Listeriosis outbreak in sheep raised in feedlots in the Southern Region of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

Background: A listeriosis outbreak in a sheep fattening feedlot in the Southern Region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazilis described. This disease is caused by Listeria monocytogenes and represents a risk to public health since it affects notonly ruminants but also humans. This agent is widely spread in the environment, such as in the soil and water. It is alsofound in decaying vegetable matter and the feces and fluids of domestic animals. The aim of this study was to describe alisteriosis outbreak in sheep raised in feedlots, its epidemiology, and to establish the importance of this disease in this typeof sheep management system, evaluate the possible sources of infection, and suggest ways to control it.Cases: Sheep were kept in a 2-sector shed, one with east solar orientation and the other with west solar orientation, thelatter with free access to domestic birds. Sheep were fed silage and concentrate. Seven sheep were affected, 5 died and 2recovered. Clinically, the sheep displayed loss of balance, excessive drooling, and tremors; one exhibited circling, headdeviation, apathy, nystagmus, lateral recumbency, paddling, and labored breathing. At necropsy, macroscopic lesions werenot found, and histologically several micro-abscesses and perivascular cuffs with lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils were present in the brain stem. Listeria monocytogenes suspected colonies were observed in the microbiologicalculture, and the bacteria was identified by biochemical analysis. The immunohistochemistry test in brain stem sectionswas positive for the antibody BD DifcoTM Listeria O Antiserum Poly Serotypes 1 and 4.Discussion: A listeriosis outbreak in a feedlot sheep was confirmed through epidemiological findings, histological lesions,bacterial culture, and immunohistochemistry analysis. This infection is frequent...

Listeriosis outbreak in sheep raised in feedlots in the Southern Region of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

Background: A listeriosis outbreak in a sheep fattening feedlot in the Southern Region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazilis described. This disease is caused by Listeria monocytogenes and represents a risk to public health since it affects notonly ruminants but also humans. This agent is widely spread in the environment, such as in the soil and water. It is alsofound in decaying vegetable matter and the feces and fluids of domestic animals. The aim of this study was to describe alisteriosis outbreak in sheep raised in feedlots, its epidemiology, and to establish the importance of this disease in this typeof sheep management system, evaluate the possible sources of infection, and suggest ways to control it.Cases: Sheep were kept in a 2-sector shed, one with east solar orientation and the other with west solar orientation, thelatter with free access to domestic birds. Sheep were fed silage and concentrate. Seven sheep were affected, 5 died and 2recovered. Clinically, the sheep displayed loss of balance, excessive drooling, and tremors; one exhibited circling, headdeviation, apathy, nystagmus, lateral recumbency, paddling, and labored breathing. At necropsy, macroscopic lesions werenot found, and histologically several micro-abscesses and perivascular cuffs with lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils were present in the brain stem. Listeria monocytogenes suspected colonies were observed in the microbiologicalculture, and the bacteria was identified by biochemical analysis. The immunohistochemistry test in brain stem sectionswas positive for the antibody BD DifcoTM Listeria O Antiserum Poly Serotypes 1 and 4.Discussion: A listeriosis outbreak in a feedlot sheep was confirmed through epidemiological findings, histological lesions,bacterial culture, and immunohistochemistry analysis. This infection is frequent...(AU)

Antibioticoterapia no tratamento de infecções bacterianas do sistema nervoso central de pequenos animais / Antibiotic therapy in the treatment of bacterial infectionsof the small animal central nervous system

Infecções no sistema nervoso central (SNC) são menos prevalentes do que em outros órgãos e o tratamento é desafiador. Entre os fatores que tornam o tratamento de infecções bacterianas complicado nesse tecido, destacam se o fato do mesmo ser envolto pela barreira hematoencefálica, além da dificuldade de obter resultados positivos ao tentar isolar o agente causador por meio de punção de líquido cefalorraquidiano (LCR). Objetiva-se, nesse trabalho, documentar documentar os principais antibióticos utilizados para tratar infecções bacterianas no sistema nervoso central e a interação com a barreira hematoencefálica (BHE). Os antibióticos com ótima penetração na BHE são: trimetoprim, sulfonamidas, metronidazol e cloranfenicol com penetração penetração intermediária são: oxacilinas, penicilinas, ceftriaxone, moxalactam, tetraciclinas e carbenicilina; e com pequena penetração são: aminoglicosídeos, cefalosporinas de primeira geração e clindamicina. É fundamental para a escolha do antibiótico mais adequado para cada caso conhecer características da barreira hematoencefálica, além de determinar a farmacocinética e farmacodinâmica dos antibióticos e seus principais agentes etiológicos. Percebe-se que na literatura veterinária há escassos relatos descrevendo aspectos de farmacocinética e farmacodinâmica nas espécies felina e canina, sendo necessária maior maior quantidade de estudos nesta área.

Although infections in the central nervous system are less common than infections in other organics systems, they can cause life-threatening consequences and are a challenge for small animal practitioners. Among the factors that make these infections difficult to treat are the fact that it is surrounded by the blood-brain barrier, that hinders penetration of many substances, and the difficulty of obtaining positive results when trying to isolate the causative agent through spinal tap. This article aims to describe the blood-brain barrier, the most common antimicrobials used to treat bacterial infections in the central nervous system and their main applications in small animal practice. In the veterinary literature, trimethoprim, sulfonamides, chloramphenicol, and metronidazole are cited as antimicrobials with excellent penetration on the blood-brain barrier; oxacillin, penicillin's, ceftriaxone, moxalactam, tetracyclines and carbenicillin with intermediate penetration; and aminoglycosides, first-generation cephalosporins, and clindamycin with little penetration. It was concluded that knowing the blood-brain barrier characteristics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antimicrobial agents, along with the main etiological agents, are the key to choose the most appropriate antibiotic to be applied in each individual case. It is noticed that in the veterinary literature there are few reports describing aspects of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in feline and canine species, requiring more studies in this area.

