Clinical signs of Ipomoea carnea - intoxication in goats. A clinico-pathological correlation with special consideration on the central nervous system

RIOS ELVIO E; CHOLICH LUCIANA A; GARCÍA ENRIQUE N; CHILESKY GABRIELA; GIMENO EDUARDO J.; ACOSTA DE PEREZ OFELIA C

Lisboa

Congreso; II Iberic Meeting of Veterinary Pathology.; 2011

Sociedad Portuguesa de Patologia Animal y Sociedad Española de Anatomia Patologica Veterinaria

Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa, aguapei or mandiyura, is responsible for lysosomal storage in goats. It contains several alkaloids, mainly swansonine, which inhibits lysosomal á-mannosidase and Golgi mannosidase II. Poisoning occurs by inhibition of these hydrolases. There is neuronal vacuolation, endocrine dysfunction, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal injury and immune disorders. We describe the clinical and pathology of the disease in Northeast Argentina. Five goats received fresh leaves and stems of Ipomoea. At the beginning they did not consume the plant but later it was preferred at any other forage. High dose induced rapid intoxication, whereas with low doses it takes longer. The goats were sacrificed when they were recumbent. Brain, cerebellum, medulla oblongata, pons and colliculi were routinely processed for histology. In nine days we found: abnormal fascie, dilated nostrils, abnormal postures of head, cephalic tremors and nystagmus, difficulty to stay on station. Subsequently, it was a tendency to fall, always to the left, with spastic convulsions. Purkinje and deep nuclei neurons were damaged. As a consequence, voluntary movements lack coordination. The cochlear reflex originated hyperreflexia, abnormal posture, head movements and tremors. The withdrawal reflex produces flexor muscles hypersensitivity at the four members, later depression and stupor. Abnormal responses to sounds are related to colliculus lesions. Thalamic damage alters the withdrawal reflex, showing incomplete reaction. Cervical air bristling may be a nociceptive response also regulated by the thalamus. Depression may be associated with agonists of lysergic acid present in Ipomoea. The wide variety of SNC lesions, it would be essential to reach an early diagnosis to a proper management of an economically relevant disease for goats production