Hyperfunctioning papillary thyroid carcinoma - a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Malignant hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules are rare and more likely to occur in follicular cancer types rather than papillary variants. The authors present a case of a papillary thyroid carcinoma associated with a hyperfunctioning nodule. METHODS: A single adult patient submitted to total thyroidectomy with the presence of thyroid carcinoma within hyperfunctioning nodules was selected. Additionally, brief literature was conducted. RESULTS: An asymptomatic 58-year-old male was subjected to routine blood analysis and a TSH level of <0.003 mIU/L was found. Ultrasonography revealed a 21 mm solid, hypoechoic, and heterogenous nodule with microcalcifications in the right lobe. A fine needle aspiration guided by ultrasound resulted in a follicular lesion of undetermined significance. A 99mTc thyroid scintigram was followed and identified a right-sided hyperfunctioning nodule. Another cytology was performed and a papillary thyroid carcinoma was derived as a result. The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy. Postoperative histology confirmed the diagnosis and a tumor-free margin with no vascular or capsular invasions. CONCLUSION: Hyperfunctioning malignant nodules are a rare association, although a careful approach should be led since major clinical implications arise. Selective fine needle aspiration in all suspicious ≥1 cm nodules should be considered.

Anaplasmosis outbreaks in taurine and zebu cattle in Brazil: causes, treatments, and Anaplasma marginale genetic diversity.

This study aimed to investigate seven outbreaks of A. marginale infection in two regions of Brazil, affecting taurine, zebu, and crossbred cattle. We assessed the possible causes, treatment measures, and genetic diversity of A. marginale. These outbreaks occurred in two states (Goiás: outbreaks 1-7; Mato Grosso do Sul: outbreak 3), breeds (Holstein, Nellore, and crossbreed), age groups (beef cattle: 18-25 days old and 7-8 months; dairy cattle: 18-25 days old, 13-14 months, and cow after the first birth) and rearing systems (feedlot, pasture, pen in a wood shaving bedding system and compost bedded-pack barns). Metaphylactic or prophylactic treatments varied according to outbreak (imidocarb dipropionate: outbreaks 1-4 and 6; enrofloxacin: outbreaks 5 and 7; diminazene diaceturate: outbreak 5). In outbreaks 6 and 7, the packed cell volume was monitored. In all outbreaks, the practice of needle/syringe sharing was discontinued. For outbreaks 1-3, clinical signs and mortality (range, 4.8-13.3%) occurred 36-45 days after entry into the feedlot. In outbreak 4, A. marginale was diagnosed in 66.2% of the calves (bacteremia, 0-4.5%), with a mortality of 8.6%. Among nursing calves aged 60 days during outbreak 5, 53.8% were infected with A. marginale, with average bacteremia of 2.7% (range, 0-21.3%), and a mortality of 13.8%. In dairy heifers aged 14 months, raised in paddocks lacking vegetation cover and infested with R. microplus, then transitioned to a rotational grazing system also infested with R. microplus, the A. marginale bacteremia ranged from 3.2 to 6.7%, with a mortality of 20%. Before monitoring during outbreak 7, the mortality was 17.9%, but no further deaths were observed after monitoring initiation. In conclusion, possible causes triggering the outbreaks included primary tick infestation, needle/syringe sharing, and stress factors which may have affected the immunological statues of animals in the feedlots. Control measures performed in all outbreaks were effective. The partial msp4 gene sequences of A. marginale generated herein belonged to two haplotypes, but further research would be needed to investigate if this finding has any clinical significance.

Economic impact of poisoning by Brachiaria grass in lambs from birth to finishing receiving to different levels of supplementation.

This study aims to evaluate the economic impact of poisoning by Brachiaria grass in lambs from birth to weaning (suckling) and from weaning to slaughter (finishing) different levels of energy protein supplementation (EPS). In addition, we estimated the economic efficiency of removing lambs from the pasture as a control measure to minimize the losses caused by Brachiaria grass poisoning. Seventy lambs were used in the suckling phase, distributed in two nutritional treatments (control and creep feeding). Hospitalization expenses were US$ 1580.80 for the control treatment and US$ 256.16 for the creep feeding treatment. In the finishing phase, 48 lambs were distributed in four nutritional treatments, which consisted of increasing levels of EPS (mineral salt, 0.8, 1.6 and 2.4% of LW). The largest difference in total revenue (US$) was observed between 2.4% of BW EPS and mineral salt (- 2300.28) treatments. Hospitalization expenses were similar between nutritional treatments, being higher in the treatment 1.6% of BW EPS (US$ 578.15). The biggest difference in gross income (US$) observed was between 2.4% of BW EPS and mineral salt (- 1439.43) treatments. The Brachiaria grass poisoning caused economic losses to the sheep farming system, due to the death of lambs, reduced weight gain and lower weights at weaning and in the finishing phase. Brachiaria grass poisoning caused economic damage to the production system. There were direct losses, with the death of the lambs without supplementation, in the suckling and finishing phases. The supplementation increases the performance and reduces the mortality. The supplementation in high levels is efficient in reducing the economic impact of poisoning by Brachiaria grass in both periods of suckling and finishing.