Antibioticoterapia no tratamento de infecções bacterianas do sistema nervoso central de pequenos animais / Antibiotic therapy in the treatment of bacterial infectionsof the small animal central nervous system

Infecções no sistema nervoso central (SNC) são menos prevalentes do que em outros órgãos e o tratamento é desafiador. Entre os fatores que tornam o tratamento de infecções bacterianas complicado nesse tecido, destacam se o fato do mesmo ser envolto pela barreira hematoencefálica, além da dificuldade de obter resultados positivos ao tentar isolar o agente causador por meio de punção de líquido cefalorraquidiano (LCR). Objetiva-se, nesse trabalho, documentar documentar os principais antibióticos utilizados para tratar infecções bacterianas no sistema nervoso central e a interação com a barreira hematoencefálica (BHE). Os antibióticos com ótima penetração na BHE são: trimetoprim, sulfonamidas, metronidazol e cloranfenicol com penetração penetração intermediária são: oxacilinas, penicilinas, ceftriaxone, moxalactam, tetraciclinas e carbenicilina; e com pequena penetração são: aminoglicosídeos, cefalosporinas de primeira geração e clindamicina. É fundamental para a escolha do antibiótico mais adequado para cada caso conhecer características da barreira hematoencefálica, além de determinar a farmacocinética e farmacodinâmica dos antibióticos e seus principais agentes etiológicos. Percebe-se que na literatura veterinária há escassos relatos descrevendo aspectos de farmacocinética e farmacodinâmica nas espécies felina e canina, sendo necessária maior maior quantidade de estudos nesta área.(AU)

Although infections in the central nervous system are less common than infections in other organics systems, they can cause life-threatening consequences and are a challenge for small animal practitioners. Among the factors that make these infections difficult to treat are the fact that it is surrounded by the blood-brain barrier, that hinders penetration of many substances, and the difficulty of obtaining positive results when trying to isolate the causative agent through spinal tap. This article aims to describe the blood-brain barrier, the most common antimicrobials used to treat bacterial infections in the central nervous system and their main applications in small animal practice. In the veterinary literature, trimethoprim, sulfonamides, chloramphenicol, and metronidazole are cited as antimicrobials with excellent penetration on the blood-brain barrier; oxacillin, penicillin's, ceftriaxone, moxalactam, tetracyclines and carbenicillin with intermediate penetration; and aminoglycosides, first-generation cephalosporins, and clindamycin with little penetration. It was concluded that knowing the blood-brain barrier characteristics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antimicrobial agents, along with the main etiological agents, are the key to choose the most appropriate antibiotic to be applied in each individual case. It is noticed that in the veterinary literature there are few reports describing aspects of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in feline and canine species, requiring more studies in this area.(AU)

Nocardiose em gatos - achados clínicos, anatomopatológicos e morfotintoriais / Nocardiosis in cats - clinical, anatomopathological and morphotintorial characteristics

Background: Nocardiosis is an infectious bacterial disease that can cause cutaneous/ subcutaneous, pulmonary and systemic lesions in different species of domestic animals. The type of transmission occurs through mechanical lesions on the skin or contamination of wounds, in cases of skin involvement, inhalation of aerosols and ingestion of contaminated materials are involved in the pathogenesis of the respiratory and digestive form of the disease. This paper described 4 cases of nocardiosis in cats, addressing the clinical, anatomopathological and morphotintorial characteristics of Nocardia sp. Cases: Four cases of nocardiosis in cats were reviewed, in which data related to breed, sex, age, origin, clinical signs, macroscopic and histological lesions described in necropsy protocols were evaluated. The histological tissue sections stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) were evaluated in order to characterize the inflammatory response in each case. In addition, paraffin blocks of fragments from affected organ were selected to perform special histochemical staining techniques of Grocott Methenamine Silver (GMS), modified Ziehl-Neelsen, Gram Brown-Brenn and Giemsa stain which are the most characterized techniques used for histopathological diagnoses and it was also used an immunohistochemical test with polyclonal antibody anti-Nocardia sp. (non-commercial). The animals were adults of both sexes, mixed breed, not castrated and semi-domesticated. Neither immunosuppressive factors nor concomitant diseases were identified in the cases studied. The main clinical signs were apathy, anorexia, dehydration, phlegmon and draining tracts. Macroscopically, skin / subcutaneous tissue (3/4), skeletal muscle (2/4), lymph nodes (2/4), liver (2/4), omentum (1/4), spleen (1/4) were affected. In addition, it could be noted that mandibular bone (1/4), pleural tissue (1/4), left testicle (1/4) and Central Nervous System (CNS) (1/4) were also affected by this disease. Microscopically, regarding all cases, there was a pyogranulomatous inflammation in the affected organs. With respect to cases 1, 3 and 4, filamentous, branched, slightly basophilic structures in loose or individual aggregates in the interior of the pseudo-rosettes and in the necrotic areas were observed in the HEstained tissue sections. In all cases submitted to special histochemical techniques, filamentous, branched, individual or loose aggregate structures were observed, the samples were impregnated with silver, and bacteria appear as blue using the Brown-Brenn Gram technique, and stained red in the modified Ziehl-Neelsen, and stained faintly pink in Giemsa stain. The bacteria were observed mainly in the border of the pyogranulomas, in the center of the pseudo-rosettes and in the necrotic areas, being compatible with the infection by Nocardia sp. All cases were positive for immunohistochemistry (IHC). Discussion: Nocardiosis was diagnosed in all cats in this study based on the anatomopathological findings associated with the visualization of the agent and its morphotintorial characteristics by using special histochemical stains and being confirmed by IHC. It occurs mainly in the cutaneous and/or subcutaneous tissues, with systemic involvement and death of the affected animals, in addition to affecting bone tissue considered an uncommon site for the disease. The diagnosis can be established based on the anatomopathological findings associated with the morphotintorial characteristics by using special histochemical stains, which are important for evidencing and morphologically characterizing the agent, as well as being confirmed by IHC.

Cats with central nervous system cryptococcosis

Background: Cryptococcosis is a serious fungal infection contracted by humans and animals, and the most common systemic mycosis found in cats. This disease is often contracted through inhalation of fungal propagules. The Central Nervous System (CNS) may be infected through local extension (nasal and frontal sinuses) or via hematogenous route. Similarly to CNS bacterial infection, the clinical signs of neurological dysfunction may be attributed to mass effect (gelatinous mass of fungal microorganisms and fungal granuloma formation) or to a more disseminated inflammatory response to invading microorganisms. The objective of this study is to report one case of a patient with cryptococcal granulomas in the central nervous system and one case of a patient with neurological signs associated to a cryptococcosis. Cases: Case 1. A 3-year-old male mixed breed feline was admitted to a veterinary clinic, located in Porto Alegre, RS, Southern Brazil. The patient presented unsourced behavioral changes, vestibular ataxia and dysphagia caused by inability of coordination. The following tests were performed: complete blood count test, biochemical analysis, computed tomography scan (CT scan), fluid analysis, radiography and toxoplasmosis test. The following medicine were administrated for treatment: fluconazole, dexamethasone, mannitol, phenobarbital and levetiracetam. Fluid therapy was also part of the treatment. Immediately after death, the cat was submitted for necropsy, and a fungal granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis was diagnosed. Cryptococcus sp. was identified as the causal agent through pathological findings, fungal culture and PCR analysis. Case 2. One year later, another feline was admitted to the same clinic (a 2-year-old female mixed breed) presenting hypersalivation, tremors and excessive vocalization. The patient had contact with the deceased feline. The following tests were performed: complete blood count...

