Estudo histológico e imunoistoquímico do sistema nervoso central de cães naturalmente infectados por Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi

The present study aimed to characterize the histopathological alterations and to detect, by immunohistochemistry, the presence of amastigote forms of Leishmania in CNS tissue of dogs with and without neurological clinical signs of the disease. Two groups of animals were used: the first was composed of 18 dogs with visceral leishmaniasis without clinical evidence of neurological involvement, and the second, composed of 21 dogs with visceral leishmaniasis and neurological symptoms. The most frequent histopathological alterations found in the CNS of dogs of both groups were neuronal degeneration with neuronophagia, gliosis, leptomeningitis, vascular congestion, presence of perivascular lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate and areas of focal microhemorrhage. Antigen labeling for whole forms of Leishmania amastigotes was not observed in any fragment of the CNS of the dogs of either groups; however, most of them presented labeling of blood vessels walls, which suggests the presence of circulating parasite antigens.

Estudo da reatividade cruzada em amostras de soro de cães positivos para Leishmania sp., Babesia canis e Ehrlichia canis, pelo ensaio imunoenzimático indireto e pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta

To verify the presence of cross-reaction among leishmaniosis, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis in serological diagnostics used in human visceral leishmaniasis control programs, serum samples from leishmaniasis endemic and non-endemic areas were collected and tested by Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFAT) and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All serum samples from endemic areas were positive for Leishmania sp., by ELISA and IFAT, 51% positive for Babesia canis and 43% for Ehrlichia canis by IFAT. None of the serum samples from non-endemic areas were positive for Leishmania sp., by IFAT, but 67% were positive for B. canis and 78% for E. canis using the same test. When tested by ELISA for Leishmania sp., four samples from non-endemic area were positive. These dogs were then located and no clinical signs, parasites or antibody was detected in new tests for a six month period. Only one of these 4 samples was positive for B. canis by IFAT and ELISA and three for E. canis by IFAT. The results of the work suggest a co-infection in the endemic area and no serological cross-reaction among these parasites by IFAT and ELISA.

Polineuropatia associada a hipotireoidismo em cães: Relato de seis casos

Six Doberman Pinscher, between six and eight years of age, were presented to the Veterinary Hospital from Faculty of Veterinary Science of The University of Buenos Aires. Neurological examination revealed tetraparesis with inability to walk, decreased muscle tonus and myotatic reflexes in all dogs. Serum cholesterol levels, creatine kinase and alkaline phosphatase activities were mildly to markedly elevated, and tibial motor nerve conduction velocities were slow in all dogs. Basal measurements of free T4 and TSH were determined by radioimmunoassay. Although fT4 values were within normal range, in all dogs TSH values were elevated. Based on this results, hypothyroidism was diagnosed and a supplementation therapy was established with oral levothyroxine (T4). Two weeks after treatment has been started, all patients had an improvement in clinical signs, and within a month gait became normal, as well as muscular tonus and spinal reflexes.

Effects of mandibular fixed implant-supported prostheses on masticatory and swallowing functions in completely edentulous elderly individuals

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of oral rehabilitation with immediately loaded fixed implant-supported mandibular prostheses on chewing and swallowing in elderly individuals. Materials and Methods: Fifteen completely edentulous patients aged more than 60 years (10 women and rive men), wearing removable dentures in both arches, had a mandibular denture replaced by an implant-supported prosthesis. All individuals were evaluated before surgery and again 3, 6, and 18 months later with regard to mastication and swallowing conditions. Examinations entailed an interview, evaluation of tactile sensitivity of the face, and observation of food intake, masticatory type, formations of bolus, and pain during mastication. The swallowing evaluation comprised observation of clinical signs related to the oral and pharyngeal stages of swallowing, as well as the presence of oral residue. The findings of different evaluations before and 3, 6, and 18 months after the surgical-prosthetic procedure were statistically compared by analysis of variance for repeated measurements at a significance level of 5%. Results: The questionnaire revealed a reduction in complaints of masticatory and swallowing disturbances, a decreased need for liquid ingestion, and reduced choking and coughing. Clinical evaluations showed improved oral function and bolus propulsion for both solid and paste-consistency foods; pain during mastication was also resolved. Conclusion: Treatment with mandibular implant-supported dentures had positive effects on the clinical aspects of mastication and swallowing in elderly individuals.

