Clinical Epidemiology Study of Lantana poisoning Sukharia in cattle in Saptari district of Nepal Dr.Kedar Karki Senior Veterinary Officer Central Veterinary Laboratory, Kathmandu Abstract Lantana poisoning has been taking a heavy toll of cattle year after year. A study was carried out in different villages of Saptari district in the year 2006/2007 to find out etiological epidemiology of Lantana plant poisoning in cattle. Altogether 35 cattle were selected on the basis of history and clinical findings. Different types of samples; blood, serum, urine, skin scraping, samples of local fodder and necropsy samples were collected and accessed for various tests. Hamatological study revealed normal blood parameters except for low haemoglobin contentt and neutrophillia. Most of the urine samples were positive for protein. Biochemical estimation revealed the serum level of total protein, total bilirubin, and SGOT above the normal range. Necropsy examination showed enlarged liver and gall bladder. The suspected Lantana camara plant examined at Natural Products Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Resources, Thapathali, Kathmandu was positive for the toxin triterpene acid. The history, clinical findings, and laboratory results as well as toxic principle present in Lantana camara plant provides strong base to confirm the plant as the cause of Sukharia disease in cattle of the areas under study. Key word: Lantana .sukkharia, neutrophillia, toxin triterpene acid Introduction Sukharia is a location specific disease of cattle characterized by dryness of skin, dry faeces in the form of pellets, general debility and death. The disease has been reported in cattle of Saptari district during the period of June-September for the last eight years. The cause of the disease remained uncertain despite of several studies. The disease is locally known as Sukharia due to the fact that the animals suffer from the dryness of the skin, constipation and dry pellet faeces. Because of the sloughing of the skin, this is also called Wadarah in local tounge. The disease has been reported in the north eastern part of Saptari district and the Village Development Committees (VDCs) affected are Ghoghanpur, Rupnagar, Bhardah, Baramajhia, Badgama, Bairba, Jagatapur, Mainakaderi, Lohajara, Madhawapur, Odraha/Kamalpur, Diman, Tirkaul, Phattepur, Portaha, Baluwa and Giothi according to the epidemiological data collected by District Livestock Services Office, Saptari. Cattle especially young are susceptible and show signs of depression and inappetence, constipation and dry faecal pallets, reddening and inflammation of skin, photosensitization of different parts of skin, dermatitis, necrosis, curling and sloughing of ear tip, extensive necrosis of skin even to loss of tail and hooves, yellowish discoloration of mucous membrane, reddish yellow colour urine In acute cases death occurs within two days whereas in chronic cases death in 1-3 weeks primarily due to starvation, dehydration, and conccurrent infections. Materials and methods Clinical examination The study was conducted in the fiscal year 2006/2007 in different VDCs of Saptari district to investigate Sukharia disease in cattle. Formats were designed and history as well as primary records related to clinical findings were collected by direct interviewing with farmers and clinical examination of affected cattle adopting door to door survey system of selected sites. Altogether 35 horses were screened on the basis of history and clinical findings from areas having most of the cattle suffering from Sukharia disease (Table 1). Five control animals (apparently healthy cattle) were also selected. Table 1: Details of site and case selection S. N. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. VDCs Bhardah Bairaba Jagatpur Badgama Kanchanpur Total cases 8 6 6 10 5 35 Total Laboratory examination  Collection of whole blood in EDTA for the estimation of Hb, PCV, TLC & TEC.  Blood smears prepared simultaneously for blood parasite examination.  Separation of serum for estimation of bilirubin, total protein and SGOT.  Urine samples collection for examination of blood, ketone-bodies, pH, protein and glucose.  Skin scrapings collection for isolation of fungus and examination of external parasite.  Different varieties at different stages of Lantana camara plant collection for chemical analysis (to find out toxin triterpene acid).  Samples of drinking water for estimation of arsenic content.  