Parasitological and histological aspects of Holochilus sciureus naturally infected by Schistosoma mansoni / Aspectos parasitológicos e histológicos de Holochilus sciureus naturalmente infectados por Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease that affects millions of people around the world, being common in the state of Maranhão. A total of 225 rodents of the Holochilus sciureus species from the Western Lowland Maranhão were studied, of which 144 animals (64%) exhibited Schistosoma eggs in their feces samples. Macroscopic lesions characterized as well-defined whitish areas on the liver and spleen surfaces were observed. Histopathological examination revealed multifocal granulomas in the esophagus, liver, spleen, pancreas and duodenum, with structures compatible with Schistosoma mansoni eggs, as well as severe hepatic micro-vacuolar degeneration, multifocal and coalescent, with proliferation of random bile ducts and associated epithelial hyperplasia to areas of fibrosis. Adult forms of the parasite were observed in the blood vessels of the portal space. The lungs exhibited moderate and diffuse interstitial pneumonia with intralesional S. mansoni eggs. In the kidneys, hyaline cylinders were observed in the pelvis and diffuse hemorrhage. In conclusion, H. sciureus displays a pathological picture similar to human being. This rodent plays a role as sentinel in Baixada Maranhense.(AU)

A esquistossomose é uma doença negligenciada que afeta milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo, sendo comum no estado do Maranhão. Um total de 225 roedores da espécie Holochilus sciureus da Planície Ocidental do Maranhão foram estudados, dos quais 144 animais (64%) apresentaram ovos de Schistosoma em suas fezes. Lesões macroscópicas caracterizadas como áreas esbranquiçadas bem definidas nas superfícies do fígado e baço foram observadas. O exame histopatológico revelou granulomas multifocais no esôfago, fígado, baço, pâncreas e duodeno, com estruturas compatíveis com ovos de Schistosoma mansoni, degeneração micro-vacuolar hepática grave, multifocal e coalescente, com proliferação de ductos biliares aleatórios e hiperplasia epitelial associada a áreas de fibrose. Formas adultas do parasito foram observadas nos vasos sanguíneos do espaço portal. Os pulmões exibiram pneumonia intersticial moderada e difusa com ovos de S. mansoni intralesionais. Nos rins, foram observados cilindros hialinos na pelve e hemorragia difusa. Em conclusão, H. sciureus apresenta um quadro patológico semelhante ao ser humano. Este roedor desempenha um papel de sentinela na Baixada Maranhense.(AU)

Aortic thromboembolism in a cat

Background: The aortic thromboembolism in cats is usually associated with cardiomyopathy, when a thrombus or a clot is formed in the heart, transported through the bloodstream and fixed at somewhere. According to Virchows triad, changes in the endocardial surface or in the blood flow/composition can result in thrombus formation. The most common clinical signs are: hind limb paralysis, lack of femoral pulse, cold and cyanotic extremities. The treatment should be performed as soon as possible and it is based on antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, thrombolytics agents or surgical procedures. It is reported the case of a cat presenting aortic thromboembolism. Case: Macroscopically it was observed that the hind limb extremities were with a dark red color and with a bad odor on cut. There were in the subcutaneous tissue of the hind limbs a severe and diffuse accumulation of a reddish material, translucent, shiny, gelatinous (intense diffuse edema) and the skeletal muscles of the hind limbs had extensive pale and friable areas. Inside the medial saphenous vein lumen there was a greyish-white and soft material which adhered to the vessel wall. The lungs were not fully collapsed, it had a smooth and shiny surface and an extensive dark red area in the right middle lobe (moderate extensive bleeding). The spleen was with slightly bulging edges and on cut flowed moderate amount of blood [...]

Aortic thromboembolism in a cat

Background: The aortic thromboembolism in cats is usually associated with cardiomyopathy, when a thrombus or a clot is formed in the heart, transported through the bloodstream and fixed at somewhere. According to Virchows triad, changes in the endocardial surface or in the blood flow/composition can result in thrombus formation. The most common clinical signs are: hind limb paralysis, lack of femoral pulse, cold and cyanotic extremities. The treatment should be performed as soon as possible and it is based on antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, thrombolytics agents or surgical procedures. It is reported the case of a cat presenting aortic thromboembolism. Case: Macroscopically it was observed that the hind limb extremities were with a dark red color and with a bad odor on cut. There were in the subcutaneous tissue of the hind limbs a severe and diffuse accumulation of a reddish material, translucent, shiny, gelatinous (intense diffuse edema) and the skeletal muscles of the hind limbs had extensive pale and friable areas. Inside the medial saphenous vein lumen there was a greyish-white and soft material which adhered to the vessel wall. The lungs were not fully collapsed, it had a smooth and shiny surface and an extensive dark red area in the right middle lobe (moderate extensive bleeding). The spleen was with slightly bulging edges and on cut flowed moderate amount of blood [...](AU)

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.(AU)