Participation of genes involved in the process of anaerobic respiration of infection in chickens by salmonella typhimurium

Intestinal pathogens are exposed to various stress conditions during their infectious cycle. Anaerobiosis, one of such hostile condition, is offered by the host within gut and intestinal lumen, where survival, multiplication and entry into intestinal epithelial cells are priority for the invasion of the pathogen. The fumarate reductase (frdABCD), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) reductase (dmsABC), and nitrate reductase (narGHIJ) operons in Salmonella Typhimurium (STM) encode enzymes involved in anaerobic respiration to the electron acceptors fumarate, DMSO, TMAO, and nitrate, respectively. They are regulated in response to nitrate and oxygen availability and changes in cell growth rate. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is synthesized by Salmonella Typhimurium only under anaerobic growth conditions used as a cofactor in four known reactions. The deletion of cobS and cbiA genes prevent any form of cobalamin production. In the present study we evaluate the infection of birds by mutants of STM, with the anaerobic respiratory system committed by mutations in the genes: narG, napA, cobS, cbiA, frdA, dmsA, and torC. Virulence was assessed by oral inoculation of groups of one-day-old broilers with 0.1 mL of culture contained 10 8 colony forming units (CFU)/mL or diluted at 10 -3 and 10 -2 of strains mutants of Salmonella Typhimurium. Clinical signs and mortality were recorded over a period of 21 days. In general, the symptoms of chickens infected with the mutant strains were similar to those presenting by control birds. Except for STMNalr cbiA, all showed reduced capacity to cause mortality in comparison with the original strain. The mortality of group of chickens infected with STMNal r △narG, STMNal r △frdA, STMNal r △dmsA and STMNal r △cobS△cbiA showed significant decrease in mortality compared to control group (p<0.05).

Intoxicação por chumbo em um cão - relato de caso

The present study reports the occurrence of lead poisoning in a male, 2 year-old mongrel dog attended at UNESP Botucatu Veterinary Hospital. The animal was brought to the hospital with claim of gastrointestinal and nervous disturbs for 10 days, worsening in the last 24 hours. After unsuccessfully attempts to control status epileticus, the animal died. Hematological evaluation revealed significant rubricytosis and basophilic stippling, highly suggestive of lead poisoning. Serum lead concentration confirmed toxic levels of this element. Necropsy evidenced the presence of foreign bodies in stomach (one stone and two metallic objects) and, microscopically, characteristic inclusions in renal parenchyma. Fragments obtained from liver and kidneys revealed lead concentrations of 0, 8 μg/g and 25 μg/g, respectively, which in association to clinical signs of saturnism, determined the diagnosis of lead poisoning.

Hemangiossarcoma cardíaco em cão: Relato de caso

Cardiac tumors are relatively rare in dogs, being hemangiosarcoma (HAS) the most common neoplasia. It consists in a primary, endothelial-originated neoplasia, which frequently compromises the right atrium. The pericardial effusion, frequently identified in dogs with heart HSA is responsible for the clinical signs, such as lethargy, exercise intolerance, dyspnea, and syncope. The diagnosis is difficult and suggested mainly by the clinic, hematologic, radiographic and echocardiographic findings, and was confirmed by histopathological examination. The present study aimed to report the presence of a heart HSA in a seven year old, spayed dog presented with signs of a congestive heart failure, due to the presence of a pericardial effusion secondary to tumor, and also lung, liver and spleen metastases. Despite this uncommon association a cardiac tumor should be suspected when signs of a heart failure, with rapid decline in the clinical status abruptly occurs.

