Glial cells of the central nervous system of Bothrops jararaca (Reptilia, Ofidae): an ultrastructural study / Células gliais do sistema nervoso central de Bothrops jararaca (Reptilia, Ofidae): um estudo ultraestrutural

Although ultrastructural characteristics of mature neuroglia in the central nervous system (CNS) are very well described in mammals, much less is known in reptiles, especially serpents. In this context, two specimens of Bothrops jararaca were euthanized for morphological analysis of CNS glial cells. Samples from telencephalon, mesencephalon and spinal cord were collected and processed for light and transmission electron microscopy investigation. Astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglial cells and ependymal cells, as well as myelin sheaths, presented similar ultrastructural features to those already observed in mammals and tended to maintain their general aspect all over the distinct CNS regions observed. Morphological similarities between reptilian and mammalian glia are probably linked to their evolutionary conservation throughout vertebrate phylogeny.(AU)

Muito embora as características ultraestruturais da neuróglia madura do sistema nervoso central (SNC) sejam bem descritas em mamíferos, muito pouco é conhecido em répteis, especialmente em serpentes. Neste contexto, dois espécimes de Bothrops jararaca foram eutanasiados para análise morfológica das células gliais presentes no SNC. Amostras de telencéfalo, mesencéfalo e medula espinhal foram coletadas e processadas para investigação por microscopia de luz e eletrônica de transmissão. Astrócitos, oligodendócitos, células microgliais e ependimárias, bem como bainhas de mielina, apresentaram características ultraestruturais similares àquelas já observadas em mamíferos e tenderam a manter seu aspecto geral pelas diferentes regiões observadas no SNC. Similaridades morfológicas entre as células gliais de mamíferos e de répteis estão provavelmente ligadas a sua conservação evolutiva ao longo da filogenia dos vertebrados.(AU)

Description of visceral, lymphatic and central nervous system lesions in dogs infected with Leishmania spp

Leishmaniases are a group of chronic systemic infectious diseases caused by intracellular protozoa of the genus Leishmania. In the present study the authors aimed to investigate Leishmania spp-induced lesions mainly to detect the presence of the parasite within the CNS and lymph nodes in dogs from the Araguaina region, Tocantins State, Northern Brazil. Descriptive statistical analysis of variance and correlation were conducted, indicating that gross signs and visceral lesions do not correlate positively. Therefore we conclude that the diagnosis cannot be based on macroscopic signs alone presented by the infected dogs.(AU)

Description of visceral, lymphatic and central nervous system lesions in dogs infected with Leishmania spp

Leishmaniases are a group of chronic systemic infectious diseases caused by intracellular protozoa of the genus Leishmania. In the present study the authors aimed to investigate Leishmania spp-induced lesions mainly to detect the presence of the parasite within the CNS and lymph nodes in dogs from the Araguaina region, Tocantins State, Northern Brazil. Descriptive statistical analysis of variance and correlation were conducted, indicating that gross signs and visceral lesions do not correlate positively. Therefore we conclude that the diagnosis cannot be based on macroscopic signs alone presented by the infected dogs.

Canine intraneural perineurioma

Perineuriomas are slow growing tumors, exclusively compound of well-differentiated perineurial cells. They are rare in human and canine. A dog was submitted to necropsy with a clinical diagnosis of myelin sheath tumor in the brachial plexus area. Slides of the tumor were treated with histochemistry and immunohistochemistry techniches and the diagnostic of perineurioma intraneural was established.

Canine intraneural perineurioma

Perineuriomas are slow growing tumors, exclusively compound of well-differentiated perineurial cells. They are rare in human and canine. A dog was submitted to necropsy with a clinical diagnosis of myelin sheath tumor in the brachial plexus area. Slides of the tumor were treated with histochemistry and immunohistochemistry techniches and the diagnostic of perineurioma intraneural was established.(AU)

Gap junctions and communication within the nervous system

Gap junctions are sites on the cellular membrane with intercellular channels build up by twelve protein subunits called connexins. Each connected cell contributes with a hemichannel made up by six connexins subunits. This kind of connection represents and efficient way of intercellular communication in most tissues, including the nervous system. It works as a passage for ions, secondary messenger and metabolites exchange between the cells. In a complex tissue like the nervous tissue they are particularly important because they connect the various cellular types composing a panglial syncytium that performs neuronal protection and tissue homeostasis. The expression of connexins and the intercellular communication through gap junctions are crucial to regulate vital functions as cellular motility, proliferations and survival; changes in the conformational expression of connexins may be involved in diseases as Alzheimer's disease, neoplasms, bacterial and parasitic infections, or even affect cellular groups when they occur as genetic mutations leading to functional defects of the nervous system as demyelination in the PNS (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease), hereditary epilepsy, non-syndromic deafness and senile cataract.

