Vaginal leiomyoma in a goat expressing the nuclear progesterone receptor (PGR): a case report.

BACKGROUND: The risk of developing tumorous diseases in the genital tract also increases with age in animals. One of the classified tumor types is genital leiomyoma. Presently, our understanding of the pathogenesis of this tumor in goats is, however, limited. This accounts also for the information regarding the presence of steroid hormone receptors and, thus, possible responsiveness to circulating steroids. CASE PRESENTATION: This study describes the case of a vaginal tumor in a seven-year-old Anglo-Nubian goat. The goat was presented due to blood mixed vaginal discharge. Per vaginal examination a singular pedunculated mass in the dorsum of the vagina measuring approximately 3 cm x 4 cm x 4 cm was revealed. After administering epidural anesthesia, the mass was removed electrothermally. There were no postoperative complications. The histopathological examination identified the mass as a leiomyoma. The immunohistochemical examination revealed the presence of the nuclear progesterone receptor (PGR) in the tumor tissue. One year after the surgery, during the follow-up examination, the goat was in good overall health, and the owners had not observed any recurrence of vaginal discharge. CONCLUSIONS: When observing vaginal discharge in goats, it is important to consider the possibility of genital tract tumors. These tumors may express sex steroid receptors. In the future, it is worth considering the investigation of potential approaches for preventing tumorigenesis or treating the tumor, such as castration or the administration of antiprogestogens.

Discolored urine in sheep and goats: Clinical, etiological, hematobiochemical, sonographic and postmortem findings.

Background: Bloody urine is classified in farm animals as hematuria, hemoglobinuria, and myoglobinuria. In small ruminants, discolored urine is reported due to several etiologies which is sometimes fatal. Of these causes are babesiosis, bacillary hemoglobinuria, copper toxicity, and hypophosphatemia. Aim: This study was designed to investigate the clinical, etiological, hematobiochemical, ultrasonographic, and pathological findings in rams and bucks with red urine syndrome. Methods: Eighteen male animals (nine rams and nine bucks) of 6 months to 3 years were examined. Parallel, 10 healthy controls were used. They were admitted due to red urine, voiding of only urine drops, straining during the act of urination, grunting during urination, ventral abdominal edema, and abdominal distension. The duration of the disease ranged from 2 to 30 days. A history of chronic copper toxicosis was informed in two bucks and a ram. Two blood samples were collected from diseased as well as from controls in EDTA tubes (for complete blood count testing) and in plain tubes (for serum collection). Results: Hematuria was found in 11 animals (seven bucks and four rams) while hemoglobinuria was detected in seven animals (five bucks and two rams). Sonographic findings in diseased animals included ruptured urinary bladder in 3, ruptured urethra in 5, penile calculi, uroperitoneum in 6, distended urinary bladder in 7, hydronephrosis in 5, echogenic deposits in the bladder in 3, and ventral urine accumulation in four animals. Laboratory evaluation of a Geimsa-stained blood smear confirmed the infection with Babesia in three bucks and a ram. Hemolytic anemia was marked in two bucks and a ram due to chronic copper toxicity. Biochemical abnormalities included hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentration, and hyperglycemia. Postmortem examination was carried out on six animals (four rams and two bucks). Conclusion: Discolored urine in rams and bucks in this study resulted from hematuria due to urinary calculi and pelvic abscessation or from hemoglobinuria due to Babesia infection or due to copper toxicity. Hemolytic anemia was the outstanding hematological finding and hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, and hyperglycemia were the characteristic biochemical findings. Sonography of the urinary tract was very helpful in assessing the renal parenchyma, urinary bladder, and abdominal cavity for the verification of urolithiasis, hydronephrosis, intact or ruptured urinary bladder, uroperitoneum, and perforated urethra.

Dissecting aortitis in a goat associated with Pasteurella multocida and Staphylococcus spp infection.

Reports of primary cardiovascular disease in goats are rare and most commonly include ventricular septal defect, valvular endocarditis, traumatic pericarditis, ionophore poisoning and nutritional cardiomyopathies. We now report the pathological findings in a 67 kg, 6-year-old, adult female Boer goat that presented with neurological signs (ie, head pressing, unsteadiness and paddling) and hyperthermia 2 days prior to death. Lack of therapeutic response to meloxicam and penicillin‒streptomycin and poor prognosis led to euthanasia of the animal. At necropsy, the main findings included severe aortic dissection with luminal thrombosis and stenosis, and pulmonary congestion and oedema. Histological examination of the aorta revealed severe chronic granulomatous and fibrosing dissecting aortitis with mineralization. Bacterial culture of the affected aortic segment resulted in isolation of a profuse growth of Pasteurella multocida and a moderate growth of Staphylococcus spp. Histopathological findings in the central nervous system were consistent with neurolisteriosis.

