Laboratory diagnosis of brucellosis

Brucellosis, originally known as a Malta fever or undulant fever, is a disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella that are hostrestricted and affect several mammalian species, including humans. It is a zoonosis widely distributed around the world, whichcauses great economic losses in farm animals due to abortion, the slaughter of infected animals, birth of weak animals, decreasein milk production, and infertility. In humans, brucellosis is a debilitating disease with variable clinical manifestations that can resultin death in some cases. Control of brucellosis in animals requires a correct diagnosis, culling of infected animals, and permanentmonitoring of brucellosis-free herds. Although a clinical presumptive diagnosis is important, it is subjective, and therefore, laboratorialtests including direct and indirect methods are extremely important for an accurate diagnosis. This review discusses current methodsfor laboratorial diagnosis of brucellosis using clinical samples, from animals or humans.

Etiologic diagnosis of bovine infectious abortion by PCR

Infectious abortion is a significant cause of reproductive failure and economic losses in cattle. The goal of this study was to detect nucleic acids of several infectious agents known to cause abortion including Arcanobacterium pyogenes, Bovine Herpesvirus 1, Brucella abortus, Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis, Chlamydophila abortus, Leptospira sp., Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella sp., Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma bovigenitalium, Neospora caninum, and Tritrichomonas foetus. Tissue homogenates from 42 fetuses and paraffin-embedded tissues from 28 fetuses and 14 placentas/endometrium were included in this study. Brucella abortus was detected in 14.2% (12/84) of the samples. Salmonella sp. DNA was amplified from 2 fetuses, and there was one positive for Neospora caninum, and another for Listeria monocytogenes. This PCR-based approach resulted in identification of the etiology in 19% of samples, or 20% if considered fetal tissues only.

Aborto infeccioso é uma causa significativa de falhas reprodutivas e perdas econômicas na bovinocultura. O objetivo deste estudo foi detectar ácidos nucleicos de vários agentes infecciosos reconhecidos como causadores de aborto, incluindo-se Arcanobacterium pyogenes, Herpesvirus bovino tipo 1, Brucella abortus, Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis, Chlamydophila abortus, Leptospira sp., Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella sp., Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma bovigenitalium, Neospora caninum e Tritrichomonas foetus. Homogenados de tecidos de 42 fetos e tecidos incluídos em parafina de 28 fetos e 14 placentas/endométrio foram incluídos neste estudo. Brucella abortus foi detectada em 14,2% (12/84) das amostras. DNA de Salmonella sp. foi amplificado de dois fetos e houve um feto positivo para Neospora caninum e outro para Listeria monocytogenes. Essa metodologia baseada em PCR resultou na identificação da etiologia em 19% das amostras ou 20% se considerados somente os tecidos fetais.

Etiologic diagnosis of bovine infectious abortion by PCR

Infectious abortion is a significant cause of reproductive failure and economic losses in cattle. The goal of this study was to detect nucleic acids of several infectious agents known to cause abortion including Arcanobacterium pyogenes, Bovine Herpesvirus 1, Brucella abortus, Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis, Chlamydophila abortus, Leptospira sp., Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella sp., Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma bovigenitalium, Neospora caninum, and Tritrichomonas foetus. Tissue homogenates from 42 fetuses and paraffin-embedded tissues from 28 fetuses and 14 placentas/endometrium were included in this study. Brucella abortus was detected in 14.2% (12/84) of the samples. Salmonella sp. DNA was amplified from 2 fetuses, and there was one positive for Neospora caninum, and another for Listeria monocytogenes. This PCR-based approach resulted in identification of the etiology in 19% of samples, or 20% if considered fetal tissues only.

