae family are traditionally used for poison fishing because they contain ichthyotoxic rotenoids. In French Guiana two species of Fabaceae belonging to Lonchocarpus genus with a toxic rotenone effect are used for such ancestral practices. Rotenone is of low toxicity for humans when it is diluted, but its neurotoxicity at higher concentrations is well known to users. CASE REPORT: The purpose of this article is to describe a case of self-poisoning by an 86-year-old woman who ingested a bowl of mashed ichthyotoxic plants. Despite early onset of severe symptoms, the patient regained consciousness and resumed normal breathing within a few hours with only symptomatic treatment. CONCLUSION: The clinical pattern observed in this patient (onset of digestive manifestations followed quickly by loss of conscience and respiratory insufficiency) is in agreement with the few poisonings reported in the literature involving other Fabaceae species containing rotenoids in Asia or involving concentrated rotenone used in insecticides. In patients, who survive the initial phase, symptoms usually regress quickly.

Acute anuric renal failure following jering bean ingestion.

Djenkol beans or jering (Pithecellobium jeringa) is a traditional delicacy consumed by the local population in Malaysia. Jering poisoning or djenkolism is characterized by spasmodic pain, urinary obstruction and acute renal failure. The underlying pathology is an obstructive nephropathy, which is usually responsive to aggressive hydration and diuretic therapy. We present a case of djenkolism following ingestion of jering. The patient required urgent bilateral ureteric stenting following the failure of conservative therapy. Healthcare providers need to recognize djenkolism as a cause of acute renal failure and the public educated on this potential health hazard.

Focal symmetrical encephalomalacia in swine from ingestion of Aeschynomene indica seeds.

A spontaneous outbreak of neurological disease in swine caused by the ingestion of Aeschynomene indica seeds and reproduction of the disease in the same specie are reported. In the natural outbreak the morbidity, mortality and lethality rates were respectively 25%-40%, 8.5%-20%, and 25%-66%. Clinical signs were variable degrees of incoordination of gait, falls, sternal recumbency with wide base stance of the hind limbs, lateral recumbency and death. For experimental reproduction of the intoxication, 5 (A-E) pigs were fed a ration containing 10% (PigA), 15% (Pig B) and 20% (Pigs C-E) of A. indica seeds. Pigs A and B were euthanatized and Pigs C-E died of acute disease respectively 16, 21 and 24 hours after the start of the experiment. Clinical signs were similar to those observed in pigs from the spontaneous outbreak. Histopathological findings in the brain of pigs fed rations with 20% A. indica seeds (C-E) were congestion, edema and hemorrhage and swollen capillary endothelia in nuclei and in the telencephalic cortex. Pigs fed 10% and 15% A. indica had histopathological changes in the brain of discrete focal symmetrical areas of malacia. These findings indicate that one or more toxic principles in A. indica seeds are responsible for this neurological condition and that clinical outcome and pathological changes are dose-dependent. The symmetrical malacic foci from the ingestion of A. indica seeds in pigs affected vestibular and cerebellar nuclei, putamen, and the mesencephalic substantia nigra, oculomotor, and red nucleus; thus, focal symmetrical encephalomalacia is suggested as a better name for the disease.

The pathogenesis of reproductive failure induced in sheep by the ingestion of Ateleia glazioviana.

Seventeen pregnant ewes were orally fed variable amounts of either green or dried leaves of Ateleia glazioviana in 1 through 24 daily doses. All 17 ewes manifested some form of reproductive failure. Nine (52.9%) aborted their fetuses at 4 through 36 d after starting being fed the leaves of the plant; 1 had a stillbirth and in another 1 intrauterine fetal death was diagnosed. The other 6 ewes delivered 8 weak lambs, 7 of which died from few min to 48 h after birth. Three ewes had neurologic disturbances and loss of weight. Thirteen ewes were euthanatized 1-48 h after lambing or pregnancy loss; 2 of them had gross and histopathological changes related to the A glazioviana. Gross and histopathological changes observed in 7 lambs and in a stillborn, and histopathological changes found in 4 aborted fetuses from A glazioviana-fed ewes, were similar to those found in spontaneous poisoning by A glazioviana in adult cattle. It is concluded that A glazioviana has a powerful abortifacient activity whether ingested green or dried. The abortions caused by A glazioviana were not due to placental damage, but rather to transplacental induced fetal lesions consisting of toxic cardiomyopathy and spongy degeneration of the white matter of the brain. Fetuses succumbing to these lesions were expelled from the uterus; those not lethally affected are born weak with meager chances to survive.

Food-aid cereals to reduce neurolathyrism related to grass-pea preparations during famine.

Neurolathyrism is a spastic paraparesis that can be caused by excessive consumption of the drought-resistant grass pea (Lathyrus sativus). Devastating neurolathyrism epidemics have occurred during major famine crises in various parts of the world. We investigated in a case-control study the effects of food aid on risk of paralysis. Risk increased with consumption of boiled grass pea (adjusted odds ratio 2.78, 95% CI 1.09-7.13 with cereals; 5.22, 2.01-13.55 without cereal) and raw unripe green grass pea (1.96, 1.16-3.31; p=0.011), but not with the fermented pancake, unleavened bread, and gravy preparations. In a correlational study there was an inverse relation between the number of new cases and the amount of food-aid cereals distributed per person. During famine, cereals and nutritional information should reach people before they have grass pea as the only food.

Cattle intoxication from Enterolobium contortisiliquum pods.

Three outbreaks of hepatogenous photosensitization caused by pods of Enterolobium contortisiliquum are reported in cattle. Clinical signs were anorexia, depression, photosensitization and abortion. Most affected cattle recovered in 30-40 d. At necropsies, liver was present, the gallbladder was enlarged and edematous, and numerous seeds of E contortisiliquum were in the forestomachs and abomasum. Fruits of the plants administrated to 2 calves produced clinical signs and 2/4 died. Clinical chemistry, gross necropsies and histopathology confirmed gastrointestinal irritation and liver degeneration. One calf dosed with only E contortisiliquum leaves did not develop clinical signs.