Axonal Degeneration in Sheep Caused by the Ingestion of Halimium Brasiliense

Abstract

Abstract. Nervous system disease is reported in sheep from 2 farms in southern Brazil and in 33 farms in Uruguay. The illness was seasonal, occurring from May to November, during the growing season of Halimium brasiliense, and primarily affected sheep older than 3 years of age. Clinical signs included transient seizures that occurred mainly when sheep were disturbed or frightened. Most affected sheep recovered when removed to other pastures. Feeding trials produced clinical signs in 1 sheep after the ingestion of 2,117 g/kg of body weight of H. brasiliense over 142 days. Two sheep that had previously recovered from spontaneous toxicosis developed clinical signs after the ingestion of 263 g and 565 g of H. brasiliense per kg body weight given over 36 and 31 days, respectively. The main histologic lesion was vacuolation of the brain and spinal cord, with rare axonal spheroid formation. Transmission electron microscopy revealed segmental axonal swelling with degeneration and disappearance of the axonal organelles and vacuolation of the axoplasm. A pigment identified as ceroid was also present in neurons, astrocytes, and macrophages. These lesions suggested a novel morphologic manifestation of a toxic axonopathy.

Genus Cistus: a model for exploring labdane-type diterpenes' biosynthesis and a natural source of high value products with biological, aromatic, and pharmacological properties

“…Convulsions and lipofuscinosis in the central nervous system have been reported in sheep as directly linked to grazing on Cistus sp. (Riet-Correa et al, 2009). In addition, flavonoid-rich extract of C. laurifolius was responsible for degenerative effects on the periferic nerval system causing convulsive syndrome in mice (Bregante et al, 1981).…”

Intoxicação espontânea e experimental por frutos de Eugenia uvalha Cambess. (Myrtaceae) em ovinos

“…Quadro clínico de doença neurológica com evolução lenta em ovinos, também foi observado na intoxicação por Halimium brasiliense (Riet-Correa et al 2009). Os autores descrevem que a intoxicação ocorre após o consumo de grandes quantidades da planta, principalmente entre os meses de agosto a novembro, no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul.…”

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

“…Poisonings by Ateleia glazioveana (Leguminosae) in southern Brazil, Niedenzuella acutifolia (Malpighiaceae) in southeastern Brazil, and Niedenzuella multiglandulosa (Malpighiaceae) in southeastern and midwestern Brazil cause three clinically different diseases in domestic ruminants, which can occur singly or together: 1) cardiac form with fibrosis of the heart causing sudden death or congestive heart failure; 2) a perinatal form with abortion or neonatal death; and 3) a nervous form with spongiosis ( status spongiosus ) of the nervous system ( Riet-Correa et al, 2009 ; Tokarnia et al, 2012 ; Gava et al, 2021 ). However, considerable overlap exists between the different forms of the disease.…”

“… Plants Species affected Region Main references Aeschynomene indica Pigs Southern Brazil Riet-Correa et al (2003) ; Oliveira et al (2004) Bambusa vulgaris Horses Northern Brazil Barbosa et al (2006a) Casearia commersoniana Goats Northeastern Brazil Bezerra et al (2012) Centaurea solstitialis Horses Argentina and Uruguay Perdomo and Freitas (1978) ; Giannitti and Margineda (2014) Condalia microphylla Cattle and pigs La Pampa province, Argentina Bedotti et al (2006) ; Delgado et al (2011) Equisetum spp. Horses Southeastern Brazil Alvim (1948) Erythroxylum argentinum Sheep Southern Brazil Barros et al (2004) Erythroxylum deciduum Sheep Southern Brazil Borelli et al (2011) Halimium brasiliense Sheep Southern Brazil and Uruguay Riet-Correa et al (2009) Hovenia dulcis Goats and cattle Southern Brazil Colodel et al (1998) ; Bernardi et al (2016) Hybanthus calceolaria Cattle, sheep, and goats Northeastern Brazil Carvalho et al (2014) Hypochaeris radicata Horses Southern Brazil and Southern Chile Araya et al (1998) ; Araújo et al (2008) ; Rodrigues et al (2008) ...…”