Histopathology of the reproductive system of male sheep experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gondii.

The aim of this study was to investigate the histopathological changes in reproductive system (testicles, epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate) of small male ruminants after Toxoplasma gondii infection. Eight sheep were inoculated with T. gondii: group I, four sheep (2.0 × 10(5) P-strain oocysts); group II, four sheep (1.0 × 10(6) RH-strain tachyzoites); and group III, two uninfected sheep maintained as control. Infection with T. gondii was confirmed by seroconversion (indirect fluorescent antibody test-IgG) in all the infected animals beginning on post-inoculation day (PID) 7. On PID 70, all the animals were euthanized and tissue samples (testicles, epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate) were collected and processed for histological analysis. The main changes detected were a focal mononuclear interstitial inflammatory infiltrate in the prostate and seminal vesicles; diffuse testicular degeneration associated with calcification foci and a multifocal mononuclear interstitial inflammatory infiltrate; and a mononuclear interstitial infiltrate and focal necrotic areas of the muscle fibers surrounding the seminal vesicles. The histopathological findings of this work, along with the detection of T. gondii in the examined parenchyma tissues (immunohistochemistry) and the results obtained by other authors examining different tissues, suggest that histological changes diagnosed in the reproductive system of rams infected with T. gondii are strongly suggestive of toxoplasmatic infection.

Effects of carprofen administered by different routes to control experimental uveitis in dogs / Efeitos do carprofeno, aplicado por diferentes vias, no controle de uveítes experimentais em cães

Efficacy of carprofen, administered by different routes, was studied in experimental uveitis in dogs. Anterior chamber paracenteses was accomplished at two different moments (M0 and M1), with a five hour interval between them. At M0 and M1, 0.2mL of aqueous humor was collected and quantitation of total protein and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were determined. Four groups were formed (n=8), which received carprofen at the end of M0, by the following routes: subcutaneous (GIm), subconjunctival (GII), and topical (GIII). A fourth group that received no treatment was instituted (Control). Conjunctival histopathology of the GII animals was performed. In all groups, values of protein and PGE2 significantly enhanced at M1; however, they did not significantly change among groups at M1. Inflammatory exudate of acute character and mild hemorrhage were seen at histopathology after carprofen administration. Carprofen was unable to inhibit PGE2 synthesis and the protein influx to the anterior chamber by any of the tested routes. However, the reduction of 44 percent in protein levels (topical) suggests that the agent can be used by this route as an adjuvant to control uveitis in dogs.

Estudaram-se os efeitos do carprofeno, aplicado por diferentes vias, em uveítes experimentais em cães. Realizou-se paracentese de câmara anterior em dois momentos (M0 e M1), com intervalo de cinco horas entre si. Em M0 e M1, colheram-se 0,2mL de humor aquoso e determinaram-se as concentrações de proteína total e de prostaglandina E2 (PGE2). Constituíram-se quatro grupos (n = 8), que receberam carprofeno ao final de M0 pelas vias subcutânea (GI), subconjuntival (GII) e tópica (GIII). Um quarto grupo não recebeu tratamento (controle). Procedeu-se à avaliação histopatológica nos indivíduos do GII. Em todos os grupos, encontrou-se aumento significativo dos níveis proteicos e de PGE2 em M1. Não se observou diferença significativa, em M1, entre os grupos para nenhum dos parâmetros estudados. Exsudado inflamatório de caráter agudo e hemorragia discreta foram vistos à histopatologia após a aplicação do fármaco. O carprofeno foi ineficaz em inibir a síntese de PGE2 e o influxo de proteínas para a câmara anterior, por qualquer uma das vias testadas. Contudo, a redução de 44 por cento nos níveis de proteínas (via tópica), sugere que por esta via ele pode ser utilizado como adjuvante no controle da uveíte em cães.