RESUMEN
Canine pigmented viral plaques (PVPs) are proliferative epidermal lesions caused by canine papillomaviruses (CPVs). Although the lesions are benign, neoplastic transformation has been reported. Cases reported in the literature are few and mainly focused on genome sequencing. The aim of this study was to collect data on the epidemiology, clinicopathological features, and genotyping of PVPs. Fifty-five canine PVPs were retrospectively retrieved and histologically evaluated. Follow-up was available for 33 cases. The median age was 6.5 years and pugs were the most represented breed (25%). There were 4 clinical presentations: a single lesion (24%), multiple lesions (75%) in one (41%) or different sites (34%), and generalized lesions all over the body (24%). The abdomen and axillae were the most common sites. In single lesions, no recurrence was observed after conventional surgery, whereas different medical treatments reported for multiple lesions were not successful. Spontaneous regression was reported in 3 cases. Neoplasia in contiguity with PVPs was seen in 5 of 55 lesions (9%), and 1 dog was euthanized due to invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The most useful histopathological features for diagnosis were scalloped profile, epidermal spikes, hypergranulosis, and hyperpigmentation. L1 immunolabeling was present in 14 of 16 cases (87%). Sequencing revealed that 10 of 16 cases were associated with CPV-9 (71%), 2 cases were associated with CPV-4 (14%), and 2 cases were associated with CPV-8 (14%). In conclusion, this represents a large cohort study on canine PVPs reporting data on clinicopathological features, therapy, outcome, and the type of CPV involved for the first time in Italy.
Asunto(s)
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas , Enfermedades de los Perros , Infecciones por Papillomavirus , Infecciones por Parvoviridae , Parvovirus Canino , Humanos , Perros , Animales , Estudios Retrospectivos , Estudios de Cohortes , Enfermedades de los Perros/diagnóstico , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/patología , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/epidemiología , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/veterinaria , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/patología , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/veterinaria , Infecciones por Parvoviridae/veterinariaRESUMEN
CD30 is a transmembrane glycoprotein of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily included in the diagnostic algorithm of human cutaneous, anaplastic large cell and Hodgkin lymphomas and represents an optimal therapeutic target for CD30+ tumors. Similar diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are largely missing for feline lymphomas. Cross-reactivity of the antihuman CD30 receptor clone Ber-H2 was investigated in feline lymphomas. Comparative analysis of feline and human CD30 identified 61% identity of the amino acid sequence, with 100% identity of the main sequence of the epitope targeted by the antibody (RKQCEPDYYL). CD30 expression in normal feline tissues was restricted to rare lymphoid cells in perifollicular and interfollicular lymph node areas and in the thymic medulla. In feline lymphoma, CD30 was expressed in 4 of 33 (13%) T-cell lymphomas, 3 of 22 (14%) B-cell lymphomas, and 5 of 7 (71%) mixed-cell lymphomas, showing diffuse (1/5) or multifocal (4/5) positivity restricted to neoplastic multinucleated lymphoid cells and binucleated cells consistent with Reed-Sternberg-like cells. Based on the human classification system, cell morphology, expression of multiple markers (mixed cell components), and CD30 positivity, these cases were considered most consistent with classical Hodgkin-like lymphoma (HLL). The other 2 mixed-cell lymphomas were CD30 negative and thus most consistent with either T-cell-rich large B-cell lymphoma (TCRLBCL) or nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL). These findings provide multiple data supporting the cross-reactivity of the Ber-H2 anti-CD30 clone in feline tissues and give evidence of the usefulness of CD30 in the diagnostic evaluation of feline lymphoma.