Aborto infeccioso é uma causa significativa de falhas reprodutivas e perdas econômicas na bovinocultura. O objetivo deste estudo foi detectar ácidos nucleicos de vários agentes infecciosos reconhecidos como causadores de aborto, incluindo-se Arcanobacterium pyogenes, Herpesvirus bovino tipo 1, Brucella abortus, Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis, Chlamydophila abortus, Leptospira sp., Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella sp., Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma bovigenitalium, Neospora caninum e Tritrichomonas foetus. Homogenados de tecidos de 42 fetos e tecidos incluídos em parafina de 28 fetos e 14 placentas/endométrio foram incluídos neste estudo. Brucella abortus foi detectada em 14,2% (12/84) das amostras. DNA de Salmonella sp. foi amplificado de dois fetos e houve um feto positivo para Neospora caninum e outro para Listeria monocytogenes. Essa metodologia baseada em PCR resultou na identificação da etiologia em 19% das amostras ou 20% se considerados somente os tecidos fetais.

Anti-Sarcocystis neurona immunostaining associated with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in Brazil

A retrospective study (1942 to 2005) of histopathological lesions included samples of central nervous system (SNC) from 203 animals in the Equidae family. A total of 42.4% of these samples had significant pathological changes, which were classified as inflammatory (62.8%), degenerative (25.6%), circulatory (10.5%), and neoplasic (1.1%) lesions. Immunohistochemistry anti-Sarcocystis neurona antigens was performed in all the cases with inflammatory changes (54), of which one of the case of encephalitis resulted positive to immunostaining. Although evidence of EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis) has been previously reported in Brazil, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in which characteristic EPM lesion was associated with anti-S. neurona immunostaining in Brazil.

Em um estudo retrospectivo (de 1942 a 2005), amostras do sistema nervoso central de 203 eqüídeos foram avaliadas para a presença de alterações histológicas. Dessas amostras, 42,4% apresentaram alguma lesão histopatológica significativa, das quais foram classificadas como alterações inflamatórias (62,8%), degenerativas (25,6%), circulatórias (10,5%) e neoplásicas (1,1%). Fragmentos de SNC dos 54 animais com alterações inflamatórias foram avaliados para detecção de antígenos de Sarocystis neurona pela técnica de imunoistoquímica, que foi positiva em um caso de encefalite em eqüino. Embora haja registros de MPE no Brasil, este é o primeiro caso confirmado imunoistoquimicamente.

Anti-Sarcocystis neurona immunostaining associated with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in Brazil

A retrospective study (1942 to 2005) of histopathological lesions included samples of central nervous system (SNC) from 203 animals in the Equidae family. A total of 42.4% of these samples had significant pathological changes, which were classified as inflammatory (62.8%), degenerative (25.6%), circulatory (10.5%), and neoplasic (1.1%) lesions. Immunohistochemistry anti-Sarcocystis neurona antigens was performed in all the cases with inflammatory changes (54), of which one of the case of encephalitis resulted positive to immunostaining. Although evidence of EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis) has been previously reported in Brazil, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in which characteristic EPM lesion was associated with anti-S. neurona immunostaining in Brazil.

Em um estudo retrospectivo (de 1942 a 2005), amostras do sistema nervoso central de 203 eqüídeos foram avaliadas para a presença de alterações histológicas. Dessas amostras, 42,4% apresentaram alguma lesão histopatológica significativa, das quais foram classificadas como alterações inflamatórias (62,8%), degenerativas (25,6%), circulatórias (10,5%) e neoplásicas (1,1%). Fragmentos de SNC dos 54 animais com alterações inflamatórias foram avaliados para detecção de antígenos de Sarocystis neurona pela técnica de imunoistoquímica, que foi positiva em um caso de encefalite em eqüino. Embora haja registros de MPE no Brasil, este é o primeiro caso confirmado imunoistoquimicamente.

Cholelithiasis with atrophy of the right lateral hepatic lobe in a horse

A 22 year-old horse developed cholelithiasis with marked atrophy of the right lateral hepatic lobe. The horse had a history of intermittent colic since three years of age, and one of the first episodes of colic was associated with icterus. The size of the right lateral hepatic lobe was extremely reduced. There was a large choledocholith in the common hepatic duct, and several hepatoliths and choleliths in the intra- and extra-hepatic billiary ducts. Microscopically, there was severe atrophy of the right lobe with diffuse proliferation of connective tissue and billiary ducts. The left lateral lobe had peri-portal fibrosis with proliferation of billiary ducts, and billiary stasis. Chemical analysis of the calculi detected amorphous and triple phosphate, bilirubin, calcium, and iron.

