Oleander (Nerium oleander) intoxication in a bison

Clinical History: Two 18-month-old female bison and a heifer died suddenly in the same ranch. The three animals were submitted for postmortem examination and diagnostic workup. The changes of one of the bison are presented here. Necropsy Findings: The carcass was in fair nutritional condition, with small amount of fat reserves, but still well fleshed, and in mild state of post-mortem decomposition. There was a small amount of clotted dark-red blood in the nostrils and anus. The heart presented extensive sub-endocardial hemorrhages in all four chambers. These lesions were most pronounced in both ventricles where they extended deep into the underlying myocardium (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). The mucosa of the abomasum was diffusely and mildly congested, and the mucosa of the small and large intestine was diffusely and severely congested (Fig. 3). There was a moderate amount of red fluid in the lumen of the small intestine, cecum, and colon. Both lungs had a few, small, well delineated, deep, firm, multifocal dark-red areas in all pulmonary lobes, but lung tissue samples floated when placed into formalin. Follow-up questions: Microscopic description Morphologic diagnosis Most likely etiology(AU)

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in goat milk in the semiarid region of the Brazilian Northeast - molecular characterization

Background: Goat farming has been on the rise in Brazil in recent years. Overall, 93% of the national herd is concentrated in the Northeast, with the state of Paraíba being the largest goat milk producer in the country. Considering Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) as a sanitary issue for the development of animal farming with risks for human health and that is a notifiable disease, this research was structured with the objective of confirming the presence and performing a molecular characterization of MAP in goat milk destined for processing plants in the semiarid region of the Brazilian Northeast. Materials, Methods & Results: Samples from 179 production units and 5 collective bulk tanks and 4 samples of pasteurized goat milk were analyzed through Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Genetic material (DNA) for MAP was found in the goat milk sample from 1 production unit (1/179). From this positive sample, 9 lactating goats were identified in the original property, 7 of which showed MAP DNA in milk samples (77.77%). The characterization of the nucleotide sequence detected in the positive sample has 99% identity with KJ173784. Discussion: One sample (1/179), from the production units, had MAP genetic material (DNA) detected using the molecular test. Samples from these production units represent the milk from all lactating goats from each producer. Therefore, it was possible to identify from which farm the samples originated, allowing individual animals to then be tested, with milk samples collected from 9 goats and MAP DNA detected in 7 of them (77.77%) via PCR. Control and/or prevention programs need this type of surveillance in reason that it allows the tracking of possible foci from milk samples collected from dairy products or cooling stations. The use of PCR to detect MAP foci via goat milk is thus advantageous because samples are obtained in a non-invasive manner, with faster results when compared to the culture technique. The low detection via PCR in goat milk may be related to factors such as the small amount of MAP eliminated and the intermittent excretion in asymptomatic animals, as also false-positive samples. Samples from the collective bulk tanks was negative. It is possible that the combination of milk from all the properties diluted the amount of MAP. This suggests that the sensitivity of the PCR can be improved if the samples are obtained from the pooled milk from the same property. In some regions of Brazil, for example, showed the frequency of Zona da Mata region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, found 1.94% of positive samples (9/464) and 9.76% (4/41) of properties with at least 1 positive sample for MAP. Different results to what were found in the semiarid region of Paraíba, where climate and production characteristics are different. Goats are susceptible to 3 strains: type "S" (Sheep), "Bison type" and type "C" (Cattle). Previous contact with this species may explain the similarity between the strain found in goat milk and those detected from bovine samples. This must also be taken into consideration during diagnosis and upon implementation of control measures for paratuberculosis in goats. Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis was recorded for the first time in goat milk in the semiarid region, which may reveal a potential biological risk to humans and suggests the need for active surveillance of the agent.

