Microbiological, molecular, and histopathological findings in goats experimentally infected with Actinobacillus seminis.

The objective of this study was to experimentally evaluate the pathogenicity of an Actinobacillus seminis isolate named SAAS01 in goats. Animals were challenged with 2 mL of a suspension containing 1,5 × 108 CFU/mL of A. seminis (SAAS01 isolate) through the intrapreputial, epididymis tail, and conjunctival routes. Epididymis and testicular fragments were submitted to histopathological exam, and semen samples underwent microbiological and molecular diagnoses. Clinically, a unilateral increase in firm consistency was observed in the epididymis and testicles of two animals inoculated in epididymis tail and in one animal inoculated through conjunctival sac; this firmness continued until the day of euthanasia. Two goats inoculated through epididymis tail and conjunctival sac routes presented histopathological findings with macroscopically and microscopically significant changes. A. seminis was isolated from semen samples collected from goats inoculated through the epididymis tail and conjunctival sac routes. A. seminis DNA was amplified from six semen samples of three goats inoculated through the epididymis tail, two in conjunctival sac and one through intrapreputial route. The experimental infection model using goats confirmed the pathogenicity of the A. seminis isolate, demonstrating the predilection of the agent for the epididymis, with clinical signs, histopathological lesions, bacterial isolation, and a positive molecular diagnosis.

Acute toxoplasmosis in pigs in Brazil caused by Toxoplasma gondii genotype Chinese 1.

This study reports the clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings from two cases of systemic toxoplasmosis in pigs showing apathy and dyspnea. In the post-mortem examination, severe diffuse necrotizing bronchointerstitial pneumonia with numerous intralesional tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii was observed. The lungs had not collapsed but were diffusely reddened, and the parenchyma showed friable whitish subpleural nodules with multifocal to coalescent distribution and diameters of 0.5-1.0 cm. The histopathological findings comprised mononuclear inflammation and multifocal areas of necrosis in alveolar septa (cases 1 and 2). In addition, esophagitis and ulcerations in the mucosa of the stomach and the small and large intestines were observed (case 1). Immunohistochemical analysis using anti-T. gondii antibodies on lung tissue in both cases revealed strong immunolabeling of free tachyzoites and tachyzoites in the cytoplasm of histiocytes and in cysts. Nested PCR targeting a 155-bp fragment of the B1 gene of T. gondii was positive for the DNA extracted from lung fragments from the two pigs. Genotyping of the samples by means of PCR-RFLP (10 markers) and by means of microsatellites (15 of them) revealed that these animals were infected with T. gondii that was molecularly characterized as the non-archetypal genotype Chinese 1. This presents worldwide circulation, but it had not previously been described in Brazil. The microsatellite analysis showed that the animals were infected with the same T. gondii isolate circulating in the environment.

Platynosomum (Trematoda: Dicrocoeliidae) infection in barn owls (Tyto alba) in Northeastern Brazil.

Platynosomum spp. are parasites that inhabit the gallbladder and bile ducts of various mammals and birds worldwide. Most studies of Platynosomum spp. in birds focus on the observation and morphological characterization of the parasite through parasitological or molecular examinations, with scarce literature describing anatomopathological alterations, mainly histopathological. We report the case of a male barn owl infected with Platynosomum spp.. At necropsy, the barn owl showed dilation with parasites and fibrosis of the intrahepatic bile ducts and gallbladder. Microscopically, it was possible to identify trematodes in the bile ducts associated with a lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate. The morphological structures of the worms were described on histopathology and direct examination. The presence of parasitism that is usually cosmopolitan in wild animals represents a risk to the biodiversity of fauna in the region, as well as a warning about the spread and maintenance of the biological cycle of the worm in humans and domestic animals.

Hepatic arteriovenous malformation in a calf.

