Abstract
Krimpsiekte (the syndrome associated with chronic cardiac glycoside poisoning) was purportedly induced by Ornithlogalum toxicarium in the Karas mountains area of Keetmanshoop, Namibia. This chinkerinchee species was previously linked to a condition known as 'kwylbek' krimpsiekte in small stock in the Beaufort West district of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. In a dosing trial, respiratory distress, tachycardia and sternal recumbency were observed in 2 sheep drenched with fresh plant material. A fluorescence polarisation immunoassay (FPIA) detected the presence of a substance that cross-reacted with digoxin antibodies in some of the plant material collected at Keetmanshoop and Beaufort West. This is the first time that apparent cardiac glycoside poisoning was induced by a southern African chinkerinchee species. The presence of the cardiac glycoside-like substance in O. toxicarium requires further chemical verification.
Highlights
During the last few years reports have been received from farmers of large numbers of sheep and goats dying of an unknown plant poisoning in the Keetmanshoop district, Namibia
Stiffness, lagging behind the rest of the flock, a tucked-in appearance, weakness, recumbency, neck paresis, torticollis, jerky respiration, groaning, dysphagia and occasional mild to moderate diarrhoea in sheep and goats were reported by the stock owners
Botanical identification Plants collected at both Keetmanshoop and Beaufort West were identified as Ornithogalum toxicarium (Fig. 1)
Summary
During the last few years reports have been received from farmers of large numbers of sheep and goats dying of an unknown plant poisoning in the Keetmanshoop district, Namibia. A small bulbous plant, which sprouted soon after good winter rain (>20 mm) and provided the only greenery available on the barren rangeland, was ingested by small stock. Stiffness, lagging behind the rest of the flock, a tucked-in appearance, weakness, recumbency, neck paresis, torticollis, jerky respiration, groaning, dysphagia and occasional mild to moderate diarrhoea in sheep and goats were reported by the stock owners. The animals succumbed more rapidly and high mortality was reported. The farmers referred to the syndrome as krimpsiekte
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