An outbreak of "kikuyu poisoning" in Western Transvaal

An outbreak of mortality in cattle grazing kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) pastures on a farm in the western Transvaal is described. These pastures had been heavily infested with army worm (Spodoptera exempta) two weeks preceding the onset of deaths. The main symptoms were excessive salivation, paresis of the tongue and pharynx, localized fine muscular tremors, ruminal tympany and stasis and congested or cyanotic mucous membranes. Significant clinical pathological findings were leukocytosis, elevated blood sugar levels and lowered serum magnesium and sodium levels. Autopsy findings of interest were patchy or diffuse hyperaemia of the rumen and abomasum and small haemorrhages in especially the lymph nodes, heart and tracheal mucosa. The most important histopathological finding was superficial or deep necrosis of the ruminal epithelium with marked neutrophile infiltration. All forms of treatment, including intravenous administration of magnesium sulphate, were of no avail. The condition closely resembles so-called "Kikuyu poisoning" in New Zealand.