Safety and efficacy of Lucilia cuprina maggots on treating an induced infected wound in Wistar rats.

Infection is one of the main complications that hinder wound healing. Currently, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as Methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are a concern worldwide for both humans and animals. Maggot therapy is re-emerging as an alternative to intractable wounds and may be an option to the traditional antibiotic treatment. Although the species of choice is Lucilia sericata, reports of clinical use have led us to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using Lucilia cuprina larvae on induced infected wounds in Wistar rats. In short, 32 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: Group I - saline solution treated; Group II - antibiotic-treated; Group III - treated with larval debridement, and Group IV - without wound and treatment. Skin wounds were induced in groups I, II and III. All treatments were performed once and held for 48 h. Clinical, microbiological, histopathological, hematological, and biochemical analyses were done. Significant wound area contraction was found (>95%) in group III on day 9 compared to day 15 in group II. Complete elimination (0.0 ± 0.0 CFU/mL) of bioburden was achieved after the second treatment (day 6) in both the II and III groups, compared to an increase in Group I (6.51 ± 0.37 CFU/mL). A cleaner wound was also observed in the histopathological evaluation of group III, with adequate collagen formation and re-epithelialization on day 15. Furthermore, larvae increased blood platelet levels after the first treatment. L. cuprina larvae have proven safe and effective in accelerating wound treatment and eliminating MRSA.

Cutaneous, respiratory and hepatic aspergillosis in Brazilian white Pekin mallards (Anas platyrhynchos).

Aspergillosis is one of the most frequent mycosis affecting avian species. Here is reported an outbreak of aspergillosis affecting 60-day-old white Pekin mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). About 10% of animals in a lot of 200 mallards from a commercial husbandry presented respiratory disorders and skin lesions at slaughter. Three out of 13 animals sent to diagnosis showed, simultaneously, airsacculitis, lung and liver presenting white nodules with variable diameters and elevated, yellowish brown, crusted, multifocal skin lesions located at the base of the feather follicles in the breast. Histopathological examination of lung and liver samples revealed nodules of different sizes with small areas of necrosis surrounded by intense granulomatous inflammation and the presence of fungal hyphae. The skin samples showed dermatitis surrounding a severe necrotizing folliculitis, associated with fungal hyphae. Mycological evaluation of tissues allowed the isolation of Aspergillus fumigatus from the skin samples and Aspergillus flavus from lungs and liver samples. The application of quicklime (CaO) in the litter as part of the disinfection procedures could have contributed to the development of skin lesion in the mallards, predisposing the fungal installation in the damaged site. The occurrence of cutaneous lesions associated with A. fumigatus is a rare manifestation of aspergillosis in birds, and this appears to be the first case reported in white Pekin mallards.

Muscular and collagenous cerebellar choristoma in a dog.

This report aims to describe the first case of muscular and collagenous choristoma in a dog. A 10-yr-old female mixed-breed dog presented with lateral recumbence, vocalization, positional vertical nystagmus, divergent strabismus, anisocoria, and status epilepticus. The clinical condition evolved to stupor and ultimately, death. Necropsy revealed a white mass causing an irregular increase in the volume of the cerebellar vermis. In histological analysis, a well circumscribed, unencapsulated mass was observed in the cerebellum, consisting of fibers of striated skeletal muscle and collagen fibers, mostly mineralized. Based on the histopathological and histochemical findings, a diagnosis of muscular and collagenous cerebellar choristoma was made.

Natural Occurring Muscular Sarcocysts in Urban Domestic Cats (Felis catus) Without Sarcocystis-Associated Disease.

PURPOSE: Despite of classically acting as definitive hosts of different Sarcocystis species, domestic cats have been pointed out as possible intermediate hosts of S. neurona and S. felis. Nonetheless, details concerning natural sarcocyst development in cats without Sarcocystis-associated disease are scarce. This study aimed to characterize the natural occurrence of muscular sarcocysts in a random group of cats submitted for necropsy. METHODS: One hundred cats necropsied at a Veterinary Pathology Service were included. Nine different muscular tissues from each cat were sampled for histological analysis and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using multispecies primers for Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. PCR-positive cases were sequenced for genus and species identification. Epidemiologic data was also analyzed. RESULTS: Tissue sarcocysts were identified in hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides from five cats, and S. neurona was the only confirmed species. Multifocal sarcocysts affecting two or more muscles were common among positive cats (4/5). Sarcocysts were identified within vastus lateralis (3/5), intercostal (3/5), subscapular (2/5) and diaphragm (2/5) sections. These cysts were always incidental necropsy findings. All sarcocyst-positive cats were from urban areas, among which two were feral and three were pets. Outdoor access was consistently reported. Two cats were positive for retrovirosis, and treatments with potentially immunosuppressive drugs were never stated. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the natural occurrence of S. neurona muscular sarcocysts in a random group of cats without Sarcocystis-associated disease. These findings reinforce the participation of feral and pet cats from urban areas as natural intermediate hosts of S. neurona.