Clinical findings and outcome in goats with discospondylitis and vertebral osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: Vertebral infections, including vertebral osteomyelitis, septic physitis, and discospondylitis, are rarely reported in goats, and when reported, have been largely limited to necropsy case reports. OBJECTIVE: Describe clinical findings and outcome in goats with vertebral infections evaluated by computed tomography (CT). ANIMALS: Five goats with vertebral osteomyelitis, septic physitis, and discospondylitis evaluated by CT. METHODS: Retrospective case series. RESULTS: The most common presenting complaints were progressive weakness, paresis and recumbency. Three goats were tetraparetic and 2 goats had pelvic limb paraparesis. Clinicopathologic findings included leukocytosis, mature neutrophilia, and hyperfibrinogenemia. The most common vertebrae affected were C7-T1. All 5 goats had discospondylitis with or without vertebral osteomyelitis and septic physitis. Computed tomographic evidence of spinal cord compression was present in 4/5 goats. Medical management (antimicrobials, physical therapy, analgesia, supportive care) was attempted in 4 goats, and 1 goat was euthanized at the time of diagnosis. All 4 goats that were treated regained ambulatory ability and survived to hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Despite severity of CT imaging findings, goats with discospondylitis, septic physitis, and vertebral osteomyelitis can successfully return to ambulatory function. Additional studies are required to determine ideal treatment regimens.

Facial and systemic mucormycosis caused by Lichtheimia corymbifera in a goat: case report and literature review of fungal infections in goats.

An 8-y-old Pygora doe was presented to the University of California-Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital because of non-healing facial swelling of 2-wk duration. The lesion grew despite medical treatment, causing discomfort masticating, little-to-no airflow from the right nasal passage, and led to euthanasia. On gross examination, a large facial mass with a draining tract through the skin and hard palate was identified. On section, the mass was brown-pink, homogeneous, and friable. Abscess-like masses were identified in the lungs and kidney. Histopathology of the face, including oral and nasal cavities, salivary glands, and lymph nodes, as well as the lung and kidney lesions, revealed large areas of necrosis with numerous wide ribbon-like, mostly aseptate, fungal hyphae consistent with zygomycetes. PCR for fungal organisms performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from the face identified Lichtheimia corymbifera (formerly Absidia corymbifera) of the order Mucorales and an Aspergillus sp. The lesion was suspected to have started either as a fungal rhinitis or dental feed impaction, subsequently spreading to the face and systemically to the lungs and kidney. We describe here the lesions associated with facial mucormycosis in a goat and present a literature review of L. corymbifera infection in veterinary species and fungal infections in goats.

Spinal lymphoma in a goat.

A 3-year-old Pygmy Wether was presented for chronic hindlimb paralysis. A neurological exam revealed nonambulatory paraplegia with absent deep pain nociception, lack of hindlimb withdrawal reflexes, and paraspinal pain on palpation with T3 to L3 neurolocalization. MRI of the lumbar spine revealed an extensive, dorsal to dorsolateral, severely compressive, heterogeneously contrast-enhancing extradural lesion of the lumbar spine with intervertebral foraminal extension into the surrounding paraspinal musculature. Vertebral bone marrow involvement was also noted in the L5 and L6 vertebrae. A diagnosis of lymphoma was obtained after cytological sampling. This is the first case report describing specific MRI findings (signal characteristics, enhancement pattern, and perilesional changes) in a goat with paraspinal lymphoma.

A novel case of cutaneous, nasal and systemic fusariosis in a goat.

The clinical findings associated with nasal, cutaneous and systemic fusariosis in a 3-year-old billy Boer goat are summarised. The clinical features, treatment, postmortem findings and laboratory diagnostics are reported and discussed in the context of existing knowledge on mycoses of small ruminants. The goat presented primarily for respiratory signs (inspiratory dyspnoea) with unilateral left-sided mucopurulent nasal discharge, and multifocal variably ulcerative and necrotic cutaneous nodules. Histopathology of nasal and cutaneous biopsies revealed necrotising pyogranulomatous inflammation with intralesional septate hyphal elements that correlated with culture of Fusarium oxysporum. The patient continued to deteriorate clinically during treatment with oxytetracycline and meloxicam, with the addition of sodium iodide and potassium iodide, and was humanely euthanased. Postmortem examination revealed multifocal nodular lesions throughout the kidneys, abdominal lymph nodes and lungs. These lesions were consistent with those identified antemortem from which F. oxysporum was cultured. Although treatment was unsuccessful, to the author's knowledge, no instance of rhinofacial or systemic caprine infection with Fusarium spp. has been documented in the veterinary literature, making this the first recognised instance of this form of infection in small ruminant species.

