Anti-Sarcocystis neurona immunostaining associated with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in Brazil Imunomarcação de Sarcocystis neurona associada com um caso de mieloencefalite protozoária eqüina no Brasil

A retrospective study (1942 to 2005) of histopathological lesions included samples of central nervous system (SNC) from 203 animals in the Equidae family. A total of 42.4% of these samples had significant pathological changes, which were classified as inflammatory (62.8%), degenerative (25.6%), circulatory (10.5%), and neoplasic (1.1%) lesions. Immunohistochemistry anti-Sarcocystis neurona antigens was performed in all the cases with inflammatory changes (54), of which one of the case of encephalitis resulted positive to immunostaining. Although evidence of EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis) has been previously reported in Brazil, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in which characteristic EPM lesion was associated with anti-S. neurona immunostaining in Brazil.<br>Em um estudo retrospectivo (de 1942 a 2005), amostras do sistema nervoso central de 203 eqüídeos foram avaliadas para a presença de alterações histológicas. Dessas amostras, 42,4% apresentaram alguma lesão histopatológica significativa, das quais foram classificadas como alterações inflamatórias (62,8%), degenerativas (25,6%), circulatórias (10,5%) e neoplásicas (1,1%). Fragmentos de SNC dos 54 animais com alterações inflamatórias foram avaliados para detecção de antígenos de Sarocystis neurona pela técnica de imunoistoquímica, que foi positiva em um caso de encefalite em eqüino. Embora haja registros de MPE no Brasil, este é o primeiro caso confirmado imunoistoquimicamente

Toracoscopia aplicada à ressecção de fragmento pulmonar com o auxílio de sutura mecânica em eqüinos Thoracoscopy for resection of lung fragment in horses with the aid of mechanical suturing

Este trabalho visou à ressecção de fragmento dorsocaudal do lobo pulmonar caudal esquerdo com o auxílio de sutura mecânica por via toracoscópica. Foram utilizados 10 eqüinos clinicamente sadios, os quais foram sedados e mantidos em estação. O procedimento foi realizado no hemitórax esquerdo, por três acessos previamente programados: o primeiro acesso foi no 12º espaço intercostal (EIC), o segundo no 14º, 15º ou 16º EIC e o terceiro no 14º ou 15º EIC, conforme a necessidade de posicionamento dos instrumentos. Em todos os animais foi possível controlar o pneumotórax, sendo observada evolução clínica satisfatória durante o período pós-operatório, exceto em um animal. Os resultados obtidos indicam que, por meio da videotoracoscopia, pode-se realizar ressecção pulmonar parcial com uso de sutura mecânica em eqüinos e seu emprego na rotina hospitalar poderá contribuir para melhor compreensão e controle de enfermidades sediadas na cavidade torácica.<br>In this study, a dorsocaudal portion resection of the left caudal lung lobe was performed using an endoscopic stapler by thoracoscopic procedure. Ten healthy horses, eight males and two females were evaluated by clinical examination and submitted to the surgical procedure. The animals were sedated and maintained in standing position. The procedure was done in the left hemitorax using three access previously studied: the first portal was done at the 12th intercostal space (IS); the second one at the 14th, 15th, or 16th IS; and the third one at the 14th or 15th IS, in accordance with the necessity of positioning the instruments. The employed surgical technique seemed to be adequate in all animals, since it helped controlling the existing pneumothorax; furthermore, clinical recovery during the postoperative period was satisfactory, except for one animal. These results suggest that thoracoscopic may successfully be employed for partial lung resection in horses, using endoscopic staplers, and its practical use may contribute to the knowledge and resolution of thoracic diseases

Obstrução nasal por granuloma fúngico em eqüino: relato de caso Nasal obstruction caused by fungal granuloma in a horse: case report

Um eqüino de nove anos de idade apresentou ausência de ar expirado e secreção serossanguinolenta na narina direita, associado a ruído respiratório. Os exames endoscópico e radiológico mostraram uma formação de aproximadamente seis centímetros de diâmetro recoberta por mucosa amarelada, que obstruía a cavidade nasal direita e insinuava-se para a cavidade nasal esquerda. Tal massa foi ressecada por meio de sinusotomia frontal direita. O exame histológico e a cultura revelaram lesão granulomatosa causada por fungos. O tratamento pós-operatório compreendeu associação de antibiótico e antiinflamatório, assim como de lavagens com água destilada e chá de camomila.<br>A 9-year-old horse presented serosanguineous nasal discharge, absence of breath out through the right nostril, and respiratory noise. Endoscopic and radiographic exams revealed a six centimeter diameter mass, covered by yellowish mucosa, which was obstructing the entire right nasal cavity and part of the left one. The mass was excised through a right frontal sinusotomy. The microscopic exam and the culture revealed a fungic granulomatous rhinitis. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs were postoperatively administered; moreover, camomile tea and distilled water were flushed in a drain placed above the bone flap

Peritoneal fluid changes in horses subjected to small colon distension

Intestinal devitalization in cases of small colon obstruction may be difficult to detect based only in clinical signs. The purpose was to serially evaluate blood and peritoneal fluid of horses subjected to small colon distension. Seventeen adult horses were allotted in three groups. In the small colon-distended group (DG, n=7) a surgically-implanted latex balloon was inflated to promote intraluminal small colon distension. In the shamoperated group (SG, n=5), the balloon was implanted but not inflated, and no surgery was done in the control group (CG, n=5). Blood and peritoneal fluid were sampled before and after (6 samples with a 30-minute interval) intestinal obstruction for cytological and biochemical analyses. No significant changes in clinical signs occurred within groups or across time during the experimental period. There were no statistical differences among SG and SG groups in hematologic and blood chemistry variables. Although total protein concentration and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in peritoneal fluid remained most of the time within reference values during the experimental period in all groups, increases from baseline values were detected in SG and DG groups. Such increases occurred earlier, progressively and with greater magnitude in the DG when compared with the SG (P<0.05). Increases from baselines values were also observed in total nucleated cells and neutrophils counts in the DG (P<0.05). In conclusion, distension of the equine small colon induced progressive subtle increases in total protein and LDH concentrations in the peritoneal fluid during the first hours. Serial evaluation of these variables in peritoneal fluid may be useful for early detection of intestinal devitalization in clinical cases of equine small colon obstruction