Cats with central nervous system cryptococcosis

Background: Cryptococcosis is a serious fungal infection contracted by humans and animals, and the most common systemic mycosis found in cats. This disease is often contracted through inhalation of fungal propagules. The Central Nervous System (CNS) may be infected through local extension (nasal and frontal sinuses) or via hematogenous route. Similarly to CNS bacterial infection, the clinical signs of neurological dysfunction may be attributed to mass effect (gelatinous mass of fungal microorganisms and fungal granuloma formation) or to a more disseminated inflammatory response to invading microorganisms. The objective of this study is to report one case of a patient with cryptococcal granulomas in the central nervous system and one case of a patient with neurological signs associated to a cryptococcosis. Cases: Case 1. A 3-year-old male mixed breed feline was admitted to a veterinary clinic, located in Porto Alegre, RS, Southern Brazil. The patient presented unsourced behavioral changes, vestibular ataxia and dysphagia caused by inability of coordination. The following tests were performed: complete blood count test, biochemical analysis, computed tomography scan (CT scan), fluid analysis, radiography and toxoplasmosis test. The following medicine were administrated for treatment: fluconazole, dexamethasone, mannitol, phenobarbital and levetiracetam. Fluid therapy was also part of the treatment. Immediately after death, the cat was submitted for necropsy, and a fungal granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis was diagnosed. Cryptococcus sp. was identified as the causal agent through pathological findings, fungal culture and PCR analysis. Case 2. One year later, another feline was admitted to the same clinic (a 2-year-old female mixed breed) presenting hypersalivation, tremors and excessive vocalization. The patient had contact with the deceased feline. The following tests were performed: complete blood count...(AU)

Detection of virulence factors in coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. strains isolated from Emmental cheese / Detecção de fatores de virulência em cepas de Staphylococcus spp. coagulase negativos isoladas de queijo Emmental

Food prepared with products derived from animals are involved in most cases of staphylococcal poisoning; therefore, the research of Staphylococcus spp. in Emmental cheese is more applicable. The objective of this study was to identify coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. (CNS) in cheese using biochemical and molecular techniques to detect the presence of nine genes responsible for the production of enterotoxins. From 180 samples analyzed, 204 CNS strains were obtained and identified as being 46 (22.6%) S. saprophyticus strains, 27 (13.2%) S. hominis spp. hominis strains, 22 (10.8%) S. sciuri strains, 21 (10.3%) S. xylosus strains, 19 (9.3%) S. epidermidis strains, 19 (9.3%) S. haemolyticus strains, 17 (8.3%) S. lentus strains, 17 (8.3%) S. warneri strains, 11 (5.4%) S. equorum strains and 5 (2.5%) S. cohnni . Using the PCRm protocol, 14 (6.9%) strains with the presence of the genes on the enterotoxin E (SEE)11 (78.6%), J (SEJ) 1 (7%), C (SEC) 1 (7%) and I (SEI) 1 (7%) were detected. Based on the results, the type of package is not interfered of growth and isolated that Staphylococcus spp. in cheese. It was observed that bacteria capacity to produce coagulase cannot be understood as an indicative of enterotoxigenicity; therefore, the CNS should be considered as a target of importance in the epidemiology of staphylococcal intoxications. It can be concluded that CNS need to be included in bacterial foodborne disease research, since the genes responsible for the production of toxins were detected and none of the studied samples presented Staphylococcus spp. counting above the limits allowed by legislation.(AU)

Os alimentos preparados com produtos de origem animal são os mais envolvidos em casos de intoxicação alimentar estafilocócica; portanto a pesquisa do Staphylococcus spp. em queijos tipo Emmental é relevante. O objetivo foi isolar e identificar espécies de Staphylococcus coagulase negativas (CNS)de queijo Emmental acondicionado em vários tipos de embalagem, por meio de técnicas bacteriológicas e bioquímicas e detectar, por PCR, a presença de nove genes responsáveis pela produção de enterotoxinas. Das 180 amostras, foram isoladas 204 cepas de CNS, que foram identificadas por provas bioquímicas como: 46 (22,6%) S. saprophyticus, 27 (13,2%) S. hominis spp. hominis, 22 (10,8%) S. sciuri, 21 (10,3%) S. xylosus, 19 (9,3%) S. epidermidis , 19 (9,3%) S. haemolyticus , 17 (8,3%) S. lentus , 17 (8,3%) S. warneri , 11(5,4%) S. equorum e 5 (2,5%) S. cohnii . Na PCR multiplex, em 14 (6,9%) isolados foi detectada a presença dos genes para enterotoxina E (SEE), em 11 (78,6%) J (SEJ), em 1 (7%) C (SEC) e em 1 (7%) I (SEI). Com base nos resultados, o tipo de embalagem não interferiu na multiplicação dos Staphylococcus spp. isolados dos queijos. Neste estudo, verificou-se que a capacidade para a produção de coagulase pela bactéria não pode ser concebida como indicativa de enterotoxigenicidade, portanto devem-se considerar os CNS como objeto de importância na epidemiologia das intoxicações estafilocócicas, fazendo-se necessária a atenção com relação à pesquisa dos CNS nos alimentos, uma vez que foram detectados genes responsáveis pela produção de toxinas, e nenhuma das amostras apresentou contagem para Staphylococcus spp. acima do limite permitido pela legislação.(AU)

Detection of virulence factors in coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. strains isolated from Emmental cheese / Detecção de fatores de virulência em cepas de Staphylococcus spp. coagulase negativos isoladas de queijo Emmental

Food prepared with products derived from animals are involved in most cases of staphylococcal poisoning; therefore, the research of Staphylococcus spp. in Emmental cheese is more applicable. The objective of this study was to identify coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. (CNS) in cheese using biochemical and molecular techniques to detect the presence of nine genes responsible for the production of enterotoxins. From 180 samples analyzed, 204 CNS strains were obtained and identified as being 46 (22.6%) S. saprophyticus strains, 27 (13.2%) S. hominis spp. hominis strains, 22 (10.8%) S. sciuri strains, 21 (10.3%) S. xylosus strains, 19 (9.3%) S. epidermidis strains, 19 (9.3%) S. haemolyticus strains, 17 (8.3%) S. lentus strains, 17 (8.3%) S. warneri strains, 11 (5.4%) S. equorum strains and 5 (2.5%) S. cohnni . Using the PCRm protocol, 14 (6.9%) strains with the presence of the genes on the enterotoxin E (SEE)11 (78.6%), J (SEJ) 1 (7%), C (SEC) 1 (7%) and I (SEI) 1 (7%) were detected. Based on the results, the type of package is not interfered of growth and isolated that Staphylococcus spp. in cheese. It was observed that bacteria capacity to produce coagulase cannot be understood as an indicative of enterotoxigenicity; therefore, the CNS should be considered as a target of importance in the epidemiology of staphylococcal intoxications. It can be concluded that CNS need to be included in bacterial foodborne disease research, since the genes responsible for the production of toxins were detected and none of the studied samples presented Staphylococcus spp. counting above the limits allowed by legislation.(AU)

