PESQUISA VETERINÁRIA BRASILEIRA

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Vasconcelos J.S., Riet-Correa F., Dantas A.F.M., Medeiros R.M.T., Galiza G.J.N., Oliveira D.M. & Pessoa A.F.A. 2008. [Poisoning by Mascagnia rigida (Malpighiaceae) in sheep and goats.] Intoxicação por Mascagnia rigida (Malpighiaceae) em ovinos e caprinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(10):521-526. Hospital Veterinário, CSTR, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Patos, PB 58700-000, Brazil. E-mail. franklin.riet@pq.cnpq.br Mascagnia rigida is the most important toxic plant for cattle in the Northeastern region of Brazil, causing sudden death during exercise. The objectives of this research were to report three outbreaks of poisoning by M. rigida in sheep and one in goats in the semiarid of the state of Paraíba, to reproduce experimentally the disease, and to determine if the active principle of the plant is eliminated through the milk. The outbreaks occurred at beginning of the raining season, when the plant sprouts ahead other forages, or after the end of the raining season, when M. rigida stayed green and other forages had dried. In the experimental reproduction of the poisoning doses of 10 and 20g of M. rigida per kg body weight from two different regions were lethal to 3 goats and 3 sheep. One goat that ingested 20g/kg and a sheep that ingested 10g/kg recovered. Two sheep and two goats that ingested 5g/kg had mild clinical signs and recovered. Clinical signs of experimental and spontaneous cases were ingurgitation of the jugular veins, reluctance to move, sternal recumbence, incoordination, respiratory distress, depression, instability, and muscular tremors. Death occurred after a clinical manifestation period of about 4 min to 27h40min. The main lesions were pulmonary edema and vacuolization and necrosis of epithelial cells in some renal tubules. To test if the active principle of M. rigida causes sudden deaths in newborn lambs and kids, 2g/kg of the plant were given daily to two goats and five sheep in the 15 days previous to parturition. One sheep aborted two lambs, 5 days before parturition. The four lambs of the other four sheep ingested the colostrum without problems. The kid from one goat ingested the colostrum and died suddenly 5 minutes after. The kid from the other goat died immediately after parturition before ingestion of colostrum. These results suggest that the active principle of M. rigida was eliminated through the milk at toxic doses for the kids. Management measures to prevent the poisoning are recommended.

• Toxic plants Mascagnia rigida Malpighiaceae sudden death fluoroacetic acid semiarid small ruminants

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Vasconcelos J.S., Riet-Correa F., Dantas A.F.M., Medeiros R.M.T., Galiza G.J.N., Oliveira D.M. & Pessoa A.F.A. 2008. [Poisoning by Mascagnia rigida (Malpighiaceae) in sheep and goats.] Intoxicação por Mascagnia rigida (Malpighiaceae) em ovinos e caprinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(10):521-526. Hospital Veterinário, CSTR, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Patos, PB 58700-000, Brazil. E-mail. franklin.riet@pq.cnpq.br Mascagnia rigida is the most important toxic plant for cattle in the Northeastern region of Brazil, causing sudden death during exercise. The objectives of this research were to report three outbreaks of poisoning by M. rigida in sheep and one in goats in the semiarid of the state of Paraíba, to reproduce experimentally the disease, and to determine if the active principle of the plant is eliminated through the milk. The outbreaks occurred at beginning of the raining season, when the plant sprouts ahead other forages, or after the end of the raining season, when M. rigida stayed green and other forages had dried. In the experimental reproduction of the poisoning doses of 10 and 20g of M. rigida per kg body weight from two different regions were lethal to 3 goats and 3 sheep. One goat that ingested 20g/kg and a sheep that ingested 10g/kg recovered. Two sheep and two goats that ingested 5g/kg had mild clinical signs and recovered. Clinical signs of experimental and spontaneous cases were ingurgitation of the jugular veins, reluctance to move, sternal recumbence, incoordination, respiratory distress, depression, instability, and muscular tremors. Death occurred after a clinical manifestation period of about 4 min to 27h40min. The main lesions were pulmonary edema and vacuolization and necrosis of epithelial cells in some renal tubules. To test if the active principle of M. rigida causes sudden deaths in newborn lambs and kids, 2g/kg of the plant were given daily to two goats and five sheep in the 15 days previous to parturition. One sheep aborted two lambs, 5 days before parturition. The four lambs of the other four sheep ingested the colostrum without problems. The kid from one goat ingested the colostrum and died suddenly 5 minutes after. The kid from the other goat died immediately after parturition before ingestion of colostrum. These results suggest that the active principle of M. rigida was eliminated through the milk at toxic doses for the kids. Management measures to prevent the poisoning are recommended.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Oliveira L.I., Jabour F.F., Nogueira V.A. & Yamasaki E.M. 2008. [Experimental poisoning by the leaves of Jatropha gossypifolia (Euphorbiaceae) in sheep.] Intoxicação experimental com as folhas de Jatropha gossypifolia (Euphorbiaceae) em ovinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(6):275-278. Projeto Sanidade Animal Embrapa/UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: iglesias.vet@gmail.com Fresh green leaves of Jatropha gossypifolia (Euphorbiaceae) were lethal for sheep in single administrations of 40g/kg. The dose of 5g/kg did not cause poisoning, but intermediate doses caused death in part of the animals. The clinical course of poisoning was 6 to 22 days. The clinic and pathological picture in the experimental sheep was characterized by digestive, lung and heart disturbances, and also by slight microscopic liver and renal regressive alterations. These findings are similar to those observed in experiments with the seeds of Jatropha curcas in goats, sheep and calves, and with the fruits and leaves of Jatropha glauca and Jatropha aceroides in goats, performed by other authors. A comparison indicates that, independently of the plant species, the leaves of Jatropha spp. contain toxic compounds similar to those found in the seeds.

