Encefalitozoonose em coelho (Oryctolagus cuniculus) / Encephalitozoonosis in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Background: Encephalitozoonosis is caused by the protozoan Encephalitozoon cuniculi, in rabbits, and can affect humans. The disease can be fatal and difficult to diagnose. It can be asymptomatic or cause vestibular neurological disease, paralysis, uveitis in addition to chronic kidney disease in rabbits. The transmission of the microorganism's spores occurs by ingestion, inhalation, or by the transplacental route. The aim of this work is to report a case of encephalitozoonosis in a pet rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Case: An Oryctolagus cuniculus with a history of paraparesis of the thoracic and pelvic limbs was referred for necropsy, the evolution of the clinical picture happened in one day. After death, a necropsy was performed. Organ fragments were collected, fixed, and processed routinely for histology. Macroscopically, there was evidence of hepatic lobes, without injury to the other organs. Microscopically it was observed in the white and gray substance of the telencephalon multiple circumscribed granulomas composed of a necrotic center surrounded by macrophages, giant multinucleated cells in addition to lymphocytes and plasmocytes in the periphery, delimited by fibrous connective tissue. Around the vessels, perivascular cuffs with 2 to 4 layers of lymphocytic infiltrate were observed. Besides, special staining of Schiff's Periodic Acid (PAS) and Ziehl-Neelsen was performed, in which numerous cylindrical, eosinophilic structures of approximately 2.5 x 1.0 µm were observed, compatible with E. cuniculi spores. Besides, histiocytic lymphoblasts pericoronitis was noted in the liver. There were no relevant changes in the kidney. Discussion: The diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis in rabbits was based on clinical and anatomopathological findings. Tetraparesis was the predominant sign in the present case and was justified by telencephalic lesions. This clinical sign is included in the literature but is less common than the syndrome such as head tilt and paralysis. The diagnosis of the disease is usually made by post mortem examination when it is possible to identify the spores in the lesions. Multifocal granulomatous encephalitis was the most significant finding in this case, which is also consistent with other studies. The pathogenesis of granulomatous lesions is still controversial. It is known that spores allow phagocytosis by macrophages, which induce the production of interleukins and other cytokines by TCD4 + lymphocytes, thereby activating the action of TCD8 + (cytotoxic) lymphocytes. Natural killer cells, granulocytes, other macrophages, and B lymphocytes are also recruited. Although there is such an inflammatory response, the antibodies produced are not efficient to eliminate the agent from the host organism, however, they contribute to the process of opsonization and consequent phagocytosis, facilitating the destruction of the microsporidium by macrophages. The neurological form was predominant in this case, with no chronic or ocular renal forms, possibly due to the rapid clinical evolution. Special stains were useful for visualizing intralesional spores. Although PAS staining is considered to be of little use, it was relevant in this case. The visualization of the agent made it possible to distinguish differential diagnoses, among them vestibular syndrome secondary to otitis due to pasteurellosis, toxoplasmosis, neoplasms, traumas, or diseases of the spine. Thus, a diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis was made in a rabbit through clinical and anatomopathological correlation using Ziehl-Neelsen and PAS stains.

Arytenoid chondritis in two calves / Condrite aritenóide em duas bezerras

Although, calf diphtheria and necrotic laryngitis are common infections in the oral cavitys soft tissues, arytenoid chondritis is addressed as a serious but rarely diagnosed complication in cattle. This paper aimed to describe clinical, laboratory, imaging, and pathological findings in two calves with arytenoid chondritis. A 2-month-old Jersey calf and a 3-month-old Girolando calf presented 40-days history of respiratory distress. In the former, oral endoscopy revealed enlarged and immobile arytenoids with major involvement of the left arytenoid, causing severe distortion and partial obstruction of the rima glottidis. In the latter, latero-lateral radiography of the head revealed radiolucent areas and thickening at the level of the larynx to the dorsal trachea. Pathological examination of one calf showed neutrophilic multifocal inflammatory infiltrate and areas of necrosis in the cricoarytenoid cartilage, surrounded by abscessation. Definitive diagnosis of arytenoid chondritis in these two calves was established on the basis of clinical, laboratory, imaging (endoscopy and radiography), and pathological findings. Daily and careful observation of the herds and the use of ancillary diagnostic methods allowed the early diagnosis of the disease, and accurate diagnosis can improve prognosis and increase treatment success rate.(AU)

