Causas infecciosas de abortamentos em ruminantes no estado do Rio Grande do Sul

Abortamentos acarretam grandes perdas econômicas em sistemas de produção animal em todo o mundo. A investigação patológica das causas de abortamento em animais de fazenda faz-se crucial para a melhor compreensão das enfermidades reprodutivas e visa a redução de perdas econômicas e a mitigação do risco atrelado a disseminação de doenças zoonóticas. Este estudo busca caracterizar determinadas doenças infeciosas que cursam com abortamentos em ruminantes a partir de dados obtidos através da avaliação anatomopatológica de fetos e membranas fetais remetidos ao Setor de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (SPV-UFRGS). A tese é composta por quatro artigos científicos e um material técnico ilustrado voltado a avaliação anatomopatológica em casos de abortamentos. O primeiro artigo tem por objetivo caracterizar os achados patológicos e etiológicos de casos de perdas fetais e perinatais associadas a infecção transplacentária por agentes do complexo Tristeza Parasitária Bovina (TPB) (Anaplasma marginale e Babesia bovis). Seis bezerros (dois fetos abortados em terço gestacional final, dois natimortos e dois neonatos) foram remetidos para a avaliação patológica. Os achados de necropsia foram consistentes com TPB e incluíram hepatoesplenomegalia, icterícia, bile grumosa, rins escuros e encéfalo cor de cereja. Através de ferramentas moleculares, detectou-se a infecção exclusivamente por Babesia sp. em três casos, por Anaplasma sp. em um caso, além de coinfecções por Babesia sp e Anaplasma sp. em dois casos. No segundo artigo realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo no arquivo do SPV-UFRGS (2004–2019) dos casos de abortamento bovino causados por agentes bacterianos e fúngicos esporádicos/oportunistas. Dezenove casos de abortamento bacteriano e cinco casos de abortamento fúngico foram avaliados. Alterações macroscópicas foram incomuns em casos de abortamento de origem bacteriana e dois padrões microscópicos foram observados: 1) broncopneumonia primária com ocasional disseminação em casos de infecção por Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., e Mannheimia haemolytica; 2) doença sistêmica com septicemia em casos de infecções por Escherichia coli e Listeria sp. Aspergillus sp. foi o principal agente fúngico identificado, e casos de aborto micótico apresentaram placentite, dermatite e pneumonia. O terceiro artigo traz os achados patológicos e microbiológicos de um caso de abortamento bovino devido a infecção por uma cepa de Staphylococcus aureus de alta virulência. O quarto artigo relata os achados epidemiológicos, sorológicos, moleculares e patológicos de um surto de abortamentos em um rebanho ovino no estado do Rio Grande do Sul devido a infecção por Toxoplasma gondii (genótipo clonal tipo III). Por fim, o material técnico ilustrado produzido busca compilar informações referentes a avaliação post mortem em fetos de ruminantes e equinos. Tópicos abordados nesse material incluem especificidades da técnica de necropsia, método de coleta de amostras, lesões macroscópicas, não lesões, diferenciação de morte fetal intrauterina e extrauterina, achados post mortem, particularidades microscópicas e artefatos. Este material tem por objetivo servir como uma ferramenta adicional de consulta para estudantes, médicos veterinários e patologistas veterinários que trabalham no diagnóstico de casos de abortamento.Abortions lead to significant economic losses in livestock systems worldwide. Pathological investigations on causes of abortion in farm animals are crucial to improve the understanding about reproductive diseases, aiming to reduce economic losses and mitigate the risk of dissemination of zoonotic diseases. The aim of this study is to characterize certain aspects of infectious diseases that lead to abortion in ruminants with data obtained through the postmortem examinations of fetuses and fetal membranes referred for analysis at Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (SPV-UFRGS). This dissertation comprises four scientific articles and an illustrated technical material focused on the anatomopathological examination in cases of abortion. In the first article we aimed to characterize the pathological and etiological findings of cases of fetal loss and perinatal death due to transplacental infection by tick fever agents (Anaplasma marginale e Babesia bovis). Six calves (two third-trimester aborted fetuses, two stillborn fetuses, and two calves that died in the neonatal period) were submitted for pathological examination. Necropsy findings were consistent with tick fever and included hepatosplenomegaly, icterus, grumous bile, dark kidneys, and “cherry-pink” discoloration of the encephalon. Through molecular assays, it was possible to detect three cases of Babesia sp. infection alone, and one case of Anaplasma sp. infection alone. Co-infections with Anaplasma sp. and Babesia sp. were detected in two cases. For the second manuscript, we conducted a retrospective study compiling cases of bovine abortion due to sporadic/opportunistic fungal and bacterial agents diagnosed at SPV-UFRGS (2004 – 2019). Nineteen cases of bacterial etiology and five cases of fungal etiology were assessed. In cases of bacterial etiology, gross changes were uncommon and two different microscopic patterns were observed: 1) primary bronchopneumonia with occasional dissemination in cases of Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., and Mannheimia haemolytica infections; and 2) systemic disease with sepsis in cases of Escherichia coli and Listeria sp. infections. Aspergillus sp. was the main fungal agent identified, and cases of mycotic abortion were characterized by placentitis, dermatitis, and pneumonia. In the third manuscript, we report the pathological and microbiological findings of a case of bovine abortion due to the infection by a highly virulent Staphylococcus aureus strain. In the fourth manuscript, we report the epidemiological, serological, molecular and pathological findings of an abortion outbreak in a sheep flock in the State of Rio Grande do Sul due to infection by Toxoplasma gondii (clonal Type III). Finally, we produced an illustrated technical material aiming to compile information on the postmortem examination of fetuses of ruminants and horses. Topics covered in this material include necropsy technique specificities, sampling method, gross lesions, nonlesions, findings to differentiate intrauterine and extrauterine fetal death, postmortem changes, normal microscopic findings, and artifacts. This technical material aims to provide an additional tool for students, veterinarians and veterinary pathologists working with the diagnosis of abortion cases

