Cell Kinetics of Hepatic Metastases as a Prognostic Marker in Patients With Advanced Colorectal Carcinoma

Cell kinetics was determined, as 3H-thymidine labeling index (LI), in hepatic lesions from 36 patients with primary colorectal carcinoma; LI values ranged from 0.9% to 23.5% and were normally distributed. Cell kinetics was not related to sex or age of the patient, or to liver function. For clinical studies the median LI value of 10% was used to separate slowly and rapidly proliferating lesions. Univariate analysis showed that patients radically resected and with a low LI tumor have a longer disease-free interval and a better probability of 12-month survival than those non-radically resected and with a high LI tumor. When treatment and cell kinetics were taken into consideration, the probability of 12-month survival was 100% for patients with slowly proliferating and radically resected hepatic metastases. Patients with rapidly proliferating tumors, regardless of type of treatment, had the worst prognosis

The Outcome of Cholangitis After Percutaneous Biliary Drainage in Neoplastic Jaundice

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate factors affecting the outcome of cholangitis after PTBD in jaundiced cancer patients. Twenty nine patients with neoplastic jaundice (male/female ratio 13/16, median age 55 years) with full clinical data, were treated by PTBD and developed cholangitis at a median of 9 days later. Four patients (14%) died of biliary sepsis a median of one month after PTBD while the other 25 survived a median of 6 months, with one week median duration of cholangitis. The probability of the cholangitis resolving was analyzed by time to resolution and it was found that 50% and 100% of the recoveries occurred 5 and 9 months respectively from the onset of the complication

Drug-induced panniculitis due to deworming in a dog – case report

Outpatient clinics, clinics, and veterinary hospitals in the state of São Paulo and other Brazilian states commonly prescribe broad-spectrum vermicidal agents. The prescriptions are not based on coproparasitological examination results and drugs, including those used for the elimination of enteric parasites, are not innocuous and can potentially cause health hazards. Therefore, we report a clinical case of drug-induced panniculitis caused by deworming and show the actual occurrence of endoparasites in canine and feline outpatients at HOVET-USP.É prática corrente em ambulatórios, consultórios, clínicas e hospitais veterinários paulistas, por não dizer brasileiros, a prescrição de ativos com ação vermicida, no senso lato, sem o embasamento do, hoje até prosaico, exame coproparasitológico. É sabido há muito que todo e qualquer fármaco não é inócuo e pode potencialmente acarretar agravos à saúde, e dentre estes incluem-se os ativos destinados à erradicação de parasitos entéricos. Decidiu-se assim por se relatar um caso clínico de paniculite farmacodérmica decorrente de vermifugação, bem como situar a real ocorrência de endoparasitas em pacientes, caninos e felinos, trazidos para atendimento ambulatorial no HOVET-USP

Serosurvey of Smooth Brucella, Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in Free-Ranging Jaguars (Panthera onca) and Domestic Animals from Brazil.

This study investigated the exposure of jaguar populations and domestic animals to smooth Brucella, Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in the Cerrado, Pantanal and Amazon biomes of Brazil. Between February 2000 and January 2010, serum samples from 31 jaguars (Panthera onca), 1,245 cattle (Bos taurus), 168 domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and 29 domestic cats (Felis catus) were collected and analysed by rose bengal test for smooth Brucella, microscopic agglutination test for Leptospira spp. and modified agglutination test for T. gondii. Cattle populations from all sites (9.88%) were exposed to smooth Brucella, but only one jaguar from Cerrado was exposed to this agent. Jaguars captured in the Cerrado (60.0%) and in the Pantanal (45.5%) were seropositive for different serovars of Leptospira spp., cattle (72.18%) and domestic dogs (13.1%) from the three sites and one domestic cat from Pantanal were also seropositive for the agent. The most prevalent serotype of Leptospira spp. identified in jaguars from the Cerrado (Grippotyphosa) and the Pantanal (Pomona) biomes were distinct from those found in the domestic animals sampled. Jaguars (100%), domestic dogs (38.28%) and domestic cats (82.76%) from the three areas were exposed to T. gondii. Our results show that brucellosis and leptospirosis could have been transmitted to jaguars by domestic animals; and jaguars probably play an important role in the maintenance of T. gondii in nature

