Abstract:
After very hot summer, 22 sheep from 5
different flocks consisting of approximately 150–200
animals each were diagnosed with facial eczema in
September 2005, in southwest Turkey. Photophobia,
corneal opacity, severe ulcers of the facial skin,
especially localized around the eyes and mouth, and
3% mortality were the most prominent clinical symptoms.
GGT levels of the animals were very high and
varying between 261- 328 U/l. While the activities of
ALT and total bilirubin were elevated and AST was
normal in affected sheep. Total bilirubin level was
higher than normal. Seven of the 22 sheep were
euthanatized and necropsy was performed on all of
these animals. Severe icterus, hepatomegaly, enlarged
gallbladder, congestion of mesenteric vessels were the
common necropsy findings. Histopathological changes
of the liver included necrosis of the hepatocytes,
cholangiohepatitis characterized by mononuclear inflammatory
cell infiltrate in the portal area and mild to
severe fibrosis around bile ducts. A diagnosis of
sporidesmin toxicosis was made based on the histopathology
of the livers, the elevation in liver enzymes,
and the development of cutaneous lesions consistent
with photosensitization and high spore counts in the
ruminal contents. Surviving sheep were treated with
procaine penicillin + dihidrostreptomycin sulfate,
multivitamin complexes and flunixin meglumine.
Additionally, zinc sulphate was also given at a dose
of 6 gr per 100 lt drinking water for 28 days. All
treated sheep recovered. Pasture spore counts were
between 96,300- 267,500 spores/g grass.