A case of hepatic arteriovenous malformation is described in a calf that presented with a marked increase in abdominal volume and died 12 h after birth. At necropsy, the calf had marked abdominal distension and haemoperitoneum. The left hepatic lobe was reduced in size and covered by slightly whitish and intensely vascularized membranous tissue. At the edge of the left lobe there were cystic structures filled with translucent fluid. On cut surface, there were multiple cavitations well delimited by whitish walls and multiple dilated blood vessels that communicated with the cavitations. Histopathology revealed an increase in the number of vascular structures of variable calibre within loose fibrous connective tissue. The diagnosis of hepatic arteriovenous malformation was based on the lesions and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Hepatic arteriovenous malformations are rare in all species, have not been described in cattle and should be included as a cause of mortality in neonates with post-partum haemoperitoneum.

Osteosarcoma in a free-living yellow armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus).

An adult male free-living yellow armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus) was found by hunters and referred for clinical evaluation because of a tumour-like lesion on the carapace. The animal was lethargic and weak with severe dehydration, enophthalmos and cachexia, and was euthanized because of its very poor clinical condition. Necropsy revealed a whitish, exophytic, irregular and moist mass (7 × 6.5 × 1.5 cm) in the caudal third of the carapace. On cut section, the mass was hard, compact, irregular and whitish. Histopathology revealed a densely cellular, expansive, poorly delimited neoplasm composed of malignant mesenchymal cells arranged in islands and cords, interspersed by numerous areas of irregularly mineralized osteoid matrix. Neoplastic cells were intensely immunolabelled for vimentin. The diagnosis of a high-grade osteosarcoma of osteoblastic subtype was based on the clinical, gross, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings. This first report of an osteosarcoma in an armadillo expands the list of armadillo diseases and will assist the management of these animals by veterinarians.

A Retrospective Study of Pythiosis in Domestic Animals in Northeastern Brazil.

Pythiosis is an endemic disease in northeastern Brazil and we now report the epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings in a retrospective study of naturally occurring cases in domestic animals. From January 1985 to December 2020, the Laboratory of Animal Pathology of the Federal University of Campina Grande examined 13,542 tissue samples from necropsies and biopsies. Among these samples, 306 were diagnosed as pythiosis: 195 cases in horses, 75 in sheep, 19 in dogs, six in mules, four in cattle, three in cats, two in goats, one in a donkey and one in an ostrich. Affected equids had lesions in the skin, mammary glands and nasal cavities. Affected sheep had cutaneous, nasal and digestive lesions while cattle and goats had cutaneous lesions. Carnivores developed lesions, mainly in the alimentary tract, of sufficient severity to cause death or result in euthanasia. The single affected bird had lesions in the alimentary tract and surgical excision resulted in remission. The disease had a long and life-threatening clinical course in most affected species but resolved spontaneously in cattle. Clinical signs were directly related to the location of the lesions, which were invariably characterized by chronic inflammation associated with intralesional hyphae. Veterinary clinicians and pathologists should be familiar with the clinicopathological features of pythiosis and the wide range of susceptible animal species.

Protothecosis by Prototheca wickerhamii in goats.

This article reports a new case of protothecosis by Prototheca wickerhamii in goats. The animal presented severe respiratory difficulty and nodules, sometimes ulcerated, in the nasal vestibule, mucocutaneous junction of the nostrils and skin of the face. Prototheca wickerhamii was isolated from the lesions. The animal had no clinical or haematologiccl evidence of immunodepression. The agent was highly resistant to antimicrobial drugs. The goat was treated unsuccessfully with fluconazole and euthanised 10 months after the diagnosis of the disease. Histological lesions were necrotising pyogranulomatous dermatitis, rhinitis and osteomyelitis with myriads of walled sporangia characteristic of P. wickerhamii. It is suggested that in goats, protothecosis is characterised by a chronic, slowly progressive infection, which affects immunologically competent goats, causing multifocal, ulcerative, pyogranulomatous and necrotising lesions of the mucosa of the nasal vestibule, mucocutaneous junctions of the nostrils and skin of the face.

Pythiosis in Equidae in Northeastern Brazil: 1985-2020.