Hepatic hemosiderosis in red-spectacled Amazons (Amazona pretrei) and correlation with nutritional aspects.

Alimentary habits of free-living Psittaciformes vary significantly among different species. Amazona pretrei is under risk of extinction and has very specific free-living dietary habits, which are based on Paraná pine seeds. Hemosiderosis is a pathologic process characterized by intracellular accumulation of iron without other evident lesions. It is associated with increased prevalence of infections, neoplasms, and hepatopathies. The purpose of this study was to quantify hepatic hemosiderin deposits in captive A. pretrei and verify their association with nutritional parameters. Liver samples were processed for histopathology and stained with Prussian blue. The sections were analyzed by computerized morphometry to quantify the hepatic hemosiderin deposits. The hepatic hemosiderosis rates showed positive correlation with age and time in captivity. These results suggest that the menus and commercial rations for Psittacidae must be carefully revised.

Leptospira interrogans infection of southern tamanduas (Tamandua tetradactyla, Linnaeus, 1758) in Brazil.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance caused by an obligate aerobic spirochaete that infects a wide variety of domestic and wild animals. Natural hosts are asymptomatic or show moderate signs of the disease. Accidental hosts develop a severe, often lethal, form of the disease. All young southern tamanduas died suddenly at the zoo in the city of João Pessoa, Brazil. The animals were found dead without any noticeable clinical signs. Necropsy revealed extensive haemorrhage in the subcutaneous tissues, kidneys, lungs in addition to the presence of red fluid in the thoracic, abdominal and pericardial cavities. Histopathology of kidneys exhibited acute interstitial nephritis and tubular necrosis. Immunohistochemical staining revealed typical leptospiral wavy forms and aggregates in the lumen of several kidney tubules and lungs. Pathological and molecular investigations confirmed Leptospira interrogans infection. The adult tamanduas did not present with clinical alterations. To our knowledge, this investigation is the first study to report that leptospirosis should be considered as a possible cause of death in tamanduas. This article warns of the risks of anthropization with respect to Leptospira transmission to tamanduas, other animals and humans.

Bovine upper alimentary squamous cell carcinoma associated with bracken fern poisoning: Clinical-pathological aspects and etiopathogenesis of 100 cases.

Upper digestive tract (UDT) cancer is rare in cattle, however in Southern Brazil, the UDT squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are relatively common and have been associated with bracken fern consumption and the presence of papillomas. Although a theory of pathogenesis considers bovine papillomavirus type 4 (BPV-4) as a cofactor in the development of these SCCs, some aspects of the etiopathogenesis of this disease need to be more investigated. In fact, detection of BPV-4 in UDT papillomas is scarce in other regions of the world and has not been performed in Brazil. Therefore, this study had two aims: 1) to analyze the epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of 100 natural cases of SCCs in the UDT of cattle grazing on bracken fern (Pteridium arachnoideum) highly contaminated areas, investigating the associations between these parameters; and 2) to investigate the presence of papillomavirus DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the UDT papillomas (n = 47) from 30 cattle that also had UDT SCCs. There were statistically significant associations between clinical signs and tumor localization in the UDT; between histological grade of differentiation and tumor localization; and a trend towards significant association between histological grade of differentiation and presence of metastases. The average age of cattle with oropharyngeal SCCs was 7.39 years, with statistically significant difference comparing to cattle with esophageal SCCs (8.6 years). No statistical association was observed among other clinical-pathological parameters (growth pattern and primary site of the tumor) analyzed. No BPV DNA was detected in papillomas by PCR. Therefore, these results suggest the possibility that papillomas of the UDT are not necessarily associated with BPV infection.

