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Plant and Fungal Hepatotoxicities of Cattle in Australia, with a Focus on Minimally Understood Toxins

Summary

This research examines various plant and fungal toxins that cause liver damage in cattle across Australia. The study helps veterinarians better understand and diagnose these conditions, which can cause significant economic losses in livestock production. Impact on everyday life: • Helps ensure safer meat and dairy production by improving understanding of toxic plants and fungi • Supports farmers in better managing their pastures and protecting their cattle from toxic plants • Contributes to food security by reducing livestock losses from toxic plant exposure • Aids in environmental management by identifying problematic introduced plant species • Improves animal welfare through better diagnosis and management of toxic exposures

Background

Plant- and fungus-derived hepatotoxins are a major cause of disease and production losses in ruminants in Australia and around the world. Many hepatotoxic diseases are variably described in the literature and mechanisms of toxicity, particularly in relation to domestic species, are often poorly understood. Understanding is often limited by geographical confinement and sporadic nature of outbreaks. Some hepatotoxins are native plants while others were introduced as ornamental or food-producing species.

Objective

This review aims to summarize current and recently published knowledge of common plant- and fungus-associated hepatotoxins affecting cattle in Australia, with a focus on mechanisms of toxicity and distinguishing diagnostic features. The study examines features of well-understood hepatotoxins before analyzing incompletely understood or unknown hepatotoxins affecting cattle.

Results

The review identified and characterized numerous plant and fungal hepatotoxins affecting Australian cattle, including both well-understood toxins (like pyrrolizidine alkaloids, sporidesmin, and aflatoxins) and poorly understood toxins (such as those causing acute bovine liver disease and brassica-associated liver disease). Key findings included patterns of hepatic injury, mechanisms of toxicity, and distinguishing diagnostic features for various toxins. The study revealed that many hepatotoxins cause predictable patterns of injury that can provide insight into their mechanisms of action.

Conclusion

Plant- and fungal-derived hepatotoxicities in cattle present diagnostic challenges due to overlapping clinical presentations and pathology. Understanding the distinguishing characteristics helps highlight diagnostic features and provides insight into potential mechanisms of lesser-known toxins. For uncommon or sporadic toxicities, specific etiological investigations are needed. Where not possible, further study of clinical, pathological and epidemiological features is essential for effective diagnosis and management.
  • Published in:Toxins,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.3390/toxins12110707
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