Acute erythroid leukemia in a cat infected with feline leukemia virus

Background: Erythroid leukemia is a myeloproliferative hematopoietic disorder considered acute when there is a predominance of blasts in the bone marrow. It is frequently reported in cats infected with feline leukemia virus, but it is unclear whether this virus is involved in the oncogenesis. The clinical signs in cats are anorexia, apathy, weight loss, with evolution from 2 weeks to 2 months, pale mucous membranes, hemorrhages, ascites, salivation, and dyspnea due to pleural effusion. This affection responds little to chemotherapy with an unfavorable prognosis. The aim of this study is to report a case of a feline leukemia virus infected cat with the onset of severe hemolytic anemia. Case: A 8-year-old male mixed breed cat was attended with a history of anorexia, oligodipsia, apathy, progressive weight loss, and yellowish color of urine for 7 days. Laboratorial exams showed anemia (with metarubricytes, acanthocytes and ghost cells), leukocytosis and FeLV reagent test. The cat underwent treatment with methylprednisolone acetate and supportive care. One day later, the animal returned with icteric mucous membranes, and emesis. A blood count was performed that found worsening anemia, increased leukocytosis, and lymphocytosis. Abdominal ultrasound showed cholangiohepatitis and lymphadenomegaly in mesenteric lymph nodes. Treatment was started with ondansetron, metronidazole, and amoxicilin with potassium clavulanate. The cat returned after 3 days and laboratorial exams revealed worsening of blood parameters, so blood transfusion was performed. After 2 days, the patient started with dyspnea and hypothermia, that evolved to cardiorespiratory arrest. The body was sent to necropsy and histopathology, where blast cells and rubricytes were found in blood vessels of various organs. The bone marrow was markedly cellular with complete disappearance of adipose tissue. Most of the cells were blasts with abundant and eosinophilic cytoplasm, central nucleus with finely dotted chromatin and a large nucleolus. There were rubricytes, which made possible to confirm acute erythroid leukemia as a morphological diagnosis. Discussion: The clinical signs observed in acute erythroid leukemia are lethargy, inappetence, fever, splenomegaly, mild lymphadenomegaly, associated with leukocytosis, severe anemia, and thrombocytopenia. The reported animal presented signs similar to those described in the literature except that there was no change in platelet counts. The diagnosis of leukemia was reached after histopathology, and it is made when is observed more than 30% of myeloblasts and monoblasts together or when the blast cells count including rubriblasts is greater than 30%. Although chemotherapy, the prognosis is usually poor. It is essential to perform the myelogram for the diagnosis of myeloid leukemias in vivo. In this report, we only achieve final diagnosis after the cat's death, due to the aggressive behavior of the disease. Clinicians must be aware of the likely development of acute erythroid leukemia whenever a feline leukemia virus infected cat presents hemolytic anemia to get an early diagnosis, since this is an extremely aggressive disease, to propose prompt chemotherapy and give the patient a longer survival period.

Carcinoma de células escamosas vaginal em uma vaca Nelore / Vaginal squamous cell carcinoma in a Nelore cow

Background: Skin tumors are the most common neoplasia in veterinary medicine and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)is the most frequent. In cattle, it is the main tumor besides linfosarcoma and normally affects taurine cattle, but is rarein Nelore cattle. SCC mainly affects mucocutaneous junctions such as the eyelids, sclera, vulva, and perineum, and hasalready been described in vagina, eye, and periocular tissues, in addition to the superior digestive tract. The purpose ofthis paper is to describe a vaginal squamous cell carcinoma in a Nelore cow.Case: A 10-year-old Nelore cow, used as an embryo donor, was submitted to a necropsy procedure. Clinically, the animalhad prolonged recumbency, anorexia, weight loss, and vaginal discharge. There was a history of recurrent vaginal prolapses and an intraluminal vaginal mass that had grown over two years. At necropsy, there was diffuse fibrinous peritonitiswith marked intestinal adhesions; the vagina was markedly expanded and measured 40 × 20 cm due to the presence of anintraluminal mass occupying the vestibulum and extending up to the cervix. In the vaginal lumen, there was large amountof fibrinonecrotizing malodorous material; the vaginal wall was thickened by an unencapsulated and poorly delimited,firm and white mass composed of sheets and nests of epithelial cells from the squamous layer surrounded by abundantfibrovascular stroma. The neoplastic cells were polygonal with marked pleomorphism, anisokaryosis, and anisocytosis;abundant eosinophilic and well-defined cytoplasmic borders. Sometimes it was possible to see desmosomes. The nucleiwere rounded to oval with sparse chromatin and one or more nucleoli were seen. Mitotic figures were frequent (at least3 per higher power field) and there were also a few multinucleated cells. Frequently, there was the formation of distinctkeratin “pearls”.Discussion: SCC frequently occurs in the skin...

Carcinoma de células escamosas vaginal em uma vaca Nelore / Vaginal squamous cell carcinoma in a Nelore cow

Background: Skin tumors are the most common neoplasia in veterinary medicine and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)is the most frequent. In cattle, it is the main tumor besides linfosarcoma and normally affects taurine cattle, but is rarein Nelore cattle. SCC mainly affects mucocutaneous junctions such as the eyelids, sclera, vulva, and perineum, and hasalready been described in vagina, eye, and periocular tissues, in addition to the superior digestive tract. The purpose ofthis paper is to describe a vaginal squamous cell carcinoma in a Nelore cow.Case: A 10-year-old Nelore cow, used as an embryo donor, was submitted to a necropsy procedure. Clinically, the animalhad prolonged recumbency, anorexia, weight loss, and vaginal discharge. There was a history of recurrent vaginal prolapses and an intraluminal vaginal mass that had grown over two years. At necropsy, there was diffuse fibrinous peritonitiswith marked intestinal adhesions; the vagina was markedly expanded and measured 40 × 20 cm due to the presence of anintraluminal mass occupying the vestibulum and extending up to the cervix. In the vaginal lumen, there was large amountof fibrinonecrotizing malodorous material; the vaginal wall was thickened by an unencapsulated and poorly delimited,firm and white mass composed of sheets and nests of epithelial cells from the squamous layer surrounded by abundantfibrovascular stroma. The neoplastic cells were polygonal with marked pleomorphism, anisokaryosis, and anisocytosis;abundant eosinophilic and well-defined cytoplasmic borders. Sometimes it was possible to see desmosomes. The nucleiwere rounded to oval with sparse chromatin and one or more nucleoli were seen. Mitotic figures were frequent (at least3 per higher power field) and there were also a few multinucleated cells. Frequently, there was the formation of distinctkeratin “pearls”.Discussion: SCC frequently occurs in the skin...(AU)

