Tetanus in a canine: clinical and therapeutic aspects / Tétano em um canino: aspectos clínicos e terapêuticos

Tetanus is a serious and rare disease in small animals, of an acute nature and mediated by the action of the neurotoxin tetanospasmin, from the bacillus Clostridium tetani. This report describes a case of tetanus in a canine, with emphasis on its clinical and therapeutic aspects, in addition to its clinical recovery. A canine, female, Pitbull breed, five months old, in status epilepticus, was attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Passo Fundo. After stabilizing the patient, the animal was found in a trestle position, with generalized spastic paralysis, risus sardonicus, trismus, erect tail and ears, and difficulty in expanding the thorax. The presumptive diagnosis of tetanus was established based on the anamnesis, clinical signs, and laboratory findings. The established supportive treatment included hydro electrolytic replacement, antitetanus serum, antibiotic therapy, analgesia, myorelaxant and anticonvulsant drugs. The patient's intensive management was carried out with urethral and gastroesophageal probing, changes of position every two hours, and reduction of environmental stimuli. Physiotherapy and acupuncture were also used to complement the treatment and accelerate recovery. The patient was discharged one month after the beginning of the treatment, presenting satisfactory evolution. In the present case, the clinical examination in association with the characteristic clinical signs of the disease, added to the detailed anamnesis, was essential for the presumptive diagnosis of tetanus. In addition, intensive management, drug treatment, physiotherapy, and acupuncture enabled the evolution of the clinical condition to cure.

O tétano é uma doença grave e rara em pequenos animais, de caráter agudo e mediada pela ação da neurotoxina tetanospasmina, proveniente do bacilo Clostridium tetani. Neste relato descreve-se um caso de tétano em um canino, com ênfase em seus aspectos clínicos e terapêuticos, além da sua recuperação clínica. Foi atendido no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade de Passo Fundo, um canino, fêmea, da raça Pitbull, com cinco meses, em status epilepticus. Após a estabilização da paciente, constataram-se animal em posição de cavalete, com paralisia espástica generalizada, risus sardonicus, trismo, cauda e orelhas eretas e dificuldade em expandir o tórax. O diagnóstico presuntivo de tétano foi firmado a partir da anamnese, sinais clínicos e achados laboratoriais. O tratamento suporte estabelecido incluiu reposição hidroeletrolítica, soro antitetânico, antibioticoterapia, analgesia, fármacos miorrelaxantes e anticonvulsivantes. O manejo intensivo da paciente foi realizado com sondagem uretral e nasoesofágica, trocas de decúbito a cada duas horas e diminuição de estímulos ambientais. A fisioterapia e a acupuntura também foram utilizadas para complementar o tratamento e acelerar a recuperação. A paciente recebeu alta médica um mês após o início do tratamento, apresentando evolução satisfatória. No presente caso, o exame clínico em associação aos sinais clínicos característicos da doença, acrescidos da anamnese minuciosa foram fundamentais ao diagnóstico presuntivo de tétano. Além disso, o manejo intensivo, o tratamento medicamentoso, assim como a realização de fisioterapia e acupuntura, possibilitaram a evolução do quadro clínico à cura.