Meningoencephalitis secondary to rhinitis caused by Pythium insidiosum in sheep / Meningoencefalite secundária a rinite por Pythium insidiosum em um ovino

ABSTRACT: A case of meningoencephalitis caused by Pythium insidiosum secondary to rhinitis is reported in a three-year-old crossbred sheep from a herd of 15 animals, raised extensively and with free access to a weir. The animal presented mild dyspnea, blindness, mydriasis, opisthotonos, nystagmus, incoordination, decreased mandibular tone, and spasticity of the pelvic limbs. Macroscopic examination of the nasal cavity showed a blackish-red, irregular, friable mass that bilaterally compromised the nasal septum and the rostral portion of the nasal turbinates. In the brain, there was diffuse thickening of the leptomeninges of the cerebellum and ventral portion of the brainstem characterized by yellowish, granular material associated with vessel hyperemia. On the floor of the fourth ventricle, there was deposition of yellowish, irregular, slightly granular material that protruded towards the obex and displaced the cerebellum dorsolaterally. Microscopically, there were pyogranulomatous, eosinophilic, necrotizing rhinitis and fibrinosuppurative, eosinophilic, necrotizing meningoencephalitis, both associated with thrombosis, vasculitis, and intralesional hyphae. The hyphae were impregnated with silver and presented thin, parallel walls, rarely septate and branched. At immunohistochemistry, the hyphae were immunostained with polyclonal anti-P. insidiosum antibody in fragments of the cerebellum and nasal cavity. The findings showed that P. insidiosum rhinitis can secondarily affect the nervous system of sheep, causing nonspecific neurological clinical signs.

RESUMO: Relata-se um caso de meningoencefalite por Pythium insidiosum secundária a rinite em uma ovelha mestiça, três anos de idade, proveniente de um rebanho de 15 animais, criados extensivamente e com acesso livre a açude. O animal apresentava dispneia leve, cegueira, midríase, opistótono, nistagmo, incoordenação, diminuição do tônus mandibular e espasticidade dos membros pélvicos. O exame macroscópico da cavidade nasal evidenciou uma massa vermelho-escura, irregular, friável, que comprometia bilateralmente o septo nasal e a porção rostral dos cornetos nasais. No encéfalo, havia espessamento difuso das leptomeninges do cerebelo e porção ventral do tronco encefálico caracterizado por material granular amarelado associado à hiperemia dos vasos. No assoalho do quarto ventrículo, havia deposição de material amarelado, irregular, levemente granuloso, que se projetava em direção ao óbex e deslocava o cerebelo dorsolateralmente. Microscopicamente, havia rinite piogranulomatosa, eosinofílica, necrosante e meningoencefalite fibrinossupurativa, eosinofílica, necrosante, ambas associadas à trombose, vasculite e hifas intralesionais. Pela utilização da técnica de GMS as hifas foram impregnadas pela prata e apresentavam paredes finas e paralelas, raramente septadas e ramificadas. Na imuno-histoquímica, houve imunomarcação com o anticorpo policlonal anti-P. insidiosum em fragmentos do cerebelo e cavidade nasal. Os achados evidenciaram que rinite por P. insidiosum pode afetar secundariamente o sistema nervoso de ovinos, causando sinais clínicos neurológicos inespecíficos.

Meningoencephalitis secondary to rhinitis caused by Pythium insidiosum in sheep / Meningoencefalite secundária a rinite por Pythium insidiosum em um ovino

A case of meningoencephalitis caused by Pythium insidiosum secondary to rhinitis is reported in a three-year-old crossbred sheep from a herd of 15 animals, raised extensively and with free access to a weir. The animal presented mild dyspnea, blindness, mydriasis, opisthotonos, nystagmus, incoordination, decreased mandibular tone, and spasticity of the pelvic limbs. Macroscopic examination of the nasal cavity showed a blackish-red, irregular, friable mass that bilaterally compromised the nasal septum and the rostral portion of the nasal turbinates. In the brain, there was diffuse thickening of the leptomeninges of the cerebellum and ventral portion of the brainstem characterized by yellowish, granular material associated with vessel hyperemia. On the floor of the fourth ventricle, there was deposition of yellowish, irregular, slightly granular material that protruded towards the obex and displaced the cerebellum dorsolaterally. Microscopically, there were pyogranulomatous, eosinophilic, necrotizing rhinitis and fibrinosuppurative, eosinophilic, necrotizing meningoencephalitis, both associated with thrombosis, vasculitis, and intralesional hyphae. The hyphae were impregnated with silver and presented thin, parallel walls, rarely septate and branched. At immunohistochemistry, the hyphae were immunostained with polyclonal anti-P. insidiosum antibody in fragments of the cerebellum and nasal cavity. The findings showed that P. insidiosum rhinitis can secondarily affect the nervous system of sheep, causing nonspecific neurological clinical signs.

