Encephalopathy caused by Talisia esculenta intoxication in pregnant ewes and their newborn lambs

An outbreak of acute encephalopathy occurred in pregnant ewes and their newborn lambs associated with consumption of Talisia esculenta fruits and bark. Clinical signs in 5 adult pregnant ewes included drooling, bloat, tachypnea, depression, ataxia, body shaking, difficulty in rising, and recumbency. Three neonatal lambs born to some of those ewes had similar clinical signs. No significant gross abnormalities were observed on autopsy. Histologically, neuronal necrosis, axonal and dendritic swelling, and loss of Purkinje neurons were observed in the cerebellum. The observation of similar neurologic clinical signs and lesions in pregnant ewes and their neonatal lambs suggests that the toxic principle of T. esculenta crosses the placenta and reaches the fetus.

Comparative HPLC analysis of different samples of Tribhuvankirti Rasa

Background: There are different methods of Vatsanabha shodhana but it is not mentioned in literature that which method should be used in preparation of Tribhuvankirti rasa which will make the drug safer. Objectives: To acquire knowledge regarding toxic principle in self prepared and market sample of Tribhuvankirti Rasa with respect to different shodhana methods of Vatsanabha and to develop a method of testing toxic principle in the formulation. Material and methods: Three samples were prepared out of which two samples were prepared using different shodhana media and one sample was prepared using impure ingredients and three samples of Tribhuvankirti Rasa were purchased from market. Physicochemical and phytochemical analysis of the final product was conducted and the observations were compared among six samples. Results: HPLC graphs indicate that the numbers of peaks are increased in the sample prepared with Godugdda shodhita Vatsanabha and all the market samples in comparison with Ashodhita and Gomutra shodhita samples of Tribhuvankirti Rasa. All samples contain alkaloids, however after purification there was decrease in the concentration of detected alkaloid. Conclusion: The toxic principle (Aconitine) in market and self prepared sample of Tribhuvankirti Rasa has been reduced by shodhana. In addition, flavonoids, glycosides and anti-oxidants are found which are beneficial for health.

Protodioscin levels in Brachiaria spp. in a sheep production system and a brief review of the literature of Brachiaria spp. poisoning in ruminants

ABSTRACT: Plants of the genus Brachiaria, used in several countries as forage, are poisonous to some livestock species. Their toxic principle is protodioscin, and the main form of clinical presentation of the toxicosis is hepatogenous photosensitization. Here we compare protodioscin levels in B. decumbens and B. brizantha and review the literature on the concentrations and methodologies of collection and analysis of the toxic principle in Brachiaria spp. and the risk of contamination of pastures by more toxic species that may facilitate poisoning by plants of this genus in sheep. The experiment was conducted in pastures originally formed by B. brizantha, with many B. decumbens invasion points. The occurrence of cases of poisoning by Brachiaria spp. was the criterion for confirming pasture toxicity. The forage samples were collected at ten random points every 28 days through manual grazing simulation. The samples were analyzed for protodioscin by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with light scattering by evaporation (ELSD) after being dried and crushed. In the flock of 69 sheep, five poisoning cases occurred, three sheep died, and two recovered. The protodioscin levels found in the evaluated pastures ranged from 0.70 to 0.45%; higher levels appeared in B. decumbens (7.09%) compared to 1.04% in B. brizantha. We suggest that Brachiaria spp. should be avoided in pastures where sheep are grazing.