Hemitireoidectomia por carcinoma em equino / Equine carcinoma hemithyroidectomy

Background: In horses, the thyroid gland is located slightly caudal to the larynx and dorsolaterally between the third and sixth tracheal ring, adjacent to the thyroid, there are four small glands called parathyroid glands. In the clinical routine of horses, thyropathies are difficult to be diagnosed, as they have a silent evolution. Thyroid neoplasia is the most common finding in horses, usually unilateral and normally present in older animals. The present study reports a case of equine thyroid carcinoma and its systemic clinical effects, which was successfully treated by means of hemitieroidectomy. Case: A 12-year-old male mixed breed horse weighing 436 kg, was admitted to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the FZEA/USP with the main complaint of volume increase in the right ventrolateral region of the neck, difficulty in swallowing, significant weight loss and weakness of the pelvic limbs. On inspection, there was an increase in volume in the topographic region of the thyroid gland and on palpation, there was a firm mass, with delimited edges, with a smooth, mobile surface, without increasing the temperature and without pain. The animal was sent for ultrasound examination, which revealed a delimited mass, with an apparent capsule around it, differentiated and disorganized cellularity with small hypoechoic points of liquid inside the structure, with no apparent vascularization inside the mass. These findings, associated with the anatomical location of the mass, were consistent with thyroid tissue. The clinical signs commonly observed in thyroid neoformations are respiratory stridor, decreased performance, difficulty in swallowing and suffocation. As there was a compromised diet and weight gain, as well as athletic performance, he chose to have a hemithyroidectomy. After surgery, histopathology of the tissue was performed and thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed. Postoperatively, the animal was medicated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and anti-tetanus serum, after 10 days the stitches were removed and the animal was discharged. Discussion: Neoplasia is the most frequent cause of progressive thyroid growth and in case of suspicion of thyroid disorders, thin needle aspiration (FNAB) is recommended and, later, histopathological examination, which is considered the gold standard for diagnosis pathologies of the thyroid gland. In the present case, no FNAB or preoperative histopathological examination was performed due to the time required to obtain the result, associated with difficulty in swallowing and significant weight loss, which required immediate removal of the mass. Considering that the ultrasound examination revealed the absence of noble structures or important vascularization very close to or adhered to the mass, its removal prior to the histopathological examination was indicated. As there was compromised feeding and weight gain, he opted for hemithyroidectomy, the recommended treatment for unilateral tumors in horses. When performing a hemithyroidectomy, it should be remembered that the parathyroid glands accompany the thyroid and are located in its posterior portion, in the pre tracheal region, with its variable final position. With this variation in topography, the identification of parathyroid glands becomes challenging and, consequently, after thyroidectomy, a portion of parathyroid glands stops operating, and this fact is marked clinically by hypocalcemia and its consequences. In this case described, in which the animal had a tumor in thyroid tissue, possibly the parathyroid functions were also altered, which probably reflected in the lameness in the pelvic limbs. It is concluded that partial hemithyroidectomy in horses is an easy procedure to perform and has favorable results in relation to prognosis and quality of life.

Quality of horse F(ab)2 antitoxins and antirabies immunoglobulins: protein content and anticomplementary activity

Background Among other applications, immunotherapy is used for the post-exposure treatment and/or prophylaxis of important infectious diseases, such as botulism, diphtheria, tetanus and rabies. The effectiveness of serum therapy is widely proven, but improvements on the immunoglobulin purification process and on the quality control are necessary to reduce the amount of protein aggregates. These may trigger adverse reactions in patients by activating the complement system and inducing the generation of anaphylatoxins. Herein, we used immunochemical methods to predict the quality of horse F(ab)2 anti-botulinum AB, anti-diphtheric, antitetanic and anti-rabies immunoglobulins, in terms of amount of proteins and protein aggregates. Methods Samples were submitted to protein quantification, SDS-PAGE, Western blot analysis and molecular exclusion chromatography. The anticomplementary activity was determined in vitro by detecting the production of C5a/C5a desArg, the most potent anaphylatoxin. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post-test, and differences were considered statistically significant when p 0.05. Results Horse F(ab)2 antitoxins and anti-rabies immunoglobulin preparations presented different amounts of protein. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analyses revealed the presence of protein aggregates, non-immunoglobulin contaminants and, unexpectedly, IgG whole molecules in the samples, indicating the non-complete digestion of immunoglobulins. The chromatographic profiles of antitoxins and anti-rabies immunoglobulins allowed to estimate the percentage of contaminants and aggregates in the samples. Although protein aggregates were present, the samples were not able to induce the generation of C5a/C5a desArg in vitro, indicating that they probably contain acceptable levels of aggregates...(AU)

Quality of horse F(ab)2 antitoxins and antirabies immunoglobulins: protein content and anticomplementary activity