Type C botulism outbreak in feedlot cattle fed contaminated corn silage.

A large outbreak of botulism in feedlot steers fed corn silage contaminated with Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin type C (BoNT/C) is reported occurring in Midwestern Brazil in August 2017. The onset of the outbreak occurred 15 days after 1700 steers started to be fed the contaminated corn silage. Affected steers were alert and afebrile with varying degrees of flaccid paralysis in various muscle groups. A total of 1100 steers were affected, 1090 of which died within four days. Ten steers recovered after treatment with antitoxin. No gross or microscopic lesions were found in affected steers. The diagnosis was based on epidemiological data, characteristic clinical signs, and positive mouse bioassay results. This outbreak is interesting due to the high number of fatally affected cattle and the on-site diagnostic approach. This case report demonstrates the difficulties in diagnosing and treating botulism in cattle.

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.

Spontaneous Rupture of Splenic Artery Aneurysm.

Splenic artery aneurysms are rare and usually asymptomatic, with a high risk of mortality once they get ruptured. A case report of a spontaneous rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm in a 65-year-old female is reported. The patient presented in the emergency department with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, followed by syncope. A contrast-enhanced CT scan was performed and showed a splenic artery aneurysm measuring 40 × 35 mm surrounded by a hematoma. The patient was submitted to emergency laparotomy with ligation of the splenic artery, aneurysm resection, and splenectomy. There were no surgical complications, and the patient was discharged home on the fifth postoperative day. A rupture of a splenic aneurysm is a rare condition with a high mortality rate and should be considered a differential diagnosis in a patient with abdominal pain and hemodynamic instability.

Physically active men show better semen parameters and hormone values than sedentary men.

Physical exercise promotes many health benefits. The present study was undertaken to assess possible semen and hormone differences among physically active (PA) subjects and sedentary subjects (SE). The analyzed qualitative sperm parameters were: volume, sperm count, motility, and morphology; where needed, additional testing was performed. The measured hormones were: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), cortisol (C), and the ratio between T and C (T/C). Maximum oxygen consumption was also assessed to check for differences in fitness level. Statistically significant differences were found for several semen parameters such as total progressive motility (PA: 60.94 ± 5.03; SE: 56.07 ± 4.55) and morphology (PA: 15.54 ± 1.38, SE: 14.40 ± 1.15). The seminological values observed were supported by differences in hormones, with FSH, LH, and T being higher in PA than in SE (5.68 ± 2.51 vs. 3.14 ± 1.84; 5.95 ± 1.11 vs. 5.08 ± 0.98; 7.68 ± 0.77 vs. 6.49 ± 0.80, respectively). Likewise, the T/C ratio, index of anabolic versus catabolic status, was also higher in PA (0.46 ± 0.11 vs. 0.32 ± 0.07), which further supports the possibility of an improved hormonal environment. The present study shows that there are differences in semen and hormone values of physically active subjects and sedentary subjects. Physically active subjects seem to have a more anabolic hormonal environment and a healthier semen production.

