| A characteristic of the bovine paraplegic syndrome (BPS) is ventral or sternal decubitus in animals that make unsuccessful efforts to stand when stimulated. Death occurs after a few days. In a previous work we showed the existence of a sodium channel blocking toxin (SCBT) produced by ruminal bacteria in cattle with or liable to develop BPS. The presence of SCBT in bovine plasma sampled monthly during the rainy and dry seasons in animals without BPS has now been observed. A positive correlation between rain precipitation and plasma toxin levels (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient=0.457, n=135, p<10<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/jvat/v4n1/image522.gif"> ) was found. Precipitation was 194 (121-289) mm water/month (n= 162 months in 27 years, median... |
