Systemic aspergillosis associated with acute enterocolitis in foals.

Aspergillosis is an uncommon disease in horses, but it can be fatal. We report two cases of systemic aspergillosis in foals that occurred in a short period in the same region of southern Brazil. In addition, a literature review of similar cases was also performed. Risk factors were attributed to an immunodepression by primary enterocolitis and corticosteroid treatment, the damage in the epithelium, and multiple antibacterial treatments, which allowed local fungal proliferation, tissue invasion and spread of infection, leading to death. Since the antemortem diagnosis of aspergillosis in foals is difficult, our report alerts equine veterinarians regarding the importance of suspecting and investigating fungal co-infections in complicated cases of enterocolitis.

Exposure of Culex quinquefasciatus to the oomycete Pythium insidiosum: A protocol for in vitro studies.

Pythium insidiosum causes pythiosis, an infection that affects different species of mammals, including humans, and inhabits marshy ecosystems of tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions worldwide. Therefore, this study proposes a protocol to expose Culex quinquefasciatus to P. insidiosum zoospores. Cx. quinquefasciatus immatures (eggs, larvae, and pupae) were exposed to zoospores (8x103 zoospores/mL) of the oomycete for 24 h. The exposure of Cx. quinquefasciatus to the zoospores from L1 to the emergence of adults was evaluated, and P. insidiosum detection was performed by microbiological culture, polymerase chain reaction, and histopathological analysis of stage 4 larvae. The protocol used to produce Cx. quinquefasciatus colonies and adapted for this study proved viable for research on the interaction between P. insidiosum and this Culicidae species. Moreover, P. insidiosum presence was evident in all larval stages of the mosquito, although the presence of the oomycete was not detected in the eggs, pupae, and adults. This study is a pioneer in the development of a protocol to evaluate Cx. quinquefasciatus exposure to P. insidiosum zoospores, and under experimental conditions, P. insidiosum can establish itself in Cx. quinquefasciatus larval stages. The developed protocol is expected to serve as a basis for developing studies to evaluate the interactions of P. insidiosum with these mosquitoes and shed more light on the participation of culicids in expanding the ecological niche of P. insidiosum.

Spontaneous poisoning by Dodonaea viscosa (Sapindaceae) in cattle in Southern Brazil / Intoxicação espontânea por Dodonaea viscosa (Sapindaceae) em bovinos no sul do Brasil

In this study, an outbreak of spontaneous poisoning by Dodonaea viscosa (D. viscosa) in a herd of dairy cattle in the municipality of Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, was investigated. Three deaths occurred in a batch of 16 Jersey cattle, aged between three and four years, kept in a native field. The clinical signs observed were apathy, decreased production, and anorexia, with death occurring within approximately 48 h after the onset of signs. The three cattle were necropsied, and tissue samples were sent for histopathological examination. Necropsy findings included serosanguineous fluid in the abdominal cavity, intestines with congested serosa, and marked mesenteric edema. The mucosa of the abomasum of two of the animals was hemorrhagic with bloody content, and among the ruminal content of a bovine, leaves with morphological characteristics compatible with D. viscosa were observed. The livers of the three animals were enlarged, with accentuation of the lobular pattern. Histologically, centrilobular coagulation necrosis with congestion and hemorrhage was observed in the liver. Vacuolization and degeneration of hepatocytes were observed in the mid-zonal and periportal regions. The diagnosis of poisoning by D. viscosa leaves was based on epidemiological data, necropsy findings, and histopathological alterations. The presence of the plant in the rumen and in the grazing site of the affected cattle was essential for the diagnosis.(AU)

