Photosensitivity in South Africa. III. Ovine hepatogenous photosensitivity caused by the plant Athanasia trifurcata L. (Asteraceae).

ABSTRACT

Hepatogenous photosensitivity was experimentally induced in 1 out of 4 sheep dosed with milled Athanasia trifurcata. This is an unpalatable aromatic shrub commonly found along the south-western and south-eastern Cape coast on overgrazed, recently burnt or disturbed veld, up to an altitude of 1 300m. The liver lesions ranged from a few small multifocal areas of necrosis in 1 animal to various zonal patterns of necrosis (centrizonal, midzonal and peripheral) in each of the other 3. Botanical, toxicological and clinical data are given.