Abortion in captive gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) associated with colloid goiter, hemonchosis and necrotizing rumenitis

Background: The gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) is a specie that shows great adaptability in different habitats and it is the most abundant deer specie in South America. The present work describes for the first time a case of abortion followed by death associated with colloid goiter, massive hemonchosis and necrotizing rumenitis in a captive female gray brocket deer. Case: A 4-year-old female gray brocket deer (M. gouazoubira) raised in captivity had a history of abortion during the last third of gestation. The animal was kept in an enclosure together with 3 other gray brockets deers, being 1 male of the same age and 2 juvenile brocket deer of approximately 1 and 2 years old. The animals were fed with concentrated used as cattle feed and dewormed annually with 1% Ivermectin. The animals' enclosure had vegetation cover formed by grasses and soil. The animals appeared healthy with no behavioral changes. The day after the stillbirth, the mother was found dead in the enclosure and sent to the animal pathology sector of the University of Vila Velha (UVV), Brazil. Necropsy revealed that thyroid lobules were highly increased in volume and histopathological findings were compatible with colloid goiter. A large number of nematodes were found in the abomasal content, totalizing 11,626 helminths, which were morphologically characterized as Haemonchus contortus. Grossly, the serous and ruminal mucosa exhibited an extensively reddish focal area with irregular contour, surface ulceration and a firm consistency. Microscopically, a severe necrotizing rumenitis was diagnosed. The liver showed pale multifocal areas on the subcapsular surface, friable to the touch which deepened when cut. Histopathological analysis revealed an accentuated multifocal panlobular coagulative necrosis, characterizing an acute liver necrosis. Discussion: Iodine is a mineral of great importance for thyroid hormones synthesis and your requirements are higher during pregnancy and lactation. Diets deficient in iodine causes a reduction in the basal activity of the hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) and over-stimulation of the thyroid by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), resulting in goiter. In the present case, it is possible that the shortage of iodine in diet caused a goiter and, as a consequence, triggered the abortion. Haemonchus contortus is a pathogenic nematode of small ruminants, leading to decreased productivity and death in some cases as a result of anemia and hypoxia. The contact between domestic and wild animals, resulting in the emergence of infectious diseases and the spread of pathogens among species. In the present case, manual counting accounted for 11,626 H. contortus larvae, characterizing a massive infection and justifying the condition of severe anemia. The high parasitic load shown in this case points out this parasite's importance related to this species in captivity. In general, inflammatory lesions in the rumen are results of excessive intake of fermentable carbohydrates, which leads to a considerable decrease in ruminal pH and leads to a high proliferation of lactic acid bacteria. This lesion has been previously reported in cervids. This case of comorbidities demonstrates that failures in nutritional and health handling, may cause simultaneous multiple diseases leading to death. Preventive measures for helminth parasite control and a proper feeding management with an adequate diet must be provided in order to preserve the species in captivity.

Perinatal mortality in cattle associated with goitre

The role of iodine in ruminant reproductive function is well known. However, studies about the impact of this deficiency in reproductive performance of cattle are scarce. This paper describes stillbirth episodes in three beef cow herds in northwest Argentina. The stillbirth losses ranged between 15.8 and 25%. Grossly, the thyroid glands presented diffuse, bilateral and symmetric enlargement. Microscopically, follicular epithelium showed severe hyperplasia and hypertrophy, forming multiple stratified layers of large cuboidal cells, with papillary projections into the follicular lumen. Free thyroxine (T4f) mean levels in serum from aborted cows and heifers was 0.63±0.05 ng/dl. A diagnosis of congenital goiter was performed based on these findings. Following the diagnosis, the herds were supplemented orally and parentally with iodine. Mean T4f level post-treatment was 0.80±0.05 ng/dl and the stillbirth rate dropped sharply.(AU)

Perinatal mortality in cattle associated with goitre

The role of iodine in ruminant reproductive function is well known. However, studies about the impact of this deficiency in reproductive performance of cattle are scarce. This paper describes stillbirth episodes in three beef cow herds in northwest Argentina. The stillbirth losses ranged between 15.8 and 25%. Grossly, the thyroid glands presented diffuse, bilateral and symmetric enlargement. Microscopically, follicular epithelium showed severe hyperplasia and hypertrophy, forming multiple stratified layers of large cuboidal cells, with papillary projections into the follicular lumen. Free thyroxine (T4f) mean levels in serum from aborted cows and heifers was 0.63±0.05 ng/dl. A diagnosis of congenital goiter was performed based on these findings. Following the diagnosis, the herds were supplemented orally and parentally with iodine. Mean T4f level post-treatment was 0.80±0.05 ng/dl and the stillbirth rate dropped sharply.