Neste trabalho, é descrito um surto de intoxicação espontânea por Dodonaea viscosa (D. viscosa) ocorrido em um rebanho de bovinos leiteiros, no município de Capão do Leão, no Rio Grande do Sul. Ocorreram três mortes em um lote de 16 bovinos da raça Jersey com idades entre três e quatro anos, mantidos em campo nativo. Os sinais clínicos observados foram apatia, queda na produção e anorexia, com morte em aproximadamente 48 horas após o início dos sinais. Os três bovinos foram necropsiados, e amostras de tecidos foram encaminhadas para exame histopatológico. Os achados de necropsia incluíam líquido serossanguinolento na cavidade abdominal, intestinos com serosas congestas e marcado edema de mesentério. A mucosa do abomaso de dois animais apresentava-se hemorrágica com conteúdo sanguinolento e, em meio ao conteúdo ruminal de um bovino foram observadas folhas com caracteres morfológicos compatíveis com D. viscosa. O fígado dos três animais estava aumentado, com acentuação do padrão lobular. Histologicamente no fígado havia necrose de coagulação centrolobular com congestão e hemorragia. Nas regiões médio-zonal e periportal observou-se vacuolização e degeneração dos hepatócitos. O diagnóstico de intoxicação pelas folhas D. viscosa foi baseado nos dados epidemiológicos, nos achados de necropsia e nas alterações histopatológicas. A presença da planta no rúmen e no local de pastoreio dos bovinos afetados foi fundamental para o diagnóstico.(AU)

Spontaneous poisoning by Dodonaea viscosa (Sapindaceae) in cattle in Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT: In this study, an outbreak of spontaneous poisoning by Dodonaea viscosa (D. viscosa) in a herd of dairy cattle in the municipality of Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, was investigated. Three deaths occurred in a batch of 16 Jersey cattle, aged between three and four years, kept in a native field. The clinical signs observed were apathy, decreased production, and anorexia, with death occurring within approximately 48 h after the onset of signs. The three cattle were necropsied, and tissue samples were sent for histopathological examination. Necropsy findings included serosanguineous fluid in the abdominal cavity, intestines with congested serosa, and marked mesenteric edema. The mucosa of the abomasum of two of the animals was hemorrhagic with bloody content, and among the ruminal content of a bovine, leaves with morphological characteristics compatible with D. viscosa were observed. The livers of the three animals were enlarged, with accentuation of the lobular pattern. Histologically, centrilobular coagulation necrosis with congestion and hemorrhage was observed in the liver. Vacuolization and degeneration of hepatocytes were observed in the mid-zonal and periportal regions. The diagnosis of poisoning by D. viscosa leaves was based on epidemiological data, necropsy findings, and histopathological alterations. The presence of the plant in the rumen and in the grazing site of the affected cattle was essential for the diagnosis.

RESUMO: Neste trabalho, é descrito um surto de intoxicação espontânea por Dodonaea viscosa (D. viscosa) ocorrido em um rebanho de bovinos leiteiros, no município de Capão do Leão, no Rio Grande do Sul. Ocorreram três mortes em um lote de 16 bovinos da raça Jersey com idades entre três e quatro anos, mantidos em campo nativo. Os sinais clínicos observados foram apatia, queda na produção e anorexia, com morte em aproximadamente 48 horas após o início dos sinais. Os três bovinos foram necropsiados, e amostras de tecidos foram encaminhadas para exame histopatológico. Os achados de necropsia incluíam líquido serossanguinolento na cavidade abdominal, intestinos com serosas congestas e marcado edema de mesentério. A mucosa do abomaso de dois animais apresentava-se hemorrágica com conteúdo sanguinolento e, em meio ao conteúdo ruminal de um bovino foram observadas folhas com caracteres morfológicos compatíveis com D. viscosa. O fígado dos três animais estava aumentado, com acentuação do padrão lobular. Histologicamente no fígado havia necrose de coagulação centrolobular com congestão e hemorragia. Nas regiões médio-zonal e periportal observou-se vacuolização e degeneração dos hepatócitos. O diagnóstico de intoxicação pelas folhas D. viscosa foi baseado nos dados epidemiológicos, nos achados de necropsia e nas alterações histopatológicas. A presença da planta no rúmen e no local de pastoreio dos bovinos afetados foi fundamental para o diagnóstico.

Leiomyosarcoma in a cockatiel / Leiomiossarcoma em calopsita

ABSTRACT: Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) are exotic birds thatoriginated from Australia.Because of their beauty and learning ability, they are one of the most popular pet birds among the Psittaciformes. The objective of this study was to report a case of leiomyosarcoma on the humeral musculature of the left wing of a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus). The animal was admitted to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (NURFS-CETAS) of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas withswelling in the humeral region of the left wing. During surgery, the animal died and was transferred to the Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico, Faculdade de Veterinária (LRD-UFPel). During histopathological evaluation (hematoxylin and eosin routine technique) of the tumor, spindle neoplastic cells were observed, arranged in interlaced bundles amongst degenerate and normal muscle fibers. Using immunohistochemistry, neoplastic cells were positively immunostained for vimentin and alpha smooth muscle actin. Based on of clinical-pathological and immunohistochemical findings, leiomyosarcoma was diagnosed.

