Hepatic lesions in captive owl monkeys (Aotus infulatus) with ultrasonographic "starry sky" liver.

BACKGROUND: The "starry sky" (SK) liver is ultrasonographic pattern characterized by multiple hyperechogenic foci in hepatic parenchyma. The study aimed to characterize the microscopic hepatic lesions in captive owl monkeys with SK liver. METHODS: Thirty-seven clinically healthy owl monkeys had their liver scanned and 18 of them had liver biopsy. Animals with SK and peliosis hepatis (PH) were subjected to immunohistochemical and molecular screening for Bartonella spp. RESULTS: SK liver occurred in 59.4% (22/37) of the owl monkeys. Biopsied animals showed steatosis, hydropic degeneration, hemosiderosis, PH, and multifocal granulomatous hepatitis. Two monkeys had SK, granulomatous hepatitis, and PH which were negative for Bartonella spp. CONCLUSIONS: PH and granulomatous hepatitis associated with hepatocellular degenerative lesions may present as hyperechoic nodular liver lesions consisted of SK liver; therefore, concomitant occurrence of two lesions or more contributed to the hepatic SK pattern among owl monkeys and such cases might be clinically monitored.

Experimental yellow fever virus infection in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri spp.) I: gross anatomical and histopathological findings in organs at necropsy.

BACKGROUND: Non-human primates contribute to the spread of the yellow fever virus (YFV) and the establishment of transmission cycles in endemic areas. OBJECTIVE: To describe the severe histopathological aspects of YFV infection, 10 squirrel monkeys were infected with YFV and blood, brain, liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lung, lymph node and stomach were collected at 1-7, 10, 20 and 30 days post-infection (dpi). METHODS: Histopathological analysis and detection of the genome and viral antigens and neutralising antibodies were performed by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and neutralisation test, respectively. FINDINGS: Only one animal died from the experimental infection. The genome and viral antigens were detected in all investigated organs (1-30 dpi) and the neutralising antibodies from seven to 30 dpi. The brain contained perivascular haemorrhage (6 dpi); in the liver, midzonal haemorrhage and lytic necrosis (6 dpi) were observed. The kidney had bleeding in the Bowman's capsule and tubular necrosis (6 dpi). Pyknotic lymphocytes were observed in the spleen (1-20 dpi), the lung had haemorrhage (2-6 dpi), in the endocardium it contained nuclear pyknosis and necrosis (2-3 dpi) and the stomach contained blood in the lumen (6 dpi). MAIN FINDINGS: Squirrel monkeys reliably reproduced the responses observed in human cases of yellow fever and, therefore, constitute an excellent experimental model for studies on the pathophysiology of the disease.

Abdominal ultrasound in Saguinus ursulus.

BACKGROUND: The classification of Saguinus ursulus as a new taxon and the vulnerability of this species highlighted the need for data on its specific morphophysiological attributes. This study used ultrasound to determine the typical characteristics of pelvic-abdominal structures and organs. METHODS: Nine healthy primates of the species S. ursulus were evaluated, through ultrasound tests, to determine the morphometry of the organs of the pelvic-abdominal cavity and the levels of ovarian activity. RESULTS: Topography, morphology, and biometrics of the organs were described. It was observed that organs of S. ursulus are similar to those of other Neotropical primate species. However, the kidney morphology is different,the left is triangular and the right is elliptical, while the gallbladder is bilobed. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography has proven to be efficient and effective for organ evaluation. The ultrasound findings are a first step toward understanding the physiology of a less-known species.

Experimental yellow fever virus infection in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri spp. ) I: gross anatomical and histopathological findings in organs at necropsy

