Causes and Pathology of Equine Pneumonia and Pleuritis in Southern Brazil.

We document the causes and pathological findings in 50 cases of equine pneumonia and pleuritis in Southern Brazil. Suppurative (17/50), pyogranulomatous (14/50), aspiration (5/50), mycotic (4/50), bronchointerstitial (3/50), embolic (3/50) and eosinophilic granulomatous pneumonia (1/50) and pleuritis (3/50) were the main conditions identified. Streptococcus spp. were identified in 11 cases of suppurative pneumonia. Suppurative pneumonia was further divided into acute (8/17), subacute (6/17) and chronic (3/17) based on the morphological pattern of lesions. Rhodococcus equi was identified in all cases of pyogranulomatous pneumonia and exclusively affected young foals.

Trueperella pyogenes como causa de aborto em uma vaca - relato de caso / Trueperella pyogenes as an abortion cause in a cow - case report

Trueperella pyogenes é uma bactéria oportunista que causa mastite, metrite e abortos esporádicos em bovinos. Este trabalho relata um caso incomum de abort em uma vaca por Trueperella pyogenes. Um feto bovino, fêmea, mestiço Brahman, com oito meses de gestação, foi encaminhado para exame anatomopatológico e exames complementares. Na necropsia, evidenciou-se grande quantidade de líquido serossanguinolento e moderada quantidade de fibrina recobrindo a pleura visceral e o saco pericárdico. Os pulmões estavam difusamente avermelhados e consolidados, com áreas firmes esbranquiçadas ao corte de não mais de 1cm. No exame histopatológico, observou-se pneumonia necrossupurativa, pleurite fibrinopurulenta e placentite purulenta. No exame microbiológico, isolou-se T. pyogenes nas amostras de fígado, pulmões, conteúdo abomasal do feto e placenta. O feto foi negativo na PCR para Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii e vírus da diarreia viral bovina (BVDV). Trueperella pyogenes geralmente causa broncopneumonia supurativa com formação de abscessos, porém, no presente feto abortado, observaram-se lesões macro e microscópicas comumente descritas em casos de aborto por Brucella abortus. Este estudo constata, então, a importância dessa bactéria como causa de aborto em bovinos, com lesões semelhantes à brucelose, destacando sua relevância dentro das causas de aborto em bovinos e o potencial zoonótico pouco explorado.(AU)

Trueperella pyogenes is an opportunistic bacterium associated with mastitis, metritis and occasional abortion in bovines. Here we report an uncommon case of abortion by T. pyogenes in a cow. An aborted female Brahman bovine fetus, at 8 months of gestational age was submitted for anatomopathological examination and complementary diagnostic tests. Macroscopic findings at necropsy included large amounts of free serum-blood fluid and moderate fibrin deposition covering both the visceral pleura and pericardial sack. The lungs were diffusely reddened and markedly consolidated, showing widespread smaller than 1cm, hard, white nodules. Necrosuppurative pneumonia, fibrinopurulent pleuritis, and purulent placentitis were the main histopathologic alterations observed. Trueperella pyogenes was isolated from liver, lungs, abomasa contents and placental samples. All tissue samples were PCR-negative for Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Although T. pyogenes is often involved in suppurative bronchopneumonia and abscesses formation, macro and microscopic lesions in the present report were compatible with those commonly attributed to Brucella abortus fetal infections. Trueperella pyogenes is an important bovine pathogen with a neglected zoonotic potential being responsible for infections that can mimic other diseases' typical presentations.(AU)

Systemic absortion and adverse effects of topical ocular use of ketorolac tromethamine and sodium diclofenac in New Zealand rabbits for 90 days / Absorção sistêmica e efeitos adversos do uso tópico ocular por 90 dias de cetorolaco de trometamina e diclofenacode sódio em coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia

The effect of the systemic absorption of 0.1% diclofenac sodium (DS) eyedrop was compared to that of 0.5% ketorolac tromethamine (KT) in female New Zealand white rabbits treated on both eyes three times a day for 90 days. The rabbits were divided in three groups of six animals (n= 18): KT group, DS group, and control (Co) group, in which saline (0.9% NaCl) solution was instilled. Water and food consumption were measured daily, clinical examination was performed weekly, and blood samples were collected every 30 days for laboratory examination. The plasma was analyzed for the presence of KT and DS by solid-phase extraction (SPE) associated with mass spectrometry (MS). Systemic absorption of these drugs was confirmed by SPE-MS, allowing their separation and identification in the plasma. At the end of the treatment, the animals were euthanized and necropsied, and no macroscopic or microscopic changes were found. This observation confirmed the laboratory results, which were within normal reference standards for the species. According to the results obtained, it can be concluded that treatment with eyedrops containing KT and DS for 90 days in healthy rabbits does not cause adverse systemic effects.(AU)

