Carcinoma hepatocelular metastático em Amazona aestiva / Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma in Amazona aestiva

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a primary malignant tumor of the liver tissue and its occurrence in birds is considered rare. The tumor can occur as a single mass leading to hepatomegaly, or as multiple nodules in the liver. In animals of the genus Amazona, only 1 case of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma has been reported in the United States, therefore, little is known about its epidemiology and clinicopathological aspects in these species. In this context, the aim of this work was to describe a case of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma in an Amazona aestiva. Case: A blue-fronted amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva) was referred to necropsy after being found dead in its enclosure. On examination, it presented cachectic body score. Examination of the coelomic cavity, revealed a serous translucent fluid and adhesions between the liver and peritoneum.A red mass restricted to the right hepatic lobe and raised to the capsular surface, interspersed with whitish and dark red multifocal areas was observed. When cut, this mass was soft, protruding, multilobulated, whitish and with a friable reddish center. Additionally, on the dorsal surface of the left lung lobe, there was a rounded, well defined, whitish, and soft nodule. Microscopically, partial replacement of the hepatic parenchyma was observed by neoplastic proliferation of cuboidal epithelial cells, organized in mantle and supported by a scarce fibrovascular stroma. Cells have large, eosinophilic, well-delimited cytoplasm, with a central, oval nucleus, loose chromatin, and evident nucleolus. Moderate pleomorphism was characterized by anisocytosis, anisokaryosis, and aberrant nuclei. In the lung, a focally extensive mass with a pattern similar to that seen in the liver was observed. In the kidney, multifocal neoplastic emboli were noted. Liver immunohistochemistry was performed. Positive and negative controls were used to validate the reaction; however, there was no immunolabelling for the evaluated antibodies. Discussion: The histopathological characteristics observed in this study favored the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with metastasis to kidney and lung. Primary liver tumors are rare in wild birds. In ducks, experimental studies have pointed aflatoxins and the duck hepatitis B virus as oncogenic agents, however, in birds of the genus Amazona, there are no studies that evaluate predisposing factors to the development of liver carcinoma. Macroscopically, hepatocellular carcinoma may present in massive, nodular or diffuse forms. In birds, the right lobe is the largest, which may suggest that this lobe is more prone to the development of HCC, as seen in the present case. The solid form, similar to that observed in this report, seems to be more commonly observed, as seen in the wild bird reports consulted. Metastases most often spread hematogenous, and in the present report there was metastasis to kidneys and lungs, which is a common feature for this neoplasm. In the present case, there was no labeling by any of the antibodies, perhaps because of their aggressiveness, associated with autolytic factors that prevent the labeling of antibodies, in addition to the specificity in the antibodyantigen relationship. This tumor must be differentiated from other liver tumors such as cholangiocarcinoma, and also the well-differentiated hepatocellular adenoma, in addition to non-neoplastic conditions. HCC should be considered as a differential diagnosis for Amazona aestiva found dead in the enclosure without previous clinical signs. This neoplasm is rare in Amazon parrots and reports should be encouraged in order to contribute to the understanding of the epidemiological and clinicopathological aspects of the tumor.

Cytological, histopathological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical findings of multiple cutaneous nodules in a bovine / Achados citológicos, histopatológicos, histoquímicos e imuno-histoquímicos de múltiplas nodulações cutâneas em um bovino

This case study describes the cytological and histopathological findings of cutaneous masses in a bovine, including a peripheral nerve sheath tumor (PNST), vaccine-associated granulomatous inflammation, and eosinophilic inflammation due to parasitosis. A six-year-old undefined cow (SRD) presented with heterogeneous cutaneous lesions including multiple nodules in the left paralumbar fossa, bilaterally at the withers, and scattered along the dorsum, limbs and near the tail; some lesions were associated with ticks. Cytology of these nodules showed benign mesenchymal neoplasia (paralumbar fossa), granulomatous and pyogranulomatous inflammation (withers) and keratin (dorsum). Histopathology, in this order, confirmed PNST, post-vaccination granuloma, and eosinophilic dermatitis. A peripheral nerve sheath tumor was suspected based on the histological findings, showing a well-delineated proliferation of fusiform cells arranged in plexiform structures, which appeared red by Masson's Trichrome stain. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry (anti-S100 antibody). Vaccine reaction often occurs in cattle, and cytological examination is sufficient to determine the inflammatory process. Eosinophilic dermatitis is usually accompanied by perivascular inflammation and reflects the exfoliative process by the oral apparatus of the parasite.

