Outbreak of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania enriettii in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) / Surto de leishmaniose causada por Leishmania enriettii em cobaias (Cavia porcellus)

We describe an outbreak of leishmaniasis in seven guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) in which nodular ulcerated skin lesions of varying sizes were observed in the nasal cavity, upper lip, pinnae, vulva, and periarticular region of the limbs. Cytologic exam of collected samples of the lesions in the auricle of one of the animals revealed macrophages containing parasitophorous vacuoles of approximately 4.0μm in diameter in their cytoplasm with morphology suggestive of Leishmania sp. Although skin lesions spontaneously regressed in two of the Guinea pigs, only one survived. All six animals that died were necropsied. Grossly, all animals showed bloody nodular cutaneous lesions with crusts. One of the guinea pigs had distended dark red and firm lungs. Histopathology of the skin lesions revealed histiocytic interstitial acanthotic dermatitis associated with a myriad of Leishmania organisms within macrophages cytoplasm. In the lung, the lesions were characteristic of broncho-interstitial pneumonia with focal infiltrates of neutrophils, epithelioid macrophages, and multinucleated giant cells containing 2µm basophilic amastigotes with morphology compatible with Leishmania spp. A focal granulomatous lesion ,associated with the causal agent in the lung is a novel description of leishmaniasis in guinea pigs caused by L. enriettii. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique with mini-exon primer performed in samples of lesions from two affected guinea pigs was positive and equal to the reference strain, identifying Leishmania enriettii. The cytological, macroscopic, and histological lesions associated with the PCR technique allowed the diagnosis of leishmaniasis and the identification of the specie L. enriettii.

Descrevemos um surto de leishmaniose em sete cobaias (Cavia porcellus), com lesões cutâneas nodulares ulceradas de tamanhos variados observadas na cavidade nasal, lábio superior, pavilhões auriculares, vulva e região periarticular dos membros. No exame citológico foram encontrados macrófagos contendo vacúolos parasitóforos no citoplasma de aproximadamente 4.0μm em diâmetro com morfologia sugestiva de Leishmania sp. Apesar de regressão espontânea das lesões cutâneas terem ocorrido em duas das sete cobaias, apenas um sobreviveu. Seis dos sete animais afetados morreram e foram necropsiados. Macroscopicamente, todos os animais apresentaram lesões cutâneas nodulares, crostosas e sanguinolentas. Uma das cobaias tinha pulmões vermelho-escuros, distendidos e firmes. A histopatologia das lesões cutâneas revelou dermatite acantótica intersticial histiocítica associada a miríades de organismos de Leishmania no citoplasma de macrófagos. Nos pulmões as lesões eram características de pneumonia bronco-intersticial com infiltrado focal de neutrófilos, eosinófilos, macrófagos epitelioides e células gigantes multinucleadas contendo amastigotas basofílicos de 2µm com morfologia compatível com Leishmania spp. Lesões granulomatosas focais associadas ao agente no pulmão são um achado inédito na leishmaniose causada por L. enriettii em cobaias. A técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) com primer mini-exon realizada em amostras de lesões de duas cobaias afetadas foi positiva, identificando Leishmania enriettii. Os aspectos macroscópicos, citológicos, e histológicos associados à técnica da (PCR), permitiram o diagnóstico da leishmaniose e a identificação da espécie L. enriettii.

Torção uterina associada à piometra aberta em cadela / Uterine torsion associated with open pyometra in a bitch

Background: Pyometra or pyometritis is a serious and common condition of intact female dogs characterized by the inflammation of the uterus with a buildup of purulent exudate. It may be classified as open or closed. If untreated, pyometracan lead to uterine rupture and sepsis. Pyometra may also predispose to uterine torsion, defined as a rotation of one orboth uterine horns around its longitudinal axis. Uterine torsion in female dogs is rare, and usually with late pregnancy orparturition. This case report describes the clinical presentation and therapeutic management of uterine torsion correlatedwith open pyometra in a non-gravid bitch with no history of exogenous progesterone exposure.Case: A 10-year-old intact Yorkshire Terrier bitch weighing 3.2 kg was referred to a veterinary clinic in Porto Alegre,Brazil, with a 7 day history of prostration, anorexia, polydipsia, and sanguinopurulent vulvar discharge. Physical examination revealed pronounced abdominal tenderness. On abdominal ultrasonography, the uterus was enlarged and filled withcellular anechoic content, suggestive of pyometra. A complete blood count showed mild microcytic normochromic anemiaand leukocytosis. The animal was stabilized and an urgent ovariohysterectomy was performed. Preanesthetic analgesiaconsisted of subcutaneous methadone 0.3 mg/kg. Anesthesia was induced with propofol 3 mg/kg i.v. and maintained withinhaled isoflurane. During the procedure, significant enlargement of the left uterine horn and slight enlargement of theright uterine horn were observed. In addition, a torsion was identified near the left ovary, with copious sanguinopurulentsecretion. The animal remained under observation and fluid therapy for 48 h after the procedure and was discharged topostoperative follow-up. After discharge, the following treatment was medicine, local cleaning and rest for 14 days. Concluding...

Torção uterina associada à piometra aberta em cadela / Uterine torsion associated with open pyometra in a bitch

Background: Pyometra or pyometritis is a serious and common condition of intact female dogs characterized by the inflammation of the uterus with a buildup of purulent exudate. It may be classified as open or closed. If untreated, pyometracan lead to uterine rupture and sepsis. Pyometra may also predispose to uterine torsion, defined as a rotation of one orboth uterine horns around its longitudinal axis. Uterine torsion in female dogs is rare, and usually with late pregnancy orparturition. This case report describes the clinical presentation and therapeutic management of uterine torsion correlatedwith open pyometra in a non-gravid bitch with no history of exogenous progesterone exposure.Case: A 10-year-old intact Yorkshire Terrier bitch weighing 3.2 kg was referred to a veterinary clinic in Porto Alegre,Brazil, with a 7 day history of prostration, anorexia, polydipsia, and sanguinopurulent vulvar discharge. Physical examination revealed pronounced abdominal tenderness. On abdominal ultrasonography, the uterus was enlarged and filled withcellular anechoic content, suggestive of pyometra. A complete blood count showed mild microcytic normochromic anemiaand leukocytosis. The animal was stabilized and an urgent ovariohysterectomy was performed. Preanesthetic analgesiaconsisted of subcutaneous methadone 0.3 mg/kg. Anesthesia was induced with propofol 3 mg/kg i.v. and maintained withinhaled isoflurane. During the procedure, significant enlargement of the left uterine horn and slight enlargement of theright uterine horn were observed. In addition, a torsion was identified near the left ovary, with copious sanguinopurulentsecretion. The animal remained under observation and fluid therapy for 48 h after the procedure and was discharged topostoperative follow-up. After discharge, the following treatment was medicine, local cleaning and rest for 14 days. Concluding...(AU)