Allele frequency of muscular genetic disorders in bull-catching (vaquejada) quarter horses.

Quarter horses (QH), a prominent athletic breed in Brazil, are affected by muscular genetic disorders such as myosin-heavy chain myopathy (MYHM), polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM1), hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HyPP), and malignant hyperthermia (MH). Bull-catching (vaquejada), primarily involving QH, is a significant equestrian sport in Brazil. Since the allele frequencies (AF) of MYHM, PSSM1, HyPP, and MH in vaquejada QH remain unknown, this study evaluated the AF in 129 QH vaquejada athletes, specifically from the Brazilian Northeast. These variants were exclusively observed in heterozygosity. The MYHM exhibited the highest AF (0.04 ±0.01), followed by PSSM1 (0.01 ±0.01) and the HyPP variant (0.004 ±0.01), while the MH variant was not identified in this study. This study represents the first identification of these variants in vaquejada QH, emphasizing the need to implement measures to prevent the transmission of pathogenic alleles and reduce the occurrence of clinical cases of these genetic diseases.

Publisher Correction: A large intragenic deletion in the CLCN1 gene causes Hereditary Myotonia in pigs.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

A large intragenic deletion in the CLCN1 gene causes Hereditary Myotonia in pigs.

Mutations in the CLCN1 gene are the primary cause of non-dystrophic Hereditary Myotonia in several animal species. However, there are no reports of Hereditary Myotonia in pigs to date. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to characterize the clinical and molecular findings of Hereditary Myotonia in an inbred pedigree. The clinical, electromyographic, histopathological, and molecular findings were evaluated. Clinically affected pigs presented non-dystrophic recessive Hereditary Myotonia. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the entire coding region of the CLCN1 gene revealed the absence of the exons 15 and 16 in myotonic animals. Analysis of the genomic region flanking the deletion unveiled a large intragenic deletion of 4,165 nucleotides. Interestingly, non-related, non-myotonic pigs expressed transcriptional levels of an alternate transcript (i.e., X2) that was identical to the deleted X1 transcript of myotonic pigs. All myotonic pigs and their progenitors were homozygous recessive and heterozygous, respectively, for the 4,165-nucleotide deletion. This is the first study reporting Hereditary Myotonia in pigs and characterizing its clinical and molecular findings. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, Hereditary Myotonia has never been associated with a genomic deletion in the CLCN1 gene in any other species.

Parâmetros citológicos e bioquímicos do líquido cefalorraquidiano coletado de bovinos sadios em dois momentos, com intervalo de 96 horas / Cerebrospinal fluid cytological and biochemical values of healthy cattle in two sampling times with an interval of 96 hours

A análise do líquido cefalorraquidiano (LCR) é uma importante ferramenta no diagnóstico das doenças neurológicas dos bovinos. A coleta do LCR em diferentes momentos facilita o monitoramento do quadro clínico e/ou a avaliação da eficácia de tratamentos estabelecidos. Todavia, os efeitos de coletas consecutivas sobre os parâmetros citológicos e bioquímicos do LCR de bovinos saudáveis ainda não foram analisados. Dessa forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar potenciais diferenças citológicas e bioquímicas no LCR de bovinos sadios, obtidos em dois momentos, com intervalo de 96 horas. O LCR foi submetido à análise citológica e à determinação do teor de proteína total. Na segunda coleta, verificou-se aumento significativo da celularidade, porém ainda dentro do intervalo de referência para a espécie, diminuição de linfócitos e elevação de células mononucleares em relação à primeira coleta. No entanto, os números de hemácias (/µL), células nucleadas (/µL), neutrófilos (%), eosinófilos (%) e a concentração da proteína total (mg/dL) continuaram dentro dos valores de referência 96 horas após a realização da primeira punção. Conclui-se que os procedimentos de coleta de LCR consecutivos não provocaram inflamação local detectável 96 horas após a primeira punção, o que sugere que, quando necessário, coletas de LCR seriadas, por si só, não interfeririam nos resultados do exame.(AU)

The analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is important for the diagnosis of neurological diseases in cattle. However, the effect of consecutive collections on the cytological and biochemical parameters of the CSF has not been evaluated yet. The objective of the present study was to evaluate potential differences on the cytological and biochemical analysis of CSF obtained from healthy cattle at two sampling times with 96 hours of interval in between. Total and differential cell counts, and total protein concentration were analyzed in the CSF. Increased cellularity and significant reduction of lymphocyte and elevated numbers of mononuclear cells were observed on the second collection. However, erythrocyte count (/µl), total leukocyte count (/µl), neutrophils (%), eosinophils (%) and total protein concentration (mg/dl) remained within the reference range 96 hours after the completion of the first puncture. In conclusion, consecutive CSF collections cause no detectable local inflammation 96 hours after the first puncture suggesting that repeated collections do not interfere in the CSF results.(AU)

Retrospective study of Bovine herpesvirus 5 meningoencephalitis in cattle from São Paulo State, Brazil / Estudo retrospectivo de meningoencefalite por herpesvírus bovino-5 em bovinos do estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Meningoencephalitis caused by Bovine herpesvirus 5 (BoHV-5) is an important neurological disease that affects Brazilian cattle herds. The present study investigated the presence of BoHV-5 DNA in cattle diagnosed with meningoencephalitis at Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista from 1980 to 2009. The records obtained from the Large Animal Internal Medicine Service and the Animal Pathology Service were reviewed to identify clinical and epidemiological data from cattle with neurological signs. Excluding rabies cases, we found 115 cases of cattle with neurological signs that had been necropsied. Non-suppurative meningoencephalitis was diagnosed in 28 animals of the 115 initially selected based on histopathological examination of brain tissues. Of these 28 animals, 15 (54%) were positive for BoHV-5 DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) brain samples. PCR target was 159-bp fragment from the BoHV-5 glycoprotein C gene. The oldest case identified in the present study was from 1988. PCR was a good tool for the diagnosis of BoHV-5 DNA extracted from FFPE tissues, allowing retrospective studies of samples stored for more than 20 years.(AU)

A meningoencefalite por herpesvírus bovino-5 (BoHV-5) é uma doença neurológica importante no rebanho bovino brasileiro. Este estudo tem por objetivo verificar a presença do DNA de BoHV-5 em bovinos diagnosticados com meningoencefalite na Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade Estadual Paulista, entre os anos de 1980 e 2009. Foram revisados os arquivos do Serviço de Clínica de Grandes Animais e da Patologia Animal em busca dos dados clínicos e epidemiológicos de bovinos com sinais neurológicos. Excluídos os casos de raiva, foram encontrados 115 casos de bovinos com sinais neurológicos, que foram necropsiados. O exame histopatológico realizado nos tecidos encefálicos desses animais constatou lesões de meningoencefalite não supurativa em 28 animais. Destes, em 15 (54%) casos foi identificada a presença do DNA de BoHV-5 por meio de PCR realizada em amostras de tecido encefálico fixadas em formalina e incluídas em parafina (FFPE). O alvo da PCR foi um fragmento de 159 pb do gene da glicoproteína C do BoHV-5. O caso mais antigo identificado neste estudo foi de 1988. A PCR apresentou-se como boa ferramenta para o diagnóstico do DNA de BoHV-5 extraído de tecidos FFPE, possibilitando estudos retrospectivos e diagnóstico de amostras com mais de 20 anos de armazenamento.(AU)

Detection of papillomavirus DNA in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded equine aural plaque samples / Detecção do DNA de papilomavírus em amostras de placa aural equina fixadas em formalina e embebidas em parafina

A placa aural é uma dermatopatia associada à quatro Equus caballus papillomavirus (EcPVs). Até o momento, o DNA de EcPVs não foi identificado em amostras de placa aural fixadas em formalina e embebidas em parafina (FFPE). O objetivo deste estudo foi otimizar um método para a detecção dos quatro tipos de EcPVs em 21 amostras FFPE usando a PCR. O DNA dos EcPVs foram detectados em 11 amostras (52.4%). O DNA do EcPV4 foi detectado em 38.1% (8/21) e do EcPV3 em 4.8% (1/21) das amostras. Coinfecção foi identificada em duas amostras (9.5%); EcPV4 e 5 foram detectados simultaneamente em uma amostra, enquanto o DNA dos EcPV4 e 6 foi detectado em outra. A especificidade do DNA dos papilomavírus equinos foi avaliada por sequenciamento gênico direto, que confirmou a especificidade dos produtos. A metodologia de PCR proposta possibilita o diagnóstico dos EcPV3, 4, 5 e 6 em amostras FFPE de placa aural equina.(AU)