The epidemiologic, clinical, pathologic, microbiological and immunohistochemical findings of pythiosis in equidae in northeastern Brazil are described. From January 1985 to December 2020 the Laboratory of Animal Pathology of the Federal University of Campina Grande received 1,331 tissue samples of equidae, 202 (15.17%) of which were diagnosed as pythiosis. Equidae of both sexes with ages varying from 4 months to 25 years were affected. Most animals were mixed breed (79.7%) and reared in an extensive system (73.26%). The disease occurred throughout the year but the highest incidence (70.29%) was noted after the rainy season. The clinical course was always chronic. The lesions were preferentially located on the limbs and ventral thoracoabdominal wall and characterized by nodules or tumor-like masses with ulcerations and serosanguineous discharge. The cut surface showed fistulous tracts containing kunkers. The direct examination of the kunkers and microbiological culture revealed sparsely septate and branched hyaline hyphae. Histopathology revealed a marked inflammatory infiltrate of eosinophils with multifocal well-defined areas of eosinophil necrosis and collagenolysis and intralesional negatively-stained hyphal profiles; in the donkey, a pyogranulomatous inflammatory infiltrate was noted surrounding these areas. Immunohistochemistry for Pythium insidiosum revealed strong immunolabelling of the hyphae. Pythiosis occurs endemically in equidae in northeastern Brazil, with seasonal variation in the incidence. The intralesional kunkers establishes an accurate presumptive diagnosis, but confirmation should preferably be performed through histopathology associated with immunohistochemistry, culture-based or molecular methods.

Focal symmetrical encephalomalacia in a goat.

Focal symmetrical encephalomalacia (FSE) is the most prominent lesion seen in the chronic form of enterotoxemia caused by Clostridium perfringens type D in sheep. However, this lesion has not been reported in goats. The current paper reports a case of FSE in a goat from the state of Paraíba in the Brazilian semiarid region. As reported by the farmer, 30, 4-48-month-old animals from a flock of 150 goats died after showing nervous signs, including blindness and recumbence, for periods varying between 1 and 14 days. The flock was grazing native pasture supplemented with wheat and corn bran. Additionally, lactating goats were supplemented with soybeans. A 4-month-old goat with nervous signs was examined clinically and then necropsied 3 days after the onset of clinical signs. Bilateral, focal, and symmetrical areas of brown discoloration were observed in the internal capsule and thalamus. Histologic lesions in these areas consisted of multifocal, bilateral malacia with a few neutrophils; endothelial cell swelling; perivascular edema; and hemorrhages. The etiology of these lesions was not determined. However, FSE is considered pathognomonic for C. perfringens type D enterotoxemia in sheep, and it is speculated that this microorganism was the etiologic agent in the present case. The flock had been vaccinated against type D enterotoxemia only once, approximately 3 months before the beginning of the outbreak. Insufficient immunity due to the incorrect vaccination protocol, low efficacy of the vaccine used, and a diet including large amounts of highly fermentable carbohydrates were suspected to be predisposing factors for this outbreak.

Histological analysis of biocompatibility of different surgical adhesives in subcutaneous tissue.

The focus of this study was to test the hypothesis that there would be no difference between the biocompatibility of cyanoacrylate-based adhesives in rat subcutaneous tissues. In total, 60 male Wistar rats were used, and divided into four groups (n = 15): Group C (control, PVA-polyvinyl alcohol sponge), Group NO (N-butyl-2-octylcyanoacrylate), Group NH (n-hexyl-cyanoacrylate), and Group EC (Ethyl-cyanoacrylate). The animals were sacrificed after time intervals of 7, 15, and 30 days and tissues were analyzed under optical microscope as regards the events of inflammatory infiltrate, edema, necrosis, granulation tissue, giant cells, young fibroblasts, and collagen formation. The results were statistically analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (p < .05). Significant inflammatory infiltrate was shown for all the adhesives in the time intervals of 7 (p = .004) and 15 days (p = .003). In the time interval of 30 days, moderate inflammatory infiltrate was observed in Groups NH and EC, with significant difference from Control (p = .001). The quantity of collagen fibers in all the experimental groups showed significant difference compared with Control in the time intervals of 7 (p = .002) and 15 days (p = .001), at 30 days only Group EC showed a smaller quantity of collagen fibers in comparison with Control (p = .001). The hypothesis was rejected. The adhesive N-butyl-2-octylcyanoacrylate had less influence on the inflammatory intensity of multinucleated giant cells. Ethyl-cyanoacrylate demonstrated the lowest level of biocompatibility among the adhesives, but its use in clinical practice may be promising for coaptation of smaller edges of superficial tissue. Surgical adhesives were shown to be feasible for clinical use in substitution of conventional suturing. Ethyl-cyanoacrylate should be used with caution due to its greater influence on tissues.

