Pulmonary choristoma in a new-born calf with multiple cranial and nervous malformations / Coristoma pulmonar em um bezerro recém-nascido com múltiplas malformações cranianas e neurológicas

Multiple congenital malformations can occur concomitantly in several species since the anomaly in one organ may lead directly to the malformation of another. Additionally, the etiology is not always clarified. Choristoma refers to an ectopic tissue that is histologically normal in an abnormal location. A case of pulmonary and nodal choristoma associated with cranioschisis, hydrocephalus, and syringomyelia in a new-born calf is reported here. Clinically, the calf had a mass in the frontal region of the head associated with local bone deformation. At necropsy, there was cranioschisis in the junction of the frontal bones and a 14 × 10 × 7 cm mass, grossly consistent with well-differentiated pulmonary tissue covered by skin, covering the opening between the frontal bones, and extending into the cranial cavity, leading to local cerebral compression. With the pulmonary choristoma, there was a well-differentiated lymphoid tissue. Additionally, in the central nervous system, there was severe hydrocephalus involving lateral ventricles and multiple areas of syringomyelia in the spinal cord.

Múltiplas malformações congênitas podem ocorrer concomitantemente em diversas espécies, uma vez que a anomalia em um órgão pode diretamente acarretar a malformação de outro. Ainda, a etiologia envolvida nem sempre é identificada. Coristomas são caracterizados por tecido ectópico histologicamente normal em uma localização anômala. Um caso de coristoma pulmonar e nodal associado a craniosquise, hidrocefalia e siringomielia em um bezerro recém-nascido é descrito neste trabalho. Clinicamente, o bezerro apresentava uma massa na região frontal da cabeça associada a deformação óssea local. No exame de necropsia, havia craniosquise na junção dos ossos frontais e tecido pulmonar bem diferenciado recoberto por pele, medindo 14 x 10 x 7 cm, recobrindo a abertura entre os ossos frontais e adentrando a cavidade craniana, acarretando o achatamento do córtex cerebral adjacente. Juntamente com o tecido pulmonar, havia um nódulo composto por tecido linfoide bem diferenciado. Adicionalmente, no sistema nervoso central, havia hidrocefalia severa envolvendo os ventrículos laterais e múltiplas áreas de siringomielia na medula espinhal.

Major cardiac defects in cattle in southern Brazil: retrospective study of necropsies over 20 years (2000-2019) / Principais defeitos cardíacos em bovinos no sul do Brasil: estudo retrospectivo de necropsias em 20 anos (2000-2019)

Cardiac malformations are reported to be relatively rare in bovine species, with ventricular septal defects being the most common abnormality observed predominantly in young calves. This report aims to describe the cardiac malformations observed in bovids and review the literature related to those malformations in this species. The necropsy reports of 1,783 bovids were reviewed, and 0.4% were diagnosed with a cardiac congenital defect. The most common cardiac congenital malformation detected in this study was ventricular septal defect, observed alone or associated with other anomalies (in one case, as part of tetralogy of Fallot); followed by atrial septal defect, also alone or with other cardiac malformations. Secondary findings in the lungs and liver were observed in 75% of all cases. Histologic cardiac lesions were identified in 25% of all cases, characterized mainly by fibrosis. Other congenital malformations in different organs were observed in 25% of the cases. Considering the importance of cardiac congenital malformations observed in this study, these conditions should be considered as a differential diagnosis for calves who died with no specific clinical signs. Furthermore, macroscopic evaluation is crucial for the diagnosis of cardiac congenital malformations.

Malformações cardíacas são descritas como relativamente raras para bovinos, e defeitos do septo interventricular são as anomalias mais observadas em bezerros. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever os casos de malformações cardíacas observadas em bovinos e uma revisão de literatura sobre estas malformações nesta espécie. Os relatórios de necropsia de 1.783 bovinos foram revisados, e 0,4% destes foram diagnosticados com defeitos cardíacos congênitos. A malformação cardíaca congênita mais diagnosticada neste estudo foi defeito do septo interventricular, observado sozinho ou associado a outras anomalias (em um caso de tetralogia de Fallot); seguida de defeito no septo interatrial, também observado sozinho ou juntamente com outras malformações cardíacas. Lesões secundárias nos pulmões e fígado foram observadas em 75% dos casos. As alterações histológicas no coração, visualizadas em 25% dos casos, foram caracterizadas principalmente por fibrose. Outras malformações congênitas em diferentes órgãos foram identificadas em 25% dos casos. Considerando a importância de malformações cardíacas congênitas observadas neste estudo, estas condições devem ser consideradas como diagnósticos diferenciais para bezerros que morrem sem sinais clínicos específicos. Adicionalmente, a avaliação macroscópica é fundamental para o diagnóstico de malformações cardíacas congênitas.