Os alimentos preparados com produtos de origem animal são os mais envolvidos em casos de intoxicação alimentar estafilocócica; portanto a pesquisa do Staphylococcus spp. em queijos tipo Emmental é relevante. O objetivo foi isolar e identificar espécies de Staphylococcus coagulase negativas (CNS)de queijo Emmental acondicionado em vários tipos de embalagem, por meio de técnicas bacteriológicas e bioquímicas e detectar, por PCR, a presença de nove genes responsáveis pela produção de enterotoxinas. Das 180 amostras, foram isoladas 204 cepas de CNS, que foram identificadas por provas bioquímicas como: 46 (22,6%) S. saprophyticus, 27 (13,2%) S. hominis spp. hominis, 22 (10,8%) S. sciuri, 21 (10,3%) S. xylosus, 19 (9,3%) S. epidermidis , 19 (9,3%) S. haemolyticus , 17 (8,3%) S. lentus , 17 (8,3%) S. warneri , 11(5,4%) S. equorum e 5 (2,5%) S. cohnii . Na PCR multiplex, em 14 (6,9%) isolados foi detectada a presença dos genes para enterotoxina E (SEE), em 11 (78,6%) J (SEJ), em 1 (7%) C (SEC) e em 1 (7%) I (SEI). Com base nos resultados, o tipo de embalagem não interferiu na multiplicação dos Staphylococcus spp. isolados dos queijos. Neste estudo, verificou-se que a capacidade para a produção de coagulase pela bactéria não pode ser concebida como indicativa de enterotoxigenicidade, portanto devem-se considerar os CNS como objeto de importância na epidemiologia das intoxicações estafilocócicas, fazendo-se necessária a atenção com relação à pesquisa dos CNS nos alimentos, uma vez que foram detectados genes responsáveis pela produção de toxinas, e nenhuma das amostras apresentou contagem para Staphylococcus spp. acima do limite permitido pela legislação.(AU)

Cerebrospinal fluid analysis in 58 ruminants showing neurological disorders / Análise do líquido cefalorraquidiano em 58 ruminantes com distúrbios neurológicos

Ruminants may be affected by a wide variety of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis forms the basis for ante mortem diagnostic evaluation of ruminants with clinical signs involving the CNS. Despite its importance as a tool to aid diagnosis, data regarding CSF examinations in spontaneous cases of CNS diseases in ruminants from Brazil are limited, and most reports involve experimental studies. Therefore, this study aimed to report the results of CSF analysis in 58 ruminants showing signs of neurological disorders. CSF samples for analysis were obtained from 32 cattle, 20 sheep, and 6 goats by cerebello-medullary cistern (n=54) or lumbosacral space (n=4) puncture. These ruminants showed neurological signs related to viral (n=13), mycotic (n=3), or bacterial (n=15) infections, and toxic (n=21), traumatic (n=4), or congenital disorders (n=2). CSF analysis from ruminants with viral infections presented lymphocytic pleocytosis, even though CSF showed no changes in several cases of rabies. Neutrophilic pleocytosis, cloudiness, presence of fibrin clots, and abnormal coloration were evident in the CSF of most cases of CNS bacterial infection, such as meningoencephalitis, meningitis, abscesses, myelitis, and a case of conidiobolomycosis. On the other hand, CSF was unchanged in most cases of toxic disorders, as botulism and hepatic encephalopathy. Elevated CSF density was observed in 60% of ruminants diagnosed with polioencephalomalacia. Our findings show that evaluation of CSF is a valuable diagnostic tool when used in association with epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings for diagnosis of CNS diseases in ruminants.(AU)

Os ruminantes podem ser afetados por uma grande variedade de doenças do sistema nervoso central (SNC). A análise do líquido cefalorraquidiano (LCR) constitui a base da avaliação diagnóstica ante mortem de ruminantes com sinais clínicos envolvendo o SNC. Apesar de sua importância como ferramenta para auxiliar no diagnóstico, os dados referentes aos exames do LCR em casos espontâneos de doenças do SNC em ruminantes no Brasil são limitados, e, a maioria dos relatos envolve estudos experimentais. Portanto, este trabalho teve como objetivo relatar os resultados da análise do LCR em 58 ruminantes com distúrbios neurológicos. Amostras do LCR foram obtidas de 32 bovinos, 20 ovinos e 6 caprinos por punção da cisterna cerebelo-medular (n=54) ou espaço lombossacro (n=4) para posterior análise. Esses ruminantes apresentaram sinais neurológicos relacionados a infecções virais (n=13), micóticas (n=3) ou bacterianas (n=15), e desordens tóxicas (n=21), traumáticas (n=4) ou congênitas (n=2) A análise do LCR de ruminantes com infecções virais apresentou pleocitose linfocítica, embora, em vários casos de raiva, o LCR não tenha apresentado alterações. Pleocitose neutrofílica, turbidez, presença de coágulos de fibrina e coloração anormal foram evidentes no LCR da maioria dos casos de infecções bacterianas do SNC, como meningoencefalites, meningites, abscessos, mielite e um caso de conidiobolomicose. Por outro lado, o LCR não foi alterado na maioria dos casos dos distúrbios tóxicos, como botulismo e encefalopatia hepática. A densidade elevada no LCR foi observada em 60% dos ruminantes diagnosticados com polioencefalomalácia. Nossos resultados mostram que a avaliação do LCR é uma valiosa ferramenta de diagnóstico, quando usada em associação com os achados epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos para o diagnóstico de doenças do SNC em ruminantes.(AU)

Cerebrospinal fluid analysis in 58 ruminants showing neurological disorders / Análise do líquido cefalorraquidiano em 58 ruminantes com distúrbios neurológicos

Ruminants may be affected by a wide variety of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis forms the basis for ante mortem diagnostic evaluation of ruminants with clinical signs involving the CNS. Despite its importance as a tool to aid diagnosis, data regarding CSF examinations in spontaneous cases of CNS diseases in ruminants from Brazil are limited, and most reports involve experimental studies. Therefore, this study aimed to report the results of CSF analysis in 58 ruminants showing signs of neurological disorders. CSF samples for analysis were obtained from 32 cattle, 20 sheep, and 6 goats by cerebello-medullary cistern (n=54) or lumbosacral space (n=4) puncture. These ruminants showed neurological signs related to viral (n=13), mycotic (n=3), or bacterial (n=15) infections, and toxic (n=21), traumatic (n=4), or congenital disorders (n=2). CSF analysis from ruminants with viral infections presented lymphocytic pleocytosis, even though CSF showed no changes in several cases of rabies. Neutrophilic pleocytosis, cloudiness, presence of fibrin clots, and abnormal coloration were evident in the CSF of most cases of CNS bacterial infection, such as meningoencephalitis, meningitis, abscesses, myelitis, and a case of conidiobolomycosis. On the other hand, CSF was unchanged in most cases of toxic disorders, as botulism and hepatic encephalopathy. Elevated CSF density was observed in 60% of ruminants diagnosed with polioencephalomalacia. Our findings show that evaluation of CSF is a valuable diagnostic tool when used in association with epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings for diagnosis of CNS diseases in ruminants.(AU)