Toxic hepatopathy in sheep associated with the ingestion of the legume Tephrosia cinerea.

A disease known as water belly (barriga d'água), characterized by chronic progressive ascites, affects sheep in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. The objectives of this investigation were to study the disease and to determine its cause. Only sheep grazing for long periods in pastures where Tephrosia cinerea represents 80% to 100% of the available forage are affected. Most animals die after a clinical manifestation period of some weeks or months, but others recover when they are withdrawn from the pastures or after the first rains. At necropsy, large amounts of liquid were found in the abdominal cavity, and the liver was hard, with an irregular surface. On histology examination, the main liver lesion was chronic periportal and subcapsular fibrosis with bridging. The disease was produced experimentally in 1 sheep by the administration of large amounts of T. cinerea for 232 days. Another sheep, recovered from the spontaneous disease, had clinical signs after the ingestion of large amounts of the plant for 40 days. Seeds and leaves of the plant were examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids with negative results. It is concluded that the disease is caused by the ingestion of T. cinerea.

Clinical and toxicological findings in nitrate and nitrite poisoning in cattle in Northeastern Brazil / Achados clínicos e toxicológicos na intoxicação por nitrato e nitrito em bovinos no Nordeste do Brasil

We report two outbreaks of nitrate and nitrite poisoning in Paraíba, Northeast Brazil. The first, due to Pennisetum purpureum (elephant grass), and the second, due to P. purpureum and Brachiaria spp. (brachiaria grass), both occurred during a prolonged drought. In the first outbreak, the irrigation of the pastures with wastewater and sewage contributed to nitrate accumulation. The second outbreak occurred in pastures cultivated in the border of a dam, that had been submerged for long time accumulating large amounts of organic matter in the soil. Other probably risk factors for nitrate accumulation included the use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides and burning of the vegetation. In the first outbreak, four calves out of a total of 42 cattle died, and in the second outbreak 49 out of 243 cattle, including adults, yearlings, and a 2-day-old calf died. The clinical signs included dyspnea, cyanosis, ataxia, and falls, leading to death. The presence of nitrates was detected in both outbreaks using the diphenylamine test. Quantitative tests were performed in the second outbreak using a portable nitrate meter, and high nitrate concentrations were found. The characteristic macroscopic findings and absence of microscopic lesions and response to treatment with methylene blue were key to the diagnosis of poisoning by nitrates and nitrites. We conclude that poisoning by nitrates and nitrites in ruminants in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil is frequent due to the cultivation of grasses in the border of dams that had been covered by water for long periods or in areas irrigated by wastewater and/or sewage. In addition, the use of a portable measuring device is an effective alternative for the quantification of nitrates in pastures.

Relatamos dois surtos de intoxicação por nitrato e nitrito na Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. O primeiro por Pennisetum purpureum (capim-elefante), e o segundo por P. purpureum e Brachiaria spp. (capim braquiária); ambos ocorreram durante uma estiagem prolongada. No primeiro surto, a irrigação das pastagens com água poluída e esgoto contribuiu para o acúmulo de nitrato. O segundo surto ocorreu em pastagens cultivadas na borda de uma barragem, que há muito tempo ficavam submersas, acumulando grande quantidade de matéria orgânica no solo. Outros prováveis fatores de risco para o acúmulo de nitrato incluíram o uso de fertilizantes químicos e herbicidas e a queima da vegetação. No primeiro surto, quatro bezerros de um total de 42 bovinos morreram, e no segundo surto 49 de 243 bovinos, incluindo adultos, jovens de um ano e um bezerro de 2 dias de idade morreram. Os sinais clínicos incluíram dispneia, cianose, ataxia e quedas, levando à morte. A presença de nitratos foi detectada em ambos os surtos pelo teste de difenilamina. Testes quantitativos foram realizados no segundo surto usando um medidor portátil de nitrato, e altas concentrações de nitrato foram encontradas. Os achados macroscópicos característicos e a ausência de lesões microscópicas e a resposta ao tratamento com azul de metileno foram fundamentais para o diagnóstico de intoxicação por nitratos e nitritos. Concluímos que a intoxicação por nitratos e nitritos em ruminantes na região semiárida do Nordeste do Brasil é frequente devido ao cultivo de gramíneas nas bordas de barragens que estiveram cobertas por água por longos períodos ou em áreas irrigadas por água poluída e/ou esgoto. Além disso, o uso de medidor portátil é uma alternativa eficaz para a quantificação de nitratos em pastagens.