Major cardiac defects in cattle in southern Brazil: retrospective study of necropsies over 20 years (2000-2019) / Principais defeitos cardíacos em bovinos no sul do Brasil: estudo retrospectivo de necropsias em 20 anos (2000-2019)

ABSTRACT: Cardiac malformations are reported to be relatively rare in bovine species, with ventricular septal defects being the most common abnormality observed predominantly in young calves. This report aims to describe the cardiac malformations observed in bovids and review the literature related to those malformations in this species. The necropsy reports of 1,783 bovids were reviewed, and 0.4% were diagnosed with a cardiac congenital defect. The most common cardiac congenital malformation detected in this study was ventricular septal defect, observed alone or associated with other anomalies (in one case, as part of tetralogy of Fallot); followed by atrial septal defect, also alone or with other cardiac malformations. Secondary findings in the lungs and liver were observed in 75% of all cases. Histologic cardiac lesions were identified in 25% of all cases, characterized mainly by fibrosis. Other congenital malformations in different organs were observed in 25% of the cases. Considering the importance of cardiac congenital malformations observed in this study, these conditions should be considered as a differential diagnosis for calves who died with no specific clinical signs. Furthermore, macroscopic evaluation is crucial for the diagnosis of cardiac congenital malformations.

RESUMO: Malformações cardíacas são descritas como relativamente raras para bovinos, e defeitos do septo interventricular são as anomalias mais observadas em bezerros. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever os casos de malformações cardíacas observadas em bovinos e uma revisão de literatura sobre estas malformações nesta espécie. Os relatórios de necropsia de 1.783 bovinos foram revisados, e 0,4% destes foram diagnosticados com defeitos cardíacos congênitos. A malformação cardíaca congênita mais diagnosticada neste estudo foi defeito do septo interventricular, observado sozinho ou associado a outras anomalias (em um caso de tetralogia de Fallot); seguida de defeito no septo interatrial, também observado sozinho ou juntamente com outras malformações cardíacas. Lesões secundárias nos pulmões e fígado foram observadas em 75% dos casos. As alterações histológicas no coração, visualizadas em 25% dos casos, foram caracterizadas principalmente por fibrose. Outras malformações congênitas em diferentes órgãos foram identificadas em 25% dos casos. Considerando a importância de malformações cardíacas congênitas observadas neste estudo, estas condições devem ser consideradas como diagnósticos diferenciais para bezerros que morrem sem sinais clínicos específicos. Adicionalmente, a avaliação macroscópica é fundamental para o diagnóstico de malformações cardíacas congênitas.

Major cardiac defects in cattle in southern Brazil: retrospective study of necropsies over 20 years (2000-2019) / Principais defeitos cardíacos em bovinos no sul do Brasil: estudo retrospectivo de necropsias em 20 anos (2000-2019)

Cardiac malformations are reported to be relatively rare in bovine species, with ventricular septal defects being the most common abnormality observed predominantly in young calves. This report aims to describe the cardiac malformations observed in bovids and review the literature related to those malformations in this species. The necropsy reports of 1,783 bovids were reviewed, and 0.4% were diagnosed with a cardiac congenital defect. The most common cardiac congenital malformation detected in this study was ventricular septal defect, observed alone or associated with other anomalies (in one case, as part of tetralogy of Fallot); followed by atrial septal defect, also alone or with other cardiac malformations. Secondary findings in the lungs and liver were observed in 75% of all cases. Histologic cardiac lesions were identified in 25% of all cases, characterized mainly by fibrosis. Other congenital malformations in different organs were observed in 25% of the cases. Considering the importance of cardiac congenital malformations observed in this study, these conditions should be considered as a differential diagnosis for calves who died with no specific clinical signs. Furthermore, macroscopic evaluation is crucial for the diagnosis of cardiac congenital malformations.(AU)