An outbreak of malignant catarrhal fever in Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) / Surto de febre catarral maligna em cervos Sambar (Rusa Unicolor)

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is an infectious, pansystemic and highly fatal disease with wide geographic distribution. The species that are clinically prone to it include cattle, deer and bison. In Brazil, the disease in ruminants and deer is associated with the contact with sheep, especially during labor, when the fetal remains that are eliminated contain the ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2). The outbreak took place in a conservationist property in the city of Casimiro de Abreu/RJ, which hosted 23 Sambar deer, and, of these, 19 died, showing neurological signs. The deer lived in a location together with 15 male and female meat sheep. A female specimen of the Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), aged approximately three years, which had presented with neurological clinical signs was referred to necropsy in the Setor de Anatomia Patológica at Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (SAP/UFRRJ). During necropsy, cerebrospinal fluid was sampled for analysis; fragments of several organs were fixated in 10% buffered formalin and processed for histopathological analysis. Fragments of occipital lobe, cerebellum and bulb were collected to perform the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The diagnosis of this outbreak was based on epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings, and on the amplification of the OvHV-2 DNA through PCR. The histological changes were the base to confirm the MCF case and were characterized by degeneration of vascular endothelial cells, fibrinoid vasculitis, hyperplasia and necrosis of lymphoid organs. However, PCR was an important tool to confirm the diagnosis. MCF as an important disease with nervous symptomatology in deer.(AU)

A febre catarral maligna (FCM) é uma doença infecciosa, com distribuição geográfica ampla, pansistêmica e altamente fatal. As espécies clinicamente suscetíveis incluem bovino, cervo e bisão. No Brasil, a doença em ruminantes e cervídeos está associada ao contato com ovinos, principalmente durante o parto, no qual os envoltórios fetais eliminados contém, em suas secreções, o Herpesvírus ovino-2 (OvHV-2). O surto ocorreu em uma propriedade conservacionista no município de Casimiro de Abreu/RJ, que abrigava 23 cervos exóticos, onde foram registradas a morte de 19 destes, com sinais neurológicos. Os cervos habitavam em um piquete com 15 ovinos de corte, machos e fêmeas. Um exemplar de cervo sambar (Rusa unicolor), fêmea, com aproximadamente três anos de idade, que havia apresentado sinais clínicos neurológicos foi encaminhado para necropsia no Setor de Anatomia Patológica da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (SAP/UFRRJ). Durante a necropsia foi realizada a coleta de líquido cefalorraquidiano e de fragmentos de lobo occipital, cerebelo e bulbo, para a realização de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). Fragmentos de diversos órgãos foram fixados em formalina 10% tamponada e processados para a análise histopatológica. O diagnóstico do presente surto foi estabelecido com base nos achados epidemiológicos, clínicos, patológicos e na amplificação do DNA do OvHV-2 através da PCR. As alterações histológicas foram a base para confirmar o caso de FCM e caracterizaram-se por degeneração de células endoteliais vasculares, vasculite fibrinoide, hiperplasia dos órgãos linfoides. Contudo, a PCR foi uma ferramenta importante para a confirmação do diagnóstico. Ressalta-se a importância da FCM na lista dos diagnósticos diferenciais de doenças que cursam com sintomatologia nervosa em cervídeos.(AU)

An outbreak of malignant catarrhal fever in Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) / Surto de febre catarral maligna em cervos Sambar (Rusa Unicolor)

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is an infectious, pansystemic and highly fatal disease with wide geographic distribution. The species that are clinically prone to it include cattle, deer and bison. In Brazil, the disease in ruminants and deer is associated with the contact with sheep, especially during labor, when the fetal remains that are eliminated contain the ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2). The outbreak took place in a conservationist property in the city of Casimiro de Abreu/RJ, which hosted 23 Sambar deer, and, of these, 19 died, showing neurological signs. The deer lived in a location together with 15 male and female meat sheep. A female specimen of the Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), aged approximately three years, which had presented with neurological clinical signs was referred to necropsy in the Setor de Anatomia Patológica at Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (SAP/UFRRJ). During necropsy, cerebrospinal fluid was sampled for analysis; fragments of several organs were fixated in 10% buffered formalin and processed for histopathological analysis. Fragments of occipital lobe, cerebellum and bulb were collected to perform the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The diagnosis of this outbreak was based on epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings, and on the amplification of the OvHV-2 DNA through PCR. The histological changes were the base to confirm the MCF case and were characterized by degeneration of vascular endothelial cells, fibrinoid vasculitis, hyperplasia and necrosis of lymphoid organs. However, PCR was an important tool to confirm the diagnosis. MCF as an important disease with nervous symptomatology in deer.(AU)

