PESQUISA VETERINÁRIA BRASILEIRA

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Pagliosa G.M., Alves G.E.S., Faleiros R.R., Matos J.R.T., Torres M.B., Mendes H.M.F. & Costa R.S. 2009. [Use of glutamine to treatment of ischemia and reperfusion lesions in equine jejune.] Utilização da glutamina no tratamento de lesões de isquemia e reperfusão no jejuno em eqüinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(3):246-252. Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Ave-nida Antônio Carlos 6627, Caixa Postal 567, Belo Horizonte, MG 30123-970, Brazil. E-mail: geanepagliosa@gmail.com Under general anesthesia and arterial pressure control, twelve horses were submitted simultaneously to intraluminal distension and venous ischemia of jejune for 2 hours, followed by 12 hours of reperfusion. Six horses were treated with intravenous 2% glutamine (50mg/kg), and six others were treated with the same volume of saline solution 1h after the beginning of ischemia and 6 hours after reperfusion. Intestinal samples were collected before and after 2 hours of ischemia and after 2 and 12 hours of reperfusion, and were submitted to hystopatological analyses, ultrastructural examination, measurement of area and number of villi per mm2, and to myeloperoxidases activity. No statistical differences between the groups were found. It was concluded that glutamine did not attenuate the ischemia and reperfusion lesions under the methodology used in this study.

• Intestine ischemia and reperfusion colic glutamine equine

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Pagliosa G.M., Alves G.E.S., Faleiros R.R., Matos J.R.T., Torres M.B., Mendes H.M.F. & Costa R.S. 2009. [Use of glutamine to treatment of ischemia and reperfusion lesions in equine jejune.] Utilização da glutamina no tratamento de lesões de isquemia e reperfusão no jejuno em eqüinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(3):246-252. Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Ave-nida Antônio Carlos 6627, Caixa Postal 567, Belo Horizonte, MG 30123-970, Brazil. E-mail: geanepagliosa@gmail.com Under general anesthesia and arterial pressure control, twelve horses were submitted simultaneously to intraluminal distension and venous ischemia of jejune for 2 hours, followed by 12 hours of reperfusion. Six horses were treated with intravenous 2% glutamine (50mg/kg), and six others were treated with the same volume of saline solution 1h after the beginning of ischemia and 6 hours after reperfusion. Intestinal samples were collected before and after 2 hours of ischemia and after 2 and 12 hours of reperfusion, and were submitted to hystopatological analyses, ultrastructural examination, measurement of area and number of villi per mm2, and to myeloperoxidases activity. No statistical differences between the groups were found. It was concluded that glutamine did not attenuate the ischemia and reperfusion lesions under the methodology used in this study.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Martins I.V.F., Verocai G.G., Correia T.R., Melo R.M.P.S., Pereira M.J.S., Scott F.B. & Grisi L. 2009. Survey on control and management practices of equine helminths infection. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(3):253-257. Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Cx. Postal 16, Alegre, ES 29500-000, Brazil. E-mail: isabella@cca.ufes.br Twenty-nine stud farms were selected in the Medium Paraíba region of the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. After an interview with the person responsible for the animals, faecal samples were collected from mares and analyzed via the EPG technique, faecal cultures, Sedimentation-centrifugo-flotation, and modified Ueno and Baermann techniques. The prevalence of helminths in the mares and in the stud farms was calculated. The stocking rates of pasture, change of horse bedding, absence of pasture rotation, absence of technology in the property, and less frequent treatment of the animals were associated with a greater prevalence of helminths, showing that these variables must be considered in equine control programs. The intensity of the parasitism was also associated with the stocking rate of pasture, absence of dunghill, presence of the animals only in paddocks, lack of technology in the property, less frequent treatment of the animals, and absence of the use of rotation regarding the anthelmintic class.

