Axonopatia degenerativa associada com deficiência de cobre em suínos

The epidemiological, clinic and morphological (pathological and ultrastructural) aspects of four outbreaks of copper deficiency affecting 21- to 90-day-old pigs in the Northeast region of Brazil are reported. Clinical signs began with paraparesis and ataxia and progressed to flaccid or spastic paralysis of the pelvic and thoracic limbs, followed by sternal and/or lateral recumbence. In addition, some animals showed dog-sitting position and intention tremors. The clinical manifestation period was 5-20 days. Significant gross lesions were not observed; however, microscopically, symmetrical degeneration of the white matter with ballooned myelin sheaths containing occasional macrophages was observed, mainly in the spinal cord. Two pigs presented with necrosis ad loss of Purkinje cells and ectopic Purkinje cells in the granular layer and cerebellar white matter. A ultrastructural analysis showed different degrees of damage of myelinated axons in the spinal segments, including an absence of the axoplasm structures with only axonal residues remaining. The myelin sheaths were degenerated and often collapsed into the space previously occupied by the axon. These results suggest that myelin degeneration is secondary to the axonal lesion. Finally, the concentration of copper in the liver was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and was found to be low (ranging from 2.2 to 10.8 ppm). In conclusion, in the Brazilian semiarid region, Cu deficiency occurs in 21 to 90-day-old pigs that ingested different types of waste in their food.São relatados os achados epidemiológicos, clínicos e morfológicos (patológicos e ultraestruturais) de quatro surtos de deficiência de cobre em suínos afetados entre 21 e 90 dias de idade na região Nordeste do Brasil. Os sinais clínicos iniciaram com paraparesia e ataxia, que progrediu a paralisia flácida ou espástica dos membros pélvicos e torácicos, seguido de decúbito esternal e/ou lateral. Além disso, alguns animais apresentaram posição de cão sentado e tremores de intenção. O período de manifestação clínica variou de 5-20 dias. Não foram observadas lesões macroscópicas significativas; no entanto, microscopicamente, foi observada degeneração simétrica da substância branca com fragmentação das bainhas de mielina, contendo ocasionais macrófagos, principalmente na medula espinal. Dois suínos apresentaram necrose e perda de células de Purkinje e células de Purkinje ectópicos na camada granular da substância branca cerebelar. A análise ultraestrutural mostrou diferentes graus de lesões em axônios mielinizados em segmentos da medula espinhal, incluindo o desaparecimento de estruturas do axoplasma, restando apenas restos axonais. A bainha de mielina encontrava- se degenerada e muitas vezes, colapsada dentro do espaço previamente ocupado pelo axônio. Esses resultados sugerem que a degeneração da mielina é secundária à lesão axonal. Finalmente, a concentração do cobre no fígado foi determinada usando espectrometria de absorção atômica e revelou baixos valores (variando de 2,2-10,8ppm). Conclui-se que na região semiárida do Brasil ocorre deficiência de cobre em suínos de 21 a 90 dias de idade alimentados com diferentes tipos de resíduos

Systemic Infection by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in a Bitch

