Ocurrence enzootic hematuria in buffaloes in Brazil: epidemiological, clinical, and pathological aspects

Abstract

It is reported the occurrence of enzootic hematuria (EH) in buffaloes in Brazil after performing an epidemiological survey and clinicopathological analises. To date, EH caused by ingestion of Pteridium esculentum subsp. arachnoideum, a radiomimetic plant popularly known as “bracken fern”, has not been described in this species in Brazil. Bovine EH is responsible for high economic losses in Brazil’s Southeast Region not only because of the deaths it causes, but also owing to its negative effect on productivity. In São José do Barreiro County, São Paulo, some farmers in areas with a high incidence of bovine EH have been replacing cattle with buffaloes, based on the premise that the latter would be more resistant to poisoning by ingestion of Pteridium spp. However, even though initial observations indicated that buffaloes are indeed less sensitive than cattle to the toxic principle of Pteridium spp., cases of hematuria in this species have been reported. According to preliminary date, EH only occurs in buffaloes over six years of age. Macroscopic examination revealed a thickened urinary vesicle mucosa, along with multiple foci of ulcerated, exophytic, verrucous, and pedunculated lesions. In one of the buffaloes studied, the bladder wall was ruptured and exhibited marked secondary inflammation. Histologically, neoplastic and non-neoplastic changes similar to those described in cattle poisoned by Pteridium spp. were observed. The neoplasms found included papilloma, carcinoma in situ, urothelial carcinoma (low and high grade), inverted, microcystic, and trabecular variants, urothelial carcinoma with divergent differentiation (squamous and glandular), squamous cell carcinoma, lymphangioma, hemangioma, and hemangiosarcoma. There was also coexistence of epithelial and mesenchymal neoplasms. Bovine papillomavirus particles were not detected by polymerase chain reaction in the bladder samples analyzed.

Histological characteristics of a uterine hemangiosarcoma in a Brazilian Girolando cow

“…Hemangiosarcoma, hemangioma, transitional cell carcinoma and chronic cystitis have been diagnosed in ruminant's urinary bladder secondary to braken fern ( Pteridium aquilinum ) ingestion. A study has described concomitant enzootic haematuria with gravid uterus in three buffaloes, but no alterations have been reported in the reproductive system 10,11 …”

“…A study has described concomitant enzootic haematuria with gravid uterus in three buffaloes, but no alterations have been reported in the reproductive system. 10,11 This study reports the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of uterine hemangiosarcoma in a cow referred to the veterinary hospital situated in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (FMVZ) at Sao Paulo State University (UNESP). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a Girolando uterine hemangiosarcoma.…”

Plants causing poisoning outbreaks of livestock in South America: A review

“…The ptaquiloside is a norsesquiterpenoid glycoside present in several fern species. The ferns most frequently linked to toxicity in South America are species of the Pteridium complex, mainly Pteridium arachnoideum and Pteridium caudatum ( Furlan et al, 2014a ; Rocha et al, 2022 ). However, recent reports demonstrated that other fern species, such as Pteris deflexa , Pteris plumula and Adiantopsis chlorophylla induce toxicity similar to that of Pteridium spp.…”