CT features of malignant tubular genital tract tumors in seven goats.

Neoplasia of the tubular genital tract in goats, while rarely described, is most commonly reported as uterine adenocarcinoma, leiomyoma, or leiomyosarcoma. In this retrospective, single-center, case series, medical records were searched for goats with a computed tomography (CT) diagnosis of tubular genital mass and a definitive histologic (surgical biopsy or necropsy) diagnosis of malignant neoplasia. Data recorded from CT images were presence of peritoneal/retroperitoneal fluid, urinary tract obstruction, abdominal lymphadenomegaly, additional abdominal nodules/masses, and pulmonary nodules. For masses, maximum cross-sectional area, contrast enhancement, and uterine luminal fluid accumulation were also recorded. Seven goats met the inclusion criteria (leiomyosarcoma n = 5, adenocarcinoma n = 2). Both goats with adenocarcinoma had upper urinary tract obstruction, moderate to severe regional lymphadenopathy, peritoneal fluid, and peritoneal or hepatic nodules/masses; one goat with adenocarcinoma was discharged and subsequently euthanized, and the other had palliative mass debulking and was lost to follow up. Goats with leiomyosarcoma had infrequent, mild peritoneal fluid and mild sublumbar lymphadenopathy. Of the goats with leiomyosarcoma, two were euthanized at or near the time of CT imaging, two were euthanized at the time of surgery due to perceived mass non-resectability, and one had mass regression approximately four months post ovariohysterectomy but was subsequently lost to follow up. Five goats had pulmonary nodules, three of which had pathologic confirmation (pulmonary metastasis in a single patient with adenocarcinoma, and lungworm granulomas in two goats with leiomyosarcoma). Severe sublumbar lymphadenopathy and obstructive uropathy were sequelae in the two caprine patients with genital adenocarcinoma, and in none with leiomyosarcoma.

Pathology of the Mammary Gland in Sheep and Goats.

The recognition of lesions of the mammary gland in small ruminants is a useful diagnostic procedure that can aid in the identification of several udder diseases. This article reviews the main pathological lesions in this organ in sheep and goats. Mastitis is, by far, the most commonly diagnosed change. Acute clinical mastitis is associated with bacterial infections, mainly Staphylococcus aureus or Mannheimia haemolytica. Lesions related to subclinical and chronic mastitis are also described, either as localized cases or as a part of systemic diseases such as contagious agalactia, maedi-visna or tuberculosis. Neoplasia is rare in the mammary gland of sheep and goats with sporadic mammary adenocarcinomas most commonly reported. Teat lesions, including those due to trauma, orf virus infection or papillomas, are predisposing factors for the subsequent development of mastitis.

Benign mixed Müllerian (duct) vaginal tumor in a 12-y-old goat.

In human and veterinary medicine, mixed Müllerian tumors (MMTs) are rarely diagnosed neoplasms of the tubular female genital tract. Although there are case reports of malignant MMTs in various species, benign MMTs have only been described once in a macaque. Here we present a case of benign MMT in a 12-y-old goat, and review the literature on uterine, cervical, and vaginal neoplasia in goats. The doe was presented with vaginal discharge and was euthanized because of the high suspicion of intraabdominal neoplasia. On gross examination, an ulcerated vaginal mass was identified. Histologically, 2 distinct cell populations were present: smooth muscle cells that were well differentiated and positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin, and ciliated columnar epithelial cells that lined ductal structures and had no signs of malignancy. These findings led to the diagnosis of neoplasia of Müllerian origin. Benign MMT should be considered as a differential diagnosis for uterine and vaginal neoplasms in goats.

Skin disease in goats (Capra aegagrus hircus): a retrospective study of 358 cases at a university veterinary teaching hospital (1988-2020).

