Effects of Bermudagrass hay and soybean hulls inclusion on performance of sheep fed cactus-based diets.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of replacing corn with soybean hulls (SH) or Bermudagrass tifton hay (TH) on performance of sheep fed cactus-based diets. Three ruminally fistulated sheep were used in a 3 x 3 Latin square experiment with 21-day periods. All diets contained 75% spineless cactus (dry matter basis, DM) and formulated to be isonitrogenous. Fiber source had no influence on nutrient intakes except for the intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) which was lower (p<0.05) for animals fed corn relative to those fed SH or TH. Time expended in rumination and total chewing time were higher (p<0.05) for animals fed TH than those fed SH or corn. In vivo nutrient digestibilities were similar for all dietary treatments and averaged 69.6%, 74.8%, 69.9%, and 61.8% for DM, organic matter, crude protein, and NDF, respectively. Feeding SH relative to TH and corn decreased ruminal pH (p<0.05) and increased concentration of total volatile fatty acids (p<0.05). However, ruminal NH3-N concentration was higher (p<0.05) for animal fed TH than for those fed SH or corn. Abdominal distension and ruminal biofilm production were greater (p<0.05) in animals fed corn or SH than in those fed TH. It was concluded that replacing corn with SH or TH up to 15% of the diet DM in a cactus-based diet had no effect on nutrient intakes or total tract nutrient utilization. Changes in ruminal fermentation parameters reflected differences in ruminal degradability between the two fiber sources. Bermudagrass tifton hay was more effective than SH in reducing the risk of bloat associated with feeding high levels of spineless cactus to ruminants.

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.

Erratic migration of Ascaridia hermaphrodita (Nematoda: Ascaridida) in a blue-fronted Amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva) from illegal wildlife trade: case report / [Migração errática de Ascaridia hermaphrodita (Nematoda: Ascaridida) em papagaio-verdadeiro (Amazona aestiva) oriundo do comércio ilegal: relato de caso]

Ascaridiasis by Ascaridia hermaphrodita is a common parasitic disease in blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) and the contamination occurs by ingestion of eggs. Illegal trade of wild birds can increase the frequency of visceral erratic migration by this parasite. Hence, this report describes the erratic migration of A. hermaphrodita and associated lesions in a blue-fronted Amazon parrot. This is a retrospective study, which originated from several apprehension of illegal birds in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Necropsy revealed intense intestinal ascarid infestation. Hepatic lesions were also observed associated with the parasite migration. Stereoscopy allowed the identification of the morphology of the parasites. Summarizing, this condition in wild birds is not fully understood and may be associated with illegal trade.(AU)

Ascaridíase por Ascaridia hermaphrodita é uma doença parasitária comum em papagaios-verdadeiros. Sua contaminação ocorre pela ingestão de ovos. O tráfico de aves silvestres pode facilitar a migração errática visceral desse parasita. Este relato descreve a migração errática de A. hermaphrodita e lesões associadas em papagaio-verdadeiro. Trata-se de um relato retrospectivo, analisado a partir de uma série de apreensões de aves no estado da Paraíba, Brasil. A necropsia revelou intensa infestação ascarídea intestinal. Também foram observadas lesões hepáticas em uma ave, associadas à migração do parasita. A estereoscopia permitiu distinguir a morfologia dos parasitas. Resumidamente, essa condição em aves silvestres é pouco conhecida e pode ser considerada, inclusive, associada à comercialização ilegal.(AU)

Frequência das doenças de pele não tumorais em cães no município de João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil (2014-2016) / [Frequency of non tumor skin diseases in dogs in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil (2014-2016)]