Ependimoma anaplásico em cão / Anaplasic ependymoma in a dog

Background: Anaplastic ependymoma is a rare primary intracranial neoplasm in dogs and cats, which originates fromependymal cells that line the ventricular system of the brain and spinal cord. Normally, this neoplasm occurs as a single,expansive mass that develops mainly in the lateral ventricles, and neurological changes are due to local tissue impairmentand peritumoral tissue compression. This article reports a case of anaplastic ependymoma in a dog treated at the VeterinaryHospital of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), emphasizing and describing the neurological signsand histopathology of this tumor.Case: This article reports the case of a 11-year-old mongrel dog with a history of butting its head against obstacles, ofcompulsive walking, and altered proprioception of the right side limbs. The condition evolved to positional strabismus ofthe left eye, left lateral deviation of the head, vertical nystagmus, decreased level of consciousness, and constant lateraldecubitus. Due to the suspicion of intracranial neoplasia and worsening of its clinical condition, the animal was euthanized. Necropsy of its body revealed a mass of approximately 3 cm in diameter in the third ventricle (in the left lateralregion). A histological examination revealed random clusters of ependymal cells with a few rosettes and pseudorosettes.The cells were cuboid to cylindrical in shape, with moderate eosinophilic cytoplasm with indistinct borders, and round tooval moderately hyperchromatic nuclei with 1-2 visible nucleoli. Based on these findings, the tumor was characterized asanaplastic ependymoma.Discussion: Intracranial tumors occur more frequently in older animals, and usually neurological signs tend to evolve progressively. Most affected dogs are mongrels, like the dog described in this report, but Golden Retrievers, Boxers, LabradorRetrievers...(AU)

Ependimoma anaplásico em cão / Anaplasic ependymoma in a dog

Background: Anaplastic ependymoma is a rare primary intracranial neoplasm in dogs and cats, which originates fromependymal cells that line the ventricular system of the brain and spinal cord. Normally, this neoplasm occurs as a single,expansive mass that develops mainly in the lateral ventricles, and neurological changes are due to local tissue impairmentand peritumoral tissue compression. This article reports a case of anaplastic ependymoma in a dog treated at the VeterinaryHospital of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), emphasizing and describing the neurological signsand histopathology of this tumor.Case: This article reports the case of a 11-year-old mongrel dog with a history of butting its head against obstacles, ofcompulsive walking, and altered proprioception of the right side limbs. The condition evolved to positional strabismus ofthe left eye, left lateral deviation of the head, vertical nystagmus, decreased level of consciousness, and constant lateraldecubitus. Due to the suspicion of intracranial neoplasia and worsening of its clinical condition, the animal was euthanized. Necropsy of its body revealed a mass of approximately 3 cm in diameter in the third ventricle (in the left lateralregion). A histological examination revealed random clusters of ependymal cells with a few rosettes and pseudorosettes.The cells were cuboid to cylindrical in shape, with moderate eosinophilic cytoplasm with indistinct borders, and round tooval moderately hyperchromatic nuclei with 1-2 visible nucleoli. Based on these findings, the tumor was characterized asanaplastic ependymoma.Discussion: Intracranial tumors occur more frequently in older animals, and usually neurological signs tend to evolve progressively. Most affected dogs are mongrels, like the dog described in this report, but Golden Retrievers, Boxers, LabradorRetrievers...

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma in the oral cavity of a cow

Background: Squamous cell carcinomas and lymphomas are the most prevalent neoplasms in cattle, the latter usually being attributed to infection by bovine leukemia virus (BLV). Neoplasms of the oral cavity are sporadic in cattle, with but asingle case of lymphoma involving this anatomic site in a bovine reported to date. This paper reports a case of lymphomainvolving the oral cavity of a dairy cow. The clinical and pathological aspects of the tumor are described and discussed.Case: A 39-month-old Holstein-Friesian cow was presented with weight loss and a tumorous growth in the left masseterregion, tearing in the left eye, and mild ipsilateral exophthalmos. Treatment with antibiotics was unsuccessful. The tumorgrowth was 16 x 11 cm, with a soft center and firm periphery, multilobulated, with white intercalated with black and friableareas from which a fetid odor emanated. The cut surface was predominantly white-yellow. A cross-section of the head,caudal to the second molar, revealed a mass infiltrating and almost completely obliterating the left nasal cavity, destroyingthe frontal sinus, the ventral conchae, and the middle and ventral meatus, and compressing the common meatus. The tracheobronchial, mediastinal, and internal iliac lymph nodes were enlarged and masses with similar characteristics to thosein the oral cavity replace their parenchyma. Microscopically, the mass consisted of large neoplastic lymphocytes arrangedin a non-encapsulated and infiltrative mantle and supported by scarce fibrovascular tissue. The cytoplasm of neoplasticcells was scarce and had distinct boundaries; the nuclei were round or oval, the chromatin was finely granulated, and theprominent nucleolus had occasionally multiplied. Nuclear pleomorphism was marked and there were, on average, five mitotic figures per microscopic field of 400x. Similar neoplastic cells obliterated the normal...