Schwannoma with bone differentiation in a dog

A schwannoma with bone differentiation was diagnosed in a seven-year-old German Shepherd female dog. Clinical signs were those of limping and proprioceptive and neurological deficits. Superficial and deep sensitivity were lower and muscle atrophy of the left forelimb was marked. Two subscapular masses were detected at examination. Microscopic analysis of the masses disclosed a pronounced proliferation of either palisading or loosely arranged within a myxoid tissue spindle neoplastic cells intermingled with bone tissue islands. The neoplasm was positive for vimentin, $100 protein and GFAP.

Canine adenovirus type-2 and canine distemper virus pulmonary co-infection in two Chow-Chow puppies with Candida sp esophagitis

Two three-month-old puppies from the same litter were submitted to necropsy after a clinical history of purulent ocular discharge, diarrhoea and coughing. Grossly, the lungs were filled with fluid, firm and diffusely mottled with red and yellow areas. A clumped white-yellowish material with longitudinal stripes was loosely adhered to the esophagus. The histological analysis of the lungs revealed a suppurative and histiocytic broncho-interstitial pneumonia with fibrin, hemorrhage and myriads of eosinophilic intracytoplasmatic and basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies. The diagnosis was consistent with co-infection by canine adenovirus type-2 and canine distemper virus. Both dogs also had severe proliferative Candida sp. esophagitis. Reports of two concomitant viral diseases and mycotic infection are relatively rare and suggest intrinsic and environmental immunosuppressive factors.

Harpejamento em eqüinos no Rio Grande do Sul / Stringhalt in horses from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

São relatados a epidemiologia, os sinais clínicos e aspectos macro e microscópicos de casos de harpejamento ocorridos de 2000 a 2005 em eqüinos de oito propriedades rurais de seis municípios do Rio Grande do Sul. Pelo menos 10 eqüinos foram afetados, com idades variando entre 1 e 13 anos (média de 6,2 anos) e 1-2 eqüinos foram afetados por propriedade. Dentre os fatores que podem ter influenciado o aparecimento da doença está incluída a escassez de forragem devido à seca. A presença da planta Hypochaeris radicata, freqüentemente implicada como causa de harpejamento em eqüinos, foi observada na pastagem de três entre cinco propriedades onde a ocorrência dessa planta foi investigada; em seis dessas propriedades a forragem era pouca devido à falta de chuva. A morbidade foi estimada em 17,3 por cento e a letalidade foi perto de zero, embora dois eqüinos tenham sido submetidos à eutanásia para serem necropsiados. Os sinais clínicos característicos incluiam hiperflexão dos membros pélvicos, dificuldade de caminhar e andar com saltos tipo pulos de coelho. Foi feita uma graduação da intensidade dos sinais clínicos em um escore de números de 1 a 5, os números mais altos indicando um grau de intensidade maior. Três eqüinos foram graduados como 1, um eqüino como 2, três eqüinos como 3, um eqüino como 4 e dois eqüinos como 5. O tratamento com fenitoína em dois eqüinos e com fenitoína associada a tenectomia em um outro não resultou em melhora do quadro clínico. Quatro dos 10 cavalos com harpejamento examinados clinicamente se recuperaram sem tratamento após uma doença clínica com evolução de 2-4 meses e quatro cavalos não se recuperaram mesmo após 9-17 meses de doença clínica, quando foram examinados pela última vez. Os achados de necropsia incluíam atrofia dos músculos esqueléticos das grandes massas musculares, confirmada histologicamente. A avaliação histológica dos nervos periféricos de um eqüino afetado submetido à eutanásia revelou redução ou ausência ...(AU)