Diante da carência de estudos sobre a frequência de dermatopatias que acometem cães por região geográfica no Brasil, o presente estudo objetivou conhecer a frequência das principais doenças cutâneas que afetam cães na região metropolitana de João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados de cães que passaram por atendimento dermatológico no período de setembro de 2014 a dezembro de 2016. Além dos exames clínicos e dermatológicos os cães foram submetidos a exames complementares (citológico, raspado de pele, parasitológico, tricograma, bacteriológico, micológico, histopatológico e molecular). No período do estudo, foram atendidos 1.083 cães, em que 18,65% (202/1.083) apresentavam algum tipo de dermatopatia não tumoral. Dos 202 cães acometidos, 51,49% (104/202) eram machos e 48,51% (98/202), fêmeas. Desses 202 cães, 13 tinham dois diagnósticos, totalizando 215 dermatopatias. Dos cães afetados, 62,87% (127/202) eram de raça definida e 37,13% (75/202), sem raça definida (SRD). As lesões observadas com mais frequência caracterizaram-se por áreas alopécicas, hipotricoicas, maculosas, erosivas e ulcerativas, placoides, eritematosas, assim como comedões, colaretes, seborreia. As dermatopatias parasitárias foram as mais frequentes (35,35%; 76/215), seguidas pelas dermatopatias bacterianas (24,19%; 52/215), dermatopatias alérgicas (20,00%; 43/215), dermatopatias fúngicas (17,21%; 37/215), dermatopatias por outras causas (2,32%; 5/215) e pelas dermatopatias autoimunes (0,93%; 2/215). Os exames físicos e dermatológicos, incluindo anamnese detalhada, histórico clínico apurado, associado a exames complementares, são ferramentas importantes para o diagnóstico das dermatopatias em cães. Presume-se que a frequência de dermatopatias em cães na região de estudo possa ser maior do que a observada.(AU)

Faced with the lack of studies on the frequency of dermatopathies that affect dogs by geographical region in Brazil, the present study aimed to evaluate the frequency of dermatopathies that affect the canine species in the metropolitan region of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. Data was collected from dogs that underwent dermatological care from September 2014 to December 2016. In addition to the clinical and dermatological examinations, dogs underwent complementary exams, such as cytological, skin scraping, parasitological skin examination, trichogram, bacteriological, mycological, histopathological and/or polymerase chain reaction. During the study period, 1,083 dogs were examined, in which 18.65% (202 /1,083) had some form of non-tumoral dermatopathy. Of the 202 dogs affected, 51.49% (104/202) were males and 48.51% (98/202) females. Of these 202 dogs, thirteen had two diagnoses, totaling 215 dermatopathies. 62.87% (127/202) of the affected dogs were purebred and 37.13% (75/202) were without a defined breed (WDB). The most frequently observed lesions were alopecia, hypotric, macular, erosive and ulcerative, placoid, erythematous areas, as well as comedones, collaretes and seborrhoea. The parasitic dermatopathies were the most frequent (35.35%; 76/215), followed by bacterial dermatopathies (24,19%; 52/215), allergic dermatopathies (20,00%; 43/215), dermatomycosis (17,21%; 37/215), dermatopathies for other causes (2,32%; 5/215) and autoimmune dermatopathies (0.93%; 2/215). Clinical and dermatological examination, including a detailed anamnesis, accurate clinical history and associated complementary exams are important tools for the diagnosis of dermatopathies in dogs. Available literature present some studies with canine dermatopathies frequencies superior to that obtained in the present study; however, the number of animals examined was smaller. In this survey, it was possible to establish the primary and secondary diagnoses in 100.0% of the non-tumoral dermatopathies in dogs, results higher than in previous studies. Probably, the frequency of canine dermatopathies in this region is higher than that observed, thus requiring additional studies with greater sampling.(AU)

Spectrophotometric determination of gallium in biological materials at nanogram levels with thiocarbohydrazone derivatives.

Two spectrophotometric methods for the determination of micrograms of gallium in biological materials are described. Proposed chromogenic reagents are 1-(phenyl-2-pyridyl)carbylidene-5-resorcylidenethiocarbohydrazo ne (PPRT) and 1-(phenyl-2-pyridyl)carbylidene-5-salicylidene thiocarbohydrazone (PPST), which form yellow 1:2 (gallium: reagent) complexes. Reactions develop at pH 4.5-6.0 in a 52% (v/v) DMF solution for PPST and at pH 4.0-7.5 in a 48% (v/v) ethanol solution for PPRT. Optimum conditions for reactions are discussed for molar absorptivity values of 59000 and 65000 l.mol-1.cm-1 for PPST and PPRT, respectively. Detection limits are 8 ng/ml for PPST and 5 ng/ml for PPRT, and the range of application is 20-800 ng/ml of gallium. Advantages of the methods include simplicity, high sensitivity and relative selectivity, allowing their application in the determination of gallium in spiked biological samples, using a previous extraction step in n-butyl acetate to avoid interference from Fe(III) and Cu(II).