Comparou-se o efeito da absorção sistêmica do colírio de diclofenaco de sódio 0,1% (DS) em relação ao de cetorolaco de trometamina 0,5% (CT) em coelhas da raça Nova Zelândia, tratadas nos dois olhos, três vezes ao dia, por 90 dias. As coelhas foram separadas em três grupos de seis animais (n=18): grupo CT, grupo DS e grupo controle (Co), no qual foi instilada solução fisiológica (NaCl 0,9%). Os consumos de água e ração foram mensurados diariamente, os exames clínicos foram realizados semanalmente e o sangue foi coletado a cada 30 dias para realização de exames laboratoriais. O plasma foi analisado para detectar a presença de CT e DS por extração em fase sólida (SPE) associada à espectrometria de massas (MS). A absorção sistêmica desses fármacos foi confirmada por SPE-MS, permitindo sua separação e identificação no plasma. Ao final do tratamento, os animais foram eutanasiados e necropsiados, e não foram encontradas alterações macroscópicas ou microscópicas. Essa observação confirmou os resultados laboratoriais, que estavam dentro dos padrões de referência para a espécie. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que o tratamento com colírio contendo KT e DS, por 90 dias, em coelhos saudáveis, não causa efeitos adversos sistêmicos.(AU)

Epidemiological and Pathological Characterization of Feline Injection Site Sarcomas in Southern Brazil.

Feline injection site sarcoma (FISS) is a mesenchymal neoplasm with highly malignant characteristics. These tumours originate in anatomical sites where there has been previous parenteral administration of medicinal substances or implantation of medical devices. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological and pathological features associated with FISS in the southern region of Brazil. The database of the Department of Veterinary Pathology of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul was searched for excisional and incisional biopsy samples compatible with FISS submitted between 2007 and 2017. Biopsy reports were reviewed and epidemiological information, including breed, age and sex of affected cats, as well as gross findings including anatomical location and size of the tumour and the presence of tissue invasion, were extracted. Eighty-nine samples were selected based on the established criteria. Most animals were of undefined breed and were female cats with a median age of 10 years. Grossly, 84.8% of the tumours were >2 cm in diameter. Regarding anatomical location, 34.9% of the tumours were located in the subcutaneous tissue of the thoracic wall, 29.2% in the flank, 21.3% in the interscapular region and 14.6% in the limbs. Histologically, the tumours originated in the subcutaneous tissue and were diagnosed as malignant mesenchymal neoplasms. Most were compatible with fibrosarcomas, but variants with features of pleomorphic sarcoma or chondrosarcoma were recognized. All tumours exhibited areas of necrosis and peripheral inflammatory infiltrate, composed predominantly of lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages. The results of this study suggest the need for dissemination of information on FISS epidemiology and guidelines for management of this tumour to veterinarians in the region.

Histiocytic Ulcerative Colitis in an American Staffordshire Terrier.

A 9-year-old female American Staffordshire terrier was presented to a veterinary hospital with diarrhoea, severe prostration, hypothermia, dehydration and anaemia. The dog died 6 days after the first consultation. At necropsy examination the serosa of the large intestine showed a granular appearance and the mucosa was thickened, ulcerated and red, with prominent folding. Histological examination revealed marked inflammatory infiltration of macrophages into the mucosa and submucosa of the large intestine. These cells stained positively by the periodic acid-Schiff reaction. Immunohistochemistry showed marked presence of intracytoplasmic Escherichia coli in the macrophages. Bacteriological examination of intestinal sections yielded E. coli growth and the isolate displayed atypical characteristics when compared with strains associated with previously published cases of histiocytic ulcerative colitis (HUC). The molecular characterization showed that the isolate harboured none of the genes associated with enterotoxigenic E. coli strains and harboured only a limited number of genes associated with extra-intestinal pathotypes. Adherent and invasive E. coli are unlikely to have been involved in the pathogenesis of HUC in the present case. HUC is a rare disease with a predisposition for boxer dogs; however, sporadic occurrence in other breeds may occur. This is the first reported case of HUC in an American Staffordshire terrier.