Spontaneous Poisoning by Blutaparon portulacoides in a Horse

Background: In the Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeastern Brazil, several outbreaks of poisoning affecting horses, cattle and sheep have been attributed by a number farmers to the consumption of the leaves of Blutaparon portulacoides, a plant from family Amaranthaceae, known as “pirrixiu”, “bredo-de-praia” and “capotiraguá”. However, the spontaneous poisoning was reported in the literature exclusively in sheep. Thus, the present study aims to report the clinical signs found in a spontaneous poisoning by B. portulacoides in a horse.Case: A 8-year-old mixed-breed mare, weighing 268 kg, was referred to veterinary care showing loss of appetite and diarrhea. The clinical evolution was reported by the owner as for six days. During the physical examination, the animal presented slight apathy, pale mucous membranes, tachypnea, dehydration, intestinal hypermobility, and watery diarrhea. The predominant plant in the paddock where the mare was maintained was B. portulacoides. According to the owner, the poisoning by this plant is common in the neighborhood of the farm and has already occurred in other species (cattle and sheep). After the origin of poisoning was identified, the access to the plant was restricted and it was established fluid therapy to treat the dehydration. After three days, the animal returned to eat normally and the diarrhea ceased.Discussion: The exclusive feeding of sheep with B. portulacoides is responsible for disorders in the digestive tract, characterized by softening of feces and intestinal epithelial lesions (intestinal villi epithelium detachment, goblet cell hyperplasia, submucosal inflammatory cells infiltrate and infiltration of the lamina propria by mononuclear cells). Given the similarity of the frame displayed by the horse, described in the present report, it is believed that the sensitivity to poisoning by B. portulacoides is not exclusive to sheep, but also occurs in horses. Taking into account that B. portulacoides is found widespread through the Atlantic coast of Brazil, it is feasible to speculate that several other cases of poisoning might occur without accurate diagnosis. A plant that promotes similar poisoning is Portulaca elatior Mart. (family Portulacaceae), described in the literature affecting goats, sheep, and cattle. However, the poisoning by P. elatior is typically acute, showing clinical evolution within 48 hours after ingestion of the plant, whereas B. portulacoides poisoning occurs after a few days of consumption. Phytochemical analysis of B. portulacoides leaves revealed the occurrence of a number compounds, including three steroids, one flavone, one isoflavone and two flavonoids. However, the toxic principle of the plant is still unknown. The possible mechanism of poisoning is the osmotic imbalance in the digestive tract promoted by scarcity of sodium and excess of magnesium, potassium and calcium in the plant. Future studies are desirable to determine the toxic principle present in B. portulacoides and the exact mechanism of poisoning. In conclusion, the clinical presentation of the referred mare is similar to that described in sheep that ingested Blutaparon portulacoides, thus this plant can be considered as responsible for toxic effects in the digestive system of horses.

Hepatic Encephalopathy Secondary to Chronic Liver Lesions Caused by Crotalaria incana in a Bovine

Background: Crotalaria spp. Poisoning induces liver or pulmonary disease. C. mucronata, C. juncea, C. spectabilis, and C. retusa are the Crotalaria spp. inducing spontaneous intoxication in livestock in Brazil. C. mucronata and C. juncea are associated with interstitial pneumonia, while C. retusa and C. specatabilis induce hepatotoxicosis. The toxic principle in Crotalaria spp. are dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids and their N-oxides. C. incana poisoning to livestock is rarely documented. This paper reports the clinical signs and pathological findings of a case of Crotalaria incana poisoning in a steer. The chemical finding of a potential toxic dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloid in the plant is documented for the first time.Case: The affected bovine was part of a herd of 80 two-year-old steers that were transferred from Property 1 to Property 2, 30 days prior to the event. In the pasture of Property I - where the steers were held for 6 months - there was a heavy infestation by a Crotalaria species with signs of being consumed by the steers. The plant was identified as Crotalaria incana at the Botanical Laboratory of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul and a voucher specimen was filed there under the register GCMS 51169. Two days after entering Property 2 one of the steers became depressed, staggering, and in poor body condition. With time, the steer became oblivious to the environment and died 20 days after the onset of the clinical signs. Significant necropsy findings were limited to the liver which was markedly enlarged and with rounded edges. The hepatic cut surface was mottled with dark red and extensive orange areas of discoloration. The gallbladder was distended and the bile was inspissated. Microscopically, in the liver, there was fibrosis, bile duct hyperplasia and hepatocellular megalocytosis. The Glisson’s capsule was markedly thickened by fibrosis. In the brain, there was vacuolation of myelin sheaths (status spongiosus), moderate gliosis, and rare Alzheimer type 2 astrocytes.Discussion: The diagnosis of intoxication by C. incana was based on clinical signs and pathological changes and the evidence of the plant being consumed. The high infestation of C. incana in the pasture, the high proportion of dead matter and the low concentration of viable pasture favored the ingestion of C. incana. Spongy degeneration, a typical lesion of hepatic encephalopathy, was observed in the several areas of the brain. Cirrhosis of the liver as seen in the case of this report, results in elevated ammonia levels in the blood - and eventually in the brain – and ammonia toxicity causes hepatic encephalopathy. Morphological changes in hepatic encephalopathy in the central nervous system of human beings and horses centers on astrocytes which undergo Alzheimer type 2 change developing an enlarged, pale nuclei with a rim of chromatin and prominent nucleoli. Astrocytes pairs and triplets are seen, and, in severe cases, astrocytic nuclei may become lobulated and contain glycogen. Chemical analysis of C. incana was accomplished by acid-base extraction with zincreduction of N-oxides and quantitation by spectrometry. Quantitative analysis was achieved by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. To confirm the identity of the alkaloid in the sample of C. incana the isolated alkaloid was compared to a standard sample of usaramine previously isolated, and its identity verified by magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis. The 1,2-dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloid usaramine, as well as its N-oxide, were identified as the major alkaloids in in C. incana. The concentration found in the seed was consistent with that previously reported. This is a new finding on the toxic principle of C. incana. Keywords: cattle diseases, poisonous plants, pathology, hepatotoxicity, Crotalaria incana, chronic liver failure.

