Photosensitization Induced by Heterophyllaea pustulata in Goats: Sequential Development of Skin Lesions

COLQUE-CARO, LUIS A.; PORTIANSKY, ENRIQUE L.; MICHELOUD, JUAN F.; NÚÑEZ-MONTOYA, SUSANA C.; GIMENO, EDUARDO J.; LUJÁN, LLUÍS; BARBEITO, CLAUDIO G.

VETERINARY PATHOLOGY

AMER COLL VET PATHOLOGIST

Año: 2021 vol. 58 p. 568 - 573

0300-9858

Five adult Saanen goats received a single oral dose of Heterophyllaea pustulata containing 42.25 mg/kg rubiadin (anthraquinone) and 3 adult goats were untreated controls. All goats were exposed to sunlight and sequential ear skin biopsies were collected before treatment and at 32 hours, 3 days, 8 days, and 15 days after treatment. Changes at 32 hours after dosing included epidermalspongiosis, single cell death and acantholysis, an increased BAX/BCL-2 protein ratio, and dermal edema. Lesions at day 3 included epidermal and adnexal necrosis, crust formation, and acanthosis. Acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and dermal fibrosis and neovascularizationwere present at day 15. The pro-apoptotic (BAX)/anti-apoptotic (BCL-2) protein ratio increased at 32 hours, whereas epidermal and dermal PCNA immunolabeling increased between days 8 and 15 after treatment. The cutaneous lesions were consistent with sunlight-induced damage, and the occurrence in treated but not control goats indicates photosensitization