A review on mycotoxins and mycotoxicoses in ruminants and Equidae in South America.

Of the mycotoxicoses caused by molds contaminating grains or their byproducts, leukoencephalomalacia of horses and less frequently aflatoxicosis in cattle have been reported in South America. However, the most important group of mycotoxins in the region are those caused by fungi that infect forages and other types of plants and have regional distribution. In this group, ergotism is important, both caused by Claviceps purpurea infecting grains or by Epichloë coenophiala infecting Schedonorus arundinaceus. Other important mycotoxicoses are those caused by indole-diterpenes produced by Clavicipitaceous fungi including Claviceps paspali in Paspalum spp., Claviceps cynodontes in Cynodon dactylon, and by Periglandula a seed transmitted symbiont associated with the tremorgenic plant Ipomoea asarifolia. The latter is an important poisoning in the northeastern and northern Brazil. Other important mycotoxicoses are those caused by swainsonine containing plants. It was demonstrated that swainsonine contained in Ipomoea carnea var. fistulosa is produced by an epibiotic fungus of the order Chaetothyriales whose mycelia develop on the adaxial surface of the leaves. Swainsonine is also produced by the symbiotic, endobiotic fungi Alternaria section Undifilum spp., which is associated with Astragalus spp. in the Argentinian Patagonia causing poisoning. Another form of mycotoxicosis occurs in poisoning by Baccharis spp., mainly B. coridifolia, a very important toxic plant in South America that contains macrocyclic trichothecenes probably produced by an endophytic fungus that has not yet been identified. Pithomycotoxicosis caused by Pithomyces chartarum used to be an important mycotoxicosis in the region, mainly in cattle grazing improved pastures of legumes and grasses. Slaframine poisoning, diplodiosis and poisoning by barley contaminated by Aspergillus clavatus has been rarely diagnosed in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina.

Subacute and acute fasciolosis in sheep in southern Brazil.

Eight outbreaks of acute and subacute fasciolosis are reported in sheep in the municipality of Santa Vitória do Palmar, southern Brazil, in areas used for irrigated rice cultivation, which are subject to frequent flooding. Two outbreaks occurred mid-winter during July and August, and six occurred during spring and early summer. Morbidity ranged from 3 to 66.7 %, and mortality ranged from 3 to 50 %. Clinical signs included weight loss, mucosal pallor, apathy, depression, muscle tremors, and drooling; these were followed by death within approximately 24 h. Some sheep were found dead. Gross lesions were characterized by an irregular liver capsule with fibrin deposition and hemorrhages. The liver parenchyma contained hemorrhagic tracts or irregular clear areas alternated with dark hemorrhagic areas. Histologically, hemorrhagic dark red tracts of necrotic liver parenchyma and an inflammatory infiltrate were noted; these lesions coincided with the presence of immature flukes. Langhans-type giant cells, fibrous tissue, and bile duct cell proliferation were observed in subacute cases. Chronic fasciolosis is a well-known disease to farmers in southern Brazil; nevertheless, acute and subacute fasciolosis, which are more difficult to diagnose and treat, may cause important economic losses. Efficient control of fasciolosis requires integration of measures to treat infections in the definitive host, to reduce the population of snails of the genus Lymnaea, and to avoid contact between the parasite and host by appropriate pasture management.

A nonsense mutation in the tyrosinase gene causes albinism in water buffalo.

BACKGROUND: Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is an autosomal recessive hereditary pigmentation disorder affecting humans and several other animal species. Oculocutaneous albinism was studied in a herd of Murrah buffalo to determine the clinical presentation and genetic basis of albinism in this species. RESULTS: Clinical examinations and pedigree analysis were performed in an affected herd, and wild-type and OCA tyrosinase mRNA sequences were obtained. The main clinical findings were photophobia and a lack of pigmentation of the hair, skin, horns, hooves, mucosa, and iris. The results of segregation analysis suggest that this disease is acquired through recessive inheritance. In the OCA buffalo, a single-base substitution was detected at nucleotide 1,431 (G to A), which leads to the conversion of tryptophan into a stop codon at residue 477. CONCLUSION: This premature stop codon produces an inactive protein, which is responsible for the OCA buffalo phenotype. These findings will be useful for future studies of albinism in buffalo and as a possible model to study diseases caused by a premature stop codon.

A review of poisonous plants that cause reproductive failure and malformations in the ruminants of Brazil.