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma in the oral cavity of a cow

Background: Squamous cell carcinomas and lymphomas are the most prevalent neoplasms in cattle, the latter usually being attributed to infection by bovine leukemia virus (BLV). Neoplasms of the oral cavity are sporadic in cattle, with but asingle case of lymphoma involving this anatomic site in a bovine reported to date. This paper reports a case of lymphomainvolving the oral cavity of a dairy cow. The clinical and pathological aspects of the tumor are described and discussed.Case: A 39-month-old Holstein-Friesian cow was presented with weight loss and a tumorous growth in the left masseterregion, tearing in the left eye, and mild ipsilateral exophthalmos. Treatment with antibiotics was unsuccessful. The tumorgrowth was 16 x 11 cm, with a soft center and firm periphery, multilobulated, with white intercalated with black and friableareas from which a fetid odor emanated. The cut surface was predominantly white-yellow. A cross-section of the head,caudal to the second molar, revealed a mass infiltrating and almost completely obliterating the left nasal cavity, destroyingthe frontal sinus, the ventral conchae, and the middle and ventral meatus, and compressing the common meatus. The tracheobronchial, mediastinal, and internal iliac lymph nodes were enlarged and masses with similar characteristics to thosein the oral cavity replace their parenchyma. Microscopically, the mass consisted of large neoplastic lymphocytes arrangedin a non-encapsulated and infiltrative mantle and supported by scarce fibrovascular tissue. The cytoplasm of neoplasticcells was scarce and had distinct boundaries; the nuclei were round or oval, the chromatin was finely granulated, and theprominent nucleolus had occasionally multiplied. Nuclear pleomorphism was marked and there were, on average, five mitotic figures per microscopic field of 400x. Similar neoplastic cells obliterated the normal...(AU)

Clinical and therapeutic aspects of an outbreak of canine trypanosomiasis / Aspectos clínicos e terapêuticos de um surto de tripanossomíase canina

Trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma evansi can seriously affect both domestic and wild animals. This article reports on an outbreak of canine trypanosomiasis on a farm in the Pantanal region of Brazil. The farm had 38 dogs, 20 of which died before receiving veterinary care. The remaining 18 dogs were underwent anamnesisn, clinical examination, hematological and biochemical evaluations. Blood smears and PCR analysis were performed for the diagnosis. The treatment protocols used according to the clinical recovery or parasitological cure of the dogs, using diminazene diaceturate, isometamidium chloride or quinapyramine sulfate. Post-treatment parasitological evaluation was performed by the microhematocrit technique. 7/18 dogs were PCR positive for T. evansi (confirmed by sequencing). There was clinical findings, which were consistent with both the acute and chronic stages of the disease in dogs. The infected dogs all exhibited at least one clinical sign of the disease. The hematological findings were compatible with trypanosomiasis, highlighting the hypochromic microcytic anemia as the main outcome. No treatment protocol was fully effective and the prolonged use of diminazene diaceturate caused the death of an animal. The trypanosomiasis can cause high rates of morbidity and mortality in dogs and difficulty in establishment an effective and safe therapeutic protocol.(AU)

A tripanossomíase causada por Trypanosoma evansi pode acometer gravemente os animais domésticos e selvagens. Este artigo relata um surto de tripanossomíase canina em uma fazenda na região do Pantanal, Brasil. Na fazenda havia 38 cães, 20 dos quais morreram antes de receber cuidados veterinários. Os 18 cães restantes foram submetidos a anamnese, exame clínico, avaliação hematológica e bioquímica. Esfregaços de sangue e análise da PCR foram realizados para o diagnóstico. Os protocolos de tratamento foram utilizados de acordo com a recuperação clínica ou cura parasitológica dos cães, utilizando diaceturato de diminazeno, cloreto de isometamídio ou sulfato de quinapiramina. A avaliação parasitológica pós-tratamento foi realizada pela técnica de microhematócrito. 7/18 cães foram PCR positivos para T. evansi (confirmado por sequenciamento). Os achados clínicos encontrados, foram consistentes com os estágios agudo e crônico da doença em cães. Todos os cães infectados exibiram pelo menos um sinal clínico da doença. Os achados hematológicos foram compatíveis com a tripanossomíase, destacando a anemia microcítica hipocrômica como principal consequência. Nenhum protocolo de tratamento foi totalmente eficaz e o uso prolongado de diaceturato de diminazeno causou a morte de um animal. A tripanossomíase pode causar altas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade em cães e dificultar o estabelecimento de um protocolo terapêutico eficaz e seguro.(AU)

Osteopatia hipertrófica idiopática em um gatoˆipt / Hypertrophic osteopathy in a catˆien

Background: Hypertrophic osteopathy (OH) is a syndrome characterized by progressive bilateral periosteal bone neofor-mation that mainly affects the thoracic and pelvic limb bones’ metaphyses and diaphyses. In most cases, it is secondary to a chronic primary lesion located in the thoracic cavity but can be associated with an abdominal injury that has already been occurred. The occurrence of this condition without being associated with a primary lesion is considered infrequent in animals. The purpose of this report was to describe a case of idiopathic hypertrophic osteopathy in a cat with a description of clinical signs and radiographic and anatomopathological findings.Case: A male adult cat was brought to the veterinarian with an initial observation by the owner of four limbs’ volume in-crease, apathy, and reluctance to move. Upon clinical examination, the animal presented dehydration, mucosal hyperemia, hyperthermia, and bilateral edema of the thoracic and pelvic limbs. Based on the radiographic examination, a periosteal reaction with palisade-like appearance was found in the metacarpals, radios, ulna, humerus, scapulae, tibias, and fibulae. There were no significant changes in additional exams. Due to poor prognosis, the cat was euthanized and referred for necropsy and histopathological examination. All organs were examined both macroscopically and microscopically. Frag-ments were fixed in 10% formalin and routinely processed for histological slides with hematoxylin–eosin and Masson’s trichrome, and limb bones that were not fixed in formalin were macerated. Lesions were observed only in the thoracic and pelvic limbs. Macroscopically, there was a diffuse, regular, slightly firm volume increase, covered by abundant gelati-nous whitish tissue. The periosteal bone neoformations were characterized by numerous papillary projections distributed throughout the phalanges, radius, ulna, humerus, scapulae, tibia and fibulae. Histologically...