Background: Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is an opportunistic pathogen, belonging to the genus Staphylococcus. The methicillin-resistant Staphylococci have the mecA-gene, which confers them with the ability of becoming resistant to methicillin and multiple classes of antimicrobials, which makes the treatment of the affections caused by these specimens difficult. This work describes a case of systemic infection and death by methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermediusin a bitch.Case: A crossbred bitch (Canis lupus familiaris), was admitted to the University Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Western Bahia (HVU-UFOB). The main complaint reported by the owner was the presence of mammary nodules and constant nasal secretion. During the clinical examination was observed reactivity in the popliteal and left submandibular lymph nodes, pale mucous membranes, stomatitis, bilateral mucopurulent nasal secretion, abdominal pustules, serous secretion in the inguinal mammary gland and focal alopecia on the dorsum. On auscultation, was identified only arrhythmia and the other physiological parameters of the animal were within normality for the species. Samples of the nasal secretion and of the secretion from the abdominal pustules were collected, and sent to the Veterinary Microbiology Laboratory of the same institution. The samples collected were sown in 5% Blood Agar (BA), Sabouraud Agar (SAB) and MacConkey Agar (MCK), after 24 h was observed in BA the growth of macroscopically white colonies, with a humid aspect, creamy consistency, with presence of catalase and α-hemolysis. Microscopically, was observed the presence of Gram-positive cocci, suggestive of Staphylococcus sp.  Microscopically, was observed the presence of Gram-positive cocci, suggestive of Staphylococcus sp. In the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, was identified S. pseudintermedius. Enrofloxacin [Enrotrat tab® 25 mg, 5 mg/kg, SID, PO, 5 days] was prescribed and a follow-up consultation was requested. Two weeks after leaving the University Veterinary Hospital, the animal was admitted in emergency and was submitted to the support protocol and died during the procedure. After the owner’s authorization, the anatomopathological examination was carried out, and fragments of the liver, lung and kidney were collected, in addition to sample of the liquid of the abdominal cavity for microbiological examination, and was evidenced the growth of S. pseudintermedius in all the specimens. The bacterium’s susceptibility to 19 antibiotics was tested, and a high degree of resistance was found, with sensitivity only to amoxicillin+ clavulanate (20-10 μg), chloramphenicol (30 μg) and vancomycin (30 μg). Given the detection of MRSP in Chromogenic Agar and in cefoxitin disks, all the specimens were MRSP positive.Discussion: The diagnosis based on the bacteriological culture and anatopathological findings were essential for the confirmation of the clinical presentation of septicemia. The isolation of S. pseudintermedius in all the analyzed samples, associated to the identification by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry confirmed the clinical suspicion of systemic infection. Based on the result of the antibiogram and phenotypic tests, it was evidenced that all the isolates were MRSP positive, presenting multiple resistance to antibiotics, which may have interfered in the efficiency of the treatment. The results obtained in this report are worrying and signal the need for the implementation of phenotypical researches associated to anti-microbial susceptibility tests in bacteria isolated from animals attended in veterinary clinics and hospitals, in order to monitor and avoid the dissemination of pathogens with a multi-resistant profile

Nocardiosis in Cats - Clinical, Anatomopathological and Morphotintorial Characteristics

Background: Nocardiosis is an infectious bacterial disease that can cause cutaneous/ subcutaneous, pulmonary and systemic lesions in different species of domestic animals. The type of transmission occurs through mechanical lesions on the skin or contamination of wounds, in cases of skin involvement, inhalation of aerosols and ingestion of contaminated materials are involved in the pathogenesis of the respiratory and digestive form of the disease. This paper described 4 cases of nocardiosis in cats, addressing the clinical, anatomopathological and morphotintorial characteristics of Nocardia sp.Cases: Four cases of nocardiosis in cats were reviewed, in which data related to breed, sex, age, origin, clinical signs, macroscopic and histological lesions described in necropsy protocols were evaluated. The histological tissue sections stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) were evaluated in order to characterize the inflammatory response in each case. In addition, paraffin blocks of fragments from affected organ were selected to perform special histochemical staining techniques of Grocott Methenamine Silver (GMS), modified Ziehl-Neelsen, Gram Brown-Brenn and Giemsa stain which are the most characterized techniques used for histopathological diagnoses and it was also used an immunohistochemical test with polyclonal antibody anti-Nocardia sp. (non-commercial). The animals were adults of both sexes, mixed breed, not castrated and semi-domesticated. Neither immunosuppressive factors nor concomitant diseases were identified in the cases studied. The main clinical signs were apathy, anorexia, dehydration, phlegmon and draining tracts. Macroscopically, skin / subcutaneous tissue (3/4), skeletal muscle (2/4), lymph nodes (2/4), liver (2/4), omentum (1/4), spleen (1/4) were affected. In addition, it could be noted that mandibular bone (1/4), pleural tissue (1/4), left testicle (1/4) and Central Nervous System (CNS) (1/4) were also affected by this disease. Microscopically, regarding all cases, there was a pyogranulomatous inflammation in the affected organs. With respect to cases 1, 3 and 4, filamentous, branched, slightly basophilic structures in loose or individual aggregates in the interior of the pseudo-rosettes and in the necrotic areas were observed in the HE-stained tissue sections. In all cases submitted to special histochemical techniques, filamentous, branched, individual or loose aggregate structures were observed, the samples were impregnated with silver, and bacteria appear as blue using the Brown-Brenn Gram technique, and stained red in the modified Ziehl-Neelsen, and stained faintly pink in Giemsa stain. The bacteria were observed mainly in the border of the pyogranulomas, in the center of the pseudo-rosettes and in the necrotic areas, being compatible with the infection by Nocardia sp. All cases were positive for immunohistochemistry (IHC).Discussion: Nocardiosis was diagnosed in all cats in this study based on the anatomopathological findings associated with the visualization of the agent and its morphotintorial characteristics by using special histochemical stains and being confirmed by IHC. It occurs mainly in the cutaneous and/or subcutaneous tissues, with systemic involvement and death of the affected animals, in addition to affecting bone tissue considered an uncommon site for the disease. The diagnosis can be established based on the anatomopathological findings associated with the morphotintorial characteristics by using special histochemical stains, which are important for evidencing and morphologically characterizing the agent, as well as being confirmed by IHC.Keywords: disease in cat, pyogranulomatous inflammation, Nocardia sp.Título: Nocardiose em gatos - achados clínicos, anatomopatológicos e morfotintoriais Descritores: doença de gato, inflamação piogranulomatosa, Nocardia sp. 