Descrevem-se os achados citológicos e histopatológicos do tumor de bainha de nervo periférico (TBNP), da reação vacinal e da inflamação eosinofílica decorrente dapicada de carrapatoem um bovino. Uma vaca sem raça definida (SRD) de seis anos de idade foi apresentada com diferentes lesões cutâneasnodulares localizadas na fossa paralombar esquerda, bilateralmente na cernelha e dispersos no dorso, membros e próximo à cauda, por vezes associado a carrapatos. Realizou-se citologia e biópsia desses nódulos. Na citologia verificou-se neoplasia mesenquimal benigna (fossa paralombar), inflamação granulomatosa e piogranulomatosa (cernelha) e ceratina (dorso). Na histopatologia, confirmou-se que esses nódulos correspondiam, nessa ordem, a tumor de bainha de nervo periférico, granuloma vacinal e dermatite eosinofílica. O diagnóstico do TBNP foi estabelecido com base nos achados histológicos, que caracterizaram-se por uma proliferação bem delimitada de células fusiformes arranjadas em estruturas plexiformes, corados em vermelho pelo Tricômico de Masson, e confirmado por imuno-histoquímica (anticorpo anti-S100). A reação vacinal ocorre frequentemente em bovinos e o exame citológico é suficiente para determinação do processo inflamatório. Dermatite eosinofílica em geral é acompanhada de inflamação perivascular e perianexal e reflete a ação esfoliativa do

Toxoplasmose sistêmica em filhotes de gatos / Systemic toxoplasmosis in kittens

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide disease that affects virtually all species of warm-blooded animals. The felids,domestic and wild, are considered the definitive hosts of the protozoan. In Brazil, Toxoplasma gondii infection has beendiagnosed in horses, goats, primates, dogs and cats. In the backlands of Paraíba, the disease has been sporadically reportedaffecting dogs with canine distemper and swine, but cases of systemic toxoplasmosis in cats have not yet been described.The aim of the present study was to describe the main epidemiological, clinical and anatomopathological aspects of twocases of systemic toxoplasmosis in kittens.Cases: Two kittens were affected with three (cat 1) and six (cat 2) months old, females, and crossbreed. The kittens had notbeen vaccinated or dewormed, and were raised with other cats in a peridomiciliary regime in a rural area in the backlandsof Paraíba. Cat 1 was thin, apathetic, dehydrated, tachypneic and with pale mucous membranes. Cat 2, showed inappetence,apathy, jaundice, fever, dehydration, dyspnea and abdominal breathing pattern. At necropsy, non-collapsed, shiny, reddishlungs with multifocal whitish areas, punctuated or nodular, measuring from 0.1 to 0.3 cm in diameter, were found on thepleural surface and parenchyma. The livers were pale, with lobular pattern accentuation, and reddish depressed multifocalareas randomly distributed on the capsular surface. Histologically, multifocal to coalescent areas of necrosis, moderate (cat1) or marked (cat 2), associated with intralesional bradyzoites and tachyzoites and variable lymphoplasmacytic infiltratewere observed. In cat 2, numerous bradyzoites were visualized in the gray matter of the left cerebral hemisphere (temporaland parietal lobes), sometimes associated with a moderate lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate. In the perivascularspaces of the...

Toxoplasmose sistêmica em filhotes de gatos / Systemic toxoplasmosis in kittens

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide disease that affects virtually all species of warm-blooded animals. The felids,domestic and wild, are considered the definitive hosts of the protozoan. In Brazil, Toxoplasma gondii infection has beendiagnosed in horses, goats, primates, dogs and cats. In the backlands of Paraíba, the disease has been sporadically reportedaffecting dogs with canine distemper and swine, but cases of systemic toxoplasmosis in cats have not yet been described.The aim of the present study was to describe the main epidemiological, clinical and anatomopathological aspects of twocases of systemic toxoplasmosis in kittens.Cases: Two kittens were affected with three (cat 1) and six (cat 2) months old, females, and crossbreed. The kittens had notbeen vaccinated or dewormed, and were raised with other cats in a peridomiciliary regime in a rural area in the backlandsof Paraíba. Cat 1 was thin, apathetic, dehydrated, tachypneic and with pale mucous membranes. Cat 2, showed inappetence,apathy, jaundice, fever, dehydration, dyspnea and abdominal breathing pattern. At necropsy, non-collapsed, shiny, reddishlungs with multifocal whitish areas, punctuated or nodular, measuring from 0.1 to 0.3 cm in diameter, were found on thepleural surface and parenchyma. The livers were pale, with lobular pattern accentuation, and reddish depressed multifocalareas randomly distributed on the capsular surface. Histologically, multifocal to coalescent areas of necrosis, moderate (cat1) or marked (cat 2), associated with intralesional bradyzoites and tachyzoites and variable lymphoplasmacytic infiltratewere observed. In cat 2, numerous bradyzoites were visualized in the gray matter of the left cerebral hemisphere (temporaland parietal lobes), sometimes associated with a moderate lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate. In the perivascularspaces of the...(AU)