Osteopatia hipertrófica idiopática em um gatoˆipt / Hypertrophic osteopathy in a catˆien

Background: Hypertrophic osteopathy (OH) is a syndrome characterized by progressive bilateral periosteal bone neofor-mation that mainly affects the thoracic and pelvic limb bones metaphyses and diaphyses. In most cases, it is secondary to a chronic primary lesion located in the thoracic cavity but can be associated with an abdominal injury that has already been occurred. The occurrence of this condition without being associated with a primary lesion is considered infrequent in animals. The purpose of this report was to describe a case of idiopathic hypertrophic osteopathy in a cat with a description of clinical signs and radiographic and anatomopathological findings.Case: A male adult cat was brought to the veterinarian with an initial observation by the owner of four limbs volume in-crease, apathy, and reluctance to move. Upon clinical examination, the animal presented dehydration, mucosal hyperemia, hyperthermia, and bilateral edema of the thoracic and pelvic limbs. Based on the radiographic examination, a periosteal reaction with palisade-like appearance was found in the metacarpals, radios, ulna, humerus, scapulae, tibias, and fibulae. There were no significant changes in additional exams. Due to poor prognosis, the cat was euthanized and referred for necropsy and histopathological examination. All organs were examined both macroscopically and microscopically. Frag-ments were fixed in 10% formalin and routinely processed for histological slides with hematoxylin–eosin and Massons trichrome, and limb bones that were not fixed in formalin were macerated. Lesions were observed only in the thoracic and pelvic limbs. Macroscopically, there was a diffuse, regular, slightly firm volume increase, covered by abundant gelati-nous whitish tissue. The periosteal bone neoformations were characterized by numerous papillary projections distributed throughout the phalanges, radius, ulna, humerus, scapulae, tibia and fibulae. Histologically...(AU)

Photosensitization in cattle caused by spontaneous and experimentally ingestion of Stryphnodendron fissuratum

Background: Stryphnodendron fissuratum is a tree from the Brazilian Cerrado. Its fruit is toxic to cattle and can cause clinical digestive signs, hepatogenous photosensitization, and abortion. Cases of poisoning in cattle, goats and guinea pigs have been experimentally reproduced; however, photosensitization could not be reproduced. The aim of this work was to describe an outbreak of natural poisoning and experimental reproduction in cattle, both with hepatogenous photosensitization.Materials, Methods & Results: Its described and natural outbreak and an experimental poisoning. In the outbreak, three bovines in the acute phase and three in the chronic phase were examined. Blood samples were collected from all of these animals in order to measure serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), urea, and creatinine. The first three animals underwent necropsy and histopathological evaluation. The experiment was conducted with two nine-month-old calves that received an oral paste made with crushed S. fissuratum fruits mixed with water. These fruits were collected at a farm at which cattle poisoning cases had occurred. Blood samples were collected in order to measure serum levels of AST, GGT, urea, and creatinine, before plant administration and then daily during the experimental period. Skin biopsies were taken before plant administration and new one after the first signs of skin lesions. The natural outbreak affected 52 of 160 bovine (31 calves and 21 cows) in the lot. Two calves and 14 cows died. Clinical signs consisted of depression, ataxia, incoordination, behavioral changes, decubitus, and death. One animal that died and 36 others that recovered had photodermatitis. Necropsy findings in the animals consisted of bad corporal condition, pale kidneys, evidence of liver lobular pattern, dry rumen contents, and full bladder.[...]

Photosensitization in cattle caused by spontaneous and experimentally ingestion of Stryphnodendron fissuratum

Background: Stryphnodendron fissuratum is a tree from the Brazilian Cerrado. Its fruit is toxic to cattle and can cause clinical digestive signs, hepatogenous photosensitization, and abortion. Cases of poisoning in cattle, goats and guinea pigs have been experimentally reproduced; however, photosensitization could not be reproduced. The aim of this work was to describe an outbreak of natural poisoning and experimental reproduction in cattle, both with hepatogenous photosensitization.Materials, Methods & Results: Its described and natural outbreak and an experimental poisoning. In the outbreak, three bovines in the acute phase and three in the chronic phase were examined. Blood samples were collected from all of these animals in order to measure serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), urea, and creatinine. The first three animals underwent necropsy and histopathological evaluation. The experiment was conducted with two nine-month-old calves that received an oral paste made with crushed S. fissuratum fruits mixed with water. These fruits were collected at a farm at which cattle poisoning cases had occurred. Blood samples were collected in order to measure serum levels of AST, GGT, urea, and creatinine, before plant administration and then daily during the experimental period. Skin biopsies were taken before plant administration and new one after the first signs of skin lesions. The natural outbreak affected 52 of 160 bovine (31 calves and 21 cows) in the lot. Two calves and 14 cows died. Clinical signs consisted of depression, ataxia, incoordination, behavioral changes, decubitus, and death. One animal that died and 36 others that recovered had photodermatitis. Necropsy findings in the animals consisted of bad corporal condition, pale kidneys, evidence of liver lobular pattern, dry rumen contents, and full bladder.[...](AU)

Experimental poisoning by Enterolobium contortisiliquum in sheep / Intoxicação experimental por Enterolobium contortisiliquum em ovinos