Outbreak of Endoparasitosis in Free-Range Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in Bahia, Brazil

Background: Free-range chickens are quite common in Brazil. In this alternative rearing system, the animals are rustic and raised in an extensive system. Free access to “bare soil” results in the increased occurrence of intestinal parasites since larvae and / or eggs of helminths and protozoa oocysts find favorable conditions for their survival and dissemination in the soil. Although the occurrence and importance of parasitic infections in free-range chickens is well known, the objective of this study is to report an outbreak of endoparasites in free-range chickens in the municipality of Barra - BA, in view of bird susceptibility associated with scarcity of studies in western Bahia.Cases: The chickens were kept free, in a bare soil yard in a household at the urban perimeter of the municipality of Barra - BA. Feeding consisted of whole corn grains, thrown directly in the soil. The drinking fountains were dirty and the animals had no history of vaccination or deworming. Symptoms Anorexia, difficulty in eating and in locomotion, presence of seromucous secretion in the oral cavity, emaciation and diarrhea were all observed symptoms. One of the birds presented excessive vocalization, drowsiness and flaccid paralysis of the neck. Necropsy was performed on 3 chickens: 2 females (cases 1 and 2) and 1 male (case 3). Macroscopic analysis revealed the presence of seromucous secretion in the upper respiratory tract of all animals. Specimens of Ascaridia galli were observed in cases 1 and 2, Heterakis gallinarum in cases 2 and 3, Raillietina sp. in cases 2 and 3 and Davainea proglottina in case 1. Microscopically, the animals had an inflammatory infiltrate in the liver and intestines. Some animals presented necrosis of the tracheal epithelial cells, as well as of the epithelial cells present at the apex of the villi. No significant results were found in the coproparasitological exam.Discussion: The diagnosis of endoparasitosis in this outbreak was based on epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings. The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in free-range chickens is linked to factors such as age, high animal density, absence of sanitary hygienic measures, as well as environmental temperature and humidity. The appearance of injuries in the intestinal mucosa is influenced by characteristics such as parasitic load, concomitant infections, age and the host's immune status. During necropsy of the birds were found 2 helminths of the Nematoda class (Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum) and 2 of the Cestoda class (Davainea proglottina and Raillietina sp.). A. galli, seen in 2 cases, is considered low pathogenicity for adult chickens, however young birds are susceptible and can die due to intestinal obstruction and hemorrhages. H. gallinarum is responsible for causing typhlitis, with diarrhea and weight loss, this helminth was found in 2 animals in the present study, however only 1 had changes in the digestive tract. Davainea proglotina and Raillietina spp. might cause, respectively, severe hemorrhagic enteritis and nodule formation in the small intestine mucosa. In Brazil, even though it is notable that intestinal parasitism is one of the key problems in alternative poultry farming, there are few studies that evaluate the presence of endoparasites in chickens raised in alternative production systems, with animals being more frequently exposed to nematodes and cestodes. The multiparasitism observed in this study probably stems from flaws in the rearing system, mainly related to sanitary hygiene management. Therefore, the reduction in the occurrence of these helminths is closely related to the performance of basic prophylactic measures, such as offering good quality food and water in clean containers, separating lots by age, performing sanitary emptiness and deworming.Keywords: livelihood creation, nematode, cestode, multiparasitism, avian pathology.Surto de endoparasitose em galinhas caipiras (Gallus gallus domesticus) na Bahia, BrasilDescritores: criação de subsistência, nematoide, cestoide, multiparasitismo, patologia aviária

