Tuberculosis in Southern Brazilian wild boars (Sus scrofa): First epidemiological findings.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonosis caused mainly by Mycobacterium bovis that affects domestic and wild animals. In Brazil, there are no epidemiological studies on tuberculosis in wild animal populations and their possible role in the disease maintenance in cattle herds; thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of tuberculosis in wild boars in Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Tissue samples of animals hunted under government consent were submitted to histopathology and M. bovis polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as screening tests; the positive samples were subsequently submitted to bacterial isolation, the gold standard diagnosis. Eighty animals were evaluated, of which 27.9% and 31.3% showed histopathological changes and M. bovis genome presence, respectively. Moreover, 23.8% of the animals had at least one organ with isolates classified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC). Three hunting points were risk factors for positive results on screening tests. This study shows the occurrence of tuberculosis in a wild boars' population, and raise the possibility of these animals to play a role as disease reservoirs in southern Brazil. These results may help to improve the Brazilian tuberculosis control programme, as well as elucidate the circulation of mycobacteria in this country.

Epidemiological, clinical and pathological evaluation of overall survival in canines with mammary neoplasms / Estudo epidemiológico, clínico-patológico e avaliação de sobrevida global em cadelas com neoplasias mamárias

Canine mammary neoplasms (CMNs) are the most frequent lesions and in female dogs. However, studies correlating pathological criteria with clinical evolution in female dogs with mammary neoplasms are scarce. The present study aims to present epidemiological, clinical-pathological and overall survival data to help establish the prognosis and understand the biological behavior of CMNs. A total of 1539 cases were included (85% malignant and 13% benign). Tumor size was an important prognostic factor and was associated with overall patient survival (P< 0.0001). Most dogs diagnosed with malignant neoplasms (83%) had initial clinical staging, although 17% had regional or distant metastases at the time of diagnosis and lower overall survival (P< 0.0001). Carcinoma in mixed tumor was the most frequent histological type and had a better prognosis. Solid carcinomas, micropapillary carcinomas and carcinosarcomas were considered histological types with aggressive biological behavior and were associated with a worse prognosis and lower overall survival (P< 0.0001).(AU)

Neoplasias mamárias caninas (NMCs) são as lesões mais frequentes em cadelas. Estudos que correlacionam os critérios patológicos com a evolução clínica em cadelas com neoplasias mamárias são escassos. Este estudo objetiva apresentar dados epidemiológicos, clínico-patológicos e de sobrevida global fornecendo informações que auxiliam a estabelecer o prognóstico e a compreender o comportamento biológico de NMCs. Foram incluídos 1539 casos, 85% malignos e 13% benignos. O tamanho tumoral foi um importante fator prognóstico, sendo associado com a sobrevida global das pacientes (P<0,0001). A maioria das cadelas diagnosticadas com neoplasias malignas (83%) apresentavam estadiamentos clínicos iniciais, enquanto 17% apresentavam metástases regionais ou à distância no momento do diagnóstico, denotando menor sobrevida global (P<0,0001). O carcinoma em tumor misto foi o tipo histológico mais frequente e de melhor prognóstico. Os carcinomas sólidos, carcinomas micropapilares e carcinossarcomas foram considerados tipos histológicos de comportamento biológico agressivo, sendo associados a pior prognóstico e menor sobrevida global (P<0,0001).(AU)

Relationship between the expression of versican and EGFR, HER-2, HER-3 and CD44 in matrix-producing tumours in the canine mammary gland.

Versican is an extracellular matrix proteoglycan that has been identified as a modulator of adhesion loss, cell motility, and tumour progression. This motility results from the interaction between versican and cell surface receptors. Studies have also demonstrated the relationship between this molecule and invasion in canine mammary tumours. Given the evidence for the participation of proteoglycans in tumour progression, this study aimed to assess versican expression and its association with cell surface receptors; human epidermal growth factor receptors 1, 2, and 3 (EGFR, HER-2, and HER-3) and CD44 through an immunohistochemical analysis of benign mixed tumours (BMTs), carcinomas in mixed tumours (CMTs), and carcinosarcomas (CSs) of the canine mammary gland. Malignant tumours were divided into low and high groups with respect to versican stromal expression. The results indicated that the BMTs showed weak stromal versican expression and correlations between the expression of stromal versican and EGFR in the epithelial membrane in benign areas (p=0.013, r=0.571). A higher stromal versican expression was observed adjacent to invasive epithelial areas compared with in situ areas in CMTs and CSs, suggesting a direct relationship between versican expression and invasiveness. Furthermore, the CSs exhibited a higher expression of HER-2, cytoplasmic HER-3, and CD44 in epithelial invasive cells in cases of higher stromal versican expression. Therefore, the cell surface receptors (HER-2, HER-3, and CD44) are more evident in CSs that overexpress versican in stroma adjacent to the invasive areas. These findings suggest that the association between these molecules may be directly related to the biological behaviour and invasiveness of these canine mammary tumours.