Clinical and toxicological findings in nitrate and nitrite poisoning in cattle in Northeastern Brazil / Achados clínicos e toxicológicos na intoxicação por nitrato e nitrito em bovinos no Nordeste do Brasil

We report two outbreaks of nitrate and nitrite poisoning in Paraíba, Northeast Brazil. The first, due to Pennisetum purpureum (elephant grass), and the second, due to P. purpureum and Brachiaria spp. (brachiaria grass), both occurred during a prolonged drought. In the first outbreak, the irrigation of the pastures with wastewater and sewage contributed to nitrate accumulation. The second outbreak occurred in pastures cultivated in the border of a dam, that had been submerged for long time accumulating large amounts of organic matter in the soil. Other probably risk factors for nitrate accumulation included the use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides and burning of the vegetation. In the first outbreak, four calves out of a total of 42 cattle died, and in the second outbreak 49 out of 243 cattle, including adults, yearlings, and a 2-day-old calf died. The clinical signs included dyspnea, cyanosis, ataxia, and falls, leading to death. The presence of nitrates was detected in both outbreaks using the diphenylamine test. Quantitative tests were performed in the second outbreak using a portable nitrate meter, and high nitrate concentrations were found. The characteristic macroscopic findings and absence of microscopic lesions and response to treatment with methylene blue were key to the diagnosis of poisoning by nitrates and nitrites. We conclude that poisoning by nitrates and nitrites in ruminants in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil is frequent due to the cultivation of grasses in the border of dams that had been covered by water for long periods or in areas irrigated by wastewater and/or sewage. In addition, the use of a portable measuring device is an effective alternative for the quantification of nitrates in pastures.(AU)

Relatamos dois surtos de intoxicação por nitrato e nitrito na Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. O primeiro por Pennisetum purpureum (capim-elefante), e o segundo por P. purpureum e Brachiaria spp. (capim braquiária); ambos ocorreram durante uma estiagem prolongada. No primeiro surto, a irrigação das pastagens com água poluída e esgoto contribuiu para o acúmulo de nitrato. O segundo surto ocorreu em pastagens cultivadas na borda de uma barragem, que há muito tempo ficavam submersas, acumulando grande quantidade de matéria orgânica no solo. Outros prováveis fatores de risco para o acúmulo de nitrato incluíram o uso de fertilizantes químicos e herbicidas e a queima da vegetação. No primeiro surto, quatro bezerros de um total de 42 bovinos morreram, e no segundo surto 49 de 243 bovinos, incluindo adultos, jovens de um ano e um bezerro de 2 dias de idade morreram. Os sinais clínicos incluíram dispneia, cianose, ataxia e quedas, levando à morte. A presença de nitratos foi detectada em ambos os surtos pelo teste de difenilamina. Testes quantitativos foram realizados no segundo surto usando um medidor portátil de nitrato, e altas concentrações de nitrato foram encontradas. Os achados macroscópicos característicos e a ausência de lesões microscópicas e a resposta ao tratamento com azul de metileno foram fundamentais para o diagnóstico de intoxicação por nitratos e nitritos. Concluímos que a intoxicação por nitratos e nitritos em ruminantes na região semiárida do Nordeste do Brasil é frequente devido ao cultivo de gramíneas nas bordas de barragens que estiveram cobertas por água por longos períodos ou em áreas irrigadas por água poluída e/ou esgoto. Além disso, o uso de medidor portátil é uma alternativa eficaz para a quantificação de nitratos em pastagens.(AU)

Cutaneous pythiosis in a donkey (Equus asinus) in Brazil.