The objective of this review is to provide a report on toxic plants causing reproductive problems in ruminants in Brazil. Aspidosperma pyrifolium causes abortion or stillbirth in goats, as well as most likely in sheep and cattle, in the semiarid regions of Northeastern Brazil. Intoxications by Ateleia glazioveana, Tetrapterys acutifolia and T. multiglandulosa result in abortion and neonatal mortality in cattle and sheep, and the same signs have been experimentally observed in goats. These three plants can also cause cardiac fibrosis and a nervous disease with spongiosis of the central nervous system. Other plants known to cause abortion include Enterolobium contortisiliquum, E. gummiferum, Stryphnodendron coriaceum, S. obovatum and S. fissuratum. These plants can also cause digestive signs and photosensitization. Abortions have been reported in animals intoxicated by nitrates and nitrites as well. Infertility, abortions and the birth of weak offspring have been reported in animals intoxicated by plants containing swainsonine, including Ipomoea spp., Turbina cordata and Sida carpinifolia. Trifolium subterraneum causes estrogenism in cattle. Mimosa tenuiflora and, most likely, M. ophthalmocentra cause malformations and embryonic mortality in goats, sheep and cattle in the semiarid regions of Northeastern Brazil.

Ramaria flavo-brunnescens mushroom poisoning in South America: A comprehensive review.

Ramaria flavo-brunnescens is a mushroom that grows in eucalyptus forests causing poisoning in cattle, sheep and, with less frequency, in horses and pigs. It causes ulcerative and gangrenous lesions in the skin, tongue and esophagus, and loss of hairs of the tip of the tail. Nervous signs are occasionally observed in sheep. This review aims to update the knowledge about poisoning by R. flavo-brunnescens in cattle and sheep in South America. Articles published as of 1950 were retrieved, and the epidemiological data, clinical signs, pathologies, and data on the pathogenesis of intoxication were reviewed including the most recent data on possible modes of action of the active ingredient(s) of R. flavo-brunnescens.

Aprosopia/holoprosencephaly in a stillborn puppy: when the face predicts the brain.

In a litter of three puppies, one was stillborn and had facial and brain defects. Fusion of the maxilla and mandible and absence of the face were observed. The forebrain (telencephalon and the diencephalon) was reduced in size and fused, and the telencephalic longitudinal fissure, olfactory bulbs, and optic nerves were absent (Figures 6 and 7). Lissencephaly was observed in the telencephalon and cerebellum. A diagnosis of aprosopia/holoprosencephaly was made.

The raptor Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango) (Aves: Falconiformes) - A new host for Trichomonas gallinae (protozoa: Trichomonadidae).

This work describes a specimen of Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango - Vieillot, 1816), from southern Brazil, as a new natural host for Trichomonas gallinae (Rivolta, 1878). Caseous oral lesions were observed in a young bird, and the parasite was isolated in modified Diamond's media. Morphology of the parasite was evaluated through microscopy and subsequently, sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) of ribosomal DNA was performed to confirm T. gallinae identification. As far as authors are concerned, this is the first report of Milvago chimango as a natural host for T. gallinae.

Chronic fascioliasis in farmed and wild greater rheas (Rhea americana).

From 50 farmed Rhea americana slaughtered for human consumption, adult forms and eggs of Fasciola hepatica were found in 4. The other three livers were free of flukes but did show lesions caused by larval fluke migration. Histological lesions were similar to those caused by flukes in cattle and sheep. The rheas were from an endemic area of ruminant fascioliasis in Southern Brazil. F. hepatica eggs were also found in faecal samples of wild rheas from another endemic area in Southern Brazil. It is likely that the rheas play a role in the transmission of the disease to ruminants and could be jeopardizing the control of this parasitosis in endemic areas. From the best of our knowledge this is the first report of fascioliasis in R. americana.

Multiple anthelmintic resistance in Southern Brazil sheep flocks.

Gastrointestinal parasites represent an important cause of reduced productivity of sheep worldwide. As anthelmintic are still the main control tool for these parasites, this work evaluated the efficacy of commercially available active principles in 22 sheep flocks in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In each farm 10 sheep were randomly distributed in seven groups with the following treatments: abamectin; albendazole; closantel; levamisole; monepantel; trichlorphon and no anthelmintic (control). All flocks showed resistance to at least three anthelmintics and in 20 farms only two products demonstrated efficacy for parasitic control. In two farms, there was no susceptibility to the six active principles tested. The results of this study provide evidence that the common commercially available anthelmintic are not assuring effective chemical control of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in ovine flocks in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul. Monepantel, the newest introduced drug in the Brazilian market was not effective in 18% of the flocks tested, confirming that the parasitic resistance can be established quickly after the introduction of new molecules mainly when alternative program of parasite control is not performed.

