Descripción de casos de calcinosis enzoótica asociada a Solanum glaucophyllum en búfalos (Bubalus bubalis) en Argentina

J.F. Micheloud; B.R. Pellerano; A. Sánchez; M.R. Marini; E.E. Baroni; A.M. Canal

doi:10.30972/vet.3719289

Authors

J.F. Micheloud Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido, Centro de Investigaciones Pecuarias, Área de Investigación en Salud Animal, Ruta Nacional 68 km 172 (4403) Cerrillos, Salta, Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Universidad Católica de Salta, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias, Campo Castañares (A4400EDD), Salta, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8709-895X
B.R. Pellerano Actividad privada
A. Sánchez Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral
M.R. Marini Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1042-4826
E.E. Baroni Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral
A.M. Canal Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4000-5888

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30972/vet.3719289

Keywords:

metastatic calcification, vitamin D, buffalo production, toxic plants

Abstract

Water buffalo production has expanded in South America as an alternative livestock system in marginal and flood-prone areas where environmental conditions limit cattle production. Solanum glaucophyllum, a calcinogenic plant widely distributed in these ecosystems, is a well-recognized cause of enzootic calcinosis in ruminants. This study describes a case of enzootic calcinosis in a buffalo herd from Formosa Province, Argentina, and summarizes the epidemiological, clinical, and pathological findings. Approximately 11,000 animals grazed year-round on natural pastures heavily infested with S. glaucophyllum, and the apparent clinical morbidity was estimated at 2%. Affected buffalo showed progressive weight loss, stiffness, locomotor impairment, prolonged recumbency, and anestrus. Necropsy and histopathology revealed extensive mineralization of soft tissues, particularly arteries, heart, lungs, and tendons, confirmed by von Kossa staining. These findings indicate that enzootic calcinosis should not be underestimated in buffalo production systems, where it may cause significant chronic and subclinical productive losses.

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References

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