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Anticuerpos/inmunología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/diagnóstico , Epítopos/inmunología , Antígeno Ki-1/metabolismo , Linfoma/veterinaria , Animales , Enfermedades de los Gatos/clasificación , Enfermedades de los Gatos/patología , Gatos , Reacciones Cruzadas , Femenino , Ganglios Linfáticos/patología , Linfocitos/patología , Linfoma/clasificación , Linfoma/diagnóstico , Linfoma/patología , MasculinoRESUMEN
Several studies based on histopathology or molecular investigations suggest a causal relation between Felis catus papillomavirus (FcaPV-2) infection and bowenoid in situ carcinoma (BISC) in cats. Nevertheless, data on distribution of viral DNA for different F. catus papillomavirus types (FcaPV-1, 2, 3, 4, 5) in precancerous skin lesions are lacking. In this study, incisional and excisional skin biopsies from 18 cats with BISC were investigated for the presence of FcaPV DNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) using specific probes to detect each of the FcaPVs that have been identified so far. By qPCR analysis, 15 of 18 samples were positive for FcaPV-2, 2 were positive for FcaPV-4, and 1 sample was negative for all FcaPVs studied. Two cases were positive for FcaPV-5 by qPCR only. FcaPV-1 and FcaPV-3 were not detected by either method. CISH positivity for FcaPV-2 and FcaPV-4 was 100% concordant with qPCR. FcaPV-2 CISH signal was observed as nuclear dots within grouped neoplastic keratinocytes in 12 BISCs and in the perilesional skin of 9 biopsies. In 3 of these 9 cases, the signal was not observed within the BISC. FcaPV-4 CISH positivity was detected only within BISCs in 2 cases. The overall rate of concordance for FcaPV detection between PCR and CISH was 97.8%. This study suggests that CISH is a reliable method to detect FcaPV-2 and FcaPV-4 infection in cats and provides useful information on the type, rate, and localization of infected cells.
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Carcinoma in Situ/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Gatos/diagnóstico , Hibridación in Situ/veterinaria , Papillomaviridae/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/veterinaria , Animales , Carcinoma in Situ/diagnóstico , Carcinoma in Situ/patología , Carcinoma in Situ/virología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/patología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/virología , Gatos , Compuestos Cromogénicos , Sondas de ADN , ADN Viral/genética , Estudios de Factibilidad , Papillomaviridae/genética , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/patología , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/virología , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/veterinaria , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Piel/patologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Felid herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1)-associated dermatitis is characterized by facial and nasal involvement; clinical and histopathological manifestations may overlap with other dermatitides. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the realibility of qRT-PCR-2- ΔΔC q and RNAscope in situ hybridization (RNA-ISH) methods to diagnose FHV-1-associated dermatitis, in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. ANIMALS: Sixteen FFPE samples from cats with facial dermatitis and four controls were studied. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Based on histopathological features, cases were separated into: Group 1, samples with herpetic dermatitis (four); Group 2, samples with nonherpetic facial dermatitis (six); Group 3, samples with facial dermatitis of ambiguous nature (allergic or viral) (six); and Group 4, samples from healthy cats (four). A relative quantification using the 2- ΔΔC q method was used to estimate the "upregulation" of each FHV-1 target viral gene copies (glycoprotein-B and thymidine-kinase) relative to reference gene. Detection of FHV-1 mRNA was performed using the RNAscope 2.5 detection kit. RESULTS: By 2- ΔΔC q analysis, upregulation of both FHV-1 genes was observed in all samples from Group 1 and two of six from Group 3. No upregulation was identified in samples from groups 2 and 4. Positive mRNA hybridization signal was observed in all cases from Group 1 and two cases of Group 3. No positivity was observed in samples from groups 2 and 4. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: QRT-PCR 2-ΔΔCq analysis and RNA-ISH can identify the FHV-1 genome as causative agent of the associated dermatitis, even where inclusion bodies are not detectable. Both techniques are functional in retrospective studies, have greater specificity than conventional PCR, and may be proposed for research and diagnostic purposes.
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Enfermedades de los Gatos/diagnóstico , Dermatitis/veterinaria , Infecciones por Herpesviridae/veterinaria , Varicellovirus/aislamiento & purificación , Animales , Enfermedades de los Gatos/virología , Gatos , ADN Viral/genética , Dermatitis/diagnóstico , Dermatitis/virología , Cara/patología , Cara/virología , Femenino , Infecciones por Herpesviridae/diagnóstico , Hibridación in Situ/veterinaria , Masculino , Adhesión en Parafina , ARN Mensajero , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la Polimerasa/veterinaria , Estudios Retrospectivos , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
A diarrheic young cat died after neurological involvement. Biochemistry pointed to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). The final diagnosis was severe multifocal meningoencephalitis due to Toxoplasma gondii. The presence of the parasite in the brain was confirmed using immunohistochemical staining. Concomitant feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and FIP were possible contributors to the clinical, fatal outcome.
