Evaluation of long-term immune response in cattle to botulism using a recombinant E. coli bacterin formulated with Montanide™ ISA 50 and aluminum hydroxide adjuvants.

Botulism is a severe disease caused by potent botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) produced by Clostridium botulinum. This disease is associated with high-lethality outbreaks in cattle, which have been linked to the ingestion of preformed BoNT serotypes C and D, emphasizing the need for effective vaccines. The potency of current commercial toxoids (formaldehyde-inactivated BoNTs) is assured through tests in guinea pigs according to government regulatory guidelines, but their short-term immunity raises concerns. Recombinant vaccines containing the receptor-binding domain have demonstrated potential for eliciting robust protective immunity. Previous studies have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of recombinant E. coli bacterin, eliciting high titers of neutralizing antibodies against C. botulinum and C. perfringens in target animal species. In this study, neutralizing antibody titers in cattle and the long-term immune response against BoNT/C and D were used to assess the efficacy of the oil-based adjuvant compared with that of the aluminum hydroxide adjuvant in cattle. The vaccine formulation containing Montanide™ ISA 50 yielded significantly higher titers of neutralizing antibody against BoNT/C and D (8.64 IU/mL and 9.6 IU/mL, respectively) and induced an immune response that lasted longer than the response induced by aluminum, extending between 30 and 60 days. This approach represents a straightforward, cost-effective strategy for recombinant E. coli bacterin, enhancing both the magnitude and duration of the immune response to botulism.

Cutaneous pythiosis in equines in the Amazon Biome / Pitiose cutânea em equídeos no Bioma Amazônico

The study aimed to describe the clinicopathological aspects of 37 cases of pythiosis, 34 in horses and three in mules, from properties located in the Amazon biome of Pará, Brazil. The clinical signs observed in the animals were weakness, poor-to-regular nutritional status, pale mucous membranes, itching at the lesion site, and lameness when the limbs were affected. The lesions were located on the lips, nostrils, rib region, thoracic and abdominal walls, scapular, distal limbs, foreskin, perineum and udder. Macroscopically, ulcerative and granulation-tissue-like masses were observed, with fistulous tracts filled with yellowish and foul-smelling serosanguinous discharges. In the biopsy, it was possible to visualize white and firm areas with foci of yellowish necrotic material and hardened masses, called kunkers. The histopathological examination showed a pyogranulomatous inflammatory reaction with the presence of Pythium insidiosum hyphae, which were impregnated with black, confirming the diagnosis of pythiosis in equids in the Amazon biome, being the first report of the disease in mules in the region.

O trabalho objetivou descrever os aspectos clínico-patológicos de 37 casos suspeitos de pitiose, 34 em equinos e três em muares, provenientes de propriedades localizadas no Pará, bioma amazônico brasileiro. Os sinais clínicos observados nos animais eram caracterizados por debilidade, estado nutricional de ruim a regular, mucosas pálidas, prurido no local da lesão, além de claudicação quando os membros foram acometidos. As lesões eram localizadas nos lábios, narinas, região das costelas, parede torácica e abdominal, escapular, distais dos membros, prepúcio, períneo e úbere. Macroscopicamente observavam-se extensas lesões ulceradas com intensa proliferação de tecido de granulação, de bordos irregulares, com tratos fistulosos, de consistência firme, denominados de "kunkers", preenchidos com material amarelado e friável, possuindo exsudação serossanguinolenta de odor fétido. Ao exame histopatológico observou-se reação inflamatória piogranulomatosa com presença de hifas de Pythium insidiosum, as quais se impregnaram de negro, confirmando o diagnóstico de pitiose em equídeos no Bioma Amazônico, sendo o primeiro relato da doença em muares na região.

Acute supraglottic laryngitis in adults.

Four cases of supraglottic laryngitis in adults have been presented. All were treated conservatively with I.V. hydrocortisone and I.V. antibiotics under close observation. No intubation or tracheostomy was carried out. The author recommends the use of I.V. Cefuroxime as an initial form of antibiotic treatment. Mirror laryngoscopy is mandatory in any adult patient who presents with sore throat if epiglottitis is not to be missed as the first consultation.

Sudden deafness and the contraceptive pill.

A case of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in a young woman is presented. The contraceptive pill is thought to be a possible cause of the problem. Recovery of the hearing was complete. Tinnitus should be regarded as a warning signal requiring discontinuation of therapy.

Verrucous carcinoma of the nasal septum.

A case of verrucous carcinoma of the nose is presented. Initially two pathologists described the lesion as benign. The tumour was excised with free margins through a lateral rhinotomy, with a successful outcome. The literature on the topic has been reviewed. Deep wide-based biopsy should always be considered if such a lesion is not to be missed on the first consultation. Surgery in resectable lesions offers the best chance of survival in verrucous carcinoma of the nose.

Chemodectoma of the larynx.

Two cases of chemodectoma of the larynx are presented. Both of them arose from the superior laryngeal glomus in men late in their lives. Pain was the landmark of the disease. Both cases showed very aggressive behaviour. In conclusion, these are malignant tumours which should be treated by total laryngectomy. There is no place for radiotherapy in their treatment.

Paraganglioma of the external auditory canal.

A rare case of paraganglioma of the external auditory canal is presented. It was treated by excision and no recurrence has been noted after 18 months of follow up.

Vascular leiomyoma of the inferior turbinate--report of a case and review of the literature.

Leiomyoma of the nose and paranasal sinuses is rare. It constitutes about 1 per cent of all benign tumours. This is due to the paucity of smooth muscle in the nose. In this paper, the authors present one case of vascular leiomyoma which arose in the inferior turbinate in a 64-year-old lady. It was treated by partial turbinectomy with the relief of her symptoms of nasal obstruction, epistaxis and facial pain. The English literature on the topic is reviewed.

Merkel-cell carcinoma of the pinna.

Merkel-Cell carcinoma is a rare malignant skin tumour. It was first described as 'Trabecular Carcinoma' by Toker in 1972. Since then many reports have appeared in the literature, mainly in the dermatology, pathology and to a lesser extent, in the plastic surgery journals. Surprisingly, the topic is rarely discussed in the otolaryngology literature, though nearly fifty per cent of these tumours arise in the head and neck.