Os ruminantes podem ser afetados por uma grande variedade de doenças do sistema nervoso central (SNC). A análise do líquido cefalorraquidiano (LCR) constitui a base da avaliação diagnóstica ante mortem de ruminantes com sinais clínicos envolvendo o SNC. Apesar de sua importância como ferramenta para auxiliar no diagnóstico, os dados referentes aos exames do LCR em casos espontâneos de doenças do SNC em ruminantes no Brasil são limitados, e, a maioria dos relatos envolve estudos experimentais. Portanto, este trabalho teve como objetivo relatar os resultados da análise do LCR em 58 ruminantes com distúrbios neurológicos. Amostras do LCR foram obtidas de 32 bovinos, 20 ovinos e 6 caprinos por punção da cisterna cerebelo-medular (n=54) ou espaço lombossacro (n=4) para posterior análise. Esses ruminantes apresentaram sinais neurológicos relacionados a infecções virais (n=13), micóticas (n=3) ou bacterianas (n=15), e desordens tóxicas (n=21), traumáticas (n=4) ou congênitas (n=2) A análise do LCR de ruminantes com infecções virais apresentou pleocitose linfocítica, embora, em vários casos de raiva, o LCR não tenha apresentado alterações. Pleocitose neutrofílica, turbidez, presença de coágulos de fibrina e coloração anormal foram evidentes no LCR da maioria dos casos de infecções bacterianas do SNC, como meningoencefalites, meningites, abscessos, mielite e um caso de conidiobolomicose. Por outro lado, o LCR não foi alterado na maioria dos casos dos distúrbios tóxicos, como botulismo e encefalopatia hepática. A densidade elevada no LCR foi observada em 60% dos ruminantes diagnosticados com polioencefalomalácia. Nossos resultados mostram que a avaliação do LCR é uma valiosa ferramenta de diagnóstico, quando usada em associação com os achados epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos para o diagnóstico de doenças do SNC em ruminantes.(AU)

Neurological diseases of cattle diagnosed by histopathology in Minas Gerais

This study was based on analysis of the central nervous system from cattle that died after developing neurological disease in the State of Minas Gerais from 2004 to 2010. Samples were analyzed by histopathology, histochemistry, and anti-Listeria monocytogenes immunohistochemistry. The frequency of positivity for the techniques used and distribution were determined, and the results were analyzed by Fisher"s exact test. Microscopic changes were observed in 29.5% (290/982) of bovine central nervous system samples examined. Inflammatory changes were the most frequent lesions (87.2% - 253/290) with 80% of cases (232/290) presenting non suppurative inflammation. Through histopathologic analyses, presumptive or conclusive etiology was obtained in 25.2% (73/290) of the samples. Etiologic diagnosis included inflammation by viruses (bovine herpesvirus infection in six samples; ovine herpesvirus-2 infection in eight samples); and bacteria (bacterial infection in 34 samples; and tuberculosis in six samples). Circulatory changes were evident in 26 cattle being nine cases of cerebral babesiosis. Degenerative lesions were detected in eight samples. One congenital change (cerebellar abiotrophy) and one neoplasm (astrocytoma) were identified. Neurological diseases other than rabies were diagnosed in Minas Gerais, and the use of histopathology allowed a more accurate differential diagnosis and a higher rate of conclusive diagnoses.

Neurological diseases of cattle diagnosed by histopathology in Minas Gerais

This study was based on analysis of the central nervous system from cattle that died after developing neurological disease in the State of Minas Gerais from 2004 to 2010. Samples were analyzed by histopathology, histochemistry, and anti-Listeria monocytogenes immunohistochemistry. The frequency of positivity for the techniques used and distribution were determined, and the results were analyzed by Fisher"s exact test. Microscopic changes were observed in 29.5% (290/982) of bovine central nervous system samples examined. Inflammatory changes were the most frequent lesions (87.2% - 253/290) with 80% of cases (232/290) presenting non suppurative inflammation. Through histopathologic analyses, presumptive or conclusive etiology was obtained in 25.2% (73/290) of the samples. Etiologic diagnosis included inflammation by viruses (bovine herpesvirus infection in six samples; ovine herpesvirus-2 infection in eight samples); and bacteria (bacterial infection in 34 samples; and tuberculosis in six samples). Circulatory changes were evident in 26 cattle being nine cases of cerebral babesiosis. Degenerative lesions were detected in eight samples. One congenital change (cerebellar abiotrophy) and one neoplasm (astrocytoma) were identified. Neurological diseases other than rabies were diagnosed in Minas Gerais, and the use of histopathology allowed a more accurate differential diagnosis and a higher rate of conclusive diagnoses.(AU)

DOENÇAS DO SISTEMA NERVOSO CENTRAL DE SUÍNOS

Doenças do sistema nervoso são frequentemente observadas na clínica de suínos e podem ser de origem infecciosa, não infecciosa ou multifatorial. As doenças infecciosas são a principal causa de morte em suínos e envolvem bactérias como Escherichia coli, Streptococcus suis (S. suis), Glaesserella (Haemophilus) parasuis e Salmonella choleraesuis. S. suis é um agente zoonótico, responsável por inflamação das meninges, válvulas cardíacas, pulmões e articulações de suínos e humanos. Nas lesões de suínos, o sorotipo 2 é o mais frequentemente isolado. Agentes virais como circovírus suíno apresentam elevado impacto na suinocultura e ocorre de forma endêmica nos rebanhos brasileiros. Foram realizados três estudos. No primeiro foi determinada, através de um estudo retrospectivo, a frequência, distribuição sazonal e anual das doenças que acometem o sistema nervoso central (SNC) de suínos no Sul do Brasil. Foram analisados 231 casos de suínos com lesão microscópica no SNC, distribuídos nas fases de maternidade, creche, crescimento, terminação e adultos. As doenças de origem infecciosa foram responsáveis por 87,01% das lesões no sistema nervoso de suínos. Leitões na fase de creche foram a categoria mais afetada (58,01%). A meningite bacteriana teve o maior número de observações no estudo, com tendência de ocorrência nos meses de outono/inverno e com caráter endêmico. Não foi observada associação sazonal ao número de diagnósticos nos casos de circovírus suíno, intoxicação por sal e abscessos encefálicos. Os casos de encefalomielite não supurativa e intoxicação por selênio tiveram maior número de observações no inverno e verão, respectivamente. No segundo estudo foram investigados agentes virais envolvidos em um surto de doença neurológica, na qual observou-se incoordenação motora, paresia e paralisia dos membros pélvicos. Nesse surto, ocorrido em uma granja no Sul do Brasil, 10 leitões com idade de 40 a 65 dias, foram submetidos ao exame post mortem. As lesões macroscópicas eram restritas a medula espinhal e caracterizadas por aumento de volume de raízes nervosas e gânglios, principalmente em região cervical e sacral. Microscopicamente as lesões eram caracterizadas por encefalomielite e ganglioneurite não supurativas. Amostras refrigeradas de SNC, líquido cefalorraquidiano e fezes foram analisadas molecularmente. A reação de polimerase em cadeia (PCR) de 10 amostras de SNC foram positivas para Teschovirus A, oito foram positivas para Sapelovirus A e sete para Enterovirus G. Mammastrovirus foi identificado em pool de fezes de leitões sadios. O terceiro manuscrito teve como objetivo descrever os aspectos clínicos, patológicos e moleculares de um surto de infecção por S. suis com elevada mortalidade. Os sinais clínicos iniciavam em torno de 10 dias pós-desmame e eram caracterizados por apatia, aumento de volume articular e relutância ao movimento. Em 24 horas, os sinais clínicos evoluíam para decúbito lateral, opistótono, nistagmo e movimentos de pedalagem. Macroscopicamente observava-se hiperemia dos vasos da leptomeninge e deposição de fibrina sobre a leptomeninge. Havia ainda espessamento de plexo coroide associado a dilatação de ventrículos laterais. Microscopicamente foi observada inflamação fibrinossupurativa em leptomeninges do cérebro e medula espinhal. Esse mesmo infiltrado era observado no plexo coroide, epêndima, raízes nervosas e no canal central da medula espinhal. A PCR identificou S. suis sorotipo 9 neste surto.

