The pathology of canine mammary candidiasis with embolic dissemination in a dog.

Candidiasis is a fungal disease caused by Candida albicans or other members of the genus Candida. Descriptions of candidiasis are comparatively reduced in veterinary relative to human medicine, with no cases of mammary candidiasis being identified in pet animals. This report presents the cytological, pathological, and molecular findings of mammary candidiasis with embolic dissemination in a postpartum dog. A 1-year-old, female Shih-tzu dog that had recently given birth was admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital in Southern Brazil after repeated episodes of intermittent mammary disease and a neurological syndrome. The dog was euthanized due to worsened clinical status and poor prognosis despite adequate clinical therapy and was submitted for routine post-mortem evaluation to determine the cause of the neurological manifestations. Cytological analysis of purulent mastitis identified intralesional fungal hyphae. Gross evaluation revealed multiple masses within the kidneys, liver, myocardium, pancreas, and brain. Routine histopathology and histochemistry identified fungal nephritis, hepatitis, myocarditis, pancreatitis, and encephalitis associated with intralesional fungal hyphae, frequently with fungal emboli and vasculitis. Pure cultures of C. albicans were obtained from fragments of the masses observed at the myocardium and kidneys, with the typical germ tube of C. albicans being identified by microscopic evaluation. A PCR assay that targeted the ITS1 and 4 generic regions of fungi, amplified the desired amplicon, and direct sequencing confirmed C. albicans. Immunohistochemical and molecular assays designed to identify common infectious disease pathogens of dogs did not confirm the participation of canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, or canine adenovirus in the target tissues of this dog. These findings suggest that this dog suffered an initial cutaneous lesion, that probably served as portal of entry to the mammary gland, resulting in mammary candidiasis with subsequent embolic dissemination to multiple organs. This report represent the first description of mammary candidiasis in pet animals and probably one of the few pathological descriptions of mammary candidiasis in domestic animals. In this case, the cause of the fungal infection was probably associated with factors intrinsic to abdominal surgery, pregnancy, and the utilization of antibiotics.

Detection of bovine gammaherpesvirus 6 in tissues of aborted fetuses from dairy cows concomitantly infected by Histophilus somni.

Bovine gammaherpesvirus 6 (BoGHV6), formerly known as bovine lymphotropic virus, is a member of the Macavirus genus, subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae, family Herpesviridae, that was initially associated with proliferative diseases in cattle. While the Macavirus genus contains agents, including alcelaphine gammaherpesvirus 1 (AlGHV1), ovine gammaherpesvirus 2 (OvGHV2), and caprine gammaherpesvirus-2 (CpGHV2), known to cause malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), and are collectively referred to as MCF virus (MCFV) group of organisms, diseases and/or clinical syndromes have not been associated with BoGHV6 and porcine lymphotropic herpesvirus (PLHV). This report investigated the occurrence of BoGHV6 in tissues of aborted dairy fetuses known to be infected by Histophilus somni to identify possible disease patterns associated with infection by this Macavirus. A nested-PCR (nPCR) assay was used to amplify the BoGHV6 polymerase gene from multiple tissues of 13 fetuses and the cow of one of these which were derived from seven dairy herds located in three geographical regions of Brazil. Direct sequencing confirmed the results of the nPCR assays. Additionally, all fetal tissues were previously investigated for the presence of H. somni, Listeria monocytogenes, Neospora caninum, Brucella abortus, Leptospira spp., bovine alphaherpesvirus 1, and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) by PCR and/or RT-PCR assays. The nPCR assay amplified BoGHV6 DNA from fetuses of most dairy herds (85.7%; 6/7) investigated, resulting in the amplification of BoGHV6 from 76.9% (10/13) of all fetuses evaluated from two geographical and important cattle-producing regions of Brazil. Furthermore, only BoGHV6 was identified in the spleen (n = 3), myocardium, and kidney (n = 2) of five fetuses, and BoGHV6 was the only agent associated with myocarditis in one of these. Nevertheless, dual, triple, and quadruple infections (including BVDV, B. abortus, and N. caninum) were identified in fetuses that were concomitantly infected by H. somni. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the strain herein identified has 100% nucleotide (nt) sequence identity with wild type strains of BoGHV6 circulating in ruminants from Brazil and 99.8% nt identity with the reference strain of BoGHV6 but was 72.2-73.3% and 67.4-68.2% different from members of the MCFV group and PLHV, respectively. These results demonstrated that 76.9% of the fetuses evaluated were infected by BoGHV6, most likely via vertical infection resulting in transplacental transmission. Considering that most fetuses were concomitantly infected by BoGHV6 and H. somni the real impact of this viral infection cannot be efficiently determined. However, since BoGHV6 was the only pathogen identified in the myocardium of one fetus with myocarditis by histopathology, the possible participation of this Macavirus in the etiopathogenesis of the myocardial disease observed in this fetus cannot be ignored or discarded. However, the mere amplification of BoGHV6 DNA from the myocardium is not enough to establish a definite association between cause and effect, since in situ evaluations and experimental studies would be needed to confirm this agent in the etiopathogenesis of fetal diseases and/or abortions in cattle. Consequently, additional studies are needed to determine the exact role, if any, of BoGHV6 in the development of fetal disease, and possibly fetal mortality.