Background Among other applications, immunotherapy is used for the post-exposure treatment and/or prophylaxis of important infectious diseases, such as botulism, diphtheria, tetanus and rabies. The effectiveness of serum therapy is widely proven, but improvements on the immunoglobulin purification process and on the quality control are necessary to reduce the amount of protein aggregates. These may trigger adverse reactions in patients by activating the complement system and inducing the generation of anaphylatoxins. Herein, we used immunochemical methods to predict the quality of horse F(ab)2 anti-botulinum AB, anti-diphtheric, antitetanic and anti-rabies immunoglobulins, in terms of amount of proteins and protein aggregates. Methods Samples were submitted to protein quantification, SDS-PAGE, Western blot analysis and molecular exclusion chromatography. The anticomplementary activity was determined in vitro by detecting the production of C5a/C5a desArg, the most potent anaphylatoxin. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post-test, and differences were considered statistically significant when p 0.05. Results Horse F(ab)2 antitoxins and anti-rabies immunoglobulin preparations presented different amounts of protein. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analyses revealed the presence of protein aggregates, non-immunoglobulin contaminants and, unexpectedly, IgG whole molecules in the samples, indicating the non-complete digestion of immunoglobulins. The chromatographic profiles of antitoxins and anti-rabies immunoglobulins allowed to estimate the percentage of contaminants and aggregates in the samples. Although protein aggregates were present, the samples were not able to induce the generation of C5a/C5a desArg in vitro, indicating that they probably contain acceptable levels of aggregates...

Tétano em um equino - relato de caso

O tétano é uma doença causada pelas toxinas tetanolisina, tetanopasmina e toxina não espasmogênica, produzidas pela bactéria Clostridium tetani em anaerobiose. Foi atendido um equino, macho de 2,5 anos que, durante o exame físico, apresentou taquicardia, taquipneia, espasticidade, posição de cavalete, protrusão da terceira pálpebra, hiperestesia, cauda em bandeira, rigidez cervical e dos lábios, sudorese. O tratamento consistiu na aplicação de penicilina benzatina, soro antitetânico, acepromazina, ambiente escuro e silencioso. O animal se recuperou após um mês. O prognóstico geral é reservado e a morte do animal pode ocorrer entre 5 e 15 dias devido à paralisia dos músculos respiratórios. (AU)

The tetanus is a disease caused by toxins tetanolysin, tetanospasmin and no spasmogenic toxin, produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, anaerobically. An equine, male of 2.5 years, during the physical examination presented tachycardia, tachypnea, spasticity, easel position, protrusion of the third eyelid, hyperesthesia, flag tail, neck stiffness and lips, sweating. Treatment consisted of administration of benzathine penicillin, anti-tetanus serum, acepromazine, dark and quiet environment. The animal recovered after a month. The overall prognosis is poor and the animal's death may occur 5 to 15 days due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles. (AU)

Tétano em um equino - relato de caso

O tétano é uma doença causada pelas toxinas tetanolisina, tetanopasmina e toxina não espasmogênica, produzidas pela bactéria Clostridium tetani em anaerobiose. Foi atendido um equino, macho de 2,5 anos que, durante o exame físico, apresentou taquicardia, taquipneia, espasticidade, posição de cavalete, protrusão da terceira pálpebra, hiperestesia, cauda em bandeira, rigidez cervical e dos lábios, sudorese. O tratamento consistiu na aplicação de penicilina benzatina, soro antitetânico, acepromazina, ambiente escuro e silencioso. O animal se recuperou após um mês. O prognóstico geral é reservado e a morte do animal pode ocorrer entre 5 e 15 dias devido à paralisia dos músculos respiratórios.

The tetanus is a disease caused by toxins tetanolysin, tetanospasmin and no spasmogenic toxin, produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, anaerobically. An equine, male of 2.5 years, during the physical examination presented tachycardia, tachypnea, spasticity, easel position, protrusion of the third eyelid, hyperesthesia, flag tail, neck stiffness and lips, sweating. Treatment consisted of administration of benzathine penicillin, anti-tetanus serum, acepromazine, dark and quiet environment. The animal recovered after a month. The overall prognosis is poor and the animal's death may occur 5 to 15 days due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles.

Perfuração torácica e fratura de esterno em potro – relato de caso / Thoracic drilling and sternal fracture in foal - case report

The aim of this paper is to describe an attempt to correct a thoracic trauma with drilling and sternum fracture in a filly. Cleaning the thoracic cavity was made, muscle graft placement, reduction and synthesis subcutaneous space of the skin. Recommended antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-tetanus serum and rest. Despite the efforts the animal came to death days later because of postsurgical complications.