Splenic myelolipoma in a dog / Mielolipoma esplênico em um cão

ABSTRACT: Myelolipoma is a benign neoplasm composed of mature adipocytes and hematopoietic elements. This tumor is rare in dogs and cats and can develop in several organs and tissues. This report describes a case of splenic myelolipoma in a dog characterizing its clinical-pathological and ultrasonography aspects. A 9-year-old, female, mixed-breed, castrated dog was referred to the veterinary hospital with increased abdominal circumference. Ultrasonography revealed splenomegaly with masses of not measurable dimensions along the entire length of the parenchyma. The spleen was removed, and a fragment was sent for histopathological analysis. Macroscopically, the spleen was enlarged, with irregularly nodular growths that project above the surface of the organ. Nodules were red with small yellow areas. Microscopically, the spleen was effaced by a well-demarcated and not encapsulated mass composed of histologically well-differentiated neoplastic adipose tissue with islands and nests of varying proportions of hematopoietic elements. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of myelolipoma. Myelolipomas are observed on ultrasound images as hyperechoic masses or nodules with homogeneous echo texture. Here, ultrasound appearance involved mixed echogenicity and heterogeneous echotexture, due to the mixture of fat and non-fatty material components of the tumor.

RESUMO: Mielolipoma é uma neoplasia composta por adipócitos maduros e elementos hematopoiéticos. Este tumor é raro em cães e gatos e pode se desenvolver em diversos órgãos e tecidos. Descreve-se um caso de mielolipoma esplênico em um cão caracterizando seu aspecto clínico-patológico e ultrassonográfico. Um canino, fêmea, castrada, SRD, de 9 anos de idade foi encaminhada para o Hospital Veterinário com um aumento na circunferência abdominal. A ultrassonografia abdominal revelou esplenomegalia com massas de dimensões imensuráveis em toda a extensão do parênquima. Foi realizada esplenectomia total e um fragmento do baço foi encaminhado para análise histopatológica. Macroscopicamente o baço estava aumentado de tamanho, com crescimentos nodulares irregulares que se projetam acima da superfície do órgão. Os nódulos eram vermelhos com pequenas áreas amarelas. Microscopicamente foi observada uma massa bem demarcada e encapsulada composta por tecido adiposo neoplásico bem diferenciado, com ilhas e ninhos de elementos hematopoiéticos de proporção variada. O diagnóstico foi confirmado pelo exame histopatológico. Mielolipomas são observados nas imagens ultrassonográficas como massas hiperecóicas ou nódulos com ecotextura homogênea. Neste caso, o achado ultrassonográfico mostrou ecogenicidade mista e ecotextura heterogênea, provavelmente devido à mistura dos componentes do tumor com material gorduroso e não gorduroso.

Causes of death in feedlot beef cattle and their control: a brief review / Causas de morte em bovinos de corte confinados e seu controle: uma breve revisão

This review reports the leading causes of death in feedlot beef cattle. It describes economic losses resulting from these deaths and suggests control alternatives. Diseases associated with the respiratory and digestive systems were the most frequently observed. In different geographical areas, the importance of each one might vary. Outbreaks of diseases such as botulism occur occasionally and can cause important economic losses. Cattle tick fever can cause significant losses in zones of enzootic tick instability. Technical assistance and sanitary and food management are critical for the best productivity in feedlot cattle.(AU)

Esta revisão discute as principais causas de morte em bovinos de corte em confinamento. Descreve as perdas econômicas resultantes dessas mortes e sugere alternativas de controle. As doenças associadas aos sistemas respiratório e digestivo foram as mais frequentemente observadas. Em diferentes áreas geográficas, a importância de cada uma pode variar. Surtos de doenças como o botulismo ocorrem ocasionalmente e podem causar importantes perdas econômicas. A tristeza parasitária bovina pode causar perdas significativas em zonas de instabilidade enzoótica do carrapato. A assistência técnica e um bom gerenciamento sanitário e alimentar são essenciais para a melhor produtividade em bovinos de corte confinados.(AU)

Epidemiological analysis of bovine tuberculosis in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul from 2000 to 2015 / Análise epidemiológica da tuberculose bovina na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul no período de 2000 a 2015

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is an infectious and zoonotic disease with socioeconomic importance, responsible for economic losses in livestock due to the decrease in animal productivity, mortality, bovine carcass condemnation and restriction on exportations. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the epidemiological aspects of this disease through a descriptive analysis and time series of cases of bovine tuberculosis diagnosed at the Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico (LRD) of the Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel) from 2000 to 2015. A survey was carried out in the LRD database of cases diagnosed as tuberculosis in cattle during this period. The incidence rate of BTB ([cases/population] x 100000) was calculated. Qualitative variables (sex, age, race, origin, type of material and presumptive diagnosis) were analyzed in a descriptive way, aiming to establish the profile of affected animals, characterize the municipalities in which the disease is originated and also fix the main referral organs for diagnosis. The time series analysis was performed using the Gretl statistical software 1.9.12 (GNU Regression, Econometric and Time-series Library). To verify the existence of the stationary distribution, the test of Dickey-Fuller was used, considering a value of p<0.05. During this period, 331 cases of BTB were diagnosed in the LRD. The present study identified that the predominant profile of the bovines affected by tuberculosis was female bovine aged more than two years old and crossbreed; the main organ sent for histopathological examination was lymph nodes. The microregion of Pelotas presented the highest incidence of the disease. There was also a tendency of a decrease in the incidence rate of this disease over the years, absence of seasonal influence in the occurrence of the disease and no cases of epidemics occurred from 2002 to 2015 in the area covered by the LRD-UFPel.(AU)