The epidemiology, clinical, gross and histological findings of cases of stringhalt occurring in horses from eight farms in six counties in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil from 2000-2005 are reported. At least 10 horses were affected. Ages of affected horses were 1-13 years (average 6.2 years) and 1-2 horses were affected in each farm. Factors that might have influenced the appearance of the disease included dearth of forage due to insufficient rainfall. The presence of the plant Hypochaeris radicata, often implicated as a cause of stringhalt in horses, was observed in the pasture of three out of five evaluated farms and in six of these farms the pasture was poor due to scarse precipitation. Estimated morbidity was 17.3 percent and lethality was close to zero although two horses were euthanatized for necropsy. Characteristic clinical signs included excessive flexion of the stifle and hock joints, impaired ambulation and bunny hop-type of gait. Clinical disease was graded by number scores from 1-5, higher numbers indicating increasing severity. Three horses were graded as 1, one horse as 2, three horses as 3, one horse as 4 and two horses as 5. Treatment with phenytoin in two horses and with phenytoin and tenectomy in another one did not result in amelioration of the clinical signs. Four out of ten clinical examined horses with stringhalt recovered with no treatment within 2-4 months of clinical disease and four affected horses did not recover even after 9-17 months of clinical disease, when they were lastly examined. Necropsy findings included atrophy of skeletal muscle of the large muscular groups which was confirmed histologically. Histological evaluation of peripheral nerves of one of the euthanatized horses revealed reduction or absence of myelinated fibers. Ultrastructural findings included signs of demyelination, regeneration and remyelination of peripheral nerves.(AU)

Malignant histiocytosis in a cat - Case report

A crossbred 14-year-old castrated male cat had a history of lethargy, anorexia and weight loss of one month evolution. On clinical examination, anemia, emaciation, jaundice and a large mass in the abdomen were detected. Ultrasonography revealed hepatomegaly and a single splenic mass. The cat was submitted to biopsy and euthanatized during the surgical procedure. The diagnosis of malignant histiocytosis was achieved on the basis of the clinical presentation, histopathologic and immunoistochemical findings.

Causas de morte e razões para eutanásia de cães da Mesorregião do Centro Ocidental Rio-Grandense (1965-2004) / Causes of death and reasons for euthanasia in dogs from the midland region of the Midwest of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil (1965-2004)

Este estudo teve como objetivo principal determinar a prevalência das doenças que culminam em morte ou que fazem com que os cães da Mesorregião do Centro Ocidental Rio-Grandense sejam submetidos à eutanásia. Para isso, foram revisados todos os protocolos de necropsia de cães, arquivados no Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária (LPV) da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), realizadas entre janeiro de 1965 e dezembro de 2004. Nos arquivos do LPV-UFSM foram encontrados 4.844 protocolos de necropsia de cães. A distribuição dos casos em relação às categorias de doenças diagnosticadas foi a seguinte: doenças infecciosas e parasitárias (1.693 [35,0 por cento]), neoplasmas (378 [7,8 por cento]), distúrbios causados por agentes físicos (369 [7,6 por cento]), doenças degenerativas (342 [7,1 por cento]), intoxicações e toxiinfecções (112 [2,3 por cento]), eutanásia por conveniência (101 [2,1 por cento]), doenças metabólicas e endocrinológicas (97 [2,0 por cento]), distúrbios iatrogênicos (83 [1,7 por cento]), distúrbios do desenvolvimento (25 [0,5 por cento]), doenças imunomediadas (10 [0,2 por cento]) e doenças nutricionais (6 [0,1 por cento]). Outros distúrbios, que incluem doenças multifatoriais ou idiopáticas, contribuíram com 80 (1,6 por cento) casos. Dos 4.844 casos, em 1.548 (32,0 por cento) não foi possível estabelecer a causa da morte ou a razão para a eutanásia. Doenças infecciosas e parasitárias (principalmente cinomose, parvovirose e verminose intestinal), neoplasmas (principalmente neoplasmas mamários e linfoma), distúrbios causados por agentes físicos (principalmente atropelamento por veículos automotivos) e doenças degenerativas (principalmente insuficiência renal crônica, cirrose e insuficiência cardíaca congestiva) foram as principais categorias de doenças relacionadas com morte ou eutanásia de cães dessa mesorregião. Entretanto, quando os cães são avaliados de acordo com suas idades, tais categorias possuem prevalências...(AU)