Colite necrohemorrágica causada por Entamoeba histolytica em um cão

Background: Intestinal amebiasis with morphological lesions and clinical manifestations is uncommon in dogs. The disease is caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica, which is commonly observed in its natural hosts, humans and some non-human primates. It is occasionally found in the company of animals, usually associated with contact with infected humans. Thus, the objective here is to describe a case of necro-hemorrhagic colitis caused by E. histolytica in a dog infected with the canine distemper virus, in order to characterize the epidemiological and clinicopathological aspects of the disease.Case: An adult, mixed-breed bitch displaying anorexia and ataxia was referred to the veterinary hospital for treatment. Clinical evaluation showed a cachectic animal with 12% dehydration, ocular discharge, and bilateral purulent nasal dis-charge. A clinical diagnosis of distemper was made, and treatment was instituted. The dog’s signs progressed to walking in circles, aimlessly, with lethargy and blindness. After three days of the onset of neurological signs, the dog developed diarrhea with hematochezia. With no improvement noted, we elected to euthanize the dog. At necropsy, edema was present in subcutaneous tissues, and the lungs had yellow areas in the cranio-ventral portions, which the court was flowing purulent discharge. In the large intestine, segmental distention of the distal portion of the descending colon was observed. The segment was approximately 15 cm in length and consisted of irregular reddish areas. There was also slight thickening of the wall with edematous mucosa containing blood clots, fibrin, and multiple areas of ulceration. Microscopically showed necro-hemorrhagic colitis associated with rounded structures, approximately 15 μm in size, containing abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm that was slightly granular or vacuolated. They also contained nuclei and nucleoli that were central or slightly eccentric. These organisms were consistent with amoeba trophozoites. There was also demyelinating encephalitis associated with malacia, corpuscular intranuclear eosinophilic inclusions and / or intracytoplasmic inclusions in ependymal cells, astrocytes, and gemistocytes, characteristic of infection with canine distemper virus. Using immunohistochemistry with polyclonal anti-E. histolytica antibodies in the dilution of 1:1000, trophozoites were immunomarked, confirming the suspected amebiasis.Discussion: The diagnosis of intestinal amebiasis was based on clinical signs and by morphological characteristics on gross and microscopic examination, and was confirmed as E. histolytica by immunohistochemistry. Limited information on theepidemiology and pathological findings of infection with Entamoeba sp. has been reported in the literature, as it is relatively uncommon in pets. Affected animals are usually asymptomatic, but immunosuppression caused by canine distemper virus may have triggered the clinical manifestations of the disease in this dog. Enteritis due Entamoeba sp. should be considered in dogs with chronic weight loss and bloody diarrhea. It should also be included in the differential diagnoses for weight loss and hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, such as canine parvovirus, canine adenovirus 1, Pythium insidiosum, and Giardia sp

Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis Associated with Acute Myocardial Infarction in Dog

Background: Fungi of the genus Aspergillus are ubiquitous microorganisms of opportunistic character, of which animals and humans are continually exposed. Are described three main forms of aspergillosis in dogs: nasal, disseminated and bronchopulmonary. This form which is restricted to the lung parenchyma is considered rare in dogs. The aim of this paper is to report a case of pulmonary aspergillosis associated to acute myocardial infarction in a dog, focusing on epidemiological, clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical characteristics. Case: A male dog, 4-year-old, Pinscher, clinically presented dyspnea, anorexia, vomiting, concentrated urine and dark and mollifed faeces. On physical examination, there were congested oral and conjunctival mucosas, dehydration and petechiae in the outer ear. The animal died fve days after the clinical attendance and was sent for necropsy. The macroscopic lesions were restricted to the lung, heart and liver. There were multifocal areas of consolidation in the lung parenchyma and yellowish content in the trachea and bronchi lumen. The heart was rounded and with pale areas in the myocardium. Liver was discreet accentuation of the lobular pattern. Histologically the lesion was characterized by pyogranulomatous and necrotizing bronchopneumonia, multifocal to coalescing, moderate, associated with myriads of intralesional hyphae consistente with Aspergillus spp., associated with acute myocardial infarction. The hyphae weakly stained basophilic by hematoxylin and eosin were strongly impregnated by Grocott’s methenamine silver nitrate and showed strong immunolabelling of the cytoplasm, which were evidenced in brown. There were areas of acute myocardial infarction and hepatocellular degeneration and congestion in the liver, although fungal hyphae were not observed in these tissues. Discussion: The diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis was established based on the morphological and tinctorial characteristics of the agent and confrmed by immunohistochemistry. In this case, is not included in the clinical history any conditions that could promote immunosuppression, neither were observed morphological changes in the pathological examination which suggested other intercurrent diseases. It is likely that the dog has been exposed to the inhalation of large amounts of conidia for a long period of time, condition that favors the occurrence of the disease, even in immunocompetent animals. Probably were not evidenced severe respiratory clinical signs, that characterize the pulmonary impairment, due to the shortcourse of the disease. The pyogranulomatous and necrotizing inflammatory reaction is typical of fungal infection and was restricted to the lung parenchyma. The areas of coagulation necrosis observed in the myocardium are probably secondary to vascular injury caused by the fungi, with subsequent thromboembolism, ischemia and infarction. In Brazil, there are few reports of aspergillosis in dogs, have been reported the nasal and systemic forms. In the world literature, there are few reports about this bronchopulmonary form of the disease. Although uncommon, pulmonary aspergillosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of diseases that affect the lower respiratory tract of dogs, as well as it’s systemic complications resulting from angioinvasive characteristic of the fungus, which in this case was determinant to the death of the animal. Keywords: Aspergillus, fungal disease, respiratory trac