• Control practices management helminths treatment horses

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Martins I.V.F., Verocai G.G., Correia T.R., Melo R.M.P.S., Pereira M.J.S., Scott F.B. & Grisi L. 2009. Survey on control and management practices of equine helminths infection. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(3):253-257. Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Cx. Postal 16, Alegre, ES 29500-000, Brazil. E-mail: isabella@cca.ufes.br Twenty-nine stud farms were selected in the Medium Paraíba region of the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. After an interview with the person responsible for the animals, faecal samples were collected from mares and analyzed via the EPG technique, faecal cultures, Sedimentation-centrifugo-flotation, and modified Ueno and Baermann techniques. The prevalence of helminths in the mares and in the stud farms was calculated. The stocking rates of pasture, change of horse bedding, absence of pasture rotation, absence of technology in the property, and less frequent treatment of the animals were associated with a greater prevalence of helminths, showing that these variables must be considered in equine control programs. The intensity of the parasitism was also associated with the stocking rate of pasture, absence of dunghill, presence of the animals only in paddocks, lack of technology in the property, less frequent treatment of the animals, and absence of the use of rotation regarding the anthelmintic class.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Souza N.R., Adorno V.B., Marcondes J.S., Oliveira Filho J.P., Conceição L.G., Amorim R.L. & Borges A.S. 2008. [Clinical and histopathological characteristics of the aural plaque in Mangalarga and Quarter Horses.] Características clínicas e histopatológicas da placa aural em eqüinos Mangalarga e Quarto de Milha. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(6):279-284. Departamento de Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Unesp-Campus de Botucatu, Distrito de Rubião Júnior s/n, Botucatu, SP 18618000, Brazil. E-mail: zep.filho@hotmail.com Aural plaque is a variant of equine papillomatosis. Clinical examination was performed on 306 Mangalarga and 275 Quarter Horses to compare the occurrence of aural plaques among animals and to characterize clinical and histological findings for the disease. Aural plaques occurred in 57% of Mangalarga and in 35% of Quarter breeds. Clinically the lesions consisted of flat, desquamated and hypochromic plaques formed by coalescence of small papules. The main histopathological findings were epidermal hyperplasia and hypomelanosis with abrupt change between the normal and the affected epithelium.

• Equine papillomatosis aural plaques Mangalarga Quarter Horses

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Souza N.R., Adorno V.B., Marcondes J.S., Oliveira Filho J.P., Conceição L.G., Amorim R.L. & Borges A.S. 2008. [Clinical and histopathological characteristics of the aural plaque in Mangalarga and Quarter Horses.] Características clínicas e histopatológicas da placa aural em eqüinos Mangalarga e Quarto de Milha. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(6):279-284. Departamento de Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Unesp-Campus de Botucatu, Distrito de Rubião Júnior s/n, Botucatu, SP 18618000, Brazil. E-mail: zep.filho@hotmail.com Aural plaque is a variant of equine papillomatosis. Clinical examination was performed on 306 Mangalarga and 275 Quarter Horses to compare the occurrence of aural plaques among animals and to characterize clinical and histological findings for the disease. Aural plaques occurred in 57% of Mangalarga and in 35% of Quarter breeds. Clinically the lesions consisted of flat, desquamated and hypochromic plaques formed by coalescence of small papules. The main histopathological findings were epidermal hyperplasia and hypomelanosis with abrupt change between the normal and the affected epithelium.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Rasera L., Massoco C.O., Landgraf R.G. & Baccarin R.Y.A. 2008. [Exercise induced apoptosis and necrosis in the synovial fluid cells of athletic horses.] Influência do exercício na indução da apoptose e necrose das células do líquido sinovial de eqüinos atletas. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(5):231-236. Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade do Estado de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Butantan, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil. E-mail: baccarin@usp.br The effects of biomechanical stress on inflammatory and adaptative responses of articular tissues in athletic horses were investigated. Synovial fluid was collected from the metacarpophalangeal joints of athletic horses before exercise and 3, 6, 24 hours after exercise, and as well as from the control group (without exercise). Apoptosis/necrosis percentage, TNF-a and PGE2 were determined by annexin V/PI assay, bioassay (L929) and ELISA, respectively. The results showed that total leukocyte count was higher in the athletic group when is compared with the control group. Three hours after the exercise was done there were increases of cellular apoptosis (P>0.05) and necrosis (P<0.05) percentage, PGE2 concentration (P<0.05) and protein concentration (P<0.05), and the TNF-a level has dropped. The athletic group showed moderate level of joint inflammation after the strenuous exercise. This articular tissue response to biomechanical insult due to the exercise, with high intensity after 3 hours after training associated with normality after 24 hours, reveals the articular adaptation to physical stress in athletic horses.

