Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Detecting Taxus poisoning in horses using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.
- Journal:
- Veterinary and human toxicology
- Year:
- 2000
- Authors:
- Kite, G C et al.
- Affiliation:
- Royal Botanic Gardens · United Kingdom
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Researchers have developed a new testing method to identify toxic compounds from the yew tree (Taxus baccata) in horses that may have been poisoned. This method uses a technique called liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry to analyze samples from the stomach contents of affected horses. During their study, they found previously unknown toxic substances that are similar in weight to two known toxins, taxine B and isotaxine B. This testing could help veterinarians confirm cases of yew poisoning in horses more effectively.
Abstract
A method is described for the analysis of taxine alkaloids by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. It is applicable to the detection of taxine alkaloids in the stomach contents of horses in which Taxus poisoning is suspected. Analysis of a leaf extract of Taxus baccata revealed unreported alkaloids of the same relative molecular mass as taxine B and isotaxine B.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10839318/