First Autochthonous Case of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in the Center of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Background: Leishmaniasis is one of the most important vector-borne diseases of humans. This parasitic disease can be caused by many species of Leishmania. In humans, different species of the parasite are associated with different forms of the disease, cutaneous and visceral. Among domesticated animals, dogs are the most important species in the epidemiology of this disease. Leishmania chagasi, an important zoonosis, is well established as the agent of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. The disease is endemic in north, northeast, midwest and southeast, and is transmitted to mammals by hematophagous insects such as the Lutzomyia longipalpis. In 2008, our research group has diagnosed a case of canine leishmaniasis in the municipality of Uruguaiana and subsequently there were several cases in the city and the neighbor municipality of Sao Borja. Most Brazilian states are endemic for leishmaniasis, with the exception of Rio Grande do Sul. In southern Brazil, the reports of humans and dogs infected by Leishmania spp. are the source of endemic area in the country. Therefore, the aim of this study is register the first clinical case of canine visceral leishmaniasis in the municipality of Santa Maria, RS.Case: In october 2010, a veterinary clinic of Santa Maria received a canine, female, Doberman, with two years of age. The animal had severe skin lesions on the head and limbs, pale mucous membranes, and enlarged lymph nodes. According to the owner, the animal showed progressive weight loss and anorexia for more than five days. During the clinical examination the blood was collected for hemogram and cytology of lymph nodes was performed by puncture aspiration with a fine needle. In the erythrogram, it was observed a decrease in the total number of erythrocytes (2.8 x 10(6)/mu L), hematocrit (21%), hemoglobin (6.8 g/dL) and platelets (98 x 10(3)/mu L). In the leucogram, any alteration was observed. The cytology of lymph nodes showed amastigotes forms, suggestive of the Leishmania spp. Based on this finding; we performed the blood collection for PCR, to confirm parasitism and to determine the species of Leishmania. At the molecular test was used PCR-specific for L. chagasi, and the result was positive.Discussion: This is the first autochthonous clinical case in the central region of the RS, non-endemic area for leishmaniasis. In serological studies of visceral leishmaniasis it was diagnosed in five asymptomatic dogs in the municipalities of Santa Maria, Julio de Castilhos and Itaara, however not confirmed by molecular analysis. In the municipalities of Cruz Alta and Uruguaiana cases of L. chagasi have been reported in dogs which previously resided in Leishmania sp. endemic areas. The municipality of Sao Borja had the first record of L. longipalpis in the RS during the leishmaniasis outbreak in 2008-2009. In the central region of the RS vector has not been found, but because in this first autochthonous case dog in Santa Maria believe that the parasite is present and/or doing other insect transmission of leishmaniasis. Clinical signs associated with hematologic and coagulation disorders observed in the canine are commonly described in symptomatic dogs in endemic regions. This case of autochthonous leishmaniasis reinforces the idea of the vector presence in Santa Maria, center of the RS. We believe that canine leishmaniasis is an emerging disease in the southern region of Brazil.

Bilateral Leydig cell tumor in stallion

The authors report a rare case of bilateral Leydig cell tumor in a noncryptorchid stallion, describing the gross. and microscopic findings. An 8-year-old Appaloosa stallion was examined for a unilateral enlargement of the testis associated with discomfort during palpation and signs of colic. General health conditions were good. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the testis provided the diagnosis of bilateral Leydig cell tumor. Bilateral orchiectomy was performed and the testes were submitted to histopathologic examination that confirmed the diagnosis of Leydig cell tumor.

Cytological identification and quantification of testicular cell types using fine needle aspiration in horses

Fifteen stallions of different breeds, age 3-11 years, had their right testicles evaluated by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Cytological analysis showed the following spermatogenic cell types: spermatogonia (1.6% +/- 1.1); spermatocyte I (3.4% +/- 2.2); spermatocyte II (0.8% +/- 0.7); early spermatids (25.5% +/- 9.5); late spermatids (37.0% +/- 9.3). Spermatozoal numbers were expressed as the spermatic index (SI = 31.5% +/- 8.5) and Sertoli cells mere expressed as the Sertoli cell index (SEI = 20.9% +/- 17.0) (means +/- s.d). Identification of cell types was relatively easy and no immediate adverse effects of aspiration were noted. The results suggest that FNAC of testis may assist clinical diagnosis in the study of male equine infertility.