Molecular and phenotypic characterization of Escherichia coli from calves in an important meat-producing region in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Escherichia coli strains that lead to enteritis are considered an important cause of diarrhea in calves. For correct identification, these microorganisms must be differentiated from non-pathogenic members of the intestinal microbiota. The aim of the present work was to characterize E. coli isolates in calves regarding the presence of virulence genes that cause enteritis and evaluate the sensitivity of the isolates to different antimicrobials. METHODOLOGY: One hundred forty-nine samples from beef cattle and 27 samples from dairy cattle were evaluated. All samples were submitted to microbiological identification and the disk diffusion antibiogram test. The polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect virulence genes. RESULTS: A hundred seventy-six samples were biochemically identified as E. coli and antibiograms were determined. The samples were then submitted to PCR; 35 were positive for the eae gene (19.88%), 135 (76.70%) for the stx1 gene, 62 (35.22%) for the stx2 gene, 159 (90.34%) for the sta gene and 35 (19.88%) for the ltII gene. No samples were positive for the cnf gene. Based on these results, the E. coli isolates were classified into pathotypes: enteropathogenic (n = 3), enterohemorrhagic (n = 32), Shiga toxin-producing (n = 122) and enterotoxigenic (n = 163). The antimicrobial sensitivity tests revealed that 77.2% of the isolates were resistant to three or more pharmacological groups, characterizing these isolates as multidrug resistant. CONCLUSIONS: Enterotoxigenic E. coli was the predominant pathotype. Moreover, the prevalence of multidrug-resistant isolates was very high, accounting for the vast majority of isolates.

Outbreaks of Brachiaria ruziziensis and Brachiaria brizantha intoxications in Brazilian experienced cattle.

Brachiaria species are some of the most used forage species for raising Brazilian cattle because of their great nutritional value and adaptability to the tropical climate. However, cases of animal intoxication have been described. Animal species, age, genetic resistance, and previous adaptation to the forage can influence the susceptibility to intoxication. Cattle (young or adults), other adult ruminants and animals adapted to consumption (experienced flocks) are considered more resistant. The main clinical presentation is that of hepatogenous photosensitization. Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria ruziziensis are considered less toxic. The aim of this study is to describe three outbreaks of intoxication by B. brizantha and B. ruziziensis in experienced cattle, as well as to compare the concentrations of protodioscin in paddocks with and without clinical cases. It was observed that the two forage species are toxic to all age groups of cattle adapted to their consumption, and the concentrations of protodioscin present in the plant cannot be used as the only criterion for determining the occurrence of intoxication.

Poisoning of calves reared with cows treated with abamectin.

The aim of the present study was to describe an outbreak of poisoning by abamectin in calves less than four months of age whose mothers were treated with a pour-on product containing this ingredient. The diagnosis was based on the history, clinical signs, absence of macroscopic and histopathological findings (characteristic of this type of poisoning) and the detection of abamectin in tissues of the animals submitted to necropsy. Based on this report, the recommendation is the use with caution of pour-on formulations containing abamectin on cows having given birth less than four months earlier.

Clinical and anatomopathological aspects of Stryphnodendron fissuratum poisoning in cattle and sheep.

Spontaneous and experimental Stryphnodendron fissuratum poisoning in cattle have been documented in the scientific literature. However, clinical and anatomopathological aspects of such poisoning are not fully understood. Thus, the objective of this study was to describe the clinical, biochemical, gross and microscopic findings of spontaneous Stryphnodendron fissuratum poisoning in cattle as well the experimental poisoning by this plant in sheep. Three outbreaks in cattle from different farms were analyzed. From these farms, S. fissuratum fruit specimens were collected and subsequently administered to six sheep. Some cattle showed clinical signs of poisoning such as blindness, apathy, dysphagia, excessive drooling, weight loss and photodermatitis. In the experimental poisoning condition, one sheep received only the peel of the fruit, one received the seed, and the others received the whole fruit. The whole fruit caused fatal poisoning in one sheep, which showed anorexia, excessive drooling, nystagmus, and paddling. Necropsies and clinical, histopathological, and pathological examination of poisoned cattle and sheep showed that the plant may cause acute renal failure along with extrarenal uremic lesions.

Blackleg in inadequately immunized calves and their recovery following antibiotic therapy.

INTRODUCTION: There is consensus regarding the importance of blackleg vaccination as a preventive measure, and proper immunization protocols are available. However, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of vaccine protection against Clostridium chauvoei and the treatment of the disease in calves exhibiting early or advanced clinical courses. This study describes twelve blackleg cases in unvaccinated calves and in calves that received a single dose of the vaccine. It also reports the recovery of some calves after antibiotic therapy. METHODOLOGY: Two necropsies of cattle dead from blackleg were performed. Fragments of skeletal muscle from these two cattle were immersed in paraffin for multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. RESULTS: Twelve calves up to nine months of age developed signs of blackleg and eight died. Ten of those 9-month-old calves had received only the first dose of a blackleg vaccine at 4 months of age, but no booster. The last two affected calves belonged to a herd that had never been vaccinated. Four out of five calves treated with penicillin for 6-7 days recovered from the disease. The diagnosis of blackleg was based on necropsy, histopathological findings and detection of C. chauvoei in skeletal muscle samples of two necropsied calves using PCR. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of cases only in calves that did not receive a booster dose or were not vaccinated indicated that the vaccine used was effective when performed as recommended by the manufacturer. However, neglecting the booster resulted in casualties due to blackleg.