BACKGROUND: Goats are important worldwide as a source of milk, meat, fibre and hide, and as show animals and pets. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To document the type, signalment associations and prevalence of skin disease in a referral hospital population. ANIMALS: Case population at a university veterinary teaching hospital. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Retrospective study by searching computerised medical records of goats seen between 1 January 1988 and 1 January 2021. Key words employed were "alopecia, caseous lymphadenitis, Chorioptes, dermatitis, dermatophyte, dermatophytosis, goat, lice, louse, mange, mite, pemphigus foliaceus, Psoroptes, ringworm, seborrhea, skin" RESULTS: Of 1,488 records reviewed, 358 (24%) goats had skin disease recorded. Seventy-nine (22.1%) of 358 goats presented primarily for skin disease. The Nigerian Dwarf goat breed was at higher risk of developing skin disease (P < 0.0002). As goats aged, the odds for developing skin disease was higher [odds ratio (OR) = 1.07 per year, 95% confidence interval (1.04, 1.12)] as was the predilection for malignant skin tumours (P < 0.001). Sex was not associated with skin disease (P = 0.98). The most common clinical sign was exfoliative dermatitis, noted in 94 (26.4%) of 358 goats. The most common diagnoses were pediculosis, bacterial skin disease and squamous cell carcinoma. Less frequent diagnoses were Chorioptes spp. infestation, contagious ecthyma (orf), coronitis/interdigital dermatitis, demodicosis, dermatophytosis, Psoroptes spp. infestation, dermatophilosis and pemphigus foliaceus. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Skin diseases are common in goats. Nigerian Dwarf goats and older goats are at greater risk of developing skin disease; Nigerian Dwarf goats had a predilection for malignant skin tumours. Clinicians should include a dermatological examination in goats regardless of the reason for presentation.

Listeria monocytogenes at the interface between ruminants and humans: A comparative pathology and pathogenesis review.

The bacterium Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is widely distributed in the environment as a saprophyte, but may turn into a lethal intracellular pathogen upon ingestion. Invasive infections occur in numerous species worldwide, but most commonly in humans and farmed ruminants, and manifest as distinct forms. Of those, neuroinfection is remarkably threatening due to its high mortality. Lm is widely studied not only as a pathogen but also as an essential model for intracellular infections and host-pathogen interactions. Many aspects of its ecology and pathogenesis, however, remain unclear and are rarely addressed in its natural hosts. This review highlights the heterogeneity and adaptability of Lm by summarizing its association with the environment, farm animals, and disease. It also provides current knowledge on key features of the pathology and (molecular) pathogenesis of various listeriosis forms in naturally susceptible species with a special focus on ruminants and on the neuroinvasive form of the disease. Moreover, knowledge gaps on pathomechanisms of listerial infections and relevant unexplored topics in Lm pathogenesis research are highlighted.

Pheno- and genotypic characterization and identification of novel subtypes of Peste des Petits Ruminants virus in domestic and captive wild goats in Northern Iraq.

BACKGROUND: Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is an acute or peracute contagious transboundary viral disease that mainly affects caprine and ovine and causes significant economic impact in developing countries. After two PPR virus outbreaks in 2011 and 2014, an investigation, from August 2015 to September 2016, was carried out in Northern Iraq when an increased morbidity and mortality rates were reported in the domestic and captive wild goats. In the present study, ten domestic goat farms and seven captive wild goat herds located in seven geographical areas of Northern Iraq were clinically, pathologically, serologically and genotypically characterized to determine the prevalence and potential cause of PPR virus outbreak. RESULTS: The outbreak occurred with rate of morbidity (26.1%) and mortality (11.1%) in domestic goat farms as compared to captive wild goat herds where relatively high mortality (42.9%) and low morbidity (10.9%) rates were recorded. Based on the clinical symptoms (mucopurulent nasal discharges, ulceration and erosion of oral mucosa, profuse watery diarrhea) and necropsy (hemorrhage and congestion on mucous membranes of the colon and rectum with zebra stripes lesions) results, overall, the serological test findings revealed a high frequency (47.9%) of positive samples for anti-PPRV nucleoprotein antibodies. Furthermore, the nucleoprotein (N) gene was detected in 63.2 and 89.1% of samples using conventional and reverse transcription real-time quantitative PCR assays. A phylogenetic analysis of N gene amino acid sequences clustered with the reference strain revealed lineage IV similar to the strains isolated in 2011 and 2014, respectively. However, two sub-types of lineage IV (I and II), significantly distinct from the previous strains, were also observed. CONCLUSION: The phylogenetic analysis suggests that movements of goats are possible cause and one of the important factors responsible for the spread of virus across the region. The study results would help in improving farm management practices by establishing a PPR virus eradication program using regular monitoring and vaccination program to control and mitigate the risk of re-emergence of PPR virus infection in domestic and captive wild goats in Iraq.