Toxoplasmose cérébrale chez un chat atteint des infections virales de leucémie féline et de péritonite infectieuse féline. Un jeune chat diarrhéique est mort après des symptômes neurologiques. La biochimie a signalé une péritonite infectieuse féline (FIP). Le diagnostic final a été une méningo-encéphalite multifocale grave causée par Toxoplasma gondii. La présence du parasite dans le cerveau a été confirmée à l'aide de la coloration immunohistochimique. La présence concomitante du virus de la leucémie féline (FeLV) et de la FIP sont des facteurs possibles ayant contribué au résultat clinique mortel.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de los Gatos/virología , Peritonitis Infecciosa Felina/patología , Leucemia Felina/patología , Toxoplasmosis Animal/patología , Toxoplasmosis Cerebral/veterinaria , Animales , Enfermedades de los Gatos/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/patología , Gatos , Coronavirus Felino/aislamiento & purificación , Peritonitis Infecciosa Felina/virología , Femenino , Virus de la Leucemia Felina/aislamiento & purificación , Leucemia Felina/parasitología , Leucemia Felina/virología , Meningoencefalitis/parasitología , Meningoencefalitis/patología , Meningoencefalitis/veterinaria , Toxoplasma/aislamiento & purificación , Toxoplasmosis Animal/parasitología , Toxoplasmosis Cerebral/parasitología , Toxoplasmosis Cerebral/patologíaRESUMEN
The study of influenza type A (IA) infections in wild mammals populations is a critical gap in our knowledge of how IA viruses evolve in novel hosts that could be in close contact with avian reservoir species and other wild animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility to infection, the nasal shedding and the transmissibility of the H7N1 and H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses in the bank vole (Myodes glareolus), a wild rodent common throughout Europe and Asia. Two out of 24 H5N1-infected voles displayed evident respiratory distress, while H7N1-infected voles remained asymptomatic. Viable virus was isolated from nasal washes collected from animals infected with both HPAI viruses, and extra-pulmonary infection was confirmed in both experimental groups. Histopathological lesions were evident in the respiratory tract of infected animals, although immunohistochemistry positivity was only detected in lungs and trachea of two H7N1-infected voles. Both HPAI viruses were transmitted by direct contact, and seroconversion was confirmed in 50% and 12.5% of the asymptomatic sentinels in the H7N1 and H5N1 groups, respectively. Interestingly, viable virus was isolated from lungs and nasal washes collected from contact sentinels of both groups. The present study demonstrated that two non-rodent adapted HPAI viruses caused asymptomatic infection in bank voles, which shed high amounts of the viruses and were able to infect contact voles. Further investigations are needed to determine whether bank voles could be involved as silent hosts in the transmission of HPAI viruses to other mammals and domestic poultry.
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Arvicolinae , Susceptibilidad a Enfermedades/veterinaria , Subtipo H5N1 del Virus de la Influenza A/fisiología , Subtipo H7N1 del Virus de la Influenza A/fisiología , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Roedores/transmisión , Esparcimiento de Virus , Animales , Susceptibilidad a Enfermedades/virología , Nariz/virología , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/transmisión , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/virología , Enfermedades de los Roedores/virologíaRESUMEN
In veal calf production, growth promoters are still illicitly used. Surveillance of misuse of such molecules is necessary to preserve human health. Methods currently adopted for their analysis are based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, but their efficacy can be affected by undetectable residual concentrations in biological matrices due to treatments at low-dosage or based on unknown anabolic compounds. The development of screening methods to identify the indirect biological effects of administration of growth promoters can improve the efficiency of drug residue monitoring. To this purpose, an integrated approach has been used to further validate the set of protein biomarkers defined in a previous controlled study to detect the use of corticosteroids through the changes caused in muscle protein expression. The thymus morphology of 48 samples collected under field conditions was evaluated to assess the presence of potential corticosteroids treatment. Animals were divided on the basis of their thymus characteristics in negative or suspected for illegal corticosteroids treatment. Drug residue analyses were performed on the liver, giving a satisfactory correlation with the histological examination (â¼85%). Finally, the proteomics analysis of muscle protein extracts was carried out by 2D differential in gel electrophoresis, and proteins that were differentially expressed between the two animal groups (p value <0.01) were selected for MALDI-MS/MS analysis. This approach allowed us to identify 29 different proteins, and our findings indicate that the altered protein expression pattern can be used as an indirect method for the detection of illicit corticosteroids administration. A subset of the identified proteins was already reported in a previous controlled study, proving that these biomarkers can be used to develop a screening assay to improve the tools currently available for the detection of corticosteroids abuse in bovine meat production.