Relata-se um caso de meningoencefalite por Pythium insidiosum secundária a rinite em uma ovelha mestiça, três anos de idade, proveniente de um rebanho de 15 animais, criados extensivamente e com acesso livre a açude. O animal apresentava dispneia leve, cegueira, midríase, opistótono, nistagmo, incoordenação, diminuição do tônus mandibular e espasticidade dos membros pélvicos. O exame macroscópico da cavidade nasal evidenciou uma massa vermelho-escura, irregular, friável, que comprometia bilateralmente o septo nasal e a porção rostral dos cornetos nasais. No encéfalo, havia espessamento difuso das leptomeninges do cerebelo e porção ventral do tronco encefálico caracterizado por material granular amarelado associado à hiperemia dos vasos. No assoalho do quarto ventrículo, havia deposição de material amarelado, irregular, levemente granuloso, que se projetava em direção ao óbex e deslocava o cerebelo dorsolateralmente. Microscopicamente, havia rinite piogranulomatosa, eosinofílica, necrosante e meningoencefalite fibrinossupurativa, eosinofílica, necrosante, ambas associadas à trombose, vasculite e hifas intralesionais. Pela utilização da técnica de GMS as hifas foram impregnadas pela prata e apresentavam paredes finas e paralelas, raramente septadas e ramificadas. Na imuno-histoquímica, houve imunomarcação com o anticorpo policlonal anti-P. insidiosum em fragmentos do cerebelo e cavidade nasal. Os achados evidenciaram que rinite por P. insidiosum pode afetar secundariamente o sistema nervoso de ovinos, causando sinais clínicos neurológicos inespecíficos.

Equine podotrochlear apparatus - histologic characterization

Background: The navicular syndrome may be associated with alterations in other podotrochlear apparatus components,such as the deep digital flexor tendon, collareral sesamoid and distal sesamoid ligaments, podotrochlear bursa and distalsesamoid bone. However, the clinical significance and nature of these changes are not well understood, many of descriptive reports about distal sesamoid bone lesions are rarely accompanied by a complete and comprehensive comparisonwith animals of the control group. The aim of this study was to described histologically findings of the podrotrochlearapparatus components, allowing the understanding of the inserts and their microscopic appearance, thus providing thefuture recognize of their alterations.Materials, Methods & Results: Fourteen samples of the podotrochlear apparatus were taken out of 44 equine thoracic limbsspecimens, separated at the radiocarpal joint of Crioulo and Thoroughbred horses, with an average age of 6.0-year-old,coming from a private clinic in southern Brazil. The thoracic limbs specimens were refrigerated at 4ºC at the clinic and thenthey were sent to the University Federal of Santa Maria (UFSM). Once at the University laboratory, the specimens weredissected to isolate the podotrochlear apparatus from each one. Subsequently, transversal and longitudinal samples fromthe distal sesamoid bone, deep digital flexor tendo, distal sesamoid ligament, colateral sesamoid ligament, were collectedand podotrochlear bursa which were processed at the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory of the UFSM and University Federalof Santa Catarina (UFSC). The tissues samples were fixed in a 10% formaldehyde solution for 14 days and routinely processed for histology. The samples were sectioned at 3 µm and stained using the hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) routine method.The bone samples, after fixation, underwent a decalcified process in a formic acid-sodium citrate aqueous...(AU)

Equine podotrochlear apparatus - histologic characterization

Background: The navicular syndrome may be associated with alterations in other podotrochlear apparatus components,such as the deep digital flexor tendon, collareral sesamoid and distal sesamoid ligaments, podotrochlear bursa and distalsesamoid bone. However, the clinical significance and nature of these changes are not well understood, many of descriptive reports about distal sesamoid bone lesions are rarely accompanied by a complete and comprehensive comparisonwith animals of the control group. The aim of this study was to described histologically findings of the podrotrochlearapparatus components, allowing the understanding of the inserts and their microscopic appearance, thus providing thefuture recognize of their alterations.Materials, Methods & Results: Fourteen samples of the podotrochlear apparatus were taken out of 44 equine thoracic limbsspecimens, separated at the radiocarpal joint of Crioulo and Thoroughbred horses, with an average age of 6.0-year-old,coming from a private clinic in southern Brazil. The thoracic limbs specimens were refrigerated at 4ºC at the clinic and thenthey were sent to the University Federal of Santa Maria (UFSM). Once at the University laboratory, the specimens weredissected to isolate the podotrochlear apparatus from each one. Subsequently, transversal and longitudinal samples fromthe distal sesamoid bone, deep digital flexor tendo, distal sesamoid ligament, colateral sesamoid ligament, were collectedand podotrochlear bursa which were processed at the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory of the UFSM and University Federalof Santa Catarina (UFSC). The tissues samples were fixed in a 10% formaldehyde solution for 14 days and routinely processed for histology. The samples were sectioned at 3 µm and stained using the hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) routine method.The bone samples, after fixation, underwent a decalcified process in a formic acid-sodium citrate aqueous...

