Fotossensibilização hepatógena em bovino por ingestão de Brachiaria decumbens: relato de caso

Abstract

Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight is called photosensitization and some substances are responsible for causing primary or secondary. Grasses of the genus Brachiaria spp. have hepatotoxic substances in their composition, which cause structural alterations and consequently alter the liver functioning that result in intoxication and hepatogenic photosensitization. The objective of this work is to report a clinical case of a bovine assisted by the technical team of the University Hospital of Veterinary Medicine of UFRB. The animal presented in its history the appearance of skin lesions that presented as ulcerations, crusts, necrosis and loss of skin tissue in the testicles. The animal was examined and the diagnosis was confirm from clinical signs and epidemiological data, and treatment was instituted. Materials were collected for hematological evaluation, hepatic, muscular and renal profile, analysis of feces and urine. After one month, the animal did not show improvement and euthanasia was requested. The anatomopathological examinations allowed the diagnostic confirmation of hepatogenic photosensitization by ingestion of Brachiaria spp. Knowledge of the disease and its epidemiological aspects make it possible to minimize the losses caused by this disease and to establish effective measures of control and prophylaxis.