Toxic nephrosis in cattle from Pernambuco State, Northeastern Brazil associated with the ingestion of Thiloa glaucocarpa .

Abstract

The objective of this chapter is to report outbreaks of nephrosis that occurred in the state of Pernambuco in areas invaded by Thiloa glaucocarpa. Thirty-two cases of toxic nephrosis were reported in the files of the Bovine Clinics of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, in the City of Garanhuns, state of Pernambuco. The cases occurred on seven farms in 2000-2002, 2007, and 2008 in the municipalities of Saloá, Buíque, Capoeiras, Paranatama, and São João, all located in the Agreste region (transition area between the lush, rainy coast and the semiarid region of the deep interior). Twenty-three of the 32 affected bovines died. Outbreaks occurred between August and October at the start of the dry season. All animals affected were females of Holstein/Zebu mixed breed. The animals had been raised in extensive systems, fed on native pastures, and received mineral salt. T. glaucocarpa was present on the farms where the disease occurred, suggesting that the disease was caused by the ingestion of this plant.

Plants causing poisoning outbreaks of livestock in South America: A review

“…Combretum glaucocarpa is the most important nephrotoxic plant in Brazil and as Q. robur , its toxicity is associated with tannins ( Tokarnia et al, 1981 ; Miranda-Neto et al, 2009 ). The leaves are ingested by cattle, causing a subacute disease, with evolution between 5 and 20 days.…”