• Poisonous plants plant poisoning Jatropha gossypifolia Euphorbiaceae sheep pathology

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Oliveira L.I., Jabour F.F., Nogueira V.A. & Yamasaki E.M. 2008. [Experimental poisoning by the leaves of Jatropha gossypifolia (Euphorbiaceae) in sheep.] Intoxicação experimental com as folhas de Jatropha gossypifolia (Euphorbiaceae) em ovinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(6):275-278. Projeto Sanidade Animal Embrapa/UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: iglesias.vet@gmail.com Fresh green leaves of Jatropha gossypifolia (Euphorbiaceae) were lethal for sheep in single administrations of 40g/kg. The dose of 5g/kg did not cause poisoning, but intermediate doses caused death in part of the animals. The clinical course of poisoning was 6 to 22 days. The clinic and pathological picture in the experimental sheep was characterized by digestive, lung and heart disturbances, and also by slight microscopic liver and renal regressive alterations. These findings are similar to those observed in experiments with the seeds of Jatropha curcas in goats, sheep and calves, and with the fruits and leaves of Jatropha glauca and Jatropha aceroides in goats, performed by other authors. A comparison indicates that, independently of the plant species, the leaves of Jatropha spp. contain toxic compounds similar to those found in the seeds.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Soares M.P., Quevedo P.S. & Schild A.L. 2008. [Perreyia flavipes larvae poisoning in cattle in southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.] Intoxicação por larvas de Perreyia flavipes em bovinos na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(3):169-173. Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário s/n, Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil. E-mail: alschild@terra.com.br Three outbreaks of poisoning by Perreyia flavipes Konow, 1899 (Hymenoptera: Pergidae) in cattle during July and August 2006 in southern Brazil are reported. The morbidity rate was 0.8%, 6.2% and 33% on the 3 farms, respectively. Fatality rate was 100%. Clinical signs were depression, jaundice, recumbence, pedaling movements and death in 24-48 hours. The liver was enlarged with increased lobular pattern, the mesenteric lymph nodes were edematous and Peyer patches of the small gut were depressed. Petechial hemorrhages and ecchymosis were observed in the mesentery and abomasum. On histologic examination the liver showed centrolobular or massive necrosis. Hemosiderosis and necrosis of the germinative centers of lymph nodes, white pulp of the spleen and Peyer patches were also observed. The poisoning occurred probably due to an intense drought in October-December 2005, when the insect stayed as a cocoon underground. The dry conditions probably avoided a higher number of adult sawflies to emerge from the cocoons, what resulted in greater egg production. The large amount of decaying grass due to almost normal rain fall during summer seemed to have provided favorable environmental conditions for the development of larvae in winter.

