Feline platynosomiasis: analysis of the association of infection levels with pathological and biochemical findings / Platinossomiase felina: análise da associação dos níveis de infecção com achados patológicos e bioquímicos

Platynosomiasis is a common feline hepatic disease caused by Platynosomum fastosum (Trematoda - Dicrocoelidae), which is also known as lizard poisoning. Most reports of feline platynosomiasis show that this disease is sporadic and manifests with uncommon lesions; its pathogenicity is still not well understood. This study aimed to describe liver injuries and enzymatic changes associated with natural P. fastosum infection in 47 stray cats in an endemic area. Overall, 38.3% (18/47) of cats were parasitized, and 2,358 flukes (P. fastosum) were collected (131 mean intensity of parasitism; 50.2 mean abundance). The alanine transaminase (ALT) measure was significantly higher in parasitized animals, while alkaline phosphatase (ALP) showed no statistical difference between parasitized and non-parasitized animals. In infected animals, gross pathological lesions and microscopic liver injuries ranged from mild to severe, and were similar to those in previous descriptions of feline platynosomiasis. Nonetheless, the intensity of parasitism was not related to the severity of macroscopic or microscopic hepatic injuries. However, feline platynosomiasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of feline liver disorders, as well as, in any program of helminth control, even if no clinical abnormalities are present.(AU)

Platinossomiase é uma doença hepática felina comum causada por Platynosomum fastosum (Trematoda - Dicrocoelidae), também é conhecida como envenenamento por lagartixa. A maioria dos relatos de platinossomiase felina mostra que esta doença é esporádica e se manifesta com lesões incomuns; sua patogenicidade ainda não é bem compreendida. Este estudo objetivou descrever as lesões no fígado e alterações enzimáticas associadas à infecção natural por P. fastosum em 47 gatos errantes em uma área endêmica. No total, 38,3% (18/47) dos gatos estavam parasitados, e 2.358 trematódeos (P. fastosum) foram coletados (131 intensidade média de parasitismo; 50,2 abundância média). A quantidade de alanina transaminase (ALT) foi significativamente maior nos animais parasitados, enquanto a fosfatase alcalina (ALP) não apresentou diferença estatística entre os animais parasitados e não parasitados. Nos animais infectados, lesões patológicas macroscópicas e microscópicas hepáticas variaram de leve a grave, e foram semelhantes a descrições anteriores de platinossomiase felina. No entanto, a intensidade do parasitismo não foi relacionada à gravidade das lesões hepáticas macroscópicas ou microscópicas. Contudo, a platinossomiase felina deve ser considerada no diagnóstico diferencial de distúrbios hepáticos em felinos, assim como, em qualquer programa de controle de helmintos, mesmo que nenhuma anormalidade clínica esteja presente.(AU)

Hemangiosarcoma in a free-living Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris)

Background: Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant endothelial cell-derived neoplasm characterized by an intense cellular proliferation organized in a solid or cavernous pattern. Is characterized by intense cell proliferation, and organized in vascular slits, filled with blood, with fast grow and there is a high recurrence rate. This paper reports a case of multiple hemangiosarcoma in a Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris). Case: A free-living Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris), was attended at the veterinary hospital of the Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT) - Cuiabá, presenting prostration and three masses located in the following regions: left periorbital area, left lateral insertion of the beak and distal portion of the left tibia. The masses were blackened colored with an irregular aspect, and the cut surface was multiple cavity, filled with a blackened gelatinous material. The animal died during the surgical procedure and was sent to necropsy. Additionally, special immunohistochemistry staining was used in the tumors sections, with primary anti-S-100, anti-Von Willebrand Factor, anti-desmin, anti-actin, anti-cytokeratin and anti-vimentin. The three masses have rounded shape, multilobuled surface, deep red to blackened color, with skin adhered base, and, when cut, blackened color with multiple cavities filled with red to blackened gelatinous material and [...]