Embora a difteria em bezerros e a laringite necrótica sejam infecções comuns nos tecidos moles da cavidade oral, a condrite aritenoide é considerada uma complicação grave, mas raramente diagnosticada em bovinos. Este trabalho tem como objetivo descrever os achados clínicos, laboratoriais, de imagem e patológicos em duas bezerras apresentando condrite aritenoide. Uma bezerra Jersey de dois meses de idade e uma bezerra Girolando de três meses de idade apresentavam dificuldades respiratórias por 40 dias. Na primeira, a endoscopia oral revelou aritenoides aumentadas e imóveis, com grande envolvimento da aritenoide esquerda, causando distorção grave e obstrução parcial de rima glottidis. Na segunda, a radiografia látero-lateral da cabeça revelou áreas radioluscentes e espessamento ao nível da laringe até a traqueia dorsal. O exame patológico de uma bezerra revelou infiltrado inflamatório multifocal neutrofílico e áreas de necrose na cartilagem cricoaritenóide, circundadas por abscessos. O diagnóstico definitivo de condrite aritenoide nessas duas bezerras foi estabelecido com base nos achados clínicos, laboratoriais, de imagem (endoscopia e radiografia) e patológicos. O monitoramento diário e minucioso dos rebanhos e o uso de métodos auxiliares de diagnóstico permitem o diagnóstico precoce da enfermidade, sendo que o diagnóstico preciso pode melhorar o prognóstico e aumentar a taxa de sucesso do tratamento.(AU)

Dicephalia in a bovine / Dicefalia em bovino

Background: Congenital defects consist of structural or functional abnormalities present at birth, which partially or globally affect the systems. Among the defects are the conjoined twins, a rare congenital anomaly caused by fusion of two monozygotic embryos which can be classified according to the different sites of union. The Siamese twins and embryonic duplication are represented by a progressive series of malformations, since partial duplication of part of the body to the training almost full two bodies. Siamese twins occur in humans and in several animal species. Dicephalia refers to two totally separate heads. The aim of this study was to report a case of dicephalia in a bovine fetus. Case: A crossbred bovine fetus from a cow pregnant at. The animal was fixed by immersion in 10% formalin for sample collection. Muscles were dissected, with exposure of the bones of the right head, neck, forelimb, and hind limb. After dissection, the fetus was subjected to a preservation process by impregnation with glycerin. Next, internal organs were removed in bloc (from tongue to rectum) for evaluation of internal alterations. Additionally, radiographs of the spinal cord were performed to diagnose alterations by diagnostic imaging. Radiography revealed the presence of two skulls; two cervical spines, both with seven vertebrae; two thoracic spines, both with 13 vertebrae; and two lumbar [...]

Dicephalia in a bovine / Dicefalia em bovino

Background: Congenital defects consist of structural or functional abnormalities present at birth, which partially or globally affect the systems. Among the defects are the conjoined twins, a rare congenital anomaly caused by fusion of two monozygotic embryos which can be classified according to the different sites of union. The Siamese twins and embryonic duplication are represented by a progressive series of malformations, since partial duplication of part of the body to the training almost full two bodies. Siamese twins occur in humans and in several animal species. Dicephalia refers to two totally separate heads. The aim of this study was to report a case of dicephalia in a bovine fetus. Case: A crossbred bovine fetus from a cow pregnant at. The animal was fixed by immersion in 10% formalin for sample collection. Muscles were dissected, with exposure of the bones of the right head, neck, forelimb, and hind limb. After dissection, the fetus was subjected to a preservation process by impregnation with glycerin. Next, internal organs were removed in bloc (from tongue to rectum) for evaluation of internal alterations. Additionally, radiographs of the spinal cord were performed to diagnose alterations by diagnostic imaging. Radiography revealed the presence of two skulls; two cervical spines, both with seven vertebrae; two thoracic spines, both with 13 vertebrae; and two lumbar [...](AU)