Poisoning of cattle by Senecio spp. in Brazil: a review

ABSTRACT: Poisoning of cattle by plants of the Senecio genus represents an important cause of death in cattle and has important economic repercussions in southern Brazil. This review is intended to provide a detailed review of Senecio spp. intoxication in cattle and addresses issues regarding the toxic principle and pathogenesis of the disease caused by these plants and the epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, control and prophylaxis of the disease. Senecio brasiliensis is the main species associated with natural intoxication of livestock in Brazil, and the number of cases associated with the ingestion of S. madagascariensis is increasing. The toxic principle of Senecio spp. comprises the hepatotoxic alkaloids of the pyrrolizidine group (pyrrolizidine alkaloids, PAs). The resulting liver lesions are chronic and irreversible and result from the inhibition of hepatocellular mitosis. Deaths of adult cattle may occur both sporadically and in larger outbreaks over an extended period of time. In cattle raising, Senecio spp. are consumed mainly during the winter, when there is a dearth of forage; at this time the poisonous Senecio species are budding and contain high concentrations of PAs. Spontaneous Senecio spp. intoxication in cattle is a chronic condition that frequently involves acute clinical manifestations. Affected cattle may present ascites, emaciation, intermittent dark diarrhea, tenesmus, rectal prolapse, and neurological signs resulting from hepatic encephalopathy. Hepatogenous photosensitization may be observed but is uncommon. Necropsy findings include dependent subcutaneous edema, ascites, and edema of the mesentery, abomasal folds, and gallbladder. The liver is firm, normal or reduced in size with a white, thick capsule. Microscopically, the hallmarks of Senecio-associated disease are varying degrees of hepatocellular megalocytosis, bile duct hyperplasia and fibrosis. Sheep are significantly more resistant to Senecio intoxication than are cattle and avidly ingest Senecio plants; therefore, the use of sheep for grazing infested pasture is recommended for preventing the associated disease in cattle.

Efficient synthesis of (R)-harmonine – the toxic principle of the multicolored Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis)

An efficient and flexible synthesis of (R)-harmonine and putative biosynthetic precursors has been developed. Furthermore, its antimicrobial activity againstLeishmania majoris demonstrated.

Hepatic Necrosis and Degenerative Myopathy Associated with Cassava Feeding in Pigs

Forty-three deaths were recorded among pigs fed boiled cassava meal at a private piggery over a period of two years. There were signs of sudden death in some cases with blood exuding from the external nares, vomiting, muscular weakness and pain or reluctance to move, emaciation, and stunted growth. The necropsy lesions included skeletal and cardiac muscle degeneration and necrosis, icterus, hepatic necrosis, and oedema of the dependent parts. The deaths and clinical signs are thought to be due to a non cyanide toxic principle in cassava, possibly the coumarins (scopoletin), which is found in high levels in cassava diet even after heat treatment. Therefore, the use of proper processing technology to obtain cassava products of high quality is recommended.

Brunfelsia australis (Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Tree) and Solanum Poisoning in a Dog

A 2.5 yr old female beagle presented for acute abdominal pain and vomiting after consuming limited offerings of green potato skins. Progressive complications associated with suspected ingestion of a higher potency toxin followed within 5 hr. Subsequent investigations revealed a significant ingestion of an Australian shrub commonly called a “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” tree (Brunfelsia australis). The toxic principle for this emerging toxicity is referred to as “strychnine-like” and is potentially lethal with gastrointestinal, central nervous system, and cardiac pathology. This plant is currently being aggressively promoted by United States nurserymen for its dramatic tri-colored blooms and drought resistance.