A case of poisoning by Amaranthus spinosus is reported in the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. The main clinical signs were catarrhal nasal discharge, edema of the submandibular region and lower neck and diarrhea. There were anemia, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and increased serum concentrations of urea and creatinine. After a clinical manifestation period of 32 days the animal was euthanized in extremis. The kidneys were diffusely pale and slightly enlarged. Histologically, tubular toxic nephrosis with accentuated tubular regeneration was observed. The diagnosis of A. spinosus poisoning has to be included in the differential diagnosis of poisoning by Combretum glaucocarpum (sin=Thiloa glaucocarpa), which was previously the only plant causing nephrosis in cattle in the northeastern Brazilian region.
poisonous plants; toxic nephrosis; Amaranthaceae; Brazilian semiarid region