Perfuração torácica e fratura de esterno em potro relato de caso / Thoracic drilling and sternal fracture in foal - case report

The aim of this paper is to describe an attempt to correct a thoracic trauma with drilling and sternum fracture in a filly. Cleaning the thoracic cavity was made, muscle graft placement, reduction and synthesis subcutaneous space of the skin. Recommended antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-tetanus serum and rest. Despite the efforts the animal came to death days later because of postsurgical complications.(AU)

Tétano em muar: relato de caso / Tetanus in mule: case report / Tétanos en muar: relato de caso

Tétano é uma doença infecciosa causada por toxinas do Clostridium tetani, um bacilo Gram-positivo, esporulado, anaeróbico obrigatório, que habita normalmente o trato gastrointestinal de herbívoros e também o solo. A bactéria produz as toxinas tetanosespasmina (neurotoxina), hemolisina (tetanolisina) e toxina não-espasmogênica de ação periférica que são responsáveis pelo quadro clínico observado nos animais. Essa também é encontrada no intestino dos equinos, sendo considerada uma bactéria natural desses animais. Foi atendido um muar, macho de 12 anos de idade, peso de 250 kg, no exame clínico o animal apresentava andar em forma de cavalete, calda em bandeira, quando movimentava a cabeça apresentava protrusão da terceira pálpebra, foi examinado os cascos, bem como todo o corpo do animal e não foi encontrado nenhum ferimento, com base no exame físico do animal, bem como os sinais clínicos apresentados, o diagnóstico de tétano foi estabelecido. O tratamento preconizado foi imediato instituído com soro antitetânico por via intravenosa, terapia com antibióticos e a terapia com tranquilizantes. Após 10 dias do início do tratamento, o animal apresentava diminuição da sintomatologia da enfermidade, retornando todos os parâmetros à normalidade, e ficando em observação por mais 10 dias, apresentando cura clínica.

Tetanus is an infectious disease caused by Clostridium tetani toxins, a bacterum anaerobic Gram positive, sporulated bacillus that normally inhabits the gastrointestinal tract of herbivores and also the soil. The bacterium produces the toxins tetanosespasmin (neurotoxin), hemolysin (tetanolysin) and non-spasmo genictoxin of peripheral action that are responsible for the clinical picture observed in the animals. This is also found in the intestines of horses, being considered a natural bacterium of these animals. A mule, a 12-year-old male, weighing 250 kg, was attended at the clinical examination. The animal presented a pallet-shapedwalk, flag syringe, while the head was protruding from the third eyelid, the hoofs were examined, as well as the entire body of the animal and no injury was found, based on the physical examination of the animal as well as the clinical signs presented the diagnosis of tetanus was established. The recommended treatment was immediately instituted with intravenous anti-tetanus serum, antibiotictherapy and tranquilizer therapy. Ten days after the start of treatment, the animal presented decrease of the symptomatology of the disease, returning all parameters to normality, and remaining in observation for another 10 days, presenting clinical cure.

Tétano es una enfermedad infecciosa causada por toxinas del Clostridium tetani, un bacilo Gram-positivo, esporulado, anaeróbico obligatorio, que habita normalmente el tracto gastrointestinal de herbívoros y también el suelo. La bacteria produce toxinas tetanosespasmina (neurotoxina), hemolisina (tetanolisina) y toxina no espasmogénica de acción periférica que son responsables del cuadro clínico observado en los animales. Esta también se encuentra en el intestino de los equinos, siendo considerada una bacteria natural de esos animales. Se atendió un muar, macho de 12 anos de edad, peso de 250 kg, en el examen clínico el animal presentaba andar en forma de caballete, caldo en bandera, cuando se desplazó la cabeza con la protrusión del tercer párpado, se examinaron los cascos, así como todo el cuerpo del animal y no se encontró ninguna lesión, sobre la base del examen físico del animal, así como los signos clínicos presentados el diagnóstico de tétano se estableció. El tratamiento preconizado fue inmediatamente instituido con suero anti-tetánico por vía intravenosa, terapia con antibióticos y la terapia con tranquilizantes. Después de diez días del inicio del tratamiento, el animal presentaba disminución de la sintomatología de la enfermedad, retornando todos los parámetros a la normalidad, y quedando en observación por otros 10 días, presentando cura clínica.