Seneca Valley virus induces immunodepressionin suckling piglets by selective apoptosis of B lymphocytes.

Seneca Valley virus (SVV) is the causative agent of an emerging infectious vesicular disease in swine that is clinically indistinguishable from other vesicular diseases of swine. This study utilized healthy suckling piglets (control) and SVV-naturally infected suckling piglets to determine the effects of SVV on lymphoid tissues and determined the SVV RNA load by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses were performed to quantify the expression of T and B cell lymphocytes, natural killer cells, cleaved caspase 3, and ki-67. The main histopathologic finding in the infected group was severe lymphoid depletion. The highest average of SVV RNA load by qRT-PCR (Log10 genomic copies/g of tissue) occurred at the spleen (8.54 ± 0.8), followed by the tonsils (8.04 ± 1.42), and mesenteric lymph nodes (6.90 ± 1.42). The IHC analyses revealed that there was an increased in cellular apoptosis with concomitant reduction in the proliferation of B cells. The results from this study have demonstrated that SVV-infected piglets exhibited decreased lymphocyte density probably due to lymphoid apoptosis, affecting particularly B-cells lymphocytes.

Ovine gammaherpesvirus-2 infection associated with chronic interstitial pneumonia in a sheep.

Sheep Associated-Malignant Catarrhal Fever (SA-MCF) is severe, frequently lethal, lymphoproliferative disease predominantly of ruminants, that is caused by ovine gammaherpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2), a member of the MCF virus (MCFV) complex. However, SA-MCF in sheep is a rare entity with few demonstrations of natural diseases worldwide. This report documents the clinical, radiographical, pathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings of SA-MCF in a sheep. A 4-year-old, female, mixed-breed sheep with progressive emaciation for at least one month was humanely euthanized due to poor prognosis. Clinically, the animal had tachypnea, ruminal hypomotility, productive coughing with bilateral muffling sounds during pulmonary auscultation. Radiographical evaluation revealed alveolar opacity of the cranioventral pulmonary region. Grossly, there were distinct rib impressions on the pleural surface of the lungs, suggestive of interstitial pneumonia. Histopathologic evaluation of the lungs revealed several disease patterns including 1) chronic interstitial pneumonia with vasculitis and proliferating vascular lesions, and thrombosis; 2) pulmonary abscesses associated with embolic dissemination of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis from superficial lymph node due to caseous lymphadenitis, CLA; 3) granulomatous pneumonia associated with pulmonary nematodes; and 4) chronic pleuritis, probably due to caseous lymphadenitis. Additional significant histologic findings included widespread lymphocytic vasculitis and proliferating vascular lesions in multiple tissues, atrophic enteritis, segmental degeneration of myocardial fibers with lymphocytic pericarditis, lymphocytic interstitial nephritis, and non-suppurative encephalitis. An immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay, based on the monoclonal antibody 15A (MAb-15A), that is specific to all MCFV known to cause MCF, revealed positive, intracytoplasmic, intralesional immunoreactivity, predominantly within bronchial and bronchiolar epithelial cells of the lungs and cryptal epithelial cells of the small intestine, followed by the renal tubular epithelium, cardiomyocytes, and with patchy immunolabelling within neurons of the cerebral cortex. Molecular testing done to detect a wide range of bacterial and viral agents of ruminant diseases, only amplified OvHV-2 DNA from fresh tissue fragments of the lungs, kidney, liver, spleen, and cerebrum. Direct sequencing confirmed that the PCR amplicon derived from the pulmonary fragments had 99.2-99.7% nucleotide sequence identity with OvHV-2 reference strains and strains of OvHV-2 from Brazil. The clinical, radiographical, gross, histopathologic, IHC, and molecular findings in the lungs are consistent with chronic interstitial pneumonia associated with infection by OvHV-2. Furthermore, the non-detection of other viral agents associated with pulmonary diseases in ruminants suggest that OvHV-2 was directly associated with the development of chronic pneumonia in this sheep. Additionally, the dental alterations, CLA, and the pulmonary nematode may have contributed towards the reduced immunological statue of the animal and facilitated the occurrence of SA-MCF. These findings may indicate that OvHV-2 may be a major participant in the pathogenesis of pulmonary disease of sheep under special conditions. Moreover, the proliferating vascular lesions identified in multiple tissues are additional evidence of chronic manifestations of OvHV-2 infections as described in chronic SA-MCF of cattle, while the widespread vasculitis is consistent with SA-MCF. Additionally, the IHC findings using the MAb-15A confirmed that this diagnostic approach is efficient to identify intralesional antigens of OvHV-2.