Malformações cardíacas são descritas como relativamente raras para bovinos, e defeitos do septo interventricular são as anomalias mais observadas em bezerros. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever os casos de malformações cardíacas observadas em bovinos e uma revisão de literatura sobre estas malformações nesta espécie. Os relatórios de necropsia de 1.783 bovinos foram revisados, e 0,4% destes foram diagnosticados com defeitos cardíacos congênitos. A malformação cardíaca congênita mais diagnosticada neste estudo foi defeito do septo interventricular, observado sozinho ou associado a outras anomalias (em um caso de tetralogia de Fallot); seguida de defeito no septo interatrial, também observado sozinho ou juntamente com outras malformações cardíacas. Lesões secundárias nos pulmões e fígado foram observadas em 75% dos casos. As alterações histológicas no coração, visualizadas em 25% dos casos, foram caracterizadas principalmente por fibrose. Outras malformações congênitas em diferentes órgãos foram identificadas em 25% dos casos. Considerando a importância de malformações cardíacas congênitas observadas neste estudo, estas condições devem ser consideradas como diagnósticos diferenciais para bezerros que morrem sem sinais clínicos específicos. Adicionalmente, a avaliação macroscópica é fundamental para o diagnóstico de malformações cardíacas congênitas.(AU)

Hemorrhagic stroke in a dog with anaplastic carcinoma of the mammary gland

Background: Anaplastic carcinoma of the mammary gland is considered a highly invasive and malignant neoplasia, whichusually leads to neoplastic thrombosis and epidermal ulceration due to invasiveness of lymphatic vessels by tumor emboli.Loss of epidermal barrier predisposes to secondary bacterial infection, mainly by commensal bacteria of the skin, andsepticemia can be observed in cases of systemic dissemination. Neoplastic emboli and septic thrombi can lead to vascularobstruction, which can predispose to infarction in multiple organs. The aim of this case report is to describe a case ofhemorrhagic stroke in a dog with anaplastic carcinoma of the mammary gland.Case: A 12-year-old, mixed breed, female spayed canine presented with mammary tumor with plaque formation, associatedwith skin ulceration which extended to the medial region of pelvic limbs. The animal also displayed neurologic clinicalsigns characterized by stupor, opisthotonos and apathy. Due to poor prognosis, the canine was euthanized and submittedto necropsy. During external examination, the animal was in a good body condition, had moderately pale mucosae, andit was noted a nodular plaque in the abdominal ventral area extending from thoracic to inguinal mammary gland. Themass was firm and white, extensively ulcerated, and extending from the thoracic to inguinal mammary gland. There wasa well circumscribed area of infarction in the spleen and kidney. In the cerebral cortex it was observed an extensive areaof hemorrhage with adhered blood clot from frontal to temporal lobe. There were multiple well circumscribed, firm, andwhite areas in the myocardium. Histologically, the neoplastic proliferation was composed by epithelial cells with high pleomorphism, features of malignancy, and no delimitations, leading to the diagnosis of anaplastic carcinoma of the mammarygland. Admixed with tumor cells there were multiple areas of hemorrhage, necrosis and thrombosis...

Hemorrhagic stroke in a dog with anaplastic carcinoma of the mammary gland

Background: Anaplastic carcinoma of the mammary gland is considered a highly invasive and malignant neoplasia, whichusually leads to neoplastic thrombosis and epidermal ulceration due to invasiveness of lymphatic vessels by tumor emboli.Loss of epidermal barrier predisposes to secondary bacterial infection, mainly by commensal bacteria of the skin, andsepticemia can be observed in cases of systemic dissemination. Neoplastic emboli and septic thrombi can lead to vascularobstruction, which can predispose to infarction in multiple organs. The aim of this case report is to describe a case ofhemorrhagic stroke in a dog with anaplastic carcinoma of the mammary gland.Case: A 12-year-old, mixed breed, female spayed canine presented with mammary tumor with plaque formation, associatedwith skin ulceration which extended to the medial region of pelvic limbs. The animal also displayed neurologic clinicalsigns characterized by stupor, opisthotonos and apathy. Due to poor prognosis, the canine was euthanized and submittedto necropsy. During external examination, the animal was in a good body condition, had moderately pale mucosae, andit was noted a nodular plaque in the abdominal ventral area extending from thoracic to inguinal mammary gland. Themass was firm and white, extensively ulcerated, and extending from the thoracic to inguinal mammary gland. There wasa well circumscribed area of infarction in the spleen and kidney. In the cerebral cortex it was observed an extensive areaof hemorrhage with adhered blood clot from frontal to temporal lobe. There were multiple well circumscribed, firm, andwhite areas in the myocardium. Histologically, the neoplastic proliferation was composed by epithelial cells with high pleomorphism, features of malignancy, and no delimitations, leading to the diagnosis of anaplastic carcinoma of the mammarygland. Admixed with tumor cells there were multiple areas of hemorrhage, necrosis and thrombosis...(AU)