Hemangiosarcoma in a free-living Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris)

Background: Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant endothelial cell-derived neoplasm characterized by an intense cellular proliferation organized in a solid or cavernous pattern. Is characterized by intense cell proliferation, and organized in vascular slits, filled with blood, with fast grow and there is a high recurrence rate. This paper reports a case of multiple hemangiosarcoma in a Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris). Case: A free-living Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris), was attended at the veterinary hospital of the Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT) - Cuiabá, presenting prostration and three masses located in the following regions: left periorbital area, left lateral insertion of the beak and distal portion of the left tibia. The masses were blackened colored with an irregular aspect, and the cut surface was multiple cavity, filled with a blackened gelatinous material. The animal died during the surgical procedure and was sent to necropsy. Additionally, special immunohistochemistry staining was used in the tumors sections, with primary anti-S-100, anti-Von Willebrand Factor, anti-desmin, anti-actin, anti-cytokeratin and anti-vimentin. The three masses have rounded shape, multilobuled surface, deep red to blackened color, with skin adhered base, and, when cut, blackened color with multiple cavities filled with red to blackened gelatinous material and [...](AU)

Nonsuppurative myocarditis associated with bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in calves in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Background: Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) refers to a heterogeneous group of viruses belonging to the family Flaviviridae and genus Pestivirus. This family of viruses is one of the main pathogens of cattle and causes significant economic losses to the cattle industry worldwide. BVDV is an enveloped virus with a diameter of 45 nm and single-stranded RNA genome of 12.5 kb. BVDV infection has been associated with a number of clinical manifestations ranging from unapparent infection and mild signs to acute illness and death. In general, calves are more susceptible to BVDV infection, but adult cattle can develop the clinical disease if they are infected with highly virulent virus strains. This study describes clinical, anatomopathological and epidemiological findings of a BVDV outbreak in calves in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Materials, Methods & Results: The outbreak occurred in the town of Agua Clara in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected by the farm manager during a visit to the property. The outbreak involved two Nelore heifer calves that died between 30 and 40 days of age. One calf was taken to the Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy (LAP) of the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (FAMEZ/UFMS). The calf was necropsied, and white streaks were seen on the heart, indicating congestive failure with swelling of body cavities and congestive hepatopathy (nutmeg liver). Fragments of different organs and tissues were collected during necropsy, fixed in 10% formalin for 48 h, embedded in paraffin, cut in 5 µm sections and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) or analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the Veterinary Pathology sector of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Histologically, the heart lesion was characterized by fibrous coagulative necrosis associated with marked infi ltrate (predominantly lymphocytic) and some macrophages. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemical agent identification in Peyer's patches within the intestine. Discussion: The diagnosis of congestive heart failure due to myocarditis caused by BVDV infection was confirmed by the IHC technique. While in other countries, myocarditis caused by natural infection in cattle and experimental infection in goats and sheep due to BVDV has been described, there have been no reports of this clinical and pathological manifestation of the disease in Brazil. The heart lesions observed in the outbreak should be differentiated from similar injuries caused by certain plants and from Neospora caninum infection. In the present study, while the virus was identified by immunohistochemistry only in Peyer's patches, BVDV was considered to be the cause of the cardiac lesions by a process of elimination and because there is no correlation between the amount of viral antigen and the location of histological lesions. Other studies have used the IHC technique to detect BVDV antigen in other tissues of cattle and observed that the antigen is not uniformly distributed among the organs, suggesting that no specific organ of aborted fetuses can be chosen for BVDV diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry was shown to be an efficient method for detecting the antigen in the Peyer's patches of infected calves. This is the first report of nonsuppurative myocarditis associated with BVDV causing perinatal cattle death with agent identification in Mato Grosso do Sul. However, these data are insufficient to determine the importance of BVDV infection in terms of reproductive losses in this state because the methodological approaches used were different from those adopted in earlier studies.