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with mucinous metaplasia in dogs

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common malignant skin tumors in domestic animals. Histologically, they are characterized by a proliferation of neoplastic keratinocytes with varied keratin production. Some SCCs have peculiar histological characteristics that permit them to be classified into uncommon to rare histological subtypes, reported in animals and humans. However, according to the authors' knowledge, the mucin-producing subtype described in humans has not yet been reported in animals. In this study, we report the occurrence of two mucin-producing SCCs in dogs, a histological presentation similar to that seen in cutaneous SCCs with mucinous metaplasia in humans. Cases: Two dogs, a 5-year-old Yorkshire female and a 17-year-old Dachshund male, had a skin nodule near the tail and on the right eyelid. The nodules varied from 1 to 5 cm in diameter, were firm and covered with skin and hair. The cut surface was firm and white. Histological findings were compatible with squamous cell carcinoma, characterized by a neoplastic proliferation of keratinocytes originating in the epidermis and infiltrating the dermis. The keratinocytes were arranged in islands and occasional anastomosed cords, supported by a fibrous stroma. The formation of pearls varied from moderate to sparse. The nuclear and cellular pleomorphism was accentuated in case two and moderate in case one. Mitosis figures ranged from two to five in a high magnification field. Within the neoplasm, there were large vacuolated neoplastic cells with slightly fibrillar intracytoplasmic basophilic content. This content has been rarely observed in an extracellular medium. The presence of mucin was confirmed by positive Alcian Blue (AB) staining. In immunohistochemistry (IHC), tumor cells showed strong immunostaining for pancitokeratin, and in areas with marked mucin deposition, immunostaining was predominantly moderate to weak. No tumor cells were immunostained for CD34 and Bcl-2 antibodies. Compared to AB and Harris' hematoxylin, it was possible to demonstrate the presence of mucin in the cytoplasm of neoplastic keratinocytes using IHC. No vascular or lymphatic invasion by neoplastic cells was observed. The average cell proliferation index assessed by counting the nucleolar argyrophilic organizing regions (AgNOR) was 3.4 in case 1 and 4.5 in case 2. Discussion: Although the SCC routinely does not present a diagnostic challenge in veterinary practice, the histological presentation of the reported cases does not fit the current classification available in veterinary medicine. The histological presentation observed in these two dogs is similar to that described for cutaneous SCCs with mucinous metaplasia in humans, and so far not described in animals. The observation of intracytoplasmic mucin in humans is an essential finding for the diagnosis of SCC with mucin metaplasia. In the present cases, we observed a slightly basophilic amorphous substance in the cytoplasm of proliferated neoplastic keratinocytes, which stained strongly in blue when applied the Alcian Blue (AB) histochemical technique. This observation became more evident when using IHC counterstained with AB and Harris hematoxylin. In the histological analysis, the absence of an adenoid growth pattern or glandular formation amid neoplastic proliferation ruled out the possibility of a mucinous adenocarcinoma or a mucoepidermoid carcinoma. In addition, we could rule out a follicular neoplasia, including keratinizing infundibular acanthoma due to the absence of a central pore and the absence of immunostaining for CD34 and Bcl-2. These immunohistochemical findings, together with histological findings, reinforce the diagnosis of SCC with mucinous metaplasia in our dogs.(AU)

Candidose sistêmica em cães associada à cinomose / Systemic candidosis in dogs associated with canine distemper virus