• Equine joint inflammation exercise flow cytometry

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Rasera L., Massoco C.O., Landgraf R.G. & Baccarin R.Y.A. 2008. [Exercise induced apoptosis and necrosis in the synovial fluid cells of athletic horses.] Influência do exercício na indução da apoptose e necrose das células do líquido sinovial de eqüinos atletas. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(5):231-236. Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade do Estado de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Butantan, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil. E-mail: baccarin@usp.br The effects of biomechanical stress on inflammatory and adaptative responses of articular tissues in athletic horses were investigated. Synovial fluid was collected from the metacarpophalangeal joints of athletic horses before exercise and 3, 6, 24 hours after exercise, and as well as from the control group (without exercise). Apoptosis/necrosis percentage, TNF-a and PGE2 were determined by annexin V/PI assay, bioassay (L929) and ELISA, respectively. The results showed that total leukocyte count was higher in the athletic group when is compared with the control group. Three hours after the exercise was done there were increases of cellular apoptosis (P>0.05) and necrosis (P<0.05) percentage, PGE2 concentration (P<0.05) and protein concentration (P<0.05), and the TNF-a level has dropped. The athletic group showed moderate level of joint inflammation after the strenuous exercise. This articular tissue response to biomechanical insult due to the exercise, with high intensity after 3 hours after training associated with normality after 24 hours, reveals the articular adaptation to physical stress in athletic horses.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Coimbra H.S., Fernandes C.G., Soares M.P., Meireles M.C.A., Radamés R. & Schuch L.F.D. 2006. [Equine monocytic Ehrlichiosis in Rio Grande do Sul: clinical, pathological and epidemiological aspects.] Ehrlichiose monocítica eqüina no Rio Grande do Sul: aspectos clínicos, anátomo-patológicos e epidemiológicos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 26(2):97-101. Laboratório de Doenças Infecciosas, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário, Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil. E-mail: bitoxu@ig.com.br A spontaneous outbreak of equine monocytic Ehrlichiosis (EME) is described. The disease occurred from November 2001 to February 2002 on a farm in the municipality of Arroio Grande, located at the western edge of the Mirim Lake, state of Rio Grande do Sul. Out of 50 horses 13 were affected and 6 died. The morbidity was 26% and the mortality 46.1%. The affected horses were 1-5 years old. The most important clinical sign was a profuse acute diarrhea. At necropsy of a horse that died with clinical signs of the disease, the main alterations were characterized by hemorrhagic areas of the mucosa of the large intestine with liquid contents, and congested and hemorrhagic areas alternating with normal areas as well as nodules with purulent secretion in the mucosa of the small intestine. The histological changes were characterized by moderate mononuclear infiltration of the mucosa, characterizing a lympho-histiocytic enteritis with predominance of macrophages. In the jejunum and ileum, related to the invagination of crypts and villi, a granulomatous enteritis was observed. To confirm the diagnosis of infection by Neorickettsia (Ehrlichia) risticii, blood samples of seven affected horses were taken and a polimerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed. Three tested blood samples were positive (42.8%) with observation of a band of 529pb characteristic of N. risticii.

• Neorickettsia (Ehrlichia) risticii equine monocytic Ehrlichiosis.