Um cavalo de 22 anos de idade desenvolveu quadro de colelitíase severa com atrofia do lobo lateral direito. O animal tinha histórico de cólica recorrente, desde os três anos de idade, sendo que um dos primeiros episódios de cólica foi acompanhado de icterícia. O lobo hepático lateral direito estava extremamente diminuído de volume. Havia um grande coledocólito localizado no ducto hepático comum e inúmeros hepatólitos e colélitos nos ductos biliares intra e extra-hepáticos. Microscopicamente, foi observada atrofia acentuada do lobo direito, com proliferação difusa de tecido conjuntivo fibroso e de ductos biliares. O lobo lateral esquerdo apresentava fibrose periportal difusa associada à proliferação acentuada de ductos biliares e estase biliar. Análise química das concreções detectou fosfato triplo e amorfo, bilirrubina, cálcio e ferro.

Cholelithiasis with atrophy of the right lateral hepatic lobe in a horse

A 22 year-old horse developed cholelithiasis with marked atrophy of the right lateral hepatic lobe. The horse had a history of intermittent colic since three years of age, and one of the first episodes of colic was associated with icterus. The size of the right lateral hepatic lobe was extremely reduced. There was a large choledocholith in the common hepatic duct, and several hepatoliths and choleliths in the intra- and extra-hepatic billiary ducts. Microscopically, there was severe atrophy of the right lobe with diffuse proliferation of connective tissue and billiary ducts. The left lateral lobe had peri-portal fibrosis with proliferation of billiary ducts, and billiary stasis. Chemical analysis of the calculi detected amorphous and triple phosphate, bilirubin, calcium, and iron.

Um cavalo de 22 anos de idade desenvolveu quadro de colelitíase severa com atrofia do lobo lateral direito. O animal tinha histórico de cólica recorrente, desde os três anos de idade, sendo que um dos primeiros episódios de cólica foi acompanhado de icterícia. O lobo hepático lateral direito estava extremamente diminuído de volume. Havia um grande coledocólito localizado no ducto hepático comum e inúmeros hepatólitos e colélitos nos ductos biliares intra e extra-hepáticos. Microscopicamente, foi observada atrofia acentuada do lobo direito, com proliferação difusa de tecido conjuntivo fibroso e de ductos biliares. O lobo lateral esquerdo apresentava fibrose periportal difusa associada à proliferação acentuada de ductos biliares e estase biliar. Análise química das concreções detectou fosfato triplo e amorfo, bilirrubina, cálcio e ferro.

Aspergilose em avestruz (Struthio camelus) no Brasil

Farms raising ostriches are becoming popular in Brazil lately, but as an exotic species, there is little information regarding diseases that affect these animals in our environment. A five-month-old ostrich had cough, anorexia, weight loss, mild dispneia, normal body temperature, and died within 8 days from the beginning of the clinical signs. Grossly, there were multiple nodules in the lung and air sacs. Histopathologically, a multifocal necrotizing and granulomatous pneumonia with intralesional radiating septated and branching hyphae with morphological features of Aspergillus sp. was observed. In the air sacs, in addition to the hyphae and adjacent inflammatory reaction, there were multiple mycelia with conidiophores on the inner surface. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from the affected tissues. Based on the histopathological and mycological findings, a severe mycotic pneumonia and air sacculitis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus was diagnosed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of aspergillosis in an ostrich in Brazil.

Criatórios de avestruz têm se tornado comuns no Brasil, mas por se tratar de espécie exótica, as informações sobre as doenças desses animais no nosso ambiente são escassas. Um avestruz de cinco meses de idade apresentou tosse, anorexia, perda de peso, dispnéia discreta, temperatura corporal normal e morreu oito dias após o início dos sinais clínicos. Macroscopicamente foram observados nódulos múltiplos no pulmão e nos sacos aéreos. Histolopatogicamente, observou-se pneumonia granulomatosa e necrosante multifocal com hifas ramificadas e septadas intralesionais com características morfológicas de Aspergillus sp. Nos sacos aéreos, além das hifas e processo inflamatório adjacente haviam vários micélios com conidióforos na superfície interna. Foi isolado Aspergillus fumigatus dos tecidos afetados. De acordo com os achados histopatológicos e micológicos firmou-se o diagnóstico de pneumonia e aerossaculite micótica severa causada por Aspergillus fumigatus. Com base nas informações disponíveis na literatura, esse é o primeiro caso de aspergilose em avestruz documentado no Brasil.