Brachial plexus in the Leopardus geoffroyi / Plexo braquial do Leopardus geoffroyi

Six thoracic limbs from four Leopardus geoffroyi specimens were dissected in order to describe origin and distribution of nerves forming the brachial plexuses. The brachial plexus is a result of connections between ventral branches of the last four cervical nerves (C5, C6, C7 and C8) and the first thoracic nerve (T1). These branches are the origin of the suprascapularis, subscapularis, axillary, musculocutaneous, radial, median and ulnar nerves to the intrinsic musculature, and form the brachiocephalicus, thoracodorsal, lateral thoracic, long thoracic, cranial pectoral and caudal pectoral nerves to the extrinsic musculature. The C7 ventral branch is mainly responsible for formation of nerves (70.5%), followed by C8 (47.4%), C6 (29.5%), T1 (19.2%) and C5 (7.7%). From 78 dissected nerves, 65.4% of nerves resulted from a combination of two or three branches, while only 34.6% of nerves originated from a single branch. Through comparison with other carnivoran species, the origin and innervation area of the Geoffroyi’s Cat brachial plexus were most similar to those of the domestic cat, particularly among those nerves extended to the intrinsic musculature. The results of this study suggest that nerve block techniques currently used in dogs and cats might be efficient in Geoffroyi’s Cat too.

Seis membros torácicos de quatro espécimes de Leopardus geoffroyi foram dissecados para descrever a origem e a distribuição dos nervos formadores do plexo braquial. O plexo braquial resultou das conexões entre os ramos ventrais dos últimos quatro ramos ventrais cervicais (C5, C6, C7 e C8) e do primeiro torácico (T1). Estes ramos formaram os nervos supra-escapular, subescapular, axilar, musculocutâneo, radial, mediano e ulnar para os músculos intrínsecos e originaram os nervos braquiocefálico, toracodorsal, torácico lateral, torácico longo, peitoral cranial e peitoral caudal para os músculos extrínsecos. O ramo ventral de C7 foi o que mais contribuiu para a formação dos nervos do plexo (70,5%), seguido por C8 (47,4%), C6 (29,5%), T1 (19,2%) e C5 (7,7%). Entre os 78 nervos dissecados, 65,4% resultaram da combinação de dois ou mais ramos, enquanto apenas 34,6% se originaram de um único ramo. Em comparação com outras espécies da ordem Carnivora, a origem e área de inervação do plexo braquial do gato-do-mato-grande se assemelhou mais com a do gato doméstico, especialmente no tocante aos nervos destinados à musculatura intrínseca. Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem que técnicas de bloqueio nervoso atualmente empregadas em cães e gatos podem ser também eficientes no gato-do-mato-grande.

Brachial plexus in the Leopardus geoffroyi / Plexo braquial do Leopardus geoffroyi

Six thoracic limbs from four Leopardus geoffroyi specimens were dissected in order to describe origin and distribution of nerves forming the brachial plexuses. The brachial plexus is a result of connections between ventral branches of the last four cervical nerves (C5, C6, C7 and C8) and the first thoracic nerve (T1). These branches are the origin of the suprascapularis, subscapularis, axillary, musculocutaneous, radial, median and ulnar nerves to the intrinsic musculature, and form the brachiocephalicus, thoracodorsal, lateral thoracic, long thoracic, cranial pectoral and caudal pectoral nerves to the extrinsic musculature. The C7 ventral branch is mainly responsible for formation of nerves (70.5%), followed by C8 (47.4%), C6 (29.5%), T1 (19.2%) and C5 (7.7%). From 78 dissected nerves, 65.4% of nerves resulted from a combination of two or three branches, while only 34.6% of nerves originated from a single branch. Through comparison with other carnivoran species, the origin and innervation area of the Geoffroyis Cat brachial plexus were most similar to those of the domestic cat, particularly among those nerves extended to the intrinsic musculature. The results of this study suggest that nerve block techniques currently used in dogs and cats might be efficient in Geoffroyis Cat too.(AU)

