Metastatic pancreatic carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation in a cat.

Case summary: This report describes the case of a 7-year-old male neutered domestic mixed-breed cat that was initially referred to the Veterinary Hospital of the State University of Londrina for evaluation of a 2-week history of abdominal distension and a 2-day history of anorexia, infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Abdominal ultrasound revealed an expansive mass located around the pancreas and right hepatic lobe. In the transoperative macroscopic observation, multiple white nodules were visualized in the liver, pancreas, mesentery, intestine, stomach and peritoneal wall. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that neoplastic cells demonstrated a strong positivity for AE1/AE3 and CK20. A sparse immunoreactivity to chromogranin A was observed, which demonstrates neuroendocrine cell labeling. The histopathologic changes associated with the immunohistochemical profile confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation, originating from the pancreas. Relevance and novel information: Neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas are rare and are associated with a poor prognosis in humans. In humans, approximately 7% of neuroendocrine tumors develop in the pancreas, and the 5-year survival rate for a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor is 53%, according to the American Cancer Society. To our knowledge, only one case has been described in the feline species so far. Due to the rarity of this type of tumor in cats, there is little information about predisposition related to age, sex or breed, as well as the main clinical signs presented, survival time and treatment options.

Effect of an organic acid blend in Nile tilapia growth performance, immunity, gut microbiota, and resistance to challenge against francisellosis.

Organic acids (OAs) are a class of feed additives that have prophylactic and inhibitory properties against pathogenic bacteria. In this study, we investigated growth performance, innate immune response, gut microbiota, and disease resistance against Francisella orientalis F1 in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed different doses of Bacti-nil®Aqua, a blend of short- and medium-chain OAs. For 21 days, 680 juvenile tilapias were fed a control diet or diets supplemented with a 0.3% (D3) or 0.5% (D5) OA blend. The feed conversion rate of fish fed the 0.5% enriched diet was considerably lower (p < 0.05) than that of the fish fed the basal diet. Lysozyme and serum bactericidal activities were significantly elevated following OA administration. After infection, no differences in the diversity and composition of gut microbiota were observed between the groups. After the bacterial challenge, the mortality was significantly lower in group D5 (p < 0.01). The diet supplemented with Bacti-nil®Aqua (Adisseo) improved the immune response and resistance of tilapia juveniles against F. orientalis infection. Thus, this OA blend could serve as a feed additive with good activity against F. orientalis.

Physicochemical and histopathological parameters of broilers with dorsal cranial myopathy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of dorsal cranial myopathy (DCM) on chicken meat quality. METHODS: Sixty-six Ross 308 AP broilers, 47 days old, of both sexes, weighing about 3.51 kg, were slaughtered according to standard industrial practices, and evaluated for meat color, pH, chemical composition, collagen content, fatty acid profile, and histopathological parameters. Comparisons between normal and DCM-affected meat were performed using Student's t-test at the 5% significance level. RESULTS: Histological analysis of muscle tissues affected by DCM showed myofiber degeneration, proliferation of inflammatory cells, fibroplasia, and necrosis with fibrosis. DCM samples had lower protein content and higher moisture, ash, insoluble collagen, total collagen, and pH. DCM-affected meat was redder and more yellowish. There were no differences in lipid or soluble collagen contents between groups. DCM-affected meat had higher percentages of arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n-3). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that DCM-affected meat exhibits considerable changes in quality parameters.

Outbreaks of Brachiaria ruziziensis and Brachiaria brizantha intoxications in Brazilian experienced cattle.

Brachiaria species are some of the most used forage species for raising Brazilian cattle because of their great nutritional value and adaptability to the tropical climate. However, cases of animal intoxication have been described. Animal species, age, genetic resistance, and previous adaptation to the forage can influence the susceptibility to intoxication. Cattle (young or adults), other adult ruminants and animals adapted to consumption (experienced flocks) are considered more resistant. The main clinical presentation is that of hepatogenous photosensitization. Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria ruziziensis are considered less toxic. The aim of this study is to describe three outbreaks of intoxication by B. brizantha and B. ruziziensis in experienced cattle, as well as to compare the concentrations of protodioscin in paddocks with and without clinical cases. It was observed that the two forage species are toxic to all age groups of cattle adapted to their consumption, and the concentrations of protodioscin present in the plant cannot be used as the only criterion for determining the occurrence of intoxication.