Species-Specific Humoral Immune Responses in Sheep and Goats upon Small Ruminant Lentivirus Infections Inversely Correlate with Protection against Virus Replication and Pathological Lesions.

Maedi-Visna-like genotype A strains and Caprine arthritis encephaltis-like genotype B strains are small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV) which, for incompletely understood reasons, appear to be more virulent in sheep and goats, respectively. A 9-month in vivo infection experiment using Belgian genotype A and B SRLV strains showed that almost all homologous (genotype A in sheep; genotype B in goats) and heterologous (genotype A in goats; genotype B in sheep) intratracheal inoculations resulted in productive infection. No differences in viremia and time to seroconversion were observed between homologous and heterologous infections. Higher viral loads and more severe lesions in the mammary gland and lung were however detected at 9 months post homologous compared to heterologous infection which coincided with strongly increased IFN-γ mRNA expression levels upon homologous infection. Pepscan analysis revealed a strong antibody response against immune-dominant regions of the capsid and surface proteins upon homologous infection, which was absent after heterologous infection. These results inversely correlated with protection against virus replication in target organs and observed histopathological lesions, and thus require an in-depth evaluation of a potential role of antibody dependent enhancement in SRLV infection. Finally, no horizontal intra- and cross-species SRLV transmission to contact animals was detected.

Large-scale survey of prion protein genetic variability in scrapie disease-free goats from the United States.

Scrapie is a slowly progressive neurodegenerative disease of small ruminants caused by an accumulation of an abnormal isoform of prion protein in the central nervous system. Polymorphisms of the prion protein gene (PRNP) strongly modulate scrapie resistance and incubation period in goats. The aim of this study was to identify PRNP genetic variability in goats across the United States. Blood from a total of 6,029 apparent scrapie disease-free goats from 654 operations and 19 breeds were analyzed. Sequencing of PRNP revealed 26 genotypes with different rates based on eight codons. The GG127, RR154, and QQ222 genotypes were predominant and showed a remarkably high rate across all goats. The QK222 and NS146 genotypes, known to be protective against scrapie, were found in 0.6% [with 95% CI = (0.3, 1.2)] and 22.0% [95% CI = (19.1, 25.2)] of goats, respectively. The QK222 genotype was found in 23.1% of Oberhasli goats tested, with 95%CI = (3.9, 68.7)] and 22.0% of Toggenburg goats tested with 95%CI = (9.7, 42.5)], while NS146 was found in 65.5% of Savannah goats tested, with 95%CI = (30.8, 89.9), 36.7% of Boer goats tested, with 95%CI = (33.1, 40.4), 36.3% of Nubian goats tested, with 95%CI = (27.0, 46.7)], and 35.6% of LaMancha goats tested, with 95%CI = (22.8, 50.8%). The MM142 and IM142 genotypes were found more frequently in goats on dairy operations, while the HR143, NS146, and ND146 genotypes were found more frequently in goats on meat operations. Goats in the east region had a higher percentage of goats with RH154, RQ211, and QK222 genotypes than goats in the west region. The results of this study showed high genetic variability of PRNP among the U.S. goat population, with differences by location and breed, and may serve as a rationale for development of goat breeding programs at the national level to mitigate the risk of scrapie.

Interleukin-17 mediates inflammatory tissue injury during orf development in goats.

Orf is an epithelial zoonotic infectious disease caused by orf virus (ORFV). Mounting studies have shown that IL-17-driven neutrophil inflammation plays a central role in inflammatory skin diseases. However, whether IL-17 plays a similar role and how does it work in the pathogenesis of orf is unclear. In this study, we found that during orf development, numerous inflammatory cells, especially neutrophils, infiltrated in the damaged lip tissue. Meanwhile, the production of IL-17 was increased in the lesion site. Further evidence showed that IL-17 potently stimulated the production of several chemokines that are crucial for neutrophil migration. In addition, IL-17 was mostly produced by CD4+ T cells and gamma delta T (γδ T) cells of the skin. In conclusion, the present study highlighted a critical role of IL-17-driven inflammation in the pathogenesis of orf and suggested that this cytokine may be a potential therapeutic target of this disease in goats.

Dexamethasone-induced stress exacerbates shedding, tissue antigen distribution, and pathology of caprine Brucellosis.