Histomoniasis outbreak in free-range chickens in semiarid Paraíba, Brazil

We describe an outbreak of histomoniasis in free-range chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in the semiarid region of Paraíba State, Brazil. Juvenile chickens aged approximately 48 days showed disease over a 15-day period. Seven of 16 chickens showed yellow, watery stool, anorexia, lethargy, and death within 3-5 days of clinical illness. The mortality rate was 43.7%. The chickens were raised in a backyard with 12 adult birds that remained healthy. None of the chickens were vaccinated or dewormed. A necropsy on one deceased bird showed lesions confined to the cecum and liver. The left cecum was distended and had yellow, slightly elevated areas on the serosa. The liver was reddened with centrally depressed areas surrounded by a pale halo, which were distributed throughout the capsular surface and extended deep throughout the parenchyma. Microscopically, typhlitis and pyogranulomatous necrotizing hepatitis associated with numerous intralesional Histomonas trophozoites was observed. The birds were administered metronidazole and albendazole, which effectively controlled the histomoniasis. Although histomoniasis is rare in free-range poultry, it can occur and cause high mortality and significant economic losses

Trichoblastoma in a Dog: A Clinical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Analysis

Background: Trichoblastoma is a rare skin neoplasm derived from the primitive hair follicle, having epithelial and mesenchymal components. Despite being commonly described as a benign tumor, there are reports in the literature of tumors with characteristics of malignant neoplasia. It affects adult dogs and cats, with no predilection for sex. Although rare, in studies in Brazil the pathology shows variable rates of occurrence. This work describes a case of tricoblastoma in a 4-year-old mixed breed dog, submitted to care at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Western Bahia (HVU-UFOB).Case: A 4-year-old male mixed breed dog with 7 kg of body weight, was referred to the HVU-UFOB. The main complaint reported by the canine’s tutor was an increase in volume in the region of the animal's face, which evolved slowly, associated with itching, bleeding and sensitivity to touch. During the physical examination, a round, elevated mass was observed in the subcutaneous tissue of the left face, in the mandible region, with local alopecia. On palpation, the neoformation showed a firm consistency, well-defined and fluctuating, with no solutions for continuity or discomfort to touch. The animal's physiological parameters were within the normal for the species. CBC, chest X-rays, abdominal ultrasound and aspiration cytology of the mass were requested. The blood count and image tests did not reveal any changes. On cytological examination, small, grouped basal epithelial cells were observed, characterized by a high nucleus-cytoplasm ratio, monomorphic nuclei and intensely basophilic and pigmented cytoplasm, a suggestive diagnosis of basal cell tumor. Due to the findings, an excisional biopsy of the mass was performed, with margins of 2 cm. The mass with its margins was sent for histopathological examination at the Animal Pathology Laboratory of the HVU. Macroscopically, an expansive mass was observed, covered by skin, was well defined, not encapsulated, distending the dermis, with a dome shape, measuring 8.0 x 5.0 x 4.0 cm in length, white and firm to the cut, with discrete lobulation. Microscopically, there was a proliferation of small cuboidal to elongated cells with a round to oval nucleus of loose chromatin and little evident nucleolus, and of a pale, scarce eosinophilic cytoplasm. Neoplastic cells were sometimes arranged in strings, palisades (ribbon type) or islands and were sometimes seen centrally aggregated emitting strands of cells (medusoid type) separated by moderate fibrovascular stroma, compatible with trichoblastoma. Tissue healing occurred satisfactorily, and the stitches were removed 10 days after the surgical procedure.Discussion: The clinical analysis of the case associated with the cytological and histopathological examination of the lesion allowed the visualization of physical and cellular changes, confirming the diagnosis of trichoblastoma. The animal involved was 4-years-old, within the chronological variability most affected by the tumor. The macroscopic lesions and the location of the neoplasia were also similar to those described in the literature. However, their race (mixed breed) was different from the most evident. Treatment based on total surgical excision of the neoplasia proved to be effective. This work is the first reported in the Western of Bahia describing a case of trichoblastoma in a dog