Enzootic calcinosis caused by Nierembergia rivularis in sheep

Abstract

Abstract. Enzootic calcinosis was diagnosed in sheep in Uruguay in pastures containing the plant Nierembergia rivularis. In a flock of 200 sheep, 20 were affected and 12 died. Clinical signs were anorexia, weight loss followed by cachexia, stiffness, and kyphosis. At necropsy and histologic examination, mineral deposits were observed on the medial layer of the arteries, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Similar lesions were also observed in 3 sheep forced to graze in an area containing the plant, while no lesions were observed in a control sheep that grazed in an area free of N. rivularis. It is concluded that N. rivularis is a calcinogenic plant for sheep.

Enzootic calcinosis in sheep in Uruguay: a brief review and report of two outbreaks

“…Solanum malacoxylon), which affects cattle (Döbereiner et al 1971, Riet-Correa et al 1975, Gimeno 2001, sheep (García y Santos et al 2007), buffaloes (Santos et al 2011), and equine (Odriozola et al 2017); Solanum stukertii, which affects goats in Argentina (Iglesias et al 2008, Rossanigo et al 2017; Nierembergia veitchii (Barros et al 1970, Riet-Correa et al 1987, Rissi et al 2007, 2009 and Nierembergia rivularis (syn. Nierembergia repens) (García y Santos et al 2012), which affect sheep and, more rarely, cattle in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Enzootic calcinosis (EC) of unknown cause has been reported in Central Brazil, affecting sheep, goats, and cattle (Guedes et al 2011).…”

“…Poisoning of sheep by N. rivularis in wetlands in the region of Batovi, Department of Tacuarembo, Uruguay has been reported since 1989 (Mederos et al 1991), as well as near flooded areas in the Department of Rivera (García y Santos et al 2012), on the islands of the Rincon del Bonete Lake (department of Durazno), and along the borders of the same lake in the department of Tacuarembo (Preliasco et al 2014). The poisoning occurs between October (spring) and March (summer) with a mortality of 5-24% (Table 1), affecting sheep of all ages, with the exception of suckling lambs (Mederos et al 1991, García y Santos et al 2012, Preliasco et al 2014. Enzootic calcinosis was produced experimentally in sheep grazing for three months in a 625 m 2 area of pasture infested by N. rivularis (García y Santos et al 2012).…”

“…The poisoning occurs between October (spring) and March (summer) with a mortality of 5-24% (Table 1), affecting sheep of all ages, with the exception of suckling lambs (Mederos et al 1991, García y Santos et al 2012, Preliasco et al 2014. Enzootic calcinosis was produced experimentally in sheep grazing for three months in a 625 m 2 area of pasture infested by N. rivularis (García y Santos et al 2012).…”

“…Exercise intolerance and sudden death caused by acute pulmonary edema are often observed during management practices (bathing, shearing, and dosing) of the flock (Mederos et al 1991, Rissi et al 2007, 2009, Preliasco et al 2014. Soft tissue calcification, thyroid C cell hyperplasia, parathyroid chief cell atrophy, osteonecrosis, and osteopetrosis are the main changes observed in sheep poisoned by N. veitchii (Riet-Correa et al 1987, 1993 and N. rivularis (García y Santos et al 2012). N. veitchii has a toxic principle with a biological activity similar to 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 (Riet-Correa et al 1987).…”

Intoxicación experimental con Nierembergia linariifolia var. linariifolia en cabras

“…En el algunos países ciertas especies de este género son consideradas tóxicas para el ganado, así Nierembergia veitchii Hook. (Rissi et al, 2007, Rissi et al, 2009 y N. rivularis Miers (Santos et al, 2012, Etcheverry et al, 2008 son capaces de inducir calcinosis en ovinos en Uruguay y sur de Brasil. N. hippomanica Miers, por su parte ha sido vinculada a intoxicaciones en estos mismos países aunque se menciona efectos gastroentéricos (Odini et al, 1995, Sallis et al, 2004.…”