Analysis of EGFR and HER-2 expressions in ductal carcinomas in situ in canine mammary glands / Análise da expressão de EGFR e HER-2 em carcinomas ductais in situ da glândula mamária canina

Biomolecular evidence has shown that ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) may develop into invasive carcinoma of the canine mammary gland, and mutations in proto-oncogenes HER2 and EGFR; two members of the family of epidermal growth factor receptors, may be involved in this process. The purpose of this study was the characterization of the immunohistochemical expression of the EGFR and HER2 proteins in the process of neoplastic transformation, supposedly present in ductal carcinomas in situ in canine mammary glands. Fifteen cases of DCIS were evaluated, with a higher expression of HER2 and EGFR being observed in low-grade carcinomas when compared with high-grade neoplasms, and with a high positive statistical correlation in the latter. Results suggest that aggressive tumors tend to lose the expression of EGFR and HER2 simultaneously. The loss of the expression of these markers may be related to the process of neoplastic progression in canine mammary tumors...

Evidências biomoleculares sugerem que o carcinoma ductal in situ (CDIS) pode progredir para carcinoma invasor na mama canina e que mutações nos proto-oncogenes HER-2 e EGFR, dois membros da família de receptores para fatores de crescimento epidérmicos, podem estar envolvidas neste processo. A partir disso, este trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar a expressão imuno-histoquímica das proteínas EGFR e HER-2 no processo de transformação neoplásica supostamente presente em carcinomas ductais in situ da glândula mamária canina. Foram avaliados 15 casos de CDIS, sendo observada maior expressão de HER-2 e EGFR em carcinomas de baixo grau em comparação às neoplasias de alto grau, com correlação estatística positiva alta nestes últimos. Os resultados sugerem que tumores mais agressivos tendem a perder, simultaneamente, a expressão de EGFR e HER-2. A perda na expressão desses marcadores pode estar envolvida no processo de progressão neoplásica em tumores mamários caninos...

HER-2 gene expression in atypical ductal hyperplasia associated with canine mammary carcinomas / Expressão gênica de HER2 em hiperplasias ductais atípicas associadas a carcinomas mamários caninos

O presente estudo apresenta o comportamento do gene HER2, a partir do uso da técnica de hibridização cromogênica in situ, em hiperplasias ductais atípicas associadas a carcinomas mamários caninos positivos para HER2. Aparentemente, uma fraca expressão da proteína HER2 foi observada nas hiperplasias ductais atípicas, bem como uma ausência de amplificação do seu gene codificador nessas hiperplasias e nos carcinomas mamários associados. O comportamento da proteína HER2 e do seu gene em carcinomas mamários caninos é similar ao observado em alguns subtipos histológicos de tumores mamários humanos, e a ausência dessas alterações sugerem que esse gene poderia aparentemente não estar envolvido com os estágios iniciais de proliferação celular atípica...

Tumores mamarios caninos: estudio de ADN mediante análisis de citometría estática / Canine mammary tumours: A quantitative DNA study using static cytometry

Un análisis del contenido de ADN por citometría estática fue realizado en muestras fijadas en formalina e incluidas en parafina de 56 neoplasias mamarias caninas (23 benignas y 33 malignas). El contenido de ADN se ha correlacionado con el aspecto histológico, la edad y con marcadores inmunohistoquímicos de las neoplasias. Diez tumores benignos (43,47%) y dieciséis malignos (48,48%) fueron aneuploides. La aneuploidía no estuvo relacionada con la edad o con el carácter maligno de los tumores (P<0,05). La expresión de los marcadores receptor de progesterona, MIB-1, CD-31, p53, c-erbB2, y ciclina D1 no mostró diferencias significativas entre los tumores diploides y aneuploides (P<0,05). Los componentes epiteliales y mesenquimales de los tumores mixtos benignos, adenomas complejos y carcinomas en tumores mixtos tienen un contenido de ADN idéntico en 74,0% de los casos lo que sugiere un origen celular común de ambos componentes(AU)