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Corticoesteroides/farmacología , Anabolizantes/farmacología , Biomarcadores/análisis , Proteoma/análisis , Proteoma/efectos de los fármacos , Proteómica/métodos , Corticoesteroides/análisis , Anabolizantes/análisis , Animales , Bovinos , Electroforesis en Gel Bidimensional , Músculo Esquelético/química , Músculo Esquelético/efectos de los fármacos , Proteínas/análisis , Drogas Veterinarias/análisis , Drogas Veterinarias/farmacologíaRESUMEN
The aim of this study was to evaluate the histomorphology and the stress response in the bivalve Venerupis philippinarum sampled in four differently polluted sites of the Venice Lagoon (Palude del Monte, Marghera, Ca' Roman and Val di Brenta). This species is often used as bioindicator of environmental pollution since it can bioaccumulate a large variety of pollutants because of its filter feeding. Chemical analyses for heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were performed on whole soft tissues of V. philippinarum. The histological evaluation of clams revealed the presence of Perkinsus sp. infection in animals from all sites, although a very high prevalence of parasites was evidenced in clams from Ca' Roman. Perkinsus sp. were systemically distributed in the mantle, in the intestine and digestive gland, in gonads and gills. The trophozoites of Perkinsus sp. were found isolated or in cluster surrounded by a heavy hemocitical response. Haemocytes always exhibited an immunopositivity to cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and nitrotyrosine (NT) antibodies. The digestive gland of animals from Palude del Monte showed the highest malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, whereas clams from Ca' Roman exhibited the highest quantity of metallothioneins.
Asunto(s)
Alveolados/aislamiento & purificación , Bivalvos/efectos de los fármacos , Bivalvos/parasitología , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/toxicidad , Animales , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Bivalvos/fisiología , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Italia , Malondialdehído/metabolismo , Metales Pesados/metabolismo , Metales Pesados/toxicidad , Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos/metabolismo , Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos/toxicidad , Sustancias Reactivas al Ácido Tiobarbitúrico/metabolismo , Distribución Tisular , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/metabolismoRESUMEN
Benzo(a)pyrene is an important polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) commonly present in the marine environment and responsible for carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic effects in various animal species. In the present study, we investigated by both histochemical and immunohistochemical approaches the effect of an acute exposure to different concentrations of B(a)P in the Manila clam Venerupis philippinarum. The general morphology of the different clam tissues, which was investigated histologically, evidenced a significant increase in the number of intestinal brown cells after B(a)P exposure. An increasing trend response to B(a)P was detected. The histochemical analysis for lipofuscin revealed the presence of lipofuscin-like substances inside the cytoplasm of intestinal brown cells. The same cells exhibited a PAS positivity and a reactivity to Schmorl's solution for melanin pigment. Moreover, intestinal brown cells exhibited an immunopositivity to HSP70 antibody confirming the increasing trend response to B(a)P detected by the histochemical analysis. Our results suggest that histological tissue changes resulting from exposure to B(a)P can be an useful marker in biomonitoring studies.
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Benzo(a)pireno/toxicidad , Bivalvos/efectos de los fármacos , Proteínas HSP70 de Choque Térmico/genética , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/toxicidad , Animales , Bivalvos/anatomía & histología , Bivalvos/genética , Bivalvos/metabolismo , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Fluorescencia , Proteínas HSP70 de Choque Térmico/metabolismo , InmunohistoquímicaRESUMEN
Haemangiosarcoma is a highly metastatic and lethal cancer of blood vessel-forming cells that commonly spreads to the brain in both humans and dogs. Dysregulations in phosphatase and tensin (PTEN) homologue have been identified in various types of cancers, including haemangiosarcoma. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding single-stranded RNA molecules that play a crucial role in regulating the gene expression. Some miRNAs can function as oncogenes or tumour suppressors, influencing important processes in cancer, such as angiogenesis. This study aimed to investigate whether miRNAs targeting PTEN were disrupted in canine haemangiosarcoma and its corresponding brain metastases (BM). The expression levels of miRNA-10b, miRNA-19b, miRNA-21, miRNA-141 and miRNA-494 were assessed in samples of primary canine cardiac haemangiosarcomas and their matched BM. Furthermore, the miRNA profile of the tumours was compared to samples of adjacent non-cancerous tissue and healthy control tissues. In primary cardiac haemangiosarcoma, miRNA-10b showed a significant increase in expression, while miRNA-494 and miRNA-141 exhibited downregulation. Moreover, the overexpression of miRNA-10b was retained in metastatic brain lesions. Healthy tissues demonstrated significantly different expression patterns compared to cancerous tissues. In particular, the expression of miRNA-10b was nearly undetectable in both control brain tissue and perimetastatic cerebral tissue. These findings can provide a rationale for the development of miRNA-based therapeutic strategies, aimed at selectively treating haemangiosarcoma.