• Perreyia flavipes sawfly epidemiology bovine hepatic necrosis

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Soares M.P., Quevedo P.S. & Schild A.L. 2008. [Perreyia flavipes larvae poisoning in cattle in southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.] Intoxicação por larvas de Perreyia flavipes em bovinos na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(3):169-173. Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário s/n, Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil. E-mail: alschild@terra.com.br Three outbreaks of poisoning by Perreyia flavipes Konow, 1899 (Hymenoptera: Pergidae) in cattle during July and August 2006 in southern Brazil are reported. The morbidity rate was 0.8%, 6.2% and 33% on the 3 farms, respectively. Fatality rate was 100%. Clinical signs were depression, jaundice, recumbence, pedaling movements and death in 24-48 hours. The liver was enlarged with increased lobular pattern, the mesenteric lymph nodes were edematous and Peyer patches of the small gut were depressed. Petechial hemorrhages and ecchymosis were observed in the mesentery and abomasum. On histologic examination the liver showed centrolobular or massive necrosis. Hemosiderosis and necrosis of the germinative centers of lymph nodes, white pulp of the spleen and Peyer patches were also observed. The poisoning occurred probably due to an intense drought in October-December 2005, when the insect stayed as a cocoon underground. The dry conditions probably avoided a higher number of adult sawflies to emerge from the cocoons, what resulted in greater egg production. The large amount of decaying grass due to almost normal rain fall during summer seemed to have provided favorable environmental conditions for the development of larvae in winter.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Oliveira D.M., Pimentel L.A., Araújo J.A.S., Medeiros R.M.T., Dantas A.F.M. & Riet-Correa F. 2008. [Poisoning by Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus (Euphorbiaceae) in goats.] Intoxicação por Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus (Euphorbiaceae) em caprinos. Pesquisa Ve-terinária Brasileira 28(1):36-42. Hospital Veterinário, CSTR, Universidade Federal de Campi-na Grande, Campus de Patos, 58700-000 Patos, PB, Brazil. E-mail: franklin.riet@pq.cnpq.br Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus (Euphorbiaceae), with the common name favela, is a generally spiny plant of the Brazilian semiarid. Mainly during the dry season livestock browse its leaves from the shrubs or ingest the dry leaves fallen to the ground. Farmers report the spontaneous poisoning by this plant when livestock has access to shrubs or branches that had been cut. Different parts of the ground fresh plant, diluted in water, are used by people in the semiarid to hunt birds. To determine the toxicity of C. phyllacanthus, leaves of the non-spiny plant were fed by hand to a goat by putting small amount into its mouth. After the consumption of 4.7g/kg body weight, the goat had tachycardia, tachypnoea, dyspnoea, nystagmus, opisthotonos and sternal recumbence. The death occurred 30 minutes after the onset of clinical signs. Fresh leaves from the same plants were given to 8 goats at doses of 0.5-2.5g/kg without causing clinical signs. Three goats showed clinical signs after the ingestion of 3g/kg. Clinical signs were similar to those observed in cyanide poisoning. Two goats given 0.5mg/kg of a 20% solution of sodium thiosulphate recovered immediately after treatment. Another goat recovered spontaneously. Leaves from the same plants were sun-dried during variable periods for 8-30 days, and then given to 8 goats. The goat that ingested the plant dried at the sun during 8 days died after the ingestion of 3 g/kg. The goat that ingested the plant, exposed to the sun for 9 days, showed clinical signs after the ingestion of 1.13g/kg, but recovered spontaneously. The goats that ingested the leaves exposed to the sun during 10-29 days showed clinical signs after the ingestion of 3g/kg, but recovered spontaneously or after treatment with sodium thiosulphate. No clinical signs were observed in the goat that ingested the plant that had been exposed to the sun during 30 days. In another experiment ground leaves of the plant were dried at the sun for 1, 2, 3, and 4 days and given to goats at the dose of 3g/kg. Goats that received the plant dried for 1, 2 or 3 days showed clinical signs, but recovered spontaneously. The goat that ingested the plant dried 4 days showed no clinical signs. Leaves of the spineless C. phyllacanthus used in the experiments, 20 samples of leaves from spiny plants, 3 samples of the ground plant stem, and 2 samples of fruits were positive with the picrosodic paper test for HCN. These results demonstrated that C. phyllacanthus is a cyanogenic plant. After being cut the entire leaves maintain their toxicity for up to 30 days, and the ground leaves for up to 3 days. After the end of the raining season dry leaves fallen to the ground and tested within a short period were negative for HCN. These results have to be taken into account for the use of C. phyllacanthus as forage.

• Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus plant poisoning cyanide poisoning goats semiarid