Application of orange albedo fat replacer in chicken mortadella.

This study aimed to use orange albedo flour as a fat replacer and evaluate its effect on three chicken mortadella formulations: C (control, 0% replacer addition, chicken skin as a fat source), F1 (4.8% replacer addition, standing for 22.8% partial fat replacement), and F2 (8.4% replacer addition, standing for 34% partial fat replacement). Fat replacer addition increased moisture and carbohydrate contents but reduced protein and ashes in mortadella formulations. F1 and F2 showed reductions in firmness, chewiness, cohesiveness, and springiness when compared to C. Furthermore, L* and b* parameters increased and a* reduced by fat replacer addition into formulations. All formulations showed good oxidative stability over the 90 days of storage. Fat replacer inclusion decreased polyunsaturated fatty acids and ω-6 contents. Overall, formulations had good sensorial acceptance and purchase intention by consumers, regardless of fat replacer addition. All formulations also had stable emulsion confirmed by optical microscopy. In short, orange albedo flour was feasible as fat replacer in chicken mortadella formulation, not compromising its quality and enabling light mortadella preparation.

Interspecies transmission of Edwardsiella ictaluri in Brazilian catfish (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) from exotic invasive fish species.

Infections caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri are one of the biggest problems in the catfish industry in North America and have been reported in fishes around the world. E. ictaluri was detected in juvenile pintado Pseudoplatystoma corruscans-a Brazilian catfish-in a farm in Paraná State, Brazil; diseased animals showed ascites and neurological signs of infection, with more than 50% mortality. Exotic invasive species susceptible to this bacterium have been reported in this area. We assessed the susceptibility of pintado to E. ictaluri with experimental infection via intraperitoneal and immersion methods as well as a cohabitation experiment with Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and African walking catfish Clarias gariepinus, 2 exotic invasive species. All pintados challenged by intraperitoneal and immersion routes and those cohabiting with infected C. gariepinus died within 17 d of the challenge. Mortality of Nile tilapia reached 71.42% after the intraperitoneal and 35.71% in the immersion challenges within 28 d, whereas African walking catfish showed zero mortality. Observed clinical signs were comparable to those in the farm and those described in the literature as enteric septicemia of catfish. With this study, we demonstrated the susceptibility of P. corruscans to E. ictaluri, as well as interspecies transmission of this bacterium.

Consensus for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of feline mammary tumors / Consenso para o diagnóstico, prognóstico e tratamento de tumores mamários em felinos

Mammary neoplasms are described as the third most common type of feline tumor, after haematopoietic and skin tumors, and present a challenge for clinicians because the prognosis for feline mammary tumors ranges from guarded to poor. Thus, it is necessary to define new therapeutic approaches and establish more in-depth knowledge about this disease in felines. The main aspects of the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of feline mammary neoplasia were discussed, aiming to standardize the criteria and to serve as a guide for pathologists and veterinary clinicians.(AU)

As neoplasias mamárias são descritas como o terceiro tipo mais frequente de tumor em felinos (após as neoplasias hematopoiéticas e cutâneas) e apresentam um desafio para os clínicos devido ao prognóstico, que varia de reservado a ruim. Assim, é necessário conhecer melhor essa doença em felinos e definir novas abordagens terapêuticas. Discutiu-se os principais aspectos de diagnóstico, prognóstico e tratamento da neoplasia mamária felina, com o objetivo de padronizar os critérios e servir de guia para patologistas e clínicos veterinários.(AU)