Condrodisplasia tipo Dexter em fetos bovinos abortados / Chondrodysplasia Dexter type in aborted bovine fetuses

Background: Chondrodysplasia is a congenital anomaly related to defects of the genes that control the chondrogenesis. This anomaly is described in many breeds of cattle and consanguineous matings increases the likelihood of developing defective traits. There are three distinct syndromes known: Dexter, Telemark and Brachycephalic type. The chondrodysplasia Dexter type syndrome is associated to an incompletely dominant gene, which occurs in Dexter and Holstein breeds more frequently, yet Charolais and Jersey can also be affected. There are three recognized phenotypes in this form of disease: severe achondroplasia, with abortion before the seventh month of gestation (monster Dexter), when related to dominant homozygous; chondrodisplasia with limbs shortening, when heterozygous; and normal animals, when recessive homozygous. The objective of this paper is to describe Dexter chondrodysplasia observed in two bovine fetuses examined by the Setor de Patologia Veterinária from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (SPV-UFRGS). Case: The necropsy of two aborted bovine calves was performed by the SPV-UFRGS. The Fetus 1 did not have data, neither clinical history. The Fetus 2, a Jersey breed calf, was in the last third of gestation and came from a property with Jersey and mini-Jersey herd. Natural mating was used for reproduction, with only one bull. Macroscopic alterations observed in both fetuses were characterized by shortened limbs, rounded and disproportionate skull, short snout, undershot jaw, tongue protrusion and abdominal hernia with eventration. In the second fetus was also observed spina bifida and palatoschisis. Microscopically, in both fetuses were observed extensive areas of immature cartilage, chondrocytes of the femur's bone tissue were not organized in recognizable growth plates, the metaphysis was markedly shortened and consisted in short bone trabeculae with occasional cartilage isles. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) was negative. Discussion: The macroscopic and microscopic alterations in both fetuses were compatible with chondrodysplasia "monster Dexter" type. Such alterations, associated with dominant homozygotes, are due to defective endochondral ossifi cation with little growth in the length of long bones, meanwhile intramembranous ossification beneath the periosteum keeps growing and contributing to the abnormal volume and growth of the bones. Such difference is clearly observed when the size of the head is compared with the rest of the body. As the skull bones depends basically on intramembranous ossification, they are generally bigger than the rest of the body. The negative result of IHC to BVDV shows that this agent, known as the cause of congenital malformation did not have association with the anomalies observed. According to other researchers, this low frequency of viral agents as responsible for congenital anomalies was observed previously in cattle from the south of Brazil. Although Dexter chondrodysplasia can be considered of occasional occurrence, it can be responsible for considerable damage. As an abnormality with hereditary nature and consanguinity is the main reason to its occurrence, prevention is the main method to be adopted by the producer to avoid bigger loses.

Malformações congênitas multissistêmicas em um feto bovino abortado / Congenital multisystemic malformations in an aborted bovine fetus