Multifocal Spinal Cord Nephroblastoma in a Dog.

A 1-year-old male American pit bull terrier was presented with a history of proprioceptive deficits and mild lameness of the right hindlimb, which progressed after 5 months to paraparesis, culminating in tetraparesis after 2 weeks. Necropsy findings were limited to the spinal cord and consisted of multiple, intradural, extramedullary, slightly red masses which produced segmental areas of medullary swelling located in the cervical intumescence, thoracolumbar column, sacral segment and cauda equina. Histological evaluation revealed a tumour, composed of epithelial, stromal and blastemal cells, with structures resembling tubules, acini and embryonic glomeruli. Immunohistochemical labelling for vimentin, cytokeratin and S100 was positive for the stromal, epithelial and blastemal cells, respectively. A final diagnosis of multifocal spinal cord nephroblastoma was established. This is the first report of such a tumour showing concomitant involvement of the cervicothoracic, thoracolumbar, sacral and cauda equina areas of the spinal cord.

Presence of atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) in Brazilian pigs.

Recently, a putative new pestivirus species, provisionally named as Atypical Porcine Pestivirus (APPV), was associated with the congenital tremor in piglets in North America and consequently in Europe and Asia. The present research aimed to describe the detection and characterization of APPV employing NS5B gene partial sequencing, gross pathology and histologic examination of piglets displaying congenital tremor from two different farms of Southern Brazil. No gross lesions were observed, and the histological findings revealed moderate vacuolization of the white matter of the cerebellum. RT-PCR followed by DNA sequencing and a phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of APPV in samples from the two farms, which the samples were distinct in nature. Phylogenetic reconstruction reinforced the high genetic variability within the APPVs previously reported. This is the first report of APPV in South America suggesting that this new group of viruses may be widespread in swine herds in other countries as it is in Brazil.

Aging affects the response of female rats to a hypercaloric diet.

Metabolic syndrome is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, among other conditions. Studies have shown that aging and metabolic syndrome share several metabolic alterations, and that aged individuals, in particular females, are at an increased risk of developing metabolic disorders. Although several studies have investigated the effects of hypercaloric diets in the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome in young animals, few studies have investigated these parameters in aged animals, especially in females. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a hypercaloric diet in metabolic parameters of young and aged female rats, including its effects on lipid and glycemic profile and on liver lipid content. When compared to young animals, the aged rats presented increased serum levels of triglycerides and decreased serum levels of HDL cholesterol and glycemia, as well as increased hepatic levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol. The hypercaloric diet increased food intake, body weight gain and adiposity index, leading both young and aged animals to a dyslipidemia, represented by increased serum levels of triglycerides. The hypercaloric diet increased the glycemia and the HOMA index only in the young animals. On the other hand, the diet increased the frequency of hepatocellular microvacuolar degeneration only in the aged animals. In summary, it was observed that the females from different ages respond differently to hypercaloric diet intake: while the aged animals were more resistant to the changes in the glycemic profile, they were more susceptible to the hepatic damage caused by this diet.

Neurotoxicosis in horses associated with consumption of Trema micrantha.

BACKGROUND: Trema micrantha is a tree widely distributed throughout the Americas. The tree produces highly palatable leaves that have been associated with natural poisoning in goats, sheep and horses, in which hepatic necrosis and hepatic encephalopathy have been observed. OBJECTIVES: This study describes malacia and haemorrhage in the central nervous system (CNS) due to T. micrantha consumption, with minimal to absent hepatic lesions. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: A total of 14 horses with a history of neurological signs and spontaneous consumption of T. micrantha leaves were submitted to necropsy and multiple samples were collected for histopathology. Details of clinical history and signs of the horses were obtained through inquiries to the owners and attending veterinarians. RESULTS: All the 14 horses had neurological signs of ataxia, severe sialorrhoea, involuntary running movements, sternal and lateral recumbency, and death after a clinical course that lasted from 24 h to 9 days. For a few days prior to onset of clinical signs, all horses had spontaneously consumed, potentially toxic doses of T. micrantha leaves. All 14 brains had diffuse yellowish discoloration affecting the rhombencephalon, mesencephalon, diencephalon, telencephalon and corpus striatum. In all cases, the most severe lesions were observed in the pons. Spinal cord lesions were observed affecting the lumbar intumescence, which was swollen with darken and depressed areas at the dorsal and ventral horns, and at the sacral level, which on cut surface displayed a friable and yellowish grey matter. The lesions observed grossly in brain and spinal cord consisted microscopically of severe vasculitis and liquefactive necrosis of white and grey matter of the brainstem, cerebellum and spinal cord. MAIN LIMITATIONS: This is a small retrospective series relying on clinical observations reported by owners and attending veterinarians. The mechanism of action of the plant toxin in the CNS is still unidentified. CONCLUSION: T. micrantha poisoning in horses causes predominantly a neurological disease, with minimal to absent hepatic lesions.