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Oliveira D.M., Pimentel L.A., Araújo J.A.S., Medeiros R.M.T., Dantas A.F.M. & Riet-Correa F. 2008. [Poisoning by Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus (Euphorbiaceae) in goats.] Intoxicação por Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus (Euphorbiaceae) em caprinos. Pesquisa Ve-terinária Brasileira 28(1):36-42. Hospital Veterinário, CSTR, Universidade Federal de Campi-na Grande, Campus de Patos, 58700-000 Patos, PB, Brazil. E-mail: franklin.riet@pq.cnpq.br Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus (Euphorbiaceae), with the common name favela, is a generally spiny plant of the Brazilian semiarid. Mainly during the dry season livestock browse its leaves from the shrubs or ingest the dry leaves fallen to the ground. Farmers report the spontaneous poisoning by this plant when livestock has access to shrubs or branches that had been cut. Different parts of the ground fresh plant, diluted in water, are used by people in the semiarid to hunt birds. To determine the toxicity of C. phyllacanthus, leaves of the non-spiny plant were fed by hand to a goat by putting small amount into its mouth. After the consumption of 4.7g/kg body weight, the goat had tachycardia, tachypnoea, dyspnoea, nystagmus, opisthotonos and sternal recumbence. The death occurred 30 minutes after the onset of clinical signs. Fresh leaves from the same plants were given to 8 goats at doses of 0.5-2.5g/kg without causing clinical signs. Three goats showed clinical signs after the ingestion of 3g/kg. Clinical signs were similar to those observed in cyanide poisoning. Two goats given 0.5mg/kg of a 20% solution of sodium thiosulphate recovered immediately after treatment. Another goat recovered spontaneously. Leaves from the same plants were sun-dried during variable periods for 8-30 days, and then given to 8 goats. The goat that ingested the plant dried at the sun during 8 days died after the ingestion of 3 g/kg. The goat that ingested the plant, exposed to the sun for 9 days, showed clinical signs after the ingestion of 1.13g/kg, but recovered spontaneously. The goats that ingested the leaves exposed to the sun during 10-29 days showed clinical signs after the ingestion of 3g/kg, but recovered spontaneously or after treatment with sodium thiosulphate. No clinical signs were observed in the goat that ingested the plant that had been exposed to the sun during 30 days. In another experiment ground leaves of the plant were dried at the sun for 1, 2, 3, and 4 days and given to goats at the dose of 3g/kg. Goats that received the plant dried for 1, 2 or 3 days showed clinical signs, but recovered spontaneously. The goat that ingested the plant dried 4 days showed no clinical signs. Leaves of the spineless C. phyllacanthus used in the experiments, 20 samples of leaves from spiny plants, 3 samples of the ground plant stem, and 2 samples of fruits were positive with the picrosodic paper test for HCN. These results demonstrated that C. phyllacanthus is a cyanogenic plant. After being cut the entire leaves maintain their toxicity for up to 30 days, and the ground leaves for up to 3 days. After the end of the raining season dry leaves fallen to the ground and tested within a short period were negative for HCN. These results have to be taken into account for the use of C. phyllacanthus as forage.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Furlan F.H., Lucioli J., Veronezi L.O., Traverso S. D. & Gava A. 2008. [Experimental poisoning by Sida carpinifolia (Malvaceae) in cattle.] Intoxicação experimental por Sida carpinifolia (Malvaceae) em bovinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(1):57-62. Departamento de Clínica e Patologia, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, SC 88520-000, Brazil. E-mail: a2ag@cav.udesc.br Clinical and pathological findings of experimental poisoning by Sida carpinifolia in cattle are described. A neurologic disease was observed in cattle on farms of the Alto Vale do Itajaí region of the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. For the experimental reproduction of the disease, fresh green leaves, weekly harvested in the same region where spontaneous case occurred, were force-fed to five cattle at doses of 10 and 20g/kg for 120 days, 40g/kg for 30 days, and 30 and 40g/kg body weight for 150 days. One animal died and the others were euthanatized at the end of the experiment. Clinical signs and lesions varied from mild to severe in the experimentally poisoned cattle and depended on dose and length of the period of consumption. Main histological and ultrastructural lesions consisted of vacuolation and distension of neuronal perikarya (mainly of Purkinje cells), and of the cytoplasm of acinar pancreatic cells and thyroid follicular cells. It is concluded that ingestion of even small amounts S. carpinifolia for prolonged periods of time cause lisosomal storage disease in cattle.

• Poisonous plants Sida carpinifolia Malvaceae cattle storage disease alpha-mannosidosis

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Furlan F.H., Lucioli J., Veronezi L.O., Traverso S. D. & Gava A. 2008. [Experimental poisoning by Sida carpinifolia (Malvaceae) in cattle.] Intoxicação experimental por Sida carpinifolia (Malvaceae) em bovinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(1):57-62. Departamento de Clínica e Patologia, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, SC 88520-000, Brazil. E-mail: a2ag@cav.udesc.br Clinical and pathological findings of experimental poisoning by Sida carpinifolia in cattle are described. A neurologic disease was observed in cattle on farms of the Alto Vale do Itajaí region of the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. For the experimental reproduction of the disease, fresh green leaves, weekly harvested in the same region where spontaneous case occurred, were force-fed to five cattle at doses of 10 and 20g/kg for 120 days, 40g/kg for 30 days, and 30 and 40g/kg body weight for 150 days. One animal died and the others were euthanatized at the end of the experiment. Clinical signs and lesions varied from mild to severe in the experimentally poisoned cattle and depended on dose and length of the period of consumption. Main histological and ultrastructural lesions consisted of vacuolation and distension of neuronal perikarya (mainly of Purkinje cells), and of the cytoplasm of acinar pancreatic cells and thyroid follicular cells. It is concluded that ingestion of even small amounts S. carpinifolia for prolonged periods of time cause lisosomal storage disease in cattle.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Antoniassi N.A.B., Ferreira E.V., Santos C.E.P., Campos J.L.E., Nakazato L. & Colodel E.M. 2007. [Spontaneous Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa (Convolvulaceae) poisoning of cattle in the Brazilian Pantanal.] Intoxicação espontânea por Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa (Convol-vulaceae) em bovinos no Pantanal Matogrossense. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 27(10):415-418. Departamento de Clínica Médica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT 78068-900, Brazil. E-mail: moleta@ufmt.br A spontaneous Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa (canudo, algodoeiro) poisoning of cattle in the county of Poconé, Brazilian Pantanal, is reported. The investigation began after 12 cattle had died from a flock of 500 animals maintained in an extensive area intensely infested by I. carnea subsp. fistulosa with scarce availability of other fodder plants. The deaths occurred from June to September of 2006. Clinical signs were loss of weight and neurological deficits with hypermetry and incoordination. No significant gross lesions were observed at postmortem examination of one bovine. Histological changes comprised widespread cytoplasmic vacuolation of neurons, cells of the thyroid, kidney and pancreas. Cattle with similar clinical picture, that had been removed from the area invaded by I. carnea subsp. fistulosa and placed into areas with native and Brachiaria sp. pasture, recovered clinically within 15 days.