Tuberculose bovina é uma enfermidade infectocontagiosa e zoonótica, de importância socioeconômica, responsável por prejuízos econômicos na pecuária em decorrência da diminuição na produtividade animal, mortalidades, condenações de carcaças e restrições nas exportações. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os aspectos epidemiológicos, por meio de uma análise descritiva e de séries temporais, dos casos de tuberculose bovina diagnosticados no Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico da Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas (LRD-UFPel), no período de 2000 a 2015. Foi realizado um levantamento no banco de dados do LRD dos casos diagnosticados como tuberculose em bovinos, entre os anos de 2000 e 2015. Foi calculada a taxa de incidência da tuberculose bovina ([casos/população] x 100000). As variáveis qualitativas (sexo, idade, raça, procedência, tipo de material e diagnóstico presuntivo) foram analisadas de forma descritiva, tendo como finalidade estabelecer o perfil dos animais acometidos, caracterizar os municípios de origem, e estabelecer os principais órgãos remetidos para diagnóstico. A análise de série temporal foi feita através do software estatístico Gretl 1.9.12 (GNU Regression, Econometricand Time-series Library) e para verificar a existência da estacionariedade utilizou-se o teste de Dickey-Fuller aumentado, considerando um valor de p<0,05. Durante este período foram diagnosticados 331 casos de tuberculose bovina no LRD. O presente estudo permitiu concluir que o perfil predominante dos bovinos acometidos por tuberculose foi de fêmeas, com mais de dois anos de idade e mestiças; o principal órgão encaminhado para exame histopatológico foram linfonodos e a microrregião de Pelotas apresentou a maior incidência da doença. Foi constatada, ainda, uma tendência de queda na taxa de incidência da doença ao longo dos anos analisados, ausência de influência sazonal na ocorrência da enfermidade e, não foram registrados casos de epidemias nos anos de 2002 a 2015, na área de abrangência do LRD-UFPel.(AU)

Diseases of wild birds in southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / Doenças de aves silvestres no sul do Rio Grande do Sul

Necropsy protocols of the "Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico" of "Faculdade de Veterinária" of the "Universidade Federal de Pelotas" were reviewed, ranging the period from 2000 to 2018. Three hundred eighty one necropsies, 25 refrigerated and/or formaline fixed organs, and seven biopsies were received, representing 413 samples. Most of these materials were sent by the "Núcleo de Reabilitação da Fauna Silvestre" of "Universidade Federal de Pelotas" (NURFS-CETAS-UFPel) and were from municipalities within the range area of LRD-UFPel influence. Of the 413 cases 55 (13.31%) corresponded to metabolic/nutritional diseases; 50 (12.10%) to trauma; 35 (8.47%) to bacterial diseases/toxi-infections; 30 (7.26%) to parasitic diseases; 28 (6.77%) to fungal diseases; four (0.97%) to viral diseases and 17 (4.11%) to other diseases. Cases where it was not possible to determine the etiology, were in severe autolysis or were inconclusive totaled 194 (46.97%). Metabolic/nutritional diseases and traumatic injuries were the main cause of death in wild birds', being Passeriformes the most affected order.(AU)

Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo dos diagnósticos de causas de morte e de lesões em aves silvestres na região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul de 2000 a 2018. Foram revisados os protocolos de necropsia e materiais de aves silvestres encaminhados ao Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico da Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Pelotas no período. Foram recebidos 381 cadáveres para necropsia, 25 órgãos refrigerados e/ou em formol e 7 biopsias, totalizando 413 materiais. A maioria desses materiais foi remetida pelo Núcleo de Reabilitação da Fauna Silvestre da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (NURFS-CETAS-UFPel) e provenientes de municípios da área de influência do LRD-UFPel. Dos 413 casos 55 (13,31%) corresponderam a doenças metabólicas/nutricionais; 50 (12,10%) a traumas; 35 (8,47%) a doenças bacterianas/toxi-infecções; 30 (7,26%) a doenças parasitárias; 28 (6,77%) doenças fúngicas; 4 (0,97%) doenças virais e 17(4,12%) outras doenças que não se encaixavam nas categorias. Ainda em nos casos em que não foi possível determinar a etiologia, apresentaram autólise acentuada ou foram inconclusivos somaram 194 (46,97%). As doenças metabólicas/nutricionais e lesões traumáticas foram as principais causas de morte de aves silvestres, sendo a ordem mais afetada a Passeriformes.(AU)

Actinobacillosis outbreak in cattle with clinical manifestation of hippopotamus-like face / Actinobacilose em bovinos com manifestação clínica de cara de hipopótamo