Our study describes the clinical, epidemiologic, pathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular aspects PCR of a case of cutaneous pythiosis in a donkey (Equus asinus) from Brazil. During a dry period, the animal grazed for 4 months around a pond where the vegetation remained green. Skin lesions were nodular, multifocal, and disseminated, mainly involving the legs, ventral chest, and mammary gland. On cut surface, there were multifocal to coalescent discrete yellow foci, and occasional small cavitations with a few kunkers. Ulcerative nodular pyogranulomatous and eosinophilic dermatitis with folliculitis and furunculosis were observed histologically. Hyphae were observed in sections stained with Gomori methenamine silver. Immunohistochemistry with Pythium insidiosum antibodies yielded strong immunostaining of hyphae. P. insidiosum DNA was extracted from tissues in paraffin blocks by amplification of a fragment of 105 bp, which targets the 5.8S ribosomal gene. After the diagnosis of pythiosis, the larger skin lesions were excised and treated as second intention healing wounds, which were completely healed 30 days after resection. Small skin lesions regressed spontaneously in ~60 days. The granulomatous inflammation and outcome of the disease in this donkey were similar to cases of pythiosis in cattle.

Pythiosis in cattle in Northeastern Brazil / Pitiose em bovinos no Nordeste do Brasil

The epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of cutaneous pythiosis occurring in cattle from three farms in the Northeastern of Brazil are described. A biopsy of the lesions of one bovine from each farm was performed. In two cases, the affected cattle had contact with water accumulated in dams during the dry season in the semiarid region. Another case occurred in the coastal tropical region in cattle grazing around irrigation channels. Clinically, lesions were observed mainly on the skin of the thoracic and/or pelvic limbs, characterized by flat and irregular ulcerated areas or nodules of varying sizes, some with fistulous tracts penetrating deep into the subcutaneous tissue. In one case the regional lymph nodes were affected. Histologically, in all cases, pyogranulomatous dermatitis associated with negative hyphae images, in hematoxylin-eosin stained sections, were observed. In sections stained by Grocott methenamine silver, the hyphae measured 2-8μm and had irregular ramifications and rare septations. Immunohistochemistry technique demonstrated strong immunolabeling for Pythium insidiosum. Pythiosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of dermatopathies in cattle in the Northeastern of Brazil.(AU)

Descrevem-se os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos da pitiose cutânea em bovinos de três propriedades do Nordeste do Brasil. Uma biópsia das lesões de um bovino de cada propriedade foi realizada. Em dois casos, os bovinos afetados tiveram acesso à água acumulada em açudes durante a estação seca da região semiárida. O outro bovino acometido estava a pastoreio próximo a canais de irrigação na região litorânea. Clinicamente, as lesões foram observadas principalmente na pele dos membros torácicos e/ou pélvicos e caracterizavam-se por áreas planas e irregulares de ulceração ou nódulos de tamanhos variados, alguns com trajetos fistulosos penetrando profundamente no tecido subcutâneo. Em um caso, os linfonodos regionais foram afetados. Histologicamente, em todos os casos, observou-se dermatite piogranulomatosa associada a imagens negativas de hifas, em secções corados por hematoxilina e eosina. Em seções coradas por metenamina de prata de Grocott, as hifas mediam 2-8μm e possuíam ramificações irregulares com raras septações. A imuno-histoquímica demonstrou forte imunomarcação para Pythium insidiosum. A pitiose deve ser incluída como diagnóstico diferencial de dermatopatias de bovinos no Nordeste do Brasil.(AU)

Poisoning by Ipomoea asarifolia in lambs by the ingestion of milk from ewes that ingest the plant.

Two experiments, each with 10 pregnant ewes (8 treated and 2 controls) were performed to determine if nursing lambs of lactating ewes become intoxicated when the ewes ingest Ipomoea asarifolia but do not show clinical signs themselves. In the first experiment the sheep grazed I. asarifolia in the field while in the second, sheep were maintained in individual bays consuming dry I. asarifolia at 10% and 20% into their ration. In both experiments the lambs remained confined, consuming only their mother's milk. Four of 8 lambs in the grazing experiment and the 4 nursing lambs from the ewes given 20% I. asarifolia showed signs of I. asarifolia poisoning. These results confirm that the tremorgenic compound of I. asarifolia or its toxic metabolites are eliminated in milk and can intoxicate nursing lambs.