Detection of canine parvovirus types 2b and 2c in canine faecal samples contaminating urban thoroughfares in Brazil.

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis in dogs all over the world. Because of its stability in the environment, CPV-2 can remain infective for a long time, especially if protected in organic matter. To demonstrate CPV-2's potential as an environmental hazard for nonimmunized susceptible hosts, we investigated 50 faecal samples collected from public areas in a municipality of Paraná state, Brazil. Seven samples tested positive for CPV by a PCR assay targeting the partial VP2 gene, with three strains being confirmed as CPV-2b variant and one as CPV-2c variant by sequence analysis. These findings were supported by phylogenetic analysis, and the species identity of faecal samples source was confirmed by canine mitochondrial DNA amplification and sequencing. Our results demonstrate the presence of CPV in canine faeces contaminating urban thoroughfares and reinforce the importance of environmental control to reduce the potential exposure risks to susceptible hosts.

Prevalence and risk factors for agents causing diarrhea (Coronavirus, Rotavirus, Cryptosporidium spp., Eimeria spp., and nematodes helminthes) according to age in dairy calves from Brazil.

The present study attempted to verify the prevalence of and risk factors for diarrhea-causing agents in dairy calves from Brazil. Additionally, ages with a higher risk of occurrence for each agent were verified by means of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The collections were performed on 39 farms, belonging to 29 municipalities located in eight states of Brazil. It was possible to conclude that the prevalence of Coronavirus, Rotavirus, Cryptosporidium spp., Eimeria spp., and nematodes was 7.20% (95% CI 4.54-9.78), 6.37% (95% CI 3.85-8.89), 51.52% (95% CI 45.26-55.57), 3.46% (95% CI 2.24-4.67), and 3.46% (95% CI 2.24-4.67), respectively. Ages with higher probabilities of occurrence of these diseases in calves were < 10, > 8, > 6, > 37, and > 36 days, respectively. Diarrhea occurred more significantly (P < 0.0001) in animals less than 21 days old and mainly on those receiving milk through automatic feeders (P < 0.001). Cryptosporidium spp. were a risk factor for the occurrence of Rotavirus, and vice versa (P = 0.0039) and presented a positive correlation with Coronavirus (P = 0.0089). Calves that drink water from rivers, streams, and ponds had a higher chance of being infected by Eimeria spp. (P < 0.0001), as well as developing infection by nematodes (P < 0.0001). The results found in this study highlight the importance of studying the agents of diarrhea together, once they act as coinfection where the losses triggered for the owners will involve some of these agents simultaneously.

Genetic characterization of a putative new type of bovine papillomavirus in the Xipapillomavirus 1 species in a Brazilian dairy herd.

