Enzootic calcinosis is a plant intoxication recognized in cattle and horses that is associated with the consumption of large quantities of plants containing either calcitriol or a calcitriol-like factor. Affected animals show diffuse soft tissue calcification affecting, among others, the cardiovascular and respiratory tracts. No specific therapy is available.
Enzootic calcinosis is a disease complex of ruminants and horses caused by plant poisoning or mineral imbalances and characterized by extensive calcification of soft tissues. The prevalence of the disease in cattle varies widely (10%–50%) in areas of Argentina, Brazil, Papua-New Guinea, Jamaica, Hawaii, and Bavaria. It is said to cause up to 60% mortality and affect 17% of the sheep in southern Brazil and Mattewara (India), respectively. Incidence elsewhere (Australia, Israel, South Africa, and southern USA) is less well documented, and in many areas enzootic calcinosis is rare or nonexistent.
Etiology and Pathogenesis of Enzootic Calcinosis in Animals
Known causes of enzootic calcinosis fall into two categories: plant poisonings and mineral imbalances in the soil, the first probably being the more important. Cestrum diurnum (wild jasmine, day-blooming jessamine, king-of-the-day), Trisetum flavescens (golden oats or yellow oat grass), Nierembergia veitchii, Solanum esuriale, S torvum, and S malacoxylon contain 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) glycoside or a substance that mimics its calcinogenic action. Studies indicate that S malacoxylon has the required enzyme systems for synthesis of calcitriol from vitamin D3.
The imbalance of minerals in certain soils, as well as at higher altitude (up to 1,500 m above sea level), have been thought to be the main etiologic factors; higher altitude is considered to favor the growth of plants like golden oats at the expense of other plants less suited for this location.
Osteodystrophy of bulls after prolonged intake of excessive calcium is a similar condition; calcification of the cardiovascular system associated with aging and such cachectic diseases as tuberculosis is not identical. Excessive vitamin D3 and normal or excessive calcium intake induces aortic calcification and atherosclerosis in ruminants. Hypercalcemia promotes calcitonin production, calcinosis, and osteoporosis.
The effect of hypervitaminosis D3 on plasma calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium vary by species. Horses develop hyperphosphatemia; plasma calcium remains normal but rises with excess doses of calcitriol. In cattle and small ruminants, high serum inorganic phosphorus with increased or normal serum calcium concentrations have been reported in animals with enzootic calcinosis.
Clinical Findings of Enzootic Calcinosis in Animals
Enzootic calcinosis is progressive and chronic, extending for weeks or months. The earliest signs are stiffness and shifting limb lameness, most pronounced when the animal rises after prolonged rest. Forelimbs are particularly affected, and some animals even walk or graze on their knees. The distal joints become abnormally straight. When affected animals are forced to walk, they show a stiff and slow gait, with short steps. After walking only short distances, breathing becomes shallow and labored, the nostrils are flared, and the head and neck are extended. Tachycardia is a common finding; when endocardial structures are affected by calcification heart murmurs may be audible on auscultation, and some animals may display a prominent jugular venous pulse.
As the disease progresses, the animal loses weight and becomes weak, listless, reluctant to stand, or even recumbent. The coat becomes shaggy, dull, and faded, particularly in cattle. There is wasting of muscles, a prominent skeleton, tucked up abdomen, kyphosis, and raised tailhead. Appetite is usually unimpaired but sometimes becomes depraved. Calcification of vessels is sometimes palpable on rectal examination.
Osteodystrophy is seen in calcinosis due to T flavescens and C diurnum toxicities in Bavarian cattle and Florida horses, respectively. Severely affected horses stand with forelimbs somewhat abducted and luxated caudally at the shoulder joints. The flexor tendons, particularly the suspensory ligaments, are painful. Fetlock joints are overextended to varying degrees.
Lesions
Degeneration and calcification of soft tissues are seen, with emaciation and varying amounts of excess fluid in the thoracic and abdominal cavities and pericardial sac. The cardiovascular system is the first to be involved, followed by lung, kidney, and tendons. The heart and aorta show the most pronounced abnormalities. Calcification of the cardiac valves results in valve insufficiency or stenosis and systolic heart murmurs. White, elevated plaques of irregular size and shape are seen on the luminal surface; in advanced cases, these are seen throughout the length of the aorta and its main branches.
Mineral deposits are found on the pleura, on the surface and edges of the diaphragmatic and apical lobes of lungs, in the renal artery and pelvis of the kidney, and on the ligaments and tendons (particularly of the forelimbs). Capsular thickening and irregular erosions of articular surface of cartilage and joints are seen, especially of the carpus and hock.
The basic histologic change is necrosis and calcification of connective tissue, followed by cellular proliferation in the affected area.
Diagnosis of Enzootic Calcinosis in Animals
Presumptive diagnosis is based on history and clinical signs
Necropsy, radiography, or ultrasonography shows soft tissue calcification
Diagnosis of enzootic calcinosis is usually based on the history, combined with clinical signs such as emaciation, lameness, and listlessness, as well as cardiac and respiratory abnormalities, but may be difficult at early stages. Abnormal serum calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations and increased activity of alkaline phosphatase in combination with the presence of plants with calcinogenic action in the feed or on pasture are further clues. Necropsy will reveal varying degrees of tissue mineralization. This is often apparent when cutting tissue and is particularly common in the cardiovascular and respiratory tracts.
Imaging techniques such as radiography and ultrasonography can be used to visualize soft-tissue calcification.
Treatment and Control of Enzootic Calcinosis in Animals
No specific therapy is available
Access to plants containing calcitriol over a prolonged period of time must be prevented
No practical treatment reversing soft-tissue calcification is currently available. Removal of the causal factor(s) is essential, but when the disease is associated with the mineral content of the soil, control may be difficult. Change of pasture, forage, and environment may effect clinical improvement. Careful pasture management to limit the density of calcinogenic plants can effectively reduce the disease prevalence. Feeding oat grass hay cut after blooming rather than having animals graze on oat grass pasture may reduce the problem, because calcinogenicity of the plant decreases with maturity and with drying. Experimentally, daily administration of 15 g of aluminum hydroxide, PO, prevented the development of calcinosis in sheep fed T flavescens.
Key Points
Enzootic calcinosis is a plant intoxication primarily affecting cattle and horses.
Plants containing calcitriol or a calcitriol-like factor result in diffuse soft tissue mineralization.
No specific therapy is available.
