5 research outputs found

    Lasalocid Poisoning in Buffalo Calves in the State of Pará, Brazil

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    Background: Ionophore antibiotics are food additives with coccidiostatic or antimicrobial action; they are also used as growth promoters, ruminal pH regulators, volatile fatty acid molar modifiers, and methanogenesis reducers. However, these compounds have the potential to cause microbial resistance, in addition to the risk of intoxication. Ionophore poisoning may be caused by excessive intake, sensitivity of certain animal species, and concomitant use with other drugs. In Brazil, cases of ionophore poisoning in buffalos are rare. This study aims to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and pathological findings of lasalocid poisoning in buffalo calves.Case: A visit was made to a farm in the municipality of Mojú, Pará state to care for Murrah buffalo calves. After weaning, the buffalos were grazed in paddocks with Panicum spp., and received a supplement of mineral, protein, and vitamin. This supplement contained, per kg, 250 g PB, 50 g Ca, 20 g P, 8 g S, 39 g Na, 20 mg Co, 557 mg Cu, 200 mg Fe, 12.4 mg Se, 2040 mg Zn, 0.19 mg biotin, 26750 IU of vitamin A, 4175 IU of vitamin D, 155 IU of vitamin E and 300 mg/kg of lasalocid. The product was made available to all calves, at 1-2 g/kg body weight (BW), according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Older calves were raised together with those less than 30 days old; as a result, the older calves tended to eat more, which could lead to a supplementation consumption of more than 1 kg body weight per animal per day. It was reported that between 40 and 60 days after the introduction of this supplement, 16 calves fell ill and died due to apathy, motor instability, tremors, and distended neck. The herd had a mortality rate of 33.3%. Two calves underwent a necroscopic examination at the Pathology Section of the Veterinary Institute of the Federal University of Pará. Macroscopic examination revealed extensive pale areas in the skeletal muscles, myocardium, and tongue. Fragments of these muscles and various organs were collected, fixed in 10% buffered formalin, processed according to the routine histological technique, and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome stain. Microscopic examination of the histologic samples revealed foci of muscle atrophy and necrosis characterized by an increase in cytoplasmic eosinophilia associated with the loss of stretch marks, and hyperchromatic nuclei that were displaced to the periphery. The necrosis of the muscle fibers was highlighted by Masson's trichrome staining.Discussion: The diagnosis of lasalocid poisoning in buffalo calves was based on epidemiological data, clinical findings, results of macroscopic and histopathological examination, and based on the estimated ionophore intake, obtained directly from the supplement label and by the calf's handler. Based on the absence of stratification of the calves by similarity of age and because the buffalo calves older than 30 days could eat more than 1 kg of the supplement (containing 300 mg/kg of lasalocid), it was possible to estimate the intake of lasalocid per kg CP (body weight). Therefore, the intake of lasalocid by a 70-kg buffalo calf in approximately 90 days and daily supplement consumption between 1 and 1.5 kg would be between 4.2 and 6.4 mg/kg of body weight. This report reinforces that notion that buffalo calves should never ingest ionophores; however, if necessary, strict protocols must be followed to avoid poisoning in these animals. This study highlighted the fact that stratification of buffaloes by different age groups during feeding became a risk factor that allowed greater consumption by older animals; this led to the estimated consumption of 4.2-6.4 mg/kg of lasalocid.Keywords: ionophores, ruminants, buffalo calves, muscle necrosis.Descritores: ionóforos, ruminantes, bezerros búfalos, necrose muscular.Título:  Intoxicação por lasalocida em bezerros búfalos no Estado do Pará, Brasil 