Ingestion of Enterolobium contortisiliquum pods causes digestive disturbances, secondary hepatogenous photosensitization and abortions in ruminants. Pods were administered to sheep via a ruminal cannula to characterize acute poisoning. In Experiment 1, a single dose of 12g/kg of body weight (BW) was administered to three sheep in one experiment. One sheep died, and the other two recovered after presenting clinical signs. In Experiment 2, 10g/kg BW were administered daily to 15 sheep until the onset of clinical signs or for three consecutive days. Fourteen sheep showed mild to severe signs after the ingestion of 1-3 doses. Two sheep died, and the others recovered. Clinical signs in both experiments were diarrhea, anorexia, rumen atony, apathy, dehydration and tachypnea. The main macroscopic findings were an orange, frothy ruminal content witch contained pods fragments. The intestinal content was liquid. Detachment of the mucosa from the submucosa and ballooning degeneration of mucosal cells were observed histologically in the forestomachs. Evaluation of ruminal contents revealed acute lactic ruminal acidosis (ALRA). Bromatological analysis of E. contortisiliquum pods revealed 537.8g/kg DM (dry matter) of non-fibrous carbohydrates, which is sufficient to cause ALRA. Only one sheep in Experiment 2 had liver failure, characterized by jaundice, elevated serum activity of liver enzymes and histological lesions in liver biopsies. It is concluded that the administration of E. contortisiliquum pods in forage-fed sheep at doses of 10g/kg BW or higher may cause ALRA. The induction of liver failure in one sheep suggests that liver damage may occur in those sheep that do not develop acidosis.(AU)

A ingestão das favas de Enterolobium contortisiliquum causa distúrbios digestivos, fotossensibilização hepatógena e abortos em ruminantes. Para caracterizar a intoxicação aguda, favas de E. contortisiliquum foram administradas a ovinos por meio de cânula ruminal. No Experimento 1, uma dose única de 12g/kg de peso corporal (pc) foi administrada a três ovinos. Um dos ovinos morreu e os outros dois se recuperaram após mostrar sinais clínicos. No experimento 2, 10g/kg/pc foram administradas diariamente a 15 ovinos, por três dias consecutivos ou até o parecimento dos sinais clínicos. Catorze ovinos mostraram sinais clínicos leves a acentuados após ingestão de 1-3 doses. Dois ovinos morreram e os outros se recuperaram. Observou-se nos ovinos dos experimentos 1 e 2, diarreia, anorexia, atonia ruminal, apatia, desidratação e taquipneia. Os principais achados macroscópicos incluíram conteúdo ruminal espumoso e alaranjado em meio ao qual se observavam fragmentos das favas de E. contortisiliquum, e conteúdo intestinal líquido. Histologicamente, havia degeneração balonosa e desprendimento do epitélio de revestimento dos pré-estomagos. A avaliação do conteúdo ruminal revelou acidose ruminal láctica aguda (ARLA). Análise bromatológica das favas de E. contortisiliquum revelou 537.8g/kg de matéria seca de carboidratos não fibrosos, quantidade suficiente para causar ARLA. Um ovino do Experimento 2 teve insuficiência hepática aguda, caracterizada por icterícia, elevação da atividade sérica das enzimas hepáticas e alterações histológicas observadas em biópsia hepática. Concluiu-se que a administração de favas de E. contortisiliquum na alimentação de ovinos, nas doses de 10g/kg pc ou maiores, pode causar ARLA. A ocorrência de insuficiência hepática num dos ovinos deste experimento sugere que a lesão hepática pode se desenvolver em ovinos que não apresentam ARLA.(AU)

Experimental poisoning by Enterolobium contortisiliquum in sheep / Intoxicação experimental por Enterolobium contortisiliquum em ovinos

Ingestion of Enterolobium contortisiliquum pods causes digestive disturbances, secondary hepatogenous photosensitization and abortions in ruminants. Pods were administered to sheep via a ruminal cannula to characterize acute poisoning. In Experiment 1, a single dose of 12g/kg of body weight (BW) was administered to three sheep in one experiment. One sheep died, and the other two recovered after presenting clinical signs. In Experiment 2, 10g/kg BW were administered daily to 15 sheep until the onset of clinical signs or for three consecutive days. Fourteen sheep showed mild to severe signs after the ingestion of 1-3 doses. Two sheep died, and the others recovered. Clinical signs in both experiments were diarrhea, anorexia, rumen atony, apathy, dehydration and tachypnea. The main macroscopic findings were an orange, frothy ruminal content witch contained pods fragments. The intestinal content was liquid. Detachment of the mucosa from the submucosa and ballooning degeneration of mucosal cells were observed histologically in the forestomachs. Evaluation of ruminal contents revealed acute lactic ruminal acidosis (ALRA). Bromatological analysis of E. contortisiliquum pods revealed 537.8g/kg DM (dry matter) of non-fibrous carbohydrates, which is sufficient to cause ALRA. Only one sheep in Experiment 2 had liver failure, characterized by jaundice, elevated serum activity of liver enzymes and histological lesions in liver biopsies. It is concluded that the administration of E. contortisiliquum pods in forage-fed sheep at doses of 10g/kg BW or higher may cause ALRA. The induction of liver failure in one sheep suggests that liver damage may occur in those sheep that do not develop acidosis.(AU)

A ingestão das favas de Enterolobium contortisiliquum causa distúrbios digestivos, fotossensibilização hepatógena e abortos em ruminantes. Para caracterizar a intoxicação aguda, favas de E. contortisiliquum foram administradas a ovinos por meio de cânula ruminal. No Experimento 1, uma dose única de 12g/kg de peso corporal (pc) foi administrada a três ovinos. Um dos ovinos morreu e os outros dois se recuperaram após mostrar sinais clínicos. No experimento 2, 10g/kg/pc foram administradas diariamente a 15 ovinos, por três dias consecutivos ou até o parecimento dos sinais clínicos. Catorze ovinos mostraram sinais clínicos leves a acentuados após ingestão de 1-3 doses. Dois ovinos morreram e os outros se recuperaram. Observou-se nos ovinos dos experimentos 1 e 2, diarreia, anorexia, atonia ruminal, apatia, desidratação e taquipneia. Os principais achados macroscópicos incluíram conteúdo ruminal espumoso e alaranjado em meio ao qual se observavam fragmentos das favas de E. contortisiliquum, e conteúdo intestinal líquido. Histologicamente, havia degeneração balonosa e desprendimento do epitélio de revestimento dos pré-estomagos. A avaliação do conteúdo ruminal revelou acidose ruminal láctica aguda (ARLA). Análise bromatológica das favas de E. contortisiliquum revelou 537.8g/kg de matéria seca de carboidratos não fibrosos, quantidade suficiente para causar ARLA. Um ovino do Experimento 2 teve insuficiência hepática aguda, caracterizada por icterícia, elevação da atividade sérica das enzimas hepáticas e alterações histológicas observadas em biópsia hepática. Concluiu-se que a administração de favas de E. contortisiliquum na alimentação de ovinos, nas doses de 10g/kg pc ou maiores, pode causar ARLA. A ocorrência de insuficiência hepática num dos ovinos deste experimento sugere que a lesão hepática pode se desenvolver em ovinos que não apresentam ARLA.(AU)

