An outbreak of primary photosensitisation in lambs secondary to consumption of Biserrula pelecinus (biserrula).
METHODS
An outbreak of photosensitisation affecting approximately 25% of a flock of 120 meat lambs that was grazing a monoculture of the pasture legume Biserrula pelecinus var. Casbah (biserrula) was investigated. Blood samples were taken from sheep with moderate to severe clinical signs, and from apparently normal animals, for a complete blood count and biochemistry; 5 affected animals were subjected to a full necropsy. Histopathological investigation showed lesions consistent with photosensitisation of the exposed unpigmented skin of the face and ears. No histopathological or clinical pathological abnormalities suggestive of a hepatopathy were detected in any of the cases, indicating that the lesions observed in this flock were caused by a primary photosensitising agent present in B. pelecinus.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first confirmation that photosensitisation caused by ingestion of biserrula is caused by a primary photosensitising agent.
School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Nathan Cobb Drive, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
A E
AE
Kessell
G E
GE
Ladmore
J C
JC
Quinn
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000506:poisoning*; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
Biserrula pelecinus; dermatitis; legumes; photosensitisation, sheep