    Lasalocid Poisoning in Buffalo Calves in the State of Pará, Brazil

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    Background: Ionophore antibiotics are food additives with coccidiostatic or antimicrobial action; they are also used as growth promoters, ruminal pH regulators, volatile fatty acid molar modifiers, and methanogenesis reducers. However, these compounds have the potential to cause microbial resistance, in addition to the risk of intoxication. Ionophore poisoning may be caused by excessive intake, sensitivity of certain animal species, and concomitant use with other drugs. In Brazil, cases of ionophore poisoning in buffalos are rare. This study aims to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and pathological findings of lasalocid poisoning in buffalo calves.Case: A visit was made to a farm in the municipality of Mojú, Pará state to care for Murrah buffalo calves. After weaning, the buffalos were grazed in paddocks with Panicum spp., and received a supplement of mineral, protein, and vitamin. This supplement contained, per kg, 250 g PB, 50 g Ca, 20 g P, 8 g S, 39 g Na, 20 mg Co, 557 mg Cu, 200 mg Fe, 12.4 mg Se, 2040 mg Zn, 0.19 mg biotin, 26750 IU of vitamin A, 4175 IU of vitamin D, 155 IU of vitamin E and 300 mg/kg of lasalocid. The product was made available to all calves, at 1-2 g/kg body weight (BW), according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Older calves were raised together with those less than 30 days old; as a result, the older calves tended to eat more, which could lead to a supplementation consumption of more than 1 kg body weight per animal per day. It was reported that between 40 and 60 days after the introduction of this supplement, 16 calves fell ill and died due to apathy, motor instability, tremors, and distended neck. The herd had a mortality rate of 33.3%. Two calves underwent a necroscopic examination at the Pathology Section of the Veterinary Institute of the Federal University of Pará. Macroscopic examination revealed extensive pale areas in the skeletal muscles, myocardium, and tongue. Fragments of these muscles and various organs were collected, fixed in 10% buffered formalin, processed according to the routine histological technique, and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome stain. Microscopic examination of the histologic samples revealed foci of muscle atrophy and necrosis characterized by an increase in cytoplasmic eosinophilia associated with the loss of stretch marks, and hyperchromatic nuclei that were displaced to the periphery. The necrosis of the muscle fibers was highlighted by Masson's trichrome staining.Discussion: The diagnosis of lasalocid poisoning in buffalo calves was based on epidemiological data, clinical findings, results of macroscopic and histopathological examination, and based on the estimated ionophore intake, obtained directly from the supplement label and by the calf's handler. Based on the absence of stratification of the calves by similarity of age and because the buffalo calves older than 30 days could eat more than 1 kg of the supplement (containing 300 mg/kg of lasalocid), it was possible to estimate the intake of lasalocid per kg CP (body weight). Therefore, the intake of lasalocid by a 70-kg buffalo calf in approximately 90 days and daily supplement consumption between 1 and 1.5 kg would be between 4.2 and 6.4 mg/kg of body weight. This report reinforces that notion that buffalo calves should never ingest ionophores; however, if necessary, strict protocols must be followed to avoid poisoning in these animals. This study highlighted the fact that stratification of buffaloes by different age groups during feeding became a risk factor that allowed greater consumption by older animals; this led to the estimated consumption of 4.2-6.4 mg/kg of lasalocid.Keywords: ionophores, ruminants, buffalo calves, muscle necrosis.Descritores: ionóforos, ruminantes, bezerros búfalos, necrose muscular.Título:  Intoxicação por lasalocida em bezerros búfalos no Estado do Pará, Brasil 

    Reemergência da infecção natural por Trypanosoma evansi em cavalos, na região do Arari, Ilha do Marajó, Brazil