Brainstem auditory evoked potential testing in Dalmatian dogs in Brazil / Potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico em cães da raça Dálmata no Brasil

The brain stem auditory-evoked potential (BAEP) is an electrophysiologic test that detects and records the electrical activity in the auditory system from cochlea to midbrain, generated after an acoustic stimulus applied to the external ear. The aim of this study is to obtain normative data for BAEP in Dalmatian dogs in order to apply this to the evaluation of deafness and other neurologic disorders. BAEP were recorded from 30 Dalmatian dogs for a normative Brazilian study. Mean latencies for waves I, III, and V were 1.14 (±0.09), 2.62 (±0.10), and 3.46 (±0.14) ms, respectively. Mean inter-peak latencies for I-III, III-V, and I-V intervals were 1.48 (±0.17), 0.84 (±0.12), and 2.31 (±0.18) ms, respectively. Unilateral abnormalities were found in 16.7% of animals and bilateral deafness was seen in one dog. The normative data obtained in this paper is compatible with other published data. As far as we know this is the first report of deafness occurrence in Dalmatian dogs in Brazil...

O potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico (BAEP) é um teste eletrodiagnóstico que detecta e registra a atividade elétrica do sistema auditivo desde a cóclea até o tronco encefálico, gerada após a emissão de um estímulo acústico na orelha externa. O objetivo deste estudo é obter dados normativos para o BAEP em cães da raça Dálmata para usá-lo para detecção de surdez e de outras alterações neurológicas. BAEP foi obtido de 30 cães da raça Dálmata para um estudo normativo no Brasil. As latências médias para as ondas I, III e V foram 1,14ms (±0,09); 2,62ms (±0,10) e 3,46ms (±0,14), respectivamente. A média das latências dos intervalos I-III, III-V e I-V foi 1,48ms (±0,17); 0,84ms (±0,12) e 2,31ms (±0,18), respectivamente. Alteração unilateral foi observada em 16,7% dos animais, e surdez bilateral foi observada em um cão. Os dados normativos obtidos neste trabalho são compatíveis com outros dados já publicados. Segundo a revisão realizada, este é o primeiro relato da ocorrência de surdez em cães da raça Dálmata no Brasil...

Potencial evocado auditivo para diagnóstico de surdez em gato com síndrome vestibular periférica / Auditory evoked potential for deafness diagnosis in a cat with peripheral vestibular syndrome

Potencial evocado auditivo é um método eletrodiagnóstico que permite avaliação funcional das vias auditivas desde a orelha média até o tronco encefálico. O uso desse teste em medicina veterinária é pouco difundido no Brasil. O presente artigo relata o uso do potencial evocado auditivo para detecção de deficiência auditiva unilateral em um gato com síndrome vestibular periférica secundária a otite média.

The brainstem auditory evoked potential is an electrodiagnostic test that allows a functional assessment of the auditory pathways from the middle ear to the brainstem. This test, in veterinary medicine, is not commonly used in Brazil. This paper reports the use of auditory evoked potential for deafness detection in a cat with unilateral peripheral vestibular syndrome secondary to otitis media.

Pulmonary and hepatic lesions caused by the dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloid-producing plants Crotalaria juncea and Crotalaria retusa in donkeys.