Caracterização anatomopatológica e imuno-histoquímica dos tumores das glândulas cutâneas em cães / Anatomopathological and immunohistochemical characterization of skin gland tumors in dogs

O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar os aspectos anatomopatológicos e imuno-histoquímicos dos tumores das glândulas cutâneas em cães. A caracterização morfológica seguiu a classificação atualizada da Organização Mundial de Saúde. Para a caracterização imuno-histoquímica, utilizaram-se anticorpos monoclonais primários anti-citoqueratina 14 (CK14), vimentina, p63, calponina, EGFR e Ki-67. Dos animais examinados, 66,67% (18/27) eram machos e 33,33% (9/27) fêmeas, 21 tinham raça definida e seis eram sem raça definida (SRD), com idade variando entre sete e 15 anos. Dos tumores caracterizados, 40,74% eram hepatoides (11/27), 29,63% sebáceos (8/27), 25,92% apócrinos (7/27) e 3,70% meibômio (1/27). Os tumores malignos representaram 55,56%, e os benignos 44,44%. Com esses resultados, foi possível demonstrar que os tumores das glândulas cutâneas em cães são frequentes, sem predileção por raça, sexo e com idade superior ou igual a sete anos. Os anticorpos CK 14, p63, vimentina e EGFR foram imunoexpressos nas células basais, células de diferenciação sebácea dos tumores hepatoides e de meibômio e células mioepiteliais. Entretanto, a vimentina e o EGFR não demonstraram imunomarcação para os tumores sebáceos. A calponina foi um bom marcador para as células mioepiteliais. O índice de Ki-67 foi mais acentuado nos tumores malignos em relação aos benignos. No entanto, estudos futuros utilizando maior número de casos se fazem necessários.(AU)

The present study aimed to characterize the anatomopathological and immunohistochemical aspects of cutaneous glandular tumors in dogs. Tumours were diagnosed according to the WHO criteria for canine skin neoplasms. For the immunohistochemical characterization, the primary monoclonal antibodies anti-cytokeratin 14 (CK14), vimentin, p63, calponin, EGFR and Ki-67 were used. Males were 66.67% (18/27) and females 33.33% (9/27), 21 had a defined race and 6 were mixed breed, with ages varying from 7 to 15 years. The tumors characterized were 40.74% hepatoid (11/27), 29.63% sebaceous (8/27), 25.92% apocrine (7/27) and 3.70% Meibômio (1/27). Malignant tumors accounted for 55.56% and benign tumors 44.44%. With these results it was possible to demonstrate that tumors of cutaneous glands in dogs are frequent, with no predilection for race, sex and with an age ≥ seven years. The CK 14 antibodies, p63, vimentin, and EGFR were imunoexpressed in the basal cells of the sebaceous cell differentiation and Meibomian hepatoides tumors and myoepithelial to cells. However, vimentin and EGFR did not demonstrate immunostaining for sebaceous tumors. Calponin was a good marker for myoepithelial cells. The Ki-67 index was more pronounced in malignant tumors compared to benign tumors. However, more studies are needed mainly using a higher number of tumors.(AU)

Escherichia coli and Salmonella ser. Saintpaul natural co-infection in a free-living ruddy ground dove (Columbina talpacoti): a case report / Coinfecção por Escherichia coli e Salmonella ser. Saintpaul em Columbina talpacoti: relato de caso