Currently, bovine papillomavirus types are divided into five genera, namely, Deltapapillomavirus, Epsilonpapillomavirus, Xipapillomavirus, Dyoxipapillomavirus, and Dyokappapapillomavirus. In the recent decades, the characterization of numerous putative and novel bovine papillomavirus types from cattle in several geographic regions, has revealed the occurrence of a high viral diversity. In this study, we describe the identification and characterization of a putative new bovine papillomavirus type within species Xipapillomavirus 1 of Xipapillomavirus genus. The detection of the viral types identified in the skin warts was obtained by polymerase chain reaction assays targeting the L1 gene, followed by direct sequencing of the generated amplicons. The partial L1 sequences revealed that bovine papillomavirus types 6, 10, and 11, the putative new bovine papillomavirus type designated BPV/CHI-SW2, and an unreported putative new bovine papillomavirus type (named BPV/BR-UEL08) were associated with cutaneous papillomatosis in the cows from the dairy herd investigated. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on the L1 gene revealed that the BPV/BR-UEL08 isolate clustered with other bovine papillomaviruses classified in the Xipapillomavirus genus, being closely related to representatives of the species Xipapillomavirus 1. Investigations focusing on the molecular epidemiology of bovine papillomaviruses related to clinical outcomes in cattle are of fundamental importance to determine the actual genetic diversity and prevalent viral types to be included in vaccines for cattle.

Cross-sectional study of the G and P genotypes of rotavirus A field strains circulating in regularly vaccinated dairy cattle herds.

Neonatal diarrhea is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in calves up to 30 days old, and rotavirus A (RVA) is the main viral etiology. RVA vaccines are one of the main tools for diarrhea control in neonates. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to monitor by RT-PCR the G and P genotypes of RVA strains identified in dairy cattle herds regularly vaccinated with the RVA UK strain (G6P[5]). Of the 14 randomly selected herds, two were excluded because no calf was diagnosed with diarrhea on the day of fecal collection. Another six herds were also excluded from the study because all 20 diarrheic fecal samples evaluated were RT-PCR-negative. In the remaining six herds, 17 (25.4%) of the 67 diarrheic samples were RVA-positive. One G and P amplicon from each herd were selected for nucleotide sequencing. In the phylogenetic analysis, five RVA strains presented the G6P[11] genotype, and one presented the G10P[11] genotype. The G6 genotype present in all RVA field strains clustered into a distinct phylogenetic arrangement (lineage III) of the UK vaccine strain (lineage IV), characterizing the emergence of a phylogenetically distant G6 strain. In addition, we observed the emergence of strains with G10 and P[11] genotypes characterizing failure in heterologous immune protection. These results show the epidemiological importance of constant monitoring of RVA strains in vaccinated cattle herds and the low frequencies of diarrhea and diagnosis of RVA suggest that a regular vaccination program reduces the frequency and severity of RVA diarrhea in suckling calves.

Molecular Characterization of a New G (VP7) Genotype in Group B Porcine Rotavirus.

Rotaviruses (RVs), a common cause of viral gastroenteritis in humans and animals, are classified into 9 established groups/species (RVA-RVI). Although RVB has been found in several countries, genetic variation among RVB field strains remains poorly characterized. RVB strains can be classified into G genotypes based on a nucleotide (nt) homology that exceeds a cutoff value of 80% for the gene that encodes the structural protein VP7. In this study, we determined the VP7 nt and deduced amino acid sequences of one RVB strain (RB62) identified in a diarrheic fecal sample obtained from a piglet in Brazil in 2012. Comparative analysis of this strain and the strains of the other 21 previously identified VP7 ge-notypes showed that the highest nt identity (71.2%) was found with the porcine PB-70-H5 strain within the G4 genotype. However, when compared with the nonclassified Vietnamese RVB G genotype 14177_18 strain, the nt sequence identity was of 82.9%. These results led us to conclude that the Brazilian strain BR62 and the Vietnamese strain 14177_18 belong to a novel G genotype (G22).

Quantitative analysis of senecavirus A in tissue samples from naturally infected newborn piglets.

In this study, we determined the distribution of senecavirus A (SVA) and viral RNA load in different organs and tissues of naturally infected piglets. A TaqMan-based qRT-PCR assay was performed using RNA extracted from brainstem, cerebellum, cerebrum, heart, kidney, liver, lungs, small intestine, spleen, urinary bladder, and tonsils of seven newborn piglets. SVA was detected in 57 out of 70 tissue samples (81.4%). Viral loads ranged from 4.07 to 10.38 log10 genomic copies per g of tissue. The results show that SVA has tropism for various organs in naturally infected newborn piglets, especially for tonsils, spleen, lungs, and liver. Lymphoid organs had the highest viral loads and may be important sites for SVA replication.

