A Clinical Laboratory outbreak investigation of Endemic Moist

A Clinical Laboratory outbreak investigation of Endemic Moist Eczematous Syndrome in cattle in Jhapa District of Nepal2063-2064 : 

A Clinical Laboratory outbreak investigation of Endemic Moist Eczematous Syndrome in cattle in Jhapa District of Nepal2063-2064 Dr.Kedar Karki Senior Vet. Officer, Central Veterinary Laboratory Tripureswor Kathmandu Nepal

Background: : 

Background: District livestock Service Jhapa reported the incidence of syndrome similar to be as described as Degnala disease. A total 56 cattle were affected out of which 12 of them died during treatment with antibiotic and other supportive medicine.

Background: : 

Background: On field observation in outbreak area of chak-chaki village all sick animals were having hyperemic moist eczematous lesion in all over the body ,and on the tail, thigh, legs , udder ,testicle with normal temperature and appetite.

Background: : 

Background: All the animals showing the symptoms were diagnosed as suffering from Endemic Moist Eczematous syndrome and were provided treatment with Antidegnala liquid.

Objective of Investigation: : 

Objective of Investigation: Ascertain the exact cause of the Syndrome. Evaluation of Mycobiota of rice straw fed to cattle in the area. Evaluation of Hematological parameters of clinical and post-treated animal. Evaluation of the treatment with Antidegnala liquor/penta sulphate for systemic mycoses

Slide 6: 

CLINICAL PICTURE

Slide 7: 

CLINICAL PICTURE

Hematological findings of samples from clinical case pre-treatment: : 

Hematological findings of samples from clinical case pre-treatment:

Hematological findings of samples from clinical case post treatment: : 

Hematological findings of samples from clinical case post treatment:

Mycobiota of Straw and fodder forage: : 

Mycobiota of Straw and fodder forage: Revealed the growth of fungus Penicillium spp in mycological medium on laboratory culture

Discussion : 

Discussion Facial eczema (FE) is a disease of sheep, cattle, deer and goats that causes death and lowered production from liver injury, mainly during periods of warm humid weather between January and May. The pasture fungus Pithomyces charatarum multiplies and produces spores, which contain the toxin sporidesmin. Sporidesmin causes injury to the liver, the bile ducts become thickened and may be completely blocked .

Discussion : 

Discussion The damaged liver cannot rid the body of wastes and a breakdown product of chlorophyll accumulates in the tissues and causes sensitivity to sunlight. Sunlight causes immediate and severe skin inflammation to exposed parts of the body.

Discussion : 

Discussion For rapid growth and spore formation the fungus needs warm, moist conditions common during the autumn. 4-5mm of rain or even heavy dews in conjunction with 2-4 nights when grass minimum temperatures remain above 12 degrees Celsius are sufficient to initiate rapid increases in spore numbers.

Discussion : 

Discussion Spore counts rise even more rapidly when higher grass minimum temperatures (15-16 degrees Celsius) are associated with high humidity and/or light rain.

Discussion : 

Discussion However prolonged periods of warm, humid weather early in the season can accelerate the onset of toxic pastures. by Dr Bill Hancock BVSc

Discussion : 

Discussion Facial eczema is a disease of sheep and cattle which occurs in warmer districts of the North Island during late summer and autumn and is responsible for serious production losses in some years. It is caused by a fungus, Pithomyces chartarum, which proliferates on dead plant material in pasture under warm, humid conditions.

Discussion : 

Discussion The minute spores of this fungus contain a substance, sporidesmin, which produces severe toxic effects in the liver. The appearance of livers of affected animals varies, according to the severity of the damage, from slight mottling with light patches to gross discoloration, distortion, and atrophy of large areas (Dr Marjorie).

Discussion : 

Discussion It is these effects, generally showing on the face of affected animals but also on other unpigmented skin exposed to light, such as the teats and udders of cows, which give rise to the popular name “facial eczema”. These skin effects are, however, secondary to the much more serious impairment of liver function.The fungus, Pithomyces chartarum, grows only on dead or dying plant tissues, not on the living leaf.

Discussion : 

Discussion Hence the amount of the fungus in a pasture is related to some extent to the amount of this dead material, or litter, present.

Discussion : 

Discussion Growth of the fungus, and its production of spores, is strongly influenced by climate and environmental factors. Temperature, humidity, and the time during which the litter remains wet appear to be particularly important. This explains the typical, although not invariable, association of the disease with a period of warm, wet weather,

Discussion : 

Discussion often following a dry spell during which grass growth has ceased and litter has accumulated in the herbage.The toxic substance, sporidesmin, has been isolated from cultures of the fungus and its chemical structure determined. ( Norman Trevor)

Discussion : 

Discussion Clinical Symptoms observed are initial dullness, lethargy and anorexia ,Variable onset of jaundice and photosensitization . some animals may die without either being observed ,photosensitization: sheep - non wool skin including muzzle, ears, face,

Discussion : 

Discussion In cattle - non black pigmented areas including teats, deer - generalized, some animals develop chronic ill-thrift ,some progress to a hepatic encephalopathy dullness, depression tremor, recumbency (Norman Trevor)

Conclusion: : 

Conclusion: The disease is strongly associated with the feeding of rice straw containing multiple dark specks. This observation is concurs with the findings of earlier researchers (Irfan and Maqbool 1986) who reported that fungal infested straw and fungal mats of various species in different combinations, when mixed with fresh non-infested rice straw, produced the disease. Saprophytic fungi infesting rice straw produce mycotoxin possessing vasoconstriction, which produces the lesions of the disease (Irfan et al., 1984).

Conclusion: : 

Conclusion: Same way in this observation it was observed the entire animal which was treated with injection of anti Degnala liquor followed by penta sulphate recovered completely. Same way there was marked increase in total WBC count ,and decrease in PCV and Hb during clinical phase of syndrome on treatment there was marked increase of both PCV and Hb and increase in RBC count and normal WBC count also support that this syndrome was attributed by infestation of fungus on rice straw which was fed to these animals.

Conclusion: : 

Conclusion: If proper management of dry forage during rainy season carried out it can minimize the loss due to endemic moist eczematous syndrome. Further more timely treatment of animal is initiated with use of anti Degnala liquid will minimize the losses need to be looked into