Nervous system diseases are frequently seen in the swine clinic and can be of infectious, non-infectious or multifactorial origin. Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death in pigs and involve bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Streptococcus suis (S. suis), Glaesserella (Haemophilus) parasuis and Salmonella choleraesuis. S. suis is a zoonotic agent, responsible for inflammation of the meninges, heart valves, lungs and joints of pigs and humans. In pig lesions, serotype 2 is the most frequently isolated. Viral agents such as porcine circovirus have a high impact on pig production and occur endemically in Brazilian herds. Three studies were carried out. In the first, it was determined, through a retrospective study, the frequency, seasonal and annual distribution of diseases that affect the central nervous system (CNS) of swine in southern Brazil. Two hundred thirty-one cases of pigs with lesions in the CNS were analyzed, distributed in the phases of suckling piglets, nursery, growing, finishing, and adults Infectious diseases were responsible for 87.01% of swine nervous system lesions. Piglets in the nursery phase were the most affected category (58.01%). Bacterial meningitis had the highest number of observations in the study, with a tendency to occur in the autumn/winter months and endemic character. There was no seasonal association with the number of diagnoses in cases of porcine circovirus, salt poisoning and brain abscesses. The cases of non-suppurative encephalomyelitis and selenium intoxication had the highest number of observations in winter and summer, respectively. In the second study, viral agents involved in an outbreak of neurological disease were investigated, which motor incoordination, paresis and paralysis of the posterior limbs were observed. In this outbreak, which occurred on a farm in southern Brazil, 10 piglets aged 40 to 65 days were submitted to post-mortem examination. Macroscopic lesions were restricted to the spinal cord and characterized by an increase in the volume of nerve roots and ganglia, mainly in the cervical and sacral regions. Microscopically, the lesions were characterized by encephalomyelitis and non-suppurative ganglioneuritis. Refrigerated samples of CNS, cerebrospinal fluid and feces were analyzed molecularly. The plymerase chain reaction (PCR) of 10 CNS samples were positive for Teschovirus A, eight were positive for Sapelovirus A and seven for Enterovirus G. Mammastrovirus was identified in a fecal pool of healthy piglets. The third manuscript aimed to describe the clinical, pathological and molecular aspects of an outbreak of S. suis infection with high mortality. The clinical signs started about 10 days after weaning and was characterized by acute nervous and locomotor disorders. Macroscopically, there was an increase in joint volume, hyperemia of the vessels of the leptomeninges and deposition of fibrin. There was also choroidal plexus thickening associated with dilation of lateral ventricles. Microscopically, fibrinosuppurative inflammation was observed in leptomeninges of brain and spinal cord. This same infiltrate was observed in choroid plexus, ependyma, nerve roots and in central canal of the spinal cord. PCR identified S. suis serotype 9 in this outbreak.

Somatic cell counts as an indicator of mammary infection in periparturient cows / Contagem de células somáticas como indicador de infecção mamária em vacas periparturientes

The somatic cell count (SCC) is a screening test for the evaluation of intramammary infection; however, changes in mammary secretion during colostrogenesis can promote a physiological increase in the SCC, potentially reducing its reliability in the diagnosis of mastitis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate bovine colostrum SCC as an indicative parameter of breast infection in Holstein periparturient cows. A total of 80 samples were harvested from the first milking colostrum of 20 cows and were subjected to manual SCC and bacteriological examination. Bacterial growth was present in 36.62% of the crops; coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) was the predominant microorganism (76.92%). The median SCC in infected cows (1.8 × 106 cells/mL) was significantly higher than in uninfected cows (0.9 × 106 cells/mL) (p = 0.0451). The sensitivity (10015%), specificity (1002.2%), and false positive (1002.2%) of the SCC decreased gradually when thresholds of 0.210.0 × 106 cells/mL were adopted. In contrast, the proportion of false negatives (084.6%) revealed an opposite trend. The threshold of greatest concordance between SCC and bacteriological examination was 10.0 × 106 cells/mL; however, the sensitivity rates (15.4%), specificity (2.2%), and false positive (2.2%) were very low. Based on these results, we conclude that SCCs increased prior to the infectious processes of the mammary gland, particularly in the CNS group. However, physiological changes caused by colostrogenesis resulted in poor concordance between the SCC and bacteriological examination of the colostrum(AU)

A contagem de células somáticas (CCS) é um teste de triagem para avaliação de infecção intramamária, porém, as alterações na composição do colostro observadas durante a colostrogênese podem promover o aumento fisiológico da CCS e inviabilizar o uso desta prova para diagnóstico da mastite. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a CCS do colostro como parâmetro indicativo de infecção mamária em vacas Holandesas periparturientes. Para tanto, foram colhidas 80 amostras de colostro de primeira ordenha, provenientes de 20 vacas, para a CCS manual e exame bacteriológico (EB). Observou-se crescimento bacteriano em 36,62% dos cultivos, com predomínio de Staphylococcus coagulase-negativa (SCN) (76,92%). O valor mediano da CCS de vacas infectadas (1,8 x106 células/mL) foi maior do que o obtido para as vacas sadias (0,9 x106 células/mL) (P=0,0451). A sensibilidade (100 a 15%), especificidade (100 a 2,2%) e falso-positivo (100 a 2,2%) diminuíram gradativamente quando os limiares de 0,2 a 10,0 x106 células/mL foram adotados. Em contrapartida, a proporção de falso-negativo (0 a 84,6%) apresentou perfil inverso. O limiar de maior concordância entre a CCS e EB foi de 10,0 x106 células/mL, porém os índices de sensibilidade (15,4%), especificidade (2,2%) e falso-positivo (2,2%) foram muito baixos. Com base nos resultados encontrados, conclui-se que a CCS apresentou elevação diante dos processos infecciosos da glândula mamária (GM), causados especialmente por bactérias do grupo SCN. No entanto, as alterações fisiológicas decorrentes da colostrogênese resultaram em baixa concordância entre a CCS e o exame bacteriológico do colostro(AU)