Static cytometric analysis of DNA content was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin wax-embedded samples of 56 canine mammary neoplasms (23 benign and 33 malignant) and histology, patient age and immunohistochemical markers were compared between diploid and aneuploid tumours. 10 benign tumours (43.47%) and 16 malignant (48.48%) were aneuploid. No association was found between age and ploidy (P>0.05). Aneuploidy was not related to age or tumour malignancy (P<0.05). The expression of the following markers: progesterone receptor, MIB-1, CD-31, p53, c-erbB2, and cyclin D1 did not show significant differences between diploid and aneuploid tumours (P<0.05). Epithelial and mesenchymal components of benign mixed tumours, complex adenomas and carcinomas in mixed tumours had an identical DNA content in 74.0% of cases suggesting a common cell origin of both components(AU)

Canine mammary mixed tumours: immunohistochemical expressions of EGFR and HER-2.

BACKGROUND: Benign mixed tumours (BMTs) are frequently found in the mammary glands of female dogs, but the factors determining malignant transformation in these tumours are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of the oncoproteins, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), in 46 carcinomas in BMTs (CBMTs) and to verify their possible association with the malignancy of the tumours. METHODS: Immunohistochemical expression was analysed in benign and malignant components separately, and then compared with 74 cases of BMTs. RESULTS: Among the CBMTs, positivity for HER-2 was found in the benign histological component of 4.3% (2/46), in the malignant epithelial non-invasive component of 14.8% (4/27) and in the malignant invasive epithelial component of 13.6% (6/44) of cases. Two of the 24 (8.3%) BMTs were positive for HER-2. There was no relationship between HER-2 and the tumour components. There was no significant difference between BMTs and CBMTs. Positivity for EGFR was found in the benign component of 17.4% (8/46) of the CBMTs, in the malignant epithelial non-invasive component of 40.7% (11/27%) and in the invasive epithelial malignant component of 45.4% (20/44). EGFR positivity was significantly associated with the invasive component of CBMTs. CONCLUSION: EGFR may contribute to malignant epithelial transformation of BMTs. In contrast, HER-2 overexpression may not be associated with the acquisition of a malignant epithelial phenotype.

Mast cells and angiogenesis in canine mammary tumor / Mastócitos e angiogênese nos tumores mamários caninos

The correlation between microvessel density and mast cells density in canine mammary tumors was studied. Sixty-five samples of canine mammary tumors, being 24 benign and 41 malignant, were analyzed. The routine Toluidine Blue staining method was used to assess the mast cells. To evaluate angiogenesis, the immunohistochemical expression of CD31 was assessed. There was no significant difference in either mast cells (P=0.44) or microvessel density (P=0.77) between malignant and benign tumors. A positive correlation was observed between microvessel density and mast cells (r=0.39; P=0.011) in malignant tumors. These results suggest that mast cells may play a role in canine mammary malignant tumors development, promoting angiogenesis, similar to some tumors described in the human species.

Estimou-se a correlação entre a densidade de microvasos e a densidade de mastócitos em tumores mamários caninos. Sessenta e cinco amostras de tumores mamários caninos - 24 benignos e 41 malignos - foram analisadas, pela técnica rotineira de coloração com Azul de Toluidina para avaliação da densidade de mastócitos. Para a avaliação da angiogênese, foi utilizada a técnica de imunoistoquímica para expressão de CD31. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas de mastócitos (P=0.44) ou densidade microvascular (P=0.77) entre tumores malignos e benignos. A correlação entre densidade microvascular e densidade de mastócitos foi positiva (r=0,39; P=0,011) em tumores malignos. Estes resultados sugerem que os mastócitos podem exercer um importante papel no desenvolvimento de tumores mamários malignos caninos mediante promoção da angiogênese, similarmente a alguns tumores descritos na espécie humana.

The relationship between tumour size and expression of prognostic markers in benign and malignant canine mammary tumours.

Tumour size is considered one of the most important determinants of clinical staging in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to assess the value of tumour size as an indicator of the differentiation of mammary neoplasias in female dogs. The tumour, nodes metastates (TNM) system, based on primary lesion size, the extent of its dissemination to regional lymph nodes and the presence or absence of distant metastases, was applied to 120 female dogs diagnosed with mammary neoplasias. Paraffin blocks from 38 cases were selected and studied by immunohistochemical staining for prognostic and predictive markers of breast cancer. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was estimated for 110 female dogs. Larger tumours (T3) were mostly malignant and showed lower expression of progesterone receptor and higher expression of cellular proliferation markers. Global survival time was shorter in female dogs with large tumour masses. This study highlights the importance of tumour size as a prognostic indicator of mammary neoplasias in female dogs.