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    Two outbreaks of trypanosomiasis by Trypanosoma evansi in horses in the municipality of Chaves, Marajó Island, Pará State, Brazil are reported. The first outbreak occurred in April 2011 in a farm with 147 horses; of these, 47 (31.97%) got sick, and 40 (27.21%) died. The second outbreak occurred in May 2012 and involved nine properties. Of a total of 679 horses, 209 (30.07%) got sick, and 183 (26.97%) died. The main clinical signs observed in these horses were weight loss, abdominal edema, toe dragging, and pelvic muscle atrophy. Necropsy was performed in two horses, one from each outbreak. Macroscopic alterations were not seen in the horse from the first outbreak; however, the horse from the second outbreak exhibited emaciation, pallor and icterus, as well as enlarged spleen with prominent white pulp at cut surface. Histopathology of the central nervous system of both animals revealed mild to severe, diffuse lymphoplasmacytic encephalitis, with presence of Mott cells. Immunohistochemistry for T. evansi revealed structures similar to intralesional trypomastigote forms. Between November and December of 2013, an epidemiological survey was carried out in the municipalities of Cachoeira do Arari, Santa Cruz do Arari, Salvaterra, Soure, and Chaves. Only Santa Cruz do Arari and Chaves had reported cases of the disease. Blood samples were collected from 243 horses for detection of T. evansi DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 20 were positive.São relatados dois surtos de tripanossomíase por Trypanosoma evansi , em cavalos no município de Chaves, Ilha do Marajó, Pará, Brasil. O primeiro surto ocorreu em abril de 2011 em uma fazenda com 147 cavalos, em que 47 (31,97%) adoeceram e 40 (27,21%) morreram. O segundo ocorreu em maio de 2012 e envolveu nove propriedades. De um total de 679 cavalos, 209 (30,07%) adoeceram e 183 (26,97%) morreram. Os principais sinais clínicos observados foram perda de peso, edema abdominal, emboletamento dos membros e atrofia da musculatura da região pélvica e membros posteriores. A necropsia foi realizada em dois cavalos, um de cada surto. O equino do primeiro surto não apresentou lesões macroscópicas, enquanto o segundo, do segundo surto, apresentava emagrecimento, palidez e icterícia, aumento do baço com protrusão da polpa branca ao corte. O sistema nervoso central de ambos os animais revelou uma leve à severa encefalite linfoplasmocitária, difusa, com presença de células de Mott. A imunohistoquímica para T. evansi revelou estruturas similares a formas tripomastigotas nas lesões. Entre novembro e dezembro de 2013, um levantamento epidemiológico foi realizado nos municípios de Cachoeira do Arari, Santa Cruz do Arari, Salvaterra, Soure e Chaves. Somente Santa Cruz do Arari e Chaves relataram casos da doença. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 243 equinos e realizada a reação em cadeia de polimerase (PCR) para a detecção do DNA de T. evansi das quais 20 foram positivas

    Reemerging of natural infection by Trypanosoma evansi in horses in Arari, Marajó Island, Brazil

    No full text
    ABSTRACT: Two outbreaks of trypanosomiasis by Trypanosoma evansi in horses in the municipality of Chaves, Marajó Island, Pará State, Brazil are reported. The first outbreak occurred in April 2011 in a farm with 147 horses; of these, 47 (31.97%) got sick, and 40 (27.21%) died. The second outbreak occurred in May 2012 and involved nine properties. Of a total of 679 horses, 209 (30.07%) got sick, and 183 (26.97%) died. The main clinical signs observed in these horses were weight loss, abdominal edema, toe dragging, and pelvic muscle atrophy. Necropsy was performed in two horses, one from each outbreak. Macroscopic alterations were not seen in the horse from the first outbreak; however, the horse from the second outbreak exhibited emaciation, pallor and icterus, as well as enlarged spleen with prominent white pulp at cut surface. Histopathology of the central nervous system of both animals revealed mild to severe, diffuse lymphoplasmacytic encephalitis, with presence of Mott cells. Immunohistochemistry for T. evansi revealed structures similar to intralesional trypomastigote forms. Between November and December of 2013, an epidemiological survey was carried out in the municipalities of Cachoeira do Arari, Santa Cruz do Arari, Salvaterra, Soure, and Chaves. Only Santa Cruz do Arari and Chaves had reported cases of the disease. Blood samples were collected from 243 horses for detection of T. evansi DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 20 were positive
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