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Neoplasias Encefálicas , Enfermedades de los Perros , Hemangiosarcoma , MicroARNs , Humanos , Perros , Animales , MicroARNs/genética , MicroARNs/metabolismo , Hemangiosarcoma/genética , Hemangiosarcoma/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Perros/genética , Encéfalo , Neoplasias Encefálicas/genética , Neoplasias Encefálicas/veterinaria , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión GénicaRESUMEN
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has highlighted the importance of having proper tools and models to study the pathophysiology of emerging infectious diseases to test therapeutic protocols, assess changes in viral phenotypes, and evaluate the effects of viral evolution. This study provided a comprehensive characterization of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) as an animal model for SARS-CoV-2 infection using different approaches (description of clinical signs, viral load, receptor profiling, and host immune response) and targeting four different organs (lungs, intestine, brain, and PBMCs). Our data showed that both male and female hamsters were susceptible to the infection and developed a disease similar to the one observed in patients with COVID-19 that included moderate to severe pulmonary lesions, inflammation, and recruitment of the immune system in the lungs and at the systemic level. However, all animals recovered within 14 days without developing the severe pathology seen in humans, and none of them died. We found faint evidence for intestinal and neurological tropism associated with the absence of lesions and a minimal host response in intestines and brains, which highlighted another crucial difference with the multiorgan impairment of severe COVID-19. When comparing male and female hamsters, we observed that males sustained higher viral RNA shedding and replication in the lungs, suffered from more severe symptoms and histopathological lesions, and triggered higher pulmonary inflammation. Overall, these data confirmed the Syrian hamster as a suitable model for mild to moderate COVID-19 and reflected sex-related differences in the response against the virus observed in humans.
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COVID-19 , Animales , Cricetinae , Humanos , Femenino , Masculino , Mesocricetus , SARS-CoV-2 , Conducta Sexual , Caracteres SexualesRESUMEN
Giardia duodenalis (Giardia) is a worldwide cause of acute diarrheal disease both in humans and animals. The primary aim of this study was to investigate possible variations in gut microbiota in a population of asymptomatic dogs (n = 31), naturally infected or not by Giardia. Gut microbiota and the hematological, biochemical, and fecal parameters related to intestinal function were investigated. Giardia infection was associated with a significant shift of beta diversity, showing a relevant reduction of Gammaproteobacteria and an increase of Fusobacteria in male-positive dogs if compared with negatives. A significant imbalance of different bacterial taxa, with particular reference to the Erysipelotrichales, Lactobacillales, Clostridiales, and Burkholderiales orders, was observed, with the first two being higher in Giardia-positive dogs. Giardia-positive males displayed significantly higher values of cCRP than negative males as well as positive females, supporting the presence of a pro-inflammatory state. Taken together, these results indicate that the presence of Giardia does not substantially modify the microbial ecology of the intestine nor the hematological markers of disease. Thus treatments against Giardia should be considered with caution in asymptomatic subjects.
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Avian astroviruses, of the genus Avastrovirus, are recognized as being the cause of enteritis in different bird species worldwide. In particular, turkeys are very susceptible and can be severely affected by this viral agent. More recently, astroviruses were detected in diseased guinea fowl in Italy but whether or not they were the causative agents of the clinical disease was not established. Despite the distribution and relevance of Avastrovirus infection, very little information on pathogenesis or factors influencing the pathogenicity of astroviruses is available. To increase available data on the pathogenesis of these viruses and to test the hypothesis of possible interspecies transmission, experimental infections were carried out in turkeys and guinea fowl with two genetically distinct avian astroviruses, namely TK-6363 and GF-5497, originating respectively from diseased turkey poults and guinea fowl. Data obtained in our study show that both of the viruses selected were able to infect young birds of the species in which they were originally detected. Additionally, these viruses were able to infect young birds of different species causing clinical signs, thus providing experimental evidence for the infection of distinct avian astroviruses in different avian species.