Histomorphometric study of the anterior latissimus dorsi muscle and evaluation of enzymatic markers of broilers affected with dorsal cranial myopathy.

Dorsal cranial myopathy (DCM), which affects the anterior latissimus dorsi (ALD) muscles of commercial broilers, is of unknown etiology, and it represents up to 6% of the partial condemnations in Brazilian slaughterhouses. This study was performed to achieve histomorphometric characterizations of the ALD muscles from male Cobb 500 broilers slaughtered at either 35 d or 42 d and to evaluate the effects of DCM on the enzymatic markers aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and on uric acid and creatinine metabolites. Blood samples (1.5 to 3 mL) and ALD muscle fragments were collected from each carcass, all of which were processed in a commercial inline processing system. For each age, twelve macroscopically normal animals and twelve animals found to exhibit DCM were randomly selected for histomorphometric evaluation and analysis of serologic profiles. Microscopic evaluations demonstrated that the muscle fibers of those with DCM exhibited a strong presence of multifocal regenerative myodegeneration as well as a substitution of muscle tissue with connective tissue (P < 0.001) through fibrosis, thus characterizing the chronicity and hardness of the affected muscle. It is suggested that DCM is a localized muscle lesion because the detected serum levels of CK (P < 0.001), AST (P < 0.001), ALT (P = 0.01), and LDH (P < 0.001) enzymes were strongly associated with the group affected by DCM. Additional studies are needed to gain an understanding of this myopathy because it is an emerging problem in the poultry industry. In addition, it is related to DCM lesions in fast-growing broilers with the greatest slaughter weights.

Dispneia expiratória restritiva em um gato com fibrose pulmonar idiopática: relato de caso / Restrictive expiratory dyspnea in a cat with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: case report

As doenças pulmonares intersticiais constituem um grupo de doenças difusas do parênquima pulmonar, no qual a fibrose pulmonar intersticial está incluída. Histologicamente, esta se caracteriza por hiperplasia de pneumócitos tipo II, hiperplasia ou hipertrofia de músculo liso e fibrose. Embora a patogenia da fibrose pulmonar intersticial não esteja bem elucidada, devido às semelhanças microscópicas encontradas nos pneumócitos tipo II em felinos e na forma familiar da doença em humanos, acredita-se que haja caráter genético para o seu desenvolvimento. Os sinais clínicos frequentemente relatados incluem desconforto respiratório, cianose, letargia e perda de peso. Devido ao caráter progressivo e à ausência de tratamento específico, a doença apresenta prognóstico desfavorável. Foi atendida uma gata de 12 anos de idade, com histórico de dispneia há 20 dias. Ao exame clínico, o animal apresentou dispneia expiratória restritiva, crepitação à ausculta torácica e foi visualizado padrão intersticial ao exame radiográfico do tórax. A paciente foi submetida à punção com agulha fina de tecido pulmonar e veio a óbito algumas horas após o procedimento, apresentando insuficiência respiratória aguda. No exame histológico do tecido pulmonar, foi verificada a ocorrência de fibrose pulmonar idiopática. O objetivo do presente trabalho é relatar um caso de dispneia expiratória restritiva em um felino doméstico devido à fibrose pulmonar idiopática, já que, segundo o conhecimento dos autores, não há nenhum relato da ocorrência da doença no país.(AU)

Interstitial lung diseases are a group of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases in which interstitial lung fibrosis is included. Histologically, it is characterized by type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, hypertrophy or hyperplasia of smooth tissue and fibrosis. Although the pathogenesis of interstitial lung fibrosis has not been elucidated, due to the microscopic similarities found in type II pneumocytes in cats and familial form of the disease in humans, it is believed that there is a genetic trait for development. The frequently reported clinical signs include respiratory distress, cyanosis, lethargy, and weight loss. Due to the progressive nature and the absence of specific treatment, the disease has a poor prognosis. A 12-year-old cat with dyspnea for 20 days was assisted. The animal underwent fine needle aspiration of lung tissue and died few hours after the procedure, with acute respiratory failure. Upon histological examination of lung tissue, the occurrence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was found. The aim of this study is to report a case of restrictive expiratory dyspnea in a domestic feline due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, because, according to our knowledge, there is no report on the occurrence of the disease in our country.(AU)

Genetic Diversity of Brazilian Bovine Pestiviruses Detected Between 1995 and 2014.