• Poisonous plants Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa plant poisoning storage diseases cattle

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Antoniassi N.A.B., Ferreira E.V., Santos C.E.P., Campos J.L.E., Nakazato L. & Colodel E.M. 2007. [Spontaneous Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa (Convolvulaceae) poisoning of cattle in the Brazilian Pantanal.] Intoxicação espontânea por Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa (Convol-vulaceae) em bovinos no Pantanal Matogrossense. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 27(10):415-418. Departamento de Clínica Médica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT 78068-900, Brazil. E-mail: moleta@ufmt.br A spontaneous Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa (canudo, algodoeiro) poisoning of cattle in the county of Poconé, Brazilian Pantanal, is reported. The investigation began after 12 cattle had died from a flock of 500 animals maintained in an extensive area intensely infested by I. carnea subsp. fistulosa with scarce availability of other fodder plants. The deaths occurred from June to September of 2006. Clinical signs were loss of weight and neurological deficits with hypermetry and incoordination. No significant gross lesions were observed at postmortem examination of one bovine. Histological changes comprised widespread cytoplasmic vacuolation of neurons, cells of the thyroid, kidney and pancreas. Cattle with similar clinical picture, that had been removed from the area invaded by I. carnea subsp. fistulosa and placed into areas with native and Brachiaria sp. pasture, recovered clinically within 15 days.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Lucioli J., Furlan F.H., Mezaroba S., Traverso S. D. & Gava A. 2007. [Spontaneous and experimental poisoning by Eupatorium tremulum (Asteraceae) in cattle.] Intoxicação espon-tânea e experimental por Eupatorium tremulum (Asteraceae) em bovinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasi-leira 27(10):442-445. Departamento de Clínica e Patologia, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Univer-sidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, SC 88520-000, Brazil. E-mail: a2ag@cav.udesc.br The spontaneous and experimental poisoning by Eupatorium tremulum in cattle is described. Spontaneous cases were diagnosed in a herd of 19 cattle in the municipality of Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Three of the animals were found dead after having been transferred to a pasture with abundant quantities of E. tremulum. On two of them postmortem examination was performed and several internal organs were sampled for histological examination. Green leaves of E. tremulum were force-fed orally to 5 calves in single doses of 23-32g/kg body weight. Three calves showed clinical signs and two died. The main clinical signs included anorexia, apathy, absence of rumen movements, diarrhea and a flabby abdominal wall. Gross changes were restricted to the fore stomachs and were identical to those observed in the cases of natural poisoning. Rumen and reticulum were slightly reddish from outside; the corneal layer of their internal lining was loosely attached to a markedly red mucosa. The histological examination of rumen and reticulum from spontaneous and experimental cases revealed necrosis and vesicle formation in the epithelium; in some segments of the ruminal mucosa there was detachment of the epithelial covering and infiltration by neuthophils. Poisoning by E. tremulum has clinical course, gross lesions and histopathology very similar to those observed in poisoning caused by ingestion of the plants Baccharidastrum triplinervium, Baccharis coridifolia and Baccharis megapotamica var. weirii. The diagnosis of the spontaneous cases here described was confirmed by epidemiological data and the experimental reproduction of characteristic gross lesions and histopathology.

• Poisonous plants plant poisoning Eupatorium tremulum Asteraceae diseases of cattle digestive tract