The main objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of diseases culminating with death or motivating euthanasia of dogs from the midland region of the Midwest of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The necropsy files of the Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária (LPV) of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) were accessed and necropsy protocols of dogs necropsied between January 1965 and December 2004 were reviewed. During this period 4,844 reports of canine necropsies were filed at the LPV-UFSM. The case distribution in relation to the disease categories diagnosed was as follows: infectious and parasitic diseases (1,693 [35.0 percent]); neoplasms (378 [7.8 percent]); disorders caused by physical agents (369 [7.6 percent]); degenerative diseases (342 [7.1 percent]); poisonings and toxinfections (112 [2.3 percent]); euthanasia due to convenience (101 [2.1 percent]); metabolic and endocrinological diseases (97 [2.0 percent]); iatrogenic disorders (83 [1.7 percent]); developmental disorders (25 [0.5 percent]); immune mediate diseases (10 [0.2 percent]); and nutritional disorders (6 [0.1 percent]). Other disorders, including multifactorial or idiopathic diseases contributed 80 (1.6 percent) cases. In 1,548 (32.0 percent) out of the 4,844 cases it was not possible to establish either cause of death or reason for euthanasia. Infectious and parasitic diseases (mainly canine distemper, parvoviral enteritis and intestinal parasitism), neoplasia (mainly mammary neoplasms and lymphoma), disorders caused by physical agents (mainly accidents caused by automotive vehicles) and degenerative diseases (mainly chronic renal failure, cirrhosis, and congestive heart failure) were the main disease categories causing death or motivating euthanasia in dogs of this midland region. However, when cases were evaluated in relation with the age of the dog, the disease prevalence differed. The main causes of death in puppies were infectious and...(AU)

Hepatite infecciosa canina: 62 casos / Infectious canine hepatitis: 62 cases

Os protocolos de necropsias realizadas em 5.361 cães durante um período de 43 anos (1964-2006) foram revisados em busca de casos de hepatite infecciosa canina (HIC) e sessenta e dois (1,2 por cento) casos foram encontrados. A maioria dos 62 cães afetados tinha dois anos de idade ou menos (91,9 por cento). Os sinais clínicos foram anotados nos protocolos de necropsia de 45 cães afetados por HIC e incluíam anorexia (55,6 por cento), apatia (35,6 por cento), diarréia (35,6 por cento), freqüentemente com sangue (43,8 por cento dos casos de diarréia), distúrbios neurológicos (33,3 por cento), vômito (26,7 por cento), petéquias e equimoses nas membranas mucosas e/ou pele (24,4 por cento), hipotermia (20,0 por cento), dor abdominal (15,6 por cento), icterícia (13,3 por cento), aumento de volume e congestão das tonsilas (11,1 por cento), febre (11,1 por cento) e ascite (6,7 por cento). A duração do curso clínico variou de poucas horas a 15 dias. Os principais achados de necropsia incluíram alterações hepáticas (87,1 por cento), linfonodos edematosos, congestos e hemorrágicos (51,6 por cento), líquido sanguinolento, líquido claro ou sangue na cavidade abdominal (35,5 por cento), víbices, sufusões e petéquias sobre a pleura visceral (27,4 por cento) e superfície serosa das vísceras gastrintestinais (24,2 por cento). Em 12,9 por cento dos casos a serosa do intestino tinha aspecto granular. Hemorragias cerebrais nas leptomeninges e na substância do encéfalo foram observadas em 9,7 por cento dos casos. As alterações hepáticas macroscópicas incluíam fígados moderadamente aumentados de volume, mais friáveis, com acentuação do padrão lobular, congestos e com múltiplos focos de necrose pálidos ou hemorrágicos. Películas e filamentos de fibrina cobriam a superfície hepática em 20,4 por cento dos casos e em 27,8 por cento dos casos a parede da vesícula biliar estava espessada por edema. Necrose hepática zonal ou aleatória (93,5 por cento dos casos) associada...(AU)

