Progressively gangrenous limbs in Korean indigenous calves

  • Kim Bum-Seok (Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine) ;
  • Camer Gerry Amor (Bio-Safety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University) ;
  • Berzina Dace (Bio-Safety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University) ;
  • Chekarova Irina (Bio-Safety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University) ;
  • Zeeshan Muhammad (Bio-Safety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University) ;
  • Borisova Irina (Bio-Safety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University) ;
  • Blank Ivar (Bio-Safety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University) ;
  • Ejaz Sohail (Bio-Safety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University) ;
  • Park Hee-Jin (Bio-Safety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University) ;
  • Kwon Jung-Kee (Bio-Safety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University) ;
  • Lim Chae-Woong (Bio-Safety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University)
  • Published : 2006.12.30

Abstract

This study investigated cases of progressively necrotizing limbs in Korean indigenous calves. The recent case (Case 1) involved a 3-month old, male calf in Jeonbuk province that presented a visibly dry form of gangrene affecting joints of the forelimbs and the hind limbs. Radiograph revealed osteoarthritis possibly resulting from pressure of disrupted joint skin, fasciae, deeper underlying musculatures and tendon. Histopathology of affected tissue showed necrotizing; severely thrombosed dilated blood vessels with rechanneling microvasculatures. The lack of substantial infectious inflammatory exudates in the vital organs and the inability to respond to antimicrobial treatment bolstered the notion that the observed thromboembolic and vascular lesion was attributed to possible vasoconstrictive effects of ergot alkaloids. Case 2: A previously encountered similar case in a 4-month old, male calf showing gangrene of hind limbs and posterior ataxia was likewise presented. These two cases were impressed as probable ergotism. Ergotism may be uncommon or underreported in Korea. Future isolation of ergot alkaloids in feeds or in pasture is highly suggested.

Keywords

References

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