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Lucioli J., Furlan F.H., Mezaroba S., Traverso S. D. & Gava A. 2007. [Spontaneous and experimental poisoning by Eupatorium tremulum (Asteraceae) in cattle.] Intoxicação espon-tânea e experimental por Eupatorium tremulum (Asteraceae) em bovinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasi-leira 27(10):442-445. Departamento de Clínica e Patologia, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Univer-sidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, SC 88520-000, Brazil. E-mail: a2ag@cav.udesc.br The spontaneous and experimental poisoning by Eupatorium tremulum in cattle is described. Spontaneous cases were diagnosed in a herd of 19 cattle in the municipality of Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Three of the animals were found dead after having been transferred to a pasture with abundant quantities of E. tremulum. On two of them postmortem examination was performed and several internal organs were sampled for histological examination. Green leaves of E. tremulum were force-fed orally to 5 calves in single doses of 23-32g/kg body weight. Three calves showed clinical signs and two died. The main clinical signs included anorexia, apathy, absence of rumen movements, diarrhea and a flabby abdominal wall. Gross changes were restricted to the fore stomachs and were identical to those observed in the cases of natural poisoning. Rumen and reticulum were slightly reddish from outside; the corneal layer of their internal lining was loosely attached to a markedly red mucosa. The histological examination of rumen and reticulum from spontaneous and experimental cases revealed necrosis and vesicle formation in the epithelium; in some segments of the ruminal mucosa there was detachment of the epithelial covering and infiltration by neuthophils. Poisoning by E. tremulum has clinical course, gross lesions and histopathology very similar to those observed in poisoning caused by ingestion of the plants Baccharidastrum triplinervium, Baccharis coridifolia and Baccharis megapotamica var. weirii. The diagnosis of the spontaneous cases here described was confirmed by epidemiological data and the experimental reproduction of characteristic gross lesions and histopathology.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Pilati C. & Barros C.S.L. 2007. [Experimental poisoning by Senecio brasiliensis (Asteraceae) in horses.] Intoxicação experimental por Senecio brasiliensis (Asteraceae) em eqüinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 27(7):287-296. Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. E-mail: claudioslbarros@uol.com.br Fourteen 4 to 22-year-old mixed breed horses weighing 230-475 kg were experimentally fed the dried aerial parts of Senecio brasiliensis (Spreng.) collected in its sprouting stage. A 15-year-old horse served as non-plant-fed control. Small amounts of the dried plant material were admixed in the ration given to the horses; larger amounts were grounded, admixed with water and force fed through nasogastric intubation. Liver biopsies were periodically performed in 11 horses. Nine horses died with signs or lesions of the poisoning after having received amounts of the plant corresponding to 0.87%, 1.5% (single administrations), 1.74% (two weekly administrations), 3.0% (three daily administrations), 7.42% (17 weekly administrations), 8.9% (284 daily administrations), 9.66% (82 daily administrations) and 9.30% (43 weekly administrations) of their body weight. Two horses which received amounts of the plant corresponding to 15.0% (30 and 60 daily administrations) of their body weight died during the experiments due to unrelated causes. Three horses which received amounts of the plant corresponding to 0.5% and 1.0% (single administrations), and 15.0% (240 daily administrations) of their body weight, and the control horse survived without any clinical signs. The disease induced by the plant had a clinical course of 1-30 days and was characterized by anorexia, jaundice and neurological signs of hepatic encephalopathy. Weight loss was observed in the more protracted cases. Necropsy findings included marked enhancement of the lobular pattern of the livers or those were firm and dark-red. Hemorrhages were frequent and more conspicuous on the subcutis, serosal surfaces and in the gastrointestinal mucosa. Edema occurred in the submucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and in body cavities. Histologically, the livers of horses that ingested relatively larger amounts of the plant for short periods of time had zonal coagulative necrosis and centrilobular to massive hemorrhages. Moderate to marked hepatomegalocytosis and mild to moderate fibrosis were seen in 4 horses which ingested small amounts of the plant for longer periods. Cholestasis and hemosiderosis were observed in the liver of 8 horses, neutrophilic aggregates in 6 and acidophilic intranuclear pseudo-inclusion bodies in hepatocytes of 3 horses. Changes suggestive of hepatic encephalopathy were observed in the brain of 6 horses. The earliest detected change in the liver biopsies was vacuolization of hepatocyte nuclei followed by apoptotic loss of hepatocytes, hepatomegalocytosis, infiltration of neutrophils and centrolobular necrosis. Occasionally hepatocellular acidophilic intranuclear pseudo-inclusion bodies and, in more protracted cases, slight fibrosis were seen. No changes were observed in the liver biopsies of the 3 plant-fed horses that survived, nor on the 2 horses that died of unrelated causes. The control horse had no clinical signs.