Virus neutralization technique as a tool to evaluate the virological profile for bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in dairy water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) herds.

Serological evidence shows that the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections are present in Brazilian dairy and beef water buffalo herds. As few reports describe the BVDV infection profile the aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of BVDV circulation in Brazilian dairy water buffalo herds through analysis of the seropositivity rate and the titer range of anti-BVDV neutralizing antibodies in a group of animals that are considered sentinels. Blood samples (n = 305) were obtained from unvaccinated, asymptomatic young water buffalos from four dairy herds randomly identified as A (n = 106), B (n = 62), C (n = 119), and D (n = 18). The detection and titration of anti-BVDV neutralizing antibodies were evaluated by the virus neutralization test according to the World Organization for Animal Health. Analysis of the results revealed two distinct epidemiological conditions. The first is represented by herds A and C where high rates of seropositive animals (A = 39.6%; C = 51.3%) and high and very variable antibodies titers suggested active BVDV infection. The other condition is represented by herds B and D with low rates of seropositive animals (B = 8.1%; D = 11.1%) and low and little variable antibodies titers suggesting an epidemiological condition of infection stability. Some variables were observed in herds with a distinct BVDV infection profile. Herds with active infection were big, open herds, and had more management practices. In contrast, the herds with infection stability were small, closed herds with few management practices. These results highlight the importance of evaluation, monitoring, and control of BVDV infection also in dairy water buffalo herds.

Dairy calf rearing unit and infectious diseases: diarrhea outbreak by bovine coronavirus as a model for the dispersion of pathogenic microorganisms.

Dairy calf rearing unit is a management system that is only recently being implemented by some milk producer's cooperatives in southern Brazil. However, aspects related to the health profile of the heifer calves that arrive in the rearing unit as well as about biosecurity practices and microbiological challenges have not yet been evaluated in this rearing system in a tropical country. Diarrhea is the main and most frequent consequence of enteric infections in newborn calves. This study, through some etiological and epidemiological characteristics of an outbreak of neonatal diarrhea, has the aim to alert to the possibility of pathogenic microorganism spread in a dairy heifer calf rearing unit. The diarrhea outbreak presented some non-regular characteristics observed in bovine coronavirus (BCoV) enteric infections in dairy calves. The spread of infection was extremely rapid (1 week); the attack rate (> 50%) was much higher than that observed in calves subjected to conventional rearing; and the age range (5 to 90 days) of the affected heifer calves was much broader than that often observed in the BCoV diarrhea worldwide. These unusual epidemiological characteristics observed in this BCoV diarrhea outbreak raise awareness of the health threat present in calf rearing units as well as of the easy and rapid viral spread in a population of young animals from different dairy herds and, therefore, with very distinct immunological status.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus subgenotype 1b in water buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) from Brazil.

Serological studies have characterized the presence of the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection in water buffalo herds worldwide. However, the molecular characterization of BVDV strains circulating in this animal species is uncommon. The aim of this study was to identify young water buffalo with acute infection and characterize the subgenotype of the infecting wild-type BVDV strain. Two dairy water buffalo herds from Northeastern Brazil were selected based on the results of virus neutralization test which showed high titers of anti-BVDV antibodies. To identify viremic animals, the BVDV RNA was assessed by RT-PCR assay in serum samples from 44 asymptomatic young water buffalos, where 31 serum samples from herd A and 13 from herd B. Amplicons with 288 bp of BVDV 5'UTR region were obtained in 7 (15.9%) serum samples (herd A, n = 5; herd B, n = 2). One good-quality amplicon from each herd was selected for nucleotide sequencing. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the two BVDV wild-type strains clustered with BVDV strains of the subgenotype 1b. This study identified for the first time the active infection by BVDV subgenotype 1b in two dairy water buffalo herds from Brazil. These results highlight the importance of that, as well as in cattle herds, also in water buffalo herds prophylaxis measures to control BVDV infection should be intensified, mainly because these species clearly coexist in buffalo farms within Brazil.

IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR EVIDENCE OF PUTATIVE NEORICKETTSIA INFECTION IN COATIS ( NASUA NASUA) FROM SOUTHERN BRAZIL.