Background: Congenital anomalies are structural and functional abnormalities that are present at birth, and they are frequently the result of environmental or genetic factors or both. Their etiology may also be related to infectious agents, such as viruses, hereditary factors, or the ingestion of toxic plants or chemical agents. Congenital anomalies usually occur sporadically, but they also can occur as outbreaks. The objective of this paper is to describe the multiple congenital malformations observed in an aborted bovine fetus. Case: A bovine fetus was sent to Laboratory Veterinary Pathology UFRGS for necropsy, histological analysis and complementary exams such as bacteriology, direct immunofluorescence for Leptospira sp. and immunohistochemistry for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). The fetus presented multiple congenital alterations, such as dextraposition of the aorta and absence of the pulmonary artery, tracheal stenosis, a hypoplastic lung, multiple heart defects, arthrogryposis, osteopetrosis, and the absence of the middle phalanx and accessory digits in the forelimbs. Furthermore, dystocia and enlargement of the liver were observed, the organ showed irregular surface, firm consistency and nodular formation. A histological exam verified the accentuated hepatic periportal fibrosis. All complementary exams were negative. Discussion: Congenital anomalies can affect only one organ or can be multisystemic due to a malformation of one part of the body leading to the loss of another. Arthrogryposis can delay delivery, and signs of dystocia may be present in the resulting fetus. The etiology of arthrogryposis is difficult to determine, and even studies that were previously performed in ruminants have failed to identify a specific agent. Osteopetrosis, which was also observed, is a congenital skeletal anomaly caused by the failed resorption of cartilage and endochondral bone, and it has been associated with intrauterine BVDV infections, can also be associated with autosomal recessive genes in the Angus bovine breed. Congenital heart defects are relatively rare in cattle. Ventricular sept defects and transposition of the great vessels are two of the most common cardiovascular anomalies in bovines, and they can occur individually or in association with other heart defects. Generally, these malformations are linked to genetic factors. In this study, the animal presented with several conformational heart defects that resulted in embryonic development alterations in its structure or that resulted in progressive heart failure. Blood flow changes caused by an anatomic defect can significantly influence the structural and functional development of the circulation, resulting in secondary alterations. In this case, the primary defect is hard to determine, but the observed bilateral pulmonary hypoplasia may be the consequence of a blood flow decrease to the lungs because the pulmonary artery was absent. Pulmonary hypoplasia is defined as the incomplete development of the lungs, reducing the number of divisions of the bronchial tree and the associated alveoli. Many causes of pulmonary hypoplasia have been described in human beings and animals, such as chest abnormalities, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, chromosome anomalies, musculoskeletal disorders and heart failure. The accentuated hepatic fibrosis observed in this study, which was predominantly periportal, correlated with congestive heart failure due to the cardiac and pulmonary malformation observed in the fetus, which would have altered the systemic blood flow. It is suggested that the studied case is a congenital malformation of sporadic origin, characterized by multiple deformities associated with unknown genetic factors.

Feohifomicose cutânea causada por Curvularia sp. em um equino / Cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Curvularia sp. in an equine

As feohifomicoses são doenças cutâneas, subcutâneas e sistêmicas que acometem humanos e animais. São causadas por fungos que possuem melanina em sua parede celular (dematiáceos) e estão geralmente associadas com imunocomprometimento do hospedeiro. Este trabalho descreve alterações clínicas e histopatológicas de feohifomicose cutânea em um equino, macho, da raça crioula, de 6 anos de idade. O animal apresentou dois nódulos cutâneos com aproximadamente 4 a 5 cm de diâmetro, nas regiões laterais direita e esquerda do abdômen, que foram removidos cirurgicamente e encaminhados para exame histopatológico. Macroscopicamente, as lesões consistiam em nódulos cutâneos, um ulcerado, apresentando ao corte múltiplas áreas circunscritas e esbranquiçadas contendo em seu interior grânulos enegrecidos. Na histopatologia, as lesões se caracterizavam por dermatite ulcerativa piogranulomatosa com hifas septadas intralesionais apresentando parede pigmentada. No cultivo micológico, observou-se crescimento fúngico de Curvularia sp. O diagnóstico de dermatite fúngica por Curvularia sp. foi baseado nos achados histológicos associados com o isolamento fúngico. O tratamento se restringiu à retirada cirúrgica completa das lesões; entretanto, um ano após a excisão, novas lesões surgiram nas proximidades das lesões prévias no abdômen.

Phaeohyphomycosis include cutaneous, subcutaneous, and systemic diseases that affect humans and animals. The diseases are usually associated with immunocompromised hosts and are caused by fungi whose wall cell contains melanin (dematiaceous). This communication describes clinical, histopathological, and microbiological aspects observed in a case of phaeohyphomycosis affecting a 6-year-old male Crioulo horse. Animal showed two cutaneous nodules with about 4-5 cm of diameter located in the lateral abdominal walls (one in the right, the other in the left). Nodules were excised and submitted to the pathological laboratory SPV-UFRGS. Grossly, one of the cutaneous nodules was ulcerated and had, at the cut surface, multiple circumscript whitish areas containing blackish granules. Microscopically, nodules had piogranulomatous ulcerative dermatitis associated with intralesional septate and pigmented hyphae. Mycological culture, performed at the Mycology Laboratory-UFRGS, yielded fungal growth of Curvularia sp. Those findings support the diagnosis of fungal dermatitis by Curvularia sp. Treatment was complete surgical excision of lesions; however, one year after the procedure, recurrence of lesions was observed in the areas close to that where the previous lesions were.