Experimental poisoning by Enterolobium contortisiliquum in sheep

ABSTRACT: Ingestion of Enterolobium contortisiliquum pods causes digestive disturbances, secondary hepatogenous photosensitization and abortions in ruminants. Pods were administered to sheep via a ruminal cannula to characterize acute poisoning. In Experiment 1, a single dose of 12g/kg of body weight (BW) was administered to three sheep in one experiment. One sheep died, and the other two recovered after presenting clinical signs. In Experiment 2, 10g/kg BW were administered daily to 15 sheep until the onset of clinical signs or for three consecutive days. Fourteen sheep showed mild to severe signs after the ingestion of 1-3 doses. Two sheep died, and the others recovered. Clinical signs in both experiments were diarrhea, anorexia, rumen atony, apathy, dehydration and tachypnea. The main macroscopic findings were an orange, frothy ruminal content witch contained pods fragments. The intestinal content was liquid. Detachment of the mucosa from the submucosa and ballooning degeneration of mucosal cells were observed histologically in the forestomachs. Evaluation of ruminal contents revealed acute lactic ruminal acidosis (ALRA). Bromatological analysis of E. contortisiliquum pods revealed 537.8g/kg DM (dry matter) of non-fibrous carbohydrates, which is sufficient to cause ALRA. Only one sheep in Experiment 2 had liver failure, characterized by jaundice, elevated serum activity of liver enzymes and histological lesions in liver biopsies. It is concluded that the administration of E. contortisiliquum pods in forage-fed sheep at doses of 10g/kg BW or higher may cause ALRA. The induction of liver failure in one sheep suggests that liver damage may occur in those sheep that do not develop acidosis.

RESUMO: A ingestão das favas de Enterolobium contortisiliquum causa distúrbios digestivos, fotossensibilização hepatógena e abortos em ruminantes. Para caracterizar a intoxicação aguda, favas de E. contortisiliquum foram administradas a ovinos por meio de cânula ruminal. No Experimento 1, uma dose única de 12g/kg de peso corporal (pc) foi administrada a três ovinos. Um dos ovinos morreu e os outros dois se recuperaram após mostrar sinais clínicos. No experimento 2, 10g/kg/pc foram administradas diariamente a 15 ovinos, por três dias consecutivos ou até o parecimento dos sinais clínicos. Catorze ovinos mostraram sinais clínicos leves a acentuados após ingestão de 1-3 doses. Dois ovinos morreram e os outros se recuperaram. Observou-se nos ovinos dos experimentos 1 e 2, diarreia, anorexia, atonia ruminal, apatia, desidratação e taquipneia. Os principais achados macroscópicos incluíram conteúdo ruminal espumoso e alaranjado em meio ao qual se observavam fragmentos das favas de E. contortisiliquum, e conteúdo intestinal líquido. Histologicamente, havia degeneração balonosa e desprendimento do epitélio de revestimento dos pré-estomagos. A avaliação do conteúdo ruminal revelou acidose ruminal láctica aguda (ARLA). Análise bromatológica das favas de E. contortisiliquum revelou 537.8g/kg de matéria seca de carboidratos não fibrosos, quantidade suficiente para causar ARLA. Um ovino do Experimento 2 teve insuficiência hepática aguda, caracterizada por icterícia, elevação da atividade sérica das enzimas hepáticas e alterações histológicas observadas em biópsia hepática. Concluiu-se que a administração de favas de E. contortisiliquum na alimentação de ovinos, nas doses de 10g/kg pc ou maiores, pode causar ARLA. A ocorrência de insuficiência hepática num dos ovinos deste experimento sugere que a lesão hepática pode se desenvolver em ovinos que não apresentam ARLA.

Characterization and frequency of histological changes in bovine livers from slaughterhouses in Brazil kept on Brachiaria spp / Caracterização e frequência das alterações histológicas nos fígados de bovinos mantidos em pastagens de Brachiaria spp. provenientes de abatedouros no Brasil

Background: Brachiaria spp. is the main pasture for ruminant productions in Brazil, but the limiting factor for its use is the toxicity due to the presence of steroidal saponins. Chronic ingestion of Brachiaria spp. by cattle may cause liver changes such as fibrosis, bile duct proliferation and clusters of foamy macrophages in the hepatic parenchyma. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the most frequent histological changes and their frequencies in livers collected in abattoirs in Brazil from beef cattle raised exclusively on Brachiaria spp. and compare them with those observed in animals kept in Andropogon spp. grass and native pastures in Rio Grande do Sul.Materials, Methods & Results: Liver samples without macroscopic changes were collected in abattoirs from 561 healthy Nelore and Nelore crossbred cattle raised in Brachiaria spp. pastures from Mato Grosso (MT), Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Minas Gerais (MG) and Pará (PA) States. Liver samples from 84 Angus cattle (Bos taurus) kept on native pastures in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and from 60 Nelore and Nelore crossbreed cattle raised in Andropogon spp. pastures in Tocantins State (TO) were collected as control. Semi-quantitative analysis of the histopathological changes were proceeded: (-) = no change; (+) = slight or discreet change; (++) = moderate change and (+++) = marked change. The main histopathological [...]