Determinação da contagem de ovos de nematódeos no período peri-parto em vacas

Two experiments were carried out to study the changes in the nematode faecal egg counts (EPG) in cows, during the periparturient period. In the first experiment, faeces from Holstein (dairy) and Zebu (beef) cows, were examined from the 6th week before birth up to the 6th week after birth. It was observed a significant difference (p<0,05) with a higher number of cows, from the Holstein group, with nematode eggs in faeces. In the dairy animals a significant rise in the EPG was observed at the moment of birth and on week four post parturition, when compared to pre parturition period. A negative association was found between the time of parturition and EPG, with the younger cows presenting higher EPG (p<0.05). Based on these results a second experiment was conducted to compare the EPG variations from the 4th week before birth up to the 10th week post parturition, in Holsteins cows, including primary and second gestation (group 1), and 3rd or more gestation (group 2). It was observed a significant difference with cows from the 1st and 2nd gestation showing higher EPG than group 2, at week 2, 3 and 4 after birth (p<0,05). The EPG from group 1 ranged from 0 to 1800, and from group 2 from 0 to 150 EPG. The results suggest that an anthelminthic treatment around the 2nd week before birth, in cows at the 1st and 2nd gestation, will decrease pasture contamination and nematode infection.Dois experimentos foram conduzidos com o objetivo de se observar as alterações do número de ovos de nematódeos por grama de fezes (OPG) eliminados por vacas no período do peri-parto. No primeiro foram utilizadas vacas de raças européia (leiteiras) e zebuínas (de corte), da 6ª semana pré-parto à 6ª semana pós-parto. Observou-se diferença significativa (p<0,05) com maior número de animais leiteiros apresentando ovos de nematódeos nas fezes durante o peri-parto. Na categoria de animais leiteiros, houve um aumento significativo no OPG no momento do parto e na semana quatro pós-parto, em relação ao pré-parto. Também nesta categoria, observou-se uma associação negativa entre o número de partos e a positividade em relação ao OPG (p<0,05). Devido ao comportamento diferenciado dos animais leiteiros um segundo experimento foi feito para se comparar, nessa categoria animal, as alterações de OPG da quarta semana pré-parto à décima pós-parto, em vacas de primeira e segunda crias e três ou mais crias. Observou-se diferença significativa, com os animais de primeira e segunda crias apresentando maiores valores de OPG nas semanas dois, três e quatro pós-parto (p<0,05). Os valores de OPG para os animais de primeira e segunda crias foram de 0 - 1800, enquanto nos animais mais velhos a variação foi de 0 - 150 OPG. Os resultados de ambos os estudos sugerem que um esquema de controle contra nematódeos gastrintestinais deva ser implantado em vacas de primeira e segunda crias com o uso de anti-helmínticos no pré-parto, ao redor da segunda semana antes dos nascimentos

Determinação da contagem de ovos de nematódeos no período peri-parto em vacas

Two experiments were carried out to study the changes in the nematode faecal egg counts (EPG) in cows, during the periparturient period. In the first experiment, faeces from Holstein (dairy) and Zebu (beef) cows, were examined from the 6th week before birth up to the 6th week after birth. It was observed a significant difference (p<0,05) with a higher number of cows, from the Holstein group, with nematode eggs in faeces. In the dairy animals a significant rise in the EPG was observed at the moment of birth and on week four post parturition, when compared to pre parturition period. A negative association was found between the time of parturition and EPG, with the younger cows presenting higher EPG (p<0.05). Based on these results a second experiment was conducted to compare the EPG variations from the 4th week before birth up to the 10th week post parturition, in Holsteins cows, including primary and second gestation (group 1), and 3rd or more gestation (group 2). It was observed a significant difference with cows from the 1st and 2nd gestation showing higher EPG than group 2, at week 2, 3 and 4 after birth (p<0,05). The EPG from group 1 ranged from 0 to 1800, and from group 2 from 0 to 150 EPG. The results suggest that an anthelminthic treatment around the 2nd week before birth, in cows at the 1st and 2nd gestation, will decrease pasture contamination and nematode infection.Dois experimentos foram conduzidos com o objetivo de se observar as alterações do número de ovos de nematódeos por grama de fezes (OPG) eliminados por vacas no período do peri-parto. No primeiro foram utilizadas vacas de raças européia (leiteiras) e zebuínas (de corte), da 6ª semana pré-parto à 6ª semana pós-parto. Observou-se diferença significativa (p<0,05) com maior número de animais leiteiros apresentando ovos de nematódeos nas fezes durante o peri-parto. Na categoria de animais leiteiros, houve um aumento significativo no OPG no momento do parto e na semana quatro pós-parto, em relação ao pré-parto. Também nesta categoria, observou-se uma associação negativa entre o número de partos e a positividade em relação ao OPG (p<0,05). Devido ao comportamento diferenciado dos animais leiteiros um segundo experimento foi feito para se comparar, nessa categoria animal, as alterações de OPG da quarta semana pré-parto à décima pós-parto, em vacas de primeira e segunda crias e três ou mais crias. Observou-se diferença significativa, com os animais de primeira e segunda crias apresentando maiores valores de OPG nas semanas dois, três e quatro pós-parto (p<0,05). Os valores de OPG para os animais de primeira e segunda crias foram de 0 - 1800, enquanto nos animais mais velhos a variação foi de 0 - 150 OPG. Os resultados de ambos os estudos sugerem que um esquema de controle contra nematódeos gastrintestinais deva ser implantado em vacas de primeira e segunda crias com o uso de anti-helmínticos no pré-parto, ao redor da segunda semana antes dos nascimentos

Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced colorectal cancers at diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all 17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period), in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was 30 days from surgery. EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery, palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery, and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster variable. RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years) underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142 (56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P < .001), and stenotic lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for these patients