Cutaneous pyogranuloma in a cat caused by virulent Rhodococcus equi containing an 87 kb type I plasmid.

A 2-year-old intact male domestic shorthaired cat presented with a chronic, nodular, ulcerated, cutaneous lesion on the right thoracic limb. Histological and cytological examination revealed a pyogranulomatous inflammation with basophilic organisms in the macrophages. A virulent form of Rhodococcus equi containing an 87 kb type I (VapA) virulence plasmid was identified from cultures of biopsy samples. This report describes the clinicopathological features, plasmid profile and virulence of this case of R equi infection.

Densidade mineral óssea em cadelas submetidas à ovarioisterectomia com e sem reposição estrogênica oral / Mineral density in bones of ovariohysterectomized bitches, with or without oral estrogen replacement / Mineral density in bones of ovariohysterectomized bitches, with or without oral estrogen replacement

Estudaram-se os efeitos da ovarioisterectomia na densidade mineral óssea de cadelas e da reposição de estrógenos após a cirurgia. Foram utilizadas 12 cadelas, sem raça definida, entre dois e seis anos de idade e pesos entre 5 e 15kg. Os animais, submetidos à ovarioisterectomia, foram separados em dois grupos de seis. Um grupo serviu como controle, e o outro recebeu estrógenos naturais conjugados na dose de 0,01mg/kg via oral a cada 48 horas, durante 12 meses. No dia da cirurgia e após 12 meses, foram feitas radiografias com vistas à densitometria óptica em imagem radiográfica. A ovarioisterectomia diminuiu a densidade óssea, e a reposição estrogênica, na dose utilizada, foi capaz de preservá-la.

Effects on bone density of ovariohysterectomy and post-operative estrogen replacement were studied in bitches. Twelve mixed-breed bitches, ranging from 2 to 6 years of age and weighing between 5 and 15kg were submitted to ovariohysterectomy and separated in two groups of six, after a period of adaptation of 60 days. Bitches from the first group were an un-innoculated control; whereas treated bitches received 0.01mg/kg per os of natural estrogen every 48 hours for 12 months. Radiographs were taken on the day of surgery and 12 months later. Variation in bone density was quantified by optic densitometry in radiographic images. Ovariohysterectomy decreased bone density, whereas estrogen replacement moderated the effect.

Incidência de parasitos intestinais em escolares de Lábrea, Amazonas, Brasil / Incidence of intestinal parasites in students from Lábrea, Amazonas, Brazil

O autor em trabalho realizado em Lábrea, Estado do Amazonas, Brasil, feito em 311 escolares, encontrou 95,4 por cento de positividade podendo-se destacar, em ordem decrescente, como de maior freqüência Ascaris lumbricoides 89,7 por cento, T. trichiura 64,3 por cento, ancilostomideos 51,7 por cento e Strongyloides stercoralis 10,6 por cento. Em relação aos protozoários apenas foi observado 9,0 por cento de positividade e como mais freqüentes E. coli 4,8 por cento, Giardia lamblia 2,5 por cento, sòmente em duas oportunidades foi revelado E. histolytica. Foram empregados dois métodos diretos: a) fezes diluídas em solução salina (cloreto de sódioa 0,85 por cento) b) fezes diluídas em Lugol de Weigert. Para confirmação diagnóstica de protozoários foi usada a coloração pela hematoxilina férrica. São apresentados dois quadros nos quais é mostrada a incidência por espécie e por grupo etário, em números e percentual.

The author presents the result of an intestinal parasites survey made in Lábrea town, Amazonas State, Brazil. Stool samples were examined from 311 school individuals, between the ages of five and 19 years. The survey showed an intestinal helminth rate of 95.4 percent. The incidence of other intestinal helminth was as follows: A. lumbricoides 89.7 percent, T. trichiura 64.3 percent, hookworms 51.7 percent, S. stercoralis 10.6 percent.The same stool specimens showed the rate of 9.0 percent for human intestinal protozoa. The most frequent was E. coli 4.8 percent; Giardia lamblia showed a rate of 2.5 percent. E. histolytica appeared in only two of all examinations.Two methods were used: a) direct examination in saline solution (0,85 percent) b)feces diluted in Weigert’s lugol. For differential diagnosis of protozoa, iron hematoxilin was used.Two tables are presented showing the incidence of all parasites found by species, number, percentage and age group.

Canine hepatozoonosis in Brazil: description of eight naturally occurring cases.

Eight cases of canine hepatozoonosis were diagnosed at the Veterinary Hospital (Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus de Botucatu), between October 1993 and April 1994. Clinical signs included anorexia, pale mucous membranes, weight loss, pain, diarrhoea, vomit, gait abnormalities, fever, polyuria and polydipsia. Haematologic findings revealed anaemia in seven cases, leucocytosis with neutrophilia in three cases, lymphopenia in three cases and monocytosis in four cases. Serum biochemistries included alterations in many parameters. The micrometry of Hepatozoon canis gametocytes ranged from 6.8 x 4.0 microns to 7.5 x 4.5 microns. Parasitaemia ranged from less than 0.5% to 2%. In all the cases reported other concurrent diseases were present. Diagnosis of canine hepatozoonosis was made by identifying H. canis gametocytes within leucocytes in stained blood smears.

[Sporotrichosis of the domestic cat (Felis catus): human transmission]. / Esporotricose do gato doméstico (Felis catus): transmissão humana.

A case of sporotrichosis transmitted by cat to a veterinarian hospital employees is reported. Inquiry at domiciliary area of the cat's owner revealed two other presumable cases of human sporotrichosis transmitted by cats, and confirmed the diagnosis (by culture of Sporothrix schenckii) of disease in three other domestic cats. Feline sporotrichosis is characterized by ulcerative, cutaneous lesions and systemic dissemination, which invariably cause animal's death. The transmission of sporotrichosis to other animals and humans is enhanced by the great amount of fungus present in cat's lesions.