Bócio congênito em caprinos no Noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Congenital caprine goiter in northwestern Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

Os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e anatomopatológicos de um surto de bócio congênito em caprinos são descritos. A etiologia dessa condição foi associada à ausência de suplementação mineral com iodo para as cabras prenhes, e constituiu o fator responsável pela natimortalidade nesse surto. Clinicamente, todos os natimortos apresentaram marcado aumento de volume na região cervical ventral cranial e alopecia difusa. Na necropsia de um dos cabritos natimortos, observou-se acentuado aumento de volume simétrico de ambos os lobos da glândula tireoide, que eram firmes, compactos e vermelho-escuros. Histologicamente, as lesões eram características de bócio hiperplásico difuso e consistiam de: 1) marcada hiperplasia e hipertrofia do epitélio folicular; 2) formação de folículos tireoidianos marcadamente heterogêneos, devido principalmente à quantidade variável de coloide intraluminal; e 3) presença de vacúolos endocíticos, que representam a endocitose do coloide e demonstram a atividade da glândula tireoide.

The epidemiological, clinical, and anatomopathological aspects of an outbreak of congenital caprine goiter are described in this article. The cause of the congenital goiter and neonatal deaths was attributed to the absence of mineral supplementation with iodine to the pregnant dams. Clinically, all neonatal dead goats presented with marked swelling on the cranioventral cervical area and diffuse body alopecia. One of the dead kids was submitted to necropsy, and changes consisted of marked, symmetrical enlargement of both thyroid lobes, which were also firm, compact, and dark red. Histologically, changes were characteristic of diffuse hyperplastic goiter and consisted of: 1) marked follicular thyroid hyperplasia and hypertrophy; 2) formation of heterogeneous thyroid follicles due to the variable amounts of luminal colloid; and 3) presence of endocytic vacuoles, which represent colloid endocytosis and demonstrate activity of the thyroid gland.

Bócio congênito em caprinos no Noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Congenital caprine goiter in northwestern Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

Os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e anatomopatológicos de um surto de bócio congênito em caprinos são descritos. A etiologia dessa condição foi associada à ausência de suplementação mineral com iodo para as cabras prenhes, e constituiu o fator responsável pela natimortalidade nesse surto. Clinicamente, todos os natimortos apresentaram marcado aumento de volume na região cervical ventral cranial e alopecia difusa. Na necropsia de um dos cabritos natimortos, observou-se acentuado aumento de volume simétrico de ambos os lobos da glândula tireoide, que eram firmes, compactos e vermelho-escuros. Histologicamente, as lesões eram características de bócio hiperplásico difuso e consistiam de: 1) marcada hiperplasia e hipertrofia do epitélio folicular; 2) formação de folículos tireoidianos marcadamente heterogêneos, devido principalmente à quantidade variável de coloide intraluminal; e 3) presença de vacúolos endocíticos, que representam a endocitose do coloide e demonstram a atividade da glândula tireoide.(AU)

The epidemiological, clinical, and anatomopathological aspects of an outbreak of congenital caprine goiter are described in this article. The cause of the congenital goiter and neonatal deaths was attributed to the absence of mineral supplementation with iodine to the pregnant dams. Clinically, all neonatal dead goats presented with marked swelling on the cranioventral cervical area and diffuse body alopecia. One of the dead kids was submitted to necropsy, and changes consisted of marked, symmetrical enlargement of both thyroid lobes, which were also firm, compact, and dark red. Histologically, changes were characteristic of diffuse hyperplastic goiter and consisted of: 1) marked follicular thyroid hyperplasia and hypertrophy; 2) formation of heterogeneous thyroid follicles due to the variable amounts of luminal colloid; and 3) presence of endocytic vacuoles, which represent colloid endocytosis and demonstrate activity of the thyroid gland.(AU)

Secondary Aspergillus fumigatus infection associated with coloidal goiter in a Black-masked lovebird (Agapornis personata) / Infecção secundária por Aspergillus fumigatus associada a bócio coloidal em Agaporne mascarado (Agapornis personata)