Tétano em muar: relato de caso / Tetanus in mule: case report / Tétanos en muar: relato de caso

Tétano é uma doença infecciosa causada por toxinas do Clostridium tetani, um bacilo Gram-positivo, esporulado, anaeróbico obrigatório, que habita normalmente o trato gastrointestinal de herbívoros e também o solo. A bactéria produz as toxinas tetanosespasmina (neurotoxina), hemolisina (tetanolisina) e toxina não-espasmogênica de ação periférica que são responsáveis pelo quadro clínico observado nos animais. Essa também é encontrada no intestino dos equinos, sendo considerada uma bactéria natural desses animais. Foi atendido um muar, macho de 12 anos de idade, peso de 250 kg, no exame clínico o animal apresentava andar em forma de cavalete, calda em bandeira, quando movimentava a cabeça apresentava protrusão da terceira pálpebra, foi examinado os cascos, bem como todo o corpo do animal e não foi encontrado nenhum ferimento, com base no exame físico do animal, bem como os sinais clínicos apresentados, o diagnóstico de tétano foi estabelecido. O tratamento preconizado foi imediato instituído com soro antitetânico por via intravenosa, terapia com antibióticos e a terapia com tranquilizantes. Após 10 dias do início do tratamento, o animal apresentava diminuição da sintomatologia da enfermidade, retornando todos os parâmetros à normalidade, e ficando em observação por mais 10 dias, apresentando cura clínica.(AU)

Tetanus is an infectious disease caused by Clostridium tetani toxins, a bacterum anaerobic Gram positive, sporulated bacillus that normally inhabits the gastrointestinal tract of herbivores and also the soil. The bacterium produces the toxins tetanosespasmin (neurotoxin), hemolysin (tetanolysin) and non-spasmo genictoxin of peripheral action that are responsible for the clinical picture observed in the animals. This is also found in the intestines of horses, being considered a natural bacterium of these animals. A mule, a 12-year-old male, weighing 250 kg, was attended at the clinical examination. The animal presented a pallet-shapedwalk, flag syringe, while the head was protruding from the third eyelid, the hoofs were examined, as well as the entire body of the animal and no injury was found, based on the physical examination of the animal as well as the clinical signs presented the diagnosis of tetanus was established. The recommended treatment was immediately instituted with intravenous anti-tetanus serum, antibiotictherapy and tranquilizer therapy. Ten days after the start of treatment, the animal presented decrease of the symptomatology of the disease, returning all parameters to normality, and remaining in observation for another 10 days, presenting clinical cure.(AU)

Tétano es una enfermedad infecciosa causada por toxinas del Clostridium tetani, un bacilo Gram-positivo, esporulado, anaeróbico obligatorio, que habita normalmente el tracto gastrointestinal de herbívoros y también el suelo. La bacteria produce toxinas tetanosespasmina (neurotoxina), hemolisina (tetanolisina) y toxina no espasmogénica de acción periférica que son responsables del cuadro clínico observado en los animales. Esta también se encuentra en el intestino de los equinos, siendo considerada una bacteria natural de esos animales. Se atendió un muar, macho de 12 anos de edad, peso de 250 kg, en el examen clínico el animal presentaba andar en forma de caballete, caldo en bandera, cuando se desplazó la cabeza con la protrusión del tercer párpado, se examinaron los cascos, así como todo el cuerpo del animal y no se encontró ninguna lesión, sobre la base del examen físico del animal, así como los signos clínicos presentados el diagnóstico de tétano se estableció. El tratamiento preconizado fue inmediatamente instituido con suero anti-tetánico por vía intravenosa, terapia con antibióticos y la terapia con tranquilizantes. Después de diez días del inicio del tratamiento, el animal presentaba disminución de la sintomatología de la enfermedad, retornando todos los parámetros a la normalidad, y quedando en observación por otros 10 días, presentando cura clínica.(AU)

Tétano em bovinos no sul do Rio Grande do Sul: estudo de 24 surtos / Tetanus in cattle in southern Brazil: study of 24 outbreaks