Safety and efficacy of a Salmonella Gallinarum ΔcobSΔcbiA strain with potential to prevent chicken infections by Salmonella Gallinarum and Salmonella Enteritidis

New vaccine design techniques have allowed the development of effective vaccine strains against Salmonella infections in which the risks of reversion to the wild type and virulence is null. The mutant strain Salmonella Gallinarum ΔcobSΔcbiA was previously shown to be avirulent in chickens. In this study, this strain was tested as a vaccine against Salmonella Gallinarum (SG) and S. Enteritidis (SE) infections, and its protection levels, safety and possible risks of reversion to virulence after vaccination of layers were evaluated. Birds were vaccinated at five days of age or at five and 25 days of age. At 45 days of age, brown and white layers were challenged with SG and SE wild strains, respectively. Two assays to test the possibility of reversion to virulence were performed. Five successive bacterial passages in brown layers were carried out in the first assay. In the second assay, brown layers received a ten-fold concentrated inoculum of the SGΔcobSΔcbiA strain and were evaluated for clinical signs and mortality. In both experiments, no birds that received the inoculation of the attenuated strain died. Additionally, the use of the mutant strain as a vaccine provided good protection levels against both challenge strains.

Relevance of Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides) in experimental epidemiology of Newcastle disease

This study aimed to characterize the true epidemiological role played by the Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides) as a potential source of infection by the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). For this, Specific-Pathogen-Free chicks (SPF) were used and were housed with Chinese geese that had been inoculated with a pathogenic strain (velogenic viscerotropic, strain São João do Meriti) of NDV (DIE50=108.15/0.1 mL) pathogenic to chickens, by the ocular-nasal route. Each group was composed of 6 SPF Leghorn chicks and 3 geese. At 6 days (Group I) and 14 days (Group II) after inoculation of the Chinese geese with NDV, SPF chicks were put into direct contact with each goose group. Cloacal swabs were collected from both species (Chinese geese and SPF chicks) 6, 10 and 20 days after challenge to genome viral excretion by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Chinese geese did not demonstrate any clinical signs of Newcastle disease (ND). They were refractory to the clinical disease with the NDV. However, NDV genome was detected 20 days after challenge. Therefore, NDV carrier status was demonstrated by Chinese geese. Moreover, 100% of SPF chicks housed with the infected Chinese geese had died by 6 (Group I) and 14 days (Group II) after challenge. Thus, the transmission of the pathogenic virus from the Chinese geese to cohabiting SPF chicks was evident within 20 days of the experimental infection. This reveals the epidemiological importance of Chinese geese as a potential transmitter of NDV infection to other commercial birds that could be raised in close proximity.

Intussuscepção ileocólica associada a torção mesentérica em um cão: Relato de caso

Mesenteric torsion is a rare disease in dogs whereas it is more common to affect large animals. The main clinical signs observed are acute, such as prostration and abdominal distension which evolve to a state of shock and death. This paper reports the mesenteric torsion in a dog that was presented to veterinary care with generalized acute abdominal pain of sudden onset. At the physical examination, signs of acute abdomen, rectal temperature of 35 oC, moderate dehydration, congested mucous membrane, and prostration were detected. Emergency therapy was instituted and radiographic and ultrasound examinations were requested. The radiography showed increase in the bowel diameter and an image suggestive of intussusception. The patient was referred to emergency exploratory laparotomy and obtained a definite diagnosis of ileocolic intussusception associated to mesenteric torsion. Due to the extent of intestinal dysfunction, the patient was euthanized on the operating table.

Relevance of lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis Selby, 1836) in experimental epidemiology of Newcastle disease

Studies were made to clarify the role that was played by the lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis) in the epidemiological plan, under the perspective of its being a potential source of infection of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV). The study used Specific-Pathogen-Free chicks (SPF) that were housed with lovebirds inoculated with a pathogenic strain (velogenic viscerotropic) of NDV pathogenic to chickens, by the ocular-nasal via. Each group was composed of six SPF chicks and four lovebirds. After five days of the inoculation of the lovebirds with NDV, SPF chicks were put together with each group of lovebirds. Cloacae swabs were collected after 9, 14 and 21 days post-challenge in both species (lovebirds and SPF chicks) for genome viral excretion by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Lovebirds did not demonstrate any clinical signs of NDV. They were refractory to the clinical disease with the NDV. However, NDV genome was detected 9 and 21 days after challenge. This study shows that lovebirds can be carriers NDV. Moreover, 100% of SPF chicks allocated with the infected lovebirds demonstrated clinical signs and lesions suggestive of NDV. In these birds, NDV genome was detected 9, 14 and 21 days after challenge. Thus, the transmission of the pathogenic virus from the lovebirds to SPF chicks that were housed together was evident until 21 days of the experimental infection. This study reveals the importance of lovebirds from the epidemiological point of view as potential source of infection of the NDV to other avian species that could be raised near this species. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2012.