Necropsy reports from 5,361 dogs necropsied over a 43-year period (1964-2006) were reviewed in search for cases of infectious canine hepatitis (ICH). Sixty two (1.2 percent) cases of the disease were found. Most of the 62 affected dogs (91.9 percent,) were 2-year-old or less. Clinical signs were recorded in the necropsy files of 45 ICH affected dogs and included anorexia (55.6 percent), apathy (35.6 percent), diarrhea (35.6 percent) (often with blood [43,8 percent]), neurological signs (33.3 percent), vomiting (26.7 percent), petechiae and echymosis in the mucous membranes and/or skin (24.4 percent), hypothermia (20.0 percent), abdominal pain (15.6 percent), icterus (13.3 percent), enlargement and congestion of the tonsils (11.1 percent), fever (11.1 percent) and ascites (6.7 percent). The clinical courses lasted from few hours to 15 days. The most frequent necropsy findings included hepatic changes (87.1 percent), edematous, congested and hemorrhagic lymph nodes (51.6 percent), bloodstained fluid, clear fluid or whole blood in the abdominal cavity (35.5 percent), and petechial or paint-brush hemorrhages over the pleural (27.4 percent) and gastrointestinal (24.2 percent) serosal surfaces. In 12.9 percent of the cases there was a granularity to the intestinal serosa. Hemorrhages in the leptomeninges and in the substance of the brain were observed in 9.7 percent of the cases. Hepatic gross changes included moderately enlarged and more friable livers with marked lobular pattern, congestion and multifocal pale or hemorrhagic foci of necrosis. Films and strands of fibrin covered the hepatic surface in 20.4 percent of the cases and in 27.8 percent of the cases the gall bladder was thickened by edema. Zonal or randomly distributed multifocal hepatic necrosis (93.5 percent) associated with intranuclear inclusion bodies were the most consistent microscopic findings. Intranuclear inclusion bodies were found in the liver in every case and their...(AU)

Aspectos clinicopatológicos de 620 casos neurológicos de cinomose em cães / : Clinicopathological features in 620 neurological cases of canine distemper

Os protocolos de 5.361 necropsias de cães realizadas no Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria de 1965 a 2006 foram revisados à procura de casos de cinomose. Seiscentos e oitenta e três casos (12,7 por cento) da doença foram encontrados, dos quais 620 apresentavam sinais neurológicos. Desses 620, os seguintes dados foram recuperados para cada caso: idade, sinais clínicos, achados histopatológicos e presença ou não de doença concomitante. Faixas etárias foram classificadas como filhotes (até 1 ano), adultos (de 1 a 9 anos) e idosos (10 anos de idade ou mais). Lesões histológicas foram observadas em 565 (91,1 por cento) dos 620 casos com sinais neurológicos de cinomose e em 554 desses casos a idade foi registrada no protocolo com a seguinte distribuição por faixa etária: 45,9 por cento de filhotes, 51,4 por cento de adultos e 2,7 por cento de idosos. Os sinais neurológicos compreendiam um largo espectro de distúrbios motores, posturais e do comportamento, que podiam ocorrer juntos ou individualmente. Os sinais clínicos mais freqüentes foram mioclonia (38,4 por cento), incooordenação motora (25,0 por cento), convulsões (18,5 por cento) e paraplegia (13,4 por cento). Em 98,4 por cento dos 565 cães com alterações histopatológicas no encéfalo, foram observadas desmielinização, encefalite não-supurativa ou uma combinação dessas duas lesões. Corpúsculos de inclusão foram observados em diferentes células de 343 dos 565 cães com alterações histopatológicas no encéfalo. Em 170 (49,6 por cento) o tipo celular com inclusão não foi mencionado no protocolo; nos restantes, as inclusões foram vistas em astrócitos (94,8 por cento dos casos), neurônios (3,5 por cento), oligodendrócitos (1,1 por cento) e células do epêndima (0,6 por cento). Levando em consideração o tipo de lesões e as faixas etárias, casos com desmielinização e encefalite não-supurativa ocorreram em 40,0 por cento dos filhotes, 51,2 por cento dos adultos...(AU)