Melanoma digital em um cão / Digital melanoma in a dog

We described a case of melanoma located in the right phalanx in a dog. A defined bitch,11 years old, was referred to the Medical Clinic of the UFCG Veterinary Hospital witha history of increased volume at the distal end of the right thoracic limb. After theclinical evaluation and surgical correction, the material was sent to the Laboratory ofAnimal Pathology (LPA), Veterinary Hospital (HV), Federal University of CampinaGrande (UFCG) – PB. Macroscopically, the mass was nodular, skin-coated, measuring10 x 7.0 x 6.5 cm and ulcerated central area 5 cm in diameter. When cutting, it exhibiteda blackish, multilobular and firm surface. Microscopically, a thickly cellular, infiltrativeand non-encapsulated tumor mass was observed in the epidermis. This paper reports acase of digital melanoma, diagnosed by histopathological examination.

Evaluation of animal performance, feed intake, and economic losses in sheep experimentally infected with Trypanosoma vivax / Avaliação do desempenho animal, consumo de alimento e perdas econômicas em ovinos infectados experimentalmente por Trypanosoma vivax

Trypanosoma vivax is a protozoan originating from the African continent, which, although it has not yet been able to complete its biological cycle in South America, due to the absence of the tsetse fly, can still cause death in ruminants. The objective of this study was to verify the effects of T. vivax on the measurements and indices in sheep that characterize animal performance, as well as on economic losses in meat animals. Twenty intact adult male sheep were used for this study, all of approximately the same ages and weights, reared in confinement, and subjected to the same management and diet, which was balanced and supplemented with adequate minerals. The animals were divided into two groups: the control group (CG) and the infected group (IG), which was inoculated intravenously with 1.3 x 105 trypomastigotes of T. vivax. Feed intake was verified daily, whereas the feed conversion (FC), feed efficiency index (FEI), and weight gain were obtained weekly. Total weight gain (TWG) was determined after 70 days post-infection. The economic loss was calculated by subtracting the value obtained (IG) from the expected value (CG), and the difference was expressed as a percentage. A randomized block design was used to isolate the effect of the initial weight. The means were compared by the Student “t” test at 5%. Of the 10 infected animals, one died from the parasitism, yielding a rate much lower than that observed in natural outbreaks. The groups presented similar feed intakes throughout the experimental period; however, the TWG of the infected group was significantly lower (50.7%) than that of the CG. Similarly, the daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion (FC), and feed efficiency index (FEI) of the IG were significantly lower than those of the CG. In addition, the worst rates of FC and FEI coincided with parasitemia peaks and recurrences, probably due to immunological demand and tissue repair...

O Trypanosoma vivax é um protozoário originário do Continente Africano que mesmo não completando seu ciclo biológico na América do Sul, devido à ausência da mosca tsé-tsé, pode levar ruminantes a óbito. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo verificar, em ovinos infectados, os efeitos do T. vivax em medidas e índices que caracterizam o desempenho animal, bem como perdas econômicas em animais de abate. Para tanto foram utilizados vinte ovinos adultos, machos, inteiros com idade e peso aproximados, criados em confinamento, submetidos ao mesmo manejo e alimentação, sendo esta balanceada e suplementada com minerais adequados. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos: o grupo controle (GC) e o grupo infectado (GI) que foi alcançado pela inoculação endovenosa de 1,3 x 105 tripomastigotas de T. vivax. O consumo de ração foi verificado diariamente, enquanto a conversão alimentar (CA), o índice de eficiência alimentar (IEA) e o ganho de peso foram obtidos semanalmente. O ganho de peso total (GPT) foi obtido ao final de 70 dias pós-infecção. A perda econômica foi obtida subtraindo do valor esperado (GC) do valor obtido (GI), e a diferença exposta em porcentagem. O delineamento utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, para isolar o efeito do peso inicial, foi aplicado o teste “t” de Student a 5% para comparação de médias. A taxa de letalidade do T. vivax em ambiente experimental controlado foi de 10%, taxa muito inferior ao verificado em surtos naturais. Quanto ao consumo de ração, os grupos apresentaram consumo idêntico durante todo o período, todavia, o GPT do grupo infectado foi significativamente inferior, 50,7% menor quando comparado ao GC. Do mesmo modo, o ganho de peso diário (GPD), conversão alimentar (CA) e o índice de eficiência alimentar (IEA) do GI foram significantemente inferiores ao GC. Além disso, os piores índices de CA e IEA coincidiram com os picos parasitêmicos e recidivas, provavelmente pela demanda imunológica, e de reparos teciduais...