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Coimbra H.S., Fernandes C.G., Soares M.P., Meireles M.C.A., Radamés R. & Schuch L.F.D. 2006. [Equine monocytic Ehrlichiosis in Rio Grande do Sul: clinical, pathological and epidemiological aspects.] Ehrlichiose monocítica eqüina no Rio Grande do Sul: aspectos clínicos, anátomo-patológicos e epidemiológicos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 26(2):97-101. Laboratório de Doenças Infecciosas, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário, Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil. E-mail: bitoxu@ig.com.br A spontaneous outbreak of equine monocytic Ehrlichiosis (EME) is described. The disease occurred from November 2001 to February 2002 on a farm in the municipality of Arroio Grande, located at the western edge of the Mirim Lake, state of Rio Grande do Sul. Out of 50 horses 13 were affected and 6 died. The morbidity was 26% and the mortality 46.1%. The affected horses were 1-5 years old. The most important clinical sign was a profuse acute diarrhea. At necropsy of a horse that died with clinical signs of the disease, the main alterations were characterized by hemorrhagic areas of the mucosa of the large intestine with liquid contents, and congested and hemorrhagic areas alternating with normal areas as well as nodules with purulent secretion in the mucosa of the small intestine. The histological changes were characterized by moderate mononuclear infiltration of the mucosa, characterizing a lympho-histiocytic enteritis with predominance of macrophages. In the jejunum and ileum, related to the invagination of crypts and villi, a granulomatous enteritis was observed. To confirm the diagnosis of infection by Neorickettsia (Ehrlichia) risticii, blood samples of seven affected horses were taken and a polimerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed. Three tested blood samples were positive (42.8%) with observation of a band of 529pb characteristic of N. risticii.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Leal A.B.M., Leal A.T., Santurio J.M., Kommers G.D. & Catto J.B. 2001. [Equine pythiosis in the Brazilian Pantanal region: Clinical and pathological findings of typical and atypical cases] Pitiose eqüina no Pantanal brasileiro: aspectos clínico-patológicos de casos típicos e atípicos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 21(4):151-156. Laboratório de Pesquisas Micológicas, Depto Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105- 900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. E-mail: santurio@ccr.ufsm.br Equine pythiosis is an endemic disease of horses and causes significant economic losses to equine breeding in the Brazilian Pantanal. This article describes 16 cases of subcutaneous pythiosis in horses from that region. The clinical cases were divided in typical (11) and atypical (5), according to the clinical features and duration of the disease. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by detection of specific antibodies by ELISA, isolation of the agent and histopathology. The duration of the disease varie d from 1 to 6 months in the typical cases and was over 12 months in the atypical ones. The lesions in the typical cases were characterized by subcutaneous ulcerated granulomas with abundant serosanguineous secretion and itching. The atypical cases presented subcutaneous lesions characterized by large, circumscribed tumorous masses covered by a dark non ulcerated skin, associated with Iittle orno secretion. These lesions showed a well organized aspect, were sometimes pedunculate and the animals showed a good body condition. Histologically, the typical cases were characterized by granulation tissue with abundant eosinophils; whereas the atypical cases presented pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia of the epidermis and eosinophilic infiltrate. The complete description of the clinical and histopathological features and possible factors responsible for differences between the two clinical forms are presented and discussed.

• Pythiosis Pythium insidiosum equine granuloma Pantanal Pitiose granuloma eqüino Pantanal.

Abstract in Portuguese:

RESUMO.- Leal A.B.M., Leal A.T., Santurio J.M., Kommers G.D. & Catto J.B. 2001. [Equine pythiosis in the Brazilian Pantanal region: Clinical and pathological findings of typical and atypical cases] Pitiose eqüina no Pantanal brasileiro: aspectos clínico-patológicos de casos típicos e atípicos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 21(4):151-156. Laboratório de Pesquisas Micológicas, Depto Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105- 900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. E-mail: santurio@ccr.ufsm.br A pitiose eqüina é doença endêmica no Pantanal Brasileiro e causa prejuízos significativos a eqüinocultura. Neste trabalho são relatados 16 casos de pitiose subcutânea em eqüinos no Pantanal Sul-Matogrossense, que foram divididos em onze casos típicos e cinco casos atípicos, de acordo com o quadro clínico e o tempo de duração das lesões. O diagnóstico foi confirmado pela detecção de anticorpos específicos pelo teste ELISA, isolamento do agente e histopatológico. A duração da doença variou entre 1 e 6 meses nos casos típicos e superior a 12 meses nos casos atípicos. As lesões dos casos típicos caracterizavam-se por granulomas subcutâneos, ulcerados, com abundante secreção serossanguinolenta e prurido. Nos casos atípicos foram observadas lesões subcutâneas caracterizadas por grandes massas "tumorais" circunscritas, recobertas por pele escura, sem ulcerações e com pouca secreção. Os animais estavam em bom estado nutricional e as lesões apresentavam-se de aspecto organizado, às vezes pedunculadas. Histologicamente, foi observado tecido de granulação com muitos eosinófilos nos casos típicos, enquanto os atípicos, se caracterizaram por hiperplasia pseudo-epiteliomatosa da epiderme e infiltrado eosinofilico. As características clínicas e histopato lógicas completas das duas formas clínicas e os possíveis fatores responsáveis pelas diferenças entre as duas formas são apresentados e discutidos.

Abstract in English:

The fresh flowering and seeding Baccharis coridifolia DC, a herbaceous plant known as miomio, was collected in Santa Maria County, State of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, and fed to 5 horses. Doses from 0.125 to 0.5 g/kg caused lethal poisoning with 12 to 26 hours course, 0.06 g/kg caused severe disease with recuperation in 9 days and 0.03 g/kg only slight symptoms for a few hours. The dinical manífestations were mainly due to digestive disturbances. They were anorexia, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fever, dehydration, polydipsia, tachycardia, tachyphigmia, tachypnoea, dyspnoea, restlesness, locomotor instability and death. The main post-mortem findings were distension by large amounts of liquid of the distal third of the jejunum, caecum and large colon, oedema of the wall and congestion of the mucosa of the glandular portion of the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, caecum and large colon. ln the caecum and colon major the mucosa was covered by fibrin; as well there were petechiae in the caecum and large colon. The main histological lesions consisted of necrosis of the mucosa and oedema of the submucosa, in the caecum and large colon, and to a lesser degreee of the stomach.