This study reports a co-infection of Escherichia coli and Salmonella in a free-living ruddy ground dove (Columbina talpacoti) received at the Laboratory of Ornithological Studies of the State University of Ceará, Brazil. The bird presented diarrhea, leg paralysis and anorexia, and died shortly after. Necropsy was then performed and samples from lung, kidney, liver and intestine were collected for microbiological and histopathological analyses. Escherichia coli was isolated from cloacal swab, lung and kidney samples. Salmonella ser. Saintpaul was identified in liver and spleen samples. Escherichia coli isolates were tested for the presence of eight diagnostic genes for diarrheagenic pathotypes (STEC, ETEC, EPEC, EIEC, EAEC) with conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). EAEC was detected in the lung and kidney, and STEC in the intestine. In conclusion, Columbina talpacoti is susceptible to enteroaggregative Escherichia coli and Salmonella ser. Saintpaul infection, which may have public health implications.(AU)

Este estudo relata um caso de coinfecção por Escherichia coli e Salmonella ser. Saintpaul em uma rolinha-roxa (Columbina talpacoti) recebida pelo Laboratório de Estudos Ornitológicos da Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Brasil. A ave apresentava diarreia, paralisia nas pernas e anorexia, indo a óbito rapidamente. A necropsia foi realizada e amostras de pulmão, rim, fígado e intestino foram coletados para isolamento microbiológico e análise histopatológica. Escherichia coli foi identificada em amostras de suabe cloacal, pulmão e rim. Salmonella ser. Saintpaul foi identificada no fígado e baço. Isolados de E. coli foram testados para a presença de oito genes de diagnóstico para patotipos diarreiogênicos (STEC, ETEC, EPEC, EIEC, EAEC) através de reação em cadeia de polimerase (PCR) convencional. EAEC foi detectada no pulmão e rim, e STEC foi identificada no intestino. Em conclusão, Columbina talpacoti é suscetível a infecção por Escherichia coli enteroagregativa e Salmonella ser. Saintpaul, o que pode implicar em risco para a saúde pública.(AU)

A retrospective study of 586 tumours in Brazilian cattle.

Records from 6,706 necropsy examinations of cattle performed over a 45-year period were surveyed and 586 cases of neoplasia were identified. The organ system most frequently affected by neoplastic disease (n=139 cases) was the alimentary tract. This finding was attributed to a high incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the upper alimentary tract associated with the chronic ingestion of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum). This carcinogenic plant was also associated with a relatively high incidence (n=35 cases) of urinary bladder tumours (enzootic haematuria). Tumours of the alimentary tract were followed, in decreasing order of frequency, by tumours of the skin and subcutis (n=129 cases), haemopoietic tissue (n=101 cases), the eye and periorbital tissues (n=88 cases), the urinary system (n=44 cases), the female reproductive system (n=21 cases), the endocrine system (n=16 cases), the liver and pancreas (n=12 cases), the nervous system (n=6 cases), the respiratory system (n=6 cases) and the mammary gland (n=1 case). The primary anatomical location of 16 tumours was undetermined.

Performance of dairy goats fed whole sugarcane.

Five lactating goats were used in a 5x5 Latin square experiment to determine the effects of feeding whole sugarcane (WSC) on intake, total tract nutrient digestibilities, milk yield and milk composition. Goats were fed diets containing 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 g kg(-1) WSC and 400, 300, 200, 100, and 0 g kg(-1) tifton hay (TH). Intake of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) decreased linearly (p<0.05) as the level of WSC in the diet increased. Total tract nutrient digestibilities were not influenced by WSC inclusion except for the digestibility of NDF which decreased linearly (p<0.05) as the level of WSC in the diet increased. Inclusion of WSC linearly (p<0.05) decreased milk yield without affecting milk composition. It was concluded that WSC had a lower feeding values than TH for lactating goats.