Metastatic T-cell lymphoma of unknown primary origin in a dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

Canine lymphoma is a hematopoietic neoplasm that can affect different tissues. Its classification is performed according to cellular morphology, clinical stage, immunophenotyping, and anatomical location. However, in some cases, an oncopathy might be in an advanced stage with a plain organic spread, making it impossible to determine the initially affected tissue, which is a rare situation in animals. Thus, a case of metastatic lymphoma, of unknown primary origin, was described in a four-year-old Rottweiler bitch with multiple nodular subcutaneous proliferations. Hematological, biochemical, thoracic radiography, and abdominal ultrasound tests were performed, as well as a cytopathological examination of subcutaneous lesions and bone marrow. Hematologic findings determined anemia, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia. The thoracic radiography revealed multiple nodular masses. Cytopathological examination revealed infiltration of malignant lymphocytes into the subcutaneous nodules and into the bone marrow. The dog was euthanized and submitted to necroscopic examination, in which multiple nodules were found in the subcutaneous region, lung, pericardium, gastrointestinal tract and in the skeletal musculature, in addition to lymphadenopathy. Fragments of the affected structures were collected for later histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of neoplastic cells compatible with diffuse lymphoma, which was positively immunolabelled for T-cell lymphoma. Based on clinical-pathological findings and other complementary tests, a diagnosis of diffuse T-cell lymphoma of unknown primary origin was made. In order to classify hematopoietic neoplasms, it is essential to perform different laboratory tests. However, determination of origin becomes difficult when such an oncological disease presents an advanced stage.(AU)

Evaluation of animal performance, feed intake, and economic losses in sheep experimentally infected with Trypanosoma vivax / Avaliação do desempenho animal, consumo de alimento e perdas econômicas em ovinos infectados experimentalmente por Trypanosoma vivax

Trypanosoma vivax is a protozoan originating from the African continent, which, although it has not yet been able to complete its biological cycle in South America, due to the absence of the tsetse fly, can still cause death in ruminants. The objective of this study was to verify the effects of T. vivax on the measurements and indices in sheep that characterize animal performance, as well as on economic losses in meat animals. Twenty intact adult male sheep were used for this study, all of approximately the same ages and weights, reared in confinement, and subjected to the same management and diet, which was balanced and supplemented with adequate minerals. The animals were divided into two groups: the control group (CG) and the infected group (IG), which was inoculated intravenously with 1.3 x 105 trypomastigotes of T. vivax. Feed intake was verified daily, whereas the feed conversion (FC), feed efficiency index (FEI), and weight gain were obtained weekly. Total weight gain (TWG) was determined after 70 days post-infection. The economic loss was calculated by subtracting the value obtained (IG) from the expected value (CG), and the difference was expressed as a percentage. A randomized block design was used to isolate the effect of the initial weight. The means were compared by the Student “t” test at 5%. Of the 10 infected animals, one died from the parasitism, yielding a rate much lower than that observed in natural outbreaks. The groups presented similar feed intakes throughout the experimental period; however, the TWG of the infected group was significantly lower (50.7%) than that of the CG. Similarly, the daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion (FC), and feed efficiency index (FEI) of the IG were significantly lower than those of the CG. In addition, the worst rates of FC and FEI coincided with parasitemia peaks and recurrences, probably due to immunological demand and tissue repair...(AU)

O Trypanosoma vivax é um protozoário originário do Continente Africano que mesmo não completando seu ciclo biológico na América do Sul, devido à ausência da mosca tsé-tsé, pode levar ruminantes a óbito. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo verificar, em ovinos infectados, os efeitos do T. vivax em medidas e índices que caracterizam o desempenho animal, bem como perdas econômicas em animais de abate. Para tanto foram utilizados vinte ovinos adultos, machos, inteiros com idade e peso aproximados, criados em confinamento, submetidos ao mesmo manejo e alimentação, sendo esta balanceada e suplementada com minerais adequados. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos: o grupo controle (GC) e o grupo infectado (GI) que foi alcançado pela inoculação endovenosa de 1,3 x 105 tripomastigotas de T. vivax. O consumo de ração foi verificado diariamente, enquanto a conversão alimentar (CA), o índice de eficiência alimentar (IEA) e o ganho de peso foram obtidos semanalmente. O ganho de peso total (GPT) foi obtido ao final de 70 dias pós-infecção. A perda econômica foi obtida subtraindo do valor esperado (GC) do valor obtido (GI), e a diferença exposta em porcentagem. O delineamento utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, para isolar o efeito do peso inicial, foi aplicado o teste “t” de Student a 5% para comparação de médias. A taxa de letalidade do T. vivax em ambiente experimental controlado foi de 10%, taxa muito inferior ao verificado em surtos naturais. Quanto ao consumo de ração, os grupos apresentaram consumo idêntico durante todo o período, todavia, o GPT do grupo infectado foi significativamente inferior, 50,7% menor quando comparado ao GC. Do mesmo modo, o ganho de peso diário (GPD), conversão alimentar (CA) e o índice de eficiência alimentar (IEA) do GI foram significantemente inferiores ao GC. Além disso, os piores índices de CA e IEA coincidiram com os picos parasitêmicos e recidivas, provavelmente pela demanda imunológica, e de reparos teciduais...(AU)

