Clinical and histopathological features of myocarditis in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis / Aspectos clínicos e histopatológicos da miocardite em cães com leishmaniose visceral

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a cosmopolitan parasitic zoonosis that can promote myocarditis and heart rate changes in canine and human hosts. Thus, histopathological aspects of the myocardium and clinical, hematological, biochemical, radiological and electrocardiographic data were evaluated in a group of 36 dogs naturally infected with VL (VLG) and compared to data from 15 non-infected dogs (CG=Control Group). A prevalence of asymptomatic dogs was present in the CG (100%) and polysymptomatic dogs in the VLG (66%). In addition, two dogs in the VLG demonstrated systolic murmurs in the mitral valve region: one with a II/VI intensity and the other with a III/VI intensity. The mean values of RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit were lower in dogs in VLG and were associated with higher values of total protein, total leukocytes, neutrophils, creatine kinase overall (CK) and the CK-MB fraction (CK-MB). The absence of radiographic changes was accompanied by a predominance of respiratory sinus arrhythmia associated with episodes of migratory pacemaker and sinus arrest in dogs in VLG (75%), sinus rhythm in dogs in CG (60%) and decreased P wave amplitude in VLG electrocardiography. Mononuclear cell infiltration was detected in the myocardium of 77,8% of dogs in GVL and classified primarily as mild multifocal lymphohistioplasmacytic. Amastigotes were detected in only one dog, which did not allow the association between myocarditis and parasitism, although the myocardial lesions that were found constitute irrefutable evidence of myocarditis in the VLG dogs, accompanied by lenient electrocardiographic changes compared to CG.

A leishmaniose visceral (LV) é uma zoonose parasitária cosmopolita capaz de promover miocardite e alterações no ritmo cardíaco em cães e seres humanos. Dessa forma, os aspectos clínicos, hematimétricos, bioquímicos, radiográficos, eletrocardiográficos e histopatológicos do miocárdio foram avaliados em 36 cães naturalmente infectados com LV (GLV) e comparados a 15 cães não infectados (GC). Houve predomínio de cães assintomáticos no GC (100%) e polissintomáticos no GLV (66%). Dois cães do GLV apresentaram sopro sistólico de intensidade II/VI e III/VI, em região de foco mitral. Os valores médios de hemácia, hemoglobina e hematócrito foram inferiores nos cães do GLV, associados a maiores valores de proteína total, leucócitos totais, neutrófilos, creatinina quinase total (CK) e fração MB (CK-MB). Ausência de alterações radiográficas foi acompanhada de predomínio de arritmia sinusal respiratória associada a episódios de marcapasso migratório e sinus arrest nos cães do GLV (75%), ritmo sinusal nos cães do GC (60%) e diminuição da amplitude da onda P no GLV à eletrocardiografia. Infiltrado inflamatório mononuclear foi detectado no miocárdio de 77,8% dos cães do GLV, classificados, em sua maioria, como linfoistioplasmocitário multifocal leve. A forma amastigota foi detectada em apenas um cão, não permitindo a associação entre a miocardite e a parasitose, ainda que as lesões miocárdicas encontradas constituam prova irrefutável da miocardite nos cães do GLV, acompanhadas por alterações eletrocardiográficas brandas em comparação ao GC.

Intussuscepção uterina em uma cadela Yorkshire Terrier / Uterine intussusception in a Yorkshire terrier bitch

A intussuscepção uterina é condição rara em pequenos animais. No presente relato descreve-se um caso de intussuscepção uterina em um canino, fêmea Yorkshire Terrier no pós-parto imediato, diagnosticada por meio de laparotomia exploratória e pela avaliação anatomopatológica. Realizou-se a ovariossalpingo-histerectomia (OSH) como tratamento definitivo para a alteração. Conclui-se, portanto, que a intussuscepção uterina pode ocorrer em cadelas, de forma espontânea no pós-parto imediato.

Uterine intussusception has rarely been described in small animals. In this report we describe a case of uterine intussusception in a female Yorkshire terrier immediately postpartum, diagnosed by exploratory laparotomy and anatomopathologic evaluation. Ovariosalpingohisterectomy (OSH) was performed as definitive treatment. It is concluded that the intussusception of the uterus may occur spontaneously in dogs immediately postpartum.

Anaemia in patients with cancer: role of inflammatory activity on iron metabolism and severity of anaemia.

Hepcidin has been proposed as an important factor in the pathogenesis of the anaemia of chronic disease (ACD). The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between anaemia and inflammatory activity in patients with solid tumours. Patients were classified as having iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) (hypoferremia and hypoferretinemia), ACD (hypoferremia, normal or increased serum ferritin) and anaemia related to cancer (ARC) (no abnormalities in iron status). Serum pro-hepcidin, IL-6, C-reactive protein (CRP) and iron status parameters were measured using commercial kits. CRP and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with ACD when compared to IDA, ARC and non anaemic patients (P < 0.005). Serum pro-hepcidin levels were not different among all studied groups (P = 0.138). A negative correlation was observed between haemoglobin and serum ferritin, CRP and IL-6 levels only in group of ACD. Serum pro-hepcidin concentrations were not correlated with degree of anaemia or iron metabolism parameters. According to our results the inflammatory activity represented by high levels of IL-6 and CRP are involved in the pathogenesis of ACD, probably due to the action of inflammation on iron metabolism, but not in ARC. It was not possible to demonstrate a significant effect of pro-hepcidin on the anaemia in cancer patients.

Swainsonine-induced lysosomal storage disease in goats caused by the ingestion of Turbina cordata in Northeastern Brazil.

A disease of the central nervous system in goats was observed in the municipalities of Juazeiro, Casa Nova and Curaça, state of Bahia, and Petrolina, state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. The disease was produced experimentally in two goats by the administration of dry Turbina cordata mixed with grain. Clinical signs were observed after the ingestion of 62 and 106 g/kg body weight in 28 and 54 days, respectively. The concentration of swainsonine in the plant varied from less than 0.001% to 0.14% (dry weight). Clinical signs of natural and experimental cases included difficulties in standing, ataxia, hypermetria, wide-based stance, intention tremors, spastic paresis mainly in the hind legs, nystagmus, abnormal postural reactions, head tilting, and falling. Diffuse vacuolation of neurons, epithelial cells of pancreas, thyroids, and renal tubules were observed on the histology. From the electron microscopy of Purkinje cells the vacuoles represented dilated lysosomes. These findings demonstrated that T. cordata causes an acquired glycoprotein lysosomal storage disease. The intoxication occurs at least in an area of 27,000 km2 causing severe losses in goats, and some farmers report the disease also in cattle.