The effects and susceptibility of donkeys to Crotalaria juncea and Crotalaria retusa poisoning were determined at high and low doses. Seeds of C. juncea containing 0.074% of dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids (DHPAs) (isohemijunceines 0.05%, trichodesmine 0.016%, and junceine 0.008%) were administered to three donkeys at 0.3, 0.6 and 1 g/kg body weight (g/kg) daily for 365 days. No clinical signs were observed and, on liver and lung biopsies, the only lesion was a mild liver megalocytosis in the donkeys ingesting 0.6 and 1 g/kg/day. Two other donkeys that received daily doses of 3 and 5 g seed/kg showed initial respiratory signs 70 and 40 days after the start of the administration, respectively. The donkeys were euthanized following severe respiratory signs and the main lung lesions were proliferation of Clara cells and interstitial fibrosis. Three donkeys ingested seeds of C. retusa containing 5.99% of monocrotaline at daily doses of 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 g/kg for 365 days. No clinical signs were observed and, on liver and lung biopsies, the only lesion was moderate liver megalocytosis in each of the three donkeys. One donkey that received a single dose of 5 g/kg of C. retusa seeds and another that received 1 g/kg daily for 7 days both showed severe clinical signs and died with diffuse centrilobular liver necrosis. No lung lesions were observed. Another donkey that received a single dose of 2.5 g/kg of C. retusa seeds showed no clinical signs. The hepatic and pneumotoxic effects observed are consistent with an etiology involving DHPAs. Furthermore, the occurrence of lung or liver lesions correlates with the type of DHPAs contained in the seeds. Similarly as has been reported for horses, the data herein suggest that in donkeys some DHPAs are metabolized in the liver causing liver disease, whereas others are metabolized in the lung by Clara cells causing lung disease.

Estudo normativo e avaliação da influência da idade no potencial evocado auditivo em cães sem raça definida / Normative study and evaluation of age influence on Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in mixed breed dogs

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar estudo normativo dos potenciais evocados auditivos obtidos de 34 cães sem raça definida e avaliar a influência da idade nos resultados obtidos. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos de diferentes faixas etárias e o potencial evocado auditivo foi realizado com um estímulo de 85dB. O grupo 1 incluiu 16 cães com idades entre um e oito anos e o grupo 2, 18 animais com idades acima de oito anos. O comprimento e o diâmetro da cabeça foram mensurados e não houve diferença estatística entre os dois grupos. No grupo 1, as médias das latências das ondas I, III e V foram: 1,13; 2,64 e 3,45ms; e dos intervalos I-III, III-V e I-V foram 1,51; 0,81 e 2,32ms, respectivamente. No grupo 2, as médias das latências das ondas I, III e V foram 1,15; 2,62 e 3,55ms; e dos intervalos I-III, III-V e I-V foram 1,47; 0,93 e 2,40ms, respectivamente. As latências observadas neste estudo foram semelhantes a estudos prévios realizados por outros autores. Nos grupos etários analisados e nas condições preestabelecidas deste estudo, a idade influenciou a latência da onda V e, consequentemente, modificou os intervalos III-V e I-V, portanto deve-se considerar essa variante na interpretação dos resultados do BAEP em cães.

The aim of this paper was to obtain normative data of auditory evoked potentials from 34 mixed breed dogs and evaluate the age influence. The animals were divided in two groups of different ages and auditory evoked potential was performed with a 85dB stimulus intensity. Group 1 included 16 dogs between 1 and 8 years of age, and group 2 included 18 dogs with over 8 years of age. The length and head diameter were measured and there was no statistical difference between the two groups. In group 1, mean latencies of waves I, III, and V were 1.13; 2.64, and 3.45ms, and the intervals I-III, III-V, and I-V were 1.51; 0.81, and 2.32 ms, respectively. In group 2, the mean latencies of waves I, III and V were 1.15, 2.62, and 3.55ms, and the intervals I-III, III-V, and I-V were 1.47, 0.93, and 2.40ms, respectively. The latencies observed in this study were similar to previous studies conducted by other authors. It was observed that significant differences were present for wave V and intervals III-V and I-V latencies when comparing groups with different ages, consequently this characteristic must be considered during BAEP result interpretation.