Celularidade do leite e Unidades Formadoras de Colônias nas mastites causadas por Staphylococcus coagulase positiva e coagulase negativa / Milk cellularity and colony forming units in mastitis caused by coagulase-positive staphylococci and coagulase negative

A mastite é a principal afecção do gado destinado à produção leiteira, que impacta significativamente a cadeia produtiva do leite, com reflexos ainda para a saúde pública. Estudou-se aspectos relacionados à etiologia, celularidade e de contagem bacteriana em 10 propriedades leiteiras, localizadas no Estado de São Paulo. Foram examinadas 1148 vacas em lactação, totalizando 4584 glândulas mamárias. Foram considerados os casos, em que houve isolamento de estafilococos coagulase positiva (SCP) e estafilococos coagulase negativa (SCN). Os resultados revelaram microbiota com vários patógenos e diferentes espécies de SCN (128 casos) e SCP (45), Staphylococcus aureus(90), Streptococcus agalactiae(70), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (69), Streptococcus uberis(29), Corynebacteriumspp. (230), Klebsiella pneumoniae(28), Klebsiella oxytoca(2), Escherichia coli(15), Enterobactersp. (3). Os resultados de contagem de células somáticas (CCS) relacionados aos SCP e SCN não mostraram diferenças entre as propriedades avaliadas, entretanto com diferenças significantes ao se avaliar a CCS entre os dois grupos de estafilococos, como pode ser evidenciado ao comparar SCN Discreto e SCP exuberante (P<0,01), SCP Discreto e SCP exuberante (P<0,001) e SCN moderado e SCP exuberante (P<0,01). A avaliação da CCS relacionada à intensidade da infecção, considerando-se como crescimento discreto o isolamento de até nove colônias, moderado de dez a 29 colônias e exuberante, com 30 ou mais colônias, revelou para ambos os grupos de estafilococos que quanto maior o número de unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC), a CCS é mais elevada, sendo sempre maior nos casos de SCP. Conclui-se que quando há maior número de UFC, há concomitantemente maior CCS/mL de leite, no caso dos SCP e SCN...(AU)

Mastitis is the main affection of cattle intended for dairy production, which significantly impacts the milk production chain, with consequences yet to public health. It was studied aspects related to etiology, cellularity and bacterial count in 10 dairy farms, in the State of São Paulo. There were examined 1148 milking cows, totaling 4584 mammary glands. Cases in which there was isolation coagulase positive staphylococci (CPS) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were considered. The results showed microbiota with various different pathogens and CNS (128 cases) and CPS (45), Staphylococcus aureus (90), Streptococcus agalactiae (70), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (69), Streptococcus uberis (29), Corynebacterium spp . (230), Klebsiella pneumoniae (28), Klebsiella oxytoca (2), Escherichia coli (15), Enterobacter spp. (3). The somatic cell count (SCC) related to CPS and CNS showed no differences among the evaluated properties, although with significant differences when evaluating the SCC between both groups of staphylococci, as evidenced by comparing discreet CNS and exuberant CPS (P <0.01), discreet CPS and exuberant CPS (P <0.001) and moderate SCN and exuberant SCP (P <0.01). The evaluation of SCC was related to the intensity of infection, considering how slight growth isolation of up to nine colonies, moderate ten to 29 colonies and lush, with 30 or more colonies, revealed for both groups of staphylococci that the higher the number of colony forming units (CFU), SCC is higher being larger in cases of CPS. The results indicate that the importance of both CPS and CNS when considering the high occurrence of the evaluated properties and the fact that it raises the SCC, which compromises the quality of milk. We conclude that when there is a larger number of CFU, is concomitantly higher SCC/ml of milk, in the case of CPS and CNS, which shows a direct relationship of the intensity of the infectious process with the response of milk cellularity...(AU)

Histophilus somni-induced thrombotic meningoencephalitis in cattle from northern Paraná, Brazil / Meningoencefalite trombótica-induzida por Histophilus somni em bovinos da região norte do Paraná

Thrombotic meningoencephalitis (TME) is a fatal neurological disease of cattle, predominantly from North America, that is caused by Histophilus somni with sporadic descriptions from other countries. This manuscript describes the occurrence of spontaneous TME in cattle from northern Paraná, Brazil. Most cattle had acute neurological manifestations characteristic of brain dysfunction. Hematological and cerebrospinal fluid analyses were not suggestive of bacterial infections of the brain. Histopathology revealed meningoencephalitis with vasculitis and thrombosis of small vessels that contained discrete neutrophilic and/or lymphocytic infiltrates admixed with fibrin at the brainstem, cerebral cortex, and trigeminal nerve ganglion of all animals. All tissues from the central nervous system used during this study were previously characterized as negative for rabies virus by the direct immunofluorescence assay. PCR and RT-PCR assays investigated the participation of infectious agents associated with bovine neurological disease by targeting specific genes of H. somni, Listeria monocytogenes, bovine herpesvirus -1 and -5, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and ovine herpesvirus-2. PCR and subsequent sequencing resulted in partial fragments of the 16S rRNA gene of H. somni from brain sections of all animals with histopathological diagnosis of TME; all other PCR/RT-PCR assays were negative. These findings confirmed the participation of H. somni in the neuropathological disease observed in these animals, extend the geographical distribution of this disease, and support previous findings of H. somni from Brazil.(AU)