Background: Candidosis is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by yeasts of the genus Candida, which normally reside on the surfaces of the mucous membranes and in the skin of several animal species and healthy humans; however the fungi can convert into pathogenic microorganisms and result in invasive infections with systemic involvement due to the impairment of the immune system. Systemic candidosis is rare in dogs and few reports of this mycosis are available in literature. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe three cases of systemic candidosis associated to canine distemper virus in dogs, highlighting the main epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects. Cases: Three cases of systemic infection by Candida sp. were diagnosed in dogs. The animals predominantly presented neurological clinical manifestations, followed by unspecific alterations with an evolution of 5 to 30 days. Macroscopically, the lesions were characterized by white-yellowish multifocal to coalescent areas surrounded by reddish borders in the kidneys and heart (cases 1, 2 and 3); liver and submandibular lymph node (case 1); and lung (case 2). In the brains of the three dogs were observed multifocal, blackened and/or reddish and friable areas. In case 1, was observed an increased volume of the right carpometacarpal joint, that when cut, released a reddish and turbid content. In case 2, there was deposition of a whitish lumpy material on the epicardial surface, aorta artery, pericardial sac and spleen; infarction on the right testicle, hydroureter, pyelonephritis and hydronephrosis. Microscopically, the lesions consisted of necrossupurative inflammation associated to hemorrhage, vasculitis, congestion, thrombosis, infarction and fungal structures with distinct morphological patterns which included blastoconidia, pseudohyphae and hyphae. The fungal structures were...(AU)

Segmental enteritis associated with Pythium insidiosum infection in a horse

Background: Pythiosis is an infectious disease caused by the oomycete Pythium insidiosum, with higher occurrence in wetlands and hot climate regions. This microorganism develops its cycle in aquatic plants, and most cases happen because of the contact of animals or people with water containing the motile zoospores (infectious form). Horses are the principal species affected and develop principally cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions, but the gastrointestinal tract is seldom affected. Humans develop various forms of pythiosis, such as a vascular form. The objectives of the current study are to describe an unusual case of intestinal pythiosis, its clinical signs, aspects of pathogenesis, and diagnosis. Case: A 13-year-old Crioula mare, from Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, presented with reduced food and water intake, apathy, restlessness, rolling, nasal reflux, firm abdomen upon palpation, and tachypnea during 2 days. The horses of this farm were fed native pasture and horse feed, and they had access to a nearby pond. Two days following the start of the clinical signs, the horse died and was necropsied on the farm. During necropsy, there was around 400 mL of reddish effusion in the abdominal cavity (modified transudate). A 15 cm segment of jejunum was firm upon palpation and had a severe transmural thickening. The wall of the affected area was up to 3 cm in thickness and firm, with small yellowish and irregular masses that stood out and looked friable, interpreted as kunkers. Microscopically, the yellowish masses (kunkers) were characterized by dense accumulations of intact and degenerate eosinophils (eosinophilic necrosis). Within these kunkers, and also on their periphery, there were multiple negatively stained hyphal profiles. Hyphae were also seen on the wall of small arteries inside the kunkers. These hyphae had nearly parallel walls and were occasionally...(AU)

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervical oesophagus in a dog / Carcinoma adenoescamoso do esôfago cervical em um cão

A 9-year-old male Shih Tzu dog presented with a mass on the ventral region of the neck and developed ptyalism. Radiographs revealed a radiodense nodule located in the mid-third of the oesophagus compressing the trachea. Preoperative cytology showed large neoplastic cells with abundant vacuolated cytoplasm arranged in clusters. The nodule was removed by oesophagectomy and submitted for histopathology. Microscopically, the oesophageal mass was multilobulated and unencapsulated. It had a mixed cellular growth pattern with areas showing squamous and glandular differentiation. The squamous component of the tumor was formed by solid strands of neoplastic epithelial cells; many neoplastic cells had undergone central keratinization and sometimes formed keratin pearls. The deeper adenocarcinomatous portion of the tumor consisted of tubules filled with slightly basophilic mucinous material. Histological and immunohistochemical examination confirmed the diagnosis of primary adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the esophagus. This is the first report of primary ASC of the cervical oesophagus in a dog.(AU)

Um cão Shih Tzu de nove anos de idade apresentou uma massa na região ventral do pescoço e desenvolveu ptialismo. As radiografias revelaram um nódulo radiodenso localizado no terço médio do esôfago que comprimia a traqueia. A citologia pré-operatória mostrou células neoplásicas grandes com citoplasma vacuolizado abundante, dispostas em aglomerados. O nódulo foi removido por esofagectomia e submetido à histopatologia. Microscopicamente, a massa esofágica era multilobulada e não encapsulada. Apresentava um padrão de crescimento celular misto, com áreas mostrando diferenciação escamosa e áreas de diferenciação glandular. O componente escamoso do tumor era formado por filamentos sólidos de células epiteliais neoplásicas; muitas células neoplásicas demonstravam queratinização central e, por vezes, formavam pérolas de queratina. A porção adenocarcinomatosa mais profunda do tumor consistia em túbulos preenchidos com material mucinoso levemente basofílico. O exame histológico e imunohistoquímico confirmaram o diagnóstico de carcinoma adenoescamoso primário do esôfago. No conhecimento dos autores, este é o primeiro relato de carcinoma adenoescamoso primário do esôfago cervical em um cão.(AU)