BACKGROUND Non-human primates contribute to the spread of the yellow fever virus (YFV) and the establishment of transmission cycles in endemic areas. OBJECTIVE To describe the severe histopathological aspects of YFV infection, 10 squirrel monkeys were infected with YFV and blood, brain, liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lung, lymph node and stomach were collected at 1-7, 10, 20 and 30 days post-infection (dpi). METHODS Histopathological analysis and detection of the genome and viral antigens and neutralising antibodies were performed by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and neutralisation test, respectively. FINDINGS Only one animal died from the experimental infection. The genome and viral antigens were detected in all investigated organs (1-30 dpi) and the neutralising antibodies from seven to 30 dpi. The brain contained perivascular haemorrhage (6 dpi); in the liver, midzonal haemorrhage and lytic necrosis (6 dpi) were observed. The kidney had bleeding in the Bowman's capsule and tubular necrosis (6 dpi). Pyknotic lymphocytes were observed in the spleen (1-20 dpi), the lung had haemorrhage (2-6 dpi), in the endocardium it contained nuclear pyknosis and necrosis (2-3 dpi) and the stomach contained blood in the lumen (6 dpi). MAIN FINDINGS Squirrel monkeys reliably reproduced the responses observed in human cases of yellow fever and, therefore, constitute an excellent experimental model for studies on the pathophysiology of the disease.

Bioquímica plasmática de cascavéis (Caudisona durissa LINNAEUS, 1758) em cativeiro / Blood biochemical parameters from captivity rattlesnake (Caudisona durissa LINNAEUS, 1758)

Acidentes com seres humanos envolvendo a espécie Caudisona durissa possuem a mais alta taxa de letalidade dentre os viperídeos brasileiros. Ressalta-se então a importância para a saúde pública da criação dessa espécie em cativeiro para produção de soro antiofídico. No entanto, essa atividade ainda hoje encontra alguns desafios como a instalação de doenças no plantel, evidenciando a importância de estudos sobre a fisiologia de serpentes. Dessa forma, foram realizadas análises de bioquímica plasmática em 53 serpentes da espécie Caudisona durissa, mantidas em cativeiro. Foram utilizadas amostras de plasma com heparina e as dosagens bioquímicas realizadas em aparelho automatizado (Ciba Corning - Express Plus®). Os resultados e seus respectivos desvios-padrões foram: uréia -1,32mg dL-1 (±1,1); ácido úrico - 2,08mg dL-1 (±1,4); creatinina - 0,52mg dL-1 (±0,2); proteína total - 3,7g dL-1 (±0,7); albumina - 1,62g dL-1 (±0,4); globulinas - 2,08g dL-1 (±0,5); cálcio - 15,25mg dL-1 (±2,8); fósforo - 4,61mg dL-1 (±1,9); colesterol - 171,58mg dL-1 (±52,7); triglicerídeos - 19,29mg dL-1 (±14,3); fosfatase alcalina - 31,04U L-1 (±12,4); aspartato aminotransferase (AST) - 22,25U L-1 (±11,4); alanina aminotransferase (ALT) - 7,11U L-1 (±5,4) e Amilase - 1385,23U L-1 (±568,7). Foram calculados os seguintes índices: relação uréia/creatinina - 2,5 e relação cálcio/fósforo - 3,3. O conjunto de resultados das análises bioquímicas do sangue das cascavéis em cativeiro pode servir como referência para apoio diagnóstico na espécie estudada e para outros trabalhos com o mesmo caráter de observação.

Human accidents involving rattlesnake Caudisona durissa have the highest fatality rate among the Brazilian Viperidae family. Breeding this specie in captivity in order to produce antivenoms is very important to public health. Nevertheless, there are some challenges that this activity must face, like the onset of diseases on the breeding stock, justifying the importance of studying these snakes' physiology. Blood biochemical analysis of 53 Caudisona durissa was performed using plasma samples in an automated equipment (Ciba Corning - Express Plus®). Mean values and its respective Standard deviations are: blood urea nitrogen (BUN) -1.32mg dL-1 (±1.1); uric acid - 2.08mg dL-1 (±1.4); creatinine - 0.52mg dL-1 (±0.2); total protein - 3.7g dL-1 (±0.7); albumin - 1.62g dL-1 (±0.4); globulins - 2.08g dL-1 (±0.5); calcium - 15.25mg dL-1 (±2.8); phosphorus - 4.61mg dL-1 (±1.9); cholesterol - 171.58mg dL-1 (±52.7); triglycerides - 19.29mg dL-1 (±14.3); alkaline phosfatase - 31.04U L-1 (±12.4); aspartate aminotransferase (AST) - 22.25U L-1 (±11.4); alanin aminotransferase (ALT) 7.11U L-1 (±5.4); amylases - 1385.23U L-1 (±568.7). The following indexes were calculated: BUN/creatinine ratio - 2.5 and calcium/phosphorus ratio -3.3. Rattlesnake blood biochemical results above could be used as reference in clinical evaluation for captivity C. durissa.

