Choroid Plexus Cyst in a Neonatal Burmeister's Porpoise (Phocoena spinipinnis)

Neuroectodermal developmental anomalies are reported rarely in cetaceans and central nervous system cysts are not described. We describe the gross, microscopical, histochemical and immunohistochemical features of a neuraxial myelencephalic cyst in a stranded neonatal Burmeister's porpoise (Phocoena spinipinnis). Grossly, a subdural, extra-axial, well-demarcated, yellow fluid-filled cystic structure (1.9 × 1.6 × 1 cm) expanded the left foramen of Luschka, the left caudolateral cerebellar recess and the left cranioventral myelencephalon. The cyst displaced the ipsilateral ventral paraflocculus and distended the underlying cranial nerves IX, X, XI and XII. Microscopically, the cystic structure was lined by a monolayer of low cuboidal to flattened epithelium supported by a thin fibrovascular matrix. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed strong and diffuse expression of AE1/AE3 and focal positivity for vimentin. IHC for epithelial membrane antigen, glial fibrillary acid protein, synaptophysin and S100 was negative. Based on these findings, an extra-axial cyst of the choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle (CCPFV) was diagnosed. The pathological relevance of the CCPFV in this case is uncertain. The cause of death involved severe perinatal interspecific (shark) trauma. The present case provides the first evidence of a neuroepithelial cyst in cetacean species.

anomalias de desenvolvimento neuroectodérmicas são raramente relatadas em cetáceos e cistos do sistema nervoso central não são descritos. Descrevemos as características macroscópicas, microscópicas, histoquímicas e imuno-histoquímicas de um cisto mielencefálico neuroaxial em uma toninha de Burmeister neonatal encalhada (Phocoena spinipinnis). Grosso modo, uma estrutura cística amarela subdural, extra-axial, bem demarcada e cheia de líquido (1,9 × 1,6 × 1 cm) expandiu o forame esquerdo de Luschka, o recesso cerebelar caudolateral esquerdo e o mielencéfalo cranioventral esquerdo. O cisto deslocou o paraflóculo ventral ipsilateral e distendeu os nervos cranianos subjacentes IX, X, XI e XII. Microscopicamente, a estrutura cística foi revestida por uma monocamada de epitélio cubóide a achatado baixo, suportada por uma fina matriz fibrovascular. A imuno-histoquímica (IHC) revelou forte e difusa expressão de AE1 / AE3 e positividade focal para vimentina. O IHC para antígeno da membrana epitelial, proteína do ácido fibrilar glial, sinafofisina e S100 foi negativo. Com base nesses achados, foi diagnosticado um cisto extra-axial do plexo coróide do quarto ventrículo (CCPFV). A relevância patológica do CCPFV neste caso é incerta. A causa da morte envolveu traumatismo interespecífico (tubarão) perinatal grave. O presente caso fornece a primeira evidência de um cisto neuroepitelial em espécies de cetáceos. patologia cetáceo Anomalia congenita neuroectoderma

PBDE levels in franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei): temporal trend and geographical comparison.

Total PBDE concentrations determined in archived blubber samples from franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) unintentionally captured in the Brazilian coastal region off Rio Grande do Sul State (FMA III) between 1994 and 2004 (n = 73) ranged from 7.9 to 65 ng g(-1) lipid weight in mature males, with an increase over the ten-year period. Total PBDE concentrations in blubber samples collected from the FAM II (n = 41) between 2002 and 2005 were higher (67.8 to 763.7 ng g(-1)lw) than those from FMA III. This is possibly due to the proximity to important industrial development sites in the state of São Paulo. Despite the differences in total concentrations, PBDE profiles were comparable and the PBDE concentrations decreased in the following order BDE 47>BDE99>BDE 100 for both FMA and for males and females as well as adults, juveniles and pups.

Digenetic trematodes in South American sea lions from southern Brazilian waters.

The aim of this work was to perform a systematic study to detect and quantify the digenetic trematode infections in South American sea lions from the southern Brazilian coast. Twenty-four South American sea lions, Otaria flavescens (Carnivora: Otaridae), were found dead along the coast of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, between June 2010 and September of 2011. Two trematode species were found in the intestines of O. flavescens, i.e., Stephanoprora uruguayense (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) and Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa (Digenea: Heterophyidae). Ascocotyle (P.) longa reached a prevalence of 33.3% and mean intensity of 248,500, whereas S. uruguayense showed a prevalence of 4.2% and mean intensity of 202. The 2 trematode species infecting sea lions were likely transmitted by feeding on mullets, Mugil platanus, that commonly harbor heterophyid metacercariae. The present work is the first report of digenetic trematodes infecting O. flavescens in Brazil. The high prevalence and mean intensity values of the 2 trematode species infecting sea lions in the present study suggest caution in human consumption of mullets and other fish, which can be infected with the metacercariae of these trematodes known to have zoonotic potential.

Dechlorane-related compounds in franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) from southeastern and southern coast of Brazil.

Concentrations of Dechlorane (Dec) 603 (0.75 ng/g lipid weight (lw); mean) and Dec 602 (0.38 ng/g lw; mean) were quantified in more than 95% of the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) dolphin samples, whereas the frequency of detection decreased to 75% for Dechlorane Plus (DP) (1.53 ng/g lw, mean). The presence of Chlordene Plus (CP) was also observed (0.13 ng/g lw, mean) in half of the samples. On the contrary, Dec 604, decachloropentacyclooctadecadiene (aCl(10)DP), and undecachloropentacyclooctadecadiene (aCl(11)DP) concentrations were below the limit of quantifications in all cases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first article reporting the presence of Dec 603, Dec 602, and CP in mammals. For comparative purposes, levels of Mirex, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) are also reported. Considering geographic distribution evaluation together with the strong positive correlations found between DP and PBDEs (r(s) = 0.63; p < 0.01), highly anthropogenic areas were identified as potential sources of these chemicals in this dolphin species. However, local sources for Dec 602, 603, Mirex, CP, and DBDPE were not found indicating that in this case historical use and/or atmospheric transport and deposition may play an important role in their fate.