Detection of A/B toxin and isolation of Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens from foals.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING THE STUDY: Toxin detection and screening could contribute to knowledge of the transmission patterns, risk factors and epidemiology of Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens. OBJECTIVE: To isolate C. difficile and C. perfringens and to detect A/B toxins in faecal samples from diarrhoeic and nondiarrhoeic foals. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. METHODS: A total of 153 samples from foals were collected: 139 samples from farms and 14 samples from diarrhoeic foals admitted to a veterinary hospital. The A/B toxins were detected by cytotoxicity assay. All suspected colonies of C. perfringens were subjected to polymerase chain reaction for detection of the major toxin genes (α, ß, ε and ι) and for detection of ß2-, NetB- and enterotoxin-encoding genes. Furthermore, C. difficile and C. perfringens isolates were evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility. RESULTS: Seven of 153 (4.6%) samples, all from diarrhoeic foals, were positive for C. difficile A/B toxin. Of these, 5 of 14 (35.7%) were from hospitalised foals, and only 2 of 63 (3.2%) diarrhoeic foal samples were from farms (P = 0.002). Clostridium perfringens was isolated from 31 (20.3%) foals, of which 21 of 76 (27.6%) were diarrhoeic and 10 of 76 (13.2%) were nondiarrhoeic, demonstrating a difference between these 2 groups (P = 0.045). Only 4 strains were positive for the ß2-encoding gene (cpb2). All C. difficile and C. perfringens isolates were susceptible to metronidazole and vancomycin. CONCLUSIONS: The present report highlights the need for laboratory diagnostics to differentiate C. difficile-associated infection in foals from other causes of diarrhoea to facilitate adequate antimicrobial therapy. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: More studies are needed to clarify the role of C. perfringens as a primary agent of diarrhoea in foals.

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa in goats.

Clinical, histopathological and ultrastructural findings of caprine dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) with autosomal recessive inheritance are reported. The goats presented with exungulation, erosions, crusts and scars on the skin and ulcers in the oral cavity. Microscopically, the skin showed subepidermal separation with clefts filled occasionally with clear eosinophilic fluid, cellular debris or neutrophils. Ultrastructurally, the site of blister formation was the sublamina densa in the epidermal basement membrane zone. In skin with blister formation and in clinically uninvolved skin, the basal lamina was preserved, but the anchoring fibrils were sparse and rudimentary. A twin brother of an affected kid was mated over 5 years with his mother; three out of the 10 kids born presented with epidermolysis bullosa, indicating that the disease has an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. It is suggested that the disease is similar to human severe generalized recessive DEB.

Hepatoencephalopathy syndrome due to Cassia occidentalis (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae) seed ingestion in horses.

Cassia occidentalis is a bush from the Leguminosae family, subfamily Caesalpinoideae, and is a toxic plant of veterinary interest due to the occasional contamination of animal rations. This report describes the clinical and histopathological findings of an outbreak of C. occidentalis poisoning in horses. Twenty mares were poisoned after consuming ground corn contaminated with 8% of C. occidentalis seeds. Of the 20 animals affected, 12 died: 8 mares were found dead, 2 died 6 h after the onset of clinical signs compatible with hepatic encephalopathy and the 2 other animals were subjected to euthanasia 12 h after the onset of the clinical signs. The remaining 8 mares presented with mild depression and decreased appetite, but improved with treatment and no clinical sequelae were observed. In 6 animals that underwent a necropsy, an enhanced hepatic lobular pattern was noted and within the large intestine, a large number of seeds were consistently observed. Hepatocellular pericentrolobular necrosis and cerebral oedema were the main histological findings. In one mare, there was mild multifocal semimembranosus rhabdomyocytic necrosis and haemorrhage. Seeds collected from intestinal contents and sifted from the culpable feedstuff were planted. Examination of the leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds of the resultant plants identified C. occidentalis. Horses poisoned by C. occidentalis seeds demonstrate clinical signs associated with hepatoencephalopathy and frequently die suddenly. Lesions primarily involve the liver and secondarily, the central nervous system. Cassia occidentalis poisoning should be considered a differential diagnosis in horses with hepatoencephalopathy and special caution should be taken with horse rations to avoid contamination with seeds of this toxic plant.