Outbreak investigation of septicemic salmonellosis in calves.

INTRODUCTION: An early and accurate diagnosis of septicemic salmonellosis is critical for implementing timely and proper treatment, prevention, and control measures. METHODOLOGY: Here, we report a study on three outbreaks of septicemic salmonellosis in calves from Midwestern Brazil. RESULTS: the morbidity, mortality and lethality rates were of 10.55%, 2.79%, and 26.4%, respectively. Higher susceptibility was detected in Bos taurus than in Bos indicus cattle. Clinical manifestations consisted of apathy, hyperthermia, difficulty breathing and panting, and pallor of the mucous membranes. Chronic cases had necrosis of the tail tip and ears. Gross findings included enlarged liver, non-collapsed edematous lungs and diphtheritic enteritis. Significant histopathological changes included paratyphoid nodules in the liver and acute interstitial pneumonia. Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Dublin was detected by culture and by PCR from the blood of live calves, and from the spleen, liver, bile, mesenteric lymph node and lung samples of necropsied calves. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that in clinical cases of septicemic salmonellosis, blood samples are better than fecal samples for detection of the agent, being a sound test to identify animal carriers in the herd.

Retrospective study of epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings of bovine babesiosis in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (1995 -2017).

Babesiosis is a tick-borne hemolytic disease caused by intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. The present study describes epidemiological, clinical, and pathological features of cases of bovine babesiosis diagnosed over the last two decades in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul in central-western Brazil. Examination of a total of 5298 bovine samples resulted in a definitive or presumptive diagnosis of babesiosis in 41 cases from 33 outbreaks. Babesia bovis was the most common causal agent of bovine babesiosis, and animals of all ages were affected. Zebu cattle, which are more frequent in the study region than are taurine cattle, were the cattle most often affected. Although zebu cattle have been claimed to be highly tolerant, the present findings show that they can develop severe illness and die due to Babesia spp. infection. The disease was diagnosed almost every year over the time period covered in this study (1995-2017). However, the number of cases of bovine babesiosis diagnosed was low compared to the total number of cases reviewed. Veterinary practitioners that work on cattle farms should to be able to diagnose the disease in its early stages so that treatment can be initiated promptly and economic losses can be minimized.

Toxicity of the different vegetative stages of Amorimia pubiflora to sheep.

Toxic plants containing monofluoroacetate (MFA) cause sudden death in livestock in Australia, South Africa and Brazil, causing economic losses to producers. The objective of this study was to determine the amount of MFA present in young leaves, mature leaves, senescent leaves, and seeds of Amorimia pubiflora harvested at different times of the year and to determine their toxic effect on sheep. Samples of Amorimia pubiflora were collected during April, August and December of 2015 and March of 2016, separated according to the vegetative stage (young leaves, seeds, mature leaves, and senescent leaves), dried in an oven, and administered in daily doses of 5 g/kg/body weight (bw) of fresh leaves to sheep through ruminal cannulae. The experiment was divided into four stages according to the time of collection of the plant so that each sheep received a different vegetative stage of the plant (young leaves, mature leaves, and senescent leaves). Only in the second stage of the experiment was it possible to collect A. pubiflora seeds, which were administered using the same method used for the administration of the leaves. The sheep were dosed with the plant until they showed clinical signs of toxicosis or until the plant was no longer available. Aliquots of leaves and seeds of A. pubiflora were analyzed for MFA concentration. The seeds and young leaves had higher concentrations of MFA than did the mature (harvested in August and December) and senescent (harvested in December) leaves. However, all vegetative stages of the plant were toxic and caused fatal poisoning. The results of our study showed that A. pubiflora is toxic to sheep even when MFA concentrations are low, demonstrating that the presence of this substance is a risk factor for the occurrence of poisoning. Knowing the toxic principle and its variations allow us to determine the conditions for the occurrence of plant toxicosis as well as possible treatment, control, and prophylaxis methods, contributing significantly to the reduction of economic losses on farms due to plant poisoning.

Fatal lancehead pit viper (Bothrops spp.) envenomation in horses.