Caracterização patológica e parasitológica de casos de mieloencefalite protozoária equina na região sul do Brasil

A mieloencefalite protozoária equina (MEP) é uma doença neurológica que acomete equinos no continente americano. MEP é frequentemente causada por Sarcocystis neurona e ocasionalmente por Neospora hughesi. A maior parte do conhecimento atual sobre MEP é proveniente de estudos conduzidos na América do Norte, enquanto dados referentes à MEP na América do Sul são escassos. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever os aspectos epidemiológicos, patológicos, imuno-histoquímicos e moleculares de casos de MEP em equinos submetidos à necropsia entre os anos de 2010 e 2017 na região sul do Brasil. No período estudado, 13 casos histologicamente compatíveis com MEP foram diagnosticados, representando 2,64% do total de diagnósticos em equinos e 34,21% das doenças inflamatórias afetando o sistema nervoso central (SNC) nesta espécie. MEP correspondeu à segunda condição inflamatória do SNC mais comum em equinos, apenas atrás da infecção pelo vírus da raiva. A idade mediana dos equinos afetados foi de oito anos, a maioria dos animais acometidos eram machos (10/13), e a doença foi observada ao longo de todo o ano. Lesões macroscópicas, caracterizadas por áreas multifocais de coloração avermelhada foram detectadas na medula espinhal em cinco equinos. Lesões microscópicas apresentaram-se de forma multifocal em todos os casos, e foram mais frequentemente observadas em segmentos da medula espinhal e no rombencéfalo. As lesões encontravam-se restritas a medula espinhal e ao encéfalo em três e dois casos, respectivamente. Protozoários intralesionais consistentes com S. neurona foram observados em secções histológicas em cinco equinos, e imunomarcação positiva para S. neurona foi observada em onze casos (11/13). Através de técnicas moleculares, cinco casos positivos para o ITS-1 e para o 18S rRNA foram detectados. Após o sequenciamento obtiveram-se fragmentos de qualidade de duas amostras referentes ao gene 18S rRNA e quatro referentes ao ITS-1. No presente estudo, o agente associado com casos de MEP detectado por imuno-histoquímica e técnicas moleculares foi Sarcocystis spp. Portanto, MEP deve ser incluída entre os diagnósticos diferenciais de doenças neurológicas em equinos na região sul do Brasil, mesmo em casos em que parasitas não são prontamente observados na avaliação histológica.Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a neurologic disease affecting horses in the American continent. EPM it is often caused by Sarcocystis neurona, and occasionally by Neospora hughesi infection. Most current knowledge regarding EPM comes from studies conducted in North America, while in South America these data are scant. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological, pathological, immunohistochemical and molecular findings of EPM cases in horses necropsied in Southern Brazil from 2010 to 2017. In the studied period, 13 cases compatible with EPM were diagnosed, representing 2.64% of the overall postmortem diagnosis in horses, and 34.21% of the central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory conditions in the species. EPM corresponded to the second most common cause of CNS inflammatory disease in horses, only after rabies virus infection. Median age of affected horses was of eight years, males were overrepresented (10/13), and the disease was observed all year round. Gross lesions were detected in the spinal cord in five horses (5/13), and these were characterized by multifocal red areas. Microscopic lesions were multifocal in all cases, and these were more frequently observed in the spinal cord segments and in the rhombencephalon. Lesions were restricted to the spinal cord and to the brain in three and two cases, respectively. Intralesional protozoans consistent with S. neurona were seen in histopathological sections in five horses, and positive immunostaining for S. neurona was observed in eleven cases (11/13). Through molecular techniques, five positive cases for the ITS-1 and 18S rRNA genes were detected. After sequencing, two quality samples of 18S rRNA gene and four of the ITS-1 were obtained. In the present study, the only agent associated with EPM cases detected by immunohistochemistry, and molecular analysis was Sarcocystis spp. Therefore, EPM should be included among the differential diagnosis of neurological disease in horses in Southern Brazil, even in the cases where parasites are not readily seen in the histological examination