Meningoencefalite trombótica (Thrombotic meningoencephalitis- TME) é uma doença neurológica fatal de bovinos ocasionada por Histophilus somni. A infecção tem sido descrita predominantemente na América do Norte e de forma esporádica em outros países. O objetivo deste estudo é relatar a ocorrência de TME em bovinos da região norte do estado do Paraná, Brasil. A maioria dos animais apresentaram sinais clínicos neurológicos característicos de disfunção cerebral aguda. Análises hematológicas e do fluido cerebrospinal não foram sugestivas de infecção bacteriana do cérebro. A histopatologia revelou meningoencefalite com vasculite e trombose de pequenos vasos com discreto infiltrado neutrofílico e/ou linfocítico mesclada com fibrina no tronco e córtex cerebral e no gânglio do nervo trigêmio de todos os animais. As amostras de sistema nervoso central incluídas nesse estudo foram previamente caracterizadas como negativas para raiva por meio de técnica de imunofluorescência direta. A participação de agentes infecciosos associados à doença neurológica em bovinos foi avaliada por técnicas moleculares como PCR e RT-PCR para amplificação parcial de genes de H. somni, Listeria monocytogenes, herpesvírus bovino 1 e 5, vírus da diarreia viral bovina e herpesvírus ovino 2. As seções do cérebro de todos os animais com diagnóstico histopatológico de TME foram positivas em PCR para a detecção do gene 16S rRNA de H. somni. O sequenciamento dos produtos amplificados confirmou a presença de DNA de H. somni nos fragmentos de cérebro avaliados. As reações de PCR/RT-PCR para todos os outros micro-organismos avaliados resultaram negativas. Os resultados desse estudo confirmaram a participação do H. somni nos episódios de doença neurológica observada nos animais avaliados, amplia a distribuição geográfica da TME e ratifica estudos prévios realizados no Brasil que demonstraram a presença de H. somni em outras formas de manifestação clínica das infecções por essa bactéria.(AU)

Impairments of mecA gene detection in bovine Staphylococcus spp

Staphylococcus aureus antimicrobial resistance, especially to beta-lactams, favors treatment failures and its persistence in herd environment. This work aimed to develop a more specific primer for mecA gene detection based on the comparison of the conserved regions from distinct host origins and also investigated the presence of homologue mecA LGA251 in bovine strains. A total of 43 Staphylococcus spp. were included in this study, comprising 38 bovine S. aureus, two human and three equine coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). Phenotypical methicillin-resistance detection was performed through oxacillin agar-screening and cefoxitin disk-diffusion test. None isolate tested positive for mecA LGA251 gene. For mecA gene PCR, new primers were designed based on the sequences of human S. aureus (HE681097) and bovine S. sciuri (AY820253) mecA. The new primers based on the S. aureus mecA sequence amplified fragments of human and equine CNS and the ones based on S. sciuri mecA sequence only yielded fragments for S. aureus bovine strains. Multiples alignments of mecA gene sequences from bovine, human and equine revealed punctual but significant differences in bovine strains that can lead to the mecA gene detection impairment. The observed divergences of mecA gene sequences are not a matter of animal or human origin, it is a specificity of bovine samples.

Forma nervosa da artrite-encefalite caprina

Two cases are described of female goats, Saanen crossbreds, two months old, with clinical signs of hind limb paresis, incoordination, difficulty breathing and cachexia, which were subjected to euthanasia due to unfavorable prognosis. At necropsy it was possible to observe that there was congestion of the central nervous system (CNS) and pulmonary consolidation in both goats. Microscopic changes were characterized by multifocal lymphoplasmacytic leucoencephalomielitis, with vacuolization of neuropile and axonal spheroids, leptomeningitis, interstitial nonsupurative pneumonia in goat A and bacterial bronchopneumonia in goat B. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was positive for the caprine arthritis - encephalitis virus in thalamus fragments. The agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test was performed in sera sample of twenty animals and sixteen resulted positive. Diagnosis of the nervous form of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) infection was based on clinical and pathological status, IHC and AGID. This clinical presentation of CAE could be uncommon in Brazil, but must be considered in case of neurologic diseases in small ruminants.

São descritos dois casos de caprinos, fêmeas, mestiços da raça Saanen de dois meses de idade com sinais clínicos de paresia de membros posteriores, incoordenação, dificuldade respiratória e caquexia, que foram submetidos à eutanásia, devido ao prognóstico desfavorável. Na necropsia, observou-se congestão do sistema nervoso central (SNC) e consolidação pulmonar nos dois caprinos. Microscopicamente, as alterações foram caracterizadas por leucoencefalomielite linfoplasmocítica multifocal, com vacuolização do neurópilo e esferoides axonais, leptomeningite, pneumonia intersticial não supurativa no caprino A e broncopneumonia bacteriana no caprino B. O exame de imuno-histoquímica (IHQ) foi positivo para o vírus da artrite-encefalite caprina em fragmento de tálamo. A prova de imunodifusão em gel de ágar (IDGA) foi realizada em vinte animais do rebanho de origem e dezesseis animais foram positivos. O diagnóstico da forma nervosa da infecção pelo vírus da artrite-encefalite caprina (CAEV) foi baseado no quadro clínico-patológico, IHQ e IDGA. Esta apresentação clínica da CAE pode ser pouco comum no Brasil, mas deve ser considerada em caso de doenças neurológicas em pequenos ruminantes.

Forma nervosa da artrite-encefalite caprina

Two cases are described of female goats, Saanen crossbreds, two months old, with clinical signs of hind limb paresis, incoordination, difficulty breathing and cachexia, which were subjected to euthanasia due to unfavorable prognosis. At necropsy it was possible to observe that there was congestion of the central nervous system (CNS) and pulmonary consolidation in both goats. Microscopic changes were characterized by multifocal lymphoplasmacytic leucoencephalomielitis, with vacuolization of neuropile and axonal spheroids, leptomeningitis, interstitial nonsupurative pneumonia in goat A and bacterial bronchopneumonia in goat B. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was positive for the caprine arthritis - encephalitis virus in thalamus fragments. The agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test was performed in sera sample of twenty animals and sixteen resulted positive. Diagnosis of the nervous form of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) infection was based on clinical and pathological status, IHC and AGID. This clinical presentation of CAE could be uncommon in Brazil, but must be considered in case of neurologic diseases in small ruminants.

São descritos dois casos de caprinos, fêmeas, mestiços da raça Saanen de dois meses de idade com sinais clínicos de paresia de membros posteriores, incoordenação, dificuldade respiratória e caquexia, que foram submetidos à eutanásia, devido ao prognóstico desfavorável. Na necropsia, observou-se congestão do sistema nervoso central (SNC) e consolidação pulmonar nos dois caprinos. Microscopicamente, as alterações foram caracterizadas por leucoencefalomielite linfoplasmocítica multifocal, com vacuolização do neurópilo e esferoides axonais, leptomeningite, pneumonia intersticial não supurativa no caprino A e broncopneumonia bacteriana no caprino B. O exame de imuno-histoquímica (IHQ) foi positivo para o vírus da artrite-encefalite caprina em fragmento de tálamo. A prova de imunodifusão em gel de ágar (IDGA) foi realizada em vinte animais do rebanho de origem e dezesseis animais foram positivos. O diagnóstico da forma nervosa da infecção pelo vírus da artrite-encefalite caprina (CAEV) foi baseado no quadro clínico-patológico, IHQ e IDGA. Esta apresentação clínica da CAE pode ser pouco comum no Brasil, mas deve ser considerada em caso de doenças neurológicas em pequenos ruminantes.