Indole−Diterpenes and Ergot Alkaloids in Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda Grass) Infected with Claviceps cynodontis from an Outbreak of Tremors in Cattle

Abstract

Tremorgenic syndromes in mammals are commonly associated with indole-diterpenoid alkaloids of fungal origin. Cattle are sometimes affected by tremors (also called "staggers") when they graze on toxic grass pastures, and Bermuda grass ( Cynodon dactylon , kweek) has been known to be associated with tremors for several decades. This study reports the identification of paspalitrems and paspaline-like indole-diterpenes in the seedheads of Claviceps cynodontis -infected Bermuda grass collected from a pasture that had caused a staggers syndrome in cattle in South Africa and thereby links the condition to specific mycotoxins. The highest concentration (about 150 mg/kg) was found for paspalitrem B. Ergonovine and ergine (lysergic acid amide), together with their C-8 epimers, were found to co-occur with the indole-diterpenes at concentrations of about 10 microg/kg. The indole-diterpene profile of the extract from the ergotized Bermuda grass was similar to that of Claviceps paspali sclerotia. However, the C. paspali sclerotia contained in addition agroclavine and elymoclavine. This is the first study linking tremors associated with grazing of Bermuda grass to specific tremorgenic indole-diterpenoid mycotoxins.

Nodding syndrome in Mundri county, South Sudan: Environmental, nutritional and infectious factors

“…Members of the genus Claviceps are parasites of grasses that specifically infect florets, replace the host reproductive organ with a sclerotium, and synthesize indole-diterpenes with mammalian neurotoxic properties. 65 Best known to medicine are the ergot alkaloids produced by the fungus C. purpurea, which invades rye, wheat, oats, and phalaris grass (vide infra), especially after cold winters followed by rainy springs. Intake of small amounts of ergot results in vasoconstriction that may lead to gangrene, while larger amounts induce convulsions.…”

Mycotoxicoses of ruminants and horses

“…66 The main indole-diterpenoid tremorgens in C. paspali are paspalinine and paspalitrems A-C. 17 This mycotoxicosis occurs in southern Brazil, 66 Uruguay, 56 Argentina, 36 the United States, 17 Australia, 39 New Zealand, 80 Europe, 5,44 and South Africa. 9,81 Several species of Paspalum can be infected by C. paspali, including Paspalum dilatatum Poiret, Paspalum notatum Flügge, Paspalum distichum L. (syn. Paspalum paspalodes [Michx.]…”

“…36,56,66 Cattle of various ages and categories, as well as buffalo 5 and horses, 15 can be affected. Poisoning by consumption of C. dactylon L. has been reported in cattle in Uruguay, 57,70 Argentina, 46 the United States, 16 and South Africa 81 and in horses in California. 16 In South Africa, it was determined that the toxicity of this species was due to infection with Claviceps cynodontis, which contains a mixture of indole-diterpenes, of which paspalitrems A and B, as well as paspaline and paspalinine, represented major constituents.…”

Genomes of Plant-Associated Clavicipitaceae

“…Compounds of the ergot alkaloid chemical class have been purified from ergot fungi and sometimes chemically modified into important pharmaceuticals or into the illicit drug, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) (Hofmann, 1978;Schardl et al, 2006). Ergots can also contain tremorgenic indole-diterpenes, which have received less consideration in human health but are a recognized cause of livestock poisoning (Schardl, Young, Hesse, et al, 2013;Uhlig, Botha, Vrålstad, Rolén, & Miles, 2009 (Kepler et al, 2012;Sung, Sung, Hywel Jones, & Spatafora, 2007). Whereas all three families are dominated by pathogens of insects, the Clavicipitaceae sensu stricto include a very large number of plant parasites and plant symbionts.…”