VPT 421: Veterinary Toxicology (2+0)

PARTHENIUM

Courtesy: www.agric.wa.gov.au/.../decplants/parthenium.gif

• Parthenium is an aggressive weed invading all disturbed land, including farms, pastures, and roadsides.
• Contact with this plant causes dermatitis and respiratory malfunction in humans, dermatitis in cattle and domestic animals, due to the presence of toxin parthenin.
• It is a sesquiterpene lactone.
• It is a photdynamic susbtance causing primary photosensitization.
• Diarrhoea followed by cutaneous lesions characterised by itching, erythematous eruption on the tip and base of the ear, neck, sides of thorax, abdomen, knee joint and brisket region.
• Oedema around the eyalids and facial muscle are also noticed. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.