The files of 5,361 necropsies performed in dogs in the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Maria during 1965-2006 were reviewed in search of cases of canine distemper. Six hundred and eighty three cases (12.7 percent) of the disease were found, 620 of which had neurological signs. From those 620, the following data on each case were retrieved: age, clinical signs, histopathology and concomitance or not of another disease. Age groups were classified as puppies (up to 1 year of age), adults (from 1 to 9 years) and aged (from 10 years on). In 565 out of the 620 (91.1 percent) neurological cases of canine distemper, histopathological brain changes were observed and in 554 of those 565 the age was registered in the files with following age group distribution: 45.9 percent of puppies, 51.4 percent of adults, and 2.7 percent of aged dogs. Neurological clinical signs encompassed a large spectrum of motor, postural and behavioral disturbances which could occur together or individually. Most frequent clinical signs were myoclonus (38.4 percent), motor incoordination (25.0 percent), seizures (18.5 percent), and paraplegia (13.4 percent). In 98.4 percent of the 565 dogs with histopathological changes in the brain demyelination, non-suppurative encephalitis or a combination of these two were found. Intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies were observed in different brain cells of 343 of the 565 dogs with histopathological changes. In 170 (49.6 percent) the cellular type bearing the inclusions was not mentioned in the file and in the remaining cases the inclusions were seen in astrocytes (94.8 percent of the cases), neurons (3.5 percent), oligodendrocytes (1.1 percent), and ependyma cells (0.6 percent). Taking in consideration the type of lesions and the age groups, cases with combined demyelination and non-suppurative encephalitis occurred in 40.0 percent of the puppies, 51.2 percent of the adult dogs and 72.7 percent...(AU)

Cirrose hepática em cães: 80 casos (1965-2003) / Hepatic cirrhosis in dogs: 80 cases (1965-2003)

Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo de 80 casos de cirrose em cães no Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul. Dos cães em que o sexo e a idade constavam dos protocolos de necropsia, 53,8 por cento eram machos e 46,2 por cento eram fêmeas; 50,0 por cento foram incluídos como idosos, 48,6 por cento como adultos e 1,4 por cento como filhote. Os principais sinais clínicos observados incluíram: ascite (39/80 [48,8 por cento]), icterícia (19/80 [23,8 por cento]), anorexia (13/80 [16,2 por cento]), distúrbios neurológicos (12/80 [15,0 por cento]), dispnéia (12/80 [15,0 por cento]) e edema subcutâneo (10/80 [12,5 por cento]). Dos 63 cães em que a descrição macroscópica constava dos protocolos de necropsia, 76,2 por cento tinham cirrose macronodular e 23,8 por cento tinham cirrose micronodular. Nos 14 cães em que as lesões histológicas foram revistas pode-se observar diferentes graus de fibrose (leve [57,2 por cento], moderada [21,4 por cento] ou acentuada [21,4 por cento]) e nenhuma relação entre as intensidades da fibrose e das outras lesões histológicas observadas (degeneração gordurosa, proliferação de ductos biliares, inflamação, bilestase, hemossiderose e necrose aleatória de hepatócitos). As alterações macro e microscópicas extra-hepáticas incluíram: ascite (39/63 [61,9 por cento]), icterícia (19/63 [30,2 por cento]), status spongiosus (15/63 [23,8 por cento]), hidrotórax (12/63 [19,0 por cento]), edema subcutâneo (10/63 [15,9 por cento]), derivações portossistêmicas (11/63 [17,5 por cento]), úlceras gástricas ou duodenais (11/63 [17,5 por cento]) e nefrose colêmica (4/63 [6,3 por cento]).(AU)

A retrospective study in 80 cases of canine hepatic cirrhosis was carried out at the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Considering those cases in which the sex and age of the dogs were informed in the necropsy reports, males comprised 53.8 percent of the cases and 46.2 percent were females; while 50.0 percent of these dogs were aged, 48.6 percent were adults and 1.4 percent were puppies. The main observed clinical signs include ascites (39/80 [48.8 percent]), icterus (19/80 [23.8 percent]), anorexia (13/80 [16.2 percent]), neurological disturbances (12/80 [15.0 percent]), dyspnea (12/80 [15.0 percent]) and subcutaneous edema (10/80 [12.5 percent]). In 63 dogs for which there was a description of gross morphology in the necropsy reports, 76.2 percent had macronodular and 23.8 percent had micronodular cirrhosis. In 14 cases in which the histopathology of the liver was reviewed different degrees of fibrosis were observed: mild in 57.2 percent, moderate in 21.4 percent, or marked in 21.4 percent; in these cases there were no correlation with the degree of fibrosis and other associated histological changes such as lipidosis, biliary ducts hyperplasia, inflammation, bilestasis, hemosiderosis and random hepatocellular necrosis. Extra hepatic changes included ascites (39/63 [61.9 percent]), icterus (19/63 [30.2 percent]), status spongiosus (15/63 [23.8 percent]), hydrothorax (12/63 [19.0 percent]), subcutaneous edema (10/63 [15.9 percent]), portosystemic shunts (11/63 [17.5 percent]), gastric our duodenal ulceration (11/63 [17.5 percent]) and cholemic nephrosis (4/63 [6.3 percent]).(AU)