Actinobacillosis outbreak with clinical manifestation of hippopotamus-like face observed in a property located in the municipality of Capão do Leão, Southern Brazil, in September 2016, is described. The cattle herd remained for most of the year in rice stubble. When these areas were occupied with new crops, they were transferred to areas where there were small native forests. Three cattle were affected. They presented a volume increase in the nasolabial and maxillary region, and there was also regional lymph node swelling. The evolution of the disease occurred in approximately six months. In tissue fragments collected for culture, Actinobacillus lignieresii was isolated. The diagnosis was based on clinical findings, histopathological evaluation characterized by the presence of piogranulomas with Splendore Hoepli reaction in its center, bacterial isolation, and identification of A. lignieresii by polymerase chain reaction (PRC) and genetic sequencing.(AU)

Descreve-se um surto de actinobacilose com manifestação clínica de cara de hipopótamo diagnosticado em uma propriedade localizada no município do Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul em setembro de 2016. Os bovinos permaneciam durante a maior parte do ano em restevas de arroz e quando as áreas eram ocupadas com novas lavouras eram transferidos para áreas onde havia pequenas matas nativas. Foram afetados três bovinos adultos que apresentavam aumento de volume na região nasolabial e maxilar e havia, também, tumefação dos linfonodos regionais. A evolução da enfermidade era de aproximadamente seis meses. Nos fragmentos coletados para cultura houve isolamento de Actinobacillus lignieresii. O diagnóstico foi baseado nos achados clínicos, na avaliação histopatológica caracterizada pela presença de piogranulomas com reação de Splendori Hoepli no centro, no isolamento bacteriano, identificação de Actinobacillus lignieresii por reação em cadeia da polimerase (PRC) e sequenciamento genético.(AU)

Causes of death of beef cattle raised in feedlots / Causas de morte de bovinos de corte criados em confinamentos

The causes of death of cattle kept in pre-export feedlots (PEFs) and in feedlot for finishing for slaughter are described. Two studies were conducted: a retrospective study of mortality cases in feedlots from 2000 to 2017 registered at the "Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico" of the "Faculdade de Veterinária" of the "Universidade Federal de Pelotas"; and a prospective study from January 2018 to August 2019, following up 22 feedlots for finishing and six PEFs for the export of live cattle. From January 2000 to August 2019 samples of 150 cases of diseases that affected feedlot cattle were received from 22 feedlots for finishing and 115 of the six PEFs followed. Mortality considering all diagnosed diseases was significantly higher in feedlots for finishing (p<0.05), than in PEFs for the export of live cattle, of 1% and 0.12%, respectively. Diseases of the digestive system were the most important causes, of death in feedlots regardless of its purpose. Acidosis presented the highest mortality rates both in feedlot for finishing (3.33%) as in PEFs for export (0.95%). In all cases the disease occurred due to failure in the adaptation of animals to the ingestion of concentrated foods. Bovine tick fever and pneumonia presented mortality rates of 0.13% and 0.09%, respectively in PEFs. In the feedlot for finishing seneciosis was the second cause of death due to cattle coming from areas with high infestation by the plant. In the present study, it was possible to identify the main diseases that occur in cattle feedlots for finishing or for the export of live animals in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul. These diseases are known in other systems of cattle breeding and can be prevented or controlled through management, chemoprophylaxis or vaccination, minimizing losses due to mortality.(AU)

Descrevem-se as causas de morte de bovinos mantidos confinados em estabelecimentos pré-embarque (EPEs) para exportação de animais vivos e em estabelecimentos de terminação para abate. Foram realizados dois estudos: um retrospectivo dos casos de mortalidade em confinamentos de 2000 a 2017 registrados no Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico da Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Pelotas; e um estudo prospectivo de janeiro de 2018 a agosto de 2019, acompanhando-se 22 confinamentos de terminação e seis EPEs para exportação de bovinos vivos. No total, de janeiro de 2000 a agosto de 2019 foram recebidos no LRD-UFPel amostras de 150 casos de enfermidades que afetaram bovinos confinados, 35 provenientes de 22 confinamentos de terminação e 115 dos seis EPEs acompanhados. A mortalidade considerando-se todas as enfermidades diagnosticadas foi significativamente maior nos confinamentos para terminação (p<0,05), do que nos EPEs para exportação de bovinos vivos, de 1% e 0,12%, respectivamente. As doenças do sistema digestivo foram as causas de morte mais importante nos confinamentos, independente da finalidade. Acidose apresentou as maiores taxas de mortalidade tanto nos confinamentos para terminação (3,33%) como nos EPEs para exportação (0,95%). Em todos os casos a doença ocorreu devido a falha na adaptação dos animais à ingestão de alimentos concentrados. Tristeza parasitária bovina e pneumonias apresentaram taxas de mortalidade de 0,13% e 0,09, respectivamente em EPEs de exportação. Nos confinamentos para terminação a seneciose foi a segunda causa de morte devido aos bovinos serem provenientes de áreas com alta infestação pela planta. Este estudo permitiu identificar as principais enfermidades diagnosticadas em confinamentos para terminação de bovinos ou para exportação de bovinos vivos na região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Observou-se que são doenças que ocorrem em outros sistemas de criação de bovinos e que podem ser prevenidas ou controladas por meio de manejo, quimioprofilaxia ou vacinação, minimizando prejuízos por mortalidade de animais.(AU)