Aspergilose em avestruz (Struthio camelus) no Brasil

Farms raising ostriches are becoming popular in Brazil lately, but as an exotic species, there is little information regarding diseases that affect these animals in our environment. A five-month-old ostrich had cough, anorexia, weight loss, mild dispneia, normal body temperature, and died within 8 days from the beginning of the clinical signs. Grossly, there were multiple nodules in the lung and air sacs. Histopathologically, a multifocal necrotizing and granulomatous pneumonia with intralesional radiating septated and branching hyphae with morphological features of Aspergillus sp. was observed. In the air sacs, in addition to the hyphae and adjacent inflammatory reaction, there were multiple mycelia with conidiophores on the inner surface. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from the affected tissues. Based on the histopathological and mycological findings, a severe mycotic pneumonia and air sacculitis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus was diagnosed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of aspergillosis in an ostrich in Brazil.

Criatórios de avestruz têm se tornado comuns no Brasil, mas por se tratar de espécie exótica, as informações sobre as doenças desses animais no nosso ambiente são escassas. Um avestruz de cinco meses de idade apresentou tosse, anorexia, perda de peso, dispnéia discreta, temperatura corporal normal e morreu oito dias após o início dos sinais clínicos. Macroscopicamente foram observados nódulos múltiplos no pulmão e nos sacos aéreos. Histolopatogicamente, observou-se pneumonia granulomatosa e necrosante multifocal com hifas ramificadas e septadas intralesionais com características morfológicas de Aspergillus sp. Nos sacos aéreos, além das hifas e processo inflamatório adjacente haviam vários micélios com conidióforos na superfície interna. Foi isolado Aspergillus fumigatus dos tecidos afetados. De acordo com os achados histopatológicos e micológicos firmou-se o diagnóstico de pneumonia e aerossaculite micótica severa causada por Aspergillus fumigatus. Com base nas informações disponíveis na literatura, esse é o primeiro caso de aspergilose em avestruz documentado no Brasil.

Laboratory diagnosis of brucellosis

Brucellosis, originally known as a Malta fever or undulant fever, is a disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella that are hostrestricted and affect several mammalian species, including humans. It is a zoonosis widely distributed around the world, whichcauses great economic losses in farm animals due to abortion, the slaughter of infected animals, birth of weak animals, decreasein milk production, and infertility. In humans, brucellosis is a debilitating disease with variable clinical manifestations that can resultin death in some cases. Control of brucellosis in animals requires a correct diagnosis, culling of infected animals, and permanentmonitoring of brucellosis-free herds. Although a clinical presumptive diagnosis is important, it is subjective, and therefore, laboratorialtests including direct and indirect methods are extremely important for an accurate diagnosis. This review discusses current methodsfor laboratorial diagnosis of brucellosis using clinical samples, from animals or humans.

Ossifying oronasal carcinoma in a horse

Oral and nasal carcinomas are common in domestic animals, but osseous neoformation in epithelial tumors is rare. This is the first case of an ossifying carcinoma described in horse. This report describes a case of oronasal ossifying carcinoma in a 5-year-old Quarter Horse stallion that developed swelling on the right side of the face. Grossly, there was a neoplastic mass that occupied the entire right nasal cavity and extended into the oral cavity. Histologically, there was neoplastic proliferation of epithelial cells, which were arranged in cords and nests supported by an abundant fibrovascular stroma with osteoid deposition and osseous differentiation in the stroma with abundant osteoclast-like cells. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated immunopositivity for cytokeratin in epithelial cells and immunopositivity for vimentin in stromal cells including the osteoclast-like cells. Immunohistochemical findings favored a diagnosis of ossifying oronasal carcinoma.