• Poisonous plants Senecio brasiliensis Asteraceae diseases of horses pathology

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Pilati C. & Barros C.S.L. 2007. [Experimental poisoning by Senecio brasiliensis (Asteraceae) in horses.] Intoxicação experimental por Senecio brasiliensis (Asteraceae) em eqüinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 27(7):287-296. Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. E-mail: claudioslbarros@uol.com.br Fourteen 4 to 22-year-old mixed breed horses weighing 230-475 kg were experimentally fed the dried aerial parts of Senecio brasiliensis (Spreng.) collected in its sprouting stage. A 15-year-old horse served as non-plant-fed control. Small amounts of the dried plant material were admixed in the ration given to the horses; larger amounts were grounded, admixed with water and force fed through nasogastric intubation. Liver biopsies were periodically performed in 11 horses. Nine horses died with signs or lesions of the poisoning after having received amounts of the plant corresponding to 0.87%, 1.5% (single administrations), 1.74% (two weekly administrations), 3.0% (three daily administrations), 7.42% (17 weekly administrations), 8.9% (284 daily administrations), 9.66% (82 daily administrations) and 9.30% (43 weekly administrations) of their body weight. Two horses which received amounts of the plant corresponding to 15.0% (30 and 60 daily administrations) of their body weight died during the experiments due to unrelated causes. Three horses which received amounts of the plant corresponding to 0.5% and 1.0% (single administrations), and 15.0% (240 daily administrations) of their body weight, and the control horse survived without any clinical signs. The disease induced by the plant had a clinical course of 1-30 days and was characterized by anorexia, jaundice and neurological signs of hepatic encephalopathy. Weight loss was observed in the more protracted cases. Necropsy findings included marked enhancement of the lobular pattern of the livers or those were firm and dark-red. Hemorrhages were frequent and more conspicuous on the subcutis, serosal surfaces and in the gastrointestinal mucosa. Edema occurred in the submucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and in body cavities. Histologically, the livers of horses that ingested relatively larger amounts of the plant for short periods of time had zonal coagulative necrosis and centrilobular to massive hemorrhages. Moderate to marked hepatomegalocytosis and mild to moderate fibrosis were seen in 4 horses which ingested small amounts of the plant for longer periods. Cholestasis and hemosiderosis were observed in the liver of 8 horses, neutrophilic aggregates in 6 and acidophilic intranuclear pseudo-inclusion bodies in hepatocytes of 3 horses. Changes suggestive of hepatic encephalopathy were observed in the brain of 6 horses. The earliest detected change in the liver biopsies was vacuolization of hepatocyte nuclei followed by apoptotic loss of hepatocytes, hepatomegalocytosis, infiltration of neutrophils and centrolobular necrosis. Occasionally hepatocellular acidophilic intranuclear pseudo-inclusion bodies and, in more protracted cases, slight fibrosis were seen. No changes were observed in the liver biopsies of the 3 plant-fed horses that survived, nor on the 2 horses that died of unrelated causes. The control horse had no clinical signs.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Boghossian M.R., Peixoto P.V., Brito M.F. & Tokarnia C.H. 2007. [Experimental poisoning by Crotalaria mucronata (Fabaceae) seeds in cattle.] Aspectos clínico-patológicos da intoxicação experimental pelas sementes de Crotalaria mucronata (Fabaceae) em bovinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 27(4):149-156. Projeto Sanidade Animal Embrapa/UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: mailto:mubogho@hotmail.com Experiments were performed to define the clinical and pathological picture of prolonged administration of the seeds of Crotalaria mucronata Desv. to cattle, in order to obtain additional information about this toxicosis. The ground seeds were administered orally to 9 bovines. Doses of 1g/kg/day, 2g/kg/day, 3g/kg/day each in one bovine, and 5g/kg/day in two of three bovines, given for 61- 63 days, did not cause poisoning. Doses of 5g/kg, in one bovine, 7.5g/kg in two bovines and 10g/kg in one bovine, given for 47-61 days, caused symptoms between 47 and 80 days after the first administration and caused death between 3 hours and 5 days after the onset of symptoms. The main clinical signs were positive venous pulse of the jugular vein, abdominal breath, tachycardia, loss of appetite, dry feces, sub-mandibular edema and weakness. Bovines that did not die, were slaughtered 8 or 9 months after first administration. At necropsy pulmonary paleness, hydropericardium, hydrothorax, hydroperitoneum, mesenteric edema, augmented hepatic consistency, discoloration of the liver, right cardiac ventricle dilatation and ruminal wall edema were seen. The main histological lesions were thickening of the alveolar walls and of the arterioles with narrowing of their lumen, and periarteriolar fibrosis, besides hepatic and cardiac lesions of minor importance. It is concluded, that the lesions caused by ingestion of the seeds of C. mucronata over a long period are caused by the difficulties of blood passage through the pulmonar vessels due to fibrosis and thickening of the arteriolar walls through the pneumotoxic action of the plant.

