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. 2024 Mar;36(2):262-268.
doi: 10.1177/10406387241228905. Epub 2024 Feb 16.

Hepatic and renal lesions in sheep intoxicated with Urochloa hybrid Mulato II in Argentina

Raúl E Marin  1 , Eduardo J Gimeno  2   3 , Franklin Riet-Correa  4 , Francisco A Uzal  5
Affiliations

Hepatic and renal lesions in sheep intoxicated with Urochloa hybrid Mulato II in Argentina

Raúl E Marin et al. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2024 Mar.

Abstract

A flock of 48 sheep in Argentina grazing on a pasture of hybrid Urochloa (formerly Brachiaria) Mulato II (Urochloa ruziziensis × Urochloa decumbens × Urochloa brizantha) developed facial dermatitis, severe jaundice, and weakness after brief physical activity. Blood biochemistry of 3 animals revealed azotemia, elevated aspartate aminotransferase activity, and increased direct, indirect, and total bilirubin concentrations. The urine was markedly turbid and contained large concentrations of bile pigments and protein. At autopsy of 2 animals, there was severe jaundice and subcutaneous submandibular edema. The livers were enlarged, intensely yellow, and had a marked acinar pattern. Gallbladders were distended, and the kidneys were diffusely dark in one animal and yellow-green in the other. Microscopically, there was lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic cholangiohepatitis with abundant crystals in the lumen of bile ducts and in the cytoplasm of macrophages. The proximal and distal convoluted renal tubules had protein casts in their lumens, and crystals were observed in the lumen and epithelial cells. Lectin histochemistry showed strong affinity for Arachis hypogaea agglutinin in hepatic macrophages. In the one sheep that was tested for heavy metals, copper concentrations in the liver and kidney were within the RIs. Despite the immediate change of pasture, morbidity and mortality were 100% within 3 mo. The association between the consumption of this pasture, and the clinical, biochemical, pathology, and lectin histochemistry findings confirmed intoxication with Urochloa hybrid Mulato II. To our knowledge, intoxication by this hybrid of Urochloa has not been reported previously.

Keywords: Argentina; Urochloa hybrid Mulato II; poisoning; sheep; toxic plants.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, or publication of this article.

Figures

Figures 1–4.
Figures 1–4.
Gross findings in sheep intoxicated with Urochloa hybrid Mulato II. Figure 1. Dermatoblepharitis with serohemorrhagic exudate in sheep 2. Figure 2. Enlarged and intensely yellow liver in sheep 1. Figure 3. Diffusely dark-brown to black kidney in sheep 1. Figure 4. Green-yellow kidney in sheep 2.
Figures 5–8.
Figures 5–8.
Microscopic hepatic and renal findings in sheep intoxicated with Urochloa hybrid Mulato II. Figure 5. Disorganized hepatic cords and distended canaliculi with bile stasis. H&E. Figure 6. Bile stasis and foamy macrophages in sheep 1. H&E. Figure 7. Protein casts in the lumens and crystals in the epithelium and lumens of proximal convoluted tubules. H&E. Figure 8. Higher magnification of Fig. 7, with radiating crystals in a proximal convoluted tubule. H&E. Inset: crystals in a proximal convoluted tubule observed with polarized light. H&E.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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