Insuficiência renal aguda associada à intoxicação por picadas de abelhas em um cavalo

Bee envenomation is frequent in humans and dogs, but uncommon in horses. This study aimed to describe a case of acute renal failure following mass envenomation in a horse. A mare was attacked by a swarm of bees and showed reluctance to move, epistaxis, and dark-brown urine. Biochemical exams revealed increase in urea and creatine serum levels. The mare did not respond to treatment and euthanasia was elected after four days of clinical course. At the necropsy, there were multifocal pinpoint to elevated skin lesions associated with edema and hemorrhage, which extended to the subcutaneous tissue and skeletal muscle, and the kidneys were diffusely dark-brown and friable. Microscopically, renal tubules were distended and filled with an orange-red, hyaline globular material, and had severe epithelial tubular cell necrosis. The diagnosis was established based on clinical and histological analysis, and pathological evaluation was essential to confirm acute renal failure due to bee sting toxicity.Acidentes por picada de abelhas são frequentemente descritos em humanos e cães, entretanto relatos em cavalos são escassos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo descrever um caso de insuficiência renal aguda em um equino após múltiplas picadas de abelhas. Uma égua foi atacada por um enxame de abelhas desenvolvendo quadro clínico de relutância em se movimentar, epistaxe e urina marrom-escura. Exames bioquímicos demonstraram aumento nos níveis séricos de ureia e creatina. O equino não respondeu ao tratamento e a eutanásia foi realizada após quatro dias de curso clínico. Na necropsia havia múltiplas elevações cutâneas, que ao corte exibiam edema e hemorragia, os quais se estendiam ao subcutâneo e musculatura adjacente. Os rins estavam difusamente marrom-escuros e havia friáveis. Microscopicamente, os túbulos renais estavam distendidos e preenchidos por um material hialino, globular, laranja-avermelhado e havia acentuada necrose das células epiteliais tubulares. O diagnóstico foi obtido por meio da análise clínica e histológica, e a avaliação patológica foi essencial para confirmar a insuficiência renal aguda por picada de abelha

Aumento da frequência de pneumonia em cães com meningioma em rombencéfalo ventral

Intracranial tumors occurring in specific brain regions, such as the cerebellopontine angle, may be associated with cranial nerve dysfunction and dysphagia in humans and animals. Although dysphagia is a known risk factor for pneumonia, only postoperative pneumonia has been investigated in veterinary medicine. This study aimed to describe the clinical and pathological features of dogs with untreated intracranial meningiomas and concomitante pneumonia. Data from post-mortem examination registries from 2011 to 2021 were used (n=23). The frequency of pneumonia and other characteristics were compared between dogs with meningiomas in the ventral rhombencephalon region (VR group; n=13) and those with meningiomas in other intracranial sites (OIS group; n=10). The frequency of pneumonia was higher in the VR group than in the OIS group (n=5 vs. n=0; P=0.039). Plaque-like lesions were also more common in the VR group than in the OIS group (P=0.012). Dogs with concomitant pneumonia had cerebellopontine angle (n=3) and basilar meningiomas (n=2), mainly plaque-like lesions extending to or from other brain areas. In dogs with concomitante pneumonia, meningiomas had invasive (n=5) and compressive (n=3) growth behaviors and nerve roots involved in the swallowing process were frequently affected. Microscopically, these meningiomas were classified as atypical (n=4) and meningiomas (n=1). The reported clinical signs included anorexia (n=3), adipsia (n=1), and dysphagia (n=1). Our findings suggest untreated dogs with ventral rhombencephalon meningiomas may develop cranial nerve damage and aspiration pneumonia.Tumores intracranianos que ocorrem em regiões específicas do cérebro, como o ângulo ponto-cerebelar, podem estar associados à disfunção de nervos cranianos e disfagia em humanos e animais. Embora a disfagia seja um conhecido fator de risco para pneumonia, apenas a pneumonia pós-operatória tem sido investigada na medicina veterinária. Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever as características clínicas e patológicas de cães com meningiomas intracranianos não tratados e pneumonia concomitante. Foram utilizados dados de registros de necropsias de 2011 a 2021. A frequência de pneumonia e outras características foram comparadas entre cães com meningiomas na região do rombencéfalo ventral (grupo VR; n=13) e aqueles com meningiomas em outros sítios intracranianos (grupo OIS; n=10). A frequência de pneumonia foi maior no grupo VR do que no grupo OIS (n=5 vs. n=0; P=0,039). Lesões tipo placa também foram mais comuns no grupo VR do que no grupo OIS (P=0,012). Cães com pneumonia concomitante apresentaram meningiomas no ângulo pontocerebelar (n=3) e região basilar (n=2), predominantemente lesões em forma de placa que se estendem de ou para outras áreas do cérebro. Em cães com pneumonia concomitante, os meningiomas apresentaram comportamentos de crescimento invasivo (n=5) e compressivo (n=3) e as raízes nervosas envolvidas no processo de deglutição foram frequentemente afetadas. Microscopicamente, esses meningiomas foram classificados como atípicos (n=4) e papilar (n=1). Os sinais clínicos relatados incluíram anorexia (n=3), adipsia (n=1) e disfagia (n=1). Nossos achados sugerem que cães com meningiomas no rombencéfalo ventral, não tratados, podem desenvolver lesão em nervos cranianos e pneumonia aspirativa