A febre catarral maligna (FCM) é uma doença infecciosa, com distribuição geográfica ampla, pansistêmica e altamente fatal. As espécies clinicamente suscetíveis incluem bovino, cervo e bisão. No Brasil, a doença em ruminantes e cervídeos está associada ao contato com ovinos, principalmente durante o parto, no qual os envoltórios fetais eliminados contém, em suas secreções, o Herpesvírus ovino-2 (OvHV-2). O surto ocorreu em uma propriedade conservacionista no município de Casimiro de Abreu/RJ, que abrigava 23 cervos exóticos, onde foram registradas a morte de 19 destes, com sinais neurológicos. Os cervos habitavam em um piquete com 15 ovinos de corte, machos e fêmeas. Um exemplar de cervo sambar (Rusa unicolor), fêmea, com aproximadamente três anos de idade, que havia apresentado sinais clínicos neurológicos foi encaminhado para necropsia no Setor de Anatomia Patológica da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (SAP/UFRRJ). Durante a necropsia foi realizada a coleta de líquido cefalorraquidiano e de fragmentos de lobo occipital, cerebelo e bulbo, para a realização de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). Fragmentos de diversos órgãos foram fixados em formalina 10% tamponada e processados para a análise histopatológica. O diagnóstico do presente surto foi estabelecido com base nos achados epidemiológicos, clínicos, patológicos e na amplificação do DNA do OvHV-2 através da PCR. As alterações histológicas foram a base para confirmar o caso de FCM e caracterizaram-se por degeneração de células endoteliais vasculares, vasculite fibrinoide, hiperplasia dos órgãos linfoides. Contudo, a PCR foi uma ferramenta importante para a confirmação do diagnóstico. Ressalta-se a importância da FCM na lista dos diagnósticos diferenciais de doenças que cursam com sintomatologia nervosa em cervídeos.(AU)

Histology, histochemistry and fine structure of the Harderian gland, lacrimal gland and superficial gland of the third eyelid of the European bison, Bison bonasus bonasus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae)

The macroscopic anatomy and the microscopic and ultrastructural features of the Harderian gland (HG), lacrimal gland (LG) and superficial gland of the third eyelid (SGTE) of the adult European bison are described. In addition, morphometric studies were conducted and were followed by statistical analysis of the results. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, methyl green-pyronin Y, periodic acid-Schiff, Alcian blue pH 2.5, aldehyde fuchsin and Hale's dialysed iron. Analysis of the staining showed that the HG has a multilobular tubuloalveolar structure with mixed secretion. The LG and the SGTE have a multilobar tubuloacinar structure with serous secretion in the LG and mucoserous in the SGTE. The TEM study demonstrates that the secretory cells of the HG, LG and SGTE have similar ultrastructural appearance, with two types of secretory vesicles in the cytoplasm of all studied glands. The histochemical staining methods and the TEM study revealed the secretory activity in the HG, LG and SGTE ducts. The structural studies can be important for establishing relations between morphological structure and functions of these glands. It can have clinical implications especially when taking into consideration the protective mechanisms of the eye.

Histology, histochemistry and fine structure of the Harderian gland, lacrimal gland and superficial gland of the third eyelid of the European bison, Bison bonasus bonasus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae)

The macroscopic anatomy and the microscopic and ultrastructural features of the Harderian gland (HG), lacrimal gland (LG) and superficial gland of the third eyelid (SGTE) of the adult European bison are described. In addition, morphometric studies were conducted and were followed by statistical analysis of the results. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, methyl green-pyronin Y, periodic acid-Schiff, Alcian blue pH 2.5, aldehyde fuchsin and Hale's dialysed iron. Analysis of the staining showed that the HG has a multilobular tubuloalveolar structure with mixed secretion. The LG and the SGTE have a multilobar tubuloacinar structure with serous secretion in the LG and mucoserous in the SGTE. The TEM study demonstrates that the secretory cells of the HG, LG and SGTE have similar ultrastructural appearance, with two types of secretory vesicles in the cytoplasm of all studied glands. The histochemical staining methods and the TEM study revealed the secretory activity in the HG, LG and SGTE ducts. The structural studies can be important for establishing relations between morphological structure and functions of these glands. It can have clinical implications especially when taking into consideration the protective mechanisms of the eye.(AU)