Diarreia em bezerros no sul do Rio Grande do Sul em um período de 34 anos / Diarrhea in calves in Southern Rio Grande do Sul in a period of 34 years

The objective of this work was to conduct a retrospective study of causes of diarrhea in calves in southern Rio Grande do Sul between 1980 and 2014. All necropsy protocols and materials received in the Regional Diagnostic Laboratory of the Veterinary School of the Federal University of Pelotas were reviewed. Ninety-four cases of calves with diarrhea were diagnosed, of these, 44.7% were caused by parasitic infections and 34.0% by bacterial infections. Parasites as cause of diarrhea was the most important diagnostic in southern Rio Grande do Sul and affected calves from three to 12 months of age. The occurrence of diarrhea in animals even infants may be associated with environmental factors and the form of management that these animals are kept. Bacterial diseases are also important causes of diarrhea in calves up to three months of age in the region.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever os dados de um estudo retrospectivo nos registros de 34 anos atividade de um laboratório de diagnóstico sobre as causas de diarreia em bezerros na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram revisados os protocolos de necropsia e materiais desta espécie encaminhados ao Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico da Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Foram diagnosticados 94 casos de bezerros com diarreia, destes, 44,7% foram de causas parasitárias e 34,0% de causas bacterianas. Diarreia de causa parasitária foi a mais importante na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul e afetou bezerros de três a 12 meses de idade. A ocorrência de diarreia em animais mesmo lactentes pode estar associada a fatores ambientais e a forma de manejo no qual esses animais são mantidos. As enfermidades bacterianas foram, também, importantes causas de diarreia em bezerros de até três meses de idade na região.

Diarreia em bezerros no sul do Rio Grande do Sul em um período de 34 anos / Diarrhea in calves in Southern Rio Grande do Sul in a period of 34 years

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever os dados de um estudo retrospectivo nos registros de 34 anos atividade de um laboratório de diagnóstico sobre as causas de diarreia em bezerros na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram revisados os protocolos de necropsia e materiais desta espécie encaminhados ao Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico da Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Foram diagnosticados 94 casos de bezerros com diarreia, destes, 44,7% foram de causas parasitárias e 34,0% de causas bacterianas. Diarreia de causa parasitária foi a mais importante na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul e afetou bezerros de três a 12 meses de idade. A ocorrência de diarreia em animais mesmo lactentes pode estar associada a fatores ambientais e a forma de manejo no qual esses animais são mantidos. As enfermidades bacterianas foram, também, importantes causas de diarreia em bezerros de até três meses de idade na região.

The objective of this work was to describe the data from a retrospective study in the records of 34 years of activity in a diagnostic laboratory on the diarrhea causes of in calves in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul. All necropsy protocols and materials received in the Regional Diagnostic Laboratory of the Veterinary School of the Federal University of Pelotas were reviewed. Ninety-four cases of calves with diarrhea were diagnosed, of these, 44.7% were caused by parasitic infections and 34.0% by bacterial infections. Parasites as cause of diarrhea was the most important diagnostic in southern Rio Grande do Sul and affected calves from three to 12 months of age. The occurrence of diarrhea in animals even infants may be associated with environmental factors and the form of management that these animals are kept. Bacterial diseases are also important causes of diarrhea in calves up to three months of age in the region.

Leukoencephalomalacia in horses associated with immature corn consumption / Surto de leucoencefalomalacia em equinos associado ao consumo de milho verde

ABSTRACT: Horse leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM) is a disease caused by the ingestion of mycotoxins (fumonisins) produced by fungi of the genus Fusarium that infect corn and/or its byproducts. This disease has been described by ingestion of mature corn with humidity above 15% at temperatures below 20°C. The aim of this paper was to report an outbreak of leukoencephalomalacia in horses fed with immature corn. Two horses out of three showed neurological signs approximately seven days after eating immature corn in its reproductive phase (R2, milky grains). Corn was harvested and administered directly to the animals, with no storage. Deaths occurred approximately 24 hours after the onset of clinical signs. Grossly, there were multifocal dark red to brown areas in the white matter of the telencephalon and hyppocampus and thalamus. Histologically, there was edema and hemorrhage in several areas of the telencephalon white matter, which corresponded to dark red to brown areas observed in the macroscopy. There was also foci of malacia with presence of reactive astrocytes with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and inflammatory cells. Diffuse capillary wall degeneration and endothelial cell swelling were also observed. Two ppm of fumonisin were detected by immunoaffinity column method (VICAM) in the immature corn sample. The water activity in this cereal, when the grain is still milky, is 0.98 and can predispose it to growth of mycotoxin-producing fungi. In the present case, fumonisin was found in milky grains in the beginning of the reproductive phase (R2), which suggested that even immature corn may be infected by Fusarium spp. and should not be administered to horses.