Outbreaks of Vesicular stomatitis Alagoas virus in horses and cattle in northeastern Brazil.

The current article describes outbreaks of vesicular stomatitis (VS) in horses and cattle in Paraiba and Rio Grande do Norte states, northeastern Brazil, between June and August 2013. The reported cases affected 15-20 horses and 6 cattle distributed over 6 small farms in 4 municipalities, but additional data indicated the involvement of a large number of animals on several farms. The disease was characterized by blisters; eruptive lesions in coronary bands, lips, mouth, and muzzle; salivation; claudication and loss of condition. Swollen lower limbs and lips, and ulcerated and erosive areas in the lips and muzzle were observed in some horses. A necrotizing vesiculopustular dermatitis and stomatitis was observed histologically. Vesicular stomatitis virus was isolated from the vesicular fluid of a horse lesion and shown to be serologically related to the VS Indiana serogroup (VSIV) by virus neutralization. Convalescent sera of affected horses and cattle, and from healthy contacts, harbored high levels of neutralizing antibodies against the isolated virus (named VSIV-3 2013SaoBento/ParaibaE). Genomic sequences of VSIV subtype 3 (Vesicular stomatitis Alagoas virus) were amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction out of clinical specimens from a cow and a horse from different farms. Nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the phosphoprotein gene indicated that the 2 isolates were derived from the same virus and clustered them in VSIV-3, along with VS viruses identified in southeastern and northeastern Brazil in the last decades. Thus, the present report demonstrates the circulation of VSIV-3 in northeastern Brazil and urges for more effective diagnosis and surveillance.

Natural and experimental poisoning of goats with the pyrrolizidine alkaloid-producing plant Crotalaria retusa L.

Crotalaria retusa L. (rattleweed), estimated to contain about 4.96% monocrotaline (MCT) in the seed, was associated with a natural poisoning outbreak in goats. The poisoning was experimentally reproduced by the administration of C. retusa seeds containing approximately 4.49% of MCT. Thus, 1 of 3 goats given a single dose of 5 g/kg bodyweight (bw) of seeds (248 mg MCT/kg bw) and 2 goats given a single dose of 347 mg MCT/kg bw showed acute clinical signs and were euthanized 10-11 days after dosing. Clinical signs and gross and histologic lesions were characteristic of acute centrilobular liver necrosis.

Encefalopatia hepática secundária à intoxicação por Tephrosia cinerea em ovinos / Hepatic encephalopathy secondary to poisoning by Tephrosia cinerea in sheep

A intoxicação por Tephrosia cinerea causa fibrose hepática periacinar em ovinos na região semiárida do Nordeste, com quadro clínico de ascite acentuada, e, ocasionalmente, com sinais neurológicos. Neste trabalho foram estudadas 16 ovinos em 6 surtos de intoxicação por T. cinerea. Todos os ovinos apresentaram lesões histológicas de fibrose periacinar e seis apresentaram, no encéfalo, vacuolização da substância branca e da junção entre a substância branca e a cinzenta com presença de astrócitos de Alzheimer tipo II na substância cinzenta. A doença foi reproduzida experimentalmente em dois ovinos que apresentaram ascite, desvios vasculares (shunts) porto-sistêmicos e sinais nervosos com lesões histológicas semelhantes a dos casos espontâneos. Na técnica de imuno-histoquímica houve marcação fraca ou ausente do citoplasma astrocitário para o anticorpo anti-GFAP em seis ovinos evidenciando uma alteração degenerativa, em que os astrócitos acumulam corpos densos e reduzem o volume de GFAP. Houve marcação positiva para o anticorpo anti-S100 em oito ovinos, incluindo os dois ovinos experimentais o que sugere reatividade celular, com proliferação mitocondrial e de retículo endoplasmático liso. Estas alterações são caraterísticas dos efeitos da amônia nos astrócitos. Conclui-se que na intoxicação por T. cinerea em alguns ovinos ocorrem sinais nervosos em consequência da encefalopatia hepática.(AU)