• Poisonous plants Baccharis coridifolia Compositae experimental plant poisoning equines pathology

Abstract in Portuguese:

As partes aéreas de Baccharis coridifolia DC, planta conhecida por "mio-mio", foram colhidas em Santa Maria, RS, na época de floração e frutificação e administradas em estado fresco, por via oral, a 5 eqüinos. As doses de 0,125 a 0,5 g/kg causaram intoxicação letal com evolução clínica de 12 a 26 horas, enquanto que a de 0,06 g/kg provocou doença grave, com recuperação em 9 dias. A administração de 0,03 g/kg causou apenas leves sinais de doença e recuperação em poucas horas. No quadro clínico da intoxicação predominaram alterações relacionadas com o aparelho digestivo. Os principais sinais clínicos consistiram em anorexia, dor abdominal, diarréia, aumento de temperatura, desidratação, polidipsia, taquicardia, taquisfigmia, taquipnéia, dispnéia, inquietação, instabilidade locomotora e morte. Os achados de necropsia mais frequentes foram dilatação com presença de grande quantidade de líquido no terço distal do jejuno, no ceco e em todo cólon maior, edema de parede e congestão da mucosa do estômago, duodeno, jejuno, ceco e cólon maior; no ceco e cólon maior, a mucosa encontrava-se coberta por fibrina; ainda foram observadas petéquias no ceco e cólon maior. As alterações histológicas consistiram em necrose da mucosa e edema da submucosa no ceco e cólon maior, e, em menor escala, no estômago. Conclui-se que os eqüinos são duas vezes mais sensíveis que os bovinos à ação tóxica de B. coridifolia. O quadro clínico da intoxicação experimental por B. coridifolia para eqüinos, apresenta semelhanças com aquele descrito para bovinos, porém, à necropsia, em lugar dos pré-estômagos, nos eqüinos foram afetados sobretudo estômago, ceco e cólon.

• Plantas tóxicas Baccharis coridifolia Compositae intoxicação experimental por planta eqüinos patologia

Abstract in English:

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Abstract in Portuguese:

SEM RESUMO

• Sem termos de indexação

Abstract in English:

Three strains of A/equi 2 virus isolated during outbreaks of equine influenza observed in Brazil during 1969, 1985 and 1987 were compared antigenically, performing hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and serum neutralization (SN) tests. Hyperimmune rooster sera and post-infeccion 21-day-old chicken sera were used. The results of the tests showed minor differences among the strains studied. The two more recent strains (1985 and 1987) are elosely related and both equally different from the 1969 one. This strain showed essentially no difference with the prototype strain (A/equi 2/Miami/1/63). The results suggest that a slight antigenic variation occurred in the hemagglutinin of A/equi 2 virus over the years 1969 to 1985.

• Equine influenza hemagglutination inhibition serum neutralization brazilian strains

Abstract in Portuguese:

Descreve-se um estudo comparativo das características antigênicas de três amostras de vírus de influenza equina (IE) A/equi 2, isoladas no Brasil em 1969, 1985 e 1987, utilizando-se as provas de inibição de hemoaglutinação (IHA) e soroneutralização (SN) em ovos embrionados. Soros de galos imunizados conforme técnica preconizada pela OMS e soros de pintos que sofreram infecção virai foram empregados. Os resultados dessas provas indicaram existir uma ligeira variação antigênica entre as amostras estudadas. As dilas amostras mais recentes (1985 e 1987) estão estreitamente relacionadas e ambas igualmente distanciadas da amostra de 1969 que por sua vez se apresentou mais próxima da cepa protótipo do vírus - A/equi 2/Miami/l/63. Os resultados das provas de IHA são melhor evidenciados com os soros de pintos, sangrados 21 dias pós infecção, que apresentam títulos inibidores mais elevados. As provas de SN confirmaram os achados obtidos com IHA e como seus resultados são expressos em valores maiores, sua análise e interpretação ficam mais fácil de serem demonstradas. Em ambos os tipos de prova, os resultados obtidos sugerem que uma ligeira variação antigênica da hemaglutinina do vírus A/equi 2 ocorreu entre os anos de 1969 e 1985.