Characterization and frequency of histological changes in bovine livers from slaughterhouses in Brazil kept on Brachiaria spp / Caracterização e frequência das alterações histológicas nos fígados de bovinos mantidos em pastagens de Brachiaria spp. provenientes de abatedouros no Brasil

Background: Brachiaria spp. is the main pasture for ruminant productions in Brazil, but the limiting factor for its use is the toxicity due to the presence of steroidal saponins. Chronic ingestion of Brachiaria spp. by cattle may cause liver changes such as fibrosis, bile duct proliferation and clusters of foamy macrophages in the hepatic parenchyma. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the most frequent histological changes and their frequencies in livers collected in abattoirs in Brazil from beef cattle raised exclusively on Brachiaria spp. and compare them with those observed in animals kept in Andropogon spp. grass and native pastures in Rio Grande do Sul.Materials, Methods & Results: Liver samples without macroscopic changes were collected in abattoirs from 561 healthy Nelore and Nelore crossbred cattle raised in Brachiaria spp. pastures from Mato Grosso (MT), Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Minas Gerais (MG) and Pará (PA) States. Liver samples from 84 Angus cattle (Bos taurus) kept on native pastures in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and from 60 Nelore and Nelore crossbreed cattle raised in Andropogon spp. pastures in Tocantins State (TO) were collected as control. Semi-quantitative analysis of the histopathological changes were proceeded: (-) = no change; (+) = slight or discreet change; (++) = moderate change and (+++) = marked change. The main histopathological [...](AU)

Chronic liver disease in cattle associated with ingestion of Brachiaria spp / Doença hepática crônica em bovinos associada com ingestão de Brachiaria spp

One hundred and ninety livers condemned due to chronic disease (fibrosis) were evaluated in a bovine slaughterhouse over 12 months. Hepatic lymph nodes were also examined while still attached to livers. The major macroscopic lesion observed in the livers was moderate to severe atrophy of the left lobe associated with compensatory hypertrophy of the right lobe. Histologically, the main changes corresponded to sites of macroscopic lesions, and fibrosis was observed in all livers, along with bile duct hyperplasia and neovascularization. Masson's trichrome stain highlighted the fibrous connective tissue. Most of the livers analyzed had macrophages with foamy cytoplasm and a peripheral nucleus that infiltrated fibrotic areas. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for macrophages with monoclonal antibody clone MAC 387 revealed that the cytoplasm of the foamy macrophages of the liver and of the hepatic lymph nodes were positively immunostained. These cells are frequently associated to the consumption of grasses of the genus Brachiaria. Although the liver gross lesions described in this study have not been previously reported in animals consuming Brachiaria , the associated changes observed histologically, such as fibrosis and infiltration of foamy macrophages, showed a new form of chronic liver disease probably associated with the consumption of this forage. The IHC technique was important to prove that the foam cells observed are macrophages.(AU)

Cento e noventa e dois fígados condenados devido à doença crônica (fibrose) foram avaliados em um abatedouro de bovinos durante 12 meses. Os linfonodos hepáticos, quando ainda estavam ligados aos fígados, também foram examinados. A principal lesão macroscópica observada no fígado foi moderada a acentuada atrofia do lobo esquerdo associada à hipertrofia compensatória do lobo direito. Histologicamente, as principais alterações correspondiam aos locais das lesões macroscópicas, e fibrose foi observada em todos os fígados, juntamente com a hiperplasia de ductos biliares e neovascularização. A coloração de Tricrômico de Masson destacou o tecido conjuntivo fibroso. A maioria dos fígados analisados apresentavam macrófagos com citoplasma espumoso e um núcleo periférico que infiltravam as áreas de fibrose. A imuno-histoquímica (IHQ) para macrófagos realizada com o anticorpo monoclonl clone MAC 387 revelou imunomarcação positiva no citoplasma dos macrófagos espumosos do fígado e dos linfonodos hepáticos. Essas células estão frequentemente associadas ao consumo de gramíneas do gênero Brachiaria . Apesar das lesões hepáticas macroscópicas descritas neste trabalho não terem sido previamente relatadas em animais que consomem Brachiaria , as alterações histológicas associadas, como fibrose e infiltração de macrófagos espumosos, mostram uma nova forma crônica de doença hepática provavelmente associada à ingestão desta forragem. A técnica de IHQ foi importante para provar que as células espumosas observadas são macrófagos.(AU)

Doenças tóxicas de bovinos em Mato Grosso do Sul / Toxic diseases of bovines from of Mato Grosso do Sul

Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo de um período de 13 anos, entre 2000 e 2012, nos arquivos do Laboratório de Anatomia Patológica (LAP), da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FAMEZ), Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS). Para esse estudo utilizaram-se 2.359 laudos de necropsias de bovinos que tinham conclusão diagnóstica. Em 151 deles (6,40%) as causas de morte foram atribuídas às doenças tóxicas, agrupadas em intoxicações por plantas e outras doenças tóxicas. As intoxicações por plantas foram responsáveis por 88,9% dos surtos diagnosticados. Em ordem decrescente de frequência, as intoxicações pelas seguintes plantas foram descritas: Brachiaria spp. (27,88%), Vernonia rubricaulis (25%), Amorimia pubiflora (11,54%), Senna occidentalis e S. obtusifolia (8,65%), Enterolobium contortisiliquum e polpa cítrica (3,85% cada), Stylosanthes spp. (2,88%), Tetrapterys multiglandulosa (1,92%), Manihot spp., Simarouba versicolor, Crotalaria spp., Pterodon emarginatus e Solanum malacoxylon (0,96% cada). Neste grupo também foram agrupadas as nefropatias tóxicas, responsáveis por 9,62% dos surtos. Dentre as outras doenças tóxicas diagnosticadas, são descritas as intoxicações por chumbo (30,77%), ureia (23,08%), cloreto de sódio, abamectina e acidentes ofídicos (15,38% cada). Neste estudo, 5,6% dos diagnósticos conclusivos realizados em bovinos de Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) durante o período estudado foram atribuídos à ingestão de plantas tóxicas, o que evidencia a importância deste diagnóstico e suas perdas econômicas. Os surtos de intoxicação por Brachiaria spp. foram mais frequentes, mas sua importância como planta tóxica é pequena quando comparada à extensão territorial em que está plantada. Entretanto, os casos subnotificados podem modificar a importância da Brachiaria spp. como planta tóxica.(AU)

