Pathology of Gastrointestinal Tuberculosis in Cattle.

We describe the pathology of gastrointestinal tuberculosis in three cows. Gross lesions were found in the jejunum and ileum in all cases, and were characterized by button-shaped ulcers in the mucosa overlying Peyer's patches and adjacent mucosa. One case had similar changes in the pyloric region of the abomasum. In the affected intestinal segments, marked granulomatous inflammation effaced the lymphoid follicles of Peyer's patches and often extended transmurally. Transmural granulomatous inflammation was also found in the abomasum of one cow. Acid-fast bacilli were identified by the Ziehl-Neelsen method and the lesions were immunolabelled by an anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex antibody. M. tuberculosis var. bovis was isolated in one case. Disseminated tuberculosis and marked lung lesions in all cows suggested that the gastrointestinal lesions were most likely secondary to pulmonary infection.

Omphalitis, urachocystitis and septicemia by Streptococcus dysgalactiae in a southern right whale calf Eubalaena australis, Brazil.

Southern right whales Eubalaena australis (SRW) use the southern coast of Brazil as a wintering and calving ground. Other than anthropogenic threats, there is limited knowledge on health and disease aspects for this species. We report the gross and microscopic findings and microbiological identification of streptococcal septicemia in a SRW calf. Main gross findings included fibrinosuppurative omphalitis and urachocystitis, suppurative cystitis, valvular endocarditis and myocarditis, embolic pneumonia, suppurative myositis and osteoarthritis, and lymphadenomegaly. Histological examination confirmed the above inflammatory processes and indicated disseminated Gram-positive coccoid septicemia. PCR analysis, based on the 16S rRNA gene from bacteria isolated on blood agar, identified Streptococcus dysgalactiae. Pathologic and microbiologic analysis indicated that ß-hemolytic S. dysgalactiae septicemia, presumably initiated as ascending omphalic infection, was responsible for stranding and death in this individual. These results further confirm pathogenicity of streptococci in cetaceans and add to the limited health and disease related pathology knowledge for this species.

Intra-abdominal fungal pseudomycetoma in two cats / Pseudomicetoma intraabdominal fúngico en dos gatos

Background. Pseudomycetomas are deep cutaneous to subcutaneous lesions caused by Microsporum canis mainly described in Persian cats, with few reports of intra-abdominal location. This report describes the clinical signs and lesions of intra-abdominal pseudomycetomas caused by M. canis in two Persian cats. Case report. Two Persian cats with a history of previous laparotomy (ovariohysterectomy and nephrostomy) and fecal impaction were examined. Cat #1 was euthanized and subjected to necropsy, histopathology and mycological evaluation. Cat #2 presented with chronic dermatophytosis, and an intra-abdominal mass, that was subjected to histopathology evaluation. Cat #1 presented at necropsy a white-grayish, firm mass (6cm×3.5cm×2.8cm) in the uterine cervix. Cat #2 presented a firm whitish mass (6.5cm×1.5cm×0.5cm) located close to the left kidney. Histologically, both masses contained multifocal granules with hyphae and spores surrounded by Splendore-Hoeppli reaction, with a pyogranulomatous inflammatory infiltrate and fibrous connective tissue proliferation in the periphery. Hyphae and spores exhibited marked Grocott and periodic acid-Schiff staining. M. canis was identified by fungal isolation in cat #1. Conclusions. Pseudomycetoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cats, especially in Persian cats presenting with an intra-abdominal mass. Entrance of the agent into the cavity can occur during laparotomy (AU)

Antecedentes. Los pseudomicetomas son infecciones cutáneas o subcutáneas causadas por Microsporum canis. Se presentan con mayor frecuencia en los gatos persas, pero existen pocas publicaciones sobre la localización intraabdominal. Este trabajo describe los signos clínicos y las lesiones por pseudomicetomas intraabdominales causados por M. canis presentes en dos gatos de raza persa. Caso clínico. Se examinó el estado de dos gatos persas que presentaban como antecedentes la realización de una laparotomía reciente (ovariohisterectomía y nefrostomía) y la existencia de fecaloma. El gato 1 fue eutanasiado y se realizaron exámenes de necropsia, histopatológicos y micológicos. El gato 2 presentaba dermatofitosis crónica y una masa intraabdominal que se envió para examen histopatológico. El gato 1 presentaba en la necropsia una masa firme, blanca grisácea (6×3,5×2,8cm), en el cuello del útero. El gato 2 presentaba también, en este caso cerca del riñón izquierdo, una masa firme y blanca (6,5×1,5×0,5cm). Histológicamente ambas masas estaban compuestas por gránulos multifocales con hifas y esporas, rodeadas por la reacción de Splendore-Hoeppli, un infiltrado inflamatorio granulomatoso y proliferación del tejido conectivo fibroso en la periferia. Las hifas y esporas fueron teñidas mediante las tinciones de Gomori-Grocott y ácido peryódico de Schiff. El aislamiento obtenido en el gato 1 fue identificado como M. canis. Conclusiones. En los gatos debe considerarse el pseudomicetoma en el diagnóstico diferencial, especialmente en aquellos de raza persa que presentan masas intraabdominales. La entrada del agente en la cavidad puede tener lugar durante la laparotomía (AU)

Intra-abdominal fungal pseudomycetoma in two cats.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomycetomas are deep cutaneous to subcutaneous lesions caused by Microsporum canis mainly described in Persian cats, with few reports of intra-abdominal location. This report describes the clinical signs and lesions of intra-abdominal pseudomycetomas caused by M. canis in two Persian cats. CASE REPORT: Two Persian cats with a history of previous laparotomy (ovariohysterectomy and nephrostomy) and fecal impaction were examined. Cat #1 was euthanized and subjected to necropsy, histopathology and mycological evaluation. Cat #2 presented with chronic dermatophytosis, and an intra-abdominal mass, that was subjected to histopathology evaluation. Cat #1 presented at necropsy a white-grayish, firm mass (6cm×3.5cm×2.8cm) in the uterine cervix. Cat #2 presented a firm whitish mass (6.5cm×1.5cm×0.5cm) located close to the left kidney. Histologically, both masses contained multifocal granules with hyphae and spores surrounded by Splendore-Hoeppli reaction, with a pyogranulomatous inflammatory infiltrate and fibrous connective tissue proliferation in the periphery. Hyphae and spores exhibited marked Grocott and periodic acid-Schiff staining. M. canis was identified by fungal isolation in cat #1. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudomycetoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cats, especially in Persian cats presenting with an intra-abdominal mass. Entrance of the agent into the cavity can occur during laparotomy.