In the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil, Tephrosia cinerea causes periacinar hepatic fibrosis in sheep with severe ascites and, occasionally, nervous signs. Sixteen sheep from six outbreaks of T. cinerea poisoning were studied. All sheep had histologic lesion of periacinar fibrosis and six showed, in the brain, vacuolization (spongy degeneration) of the white matter and junction between grey and white matter and presence of Alzheimer type II astrocytes in the grey matter. The disease was produced experimentally in two sheep, that presented porto-sistemic shunts and similar histologic lesions as those observed in the spontaneous cases. Immunohistochemistry revealed weak labelling with anti-GFAP antibodies suggesting a degenerative alteration of astrocytes with accumulation of dense bodies and reduction of the GFAP. There was strong labelling with anti-S100 antibodies suggesting cellular reactivity with proliferation of mitochondria and endoplasmatic reticulum. Such alterations are characteristic of the effects caused by ammonia on the astrocytes. It is concluded that in poisoning by T. cinerea nervous signs due to hepatic encephalopathy occur in some sheep.(AU)

Surto de parvovirose cardíaca em filhotes de cães no Brasil / Outbreak of parvoviral myocarditis in puppies in Brazil

Descrevem-se os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos, patológicos e imuno-histoquímicos de um surto de parvovirose cardíaca em filhotes de cães. O surto ocorreu em um canil localizado na cidade de Parnamirim, Rio Grande do Norte, região Nordeste do Brasil. De uma ninhada de nove filhotes, um foi natimorto e seis morreram entre 35-57 dias de idade após apresentarem sinais clínicos cardiorrespiratórios com evolução de 10 minutos a três dias. Dos seis filhotes que morreram, dois foram encaminhados para necropsia. No exame macroscópico, ambos os animais apresentaram discreta efusão pericárdica, coração marcadamente globoso, difusa palidez nas superfícies epicárdica e miocárdica e dilatação da cavidade ventricular esquerda. Nos pulmões, observaram-se áreas multifocais avermelhadas na superfície pleural e ao corte fluía líquido espumoso e levemente avermelhado. O fígado estava difusamente aumentado de tamanho, com acentuação do padrão lobular e com áreas pálidas entremeadas por áreas escuras que, ao corte, se aprofundavam ao parênquima. Microscopicamente observou-se miocardite linfohistiocítica, necrosante, associada a fibrose intersticial e corpúsculos de inclusões virais basofílicos intranucleares em cardiomiócitos. Nos pulmões observou-se pneumonia intersticial e edema, e no fígado notou-se degeneração e necrose centrolobular a mediozonal associada à congestão e hemorragia. O diagnóstico foi confirmado por imuno-histoquímica. A forma miocárdica da parvovirose canina pode ocorrer ocasionalmente em filhotes de cadelas que não foram efetivamente vacinadas. Essa forma clínica da doença caracteriza-se por alterações cardiorrespiratórias e morte hiperaguda ou aguda dos animais afetados.(AU)

We describe the epidemiological, clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical aspects of parvoviral myocarditis outbreak in puppies. The outbreak occurred in a kennel located in Parnamirim, Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern of Brazil. In a litter of nine pups, one was stillbirth and six died between 35-57 days of age after cardiopulmonary clinical signs with evolution of 10 minutes to three days. Of the six puppies that died, two were sent for necropsy. On gross examination, both animals had discreet pericardial effusion, markedly distended heart, diffuse pallor in epicardial and myocardial surfaces and dilation of the left ventricular cavity. The lungs were observed multifocal reddish areas in the pleural surface and at cutting flowed foamed and slightly red liquid. The liver was diffusely increased in size, with lobular standard accentuation and pale areas interspersed with dark areas wich deepened in the parenchyma. Microscopically observed linfohistiocítica myocarditis, necrotizing, associated with interstitial fibrosis and basophilic intranuclear viral inclusions corpuscles in cardiomyocytes. In the lungs there were edema and interstitial pneumonia and in the liver was noted centrilobular to mediozonal degeneration and necrosis associated with congestion and hemorrhage. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The parvoviral myocarditis can occasionally occur in puppies of bitches that have not been effectively vaccinated. This clinical form of the disease characterized by cardiorespiratory changes and hyperacute or acute death of the affected animals.(AU)