RESUMEN

Background: Botulism is caused by a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, a gram-positive bacterium, sporeforming anaerobe. In Brazil, this disease has relevant importance causing economic disturbance in livestock production. The present study aimed to report the epidemiology, clinical-pathological and laboratorial findings of eight outbreaks of botulism in cattle from Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil.Material, Methods & Results: Clinical and epidemiological data of eight outbreaks of botulism were obtained during visits to farms from Mossoró, Serra do Mel, Governador Dix-Sept Rosado and Olho Dágua dos Borges municipalities, located at the semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeastern Brazil. The outbreaks occurred in July 2009, August and September 2010, and April, May and October 2013. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from eleven and six animals, respectively, for laboratorial analysis. Ten cattle that recently died were necropsied, and fragments of several tissues (central nervous system, liver, kidney, heart and small intestine) were collected for histopathological examination. The observed clinical signs varied according to the clinical evolution of the disease, and included progressive paralysis of hindlimbs and sternal decubitus. The common clinical findings in all cattle was decreased muscular tonus of tongue...

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Background: Botulism is caused by a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, a gram-positive bacterium, sporeforming anaerobe. In Brazil, this disease has relevant importance causing economic disturbance in livestock production. The present study aimed to report the epidemiology, clinical-pathological and laboratorial findings of eight outbreaks of botulism in cattle from Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil.Material, Methods & Results: Clinical and epidemiological data of eight outbreaks of botulism were obtained during visits to farms from Mossoró, Serra do Mel, Governador Dix-Sept Rosado and Olho Dágua dos Borges municipalities, located at the semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeastern Brazil. The outbreaks occurred in July 2009, August and September 2010, and April, May and October 2013. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from eleven and six animals, respectively, for laboratorial analysis. Ten cattle that recently died were necropsied, and fragments of several tissues (central nervous system, liver, kidney, heart and small intestine) were collected for histopathological examination. The observed clinical signs varied according to the clinical evolution of the disease, and included progressive paralysis of hindlimbs and sternal decubitus. The common clinical findings in all cattle was decreased muscular tonus of tongue...(AU)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Descrevem-se três surtos de intoxicação por vagens de Prosopis juliflora no Sertão e Agreste de Pernambuco, na região semi-árida, em animais pastejando áreas invadidas pela planta ou que ingeriram as vagens como alimento concentrado. Em duas fazendas nas que a doença ocorria esporadicamente foram observados casos individuais. Em outra, o surto afetou um rebanho de 1206 bovinos, dos quais adoeceram 112 (9,28 por cento) e morreram 84 (6,96 por cento), enquanto os demais 28 (2,32 por cento) recuperaram-se e ganharam peso após a retirada das vagens da alimentação. Clinicamente observou-se, principalmente, perda de peso progressiva, atrofia da musculatura da face e masseter, mandíbula pendulosa, protrusão de língua, dificuldade de apreensão e mastigação dos alimentos, torção da cabeça para mastigar ou ruminar, salivação excessiva, disfagia e hipotonia lingual. Nos exames laboratoriais constatou-se anemia e hipoproteinemia. Na necropsia havia caquexia e diminuição de volume e coloração acinzentada dos músculos masseteres. Na histologia observou-se degeneração de neurônios do núcleo motor do trigêmeo, degeneração Walleriana do nervo trigêmeo e atrofia muscular por denervação do músculo masseter com substituição por tecido fibroso. Recomendam-se medidas para a profilaxia da intoxicação e discute-se a necessidade de desenvolver pesquisas para determinar a viabilidade econômica e sustentabilidade da utilização da algaroba como alimento animal ou humano e para produção de carvão, lenha ou madeira.

Three outbreaks of poisoning by Prosopis juliflora pods are reported in the semiarid region of the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil, in cattle grazing in fields invaded by the plant or ingesting mesquite beans as a concentrate food. In two farms the disease occurred sporadically. In another, 112 (9.28 percent) cattle out of 1206 were affected, 84 (6.96 percent) died due to emaciation, and 28 (2.32 percent) gained weight after the pods had been withdrawn from the feed. Main clinical signs were progressive weight loss, atrophy of the masseter muscles, dropped jaw, tongue protrusion, difficulties in prehending food, tilting the head during mastigation or rumination, salivation, impaired swallowing, and decreased tone of the tongue. The hematology reveals hypoproteinemia and anemia. Gross lesions were emaciation and reduction in size of the masseter muscles, which appear thinner than normal and grayish due muscular atrophy. Degeneration of neurons of the trigeminal motor nuclei, Wallerian degeneration of the trigeminal nerve roots, and muscular atrophy of the masseter muscles with substitution by fibrous tissue were observed on histologic examination. For the prevention of the poisoning is necessary to limit the amount of mesquite beans in animal nutrition. It is also necessary to develop research to determine the economic and sustainability of the use of Prosopis juliflora for animal food, human food or other uses such as charcoal, wood and fuel wood.

Asunto(s)