A retrospective study has been conducted for a period of 13 years, between 2000 and 2012, on files archived at the Laboratório de Anatomia Patológica (LAP), at the Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FAMEZ) at Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS). For this study, 2.359 necropsy reports of cattle with conclusive diagnostic were used. On 151 of them (6.40%) the causes of death were attributed to toxic diseases that were grouped under the tags: plant poisonings and other poisoning diseases. Plant poisonings were responsible for 88.9% of the diagnosed outbreaks. In decreasing order of frequency, poisoning from the following plants was described as: Brachiaria spp. (27.88%), Vernonia rubricaulis (25%), Amorimia pubiflora (11.54%), Senna occidentalis and S. obtusifolia (8.65%), Enterolobium contortisiliquum and citric pulp (3.85% each), Stylosanthes spp. (2.88%), Tetrapterys multiglandulosa (1.92%), Manihot spp., Simarouba versicolor, Crotalaria spp., Pterodon emarginatus and Solanum malacoxylon (0.96% each). In this group, toxic nephropathy was also included, accounting for 9.62% of the outbreaks. Among other toxic diseases that have been diagnosed, lead poisoning (30.77%), urea (23.08%), sodium chloride, abamectin, and snakebites (15.38% each) are described. In this study, 5.6% of conclusive diagnoses performed on cattle from Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) during the period studied were attributed to ingestion of toxic plants, which highlights the importance of this diagnostic and their economic losses. Outbreaks of Brachiaria spp. were more frequent, but its importance as a toxic plant is small when compared to the extension of the fields on which it is planted. However, the underreported cases can change the importance of Brachiaria spp. as a toxic plant.(AU)

Doenças tóxicas de bovinos em Mato Grosso do Sul / Toxic diseases of bovines from of Mato Grosso do Sul

Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo de um período de 13 anos, entre 2000 e 2012, nos arquivos do Laboratório de Anatomia Patológica (LAP), da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FAMEZ), Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS). Para esse estudo utilizaram-se 2.359 laudos de necropsias de bovinos que tinham conclusão diagnóstica. Em 151 deles (6,40%) as causas de morte foram atribuídas às doenças tóxicas, agrupadas em intoxicações por plantas e outras doenças tóxicas. As intoxicações por plantas foram responsáveis por 88,9% dos surtos diagnosticados. Em ordem decrescente de frequência, as intoxicações pelas seguintes plantas foram descritas: Brachiaria spp. (27,88%), Vernonia rubricaulis (25%), Amorimia pubiflora (11,54%), Senna occidentalis e S. obtusifolia (8,65%), Enterolobium contortisiliquum e polpa cítrica (3,85% cada), Stylosanthes spp. (2,88%), Tetrapterys multiglandulosa (1,92%), Manihot spp., Simarouba versicolor, Crotalaria spp., Pterodon emarginatus e Solanum malacoxylon (0,96% cada). Neste grupo também foram agrupadas as nefropatias tóxicas, responsáveis por 9,62% dos surtos. Dentre as outras doenças tóxicas diagnosticadas, são descritas as intoxicações por chumbo (30,77%), ureia (23,08%), cloreto de sódio, abamectina e acidentes ofídicos (15,38% cada). Neste estudo, 5,6% dos diagnósticos conclusivos realizados em bovinos de Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) durante o período estudado foram atribuídos à ingestão de plantas tóxicas, o que evidencia a importância deste diagnóstico e suas perdas econômicas. Os surtos de intoxicação por Brachiaria spp. foram mais frequentes, mas sua importância como planta tóxica é pequena quando comparada à extensão territorial em que está plantada. Entretanto, os casos subnotificados podem modificar a importância da Brachiaria spp. como planta tóxica.

A retrospective study has been conducted for a period of 13 years, between 2000 and 2012, on files archived at the Laboratório de Anatomia Patológica (LAP), at the Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FAMEZ) at Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS). For this study, 2.359 necropsy reports of cattle with conclusive diagnostic were used. On 151 of them (6.40%) the causes of death were attributed to toxic diseases that were grouped under the tags: plant poisonings and other poisoning diseases. Plant poisonings were responsible for 88.9% of the diagnosed outbreaks. In decreasing order of frequency, poisoning from the following plants was described as: Brachiaria spp. (27.88%), Vernonia rubricaulis (25%), Amorimia pubiflora (11.54%), Senna occidentalis and S. obtusifolia (8.65%), Enterolobium contortisiliquum and citric pulp (3.85% each), Stylosanthes spp. (2.88%), Tetrapterys multiglandulosa (1.92%), Manihot spp., Simarouba versicolor, Crotalaria spp., Pterodon emarginatus and Solanum malacoxylon (0.96% each). In this group, toxic nephropathy was also included, accounting for 9.62% of the outbreaks. Among other toxic diseases that have been diagnosed, lead poisoning (30.77%), urea (23.08%), sodium chloride, abamectin, and snakebites (15.38% each) are described. In this study, 5.6% of conclusive diagnoses performed on cattle from Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) during the period studied were attributed to ingestion of toxic plants, which highlights the importance of this diagnostic and their economic losses. Outbreaks of Brachiaria spp. were more frequent, but its importance as a toxic plant is small when compared to the extension of the fields on which it is planted. However, the underreported cases can change the importance of Brachiaria spp. as a toxic plant.