Cox-2 expression in canine mammary carcinomas: correlation with angiogenesis and overall survival.

Mammary tumors are among the most common neoplastic processes in female dogs. Prostaglandin E2, the catalytic product of Cox-2, may promote tumor development and angiogenesis. It has been investigated in several human cancers and also correlated with the evolution of the disease. However, the clinical implications of tumor pathology require more investigation in veterinary medicine. Angiogenesis is essential for the growth and metastasis of major solid tumors and has been correlated with prognosis in human and canine breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate Cox-2 expression and microvessel density in canine mammary carcinomas and to correlate them with overall survival of the animal. Cox-2 and angiogenesis were assessed by immunohistochemistry in 46 mammary carcinomas (19 ductal and 27 metaplastic) and in healthy mammary glands. To assess tumor angiogenesis, microvessel density (MVD) was determined by CD31 staining. Immunostaining revealed that 46/46 (100%) of the tumors were positive for Cox-2 and CD31, and there was no statistical difference among tumor types. Cox-2 protein expression correlated positively with CD31 staining (r = 0.3742, P = .0104) but did not correlate significantly with tumor type. Longer overall survival was observed in metaplastic carcinomas (P = .028), in tumors with low microvessel density (P = .0002) and with low Cox-2 score (P = .01). Our results demonstrate that increased microvessel density and increased Cox-2 expression were linearly related in the canine mammary tumors studied and were also related to worse prognosis and shorter overall survival. This suggests that Cox-2 inhibitors could be an alternative for the treatment and control of advanced neoplastic mammary disease in female dogs.

Immunohistochemical expression of p63 and deltaNp63 in mixed tumors of canine mammary glands and its relation with p53 expression.

The immunohistochemical expression of p63, DeltaNp63, and p53 was studied in mixed tumors of canine mammary glands (13 benign mixed tumors and 19 carcinomas arising from benign mixed tumors) to determine the role of p63 and its isoform DeltaNp63 in the development of mixed tumors, as well as to assess its relation with p53. P63 was expressed in myoepithelial cells of all benign mixed tumors and in 18 of 19 carcinomas in mixed tumors. The p63-negative carcinoma in mixed tumors was invasive, and a loss of p63 was detected in the other malignant tumors showing a discontinuous p63-stained myoepithelial layer. DeltaNp63 was expressed in all benign mixed tumors but only in p63-positive carcinomas in mixed tumors. Despite its positive correlation with p63 expression in carcinomas in mixed tumors (r = 0.8323, P < .00001), DeltaNp63 expression showed a decrease in benign tumors. Positivity for p53 was detected in 2 of 13 and 1 of 19 benign mixed tumors and carcinomas in mixed tumors, respectively. There was no correlation between p63 or DeltaNp63 and p53 expression. Our data support the notion that the decrease of p63 expression, in particular of its isoform DeltaNp63, seems to be an important factor in the development of carcinomas in mixed tumors.

Interação entre células do cumulus e atividade da proteína quinase C em diferentes fases da maturação nuclear de oócitos bovinos / Interaction between cumulus cells and the activity of protein kinase C at different stages of bovine oocyte nuclear maturation

Verificou-se a influência da proteína quinase C (PK-C) no reinício e na progressão da meiose em oócitos bovinos, determinando se as células do cumulus são mediadoras da PK-C na regulação da maturação dos oócitos. Complexos cumulus-oócitos (CCO) e oócitos desnudos (OD), distribuídos aleatoriamente em seis tratamentos (T) com base na presença de um ativador da PK-C (PMA) (T1 e T2), de um forbol éster incapaz de ativar a PK-C (4alfa-PDD-controle) (T3 e T4) ou de apenas o meio básico (TCM-199-controle) (T5 e T6), foram cultivados por 7, 9, 12, 18 e 22 horas. A percentagem de rompimento da vesícula germinativa no grupo cultivado com PMA foi maior do que nos dois grupos controle, com e sem células do cumulus. O cultivo de CCO e OD por 12 e 18 horas demonstrou que a PK-C influencia a progressão para os estádios de metáfase I (MI) e metáfase II (MII) de maneira dependente das células do cumulus. Nos períodos de 9 e 22 horas, não foi possível observar diferença entre os grupos quanto aos diferentes estádios de maturação. A ativação da PK-C acelera o reinício da meiose independentemente das células somáticas e acelera a progressão até os estádios de MI e MII na dependência das células do cumulus.