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Infecciones por Astroviridae/transmisión , Avastrovirus/patogenicidad , Enteritis/patología , Galliformes , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/transmisión , Animales , Infecciones por Astroviridae/patología , Infecciones por Astroviridae/virología , Avastrovirus/clasificación , Avastrovirus/genética , Bolsa de Fabricio/patología , Enteritis/virología , Intestinos/patología , Intestinos/virología , Filogenia , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/patología , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/virología , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa , Bazo/patología , Bazo/virología , Timo/patología , Timo/virología , Pavos , Esparcimiento de Virus , Aumento de PesoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids are illegally used in several countries as growth promoters in veal calves and beef cattle, either alone or in association with sex steroids and ß-agonists, especially at low dosages and primarily through oral administration, in order to enhance carcasses and meat quality traits. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the reliability of the histological evaluation of the thymus, as well as the serum cortisol determination, in identifying beef cattle, treated with two different dexamethasone-based growth-promoting protocols and the application of different withdrawal times before slaughter. RESULTS: Our findings demonstrate that low dosages of dexamethasone (DXM), administered alone or in association with clenbuterol as growth promoter in beef cattle, induce morphologic changes in the thymus, resulting in increase fat infiltration with concurrent cortical atrophy and reduction of the cortex/medulla ratio (C/M). In fact, the C/M value was significantly lower in treated animals than in control ones, with both the protocols applied. The cut off value of 0.93 for the cortex/medulla ratio resulted to be highly effective to distinguish control and treated animals. The animals treated with DXM showed inhibition of cortisol secretion during the treatment period, as well as at the slaughterhouse, 3 days after treatment suspension. The animals treated with lower doses of DXM in association with clenbuterol, showed inhibition of cortisol secretion during the treatment period, but serum cortisol concentration was restored to physiological levels at slaughterhouse, 8 days after treatment suspension. CONCLUSIONS: The histological evaluation of thymus morphology, and particularly of the C/M may represent a valuable and reproducible method applicable to large-scale screening programs, due to the easy sampling procedures at slaughterhouse, as well as time and cost-saving of the analysis. Serum cortisol determination could be considered as an useful in vivo biomarker of dexamethasone illegal treatment in beef cattle during the fattening period, whilst it does not appear to be a good biomarker at the slaughterhouse, since the protocol of DXM administration, as well as the withdrawal period could affect the reliability of the method.
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Bovinos/sangre , Dexametasona/administración & dosificación , Hidrocortisona/sangre , Detección de Abuso de Sustancias/veterinaria , Timo/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Biomarcadores , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Sustancias de Crecimiento/análisis , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Detección de Abuso de Sustancias/métodos , Timo/patologíaRESUMEN
An 8-month-old female Main Coon with a history of recurrent behavioral changes and anorexia was presented with sternal recumbency and depression. Within 5 days, the cat progressively worsened with symptoms of stupor and coma and was euthanized. At post-mortem examination, a solid, grayish infratentorial mass located in the midline rostrally to the cerebellum, was observed. Histologically, highly cellular clusters of small-to-medium undifferentiated cells were intermingled with paucicellular areas with fibrillary eosinophilic (neuropil-like) appearance. Numerous multilayered (ependymoblastic) true rosettes were present. The mitotic activity was frequent (up to 15 mitoses/HPF), involving both undifferentiated cells and rosettes. By immunohistochemistry (IHC), tumor cells were diffusely positive for vimentin, variably for synaptophysin, S-100, and NSE, and focally for NeuN; they were negative for GFAP and CK AE1/AE3. The histological and IHC aspects were consistent with an Embryonal Tumor with Abundant Neuropil and True Rosettes (ETANTR). Embryonal neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS) are characterized by primitive undifferentiated cells, able to develop toward neuronal, glial, ependymal, and mesenchymal lines. Although extremely rare, juvenile embryonal tumors should be considered in the differentials of CNS disorders in young cats.