RESUMO: A leucoencefalomalácia dos equinos (ELEM) é uma doença causada pela ingestão de micotoxinas (fumonisinas) produzidas por fungos do gênero Fusarium que infectam o milho e/ou seus subprodutos. A doença tem sido descrita pela ingestão de milho maduro com umidade acima de 15% em temperatura ambiente abaixo de 20°C. O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar um surto de leucoencefalomacia em equinos alimentados com milho verde. Dois equinos de três animais apresentaram sinais clínicos neurológicos aproximadamente sete dias após iniciarem a ingestão de milho verde na fase reprodutiva (R2, grãos leitosos) com palha e talos, colhido no máximo 24 horas antes de ser administrado. A morte ocorreu aproximadamente 24 horas após o início dos sinais clínicos. Macroscopicamente havia no sistema nervoso central áreas multifocais acinzentadas e amareladas na substância branca do telencéfalo, no hipocampo e no tálamo. Histologicamente observou-se edema e hemorragia em diversas áreas da substância branca do telencéfalo, que correspondiam às áreas acinzentadas observadas na macroscopia. Havia, também, próximo as áreas hemorrágicas, focos de malacia com presença de astrócitos reativos com abundante citoplasma eosinophilico e algumas células inflamatórias. Degeneração das paredes dos capilares e tumefação das células endoteliais também foram observadas. Na análise da amostra de milho pelo método de colunas de imunoafinidade (VICAM) foram detectados 2ppm de fumonisina. A atividade de água neste cereal, quando o grão ainda está leitoso, é de 0,98, o que predispõe ao crescimento de fungos produtores de micotoxinas. No presente caso fumonisina foi encontrada nos grãos leitosos no início da fase reprodutiva (R2), o que sugere que mesmo o milho ainda imaturo pode estar infectado por Fusarium spp. e não deve, também, ser administrado aos equinos.

Jürgen Döbereiner: a life dedicated to science / Jürgen Döbereiner: uma vida dedicada à ciência

Dr. Jürgen Döbereiner was born in Germany, on the 1st of November 1923, and lived in Brazil for 68 years during which time he developed a range of scientific projects in veterinary pathology and related disciplines. His main interests were the identification of new poisonous plants and mineral deficiencies and the causes of "cara inchada" ("swollen face" a periodontal disease) and botulism in livestock. This research has resulted in the improved health and saving of hundreds of thousands of animals, mainly cattle, annually, and is consequently of enormous economic value to the country. This contribution remains largely under appreciated. He was also involved in organizing diagnostic methods for identifying infectious diseases such as African swine fever and glanders in horses. One of his other major achievements has been the foundation and editing of specialized scientific journals for the documentation of veterinary science research results. At the beginning of his career in the 1950s, he and colleagues from the Institute for Animal Biology (IBA) were struggling to find a national scientific journal where research results from veterinary medicine could be published with practical application to the Brazilian reality. In consequence, the team founded "Arquivos do Instituto de Biologia Animal" and published three volumes (1959-1961). He then founded and edited "Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira" (The Brazilian Journal of Agricultural Research") that included a veterinary section. A series of veterinary volumes were published (1966-1976). Finally, in 1978 he helped create the Brazilian College of Veterinary Pathology (CBPA) that published "Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira" (The Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research) from 1981. The main goal was to communicate the most relevant disease problems of Brazilian livestock, in particular pathology and related subjects such as epidemiology, clinical study series and laboratory diagnosis to field veterinarians and academics. Dr. Jürgen Döbereiner was president of CBPA (1978-2018) and chief editor of "Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira" (1981-2018). He passed away on the 16th of October, 2018, at the age of 94 at his home in Seropédica/RJ, Brazil.(AU)