Pestivirus infections in ruminants result in significant economic losses worldwide. The aetiological agents are three species from the genus Pestivirus, family Flaviviridae, including bovine viral diarrhoea virus type 1 (BVDV-1), BVDV-2, border disease virus (BDV), and an atypical pestivirus named HoBi-like pestivirus. In this study, eighty-nine pestivirus isolates that were collected in Brazil between 1995 and 2014 and that originated from either cattle, fetal bovine serum (FBS) or as cell culture contaminants were genotyped based on a comparison of gene sequences from their 5' untranslated regions (5'UTR), N-terminal autoprotease (Npro ) and envelope glycoprotein 2 (E2). Of these isolates, 53.9% of the sequences were genotyped as BVDV-1, 33.7% as BVDV-2 and 12.4% as HoBi-like pestivirus. The prevalence of subgenotypes within the species was as follows: BVDV-1a (35.9%), BVDV-2b (31.4%), BVDV-1b (10.1%), BVDV-1d (6.7%), BVDV-2c (2.2%) and BVDV-1e (1.1%). BVDV-2c and BVDV-1e were detected for the first time in Brazil. This study revealed extensive genetic diversity among Brazilian pestivirus isolates, and the combination of pestiviruses that was detected is unique to Brazil. This information may serve as a foundation for designing and evaluating diagnostic tools and in the development of more effective vaccines; therefore, it may potentially contribute to pestivirus control and eradication.

Natural Outbreak of BVDV-1d-Induced Mucosal Disease Lacking Intestinal Lesions.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) belongs to the Pestivirus genus, which is further divided into subgenotypes (1a-1u and 2a-c). When persistent infection occurs, the calf will be immunotolerant to BVDV and possibly develop mucosal disease. This study describes an outbreak of BVDV-1d-induced mucosal disease lacking intestinal lesions. Eleven calves presented with anorexia, sialorrhea, lameness, recumbency, and death. Three calves were necropsied, showing ulceration of the interdigital skin and the oral and nasal mucosa; linear ulcers in the tongue, esophagus, and rumen; and rounded ulcers in the abomasum. Microscopically, mucosa and skin had superficial necrosis, with single-cell necrosis and vacuolation in epithelial cells, and severe parakeratosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed BVDV antigen in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells in skin and mucosa. All 11 dead calves were positive upon reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the detection of Pestivirus along with another 11 live calves from the herd, which were positive again by RT-PCR and IHC after a 4-week interval. Sequencing of the 5' untranslated region and N-terminal protease showed that viruses from these 22 calves were homologous and of subgenotype BVDV-1d. Cytopathic BVDV was isolated from 8 of 11 dead calves, but only noncytopathic BVDV was isolated from the 11 live animals. The findings indicate that this was an outbreak of mucosal disease caused by BVDV-1d, with high morbidity, and lesions restricted to the upper alimentary system and skin and absent from intestine. Thus, the epidemiological and pathological features in this form of mucosal disease may be similar to vesicular diseases, including foot and mouth disease.

Implante de Port-o-Cath para quimioterapia antineoplásica em um canino: relato de caso / Implant of Port-o-Cath for antineoplastic chemotherapy in a canine: case report

O Port-o-Cath é um cateter venoso central totalmente implantável, o qual permite a infusão de quimioterápicos, hemoderivados, nutrição parenteral e coleta de sangue. Este trabalho relata o caso de um canino com um tumor no membro pélvico que foi tratado cirurgicamente e recebeu o cateter para a quimioterapia antineoplásica. A paciente possuía um sarcoma sinovial, tumor incomum em cães, que acomete normalmente as articulações e exige terapia multimodal. O tratamento foi feito em duas etapas; na primeira, o membro foi amputado e, na segunda, foi realizado o implante do Port-o-Cath e exérese de nódulo metastático. A cadela respondeu satisfatoriamente à cirurgia e realizou as sessões de quimioterapia com perfeito funcionamento do cateter, indo a óbito por outras causas 90 dias após o procedimento. O implante de Port-o-Cath para a quimioterapia é um grande aliado à terapia multimodal preconizada para o câncer, podendo o cateter ser considerado em pacientes que necessitem de medicação quimioterápica por longo período.(AU)

