Staggers in horses grazing paspalum infected with Claviceps paspali.
Abstract: Invasion of the flowering heads of grasses by Claviceps spp. can produce sclerotia (ergots) containing several toxins. Ingestion of these toxins, through the consumption of paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum), can induce a range of clinical symptoms, including staggers. Cattle are the most commonly affected species, but although sheep and horses have been reported affected there are no published descriptions of paspalum staggers in horses. We describe two occurrences of paspalum staggers, the first in three Australian Stockhorse foals and the second in mature Standardbred horses. All three foals presented with ataxia in all limbs after consuming infected paspalum. One foal died from misadventure and the other two recovered within 1 week of removal from the infected paddock. In the second case, two of eight mares and geldings grazing in an irrigation channel developed hindquarter paresis. After removal of all horses from the area, one of the affected horses continued to deteriorate. Both horses were treated with antibiotics. The more severely affected horse was also treated with fluids and electrolytes, but had to be euthanased. The second affected horse recovered after 2 days. Paspalum pastures should inspected for Claviceps paspali infection before the introduction of horses.
© 2010 The Authors. Australian Veterinary Journal © 2010 Australian Veterinary Association.
Publication Date: 2010-09-22 PubMed ID: 20854295DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2010.00624.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates cases of staggers in horses that have grazed on paspalum infected with Claviceps paspali. Staggers is a disease caused by toxins found in Claviceps paspali and it was observed in two different horse breeds and resulted in a range of symptoms, including paralysis in some instance.
Introduction
- The researchers are studying a type of disease in horses known as staggers, caused due to the ingestion of toxins from the fungus Claviceps paspali.
- This fungus typically invades the flowering heads of grasses, in this case, paspalum, and produces ergots or sclerotia, which contain these toxins.
- While cattle are the most commonly affected species, sheep and horses can also suffer symptoms. However, there have been no previously published descriptions of paspalum staggers in horses.
Case Studies
- The study provides detailed accounts of two occurrences of paspalum staggers in horses. In the first case, three Australian Stockhorse foals showed symptoms of ataxia or loss of full control of bodily movements after consuming infected paspalum.
- One of the foals died, while the other two recovered within one week after being removed from the infected paddock.
- In another case with mature Standardbred horses, two out of eight horses grazing in an irrigation channel presented hindquarter paresis or partial paralysis after being exposed to infected paspalum.
- Even after the removal of the horses from the area, one of these horses continued to decline in health, eventually being euthanised despite treatment. The other horse recovered after a couple of days.
Conclusion
- The study draws attention to the dangers posed by Claviceps paspali infection in paspalum pastures for horses, underlining the need for careful inspection before introducing horses into such environments.
- It also indicates that immediate removal from the source of infection coupled with quick treatment efforts can significantly improve recovery chances.
Cite This Article
APA
Cawdell-Smith AJ, Scrivener CJ, Bryden WL.
(2010).
Staggers in horses grazing paspalum infected with Claviceps paspali.
Aust Vet J, 88(10), 393-395.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2010.00624.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Animal Studies, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia. j.cawdellsmith@uq.edu.au
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Claviceps / metabolism
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / mortality
- Horses
- Male
- Mycotoxicosis / diagnosis
- Mycotoxicosis / mortality
- Mycotoxicosis / veterinary
- Paspalum / microbiology
- Survival Analysis
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Kozák L, Szilágyi Z, Tóth L, Pócsi I, Molnár I. Functional characterization of the idtF and idtP genes in the Claviceps paspali indole diterpene biosynthetic gene cluster. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2020 Jun;65(3):605-613.
- Kozák L, Szilágyi Z, Tóth L, Pócsi I, Molnár I. Tremorgenic and neurotoxic paspaline-derived indole-diterpenes: biosynthetic diversity, threats and applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019 Feb;103(4):1599-1616.
- Kozák L, Szilágyi Z, Vágó B, Kakuk A, Tóth L, Molnár I, Pócsi I. Inactivation of the indole-diterpene biosynthetic gene cluster of Claviceps paspali by Agrobacterium-mediated gene replacement. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018 Apr;102(7):3255-3266.
- Aboling S, Drotleff AM, Cappai MG, Kamphues J. Contamination with ergot bodies (Claviceps purpurea sensu lato) of two horse pastures in Northern Germany. Mycotoxin Res 2016 Nov;32(4):207-219.
- Negård M, Uhlig S, Kauserud H, Andersen T, Høiland K, Vrålstad T. Links between Genetic Groups, Indole Alkaloid Profiles and Ecology within the Grass-Parasitic Claviceps purpurea Species Complex. Toxins (Basel) 2015 Apr 28;7(5):1431-56.
- Böswald LF, Gottschalk C, Kaltner F, Merk J, Schwaiger K, Kienzle E. Feed-induced hypersalivation in horses from Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Equine Vet J 2025 Jul;57(4):1035-1043.
- Ayala-Soldado N, Lora-Benitez AJ, Mora-Medina R, Molina-Lopez AM, Artillo-Guimera JI, Moyano-Salvago MR. Tremorgenic mycotoxicosis in cattle, caused by Claviceps paspali. Vet Med (Praha) 2022 Sep;67(12):638-643.
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