The pathologic, molecular, and immunohistochemical findings associated with Neorickettsia helminthoeca are described in coatis ( Nasua nasua). Tissue sections (small intestine, lungs, kidney, liver, and spleen) of coatis ( n = 3) that died at the Bela Vista Biological Refuge, Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, southern Brazil were routinely processed from histopathology. Selected formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections of the small intestine, lungs, and spleen were used in an immunohistochemical (IHC) assay designed to identify the antigens of N. helminthoeca. Additionally, FFPE tissue sections of the small intestine were used to demonstrate antigens of canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2) by IHC. Histopathology revealed chronic enteritis in all coatis. Parasitic enteritis was diagnosed in two coatis; one of these contained examples of a trematode within the lumen of the small intestine and the ovum of a trematode encysted in the intestinal mucosa. Other significant pathologic findings included interstitial pneumonia ( n = 2) and pyogranulomatous splenitis ( n = 1). Positive immunolabeling for N. helminthoeca was identified within macrophages of the small intestine and reticuloendothelial cells within the germinal centers of the spleen of all coatis; the intestinal trematode was N. helminthoeca IHC-positive. All pulmonary sections revealed negative immunolabeling for N. helminthoeca. Furthermore, the antigens of CPV-2 were not identified in the intestine of any coati. These findings indicate that these coatis were infected by N. helminthoeca, but since clinical and gross pathological findings were not recorded, it is uncertain if this pathogen produced clinical disease in this canid host; therefore, coatis may be asymptomatic or dead-end hosts for this organism.

A TaqMan-based qRT-PCR assay for Senecavirus A detection in tissue samples of neonatal piglets.

This study describes a sensitive (1.3 × 101 genomic copies/µL) and specific TaqMan-based qRT-PCR assay able to detect and quantify SVA RNA in porcine biological samples. The technique represents an efficient tool for the virus diagnosis and assessment of SVA load in tissues of infected animals and for epidemiological studies.

Phylogenetic analysis of VP1 and RdRP genes of Brazilian aichivirus B strains involved in a diarrhea outbreak in dairy calves.

Aichivirus B has been reported worldwide in calves and adult cattle with and without diarrhea. The aim of this study was to describe the molecular characteristics of the RdRP and VP1 genes of aichivirus B strains identified as the most frequent etiologic agent in a neonatal diarrhea outbreak in a high-production Brazilian dairy cattle herd. Preliminary laboratory analysis ruled out important enteropathogens (Cryptosporidium spp; Eimeria spp., E. coli F5, and bovine coronavirus). Fecal samples from diarrheic (n = 24) and asymptomatic (n = 5) calves up to 30 days old were collected for virological analysis. RT-PCR assays were performed for the detection of aichivirus B RdRP and VP1 genes and for rotavirus A VP7 and VP4 genes in fecal samples. Asymptomatic calves (control group) were negative for both viruses. Aichivirus B and rotavirus A G10P[11] genotypes were found in 54.2% (13/24) and 25% (6/24) of the diarrheic fecal samples, respectively. Aichivirus B was only identified (83.3%, 10/12) in calves up to two weeks old. Phylogenetic analysis based on the RdRP gene grouped the Brazilian strains in a new branch within the aichivirus B group. Comparative analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the VP1 gene of Brazilian and Chinese aichivirus B strains allowed the strains identified in this study to be classified in the putative lineage 1. This is the first description of a high rate of aichivirus B detection in a diarrhea outbreak in dairy calves, and the first phylogenetic study of the VP1 gene of aichivirus B wild-type strains performed in South America.

First report of feline morbillivirus in South America.

Feline morbillivirus was first identified in healthy and diseased stray cats captured in Hong Kong. Recently, it was demonstrated that the virus circulates within cat populations in Japan, Italy, Germany, and the USA. Importantly, an association between feline morbillivirus infection and chronic kidney disease was suggested by histological analysis of kidney tissue of infected cats. The aim of this study was to verify the presence and examine the genetic diversity of feline morbilliviruses associated with infections of domestic cats in Brazil. Seventeen cats without clinical manifestations of urinary tract diseases from a multi-cat household and 35 random client-owned cats admitted to the Teaching Veterinary Hospital for a variety of reasons were evaluated for paramyxoviral infection and the presence of uropathy. A fragment of the paramyxoviral L gene was amplified from urine samples using a reverse transcription semi-nested PCR assay. For the first time, we detected a feline morbillivirus strain that was genetically related to viral strains previously characterized in Japan in urine samples from cats in South America, in Brazil. This together with the recent description of feline morbillivirus identification within cat populations in the USA, suggests a possible widespread distribution of this viral agent on the American continent. Our data demonstrated feline morbillivirus RNA shedding mostly in the urine of cats without clinical, laboratorial, or ultrasonographic signs of urinary tract diseases. In contrast to previously published findings that associated feline morbillivirus infection with chronic kidney disease, we did not observe a clear relationship between feline morbillivirus RNA shedding in urine and kidney disease in the cats evaluated.