• Poisonous plants Crotalaria mucronata pyrrolizidine alkaloids interstitial pneumonia

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Boghossian M.R., Peixoto P.V., Brito M.F. & Tokarnia C.H. 2007. [Experimental poisoning by Crotalaria mucronata (Fabaceae) seeds in cattle.] Aspectos clínico-patológicos da intoxicação experimental pelas sementes de Crotalaria mucronata (Fabaceae) em bovinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 27(4):149-156. Projeto Sanidade Animal Embrapa/UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil. E-mail: mailto:mubogho@hotmail.com Experiments were performed to define the clinical and pathological picture of prolonged administration of the seeds of Crotalaria mucronata Desv. to cattle, in order to obtain additional information about this toxicosis. The ground seeds were administered orally to 9 bovines. Doses of 1g/kg/day, 2g/kg/day, 3g/kg/day each in one bovine, and 5g/kg/day in two of three bovines, given for 61- 63 days, did not cause poisoning. Doses of 5g/kg, in one bovine, 7.5g/kg in two bovines and 10g/kg in one bovine, given for 47-61 days, caused symptoms between 47 and 80 days after the first administration and caused death between 3 hours and 5 days after the onset of symptoms. The main clinical signs were positive venous pulse of the jugular vein, abdominal breath, tachycardia, loss of appetite, dry feces, sub-mandibular edema and weakness. Bovines that did not die, were slaughtered 8 or 9 months after first administration. At necropsy pulmonary paleness, hydropericardium, hydrothorax, hydroperitoneum, mesenteric edema, augmented hepatic consistency, discoloration of the liver, right cardiac ventricle dilatation and ruminal wall edema were seen. The main histological lesions were thickening of the alveolar walls and of the arterioles with narrowing of their lumen, and periarteriolar fibrosis, besides hepatic and cardiac lesions of minor importance. It is concluded, that the lesions caused by ingestion of the seeds of C. mucronata over a long period are caused by the difficulties of blood passage through the pulmonar vessels due to fibrosis and thickening of the arteriolar walls through the pneumotoxic action of the plant.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Rozza D.B., Corrêa A.M.R., Leal J.S., Bandarra P.M., Guagnini F.S. & Djeison Lutier Raymundo D.L. & Driemeier D. 2007. [Experimental monensin poisoning in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and cattle.] Intoxicação experimental por monensina em búfalos e bovinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 27(4):172-178. Departamento de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9090, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil. E-mail: davetpat@ufrgs.br Monensin is widely used as a feed additive to improve performance of livestock; however accidental poisoning by this ionophore compound has been reported in a number of animal species. Typical clinical signs and lesions of monensin poisoning were induced in water buffaloes dosed with single dosages of 15, 10, 7.5, and 5mg/kg of the compound. Only buffaloes dosed with 2.5 mg/kg (1 day) and 1mg/kg (7 days) survived. Clinical signs initiated about 6 h post-dosing and included apathy, anorexia, diarrhea, drooling, muscular weakness, locomotion disorders, dyspnea, tachycardia, jugular distension and pulse, recumbency and death. The creatine kinase (CK) levels were highly augmented in blood samples of buffaloes dosed with monensin. Most prominent gross changes were ascites, hydrothorax, hydropericardium, cardiomegaly, hepatomegaly, and focal pale areas in the myocardium and in skeletal muscles. Degeneration and necrosis of myofibers were the principal histopathological findings. Conversely, no evidence of disease, neither change in CK levels were observed in the beef cattle steers dosed with same doses, confirming preliminary findings that buffaloes are more susceptible to monensin than cattle. In addition, this communication presents the minimal toxic dosage of monensin to buffaloes and suggests that CK tests may serve as health monitoring tools in the management of buffalo herds supplemented with monensin.

• Buffaloes cattle CK levels degenerative myopathy monensin toxicity monensin tolerance

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Rozza D.B., Corrêa A.M.R., Leal J.S., Bandarra P.M., Guagnini F.S. & Djeison Lutier Raymundo D.L. & Driemeier D. 2007. [Experimental monensin poisoning in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and cattle.] Intoxicação experimental por monensina em búfalos e bovinos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 27(4):172-178. Departamento de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9090, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil. E-mail: davetpat@ufrgs.br Monensin is widely used as a feed additive to improve performance of livestock; however accidental poisoning by this ionophore compound has been reported in a number of animal species. Typical clinical signs and lesions of monensin poisoning were induced in water buffaloes dosed with single dosages of 15, 10, 7.5, and 5mg/kg of the compound. Only buffaloes dosed with 2.5 mg/kg (1 day) and 1mg/kg (7 days) survived. Clinical signs initiated about 6 h post-dosing and included apathy, anorexia, diarrhea, drooling, muscular weakness, locomotion disorders, dyspnea, tachycardia, jugular distension and pulse, recumbency and death. The creatine kinase (CK) levels were highly augmented in blood samples of buffaloes dosed with monensin. Most prominent gross changes were ascites, hydrothorax, hydropericardium, cardiomegaly, hepatomegaly, and focal pale areas in the myocardium and in skeletal muscles. Degeneration and necrosis of myofibers were the principal histopathological findings. Conversely, no evidence of disease, neither change in CK levels were observed in the beef cattle steers dosed with same doses, confirming preliminary findings that buffaloes are more susceptible to monensin than cattle. In addition, this communication presents the minimal toxic dosage of monensin to buffaloes and suggests that CK tests may serve as health monitoring tools in the management of buffalo herds supplemented with monensin.