Feohifomicose cutânea causada por Curvularia sp. em um equino / Cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Curvularia sp. in an equine

As feohifomicoses são doenças cutâneas, subcutâneas e sistêmicas que acometem humanos e animais. São causadas por fungos que possuem melanina em sua parede celular (dematiáceos) e estão geralmente associadas com imunocomprometimento do hospedeiro. Este trabalho descreve alterações clínicas e histopatológicas de feohifomicose cutânea em um equino, macho, da raça crioula, de 6 anos de idade. O animal apresentou dois nódulos cutâneos com aproximadamente 4 a 5 cm de diâmetro, nas regiões laterais direita e esquerda do abdômen, que foram removidos cirurgicamente e encaminhados para exame histopatológico. Macroscopicamente, as lesões consistiam em nódulos cutâneos, um ulcerado, apresentando ao corte múltiplas áreas circunscritas e esbranquiçadas contendo em seu interior grânulos enegrecidos. Na histopatologia, as lesões se caracterizavam por dermatite ulcerativa piogranulomatosa com hifas septadas intralesionais apresentando parede pigmentada. No cultivo micológico, observou-se crescimento fúngico de Curvularia sp. O diagnóstico de dermatite fúngica por Curvularia sp. foi baseado nos achados histológicos associados com o isolamento fúngico. O tratamento se restringiu à retirada cirúrgica completa das lesões; entretanto, um ano após a excisão, novas lesões surgiram nas proximidades das lesões prévias no abdômen.(AU)

Phaeohyphomycosis include cutaneous, subcutaneous, and systemic diseases that affect humans and animals. The diseases are usually associated with immunocompromised hosts and are caused by fungi whose wall cell contains melanin (dematiaceous). This communication describes clinical, histopathological, and microbiological aspects observed in a case of phaeohyphomycosis affecting a 6-year-old male Crioulo horse. Animal showed two cutaneous nodules with about 4-5 cm of diameter located in the lateral abdominal walls (one in the right, the other in the left). Nodules were excised and submitted to the pathological laboratory SPV-UFRGS. Grossly, one of the cutaneous nodules was ulcerated and had, at the cut surface, multiple circumscript whitish areas containing blackish granules. Microscopically, nodules had piogranulomatous ulcerative dermatitis associated with intralesional septate and pigmented hyphae. Mycological culture, performed at the Mycology Laboratory-UFRGS, yielded fungal growth of Curvularia sp. Those findings support the diagnosis of fungal dermatitis by Curvularia sp. Treatment was complete surgical excision of lesions; however, one year after the procedure, recurrence of lesions was observed in the areas close to that where the previous lesions were.(AU)

Metodologia aplicada na avaliação de fetos suínos abortados e natimortos / Methodology used in the evaluation of stillborns and aborted fetuses from swine

Este artigo revisa dados relativos à realização de necropsia em fetos suínos abortados e natimortos. Aspectos descritos incluem coleta de material, procedimentos de necropsia, achados macroscópicos e histopatológicos alguns dos quais de pouco ou nenhum significado patológico são frequentemente observados numa rotina de diagnóstico e geralmente interpretados erroneamente como lesões reais ou de importância.(AU)

This paper reviews information on necropsies in stillborn and aborted fetuses from swine. Aspects dealt with include sampling collection, necropsy procedures, gross and histopathological findings, some of which are of little or no pathological significance but often observed in the routine diagnostic work and misinterpreted as real or important lesions.(AU)

Mionecrose aguda por Clostridium septicum em equinos / Acute myonecrosis by Clostridium septicum in horses