Seis membros torácicos de quatro espécimes de Leopardus geoffroyi foram dissecados para descrever a origem e a distribuição dos nervos formadores do plexo braquial. O plexo braquial resultou das conexões entre os ramos ventrais dos últimos quatro ramos ventrais cervicais (C5, C6, C7 e C8) e do primeiro torácico (T1). Estes ramos formaram os nervos supra-escapular, subescapular, axilar, musculocutâneo, radial, mediano e ulnar para os músculos intrínsecos e originaram os nervos braquiocefálico, toracodorsal, torácico lateral, torácico longo, peitoral cranial e peitoral caudal para os músculos extrínsecos. O ramo ventral de C7 foi o que mais contribuiu para a formação dos nervos do plexo (70,5%), seguido por C8 (47,4%), C6 (29,5%), T1 (19,2%) e C5 (7,7%). Entre os 78 nervos dissecados, 65,4% resultaram da combinação de dois ou mais ramos, enquanto apenas 34,6% se originaram de um único ramo. Em comparação com outras espécies da ordem Carnivora, a origem e área de inervação do plexo braquial do gato-do-mato-grande se assemelhou mais com a do gato doméstico, especialmente no tocante aos nervos destinados à musculatura intrínseca. Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem que técnicas de bloqueio nervoso atualmente empregadas em cães e gatos podem ser também eficientes no gato-do-mato-grande.(AU)

Outbreak of bovine herpetic meningoencephalomyelitis in Southern Brazil

Background: Herpetic meningoencephalitis is an infectious contagious disease worldwide distributed, most often caused by bovine alphaherpesvirus type 5 (BoHV-5), although bovine alphaherpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) may occasionally be the causative agent. The disease is characterized by subacute to acute clinical onset, often affecting animals submitted to stressful situations. Clinical signs are mainly neurologic due to meningoencephalitis and cortical necrosis. The involvement of the spinal cord has also been reported, however in BoHV-1 associated disease only. The aim of this report is to describe an outbreak of bovine meningoencephalomyelitis associated to BoHV-5.Case: In August 2017, nine 1-year-old calves died in a beef cattle farm with a flock of approximately 400 bovines. The animals presented neurological clinical signs characterized by excessive salivation, nasal and ocular discharges, incoordination, apathy, head tremors, head pressing, wide-based stance, recumbency followed by convulsions and paddling. According to the owner and referring veterinarian, affected animals displayed severe clinical signs with rapid progression and often leading to death in up to seven days. Four of these calves were submitted for necropsy, and gross lesions were present in the brain, characterized by mild to moderate multifocal hemorrhagic and soft areas. On cut surface, extensive areas of dark brown discoloration and malacia were observed. Histologically, lesions were characterized by extensive areas of liquefactive necrosis in the cerebral cortex grey matter, associated with inflammatory infiltrates composed of neutrophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells and foamy macrophages, as well as multifocal to coalescing areas of hemorrhage and fibrin deposition. Intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies were rarely observed in neurons and astrocytes. On leptomeninges, there was diffuse inflammatory infiltrates of lymphocytes and plasma cells.[...]

Outbreak of bovine herpetic meningoencephalomyelitis in Southern Brazil

Background: Herpetic meningoencephalitis is an infectious contagious disease worldwide distributed, most often caused by bovine alphaherpesvirus type 5 (BoHV-5), although bovine alphaherpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) may occasionally be the causative agent. The disease is characterized by subacute to acute clinical onset, often affecting animals submitted to stressful situations. Clinical signs are mainly neurologic due to meningoencephalitis and cortical necrosis. The involvement of the spinal cord has also been reported, however in BoHV-1 associated disease only. The aim of this report is to describe an outbreak of bovine meningoencephalomyelitis associated to BoHV-5.Case: In August 2017, nine 1-year-old calves died in a beef cattle farm with a flock of approximately 400 bovines. The animals presented neurological clinical signs characterized by excessive salivation, nasal and ocular discharges, incoordination, apathy, head tremors, head pressing, wide-based stance, recumbency followed by convulsions and paddling. According to the owner and referring veterinarian, affected animals displayed severe clinical signs with rapid progression and often leading to death in up to seven days. Four of these calves were submitted for necropsy, and gross lesions were present in the brain, characterized by mild to moderate multifocal hemorrhagic and soft areas. On cut surface, extensive areas of dark brown discoloration and malacia were observed. Histologically, lesions were characterized by extensive areas of liquefactive necrosis in the cerebral cortex grey matter, associated with inflammatory infiltrates composed of neutrophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells and foamy macrophages, as well as multifocal to coalescing areas of hemorrhage and fibrin deposition. Intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies were rarely observed in neurons and astrocytes. On leptomeninges, there was diffuse inflammatory infiltrates of lymphocytes and plasma cells.[...](AU)