Segmental enteritis associated with Pythium insidiosum infection in a horse

Background: Pythiosis is an infectious disease caused by the oomycete Pythium insidiosum, with higher occurrence in wetlands and hot climate regions. This microorganism develops its cycle in aquatic plants, and most cases happen because of the contact of animals or people with water containing the motile zoospores (infectious form). Horses are the principal species affected and develop principally cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions, but the gastrointestinal tract is seldom affected. Humans develop various forms of pythiosis, such as a vascular form. The objectives of the current study are to describe an unusual case of intestinal pythiosis, its clinical signs, aspects of pathogenesis, and diagnosis. Case: A 13-year-old Crioula mare, from Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, presented with reduced food and water intake, apathy, restlessness, rolling, nasal reflux, firm abdomen upon palpation, and tachypnea during 2 days. The horses of this farm were fed native pasture and horse feed, and they had access to a nearby pond. Two days following the start of the clinical signs, the horse died and was necropsied on the farm. During necropsy, there was around 400 mL of reddish effusion in the abdominal cavity (modified transudate). A 15 cm segment of jejunum was firm upon palpation and had a severe transmural thickening. The wall of the affected area was up to 3 cm in thickness and firm, with small yellowish and irregular masses that stood out and looked friable, interpreted as kunkers. Microscopically, the yellowish masses (kunkers) were characterized by dense accumulations of intact and degenerate eosinophils (eosinophilic necrosis). Within these kunkers, and also on their periphery, there were multiple negatively stained hyphal profiles. Hyphae were also seen on the wall of small arteries inside the kunkers. These hyphae had nearly parallel walls and were occasionally...

Candidose sistêmica em cães associada à cinomose / Systemic candidosis in dogs associated with canine distemper virus

Background: Candidosis is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by yeasts of the genus Candida, which normally reside on the surfaces of the mucous membranes and in the skin of several animal species and healthy humans; however the fungi can convert into pathogenic microorganisms and result in invasive infections with systemic involvement due to the impairment of the immune system. Systemic candidosis is rare in dogs and few reports of this mycosis are available in literature. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe three cases of systemic candidosis associated to canine distemper virus in dogs, highlighting the main epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects. Cases: Three cases of systemic infection by Candida sp. were diagnosed in dogs. The animals predominantly presented neurological clinical manifestations, followed by unspecific alterations with an evolution of 5 to 30 days. Macroscopically, the lesions were characterized by white-yellowish multifocal to coalescent areas surrounded by reddish borders in the kidneys and heart (cases 1, 2 and 3); liver and submandibular lymph node (case 1); and lung (case 2). In the brains of the three dogs were observed multifocal, blackened and/or reddish and friable areas. In case 1, was observed an increased volume of the right carpometacarpal joint, that when cut, released a reddish and turbid content. In case 2, there was deposition of a whitish lumpy material on the epicardial surface, aorta artery, pericardial sac and spleen; infarction on the right testicle, hydroureter, pyelonephritis and hydronephrosis. Microscopically, the lesions consisted of necrossupurative inflammation associated to hemorrhage, vasculitis, congestion, thrombosis, infarction and fungal structures with distinct morphological patterns which included blastoconidia, pseudohyphae and hyphae. The fungal structures were...

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervical oesophagus in a dog / Carcinoma adenoescamoso do esôfago cervical em um cão

ABSTRACT: A 9-year-old male Shih Tzu dog presented with a mass on the ventral region of the neck and developed ptyalism. Radiographs revealed a radiodense nodule located in the mid-third of the oesophagus compressing the trachea. Preoperative cytology showed large neoplastic cells with abundant vacuolated cytoplasm arranged in clusters. The nodule was removed by oesophagectomy and submitted for histopathology. Microscopically, the oesophageal mass was multilobulated and unencapsulated. It had a mixed cellular growth pattern with areas showing squamous and glandular differentiation. The squamous component of the tumor was formed by solid strands of neoplastic epithelial cells; many neoplastic cells had undergone central keratinization and sometimes formed keratin pearls. The deeper adenocarcinomatous portion of the tumor consisted of tubules filled with slightly basophilic mucinous material. Histological and immunohistochemical examination confirmed the diagnosis of primary adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the esophagus. This is the first report of primary ASC of the cervical oesophagus in a dog.