Descrevem-se dois casos de miosite necrosante causada por Clostridium septicum em equinos. Os dois equinos apresentavam aumento de volume no membro pélvico direito e que se estendia para a região abdominal ventral. Ao corte, essa área era formada por edema sanguinolento e bolhas de gás. Os músculos esqueléticos da região caudal da coxa apresentavam áreas vermelho-escuras, crepitantes, com edema sanguinolento e, ao corte, as áreas mais profundas da musculatura tinham aspecto seco. As principais alterações histopatológicas observadas foram tumefação, vacuolização, necrose hialina e necrose flocular de fibras musculares esqueléticas. Entre as fibras, havia hemorragia, edema e grande quantidade de bacilos com tamanho de 3-6μm. Na coloração de Gram, os bacilos se apresentavam roxos (gram-positivos); quando impregnados pela prata (Warthin-Starry), se mostraram enegrecidos. Nos dois casos, C. septicum foi isolado, em ambiente anaeróbio, do líquido de edema das lesões musculares.(AU)

Two cases of acute necrotizing myositis caused by Clostridium septicum in horses are described. Both horses presented swelling of the right pelvic limb extending to the ventral abdominal region. The cut surface of the affected area revealed blood-stained edema and gas bubbles. The skeletal muscles of the caudal region of the thigh of the affect limbs had dark red discolored areas of blood-stained edema and crepitation; the deep musculature was dry. The main histopathological findings were swelling, vacuolation and hyaline and floccular necrosis of skeletal myofibers; in between myofibers there were hemorrhage, edema and large amounts of bacilli. In both cases, C. septicum was isolated from the edema fluid of muscular lesions.(AU)

Causas de aborto em bovinos diagnosticadas no Setor de Patologia Veterinária da UFRGS no período de 2003 a 2011

A mortalidade fetal é uma causa importante de perdas reprodutivas em animais domésticos e tem impacto significativo na rentabilidade de um sistema de produção animal. No Brasil, poucas informações são disponíveis sobre as principais causa de aborto em bovinos. O presente estudo resultou em cinco artigos. O primeiro artigo descreve as principais causas de aborto bovino diagnosticadas no Setor de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul no período 2003-2011. Neste período um total de 490 fetos bovinos foi analisado. Causas específicas de aborto foram encontradas em 46,7 % dos casos. Infecções por protozoários, em especial Neospora caninum acometeram 33 % dos casos (162/490). Bactérias em 6,3 % (31/490), seguidas por fungos 0,8% (4/490) foram causas adicionais de abortos. Em dois fetos (0,4 %), coinfecções por dois agentes foram identificadas. Causas não infecciosas foram observadas em 3 % dos abortos e malformações congênitas a 2,6%. No segundo artigo estima-se a ocorrência de abortos por Brucella abortus em bovinos na região sul, caracterizando os achados macroscópicos, histopatológicos, bacteriológicos, imuno-histoquímicos e de PCR desta enfermidade. No terceiro artigo relata-se a infecção por Geotrichum candidum em feto bovino abortado associado a lesões de pele e pulmonares. A ocorrência de malformações congênitas múltiplas em um feto bovino abortado é relatada no quarto artigo e casos de condrodisplasia tipo Dexter em fetos bovinos abortados são descritos no quinto

The fetal mortality is an important cause of reproductive failure in domestic animals and has a significant impact on the profitability of a livestock production system. In Brazil, little information is available on the main cause of abortion in cattle. This study resulted in five articles. The first article describes the main causes of abortion in cattle diagnosed in the period January 2003 to december 2011. A total of 490 fetuses, from several Brazilian states, were evaluated. Specific causes of abortion were found in 46,7 % of cases. Protozoan abortions especially Neospora caninum were detected in 33 % (162/490) of the cases. Bacterial abortions corresponded to 6,3 % (31/490), followed by fungal 0,8 % (4/490). In two aborted fetuses (0,4 %), a co-infection with two agents could be identified. Noninfectious diseases could be associated with 3 % of the abortions and congenital malformations with 2,6%. In the second article estimated the incidence of abortion by Brucella abortus in cattle in the southern region, characterizing the macroscopic findings, histological, bacteriological, immunohistochemical and molecular aspects of this disease. The third article relates a Geotrichum candidum infection in aborted bovine fetus associated with skin and lung lesions. The occurrence of multiple congenital malformations in an aborted bovine fetus is reported in the fourth article and cases of Dexter chondrodysplasia type of aborted fetuses are described in the fifth