Endemic Xanthium strumarium poisoning in cattle in flooded areas of the Araguari River, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Authors: MACHADO, MIZAEL - Instituto Nacional De Investigacion Argropecuaria, Urugary; QUEIROZ, CINTIA - Universidade Federal De Minas Gerais; WILSON, TAIS - University Of Brazil; SOUSA, DAVI - University Of Brazil; CASTRO, MARCIO - University Of Brazil; SARAVIA, ANDERSON - Instituto Nacional De Investigacion Argropecuaria, Urugary; Lee, Stephen; ARMIEN, ANIBAL - University Of California, Davis; BARROS, SEVERO - Universidade Federal De Santa Maria; RIET-CORREA, FRANKLIN - Federal University Of Bahia Reconcavo

Submitted to: Toxicon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/30/2021
Publication Date: 7/2/2021
Citation: Machado, M., Queiroz, C.R.R., Wilson, T.M., Sousa, D.E.R., Castro, M.B., Saravia, A., Lee, S.T., Armien, A.G., Barros, S.S., Riet-Correa, F. 2021. Endemic Xanthium strumarium poisoning in cattle in flooded areas of the Araguari River, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Toxicon. 200:23-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.06.019.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.06.019

Interpretive Summary: In this paper, we describe poisoning outbreaks of Xanthium strumarium in cattle on the borders of the Araguari River, Southeastern Brazil. In this region, several hydroelectric plants promote transient flooding, which creates a favorable environment for the invasion of X. strumarium in extensive areas. The poisoning outbreaks occurred between July and September. Cattle of all ages were affected. The animals exhibited weakness, loss of balance, recumbency, and the majority were found dead. On toxicological evaluation, the dicotyledons contained 0.30 µg/mg of atractyloside and 0.37 µg/mg of carboxyatractyloside. Considerable economic loss has occurred in this region due to the lack of knowledge regarding X. strumarium as a toxic plant and its adaptation to the environmental and climatic conditions of the region, which have made the condition endemic.

Technical Abstract: In this paper, we describe poisoning outbreaks of Xanthium strumarium in cattle on the borders of the Araguari River, Southeastern Brazil. In this region, several hydroelectric plants promote transient flooding, which creates a favorable environment for the invasion of X. strumarium in extensive areas, often as the predominant species in those areas. The outbreaks occurred between July and September (dry season). Bovines of all ages were affected, including suckling animals. Mortality varied from 2% to 5.5%. The animals exhibited ataxia, weakness, loss of balance, recumbency, and the majority were found dead. Laboratory results showed a marked increase in the serum activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma- glutamyltransferase. Histological and ultrastructural changes in the liver consisted of centrilobular necrosis and hemorrhage. On toxicological evaluation, the dicotyledons contained 0.30 µg/mg of atractyloside and 0.37 µg/mg of carboxyatractyloside. Considerable economic loss has occurred in this region due to the lack of knowledge regarding X. strumarium as a toxic plant and its adaptation to the environmental and climatic con-ditions of the region, which have made the condition endemic.