Technological properties of cement-wood panels produced with eucalypt particles / Propriedades tecnológicas de painéis cimento-madeira produzidos com partículas de eucalipto

The study aimed to determine the technological properties of cement-wood panels produced with the particle Eucalyptus benthamii Maiden et Cambage. The experiment plan consisted of four compositions with different treatments of the particles (cold water, hot water, sodium hidroxyde (NaOH) and calcium hidroxyde (Ca(OH)2), and a control composition. The panels were produced with nominal specific gravity of 1.20 g cm-³, with the ratios wood:concrete 1:2.75 and water:cement 0.40. The panels were evaluated for their physical and mechanical properties through the European standard EN. Analyses were performed to verify the occurrence of outliers, data normality and homogeneity of variances, and subsequently submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey test. The results of physical and mechanical properties of the panels indicated that the best method of treating particles is through the use of Ca(OH)2. With the exception of the modulus of rupture, the thickness swelling, modulus of elasticity and tensile perpendicular, they met the specifications of commercial panels produced by the BISON process. Therefore, the feasibility of use of Eucalyptus benthamii for wood-cement panels production was discovered.

O estudo teve como objetivo determinar as propriedades tecnológicas de painéis cimento-madeira produzidos com partículas de Eucalyptus benthamii Maiden et Cambage. O plano experimental foi formado por quatro composições com diferentes tratamentos das partículas (água fria, água quente, hidróxido de sódio (NaOH) e hidróxido de cálcio (Ca(OH)2), e uma composição testemunha. Os painéis foram produzidos com massa específica nominal de 1,20 g/cm³, com relação madeira:cimento de 1:2,75 e água:cimento de 0,40. Os painéis foram avaliados quanto as suas propriedades físicas e mecânicas por meio da norma europeia EN. Foram realizadas análises para verificar a ocorrência de outliers, normalidade dos dados e homogeneidade das variâncias, sendo posteriormente submetidas à análise da variância e teste de Tukey. Os resultados das propriedades físicas e mecânicas dos painéis indicaram que o melhor método de tratamento de partículas foi com o uso de Ca(OH)2. Com exceção do módulo de ruptura, o inchamento em espessura, módulo de elasticidade e tração perpendicular, atenderam às especificações de painéis comerciais produzidos pelo processo BISON. Dessa forma, verificou-se a viabilidade de uso da madeira de Eucalyptus benthamii para produção de painéis cimento-madeira.

Technological properties of cement-wood panels produced with eucalypt particles / Propriedades tecnológicas de painéis cimento-madeira produzidos com partículas de eucalipto

The study aimed to determine the technological properties of cement-wood panels produced with the particle Eucalyptus benthamii Maiden et Cambage. The experiment plan consisted of four compositions with different treatments of the particles (cold water, hot water, sodium hidroxyde (NaOH) and calcium hidroxyde (Ca(OH)2), and a control composition. The panels were produced with nominal specific gravity of 1.20 g cm-³, with the ratios wood:concrete 1:2.75 and water:cement 0.40. The panels were evaluated for their physical and mechanical properties through the European standard EN. Analyses were performed to verify the occurrence of outliers, data normality and homogeneity of variances, and subsequently submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey test. The results of physical and mechanical properties of the panels indicated that the best method of treating particles is through the use of Ca(OH)2. With the exception of the modulus of rupture, the thickness swelling, modulus of elasticity and tensile perpendicular, they met the specifications of commercial panels produced by the BISON process. Therefore, the feasibility of use of Eucalyptus benthamii for wood-cement panels production was discovered.(AU)