Early embryonic death in mares: clinical and hormonal aspects

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Reproductive characteristics of stallions during the breeding and non-breeding season in a tropical region

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Survey radiography and computerized tomography imaging of the thorax in female dogs with mammary tumors

Background: Accurate early diagnosis of lung metastases is important for establishing therapeutic measures. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare survey thoracic radiographs and computerized tomography (CT) scans to specifically identify lung metastases in female dogs with mammary tumors.Methods: Twenty-one female dogs, weighing 3 to 34 kg and aged from 5 years to 14 years and 10 months, with mammary tumors were studied. In all dogs before the imaging examinations, fine-needle aspiration cytology of the mammary tumors was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Three-view thoracic radiographs were accomplished: right lateral, left lateral and ventrodorsal views. Sequential transverse images of the thorax were acquired on a spiral Scanner, before and after intravenous bolus injection of nonionic iodine contrast. Soft-tissue and lung windows were applied. All the mammary tumors were surgically removed and examined histologically.Results: The correlation between the cytological and histological results regarding presence of malignancy was observed in only 17 cases. In radiographic examinations, no dog displayed signs of lung metastases or thorax chest lesions. CT detected lung metastasis in two cases, while small areas of lung atelectasis located peripherally were found in 28.57% of the dogs.Conclusion: In this study population, spiral CT showed higher sensitivity than chest radiographies to detect lung metastasis; this indicates that CT should be performed on all female dogs with malignant mammary tumors.

Ovarian activity reversibility after the use of deslorelin acetate as a short-term contraceptive in domestic queens

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ameloblastic carcinoma of the maxilla: A case report

This study aims to present the clinical features and treatment of a case of maxillary ameloblastic carcinoma. A meloblastic carcinoma is a rare malignant odontogenic carcinoma that has metastatic potential. Due to its rare incidence, there are few studies focusing on its radiological characteristics. When ameloblastic carcinoma demonstrates an aggressive appearance, it may be diagnosed as a malignant tumor; however, in cases showing a non-aggressive appearance, it is difficult to distinguish ameloblastic carcinoma from ameloblastoma. We report a case of ameloblastic carcinoma of the maxilla in a 59-year-old male patient, including the clinical signs, radiological images and pathological features. A partial area was surgically excised under local anesthesia and the material was sent to the Laboratory of Oral Pathology. The histological sections revealed a fragmented odontogenic tumor of epithelial origin, consisting of solid parenchyma and also revealed basal cells resembling ameloblasts, occasionally arranged in palisades. Certain parts of the architecture resembled that of an ameloblastoma; however, the cytology of other areas confirmed the diagnosis of ameloblastic carcinoma of the maxilla. The patient was scheduled for definitive surgery, including a right maxillectomy and radiotherapy. The patient was followed up every 3 months. After 2 years follow-up, there were no clinical or radiological signs of recurrence.

Morphological changes on the hard palatine mucosa of rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) after chronic alcohol consumption

In order to examine the effects of alcohol on the hard palatine mucosa of rats, sixty adult female rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) were divided into two experimental groups. The control group received solid diet (Purina rat chow) and tap water ad libitum. The alcoholic group received the same solid diet and was allowed to drink only sugar cane brandy dissolved in 30% Gay Lussac (v/v). At the end of periods of 90, 180 and 270 days of treatment, the animals at estro were sacrificed and the hard palatine mucosa were prepared for TEM and SEM methods. The basal cells of the alcoholic groups (90, 180 and 270 days of treatment) demonstrated some alterations: the intercellular spaces between these cells were higher, presented cytoplasmatic lipid droplets and autolysis. Also, the connective tissue showed intense lipid droplets accumulation in the alcoholic groups. These modifications suggested that chronic alcohol ingestion was able to modify the integrity of the cells in the rat hard palatine mucosa.

Ultrastructural aspects of the retractor ocular bulbi muscle in the opossum (Didelphis albiventris)

In the present study the different types of muscle fibers of the retractor ocular bulbi muscle of the South American opossum were classified according to their ultrastructural characteristics. The tridimensional characteristics of the neuromuscular junctions present: in this muscle were also demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Five adult opossums, three males and two females, were perfused with fixative solution through the left ventricle and their right retractor ocular bulbi muscle was prepared for the ultrastructural study of muscle fibers. The contralateral muscle was used for the study of neuromuscular junctions by SEM. Three types of fibers were detected, denoted 1r, 2r and 3r. Only simple neuromuscular junctions of the plate type were visualized by SEM.

Ultrastructural features of the glandular region of the stomach of Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg, 1887) with emphasis on the oxyntopeptic cell

The characteristics of the lining and glandular epithelial types of the wall of the stomach of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887) were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Columnar mucous cells were observed in the lining epithelial surface and the glandular epithelium that invaginated in the lamina propria showed secretory cells or oxyntopeptic cells as called by some authors in the literature. The columnar epithelial cells are narrow and show a basal nucleus. They are rich in organelles and contain secretory granules of round or rectangular shape heterogeneously electron dense in the apical portion. In the basal region of the glands there are secretory cells. The luminal half of these cells has abundant tubules (tubulo-vesicular system) that communicate with the external medium. Deeper basally in the cytoplasm there are the nucleus, mitochondria of various shapes and other scattered organelles.

Comparative Study of Oral Mucosa Micronuclei in Smokers and Alcoholic Smokers

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Cytogenetic damage of oral mucosa by consumption of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)