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis-associated dermatitis and lymphadenitis in a dog.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an endemic disease of humans from Latin America that is caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii, with most cases of PCM in domestic animals being associated with P. brasiliensis. This study presents the clinical, cytological, mycological, serological, and molecular findings associated with P. brasiliensis in a dog from Southern Brazil. Fine needle biopsies were collected from the skin and several lymph nodes of a 5-year-old female Labrador dog that had enlargement of most superficial lymph nodes. Cytology of the skin and lymph nodes revealed pyogranulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis associated with fine-necked, budding fungal structures consistent with the Paracoccidioides genus of organisms; mycological culture derived from the lymph node aspirate demonstrated similar budding structures. Serological assays using exoantigens obtained from the fungal culture demonstrated that the fungal organisms derived from the lymph node were antigenically similar to P. brasiliensis by immunodiffusion and Western blot. A PCR assay, using the fungal culture as input, amplified a partial segment of the internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2 regions of P. brasiliensis; direct sequencing and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the PCR product as P. brasiliensis. The combined cytological, mycological, serological, and molecular findings confirmed a diagnosis of fungal dermatitis and lymphadenitis due to P. brasiliensis in this dog. This case represents the third description of clinical PCM in dogs and the first confirmation of mycotic dermatitis associated with P. brasiliensis in this species. The participation of dogs in the possible dissemination of PCM is reviewed, and it is proposed that dogs are probable accidental hosts in the epidemiological cycle associated with P. brasiliensis.

Congenital Mature Intracranial Teratoma in a Pampas Deer ( Ozotoceros bezoarticus ) in Brazil.

We describe a congenital mature intracranial teratoma in a Pampas deer ( Ozotoceros bezoarticus ) in southern Brazil. We found an irregular, spongy, space-occupying mass in the brain. The tumor consisted of well-differentiated tissues that derived from all three germ layers.

Cryptococcus gattii-Induced Infections in Dogs from Southern Brazil.

Cryptococcus gattii-induced cryptococcosis is an emerging infectious disease of humans and animals worldwide, with rare descriptions of this infection in domestic animals from Brazil. This study presents the findings associated with C. gattii in dogs from Londrina, Paraná, Southern Brazil. Two dogs, a 3-year-old, female German shepherd and a 6-year-old, male Boxer, were evaluated by a combination of pathological, mycological, and molecular diagnostic techniques. Significant pathological alterations included cryptococcal lymphadenitis, meningoencephalitis, tonsillitis, and rhinitis with nasal cryptococcomas in the German shepherd dog, while cryptococcal lymphadenitis and pneumonia were observed in the Boxer; both dogs had pseudocystic cryptococcosis. The mucicarmine histochemical stain readily identified the intralesional cryptococcal budding organisms in all affected tissues. Mycological culture and isolation confirmed the yeasts as C. gattii due to positive reaction with the L-canavanine glycine bromothymol blue agar. A PCR assay using the internal transcribed spacers (ITS)1 and ITS2 primers, which target the ITS1 and 2 regions including the 5.8S rRNA gene, amplified the desired amplicons; direct sequencing confirmed the isolate as C. gattii. ITS nucleotide differentiation demonstrated that the isolate forms part of the ITS type 4 Cryptococcus organisms which corresponds to the C. gattii VGII molecular subtype or the RAPD type 2 Cryptococcus organisms. Collectively, these findings confirmed the participation of C. gattii in the etiopathogenesis of the lesions observed in these dogs and expanded the epidemiological niche of this important mycotic agent to include Southern Brazil. It is noteworthy to mention that previous epidemiological studies have suggested that C. gattii-induced cryptococcosis is more frequently diagnosed in Northern relative to Southern Brazil, so these findings might suggest an expansion of the distribution of this agent within continental Brazil.

