Fotossensibilização por Brachiaria spp em bovinos : revisão de literatura

Abstract

The main objective of this review was to make a bibliographical survey to find out the factors related to photosensitization in cattle and Brachiaria spp. For this, a review of the literature on the pastures used in Brazil was done, as well as on the types of brachiaria used in the Brazilian pastures, linking this plant with photosensitization in ruminants. The work also makes a brief concept of the disease studied, as well as the epidemiology, and brings data about the concentrations of saponins in Brazilian pastures. The clinical signs of photosensitization in cattle have also been described, which is the main focus of the study. In this part of the study it was necessary to treat the pathology of the disease so that it could become clearer how photosensitization affects the animals internally. The study also dealt with the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the disease. Finally, we made the final considerations of the work that shows the main relevant points of the research, as well as the last considerations and recommendations. The main results showed that B. decumbens is the most toxic plant of the species and that the outbreaks occur more during periods of rain and regrowth of the grass, being in these periods the saponin is higher in the plant, intoxicating the animals. Also, it was seen that the presence of the fungus Pithomyces chartarummay also cause photosensitization, but the amount of spores must be above 40,000 per gram of grass.