RESUMO: As calopsitas (Nymphicus hollandicus) são aves exóticas originárias da Austrália. Devido a beleza e capacidade de aprendizado são uma das principais aves utilizadas como animal de companhia. O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar um caso de leiomiossarcoma, na musculatura umeral da asa esquerda de uma calopsita. O animal deu entrada no Núcleo de Reabilitação da Fauna Silvestre (NURFS-CETAS) da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), por apresentar aumento de volume na região umeral da asa esquerda. Durante o procedimento cirúrgico o animal veio a óbito, sendo encaminhado ao Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico, Faculdade de Veterinária (LRD-UFPel). Na avaliação histopatológica (Técnica de rotina Hematoxilina e Eosina) da massa tumoral foram observadas células neoplásicas fusiformes, arranjadas em feixes entrelaçados, em meio a fibras musculares degeneradas e normais. Na imunohistoquímica verificou-se imunomarcação positiva das células neoplásicas para vimentina e alfa actina, de músculo liso. Diante dos achados clínico-patológicos e imunohistoquímicos determinou-se o diagnóstico de leiomiossarcoma. O diagnóstico definitivo deste neoplasma requer analise imunohistoquímica.

Tuberculose em felinos domésticos (Felis catus) no sul do Rio Grande do Sul / Tuberculosis in domestic cats (Felis catus) in southern Rio Grande do Sul

Descrevem-se os aspectos clínico patológicos de quatro casos de tuberculose em felinos domésticos no Sul do Rio Grande do sul. Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo dos casos diagnosticados como tuberculose em gatos necropsiados no Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (LRD/UFPel) no período de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2014. Em dois casos a amplificação da sequência genética IS6110 específica para Mycobacterium tuberculosis demonstrou que a doença era de origem humana. Os outros dois foram positivos para Mycobacterium spp. Os sinais clínicos caracterizaram-se por emagrecimento progressivo, anorexia e dispneia. As alterações macroscópicas evidenciadas eram de caquexia, aumento de volume dos linfonodos submandibulares com áreas focais de aspecto caseoso ao corte. Nos pulmões havia áreas multifocais a coalescentes amareladas de aspecto caseoso, discretamente elevadas e firmes na superfície pleural. Histologicamente havia broncopneumonia e linfadenite granulomatosas. A coloração de Ziehl-Neelsen evidenciou a presença de bacilos álcool-ácidos resistentes. Houve imunomarcação positiva para micobactéria pela técnica de imuno-histoquímica. Alerta-se para a importância da tuberculose felina como um problema de saúde pública pois gatos infectados podem servir de fonte para a disseminação das micobactérias no ambiente, além de serem sentinelas para a ocorrência da enfermidade em seres humanos.(AU)

Clinical pathological aspects of four cases of tuberculosis in domestic cats in southern Rio Grande do Sul is described. A retrospective study was conducted of cats diagnosed with tuberculosis and necropsied at the Regional Diagnostic Laboratory of the Federal University of Pelotas (LRD/UFPel) from January 2000 to December 2014. In two cases, the amplification of genetic sequence IS6110 specific to Mycobacterium tuberculosis demonstrated that the disease was of human origin. The other two were positive for Mycobacterium spp. The clinical signs were characterized by progressive weight loss, anorexia, and dyspnea. The evident macroscopic changes were cachexia, swelling of submandibular lymph nodes with focal areas of caseous aspect on cut surface. The lungs had multifocal caseous areas at the pleural surface. Histologically, the cats had pneumonia and granulomatous lymphadenitis. The Ziehl-Neelsen staining revealed the presence of alcohol-acid resistant bacteria. There was a positive immunostaining for mycobacteria by immunohistochemistry technique. We alert to the importance of feline tuberculosis as a public health problem, because infected cats may serve as source for dissemination of mycobacteria in the environment, and be sentinels for the occurrence of the disease in humans.(AU)