Pascalia glauca poisoning in ruminants: Report of 12 outbreaks in northwestern Argentina

Toxicon. 2022 Jul 30:214:108-111. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.05.040. Epub 2022 May 25.

Abstract

Pascalia glauca, a perennial herb known for its toxicity in ruminants, is one of the most important toxic plants in northwestern Argentina. This work describes several outbreaks of natural intoxication with P. glauca from different sources affecting cattle, sheep and goats in different production systems, with morbidity varying between 1% and 100%. Clinical signs included tremors in the hindquarters, recumbency and death. The liver showed swelling, congestion and a mottled appearance. Histopathologic findings included centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis with hemorrhage.

Keywords: Centrilobular necrosis; Hepatotoxic plant; Pascalia glauca; Ruminants.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Argentina / epidemiology
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Cattle Diseases* / pathology
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
  • Goats
  • Plant Poisoning* / epidemiology
  • Plant Poisoning* / pathology
  • Plant Poisoning* / veterinary
  • Ruminants
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Sheep Diseases* / pathology