Dry-eye syndrome in Shih Tzu dog: Ocular surface clinical and morphological aspects in the different stages of keratoconjunctivitis sicca / Síndrome do olho seco em Shih Tzu: aspectos clínicos e morfológicos da superfície ocular nas diferentes fases da ceratoconjuntivite seca

ABSTRACT: This study analyzed clinical and cyto-histomorphological parameters of the ocular surface of Shih Tzu dogs, non-carriers and carriers of quantitative keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) at different stages. Thirty-five eyes from 23 male and female Shih Tzu dogs between two and eight years were evaluated in four groups: control group (CG - without KCS), mild KCS group (KCS1), moderate KCS group (KCS2), and severe KCS group (KCS3). Most clinical variables among KCS carrier groups worsened at the more advanced stages of the disease, with a negative correlation between the Schirmer tear test (STT-1) and tear film break-up time (TBUT). Squamous metaplasia, lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate, and decrease in conjunctival goblet cells on histopathological examination comprised disease severity parameters. Quantitative KCS non-carried Shih Tzu dogs have qualitative and tear film distribution changes. The cytomorphological exam is limited to evaluating the inflammatory infiltrate and quantifying conjunctival goblet cells. However, intermediate epithelial cells were higher in healthy eyes compared to eyes with KCS in Shih Tzu dogs. Also, moderate and severe KCS carrier Shih Tzu dogs have qualitative dysfunction of the tear film. KCS in Shih Tzu dogs is common and chronic and may be responsible for the loss of vision of these animals. Early identification of the disease and routine evaluation can improve these dogs' quality of life and ocular health.

RESUMO: Este estudo analizou os parâmetros clinicos e cito-histomorfológicos da superfície ocular de cães da raça Shih Tzu, portadores e não portadores de ceratoconjuntivite seca quantitative (CCS) em diferentes estágios. Trinta e cinco olhos de 23 cães da raça Shih Tzu, machos e fêmeas, entre as idades de dois e oito anos foram avaliados em quatro grupos: grupo controle (GC - sem CCS), grupo CCS inicial (CCS1), grupo CCS moderada (CCS2) e grupo CCS severa (CCS3). A maioria das variáveis clínicas dentro os grupos portadores de CCS pioraram a medida que os estágios da doença avançam, com correlações negativas entre o teste lacrimal de Schirmer (TLS) e o tempo de ruptura do filme lacrimal (TRFL). Metaplasia escamosa, infiltrado inflamatório linfoplasmocítico e diminuição das células caliciformes no exame histopatológico compreenderam parâmetros de severidade da doença. Cães Shih Tzu não portadores de CCS quantitativa tem alterações qualitativas e na distribuição do filme lacrimal. O exame citomorfológico é limitado para a avaliação do infiltrado inflamatório e quantificação de células caliciformes. Entretanto, células inermediárias epiteliais são mais presents nos olhos saudáveis quando comparados aos olhos portadores de CCS em Shih Tzus. Também, Shih Tzus portadores de CCS nos estágios moderados e severos possuem disfunções qualitativas da lágrima. A CCS em Shih Tzu é comum, crônica e pode ser responsável pela perda de visão dos animais. A identificação precoce da doença e avaliações rotineiras podem aumentar a qualidade de vida e a saúde ocular nesses cães.

Role of Nitric Oxide in the Remodelling of Extracellular Matrix in Myxomatous Mitral Valve Degeneration of Dogs and Pigs

Myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MMVD) or endocardiosis is a heart valve disease that occurs in many mammalian species, especially in humans, dogs and pigs. Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the MMVD development. NO can be indirectly evaluated by the nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) expression and by the histochemical reaction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d). The aim of this study was to evaluate NOS activity, by NADPH-d reaction, in the anterior leaflet of dogs with regular mitral valves and in those with MMVD, as well as in young swine and old females, comparing the reaction level with the degree of endocardiosis disease and also the histological alterations. Twelve mitral valves of dogs and 22 of swine were used for the research. All the valves were macroscopically analyzed for the occurrence or not of endocardiosis. They were fixed in a 4% paraformaldehyde, exposed to NADPH-d reaction, routinely processed and microscopically evaluated for the detection of mucopolysaccharides (MPS) deposition, collagen degeneration, fibrosis and level of endocardiosis. In dogs, relation was observed between higher intensity of the NADPH-d reaction, higher endocardiosis degree, MPS deposition as well as the collagen degeneration. No alteration in color was observed in pigs´ valves during NADPH-d reaction. In conclusion, NO works in canine mitral valve remodeling extracellular matrix and plays an important role in endocardiosis disease. In swine, the lack of reaction reinforces the absence of macroscopical endocardiosis lesions, suggesting restrict NO action or major differences in the structures of swine valves.(AU)

Imunofenotipagem e avaliação quantitativa de linfócitos circulantes de bovinos da raça Curraleiro / Immunophenotyping and quantitative evaluation of circulating lymphocytes of cattle of the Curraleiro breed

Este estudo teve por objetivo traçar o perfil imunológico, pela marcação imunocitoquímica e quantificação de linfócitos T e B, de bovinos da raça Curraleiro. Para tal, foram utilizados 116 animais entre machos e fêmeas, de diferentes faixas etárias, provenientes de duas propriedades de criação de gado Curraleiro do Estado de Goiás, sendo alocados em grupos conforme a faixa etária, sexo e origem. As amostras de sangue foram colhidas e processadas para a realização da técnica de imunocitoquímica, sendo utilizados os marcadores linfóides espécie-específicos, anti-CD3 (MM1A-BoCD3) e anti-LB (LCTB16A-clone B-B14), para a quantificação de linfócitos T e B, respectivamente. Inicialmente os dados foram submetidos à estatística descritiva e, posteriormente, aos testes de Kruskall Wallis e Mann-Whitney. Verificou-se que, com o avançar da idade, os níveis de leucócitos, linfócitos, linfócitos T e B diminuíram. Os valores absolutos de leucócitos, linfócitos totais e linfócitos T foram maiores nos machos. Nenhum dos parâmetros avaliados sofreu influência em relação à qualidade do manejo nas propriedades.(AU)

The aim of this study was to establish an immunological profile by marking and quantification of T and B lymphocytes in Curraleiro breed by immunocytochemistry. A total of 116 cattle was used, males and females of different ages, from two farms situated in the Goiás State, Brazil. The animals were allotted into groups according to age, sex and origin. Blood samples were collected and processed in accordance with immunocytochemistry standard technique using lymphoid markers species-specific, as anti-CD3 (MM1A - BoCD3) and anti-LB (LCTB16A-clone B-B14), for T and B lymphocyte counting, respectively. The data were submitted to descriptive statistics, and to Kruskall Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. The results showed decreased levels of leukocytes, lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes along the age advance. Absolute values of leukocytes, lymphocytes and T lymphocytes were higher in males than females. None of the evaluated parameters were affected by differences of the management carried out at the two farms.(AU)