Tumor maligno da bainha de nervo periférico envolvendo raízes nervosas do terceiro segmento medular lombar em um cão

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) involving spinal nerve roots are uncommon in dogs. A nine-year old, intact, mixed-breed dog, demonstrated clinical signs of incoordination in the pelvic limbs and micturition for approximately one week. Clinical examination revealed proprioceptive deficits and bilateral patellar hyperreflexia. During exploratory celiotomy a mass was observed adhered to the lumbar vertebral segments. Medical therapy was initiated, but neurological signs were progressive, and the owner opted for euthanasia. Gross examination showed that the mass in the abdominal cavity was attached to the lumbar segments L3 and L4, causing bone lysis in L3, but showed no tumor invasion into the spinal canal. Microscopic features were characterized by prominent proliferation of ovoid and fusiform cells with poorly defined cytoplasm arranged in interlacing bundles and concentric whorls. The cells were embedded in a delicate to moderate collagenous stroma and moderate anisokariose and high mitotic activity were noted. The immunohistochemical assay showed positive staining for GFAP, S-100 protein and vimentin, and negative staining for factor VIII, α-actin and citokeratine. The definitive diagnosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor was made on the basis of the histological and immunohistochemical findings.

Squamous cell lung carcinoma in a cat

Primary lung neoplasms are rare in small animals and present variable clinical signs. Here we report a case of a 4-year-old male cat which presented with apathy, dyspnea and pleural effusion. The cytological analysis of the pleural effusion revealed massive presence of atypical cells and the histopathological examination of the lung demonstrated tissue infiltration by atypical cells arranged in solid nests. The cytological and histopathological findings were compatible with squamous cell lung carcinoma.

Alterações eletromiográficas e histopatológicas da musculatura de cães naturalmente infectados por Leishmania infantum

The aim of this study was to evaluate the electromyographic and histopathological changes in skeletal muscles of dogs naturally infected by L. infantum. Twenty five mixed breed adult dogs with parasitological, molecular and serological diagnosis were selected. The evaluated muscles were: triceps brachial, extensor carpi radialis, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius. One dog had locomotor clinical signs with hind limbs paresis associated with severe muscle atrophy. Twenty-three (92%) had some type of muscular change, and in 22 (88%) such changes were directly identified by electromyography. Even without any clinical signs of the disease, 10 (40%) dogs had electromyographic and histopathological changes. Leishmania antigens were detected in muscles of four (16%) dogs. The electromyographic evaluation indicated the occurrence of chronic polymyositis in 13 (52%) dogs, the presence of both acute and chronic muscle inflammation four (16%), acute myopathy in two (8%) and absence of electromyographic abnormalities in three (12%) dogs. The most frequently observed histopathological changes were degeneration and necrosis of myofibers and inflammatory infiltration observed in 12 (48%) dogs. Other changes were decreased diameter of muscle fibers in 15 (60%) and peri or endomysial fibrosis in 14 (56%) animals. The changes observed in the present study showed that even in the absence of clinical signs, most dogs infected by Leishmania infantum have chronic polymyositis.

Carcinoma de células transicionales en perros: Un informe de dos casos, madre e hija

The transitional cell carcinoma is usually located in the trigone region of the bladder, and shows nonspecific clinical signs of the lower urinary tract such as hematuria, strangury, pollakiuria and urinary incontinence. The urethral and ureteral obstructions occur in some cases. Etiological factors such as endogenous and iatrogenic have been listed as the cause of disease. The objective of this report is to describe the process and treatment of two cases of transitional cell carcinoma presented simultaneously in two dogs, mother and daughter, that showed hematuria and post-renal azotemia, both with tumor in the trigone of bladder. After partial cystectomy ureteroneocistostomia, the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma was confirmed by histopathological analysis of bladder tissue. Patients received firocoxib as adjuvant to surgery. It is concluded that the surgical procedure associated with the use of specific anti-inflammatory COX-2 provided a better quality of life in both patients.