São descritos vinte e quatro surtos de tétano ocorridos no ano 2009 em bovinos de corte em propriedades situadas na região de influência do Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico (LRD), sul do Rio Grande de Sul. Todos os rebanhos foram submetidos a procedimentos de vacinação e/ou aplicação de anti-helmíntico entre 8 e 25 dias antes do aparecimento dos primeiros sinais clínicos. O tempo de evolução variou de 12 horas até quatro dias. Os sinais clínicos observados foram: prolapso da terceira pálpebra, andar rígido, dificuldade de flexão dos membros e permanência em decúbito lateral com os membros estendidos e afastados do solo (paralisia espástica), pálpebras muito abertas, sialorréia, hiperexcitabilidade, orelhas eretas, trismo mandibular, acúmulo de alimento na cavidade oral e presença de espuma na boca e narinas em alguns casos. Alguns bovinos apresentavam área de necrose e edema hemorrágico circundada por exsudato purulento nos músculos onde havia sido aplicado algum medicamento. O soro sanguíneo e fragmentos de músculo com lesão de animais afetados foram coletados para posterior inoculação em camundongos. No exame histopatológico não foram evidenciadas alterações. O quadro clínico associado aos dados epidemiológicos e a ausência de lesões histológicas permitiram o diagnóstico de tétano. A infecção, provavelmente ocorreu durante o procedimento de vacinação, através injeções intramusculares utilizando agulhas contaminadas. Apesar do tétano não ser uma clostridiose importante na região fica evidenciado que surtos podem ocorrer em função de condições epidemiológicas adequadas e cuidados devem ser tomados para evitar perdas econômicas importantes como as que ocorreram no ano 2009 na região.(AU)

Twenty-four outbreaks of tetanus occurred in 2009 in beef cattle on farms located in the region of influence of the Regional Diagnostic Laboratory (LRD), southern Rio Grande de Sul, are described. All herds were submitted to vaccination and/or application of anthelmintics between 8 and 25 days before the onset of clinical signs of tetanus. Those were prolapse of the third eyelid, stiff gait, recumbency with limbs extended and off the ground (spastic paralysis), very open eyelids, salivation, hyperexcitability, erect ears, mandibular trismus, food accumulation in the oral cavity, and presence of foam in mouth and nostrils in some cases. At postmortem some animals had necrosis, edema and hemorrhage surrounded by purulent exudate in the muscles where some medicine had been applied. Blood serum and muscle fragments of affected animals were collected for subsequent inoculation into mice. No changes were evident in histological examination. The clinical and epidemiological data associated with the absence of histological lesions allowed the diagnosis of tetanus. The infection probably occurred during the vaccination procedure, by intramuscular injections using contaminated needles. Although tetanus is not an important disease in the region, outbreaks could occur depending on epidemiological conditions. Appropriate care should be taken to avoid major economic losses as those that occurred in 2009 in the region.(AU)

Surto de tétano em búfalos (Buballus bubalis) no Estado do Pará / Outbreak of tetanus in bufalloes (Buballus bubalis) in Pará, Brazil

Descreve-se um surto de tétano em búfalos da raça Murrah em uma propriedade situada no município de São Caetano de Odivelas, localizado na região metropolitana de Belém, estado do Pará. Do rebanho de 250 bubalinos, 80 animais foram vacinados contra raiva por via intramuscular na região da garupa. Em um período de 15 a 19 dias após a vacinação quatro animais adoeceram, um morreu com dois dias de evolução, um foi eutanasiado in extremis no sétimo dia após o início dos sinais clínicos e os demais se recuperaram após tratamento. Nos bubalinos, o primeiro sinal clínico observado foi o prolapso da terceira pálpebra, em especial quando o animal era estimulado, seguido por andar rígido, manifestado por dificuldade de flexão dos membros e permanência em decúbito lateral com os membros estendidos, pálpebras muito abertas, sialorréia, hiperexcitabilidade, orelhas eretas, leve trismo e acúmulo de alimento na cavidade oral. À necropsia foi evidenciada uma área de coloração amarelada com presença de exsudação purulenta na musculatura da região da garupa, local de aplicação da vacina. Ao exame histopatológico não foram evidenciadas alterações significativas. Em dois animais foi realizado tratamento com penicilina por via intramuscular e soro antitetânico por via intramuscular e sub-aracnóide; após duas semanas esses animais se recuperaram. Diante do quadro clínico, dos dados epidemiológicos e da ausência de lesões histológicas foi feito o diagnóstico de tétano. Concluiu-se que o tétano é uma doença a ser considerada na bubalinocultura no Brasil. A infecção, provavelmente ocorreu durante o procedimento de vacinação, através injeções intramusculares utilizando agulhas contaminadas.(AU)

