Nitrate Poisoning due to Ingestion of Cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) (Brassicaceae) in Kitui County, Kenya

Nitrate toxicosis associated with consumption of cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) (Brassicaceae) was diagnosed in a small herd comprising of ten goats in Matinyani ward, Kitui West sub-County of Kitui County in Kenya. The clinical signs were ataxia, ruminal tympany, bluish-brown mucous...

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Main Author: Joseph Mwanzia Nguta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/8716518
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author Joseph Mwanzia Nguta
author_facet Joseph Mwanzia Nguta
author_sort Joseph Mwanzia Nguta
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description Nitrate toxicosis associated with consumption of cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) (Brassicaceae) was diagnosed in a small herd comprising of ten goats in Matinyani ward, Kitui West sub-County of Kitui County in Kenya. The clinical signs were ataxia, ruminal tympany, bluish-brown mucous membranes, rapid and difficult breathing, incoordination, head pressing, aggressive movements, jugular distension, increased heart rates, tremors, and coma. Six goats died of intoxication. Dark brown/chocolate-colored and poorly clotted blood was the prominent necropsy finding. There was limited froth in the trachea and bronchi consistent with mild pulmonary oedema. There were liver congestion, pericarditis, and enlarged and congested kidneys with pinpoint haemorrhages. Four other affected goats were treated with intramuscular antihistamines and oral administration of ivermectin. No further mortality was observed after the treatment. Cabbages fed to goats had 6.6% nitrate on dry matter (DM) basis , while ruminal contents had 5.55% nitrate on dry matter basis (DM). Dark brown blood collected at postmortem had a methemoglobin fraction of 78%. Forage nitrate levels of 0.5% and above are potentially dangerous, with acute poisoning likely to occur if the nitrate level exceeds 1%. Death can occur when blood methemoglobin levels rise up to 67–90%. Findings from the current study are indicative of nitrate-nitrite toxidrome associated with ingestion of cabbages.
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spelling doaj-art-15ce8a53d160447685b7181c1f4cd8a52025-08-20T02:02:40ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal2356-61401537-744X2019-01-01201910.1155/2019/87165188716518Nitrate Poisoning due to Ingestion of Cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) (Brassicaceae) in Kitui County, KenyaJoseph Mwanzia Nguta0Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, KenyaNitrate toxicosis associated with consumption of cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) (Brassicaceae) was diagnosed in a small herd comprising of ten goats in Matinyani ward, Kitui West sub-County of Kitui County in Kenya. The clinical signs were ataxia, ruminal tympany, bluish-brown mucous membranes, rapid and difficult breathing, incoordination, head pressing, aggressive movements, jugular distension, increased heart rates, tremors, and coma. Six goats died of intoxication. Dark brown/chocolate-colored and poorly clotted blood was the prominent necropsy finding. There was limited froth in the trachea and bronchi consistent with mild pulmonary oedema. There were liver congestion, pericarditis, and enlarged and congested kidneys with pinpoint haemorrhages. Four other affected goats were treated with intramuscular antihistamines and oral administration of ivermectin. No further mortality was observed after the treatment. Cabbages fed to goats had 6.6% nitrate on dry matter (DM) basis , while ruminal contents had 5.55% nitrate on dry matter basis (DM). Dark brown blood collected at postmortem had a methemoglobin fraction of 78%. Forage nitrate levels of 0.5% and above are potentially dangerous, with acute poisoning likely to occur if the nitrate level exceeds 1%. Death can occur when blood methemoglobin levels rise up to 67–90%. Findings from the current study are indicative of nitrate-nitrite toxidrome associated with ingestion of cabbages.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/8716518
spellingShingle Joseph Mwanzia Nguta
Nitrate Poisoning due to Ingestion of Cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) (Brassicaceae) in Kitui County, Kenya
The Scientific World Journal
title Nitrate Poisoning due to Ingestion of Cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) (Brassicaceae) in Kitui County, Kenya
title_full Nitrate Poisoning due to Ingestion of Cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) (Brassicaceae) in Kitui County, Kenya
title_fullStr Nitrate Poisoning due to Ingestion of Cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) (Brassicaceae) in Kitui County, Kenya
title_full_unstemmed Nitrate Poisoning due to Ingestion of Cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) (Brassicaceae) in Kitui County, Kenya
title_short Nitrate Poisoning due to Ingestion of Cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) (Brassicaceae) in Kitui County, Kenya
title_sort nitrate poisoning due to ingestion of cabbages brassica oleracea var capitata l brassicaceae in kitui county kenya
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/8716518
work_keys_str_mv AT josephmwanzianguta nitratepoisoningduetoingestionofcabbagesbrassicaoleraceavarcapitatalbrassicaceaeinkituicountykenya