Fadagio homblei
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Date
Authors
Botha, C.J. (Christoffel Jacobus)
Venter, Elna
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Abstract
DISTRIBUTION:
• Bushveld and rocky ridges, mainly in sandy soils (white, grey or pale-red soils).
• To the North and East of Pretoria, also common in parts of Gauteng, Limpopo and Swaziland.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: General: A perennial herbaceous shrublet with many erect, unbranched annual stems about 50 cm high. These arise from a thickened, erect, underground stem and die off in winter. Leaves: The stalkless, shiny green leaves are greyish white felted below. Produced at approximately evenly spaced intervals up the stem in whorls of 3 to 5. Flowers: Star-shaped, yellowish-green flowers with 5 petals clustered in the axils of the leaves. Fragrant. Spring. Fruit: Fleshy round berries which are green at first, shiny black when ripe. A single seed in each of its three chambers.
TOXIC PRINCIPLE: • A water-soluble polyamine called pavettamine. • Has a delayed effect on the heart. • This toxin is pH-labile and will be destroyed at pH < 2,5. • This could explain why only ruminants are susceptible (Rumen pH = 6,8). • Only very young sprouting plants are toxic.
SYNDROME: Gousiekte
SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Cardiovascular system.
CLINICAL SIGNS: Mechanism of action: The toxin inhibits synthesis of new myocardial protein, especially myosin. • After ingestion of a lethal dose of the plants, a characteristic latent period of 6 - 8 weeks of apparent normality follows before the animals suddenly die. • The majority of animals typically drop dead, usually after being frightened, handled or chased, although some may die without any stressful event occurring. • In a few cases congestive heart failure such as weakness, panting, respiratory distress and anasarca, particularly of the head, are present.
NECROPSY: Macroscopical findings: Signs of heart failure: • Lung oedema • Hydrothorax • Hydropericardium although some cases may not show any macroscopic changes. Irregular areas of pallor (greyish areas) may be seen, particularly in the endocardium.
HISTOPATHOLOGY: • A multifocal to diffuse subendocardial replacement fibrosis accompanied by a round cell infiltration, predominantly in the apex, left ventricular wall and inter- ventricular septum. • Focal to diffuse degeneration and/or necrosis of myofibres. • Hypertrophy or even atrophy of myocardial fibres.
TREATMENT: •No specific treatment, only symptomatic and supportive •Avoid unnecessary stressful situations
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: General: A perennial herbaceous shrublet with many erect, unbranched annual stems about 50 cm high. These arise from a thickened, erect, underground stem and die off in winter. Leaves: The stalkless, shiny green leaves are greyish white felted below. Produced at approximately evenly spaced intervals up the stem in whorls of 3 to 5. Flowers: Star-shaped, yellowish-green flowers with 5 petals clustered in the axils of the leaves. Fragrant. Spring. Fruit: Fleshy round berries which are green at first, shiny black when ripe. A single seed in each of its three chambers.
TOXIC PRINCIPLE: • A water-soluble polyamine called pavettamine. • Has a delayed effect on the heart. • This toxin is pH-labile and will be destroyed at pH < 2,5. • This could explain why only ruminants are susceptible (Rumen pH = 6,8). • Only very young sprouting plants are toxic.
SYNDROME: Gousiekte
SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Cardiovascular system.
CLINICAL SIGNS: Mechanism of action: The toxin inhibits synthesis of new myocardial protein, especially myosin. • After ingestion of a lethal dose of the plants, a characteristic latent period of 6 - 8 weeks of apparent normality follows before the animals suddenly die. • The majority of animals typically drop dead, usually after being frightened, handled or chased, although some may die without any stressful event occurring. • In a few cases congestive heart failure such as weakness, panting, respiratory distress and anasarca, particularly of the head, are present.
NECROPSY: Macroscopical findings: Signs of heart failure: • Lung oedema • Hydrothorax • Hydropericardium although some cases may not show any macroscopic changes. Irregular areas of pallor (greyish areas) may be seen, particularly in the endocardium.
HISTOPATHOLOGY: • A multifocal to diffuse subendocardial replacement fibrosis accompanied by a round cell infiltration, predominantly in the apex, left ventricular wall and inter- ventricular septum. • Focal to diffuse degeneration and/or necrosis of myofibres. • Hypertrophy or even atrophy of myocardial fibres.
TREATMENT: •No specific treatment, only symptomatic and supportive •Avoid unnecessary stressful situations
Description
Colour photos. Final web-ready size: JPEG. Photo 1: 44.6 kb, 96 ppi; Photo 2: 57.4 kb, 72 ppi; Photo 3: 7.3 kb, 72 ppi; Photo 4: 8.9 kb, 72 ppi;Photo 5: 25.5 kb, 96 ppi. Original TIFF file housed at the Dept. of Paraclinical Sciences, Section Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Pretoria.
Keywords
Plant poisoning, Toxicology, Plant poisoning in animals, Poisonous plants, Gousiekte, Pavettamine
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Botha, CJ & Venter, E 2002, 'Plants poisonous to livestock Southern Africa (CD-ROM)' University of Pretoria, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Dept. of Paraclinical Sciences, Section Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pretoria, South Africa.