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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Poisonous Plant Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #345436
Title: Poisoning in goats by the monofluoracetate-containing plant Palicourea aeneofusca (Rubiaceae)

Author
item DE OLIVEIRA NETO, TEMISTOCLES - Federal University Of Campina Grande
item RIET-CORREA, FRANKLIN - National Agricultural Research Institute(INIA)
item Lee, Stephen
item Cook, Daniel
item SOUSA BARBOSA, FRANCISCA - Veterinary Hospital, Federal University Of Campina Grande (UFCG)
item DA SILVA NETO, JOSE - Veterinary Hospital, Federal University Of Campina Grande (UFCG)
item SIMÕES, SARA - Veterinary Hospital, Federal University Of Campina Grande (UFCG)
item LUCENA, RICARDO - Veterinary Hospital, Federal University Of Campina Grande (UFCG)

Submitted to: Toxicon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/29/2017
Publication Date: 5/31/2017
Citation: de Oliveira Neto, T.S., Riet-Correa, F., Lee, S.T., Cook, D., Sousa Barbosa, F.M., da Silva Neto, J.F., Simões, S.V., Lucena, R.B. 2017. Poisoning in goats by the monofluoracetate-containing plant Palicourea aeneofusca (Rubiaceae). Toxicon. 135:12-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.05.025.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.05.025

Interpretive Summary: The clinical signs and diagnosis of a spontaneous outbreak of Palicourea aeneofusca poisoning in goats is reported. The main clinical signs were motor incoordination, generalized muscle tremors, broad-based posture, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, vocalization and respiratory distress. Two goats died 5 and 20 minutes after the observation of the first clinical signs. Another that was found lying down died 80 hours later. One goat with mild clinical signs recovered. Congestion and bleeding were observed macroscopically and microscopically in most organs. Excess fluid in the lungs was also observed. The main microscopic findings consisted of cell damage and death of kidney cells. The average concentration of the toxin, monofluoroacetate, obtained in sixteen samples of P. aeneofusca was 0.29 ± 0.17% monofluoroacetate. It is concluded that P. aeneofusca is toxic to goats under natural conditions.

Technical Abstract: The epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of a spontaneous outbreak of Palicourea aeneofusca poisoning in goats are reported. The main clinical signs were motor incoordination, generalized muscle tremors, broad-based posture, tachypnea, tachycardia, vocalization and respiratory distress. Two goats died 5 and 20 minutes after the observation of the first clinical signs. Another that was found recumbent died 80 hours later. One goat with mild clinical signs recovered. Congestion and hemorrhages were observed macroscopically and histologically in most organs. Pulmonary edema was also observed. The main microscopic findings consisted of cytoplasmic vacuolization and necrosis of the renal tubular epithelium. The average concentration of MFA obtained in sixteen samples of P. aeneofusca was 0.29 ± 0.17% monofluoroacetate. It is concluded that P. aeneofusca is toxic to goats under natural conditions.