P.M. examination to find out changes in normal organs. Result & discussion On the basis of history presented by farmers and clinical findings, cattle are the only species found to be affected by Sukharia disease. The affected cattle population includes mostly young with their age ranging from 6 months to 3 years with an average mortality of 8 percent which is in accordance with the statement of K. James who mentioned an outbreak of Lantana camara poisoning in cattle in which 10 out of 91 animals died. In the present study as shown in Table 2, the average value of Hb, PCV and RBC count in Sukharia affected cattle was below normal value. However, percentage of neutrophils in the blood was above normal range. Blood parameters show anaemia and neutrophilia in affected individuals. Anaemia may be due to chronic nature of the disease where as neutrophilia gives an indication of secondary bacterial infection through open skin wound. The blood serum values of total protein and total (Table 3) were higher than the normal value which is suggestive of liver and kidney damage. Similarly the result of urine analysis (Table 4) showed proteinuria which is suggestive of Kidney damage. These findings justify the presence of hepatotoxin and nephrotoxin in the suspected local plant. Table 2: Blood examination Hb PCV Total count (gm %) (%) RBC million / WBC cu.mm Thou. / cu. mm Normal values 11.3 34 5.96 7.03 Control animals 9.2 27 5.02 7.06 Sukharia 7.5 23 4.03 7.09 affected cattle Table 3: Blood serum examination T. Protein (gm / dl) 5.7-8.1 5.0 5 cases- normal Others - T. Bilirubin (mg / dl) 0-1.9 0.7 31 cases + ve (1.7 to 3.5) SGOT (µ / l) 60-150 Avg - 105 90 120-220 Differential count N E L M 29 32 40 9 8 6 54 56 50 4 4 3 Normal values Control animals Sukharia affected cattle Table 4: Urine examination and analysis Normal cattle Control animals Sukharia affected cattle pH 7.9 7.8 7.6 Blood -ve -ve 2 cases +ve Other -ve Ketone bodies - ve - ve - ve Protein - ve - ve 20 cases ++ve 9 cases +ve Others -ve Glucose - ve - ve - ve The examination of skin scraping, drinking water and blood smear revealed the absence of external parasite and fungus, arsenic content and blood parasite respectively. These are an indication of an absence of skin diseases caused by other factors and protozoan infestation. Liver and kidney were the most affected organs found in post mortem examination of four cattle. The liver was enlarged, the gall bladder distended, and the carcass icterus. These are indication of Lantana plant poisoning. The Lantana camara plant was sent to Department of Plant Resources, Thapathali, Kathmandu and on May 25, 2006, it confirmed the presence of toxin “triterpene acid” in Lantana camara plant. Lorge et al (1996) reported that Lantana camera contains alkaloids, which are hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic in cattle, sheep and dogs. The Lantana camara plant is found abundantly in the aforementioned areas of Saptari district around the farms, roads and in the open pasture lands. Animals usually reject to eat Lantana camara plant because of its pungent smell. But, according to farmers, the plant is consumed by animals when starved in the early part of rainy season when its foliage is seen after dry season or summer. Conclusion & recommendation The history, clinical findings, laboratory results, and toxic principle of Lantana camara plant confirm the later as the main cause of Sukharia disease. So, it is recommended that all animals are to be kept away from the open grazing lands where there are Lantana plants, particularly in the early rainy season when they bloom ahead other plants. There is no specific antidote for lantana plant poisoning and the symptomatic treatment should be followed. First, attempts are to be made to remove ingested material by a purgative. When necessary rumen can be opened and the material can be removed from it. Administration of Activated charcoal orally or intraruminaly is very useful to remove the toxin from the gut. Intravenous dextrose saline can combat weakness and dullness. Antibiotics are to be given to prevent secondary bacterial infections. To combat liver dysfunction, animals are to be given liver extracts. Administration of B- Complex vitamins, vitamin ``A'' and ``C'', digestive tonic is good. Further investigation is required to study the biochemical mechanism of Lantana intoxication at the cellular, sub cellular, and molecular levels in order to evolve a successful antidote and more rational therapy during lantana intoxication. Acknowledgement Our special thanks go to Dr. Rebati Man Shrestha and Dr. Karuna Sharma Bhattarai, CVL, for their general as well as technical support during the investigation period. We are also thankful to the Department of Plant Resources, Natural Products Resource Laboratory, Thapathali, Kathmandu for their technical support in finding out plant toxin. All the technical staffs of RVL, Biratnagar deserve appreciation for their assistance in field survey as well as laboratory works. References 1. The Merck Veterinary Manual (1986), Sixth Edition, published by Merck and co., Ine., U.S.A. PP 438. 2. Clarke E.G.C and Clarke, M.J., 1970, Garner's Veterinary Toxicology, PP 405/406, Billiere Tindall London. 3. Clarke E.G.C. and Clarke, M.L.1987, Veterinary Toxicology, PP. 370, ELBS 4. Lourge.G, Lechenet. J. and Riviere, 1996, Clinical Veterinary Toxicology, pp. 123 Edited by Chapman, M.J. Ouney Mead, Oxford. 5. Pant G. R., Shakya, K.P., Deo S.N. (1999). The investigation of causative agent of Sukharia disease Diagnosis, organised by CVL and ADCS, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu (2056-08-27 to 2056-08-28), PP. 15-20.