Snake bite envenomations in farm animals are generally overestimated as the cause of mortality in rural areas in Latin America. However, most cases are based only on anecdotal information and assumptions, and lack diagnostic evidence. There are few proven reports of envenomation and death in horses caused by snakebites from members of the Bothrops genus (lancehead pit vipers). This study presents epidemiological and clinical-pathological findings of fatal bothropic envenomation in horses from Central Western Brazil in order to contribute to the correct diagnosis of this condition. A survey of the records of equine necropsies from the Veterinary Pathology Laboratories of the University of Brasilia, Federal University of Mato Grosso and Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, from January 2010 to February 2018, was performed. Five fatal cases of bothropic snakebite were identified in 755 necropsies of horses, corresponding to 0.66% of these cases, ranging annually from 0.33% to 0.89%. The main necropsy findings were marked swelling and diffuse subcutaneous hemorrhage, and identification of the fang marks in 2 out of five horses. Hemorrhage in most organs and tissues was the pathological hallmark of systemic envenomation. Myonecrosis, dermonecrosis, and moderate to severe kidney degeneration and necrosis were also observed. Fatal Bothrops snakebites in horses have a low occurrence in Central Western Brazil and most cases occur in the rainy season. The diagnosis of this condition may be substantiated by clinical signs and pathological findings. Local hemorrhage and necrosis, systemic hemorrhagic disorders and injuries related to acute kidney injury are the predominant clinical signs. These findings should be considered in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of these envenomations.

Experimental poisoning by Vernonia rubricaulis in sheep.

In order to evaluate the susceptibility of sheep to V. rubricaulis and to establish the clinical signs, serum biochemistry, and pathological findings, eight sheep were fed varying doses of V. rubricaulis. The onset of clinical signs occurred 6-48 h after the ingestion of V. rubricaulis. Clinical courses lasted 6-56 h after the ingestion of the plant. Serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and alkaline phosphatase were highly elevated and glucose blood levels were low in affected sheep. Clinical signs consisted of apathy, anorexia, dry muzzle, respiratory distress, abdominal pain, and mushy feces with streaks of blood and mucus. Two sheep had neurological signs including muscle fasciculation, nystagmus, paddling movements, and blindness. Liver necrosis could be detected antemortem through liver biopsy. Five sheep died and three recovered. The liver was affected in all necropsied sheep; it increased in volume and had marked accentuation of the lobular pattern with red, depressed areas intercalated with a pale yellow network. Ascites and hydropericardium were consistent findings. Microscopically, centrilobular to massive coagulative necrosis was observed. Coagulative necrosis was also observed in a few proximal renal tubules. Microscopic lesions were not found in any other organs. The severity of liver lesions was proportional to the dose. Chemical analysis to detect carboxyatractyloside in V. rubricaulis plant material was negative. It is concluded that V. rubricaulis poisoning in sheep is clinically, biochemically, and pathologically characteristic of an acute hepatoxicosis.

Enterolobium contortisiliquum is a cause of acute ruminal acidosis in sheep.

The ingestion of pods of Enterolobium contortisiliquum is associated with digestive disturbances, photosensitivity and abortion in domestic ruminants. This experiment was designed to test the hypothesis that digestive disturbances in this toxicosis are really caused by acute ruminal acidosis. Three sheep fed large doses (10-15 g/kg/body weight [bw]) of E. contortisiliquum pods developed ruminal acidosis and were treated with sodium bicarbonate to try to control this metabolic disturbance, thus providing additional evidence of the involvement of ruminal acidosis in the pathogenesis of toxicosis. Two of the sheep died, and one recovered after treatment. In the two sheep that developed severe signs of ruminal acidosis, the values of blood lactate were 18 mg/dL and 196.88 mg/dL, indicating metabolic acidosis as the cause of death. Additionally, four sheep developed elevated serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transferase, indicating that the pods had hepatotoxic effects. Necropsy findings included the accentuation of the hepatic lobular pattern and multiple focally extensive red areas in the rumen mucosa and on the surface of the liver. Repeated ingestion of small doses induced tolerance but did not induce cumulative effects. Histopathologically, the epithelial mucosa of the rumen and reticulum exhibited swollen and vacuolated epithelia with intraepithelial pustules. Focal ulceration of the mucosa was also observed. Multifocal vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes and scattered individual hepatocellular necrosis were evident in the liver. We concluded that the main clinical manifestation of intoxication by E. contortisiliquum pods in sheep was acute ruminal lactic acidosis and metabolic acidosis. Ingestion of repeated sublethal doses could stimulate proliferation of the ruminal fauna that degrades the sugar present in the pods, and thereby prevent the occurrence of ruminal acidosis. The plant is also hepatotoxic, and no abortions were observed.

