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Blue-green algae toxicosis in cattle

B Puschner1, F D Galey, B Johnson

  • 1California Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|December 5, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Blue-green algae (Microcystis) in a Colorado stock pond caused the death of 24 heifers. Diagnosis of this blue-green algae toxicosis was confirmed by identifying microcystin-LR, a potent hepatotoxin.

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Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Toxicology
  • Environmental Health
  • Animal Science

Background:

  • Blue-green algae blooms, particularly Microcystis species, can produce potent toxins.
  • Contaminated water sources pose a significant risk to livestock health and welfare.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cause of death in cattle that ingested water from a suspected blue-green algae-contaminated stock pond.
  • To identify the specific toxin and causative agent responsible for the observed mortality.

Main Methods:

  • Field investigation of affected cattle and the water source.
  • Necropsy and histopathological examination of deceased heifers.
  • Laboratory analysis of pond water using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).
  • Experimental inoculation of mice with algal material.

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Main Results:

  • Twenty-four of 175 heifers died following ingestion of contaminated pond water.
  • Clinical signs included nervousness, recumbency, weakness, anorexia, and hypersensitivity.
  • Necropsy revealed algae in the rumen and enlarged, friable, dark red livers with hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis.
  • HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of microcystin-LR, a known hepatotoxin produced by Microcystis.

Conclusions:

  • The deaths were attributed to blue-green algae toxicosis caused by Microcystis species.
  • Microcystin-LR was identified as the likely causative hepatotoxin.
  • HPLC is a valuable diagnostic tool for identifying blue-green algae toxicosis in livestock.