O estudo teve como objetivo determinar as propriedades tecnológicas de painéis cimento-madeira produzidos com partículas de Eucalyptus benthamii Maiden et Cambage. O plano experimental foi formado por quatro composições com diferentes tratamentos das partículas (água fria, água quente, hidróxido de sódio (NaOH) e hidróxido de cálcio (Ca(OH)2), e uma composição testemunha. Os painéis foram produzidos com massa específica nominal de 1,20 g/cm³, com relação madeira:cimento de 1:2,75 e água:cimento de 0,40. Os painéis foram avaliados quanto as suas propriedades físicas e mecânicas por meio da norma europeia EN. Foram realizadas análises para verificar a ocorrência de outliers, normalidade dos dados e homogeneidade das variâncias, sendo posteriormente submetidas à análise da variância e teste de Tukey. Os resultados das propriedades físicas e mecânicas dos painéis indicaram que o melhor método de tratamento de partículas foi com o uso de Ca(OH)2. Com exceção do módulo de ruptura, o inchamento em espessura, módulo de elasticidade e tração perpendicular, atenderam às especificações de painéis comerciais produzidos pelo processo BISON. Dessa forma, verificou-se a viabilidade de uso da madeira de Eucalyptus benthamii para produção de painéis cimento-madeira.(AU)

EPIDEMIOLOGIA MOLECULAR DE Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis EM AMOSTRAS BIOLÓGICAS DE BOVINOS, BUBALINOS E QUEIJO TIPO COALHO

Paratuberculose é uma doença de grande impacto econômico mundial e incurável nos ruminantes, causada por Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). Também existe a suspeita do envolvimento desta bactéria com enfermidades nos humanos como a Doença de Crohn. Objetivou-se nesta pesquisa realizar um estudo de epidemiologia molecular de MAP em rebanhos bovinos, bubalinos e em amostras de queijo tipo coalho destas espécies. Foram coletadas 109 amostras de fezes e tecidos de bovinos e bubalinos com suspeita de paratuberculose. 25 amostras foram positivas na detecção do DNA da região IS900 de MAP e foi possível tipificar 18 cepas na análise da região IS1311, sendo 100% delas identificadas como do tipo Cattle subtipo Bison. Ainda foram analisadas quarenta amostras de queijo tipo coalho artesanal produzido com leite bovino para detecção de DNA de MAP por meio da técnica da técnica da Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real (qPCR) para detecção da região IS900 do MAP, sendo 11/40 (27,5%) positivas. Também foram analisadas duas amostras de queijo tipo coalho de leite de búfala para isolamento e tipificação de MAP, sendo uma delas positiva no cultivo e PCR e tipificada como pertencente ao tipo Cattle subtipo Bison. Os resultados deste estudo fortalecem os dados sobre a disseminação de MAP em algumas regiões do Brasil em bovinos e bubalinos e identifica de forma inédita, a ocorrência da cepa tipo Cattle subtipo Bison de MAP nestas espécies no país. Ainda, registra-se a ocorrência do DNA de MAP em queijo tipo coalho produzido com leite de vaca e a ocorrência de MAP viável em queijo tipo coalho de búfala na região nordeste do Brasil. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo dão o suporte para a implementação de estratégias de controle da paratuberculose no país.

Paratuberculosis is a worldwide disease of great economic impact and incurable in ruminants, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). There is also suspicion of the involvement of this bacterium with diseases in humans such as Crohn's disease. The objective of this research was to conduct a study of molecular epidemiology of MAP in cattle herds, buffalo and coalho cheese samples from those species. A total of 109 samples of feces and tissues from bovines and buffalos suspected of paratuberculosis were collected. 25 samples were positive in the detection of the DNA of the IS900 region of MAP and it was possible to type 18 strains in the analysis of the region IS1311, being 100% of them identified as type Cattle subtype Bison. Forty samples of artisanal coalho cheese produced with bovine milk were analyzed for MAP DNA detection by the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) technique for detection of the MAP region IS900, from those, 11/40 (27.5%) were positive. Also, two samples of coalho cheese produced with buffalo milk were analyzed for isolation and typing of MAP, one of which was positive in culture and PCR and typified as belonging to type Cattle subtype Bison. The results of this study strengthen the data about MAP dissemination in some regions of Brazil in cattle and buffaloes and of an unprecedented way identifies the occurrence of subtype Bison strain of MAP in these species in the country. The occurrence of MAP DNA in coalho cheese produced with cow's milk and the occurrence of viable MAP in buffalo coalho cheese in the northeast region of Brazil is also recorded. The results obtained in this study support the implementation of paratuberculosis control strategies in the country.