Dr. Jürgen Döbereiner nasceu na Alemanha em 1 de novembro de 1923, durante 68 anos viveu no Brasil e desenvolveu trabalhos científicos no campo da patologia veterinária latu sensu. Sua contribuição científica de destaque foi em temas como plantas tóxicas de interesse pecuário, deficiências minerais em animais de produção, cara inchada (doença periodontal) dos ruminantes, botulismo e diagnóstico de doenças infecciosas. Estas pesquisas resultaram na melhoria da saúde e de centenas de milhares de animais, principalmente bovinos e, consequentemente, foram de enorme valor econômico para o país. Esta contribuição ainda permanece em grande parte subestimada. De grande destaque para a ciência brasileira foi ainda a sua atuação profissional na documentação científica de resultados de pesquisa. No início de sua carreira na década de 1950, Dr. Döbereiner e outros pesquisadores do Instituto de Biologia Animal (IBA) detectaram a necessidade de um periódico científico nacional para publicar resultados de pesquisas com aplicação pratica à realidade brasileira. Dessa iniciativa surgiram os Arquivos do Instituto de Biologia Animal, que publicou três fascículos (1959-1961), em seguida o Dr. Jürgen Döbereiner participou na fundação da revista Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira que publicou a Série Veterinária (1966-1976) e finalmente em 1978, houve a fundação do Colégio Brasileiro de Patologia Animal (CBPA) que publica desde 1981 a revista Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira. Este periódico científico foi criado para apresentar à comunidade, principalmente veterinários de campo e professores, os principais problemas de saúde em animais de produção no Brasil, ou seja, patologia em seu sentido amplo, envolvendo as áreas de epidemiologia, clínica e diagnóstico laboratorial. Dr. Jürgen Döbereiner, que foi presidente do CBPA (1978-2018) e Editor-Chefe da revista Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira (1981-2018), faleceu em casa, em 16 de outubro de 2018, aos 94 anos, no município de Seropédica/RJ.(AU)

Canine lymphomas diagnosed in southern Brazil from 2000 to 2017: epidemiology and immunophenotype / Linfomas caninos diagnosticados na região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul de 2000 a 2017: epidemiologia e imunofenótipo

Lymphoma is a neoplasm that originates from solid hematopoietic tissues and is one of the most common tumors in dogs. The goal of the present study was to perform a retrospective study of canine lymphomas diagnosed at the "Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico", at the "Faculdade de Veterinária" of the "Universidade Federal de Pelotas" (LRD-UFPel) from 2000 to 2017, to determine the epidemiology and anatomical distribution, and to evaluate the histopathological and immunohistochemical aspects of each case according to the adapted Kiel classification. The protocols for necropsies and biopsies in the laboratory were reviewed. Lymphoma was diagnosed in 77 dogs. Approximately 37.7% (29/77) of affected dogs had no defined breed, while dogs with defined breeds accounted for 58.4% (45/77) of the diagnoses. The occurrence in males (40/77) was slightly higher than that in females (36/77), and the mean age was 8.1 years (1.4-17 years). The most affected age group was between six and 10 years of age with 31 cases (40.2%). Regarding the anatomical classification, the multicentric form was the most prevalent, accounting for 71.4% (55/77) of the diagnoses. In 40 cases that immunophenotyping was performed, B-cell lymphomas represented 62.5% of the diagnoses (25/40), while T-cell lymphomas corresponded to 37.5% of the diagnoses (15/40). The degree of malignancy according to the modified Kiel classification was low in 35% of lymphomas (14/40) and high in 65% of cases (26/40). The multicentric form was more frequent in the region of influence of the LRD-UFPel. Identification of the immunophenotype can improve the quality of life and survival in affected dogs since it allows the most appropriate treatment for each patient.(AU)

O linfoma é uma neoplasia com origem nos tecidos hematopoiéticos sólidos e é um dos tumores mais frequentes em cães. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi efetuar um estudo retrospectivo dos linfomas caninos recebidos no Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico, da Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (LRD-UFPel) de 2000 a 2017, determinando a epidemiologia e a distribuição anatômica, bem como os aspectos histopatológicos e imuno-histoquímicos de cada caso de acordo com a classificação de Kiel adaptada. Foram revisados os protocolos de necropsias e biópsias recebidos no laboratório identificando-se 77 casos de cães com diagnóstico de linfoma. A doença afetou cães sem raça definida em 37,7% (29/77) dos casos, enquanto os cães com raças definidas tiveram 58,4% (45/77) dos diagnósticos. A ocorrência em machos (40/77) foi discretamente maior do que em fêmeas (36/77) e a idade média foi de 8,1 anos (1,4-17 anos). A faixa etária mais acometida foi entre seis e 10 anos de idade com 31 casos (40,2%). Quanto à classificação anatômica a forma multicêntrica foi a mais prevalente atingindo 71,4% (55/77) dos diagnósticos. Em 40 casos em que a imunofenotipagem foi realizada, os linfomas de células B representaram 62,5% dos casos (25/40), enquanto os linfomas de células T equivaleram a 37,5% dos diagnósticos (15/40). O grau de malignidade de acordo com a classificação de Kiel modificada foi baixo em 35% dos linfomas (14/40) e alto em 65% dos casos (26/40). Conclui-se que a forma multicêntrica é mais frequente na região de influência do LRD-UFPel e que a identificação do imunofenótipo pode melhorar a qualidade de vida e dar maior sobrevida aos cães afetados uma vez que permite o tratamento mais adequado para cada caso.(AU)