Poisoning by pyrrolizidine alkaloids in ruminants and horses in Brazil.

Lucena R.B., Rissi D.R., Maia L.A., Dantas A.F.M., Flores M.A., Nobre V.M.T., Riet-Correa F. & Barros C.S.L. 2010. [Poisoning by pyrrolizidine alkaloids in ruminants and horses in Brazil.] Intoxicacao por alcaloides pirrolizidinicos em ruminantes e equinos no Brasil. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 30(5):447-452. Laboratorio de Patologia Veterinaria, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima 1000, Cidade Universitaria, Camobi, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil. E-mail: claudioslbarros@uol.com.br Cases of poisoning by pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in ruminants and horses were surveilled retrospectively by accessing the files of two veterinary diagnostic laboratories in southern and northeastern Brazil. The data obtained were compared with those withdrawn from the literature and pertaining to outbreaks of the toxicosis in Brazil where it is associated with the ingestion of PAs-containing plants from the genera Senecio, Crotalaria and Echium. Acute and chronic forms of the toxicosis were encountered. Acute disease was observed in association with the ingestion of Crotalaria retusa in sheep and goats. C. retusa and Senecio spp. were also responsible for chronic poisoning in cattle, horses and sheep. PAs poisoning is an important cause of death in livestock in Brazil. It is the major cause of death in cattle in the Central region of Rio Grande do Sul and one of the major causes of death in horses in the state of Paraiba. The epidemiology, clinical signs, pathology, and importance of acute and chronic toxicoses are described and discussed.