RESUMO: Um cão Shih Tzu de nove anos de idade apresentou uma massa na região ventral do pescoço e desenvolveu ptialismo. As radiografias revelaram um nódulo radiodenso localizado no terço médio do esôfago que comprimia a traqueia. A citologia pré-operatória mostrou células neoplásicas grandes com citoplasma vacuolizado abundante, dispostas em aglomerados. O nódulo foi removido por esofagectomia e submetido à histopatologia. Microscopicamente, a massa esofágica era multilobulada e não encapsulada. Apresentava um padrão de crescimento celular misto, com áreas mostrando diferenciação escamosa e áreas de diferenciação glandular. O componente escamoso do tumor era formado por filamentos sólidos de células epiteliais neoplásicas; muitas células neoplásicas demonstravam queratinização central e, por vezes, formavam pérolas de queratina. A porção adenocarcinomatosa mais profunda do tumor consistia em túbulos preenchidos com material mucinoso levemente basofílico. O exame histológico e imunohistoquímico confirmaram o diagnóstico de carcinoma adenoescamoso primário do esôfago. No conhecimento dos autores, este é o primeiro relato de carcinoma adenoescamoso primário do esôfago cervical em um cão.

Testicular interstitial cell tumor with disseminated cutaneous metastasis in a dog

Background: Although testicular tumors commonly develop in the genital tract of dogs, only few studies have reportedabout metastatic testicular tumors in dogs to date. Therefore, the present study aimed to describe the gross, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings in a dog with metastatic interstitial cell tumor.Case: A 6-year-old male Beagle underwent clinical examination due to enlargement of the left testicle and nodules inthe skin of the left inguinal region and of the scrotum. The left testicle was cryptorchid (inguinal), and the right testiclewas intrascrotal. Both testicles and affected skin fragments were surgically removed. The right testicle was normal insize and did not exhibit gross changes. However, the left testicular parenchyma had been completely replaced by a firm,grayish-to-white neoplastic mass with an irregular surface. The inguinal and scrotal skin fragments were thickened by theneoplastic masses. Histologically, the left testicular parenchyma was completely obliterated by a neoplastic mass consistingof round-to-oval and polygonal cells. The neoplastic cells generally had abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm with indistinctcell limits. The nuclei were round and small, with aggregated chromatin. However, some cells exhibited high degrees ofatypia and pleomorphism and large nuclei with granular chromatin. Mitotic figures were observed at high frequenciesof up to 11 per high-power field (400×). The mass in the left testicle was diagnosed as malignant interstitial cell tumor.The sections of the inguinal skin and scrotum presented with neoplastic cells similar to those observed in the left testicle,which is consistent with the metastasis of the malignant testicular interstitial cell tumor. On the basis of necropsy, multiple cutaneous and subcutaneous nodules were randomly distributed throughout the body, primarily in the prepuce, head,and limbs. Histological evaluations of the skin nodules...(AU)

Testicular interstitial cell tumor with disseminated cutaneous metastasis in a dog

Background: Although testicular tumors commonly develop in the genital tract of dogs, only few studies have reportedabout metastatic testicular tumors in dogs to date. Therefore, the present study aimed to describe the gross, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings in a dog with metastatic interstitial cell tumor.Case: A 6-year-old male Beagle underwent clinical examination due to enlargement of the left testicle and nodules inthe skin of the left inguinal region and of the scrotum. The left testicle was cryptorchid (inguinal), and the right testiclewas intrascrotal. Both testicles and affected skin fragments were surgically removed. The right testicle was normal insize and did not exhibit gross changes. However, the left testicular parenchyma had been completely replaced by a firm,grayish-to-white neoplastic mass with an irregular surface. The inguinal and scrotal skin fragments were thickened by theneoplastic masses. Histologically, the left testicular parenchyma was completely obliterated by a neoplastic mass consistingof round-to-oval and polygonal cells. The neoplastic cells generally had abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm with indistinctcell limits. The nuclei were round and small, with aggregated chromatin. However, some cells exhibited high degrees ofatypia and pleomorphism and large nuclei with granular chromatin. Mitotic figures were observed at high frequenciesof up to 11 per high-power field (400×). The mass in the left testicle was diagnosed as malignant interstitial cell tumor.The sections of the inguinal skin and scrotum presented with neoplastic cells similar to those observed in the left testicle,which is consistent with the metastasis of the malignant testicular interstitial cell tumor. On the basis of necropsy, multiple cutaneous and subcutaneous nodules were randomly distributed throughout the body, primarily in the prepuce, head,and limbs. Histological evaluations of the skin nodules...