Extra-intestinal detection of canine kobuvirus in a puppy from Southern Brazil.

This study presents the pathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings associated with the extra-intestinal detection of canine kobuvirus (CaKV) in a 5-month-old Chihuahua puppy, that had a clinical history of bloody-tinged feces. Principal pathological findings were interstitial pneumonia, necrotizing bronchitis, and parvovirus-induced enteritis. Molecular diagnostic methods identified CaKV within the cerebellum, cerebrum, lung, tonsil, and liver. CaKV and rotavirus were not identified within the feces and intestine. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays detected antigens of CDV and CAdV-1 in the lungs. These results confirmed the extra-intestinal detection of CaKV in this puppy and represent the first extra-intestinal detection of CaKV in a dog.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis-associated dermatitis and lymphadenitis in a dog.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an endemic disease of humans from Latin America that is caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii, with most cases of PCM in domestic animals being associated with P. brasiliensis. This study presents the clinical, cytological, mycological, serological, and molecular findings associated with P. brasiliensis in a dog from Southern Brazil. Fine needle biopsies were collected from the skin and several lymph nodes of a 5-year-old female Labrador dog that had enlargement of most superficial lymph nodes. Cytology of the skin and lymph nodes revealed pyogranulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis associated with fine-necked, budding fungal structures consistent with the Paracoccidioides genus of organisms; mycological culture derived from the lymph node aspirate demonstrated similar budding structures. Serological assays using exoantigens obtained from the fungal culture demonstrated that the fungal organisms derived from the lymph node were antigenically similar to P. brasiliensis by immunodiffusion and Western blot. A PCR assay, using the fungal culture as input, amplified a partial segment of the internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2 regions of P. brasiliensis; direct sequencing and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the PCR product as P. brasiliensis. The combined cytological, mycological, serological, and molecular findings confirmed a diagnosis of fungal dermatitis and lymphadenitis due to P. brasiliensis in this dog. This case represents the third description of clinical PCM in dogs and the first confirmation of mycotic dermatitis associated with P. brasiliensis in this species. The participation of dogs in the possible dissemination of PCM is reviewed, and it is proposed that dogs are probable accidental hosts in the epidemiological cycle associated with P. brasiliensis.

Longitudinal study of bovine rotavirus group A in newborn calves from vaccinated and unvaccinated dairy herds.

Reports of rotavirus excretion in calves usually result from cross-sectional studies, and in face of the conflicting results regarding protection of calves born to vaccinated dams against diarrhea, the aim of the present study was to evaluate rotavirus excretion in dairy calves born to vaccinated or unvaccinated dams, to identify the genotypes of bovine rotavirus group A (RVA) strains isolated from these animals as well as to investigate characteristics of the disease in naturally occurring circumstances throughout the first month of life. Five hundred fifty-two fecal samples were taken from 56 calves, 28 from each farm and, in the vaccinated herd, 11/281 samples (3.91%) taken from six different calves tested positive for RVA while in the unvaccinated herd, 3/271 samples (1.11%) taken from 3 different calves tested positive. The genotyping of the VP7 genes showed 91.2% nucleotide sequence identity to G6 genotype (NCDV strain), and for the VP4 gene, strains from the vaccinated herd were 96.6% related to B223 strain, while strains from the unvaccinated herd were 88% related to P[5] genotype (UK strain). Genotypes found in this study were G6P[11] in the vaccinated herd and G6P[5] in the unvaccinated herd. All calves infected with rotavirus presented an episode of diarrhea in the first month of life, and the discrepancy between the genotypes found in the commercial vaccine (G6P[1] and G10P[11]) and the rotavirus strains circulating in both vaccinated and unvaccinated herds show the importance of keeping constant surveillance in order to avoid potential causes of vaccination failure.