Cholesterol granuloma (Xanthomatous metritis) in the uterus of a cat.

A case of uterine cholesterol granuloma in a 12-year old mixed breed cat is reported. The lesions were found in the endometrium of the left uterine horn as scattered, raised nodules or foci. Histologically, mononuclear cell infiltrates were seen to surround cholesterol crystals, in both the endometrium and the smooth muscle layer, reaching the serosa. The findings support the role of haemorrhage in promoting chronic inflammatory reactions around interstitial cholesterol ester precipitates.

Safety and Efficacy of Reduced Doses of Ritonavir (RTV) Plus Saquinavir (SQV) in the Treatment of AIDS Patients in Brazil.

The use of reduced doses of Ritonavir (RIT) and Saquinavir (SQV) is considered a potent alternative in treating patients infected by HIV-1. We tested a combination of 300mg of RIT plus 600mg of SQV, twice daily, in association with two reverse transcriptase inhibitors to treat AIDS patients for a period of 6 months. Evaluation of HIV-1 RNA plasma levels, CD4+/CD8+ cell count and biochemical/hematological parameters (liver enzymes, serum electrolytes, creatinin, blood glucose, uric acid, white blood cell count, platelet count, and hemoglobin level) were performed after 30, 90 and 180 days of therapy. Clinical failure and adverse reactions were also recorded in order to assess safety and efficacy of the treatment. A total of 30 AIDS patients (25 male; 5 female) were enrolled in the study. Eight patients discontinued the therapy due to intolerance, 2 patients presented clinical failure (onset of AIDS-defining events during the study period), 2 patients werc excluded due to protocol violation. Five patients tolerated only a lower dose of RIT (400mg/day). Patients who completed 6 months of therapy had a drop in viral load from 4.8+/-.7 log(10) median 4.9 log) to 3.4 +/- 1.0 log(10) (median 2.6 log), and an increase in CD4+ count from 109 +/- 86cells/ml (median 84cells/ml) to 249+/- 114 cells/ml (median 265 cells/ml), compared to baseline values. However, patients who used a lower dose of RIT (400mg/day) had a less impressive drop in viral load values (mean 0.6 log(10) NA copies/ml) when compared with those using the 600mg/day of the drug (mean 2.4 log(10)). The percentage of patients presenting undetectable levels of HIV-1 RNA in plasma was quite different for the 2 groups: 92% of patients with a viral load <400 RNA copies/ ml were using 600mg of RIT. The combination of reduced doses of RIT and SQV reduced viral load >1.0 log(10) after 6 months in 83% of study patients. The dose of 600mg/day of RIT was morc effective in reducing viral load than 400mg/day, but was less well-tolerated. CD4+ cell counts increased in all patients regardless of the RIT dose used.

A new, less invasive, laparoscopic-laparotomic technique for the cryptorchidectomy in the dog.

A new, less invasive technique of cryptorchidectomy in the dog is described. The technique makes use of a laparoscope equipped with a telescope for diagnostic purposes (identification of testicle site); and then of a forceps to grasp the deferent duct and force the testicle through a small, laparotomic incision, 2.5 cm long, in the parapenien site. Variations, according to the kind of cryptorchidism (bilateral or unilateral, abdominal, inguinal), are also discussed. The operation ends with suturing of the vascular stem of the testicle (resorbable sutures) and orchiectomy. This technique is easy to carry out and has the advantage of not being invasive since it does not involve a median laparotomy preceded by overturning of the penis. Three operations have been performed: two on cases of unilateral cryptorchidism and one on a case of bilateral cryptorchidism.

[Chronic periorchitis and periepididymitis of cattle]. / La periorchite e periepididimite cronica del bovino.

The Authors describe chronic vaginitis of bovines in intensive breeding. All of the 78 subjects examined presented vaginitis, accompanied by fibrinous hydrocele. On the spermatic cord and the tail of epididymis, initial lesions consisted of granulomas and fibrinous bridges between vaginalis propria of testicle and of epididymis. Subsequently appeared adherence and synechiae, which join the deferens and epididymis body to didymis, and thickening of albuginea. Synechiae can develop between peritesticular vaginalis propria and communis. Histopathological findings: peritoneal-like papillary structures with metaplastic mesothelial cells; diffuse lympho-plasmacellular infiltration with eosinophils and mast cells; intense capillary angiogenesis. The epididymal lesions are: diffuse mononuclear infiltration; periarteritis nodosa; papillary proliferations of endothelium; endothelial degeneration; tubular ectasia and stenosis; intraepithelial cyst. Noticeable within testis: periarteritis nodosa; fibrosis of albuginea; spermatocytes vacuolisation; multinucleate spermatids; epithelial shedding. The Authors pointed out: the serological and bacteriological testings furnished inconclusive results; only pathological finding always present is a large infestation of cremasteric muscle with Sarcocystis, to which is attributed the etiopathogenesis of flogosis, that is chronic from the beginning. The Authors propose the terminology of "Chronic peritesticular and periepididymal vaginitis" or "Chronic Periorchitis and periepididymitis".

Heterotopic development of DMBA subcutaneous sarcoma in rats.

In gonadectomized and totally or partially criptorchid rats, subcutaneous inoculation of 0,5 mg of DMBA often determines the development of sarcomas at variable, sometimes marked, distances from the site of inoculation. The phenomenon is exhibited maximally in rats subjected to unilateral cryptorchidism or to unilateral gonadectomy; in minimal measure in those subjected to bilateral gonadectomy. It is not exhibited in the intact animals. The Authors, though presenting several hypotheses, are not able to furnish a satisfactory explanation of the phenomenon.