First confirmed diagnosis of Sheep-associated Malignant Catarrhal Fever in Bison in Argentina

In Argentina, cases of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) are suspected to have occurred according to macro and microscopic lesions. However, none has been corroborated by molecular tests. We describe here the first laboratory confirmed case of MCF in Argentina occurring in American bison confined in the Buenos Aires Zoo.(AU)

Malignant catarrhal fever-like lesions associated with ovine herpesvirus-2 infection in young calves (Bos indicus): a case report

Infection of susceptible ruminants, including domestic cattle (Bos taurus) and American bison (Bison bison), with ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) may provoke the fatal vasculitis and lymphoproliferative syndrome, known as malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), reported worldwide. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a clinical case of MCF-like lesions associated with ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) infection in young calves (Bos indicus) including central nervous symptoms that occurred in Três Lagoas city, Mato Grosso do Sul state, a border town near São Paulo state, Brazil. The diagnosis was based on typical histological lesions characterized by systemic lymphohistiocytic and fibrinoid vasculitis, confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of detected OvHV-2 sequences. This finding indicates that MCF disease is spread among herds concentrated in border areas between Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo states.(AU)

Identification of the recently described new type of bovine papillomavirus (BPV-8) in a Brazilian beef cattle herd: [revision] / Identificação do novo tipo de papilomavírus bovino (BPV-8) recentemente descrito num rebanho bovino no Brasil: [revisão]

Bovine papillomavirus type 8 (BPV-8) was first detected and described in teat warts as well as in healthy teat skin from cattle raised in Japan. The entire viral genome was sequenced in 2007. Additionally, a variant of BPV-8, BPV-8-EB, was also identified from papillomatous lesions of a European bison in Slovakia. In Brazil, despite the relatively common occurrence of BPV infections, the identification and determination of viral types present in cattle is still sporadic. The aim of this study is to report the occurrence of the recently described BPV-8 in Brazil. The virus was identified in a skin warts obtained from a beef cattle herd located in Parana state, southern Brazil. The papilloma had a macular, non-verrucous gross aspect and was located on the dorsal thorax of a cow. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using generic primers for partial amplification of L1 gene. The obtained amplicon (480bp) was cloned and two selected clones were sequenced. The nucleotide sequence was compared to existing papillomaviral genomic sequences, identifying the virus as BPV type 8. This study represents the first report of BPV-8 occurrence in Brazil, what suggests its presence among Brazilian cattle.(AU)

A primeira descrição do papilomavírus bovino tipo 8 (BPV-8) foi realizada em amostras de papilomas de teto e de pele saudável de tetos de bovinos no Japão. Em 2007, a seqüência genômica completa do BPV-8 foi determinada. Ainda em 2007, uma variante do BPV-8 (BPV-8-EB) foi identificada em lesões papilomatosas de um bisão europeu na Eslováquia. No Brasil, apesar da infecção pelo BPV ser comumente observada em bovinos, a determinação dos tipos virais associados com a infecção ainda é esporádica. Este estudo tem o objetivo de relatar a ocorrência do BPV-8 no país. A amostra clínica foi obtida em um rebanho de corte do estado do Paraná, região sul do Brasil. O papiloma cutâneo, de aspecto macular e não-verrucoso, estava localizado na região dorsal torácica do animal. A identificação do vírus foi realizada pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) utilizando primers genéricos para a amplificação parcial do gene L1. O produto amplificado, com aproximadamente 480 pb, foi clonado e os fragmentos presentes em dois clones foram seqüenciados. A comparação da seqüência de nucleotídeos com a de outros papilomavírus demonstrou 100 por cento de identidade com o BPV-8. Assim, esta é a primeira descrição da ocorrência do BPV-8 no Brasil, o que sugere a sua presença nos rebanhos bovinos brasileiros.(AU)

First confirmed diagnosis of sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever in bison in Argentina

In Argentina, cases of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) are suspected to have occurred according to macro and microscopic lesions. However, none has been corroborated by molecular tests. We describe here the first laboratory confirmed case of MCF in Argentina occurring in American bison confined in the Buenos Aires Zoo.