Suspected intoxication by Kikuyu grass (Cenchrus clandestinus) of dairy cattle in the Azores, Portugal.

IF 1.1 4区 农林科学 Q3 VETERINARY SCIENCES New Zealand veterinary journal Pub Date : 2024-05-01 Epub Date: 2024-03-04 DOI:10.1080/00480169.2024.2319101
C Coelho, J Fagundes da Silva, G Stilwell
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Abstract

Case history: An outbreak of suspected Kikuyu grass (Cenchrus clandestinus) intoxication among dairy cattle occurred on the island of Terceira in the Azores (Portugal), in October 2022. The animals affected were non-lactating dairy cows and heifers from five small farms grazing (free or tethered) a Kikuyu-dominant pasture. Of the 29 animals exposed, 17 were affected, and eight (five heifers and three adult cows) died, resulting in a morbidity rate of 58%, a mortality rate of 28% and a case mortality rate of 47%.

Clinical findings and treatment: The clinical signs were non-specific and inconsistent, and included dry faeces, some with dark red blood; apathy and prostration; abdominal dilatation; tachycardia; tachypnoea; pale or jaundiced mucous membranes; sham drinking; sialorrhoea; and moderate to severe dehydration. Symptomatic treatment was provided but was ineffective. Haematology and serum biochemistry revealed an acute inflammatory leukogram, increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, decreased gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity, and azotaemia.The most consistent necropsy findings were haemorrhages in the epicardium and endocardium, an enlarged liver with rounded edges, non-perforated abomasal ulcers, and haemorrhagic lesions in the small and large intestines. Histopathology indicated myocarditis, hepatitis, interstitial nephritis, enteritis and colitis.Several fungal species were isolated from grass samples taken from affected pastures including several Fusarium spp., the genus implicated in Kikuyu toxicosis. Immediate removal of the animals from the pasture with Kikuyu was the only measure that prevented new cases and resulted in the recovery of some of the less affected animals.

Diagnosis: The epidemiological features of this outbreak and the clinical signs and micro- and macroscopic lesions observed were highly suggestive of Kikuyu grass poisoning.

Clinical relevance: Although the weather conditions varied from other published cases, the grazing conditions (almost exclusive Kikuyu grass) and the post-mortem findings were very similar to those described in the literature, particularly the haemorrhages in the epicardium and endocardium. Kikuyu grass is very invasive and presents many desirable characteristics as cattle feed. Thus, an increase in cases of intoxication may be expected. Practitioners and farmers in areas where Kikuyu grass is abundant should be aware of the potential risks of grazing cattle exclusively on these pastures. They should also be aware of the early and subtle signs of Kikuyu intoxication to allow for timely removal of the animals from pasture.

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葡萄牙亚速尔群岛奶牛疑似感染基库尤草(Cenchrus clandestinus)。
病例历史:2022 年 10 月,葡萄牙亚速尔群岛的特塞拉岛爆发了一起奶牛疑似感染菊芋草(Cenchrus clandestinus)的疫情。受影响的动物是来自五个小型牧场的非哺乳期奶牛和小母牛,它们在以基库尤草为主的牧场(自由或系留)放牧。在受到影响的 29 头动物中,17 头受到影响,8 头(5 头小母牛和 3 头成年奶牛)死亡,发病率为 58%,死亡率为 28%,病死率为 47%:临床症状无特异性且不一致,包括粪便干燥,有些带有暗红色血迹;冷漠和乏力;腹部膨大;心动过速;呼吸过速;粘膜苍白或黄疸;假饮水;鼻出血;中度至重度脱水。已对症治疗,但效果不佳。血液学和血清生化检查显示急性炎症性白细胞图、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性升高、γ-谷氨酰转移酶(GGT)活性降低和氮质血症。最一致的尸检结果是心外膜和心内膜出血、肝脏肿大且边缘呈圆形、腹腔无穿孔溃疡以及小肠和大肠出血性病变。组织病理学检查结果表明发生了心肌炎、肝炎、间质性肾炎、肠炎和结肠炎。从受影响牧场的草样中分离出了多种真菌,其中包括几种镰刀菌属,这与基库尤中毒症有关。立即将动物从有菊芋的牧场移走是防止出现新病例的唯一措施,并使一些患病较轻的动物得以康复:诊断:此次疫情的流行病学特征以及观察到的临床症状、微观和宏观病变均高度提示吉库尤草中毒:虽然天气条件与其他已公布的病例有所不同,但放牧条件(几乎完全是基库尤草)和尸检结果与文献中描述的非常相似,尤其是心外膜和心内膜出血。Kikuyu 草具有很强的侵袭性,作为牛饲料具有许多理想特性。因此,预计中毒病例会增加。基库尤牧草丰富地区的从业人员和农民应意识到专门在这些牧场放牧的潜在风险。他们还应了解基库尤中毒的早期和细微迹象,以便及时将牲畜赶出牧场。
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来源期刊
New Zealand veterinary journal
New Zealand veterinary journal 农林科学-兽医学
CiteScore
3.00
自引率
0.00%
发文量
37
审稿时长
12-24 weeks
期刊介绍: The New Zealand Veterinary Journal (NZVJ) is an international journal publishing high quality peer-reviewed articles covering all aspects of veterinary science, including clinical practice, animal welfare and animal health. The NZVJ publishes original research findings, clinical communications (including novel case reports and case series), rapid communications, correspondence and review articles, originating from New Zealand and internationally. Topics should be relevant to, but not limited to, New Zealand veterinary and animal science communities, and include the disciplines of infectious disease, medicine, surgery and the health, management and welfare of production and companion animals, horses and New Zealand wildlife. All submissions are expected to meet the highest ethical and welfare standards, as detailed in the Journal’s instructions for authors.
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