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Clinical expression of lolitrem B (perennial ryegrass) intoxication in horses.
- Source :
-
Equine veterinary journal [Equine Vet J] 2012 May; Vol. 44 (3), pp. 304-9. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 Jul 27. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Reasons for Performing Study: Perennial ryegrass staggers is purported to be a common neurological mycotoxicosis of horses but the case description lacks detail and evidence.<br />Objective: To describe the clinical syndrome of lolitrem B intoxication in horses, limiting tests to those that are applicable to clinical practice, and to assess the potential value of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests for lolitrem B in horse body fluids.<br />Methods: Seven horses in 2 separate groups were fed perennial ryegrass seed and hay containing 2 ppm lolitrem B. Paired data were collected prior to and after 2 weeks exposure to lolitrem B, including video-documented neurological examination and clinical examination.<br />Results: All horses developed a variable degree of tremor and ataxia when exposed to lolitrem B. Tremor depended on the level of activity and included a subtle, rapid tremor of the eyeball. Ataxia was exaggerated by blindfolding and primarily involved a truncal sway and irregular, but predictable, limb placements. No change was detected in urine lolitrem B levels and, although plasma lolitrem B increased during the treatment period, levels did not correlate with the severity of clinical signs displayed. Limb swelling, heel lesions and serous nasal discharge were also observed in horses most severely intoxicated.<br />Conclusions: The clinical effects of lolitrem B intoxication in horses primarily involve action-related tremors and symmetrical vestibular ataxia. Ergovaline may have caused the limb swelling, heel lesions and serous nasal discharge. Plasma ELISA for lolitrem B may be of diagnostic use in the future.<br />Potential Relevance: This study provides a clearer appreciation of the clinical signs and variability of perennial ryegrass intoxication in horses.<br /> (© 2011 EVJ Ltd.)
- Subjects :
- Animal Feed analysis
Animal Feed toxicity
Animals
Ataxia chemically induced
Ataxia veterinary
Ergotamines analysis
Ergotamines toxicity
Female
Horse Diseases diagnosis
Horse Diseases pathology
Horses
Indole Alkaloids
Male
Mycotoxins analysis
Plant Poisoning diagnosis
Plant Poisoning pathology
Plants, Toxic toxicity
Seeds toxicity
Tremor chemically induced
Tremor veterinary
Horse Diseases chemically induced
Lolium toxicity
Mycotoxins toxicity
Plant Poisoning veterinary
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2042-3306
- Volume :
- 44
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Equine veterinary journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 21793878
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00439.x