Caracterização histomorfológica da atrofia inflamatória proliferativa na próstata canina / Histomorphological characterization of proliferative inflammatory atrophy in canine prostate

A atrofia inflamatória proliferativa (PIA) é uma lesão prostática pré-maligna de grande ocorrência na próstata humana e, mais recentemente, também observada em cães. Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo verificar os aspectos histomorfológicos da PIA na próstata canina. Foram utilizadas 43 próstatas de cães adultos, de várias raças e portes, e com histórico ou não de doença prostática. Os focos de PIA apresentaram epitélio displásico, formado por ácinos atróficos e com mais de uma camada de células de morfologia atípica, especialmente anisocitose, anisocariose, citoplasma reduzido, núcleo volumoso e com nucléolo evidente. As alterações epiteliais eram sempre acompanhadas de infiltrado inflamatório intersticial periacinar predominantemente linfocitário. Foi observado um índice de 65 por cento de PIA. Destes, 39 por cento corresponderam à PIA com infiltrado inflamatório discreto, 42 por cento à PIA com infiltrado moderado e 19 por cento à PIA com infiltrado acentuado. Dessa forma, foi possível caracterizar a PIA prostática canina e constatar alta ocorrência dessa alteração nos cães examinados. Considera-se de grande importância a caracterização histomorfológica da PIA em cães, já que essa lesão vem sendo estudada na próstata humana quanto ao potencial pré-maligno. Ressalta-se ainda a possibilidade de utilização da próstata do cão como modelo experimental da PIA humana, considerando a semelhança dessa afecção prostática em ambas as espécies.

Proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA) is a premalignant prostatic change with high occurrence in human prostate and it has been recently observed in dogs. This research aimed to verify the morphologic aspects of the PIA in canine prostate. It was studied 43 glands of adult dogs of several breeds and sizes and with or without a history of prostatic disease. PIA focus was characterized by dysplastic epithelium, atrophic acini formed by several layers of cells with variable degrees of anisocytosis, anisokaryosis, reduced amount of cytoplasm and nuclei with prominent nucleoli. The epithelial changes were always accompanied by periacinar interstitial infiltrate composed of mononuclear cells, especially lymphocytes. The histomorphological evaluation showed occurrence of 65 percent of PIA. Out of these, 39 percent were PIA with discrete inflammatory infiltration, 42 percent PIA with moderate infiltrate and 19 percent PIA with marked infiltration. Thus, it was possible to characterize the PIA in the canine prostate which had high occurrence. The histomorphological characterization of canine PIA is considered of great importance because the premalignant characteristic of it have been studied in human prostate. The canine prostate can be used as an experimental model of human PIA, because the lesion is similar in both species.

Caracterização imunofenotípica e avaliação quantitativa do infiltrado linfocítário junto às áreas de displasia epitelial da próstata de cães adultos sexualmente intactos / Immunophenotipic characterization and quantitative evaluation of lymphocitary infiltrate in areas with prostatic epithelial dysplasia of intact and adult dogs

O estudo da próstata canina tem se tornado comum em razão da grande incidência de doenças prostáticas nessa espécie e das similaridades com as alterações apresentadas pela glândula prostática humana. Frente à alta frequência de displasias epiteliais acompanhadas de infiltrado linfocitário intersticial e atrofia acinar na espécie canina, o presente estudo teve como objetivos a caracterização imunofenotípica e a avaliação quantitativa desse infiltrado, utilizando marcadores para identificação de linfócitos T (anti-CD3) e B (anti-CD79a). Foram catalogadas 42 lesões displásicas classificadas em discreta (48 por cento), moderada (38 por cento) e acentuada (14 por cento). O infiltrado linfocitário intersticial periacinar junto às áreas de epitélio prostático displásico constituiu-se predominantemente por linfócitos T (66 por cento) e houve interação entre o grau histológico da displasia e o marcador imunoistoquímico, com oscilação na quantidade de células T e B intersticiais em função do grau da displasia epitelial.

Canine prostatic studies have been common due to high incidence of prostatic diseases in these animals and similarities with alterations in human prostatic gland. Due the high frequency of dysplasia associated with interstitial lymphocitary infiltrate and acinar atrophy in canine prostate, the aims in this study were the immunophenotypic characterization and the quantitative evaluation of the same infiltrated using anti-CD3 and anti-CD79a to T and B lymphocytes, respectively. Forty two epithelial dysplasic lesions were graduated in discrete (48 percent), moderate (38 percent) and accentuated (14 percent). Lymphocitary periacinar infiltrate in dysplasic areas was T type and interaction between dysplasia grade and marker was observed, with oscillation of T and B cells in according with epithelial dysplasia grade.