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Cytauxzoonosis is an emerging disease caused by a tick-transmitted haemoprotozoan affecting domestic and wild felids. The clinical and biomolecular findings of the infection due to Cytauxzoon sp. and concomitant coinfections are described in three cats in central Italy. Three domestic cats were referred for different clinical conditions (impact trauma, lameness, and weight loss and lethargy). They presented different hematobiochemical profiles. Only two cats were anemic, but in all three cats, endo erythrocyte inclusions suggestive of piroplasmids were found at blood smear evaluation. EDTA blood samples were submitted to rapid ELISA test for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and to biomolecular investigations for Piroplasmida (Babesia spp., Theileria spp., Cytauxzoon spp.) and Mycoplasma spp. All three cats were positive for Cytauxzoon sp. (European Cytauxzoon species) and two cases were also coinfected by Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis and FIV. This report suggests that cytauxzoonosis should be included among differential diagnoses in subjects with possibility of contact with ticks and with presence of coinfections by tick-borne parasites, including in non-endemic areas.
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Dogs are proved to be competent reservoir hosts for several vector-borne pathogens. Their prevalence varies according to the geographical area. Many vector-borne pathogens may be transmitted by blood transfusion. The purpose of this study was to determine the serological and molecular prevalence of some vector-borne pathogens in dog blood donors, living in central Italy. Blood samples of 126 donors (19 breeds) included were tested for a broad serological and DNA-base tests panel. The differences in pathogen prevalence according to age, sex, and breeds were tested (chi-square test, Fisher's exact test). Overall, 50 animals (39.7%) tested positive at PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and/or serology (IFAT, indirect fluorescent antibody test) for at least one pathogen. Three dogs were positive at both serology and PCR. A tendency of hemoplasmas to be more prevalent in older dogs (41.2%) compared to the younger ones (25.7%) was noted. We highlight the difficulties of selecting healthy blood donor dogs in an endemic area for vector-borne infections. It is important to choose the serological and biomolecular investigations panel that is most suited to the donor's environment. Close collaboration between clinician and parasitologists is important in the interpretation of IFAT and PCR results. Finally, we underline the important role of blood donors as an epidemiological tool for active surveillance against canine vector-borne diseases.
RESUMEN
A 15-day-old, female, captive Panthera tigris cub was hospitalized after developing severe hyperthermia, depression, and lack of appetite. The clinical condition rapidly worsened, and the tiger cub died in 72 h after the onset of neurological symptoms, septic shock, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The postmortem main gross findings consisted of a severe and diffuse bilateral fibrino-suppurative meningoencephalitis and ventriculitis, mild fibrinous and sero-hemorrhagic polyserositis and cystitis, severe pulmonary edema, and hemorrhages. Microscopically, the meninges, ependyma, and choroid plexuses were diffusely expanded by abundant infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, with multifocal fibrinous exudation. Histiocytic interstitial pneumonia, fibrinous and neutrophilic polyserositis, and pyelocystitis were also observed. Vascular thrombosis with multifocal vasculitis and vascular necrosis were frequently observed. Aerobic and anaerobic cultures performed on the brain, lungs, intestine, kidneys, and in pericardial effusion reported the presence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis. Environmental and nutritional contamination were identified as putative sources of infections. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of Salmonella Enteritidis septicemia with meningoencephalitis in a tiger cub, which highlights the need to further investigate the cause of acute perinatal death to reduce the risk of infectious disease outbreaks.
RESUMEN
The term angiomatosis is used to denote a group of well-known to poorly characterized proliferative vascular entities. In animals, cutaneous progressive angiomatosis (CPA) is a disorder with variable prognosis related to the extension and depth of infiltration of the surrounding tissues by vessels. CPA may share some microscopical features with other vascular proliferations such as low-grade well-differentiated capillaritic hemangiosarcoma (HS), making the diagnosis not always straightforward, especially in small biopsies. The aim of this study is to retrospectively assess the most common diagnostic microscopical features of CPA in dogs. In this work, 11 histopathological criteria were analyzed on 31 CPA and 11 primary cutaneous HS in dogs. Features significantly associated with CPA included: lobular growth, interposition of connective tissue and adnexa between the vascular proliferation, presence of nerve fibers, and a mixed vascular proliferative component. Absence of plump/prominent endothelial cells, lack of atypia, and lack of mitoses were also significant factors differentiating CPA from HS. Additional distinctive findings in CPA, although with no statistical association to CPA diagnosis, were vascular shunting, absence of necrosis, and endothelial cell piling up. In conclusion, the combined use of different microscopical clues allowed for the distinction of CPA from HS and was considered useful for the diagnosis of CPA.