Aspectos clinicopatológicos de 620 casos neurológicos de cinomose em cães / : Clinicopathological features in 620 neurological cases of canine distemper

Os protocolos de 5.361 necropsias de cães realizadas no Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria de 1965 a 2006 foram revisados à procura de casos de cinomose. Seiscentos e oitenta e três casos (12,7 por cento) da doença foram encontrados, dos quais 620 apresentavam sinais neurológicos. Desses 620, os seguintes dados foram recuperados para cada caso: idade, sinais clínicos, achados histopatológicos e presença ou não de doença concomitante. Faixas etárias foram classificadas como filhotes (até 1 ano), adultos (de 1 a 9 anos) e idosos (10 anos de idade ou mais). Lesões histológicas foram observadas em 565 (91,1 por cento) dos 620 casos com sinais neurológicos de cinomose e em 554 desses casos a idade foi registrada no protocolo com a seguinte distribuição por faixa etária: 45,9 por cento de filhotes, 51,4 por cento de adultos e 2,7 por cento de idosos. Os sinais neurológicos compreendiam um largo espectro de distúrbios motores, posturais e do comportamento, que podiam ocorrer juntos ou individualmente. Os sinais clínicos mais freqüentes foram mioclonia (38,4 por cento), incooordenação motora (25,0 por cento), convulsões (18,5 por cento) e paraplegia (13,4 por cento). Em 98,4 por cento dos 565 cães com alterações histopatológicas no encéfalo, foram observadas desmielinização, encefalite não-supurativa ou uma combinação dessas duas lesões. Corpúsculos de inclusão foram observados em diferentes células de 343 dos 565 cães com alterações histopatológicas no encéfalo. Em 170 (49,6 por cento) o tipo celular com inclusão não foi mencionado no protocolo; nos restantes, as inclusões foram vistas em astrócitos (94,8 por cento dos casos), neurônios (3,5 por cento), oligodendrócitos (1,1 por cento) e células do epêndima (0,6 por cento). Levando em consideração o tipo de lesões e as faixas etárias, casos com desmielinização e encefalite não-supurativa ocorreram em 40,0 por cento dos filhotes, 51,2 por cento dos adultos...

The files of 5,361 necropsies performed in dogs in the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Maria during 1965-2006 were reviewed in search of cases of canine distemper. Six hundred and eighty three cases (12.7 percent) of the disease were found, 620 of which had neurological signs. From those 620, the following data on each case were retrieved: age, clinical signs, histopathology and concomitance or not of another disease. Age groups were classified as puppies (up to 1 year of age), adults (from 1 to 9 years) and aged (from 10 years on). In 565 out of the 620 (91.1 percent) neurological cases of canine distemper, histopathological brain changes were observed and in 554 of those 565 the age was registered in the files with following age group distribution: 45.9 percent of puppies, 51.4 percent of adults, and 2.7 percent of aged dogs. Neurological clinical signs encompassed a large spectrum of motor, postural and behavioral disturbances which could occur together or individually. Most frequent clinical signs were myoclonus (38.4 percent), motor incoordination (25.0 percent), seizures (18.5 percent), and paraplegia (13.4 percent). In 98.4 percent of the 565 dogs with histopathological changes in the brain demyelination, non-suppurative encephalitis or a combination of these two were found. Intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies were observed in different brain cells of 343 of the 565 dogs with histopathological changes. In 170 (49.6 percent) the cellular type bearing the inclusions was not mentioned in the file and in the remaining cases the inclusions were seen in astrocytes (94.8 percent of the cases), neurons (3.5 percent), oligodendrocytes (1.1 percent), and ependyma cells (0.6 percent). Taking in consideration the type of lesions and the age groups, cases with combined demyelination and non-suppurative encephalitis occurred in 40.0 percent of the puppies, 51.2 percent of the adult dogs and 72.7 percent...