Aspergillosis is caused by fungus of Aspergillus genus. Is a multifactorial secondary disease andoccurs mainly to immunodeficiency. Goiter is the name to non-inflammatory and non-neoplasic thyroid growthwhich affecting the animal metabolism. In this report we describe a case of aspergillosis and colloidal goiter in amale Black-masked lovebird (Agapornis personata) diagnosed by post mortem exam. The bird was presented forexamination due to severe respiratory signs. An initial palliative treatment was performed in order to relieve thesymptoms. Despite this, the patient came to die without performing additional ancillary tests. On gross exam, apulmonary nodule was observed from which we were able to isolate Aspergillus fumigatus on microbial culture.Histological assessment revealed pulmonary aspergilosis and colloid goiter. Based on histopathological andmicrobiological assessments we conclude that infection probably was secondary to colloid goiter.(AU)

Aspergilose é uma doença causada por fungos do gênero Aspergillus. É uma doença secundária decaráter multifatorial e ocorre principalmente por imunodeficiência. O bócio é o nome dado ao crescimento nãoneoplásicoe não-inflamatório da tireoide que afeta o metabolismo animal. O presente artigo descreve um caso deaspergilose e bócio coloidal em macho de Agaporne mascarado (Agapornis personata) diagnosticados porexame post mortem. A ave foi atendida com sintomatologia respiratória acentuada, sendo realizado umprocedimento clínico inicial para aliviar os sintomas, porém a ave morreu sem que exames auxiliares fossemrealizados. Na análise necroscópica foi encontrando a presença de um nódulo no pulmão e foi isoladoAspergillus fumigatus no exame microbiológico. A análise histológica confirmou o quadro de aspergilose erevelou também alterações tiroidianas compatíveis com bócio. Mediante os achados patológicos relacionou-se aocorrência da infecção devido às alterações metabólicas causadas pelo quadro de bócio.(AU)

Secondary Aspergillus fumigatus infection associated with coloidal goiter in a Black-masked lovebird (Agapornis personata) / Infecção secundária por Aspergillus fumigatus associada a bócio coloidal em Agaporne mascarado (Agapornis personata)

Aspergillosis is caused by fungus of Aspergillus genus. Is a multifactorial secondary disease andoccurs mainly to immunodeficiency. Goiter is the name to non-inflammatory and non-neoplasic thyroid growthwhich affecting the animal metabolism. In this report we describe a case of aspergillosis and colloidal goiter in amale Black-masked lovebird (Agapornis personata) diagnosed by post mortem exam. The bird was presented forexamination due to severe respiratory signs. An initial palliative treatment was performed in order to relieve thesymptoms. Despite this, the patient came to die without performing additional ancillary tests. On gross exam, apulmonary nodule was observed from which we were able to isolate Aspergillus fumigatus on microbial culture.Histological assessment revealed pulmonary aspergilosis and colloid goiter. Based on histopathological andmicrobiological assessments we conclude that infection probably was secondary to colloid goiter.

Aspergilose é uma doença causada por fungos do gênero Aspergillus. É uma doença secundária decaráter multifatorial e ocorre principalmente por imunodeficiência. O bócio é o nome dado ao crescimento nãoneoplásicoe não-inflamatório da tireoide que afeta o metabolismo animal. O presente artigo descreve um caso deaspergilose e bócio coloidal em macho de Agaporne mascarado (Agapornis personata) diagnosticados porexame post mortem. A ave foi atendida com sintomatologia respiratória acentuada, sendo realizado umprocedimento clínico inicial para aliviar os sintomas, porém a ave morreu sem que exames auxiliares fossemrealizados. Na análise necroscópica foi encontrando a presença de um nódulo no pulmão e foi isoladoAspergillus fumigatus no exame microbiológico. A análise histológica confirmou o quadro de aspergilose erevelou também alterações tiroidianas compatíveis com bócio. Mediante os achados patológicos relacionou-se aocorrência da infecção devido às alterações metabólicas causadas pelo quadro de bócio.

Consequence of excess iodine supply in a Thoroughbred stud in southern Brazil.

Excessive iodine supply of at least 700 mg inorganic iodine in foals and of more than 350 mg iodine in pregnant and lactating mares cause a high incidence of goitres in the newborn and disorders in the long leg bones of foals. Elevated phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase content in the blood may indicate a severe disturbance in the bone metabolism. Of 39 pregnant mares 17 aborted and some of the mares also showed goitres. After withdrawal of the iodine supply normalization took place. Foals born more than 6 weeks later showed normal conditions. The goitres in the mares and the high blood levels of iodine decreased.