Linfoma primário de células T no líquido cefalorraquidiano de cão: relato de caso / Characterization of primary t-cell lymphoma (CD3 +) in Csf of a dog: case report

Relata-se o diagnóstico de linfoma primário no sistema nervoso central em um cão Labrador Retrievier, de 10 anos de idade, que apresentava episódios convulsivos, incoordenação nos membros posteriores, head tilt, ataxia e sensibilidade diminuída no lado esquerdo. Constataram-se alterações laterais esquerdas, como ausências de propriocepção e de posicionamento tátil, alterações posteriores nas provas de carrinho de mão e de reação ao pulo e diminuição da extensão da postura e hemilocomoção. No líquido cefalorraquidiano (LCR), houve predomínio de linfócitos atípicos, caracterizados pela presença de anisocitose e anisocariose, nucléolos evidentes e anisonucleose, basofilia e microvacuolização citoplasmáticas, mitoses atípicas e corpúsculos linfoglandulares, compatíveis com linfoma, confirmado pelo exame histológico e imunocitoquímico, o qual revelou origem T, com expressão CD3+ e CD79-. A tomografia computadorizada não foi conclusiva e evidenciou diversas áreas hipodensas e intensificação de contraste na região de sulcos e giros do parênquima encefálico. A coleta do LCR foi essencial na rapidez do diagnóstico definitivo, indicando a natureza rara desta lesão primária.

A primary lymphoma in the central nervous system in a 10 year-old Labrador Retriever presenting seizures, hind limb incoordination, head tilt, ataxia and decreased sensitivity on the left side was reported. Regarding postural reactions, there were changes in the left side such as proprioceptive and tactile positioning defects, and in the posterior reaction tests such as wheelbarrowing and limb hopping, along with a reduction in the extensor postural thrust reaction and hemi-walking response. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed a predominance of atypical lymphocytes characterized by pleocytosis, marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis, evident nucleoli and anisonucleosis, cytoplasmic basophilia and microvacuolation, atypical mitotic figures and lymphoglandular bodies. These findings were compatible with lymphoma, which was confirmed by histopathology and immunocytochemistry that showed a T-cell origin, with CD3 + and CD79- expression. A computed tomography scan was inconclusive and showed several hypodense areas and a contrast enhancement in the sulci and gyri region of the brain parenchyma. The CSF analysis was essential for a quicker definitive diagnosis, indicating the nature of this rare primary injury.

Serum iron parameters and acute experimental EHV-1 infection in horses.

BACKGROUND: Research in humans has demonstrated that high serum iron (sFe) concentration can predispose to infection, and many infections subsequently result in alterations of host sFe. A decrease in sFe concentration is an early and sensitive indicator of systemic inflammation caused by tissue necrosis, bacterial infections, or endotoxemia in horses. Serum iron parameters in acute equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection have not been evaluated previously. OBJECTIVES: To document the sFe response to EHV-1 infection and to determine whether or not significant differences in sFe concentration exist between EHV-1 infected horses that develop neurologic disease and those that do not. ANIMALS: A total of 14 horses experimentally infected with EHV-1. METHODS: Data were collected as an ancillary data set during a blinded experimental EHV-1 infection. Horses were infected with the rAb4 strain of EHV-1. Temperature, neurologic score, packed cell volume (PCV), and sFe parameters (sFe concentration, % saturation, and total iron-binding capacity) were recorded daily for 2 weeks. Data were evaluated using Wilcoxon signed rank tests and Wilcoxon rank sum tests with Bonferroni corrections. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Serum iron concentration decreases significantly in a biphasic pattern after EHV-1 infection. There was no significant difference in sFe concentration in horses that developed neurologic disease and those that did not in these experimentally infected animals. Serum iron parameters may be useful in monitoring the clinical course of viral infections such as EHV-1.

First detection of the equine herpesvirus 1 neuropathogenic variant in Brazil.

This report describes the first detection of an equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) neuropathogenic variant (G2254/D752) in Brazil from a case of fatal equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in a mare. The results of nucleotide sequencing of the EHV-1 ORF30 gene showed that two other Brazilian EHV-1 isolates from EHM cases are representatives of the non-neuropathogenic variant (A2254/N752), suggesting that other unidentified factors are probably also involved in the neuropathogenicity of EHV-1 in horses. These findings will contribute to the epidemiological knowledge of EHV-1 infection in Brazil.

