Chronic pithomycotoxicosis associated with obstructive rhinopathy in sheep

Heras, Marcelo de las (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Lacasta, Delia (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Reséndiz, Raúl A. ; Rivas, Ane ; Garzianda, Ane ; Miguel, Ricardo de ; Ruiz, Héctor (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Castells, Enrique ; González, Vicente (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Ferrer, Luis M. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Pithomycotoxicosis (facial eczema) is a seasonal hepatogenous photosensitization of sheep caused by the ingestion of sporidesmin contained in the spores of the fungus Pithomyces chartarum. We describe 4 cases of obstructive rhinopathy associated with chronic pithomycotoxicosis naturally occurring in the north of Spain. Sheep were 5 to 7 years old and Latxa breed. A detailed clinical study was conducted together with computerized tomography examination and completed by necropsy and histopathology. All sheep developed a permanent narrowing of the nasal lumen close to the nostrils causing inspiratory dyspnea and snoring. Computerized tomography demonstrated a significant increase of soft tissue in the rostral nasal cavity. Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lipase were noted on serum biochemistry. At necropsy, liver atrophy and fibrosis associated with chronic pithomycotoxicosis was identified in 3 of the sheep. All sheep had whitish elevations and rough surfaces on the alar folds and areas adjacent to the nasal surfaces. Histopathologic assessments, which included histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques, of the nasal lesions identified moderate to severe arteriosclerosis in 21.5% to 61.9% of the small arteries evaluated with surrounding fibrosis and edema. No changes associated with hypersensitivity reactions were found. These lesions were similar to the ones described in blood vessels of the liver in chronic pithomycotoxicosis and in our cases. The results of this study suggest a direct action of the sporidesmin on the rostral nasal cavity. Further studies are needed to analyze the impact of the sporidesmin on the sheep nasal mucosa.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1177/03009858221109095

Año: 2022

Publicado en: Veterinary Pathology 59, 6 (2022), 950-959
ISSN: 0300-9858

Factor impacto JCR: 2.4 (2022)

Categ. JCR: VETERINARY SCIENCES rank: 29 / 144 = 0.201 (2022) - Q1 - T1
Categ. JCR: PATHOLOGY rank: 41 / 76 = 0.539 (2022) - Q3 - T2

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 4.4 - Veterinary (Q1)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.609 - Veterinary (miscellaneous) (Q1)

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Área Sanidad Animal (Dpto. Patología Animal)
Área (Departamento): Área Medicina y Cirugía Animal (Dpto. Patología Animal)
Área (Departamento): Área Botánica (Dpto. CC.Agrar.y Medio Natural)