Ingestion of the pods of Enterolobium contortisiliquum causes hepatogenous photosensitization in cattle.

Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Leg. Mimosoidae) is reported as a poisonous plant related to photosensitization and photodermatitis, digestive disturbs and abortion. To date, the clinical and pathological features of photosensitization has not been reproduced or only reproduced associated with very mild presentations. The objective of this study was to reproduce in cattle the clinicopathological features of photosensitization associated with the ingestion of the pods of E. contortisiliquum. The pods were harvested from a property with a history of an ongoing outbreak of photosensitization and abortion in cattle. Six 24-month-old steers were cannulated and used in the experiment, two of them served as negative controls. E. contortisiliquum pods were administered to four steers through ruminal cannula. In the first phase of the experiment, daily doses of 30 g/kg/body weight (bw) and 20 g/kg/bw were administered to Bovines 1 and 2 respectively, for three consecutive days. In the second phase, starting four days after the last daily feeding of the pods, these two bovines were challenged with the same doses of the pods for three consecutive days and another two steers (Bovines 3 and 4) were fed 15 g/kg/bw each for three consecutive days. In the two phases, the steers developed signs compatible with ruminal acidosis which were more severe during the second phase. Three and five days after the administration of the pods, two steers presented photodermatitis characterized by hyperemia and edema on the skin of the dorsum of the neck, of the shaved skin around the cannula, of muzzle and ear. Lesions evolved to dermal necrosis with sloughing and subsequent scar retraction and dermal thickening. Ulceration of mucosae exposed to sunlight was also observed. All the steers which received the pods had significant elevations in the serum activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The levels of GGT and AST remained elevated for up to 12 days after the administration of the pods was discontinued. Histopathological hepatic changes detected by liver biopsies were hepatocellular swelling and randomly scattered individual hepatocellular necrosis. The current study presents solid experimental evidence that the ingestion of E. contortisiliquum definitely induces the classical lesions of hepatogenous photosensitization in cattle.

[Effects of Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (bellyache bush) extract on the healing process of colonic anastomosis: experimental study in rats]. / Ação do extrato de Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (pião roxo) na cicatrização de anastomose colônica: estudo experimental em ratos.

INTRODUCTION: Phytotherapy has been drawing interest from the scientific community regarding its potential wound healing properties. There are few studies available that present a correct scientific methodology and, therefore, phytotherapy remains an open field for further research. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (bellyache bush) on the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats. METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were subjected to a complete section of the colon, that was soon sutured with eight separate stitches using monofilament polypropylene 6-0. Randomly, the animals were divided into control group (CG), with 20 rats, which were injected with 0.9% sodium chloride solution intraperitoneally (1 mL/kg) and Jatropha group (JG), also with 20 rats, which were injected with Jatropha gossypiifolia L. alcoholic extract intraperitoneally (1 mL/kg). Each of the groups was subdivided into two subgroups of ten rats, according to the sacrifice date, third and seventh days (CG3/ CG7 and JG3/ JG7). After sacrifice, the segment of the colon containing 1cm proximal and distal to the site of anastomosis was removed and subjected to the pressure test with air insulation. This segment was then opened and a 1.0 x 0.5 cm part was removed and placed under 10% formaldehyde for histological analysis with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome stainings. RESULTS: The evaluation of the pressure rupture test demonstrated statistical significance regarding the sacrifice date. On the third day, the average pressure of the CG (25.4 mmHg) and the JG (76.4 mmHg) revealed p = 0.013, and on the seventh day, the average pressure of the CG (187,3 mmHg.) and the JG (135.1 mmHg.) revealed p = 0.014. When assessing the microscopic variables among the groups of the 3rd day, only the variables edema and polymorphonuclear cells did not show statistical differences. On the 7th day, all of the variables assessed demonstrated significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding mechanical resistance, there was a difference in resistance between the JG3 and the CG3, and a shift of resistance when comparing the JG7 and CG7, which suggests a weakening of the Jatropha effect at a later stage of healing. The histological evaluation revealed an improvement of the acute inflammatory process in the JG3 when compared to the CG3, which was even more intense during the chronic stage, when the two groups are compared on the seventh day. The histological study of the inflammatory process, in general, showed a favorable effect to the Jatropha group compared to the control group.