Melanoma digital em um cão / Digital melanoma in a dog

We described a case of melanoma located in the right phalanx in a dog. A defined bitch,11 years old, was referred to the Medical Clinic of the UFCG Veterinary Hospital witha history of increased volume at the distal end of the right thoracic limb. After theclinical evaluation and surgical correction, the material was sent to the Laboratory ofAnimal Pathology (LPA), Veterinary Hospital (HV), Federal University of CampinaGrande (UFCG) PB. Macroscopically, the mass was nodular, skin-coated, measuring10 x 7.0 x 6.5 cm and ulcerated central area 5 cm in diameter. When cutting, it exhibiteda blackish, multilobular and firm surface. Microscopically, a thickly cellular, infiltrativeand non-encapsulated tumor mass was observed in the epidermis. This paper reports acase of digital melanoma, diagnosed by histopathological examination.(AU)

Cytological, histopathological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical findings of multiple cutaneous nodules in a bovine / Achados citológicos, histopatológicos, histoquímicos e imuno-histoquímicos de múltiplas nodulações cutâneas em um bovino

This case study describes the cytological and histopathological findings of cutaneous masses in a bovine, including a peripheral nerve sheath tumor (PNST), vaccine-associated granulomatous inflammation, and eosinophilic inflammation due to parasitosis. A six-year-old undefined cow (SRD) presented with heterogeneous cutaneous lesions including multiple nodules in the left paralumbar fossa, bilaterally at the withers, and scattered along the dorsum, limbs and near the tail; some lesions were associated with ticks. Cytology of these nodules showed benign mesenchymal neoplasia (paralumbar fossa), granulomatous and pyogranulomatous inflammation (withers) and keratin (dorsum). Histopathology, in this order, confirmed PNST, post-vaccination granuloma, and eosinophilic dermatitis. A peripheral nerve sheath tumor was suspected based on the histological findings, showing a well-delineated proliferation of fusiform cells arranged in plexiform structures, which appeared red by Masson's Trichrome stain. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry (anti-S100 antibody). Vaccine reaction often occurs in cattle, and cytological examination is sufficient to determine the inflammatory process. Eosinophilic dermatitis is usually accompanied by perivascular inflammation and reflects the exfoliative process by the oral apparatus of the parasite.

Descrevem-se os achados citológicos e histopatológicos do tumor de bainha de nervo periférico (TBNP), da reação vacinal e da inflamação eosinofílica decorrente dapicada de carrapatoem um bovino. Uma vaca sem raça definida (SRD) de seis anos de idade foi apresentada com diferentes lesões cutâneasnodulares localizadas na fossa paralombar esquerda, bilateralmente na cernelha e dispersos no dorso, membros e próximo à cauda, por vezes associado a carrapatos. Realizou-se citologia e biópsia desses nódulos. Na citologia verificou-se neoplasia mesenquimal benigna (fossa paralombar), inflamação granulomatosa e piogranulomatosa (cernelha) e ceratina (dorso). Na histopatologia, confirmou-se que esses nódulos correspondiam, nessa ordem, a tumor de bainha de nervo periférico, granuloma vacinal e dermatite eosinofílica. O diagnóstico do TBNP foi estabelecido com base nos achados histológicos, que caracterizaram-se por uma proliferação bem delimitada de células fusiformes arranjadas em estruturas plexiformes, corados em vermelho pelo Tricômico de Masson, e confirmado por imuno-histoquímica (anticorpo anti-S100). A reação vacinal ocorre frequentemente em bovinos e o exame citológico é suficiente para determinação do processo inflamatório. Dermatite eosinofílica em geral é acompanhada de inflamação perivascular e perianexal e reflete a ação esfoliativa do