• Influenza eqüina inibição de hemoaglutinação soroneutralização amostras de vírus autóctones

Abstract in English:

In experimental studies seven 12 to 30 year old horses were force-fed through a nasoesophagic tube with ground Cassia occidentalis seeds admixed in water. Four horses died after receiving seeds corresponding to 1.5, 1.75 and 2g of seeds per kg (respectively 0.15, 0.175 and 0.2 per cent) of their body weight. A fifth horse was killed in extremis after receiving 3g of seeds per kg of body weight. The clinical disease induced by the plant in these five horses had a course of 4 to 96 hours and included signs of depression, muscle tremors, incoordinated and swaying gait, tachycardia, dyspnea and increase in serum leveis of creatine phosphokinase, aspartate transaminase and gamma glutamyl transferase. The main necropsy f"mdings included a swollen liver with marked lobular pattern in the natural surface and a nutmeg aspect of the cut surface; reddening of the intestinal mucosa; hemorrhages in the adrenal glands; suffusions and hemorrhages in the epi- and endocardium; pulmonary congestion and edema. Histologically there was hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis associated, in some cases, with polimorphonuclear neutrophylic infiltrates. The skeletal muscles had variable degrees of degenerative and necrotic lesions. The clinic-pathological alterations observed in these five horses suggest hepatotoxic and myotoxic principies in the C. occidentalis seeds, and a cumulative effect in those animals which were exposed to doses over 1.75g/kg of their body weight, fractioned up to eigth administrations. Two horses to which 1 and 2g of the seeds per kg were fed, survived. The horse which received 1g of the ground seeds per kg presented a mild muscular disfunction and recovered completely. These two horses were killed for post-mortem examination 30 days after they had received the last administration of seeds. Necropsy findings were negative, and no lesions which could be attributed to the effects of the plant were observed on histopathological examination.

• Poisonous plants Leguminosae Caesalpinoideae Cassia occidentalis Senna occidentalis pathology equine disease toxic liver lesions toxic myopathy

Abstract in Portuguese:

Num estudo experimental sete eqüinos com idades entre 12 e 30 anos receberam, via sonda naso-esofágica, sementes de Cassia occidentalis, trituradas e misturadas com água. Quatro eqüinos morreram após receberem 1,5, 1,75 e 2g de sementes por kg de seu peso corporal. Um quinto eqüino foi sacrificado in extremis após ter recebido 3g de sementes por kg. A doença induzida pela planta nesses cinco eqüinos teve uma evolução de 4 a 96 horas e incluía sinais clínicos tais como: abatimento, tremores musculares, incoordenação motora, andar cambaleante, taquicardia, dispnéia e elevação dos níveis séricos das enzimas creatina fosfoquinase, aspartato transaminase e gama glutamiltransferase. Os achados de necropsia mais importantes foram fígado tumefeito e com acentuação do padrão lobular na superfície natural e aspecto de noz moscada na superfície de corte; aver- melhamento da mucosa intestinal; hemorragias na superfície de corte das adrenais; hemorragias subepicárdicas e subendocárdicas; congestão e edema pulmonar. Histologicamente, havia degeneração e necrose hepatocelulares acompanhadas, em alguns casos, por infiltrado polimorfonuclear neutrofílico. Na musculatura esquelética havia lesões degenerativas e necróticas em graus variáveis. As alterações clínico-patológicas apresentadas por esses cinco eqüinos, sugerem uma ação hepatotóxica e miotóxica dos princípios químicos contidos nas sementes, bem como um efeito acumulativo nos animais que receberam dosagens acima de 1,75g/kg repartidas em até oito administrações. Dois eqüinos que receberam 1 e 2g de sementes por kg do peso corporal, sobreviveram. O eqüino que recebeu 1g/kg, apresentou leve disfunção muscular e recuperou-se completamente. Esses dois eqüinos foram sacrificados e necropsiados 30 dias após a última administração das sementes. À necropsia e exame histopatológico não se evidenciaram lesões macro e microscópicas que pudessem ser associadas à planta.

• Plantas tóxicas Leguminosae Caesalpinoideae Cassia occidentalis Senna occidentalis patologia doenças de eqüinos lesões hepáticas tóxicas miopatia tóxica