Pênfigo foliáceo em eqüino: relato de caso / Equine pemphigus foliaceous: case report

Diagnosticou-se pênfigo foliáceo em um eqüino macho, castrado, quatro anos de idade da raça Árabe apresentando dermatite generalizada caracterizada por placas escamo-crostosas e presença de dermatite pustular acantolítica subcorneal

Pemphigus foliaceus was diagnosed in a four-year-old Arabian equine gelding, with generalized dermatitis characterized by scaling and crusting plaques and acantholytic subcorneal pustular dermatitis

Avaliação dos reflexos espinhais em cordeiros da raça Suffolk / Evaluation of spinal reflexes in Suffolk lambs

Fez-se a avaliação qualitativa e semiquantitativa dos reflexos espinhais em ovinos, utilizando-se 51 animais da raça Suffolk, machos e fêmeas, entre quatro e cinco meses de idade. Usaram-se os reflexos bilaterais dos membros torácicos, extensor carpo-radial, bicipital, tricipital e flexor, e pélvicos, isquiático, gastrocnêmio, patelar, tibial cranial e flexor, sendo zero indicativo de ausência de reflexo, 1= reflexo discreto e 2= reflexo evidente. Nos membros torácicos, as melhores respostas foram obtidas no flexor (99,0 por cento) e no extensor carpo-radial (87,3 por cento), seguidos de valores menos expressivos no bicipital (11,8 por cento) e no tricipital (2,0 por cento), com grau 2 de avaliação. Nos membros pélvicos, todos os ovinos produziram respostas em grau 2 para o reflexo flexor. Verificam-se também respostas evidentes nos reflexos patelar (98,0 por cento) e isquiático (81,4 por cento). Apenas 20,6 por cento dos animais apresentaram resposta evidente ao reflexo tibial cranial, e nenhum ovino respondeu ao reflexo gastrocnêmio de forma satisfatória.

This study was carried out to determine a qualitative and semiquantitative evaluation of the spinal reflexes in 51 both sexes, 4 to 5 months of age Suffolk lambs. Spinal reflexes were evaluated in the thoracic (extensor carpi reflex, biceps reflex, triceps reflex and flexor reflex) and pelvic (ischiatic reflex, gastrocnemius reflex, patellar reflex, cranial tibial reflex and flexor reflex) limbs, bilaterally. Reflexes were standardized, using a 2-point grading scale (0= absense, 1= mild reflex, 2= evident). Flexor reflex (99.0 percent) and extensor carpi reflex (87.3 percent) were the best reflexes elicited in thoracic limbs, while the least evident scores were found in biceps (11.8 percent) and triceps reflexes (2.0 percent) with grade 2. In pelvic limbs, all of the ovines showed a grade-2 flexor reflex. A high percentage of evident response in patellar (98.0 percent) and ischiatic (81.4 percent) reflexes were also observed. Only 20.6 percent of the animals showed evident response to the cranial tibial reflex but none had a satisfactory response to the gastrocnemius reflex.

Estudo retrospectivo de 19 casos de polioencefalomalácia, em bovinos, responsivos ao tratamento com tiamina / Retrospective study of 19 cases of polioencephalomalacia in cattle, responsive to the treatment with thiamine

Nineteen bovines of both sexes aging from 5 month-old to 5 year-old, were referred to a veterinary hospital. Clinical signs were observed from 6 hours to 10 days before. Thirteen animals were found in permanent lateral recumbency, five showed motor incoordination, 15 were exclusively fed on grass pasture, three showed partial loss of visual acuity, 14 were blindness, 16 showed presence of normal pupillary reflex, 16 decreased ruminal motility, 14 decreased sensorium (depression, semicoma or coma) and eight showed opisthotonos. Dehydration and dried feces were directly related to the time of evolution of the process. All the animals were administrated vitamin B1 and showed a marked improvement of the clinical status within 4 to 48 hours after treatment. The longer the time between the onset of the clinical signs and treatment, the greater the delay for the restoration of the vision. The treatment was very effective for a rapid response of the animal.