This study investigated dexamethasone-treatment, shedding routes, tissue antigen distribution, and pathology of caprine Brucellosis. Eighteen non-pregnant goats were randomly grouped into A, B, and C. Group A was administered dexamethasone for 7 days at 2 mg/kg before inoculating 0.5 mL B. melitensis at 107 CFU ocularly while group B was inoculated 0.5 mL B. melitensis only, and C as control negative. Blood samples, ocular, nasal, and vaginal swabs were obtained for evaluation. Three goats were sacrificed from each group at days 21 and 42 post-inoculation (pi) and selected tissues collected for PCR, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. Brucella melitensis was detected in the ocular swabs of group A significantly higher than group B. Shedding was prolonged in group A compared to B. The overall shedding was 22.2% in group A and 9.4% in group B. The uterus of both groups A and B revealed mild inflammation and microgranuloma, extensive necrotic lesions in lymph nodes. Liver showed multifocal necrosis predominantly in group A. Lesion scoring showed significantly higher scores in A compared to B. Strong immunostaining was observed in the liver, lungs, and spleen, predominantly at day 21 pi. This study demonstrated dexamethasone prolonged shedding, tissue antigen distribution, and pathology in dexamethasone-treated goats.

Protothecosis and chlorellosis in sheep and goats: a review.

Protothecosis and chlorellosis are sporadic algal diseases that can affect small ruminants. In goats, protothecosis is primarily associated with lesions in the nose and should be included in the differential diagnosis of causes of rhinitis. In sheep, chlorellosis causes typical green granulomatous lesions in various organs. Outbreaks of chlorellosis have been reported in sheep consuming stagnant water, grass from sewage-contaminated areas, and pastures watered by irrigation canals or by effluents from poultry-processing plants. Prototheca and Chlorella are widespread in the environment, and environmental and climatic changes promoted by anthropogenic activities may have increased the frequency of diseases produced by them. The diagnosis of these diseases must be based on gross, microscopic, and ultrastructural lesions, coupled with detection of the agent by immunohistochemical-, molecular-, and/or culture-based methods.

Pathological changes, distribution and detection of Brucella melitensis in foetuses of experimentally-infected does.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis of goats is caused by Brucella melitensis. It is a re-emerging zoonotic disease in many countries due to transmission from domestic animals and wildlife such as ibex, deer and wild buffaloes. OBJECTIVE: To describe the pathological changes, identification and distribution of B. melitensis in foetuses of experimentally infected does. METHODS: Twelve female goats of approximately 90 days pregnant were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 was exposed intra-conjunctival to 100 µL of sterile PBS while goats of Groups 2, 3 and 4 were similarly exposed to 100 µL of an inoculum containing 109 CFU/mL of live B. melitensis. Goats of these groups were killed at 15, 30 and 60 days post-inoculation, respectively. Foetal fluid and tissues were collected for bacterial identification (using direct bacterial culture, PCR and immuno-peroxidase staining) and histopathological examination. RESULTS: Bilateral intra-conjunctival exposure of pregnant does resulted in in-utero infection of the foetuses. All full-term foetuses of group 4 were either aborted or stillborn, showing petechiations of the skin or absence of hair coat with subcutaneous oedema. The internal organs showed most severe lesions. Immune-peroxidase staining revealed antigen distribution in all organs that became most extensive in group 4. Brucella melitensis was successfully isolated from the stomach content, foetal fluid and various other organs. CONCLUSION: Vertical transmission of caprine brucellosis was evident causing mild to moderate lesions in different organs. The samples of choice for isolation and identification of B. melitensis are stomach content as well as liver and spleen tissue.

Nasopharyngeal nephroblastoma in a 3-month-old Boer goat.

A 3-mo-old, female Boer goat was presented because of respiratory difficulties. Tachypnea and inspiratory dyspnea were noted during physical examination. Thoracic radiographs were unremarkable; however, upper airway and nasal passage radiographs revealed a soft tissue mass within the nasal passages. The patient underwent cardiorespiratory arrest and did not respond to resuscitation efforts during endoscopy. A large, pedunculated, semi-firm mass originated from the soft palate and obstructed 90% of the nasopharynx on autopsy. Histologically, the mass was composed of primitive cells that multifocally formed tubules and glomeruloid structures intermingled with areas of fusiform and blastemal cells. The neoplastic cells were positive for cytokeratin (tubular and glomeruloid cells), vimentin (fusiform population and blastemal cells), and Wilms tumor 1 protein (glomeruloid structures) on immunohistochemistry, consistent with a triphasic nephroblastoma. To our knowledge, nasopharyngeal nephroblastoma has not been reported previously in any species.