Defeitos congênitos em bovinos da Região Central do Rio Grande do Sul / Congenital defects in cattle from central Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Foram revisados casos de defeitos congênitos (DCs) diagnosticados em bovinos no Laboratório de Patologia da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria em 1964-2010. Durante o período estudado, foram examinados materiais provenientes da necropsia de 7.132 bovinos e foram encontrados 31 bezerros (0,4 por cento) com DCs, os quais foram classificados em 34 tipos e alocados nos sistemas orgânicos primariamente afetados. Os DCs ocorriam isoladamente (19 [61,3 por cento]) ou afetavam múltiplos sítios anatômicos (15 [28,7 por cento]) com frequência semelhante em ambos os sexos. Como vários terneiros mostraram múltiplos DCs, um total de 53 DCs foi computado. Dos 53 DCs diagnosticados, 15 (28,3 por cento) afetavam o sistema nervoso central (craniósquise [4], abiotrofia cerebelar [2], degeneração esponjosa [2], hidrocefalia [2], meningocele [2], espinha bífida [1], hipoplasia cerebelar [1] e hipomielinogênese [1]); nove (17,0 por cento) afetavam o sistema urogenital (agenesia testicular [1], agenesia vaginal [1], hipoplasia peniana [1], formação de cloaca [1], freemartinismo [1], hamartoma vascular de ovário [1], hipoplasia renal [1], cistos renais [1] e úraco persistente [1]); oito DCs (15,1 por cento) eram primários do sistema musculoesquelético (artrogripose [4], escoliose [1], plagiocefalia, [1] schistosomus reflexus [1] e diprosopia [1]); e outros oito (15,1 por cento) foram alocados no sistema digestivo (palatosquise [3], atresia anal [1], atresia anorretal [1], atresia - anocolônica [1], fístula reto-vaginal [1] e fístula reto-uretral [1]); em cinco ocasiões (9,4 por cento) o DC afetava o sistema cardiovascular (persistência do ducto arterioso [2], persistência do forame oval [2] e defeito do septo ventricular [1]); quatro (7,5 por cento) afetavam o sistema linfático e consistiam de hipoplasia ou aplasia de vasos linfáticos e linfonodos associadas a linfedema. Dois casos (3,4 por cento), de hipotricose foram observados afetando o integumento; um caso (1,9 por cento) de estenose traqueal foi encontrado no sistema respiratório e um caso (1,9 por cento) de bócio envolvia o sistema endócrino. Os resultados indicam que a maioria dos DCs em bovinos na Região Central do Rio Grande do sul é esporádica. No entanto, seu estudo continuado é importante para o estabelecimento de sua etiologia e controle.

Cases of congenital defects (CDs) in cattle diagnosed at the Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology of the Federal University of Santa Maria from 1964 to 2010 were reviewed. During the studied period tissues collected from the necropsy of 7,132 cattle were examined and 31 calves (0.4 percent) with CDs were found. These CDs were classified into 34 different types and ascribed to the body system primarily affected. CDs were solitary (19 [61.3 percent]) or multiple (12 [38.7 percent]) and found with similar frequency in calves of both sexes. As several calves displayed multiple defects, a total of 53 CDs were computed. Out of the 53types of CDs diagnosed 15 (28.3 percent) affected the central nervous system (cranioschisis [4], cerebellar abiotrophy [2], spongy degeneration [2], hydrocephalus [2], meningocele [2], spina bifida [1], cerebellar hypoplasia [1], and hypomyelinogenesis [1]); nine (17.0 percent) affected the urogenital system (testicular agenesis [1], vaginal agenesia [1], penile hypoplasia [1], cloacal formation [1], freemartinism [1], ovarian vascular hamartoma [1], renal hypoplasia [1], renal cysts [1], and persistent urachus [1]); eight CDs (15,1 percent) were primary to the musculoskeletal system (arthrogryposis [4], scoliosis [1], plagiocephaly [1] schistosomus reflexus [1], and diprosopus [1]) and another eight (15,1 percent) were in the digestive system (palatoschisis [3], anal atresia [1], anorectal atresia [1], ano-colonic atresia [1], recto-vaginal fistula [1], and recto-urethral fistula [1]); in five instances (9.4 percent) the CD affected the cardiovascular system (persistent ductus arteriosus [2], persistence of foramen ovale [2], and ventricular septal defect [1]); four (7.5 percent) affected the lymphatic system and consisted of inherited hypoplasia or aplasia of lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes associated with lymphedema. Two cases (3.0 percent), of hypotrichosis were observed affecting the integument; one case (1.9 percent) of tracheal stenosis was found in the respiratory system and one case of goiter (1.9 percent) involved the endocrine system. The results of this survey inidicate that the majority o CDs in cattle in the central Rio Grande do Sul are sporadic; nevertheless their continued study is important for determining the etiology and control.