An outbreak of tetanus in Murrah buffaloes in Belém, state of Pará, Brazil, is described. The outbreak was observed in a flock of 250 buffaloes, 80 of which were vaccinated intra-muscularly in the croup against rabies. Four buffaloes fell ill 15 to 19 days after vaccination, one died after a clinical course of 2 days, one was submitted to euthanasia in extremis on the 7th day after the onset of symptoms, and two others recovered within 2 weeks after treatment with penicillin for 4 days and anti-tetanic serum. The first symptoms observed were prolapse of the third eyelid, especially when the animal was stimulated, followed by a rigid walk, as difficulty in inflexing the members and lateral recumbence with the members extended, besides very open eyelids, sialorrhea, hyperexcitability, erect ears and slight lockjaw, and food accumulation in the oral cavity. At post-mortem examination was found a focus of yellowish pus in the croup muscles, where the vaccine had been applied. At histopathology no significant alterations in internal organs were observed. Based on the clinical picture, the epidemic data and absence of histological lesions, the diagnosis of tetanus was established. The infection was considered to be due to the use of dirty needles used during vaccination.(AU)

Determinação sérica de colesterol e triglicérides em cavalos soroprodutores alimentados com concentrados com teores de 15% ou 22% de proteína bruta / Serum evaluation of cholesterol and triglycerides of serum-producing horses fed concentrate with 15% or 22% of crude protein

A produção de soro-hiperimune em eqüinos ainda é fundamental para obtenção do soro utilizado no tratamento de algumas enfermidades como o tétano e a difteria. Para verificar o possível benefício da utilização de concentrados hiperprotéicos na dieta dos cavalos soroprodutores da Fazenda São Joaquim do Instituto Butantan-SP, foram analisados os teores séricos de colesterol e triglicérides de 32 animais, pertencentes ao plantel de produção de soro antidiftérico. Estes foram distribuídos, ao acaso, em dois grupos de 16 eqüinos. Os animais do grupo A receberam concentrado com 15% de proteína bruta (PB) e os animais do grupo B receberam concentrado com 22% de PB. As amostras de soro foram obtidas em dois ciclos de produção nos momentos anteriores à inoculação do antígeno, antes das sangrias de produção e nos dias 15, 30 e 45 de descanso. As concentrações de triglicérides foram maiores no grupo Bno dia 58 do primeiro ciclo (p<0,001) e, no segundo ciclo, foram maiores no grupo A nos dias 95 e 137 (p<0,04) e no grupo B no dia 109 (p<0,04). Não houve diferença entre os grupos para as concentrações séricas de colesterol. Este trabalho concluiu que embora as concentrações séricas de triglicérides e colesterol sejam sensíveis ao processo de produção de plasma-hiperimune antidifitérico, os resultados encontrados não foram suficientes para afirmar se hábenefício ou não na utilização de concentrado hiperprotéico(22% PB) em cavalos produtores de soro-hiperimune anti-difteria em dois ciclos de produção.(AU)

The hyperimmune serum production in horses is still fundamental to obtain the serum used in the treatment of some diseases like tetanus and diphtery. In order to determine the benefit of the utilization of high-protein concentrate in serum-producing horses dietary of Butantan Institute, the serum concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides were screened from a group of 32 anti-diphteric serum-producing horses. Those horses were distributed occasionally in two groups of 16 equines. The animals of group A were fed with a concentrate with 15% of crude protein (CP) and the animals of group B were fed with a concentrate with 22% of CP. The serum samples were obtained in two immunization periods, in moments previous to the antigen inoculation, before the bleeding of production and with a delay of 15, 30 and 45 days after the last bleeding. The serum concentrations of triglycerides were higher in group B in day 58 of the first period (p<0,001) and in the second period were higher in group A in days 95 and 137 (p<0,04) and in group B in day 109(p<0,04). There was no difference between the groups for cholesterol serum concentrations. We concluded that although the triglycerides and cholesterol serum concentrations be sensitive to the process ofanti-diphteric hyperimmune plasma production, the results found were not enough to affirm weather there is or not a benefit in the utilization of high-protein concentrate (22% CP) in anti-diphteric serum-producing horses based on two periods of production.(AU)