Avaliação da resposta inflamatória hematológica em cascavéis (Crotalus durissus Linnaeus, 1758) inoculadas com BCG / Assessment of blood inflammatory response in BCG stimulated rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus Linnaeus, 1758)

A criação de serpentes peçonhentas em cativeiro para produção de soros antipeçonhas possui crescente importância para a saúde pública devido ao aumento do número de notificações de acidentes ofídicos a cada ano no Brasil. Iniciado no século XX, ainda hoje essa atividade apresenta alguns desafios como a instalação de doenças no plantel. O hemograma é um exame de triagem clínica que auxilia no diagnóstico de diversas moléstias que acometem diferentes espécies de animais, no entanto ainda pouco estudado em serpentes. A caracterização das alterações hematológicas em cascavéis inoculadas experimentalmente com BCG pode servir de base na utilização deste exame no auxílio ao diagnóstico de infecções bacterianas na espécie. Dessa forma, foram realizados exames hematológicos em 10 serpentes da espécie Crotalus durissus pertencentes ao plantel da Divisão de Herpetologia do Instituto Vital Brazil. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos (Grupos 1 e 2), homogêneos entre si em relação ao peso e proporção sexual. Os dois grupos foram inoculados com BCG e submetidos à coleta de sangue antes da inoculação e em três momentos pós-inoculação (3º, 5º, e 7º dias para o Grupo 1 e 11º, 17º e 21º dias para o Grupo 2). O hemograma foi realizado por método semidireto pela utilização de líquido de Natt e Herrick e as lâminas foram coradas pelo Giemsa. Observou-se anemia discreta, com redução dos valores de concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média e da hemoglobina globular média no Grupo 1 que foi relacionada à doença inflamatória. A trombocitopenia observada no Grupo 2 sugeriu a atuação deste tipo celular em processos inflamatórios. Um único animal do Grupo 1 apresentou granulocitose e alguns animais apresentaram discreta azurofilia. Observaram-se alterações morfológicas nos leucócitos. Os granulócitos apresentaram granulações grosseiras e os azurófilos apresentaram aumento de tamanho e grandes vacúolos. De forma geral, a inoculação de BCG em cascavéis desencadeia ...

The high demand for anti-venom production in response to the increased number of cases of snakebite envenomation highlights the importance of raising and breeding venomous snakes in captivity. Knowledge of types of venoms and anti-venoms is of great interest to public health. The maintenance of venomous serpents in captivity started in the early twentieth century, but still nowadays it is a challenge to manage and prevent diseases in captive fauna. Hematology is commonly used for general health assessment and illness detection. However, data on serpent blood analysis are still scarce. Alterations in hematological parameters were experimentally induced in rattlesnakes by the inoculation of BCG. Based on this, hemograms can be used as a health auxiliary diagnosis method for bacterial diseases in this species. In this study, blood samples were taken from 10 healthy specimens of rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus) born and bred in captivity in the Herpetological Division of Vital Brazil Institute. Animals were divided into two groups (group 1 and 2) with similar live weight and sex proportion, and were then inoculated subcutaneously with BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin). Blood samples were taken before and after inoculation at three experimental times (days 3, 5 and 7 for group 1 and days 11, 17 and 21 for group 2). Hematological analysis was performed through semi-direct technique, blood samples were diluted in Natt and Herrick solution and smears were stained by Giemsa. Serpents from group 1 developed discrete anemia due to the inflammatory syndrome, and showed significant decrease of MCH and MCHC. Granulocytes were characterized by the presence of rough granules. The azurophils varied in shape and size and showed large amount of cytoplasmic vacuoles. The thrombocytopenia observed in group 2 suggests that these cells participate in the inflammatory process. A single individual from group 1 showed granulocytosis and a few animals showed a discrete ...