The Port-a-Cath is a totally implantable central venous catheter that allows the infusion of chemotherapeutic agents, blood products, parenteral nutrition, and blood sample collection. This work reports the case of a dog with a tumor in the pelvic limb that was treated surgically and received the catheter for cancer chemotherapy. The patient was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, an uncommon tumor in dogs that usually affects the joints and requires multimodal therapy. The treatment was done in two steps, in the first the limb was amputated and in the second the Port-a-Cath implantation and the excision of the metastatic nodule were performed. The dog responded well to surgery and chemotherapy sessions held with proper functioning of the catheter, and died from other causes 90 days after the procedure. The implantation of Port-a-Cath for chemotherapy is a great ally of multimodal therapy recommended for cancer, so this catheter may be considered for patients requiring chemotherapy medication for a long period.(AU)

Chronic Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Two Cats with Diabetes Mellitus.

Human patients with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of fungal infections. Diabetes mellitus has also been implicated as a predisposing factor in the establishment of fungal lung infections in cats. Two diabetic cats of different origins presented with severe acute respiratory conditions that resulted in their death. At necropsy examination there was friable, black material in the main bronchi that obstructed the bronchial lumina. Microscopical examination of the lungs revealed the presence of pneumonia, calcium oxalate crystals and a large quantity of fungal hyphae and conidial heads. Fungal infection was confirmed with Grocott's methenamine silver stain. The results of the mycology analysis were compatible with Aspergillus section Nigri.

Treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy in rabbits with mesenchymal stem cell transplantation and platelet-rich plasma.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, and there is evidence to suggest that stem cell transplantation may be a viable treatment option for this condition. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to assess myocardial regeneration in rabbits with doxorubicin-induced DCM treated with adipose mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) alone or in combination with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Twenty New Zealand rabbits received doxorubicin for the induction of DCM and were divided into four groups according to treatment: saline, MSC, PRP and MSC + RP. Treatment agents were injected directly into the left ventricular myocardium following a thoracoscopy. Rabbits were assessed through echocardiographic and electrocardiographic examinations, as well as serum cardiac troponin I measurements at baseline, after the induction of DCM and 15 days after treatment. Animals were euthanased following the last assessment, and hearts were collected for histopathological analyses. The MSC group showed improvements in all parameters assessed, while the PRP group showed significantly impaired heart function. Histopathology of the heart revealed that the MSC group displayed the lowest number of lesions, while rabbits in the MSC + PRP, saline and PRP groups had steadily advancing lesions. These results suggest that MSC transplantation can improve heart function in rabbits with DCM, and underscore the need for further studies of the effects of PRP on the myocardium.

Myocarditis caused by Feline Immunodeficiency Virus in Five Cats with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Viral infections have been implicated as the cause of cardiomyopathy in several mammalian species. This study describes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and myocarditis associated with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in five cats aged between 1 and 4 years. Clinical manifestations included dyspnoea in four animals, one of which also exhibited restlessness. One animal showed only lethargy, anorexia and vomiting. Necropsy examination revealed marked cardiomegaly, marked left ventricular hypertrophy and pallor of the myocardium and epicardium in all animals. Microscopical and immunohistochemical examination showed multifocal infiltration of the myocardium with T lymphocytes and fewer macrophages, neutrophils and plasma cells. An intense immunoreaction for FIV antigen in the cytoplasm and nucleus of lymphocytes and the cytoplasm of some macrophages was observed via immunohistochemistry (IHC). IHC did not reveal the presence of antigen from feline calicivirus, coronavirus, feline leukaemia virus, feline parvovirus, Chlamydia spp. or Toxoplasma gondii. The results demonstrate the occurrence of FIV infection in inflammatory cells in the myocardium of five cats with myocarditis and HCM.

Clinical Presentation Resembling Mucosal Disease Associated with 'HoBi'-like Pestivirus in a Field Outbreak.

The genus Pestivirus of the family Flaviviridae consists of four recognized species: Bovine viral diarrhoea virus 1 (BVDV-1), Bovine viral diarrhoea virus 2 (BVDV-2), Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and Border disease virus (BDV). Recently, atypical pestiviruses ('HoBi'-like pestiviruses) were identified in batches of contaminated foetal calf serum and in naturally infected cattle with and without clinical symptoms. Here, we describe the first report of a mucosal disease-like clinical presentation (MD) associated with a 'HoBi'-like pestivirus occurring in a cattle herd. The outbreak was investigated using immunohistochemistry, antibody detection, viral isolation and RT-PCR. The sequence and phylogenetic analysis of 5'NCR, N(pro) and E2 regions of the RT-PCR positive samples showed that four different 'HoBi'-like strains were circulating in the herd. The main clinical signs and lesions were observed in the respiratory and digestive systems, but skin lesions and corneal opacity were also observed. MD characteristic lesions and a pestivirus with cytopathic biotype were detected in one calf. The present study is the first report of a MD like presentation associated with natural infection with 'HoBi'-like pestivirus. This report describes the clinical signs and provides a pathologic framework of an outbreak associated with at least two different 'HoBi'-like strains. Based on these observations, it appears that these atypical pestiviruses are most likely underdiagnosed in Brazilian cattle.

Scrapie diagnosis in a goat and four Santa Inês sheep from the same herd in Brazil / Diagnóstico de scrapie em um caprino e quatro ovinos Santa Inês de um mesmo rebanho no Brasil

Scrapie is a fatal and progressive transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) of natural occurrence in sheep and goats. The suspicion of scrapie may be based on clinical signs; however, the detection of pathological features of the prionic protein (PrP) in target tissues is necessary to diagnose the disease. The presence of an abnormal protein form (PrPSc) in lymphoreticular and nervous tissues is an important characteristic in diagnosis. This paper reports a case of scrapie in a flock of 55 Suffolk crossbred sheep, 19 Santa Inês sheep and 21 goats in the Mato Grosso state, midwestern Brazil. The animals were euthanized after the confirmation of a scrapie case with clinical signs in a Suffolk sheep in the same farm...

Scrapie é uma encefalopatia espongiforme transmissível (EET) progressiva e fatal de ocorrência natural em ovinos e caprinos. A suspeita de scrapie é baseada nos sinais clínicos, porém a manifestação patológica da proteína priônica (PrP) nos tecidos-alvo é necessária para a confirmação da doença. A presença de uma forma anormal da proteína (PrPSc) em tecido linforreticular e tecido nervoso constitui uma característica importante para o diagnóstico. Este trabalho é o relato de um foco de scrapie ocorrido em rebanho com 55 ovinos mistos Suffolk, 21 caprinos e 19 ovinos Santa Inês, na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Os animais foram eutanasiados após a confirmação de um caso de scrapie com sinais clínicos em um ovino Suffolk nessa propriedade...

Transrectal endoscopy with three different techniques of rectal suture associate: NOTES survival study with liver biopsy in a swine model / Endoscopia transretal para biópsia hepática associada com três diferentes técnicas de sutura retal: estudo da NOTES em modelo experimental suíno

A cirurgia endoscópica por orifícios naturais (NOTES) representa um novo conceito de cirurgia, caracterizada por ausência de incisões abdominais. Os acessos mais comumente usados são o transvaginal e o transgástrico. Entretanto, as rotas transcolônica e transretal representam alternativas promissoras. O presente estudo objetiva avaliar três diferentes técnicas de sutura retal em três suínos submetidos a NOTES transretal para biópsia hepática, avaliando-se concomitantemente as repercussões clínicas e hematológicas. Sob anestesia geral, foi realizada uma incisão transversal no reto para a passagem do endoscópio até a cavidade abdominal em todos os animais para a realização da biópsia hepática. Cada animal recebeu um tipo de sutura retal: sutura em dois planos; reforço com tela de polipropileno ou reforço com membrana de pericárdio bovino. A NOTES transretal em modelo experimental suíno não apresentou implicações clínicas e hematológicas importantes, o que demonstra um acesso alternativo para biópsia hepática. Nenhum animal apresentou sinais de peritonite, aderências ou deiscência de pontos. O uso de reforço com pericárdio bovino para a sutura retal apresenta um atraso na cicatrização quando comparado com a sutura convencional ou com o uso de tela de polipropileno.(AU)