Aborto bovino associado à infecção por Staphylococcus aureus : caracterização da cepa de S. aureus isolada a partir de tecidos fetais

Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive bacterium, commonly found colonizing the skin and mucous membranes of humans and animals. This report describes a case of fetal loss associated with S. aureus infection in a cow. A six-month old, crossbred male bovine fetus from a beef farm was submitted for necropsy. At gross examination fibrinous pleuropneumonia was observed. Histologically, lesions were restricted to the lungs and consisted of marked multifocal to coalescing areas of inflammatory infiltrate of neutrophils, abundant fibrin exudation, necrosis of bronchiolar epithelium and numerous aggregates of coccoid bacteria. Lung and abomasal fluid bacterial culture yielded pure culture of S. aureus, which was characterized as a multidrug resistant strain. Molecular analysis indicated that the studied strain presented several genes of virulence factors including toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (tst), staphylococcal enterotoxin type A (sea), Panton–Valentine leukocidin (pvl), alpha-hemolysin (hla) and delta-hemolysin (hld). This report documents an infrequent case of fetal loss in cattle due to infection with a highly virulent S. aureus strain.Staphylococcus aureus é uma bactéria gram-positiva, comumente encontrada colonizando a pele e as membranas mucosas de humanos e animais. O presente relato descreve um caso de aborto bovino associado à infecção por S. aureus. Um feto bovino, macho, cruzado, com seis meses de idade gestacional proveniente de uma fazenda de gado de corte foi submetido para a necropsia. Pleuropneumonia supurativa foi observada na avaliação macroscópica. Histologicamente as lesões encontravam-se restritas aos pulmões e eram representadas por infiltrado inflamatório acentuado, multifocal a coalescente de neutrófilos, acentuada exsudação de fibrina, necrose do epitélio bronquiolar e numerosos agregados bacterianos cocoides. A cultura bacteriana de fragmento de pulmão e líquido do abomaso revelou o crescimento puro de S. aureus, que foi caracterizado como uma cepa multirresistente a drogas. Análises moleculares indicaram que a cepa estudada apresentava vários fatores de virulência, incluindo toxina 1 da síndrome do choque tóxico (TSST-1), enterotoxina estafilocócica tipo A (sea), leucocidina Panton-Valentine (pvl), hemolisina alfa (hla) e hemolisina delta (hld). O presente relato documenta um caso infrequente de aborto bovino devido à infecção por uma cepa altamente virulenta de S. aureus

Lily poisoning in domestic cats

Background: Cases of plant intoxication in small animals are observed frequently in the domestic environment, mainly because most dogs and cats live in households and occasionally have access to streets and rural areas. Among such toxic agents, ornamental plants of the genus Lilium and Hemerocallis, which are potentially nephrotoxic to the feline species, are highlighted. Affected cats start presenting clinical signs 1-6 h after plant ingestion. Renal failure takes place in 12-72 h, and death may occur in an interval ranging from three to seven days. The objective of this article is to describe the epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings of lily (Lilium sp.) poisoning in two cats. Case: The aspects of lily poisoning in two cats are described (cat #1 and cat #2). Cat #1 was a 3-year-old, mixed breed female cat, which presented a clinical history of anorexia, apathy, drooling, vomiting and polydipsia. Serum biochemical analysis revealed creatinine elevation (21.2 mg/dL), as well as hyperphosphatemia (19 mg/dL). Seventy-two h after the onset of clinical signs, renal failure progressed to anuria, followed by death. The second animal of this report (cat #2) was a 2-year-old, mixed-breed male cat. The animal was found dead by the owner without displaying any previous clinical signs. Cats #1 and #2 ingested leaves of lily, which were present in their households as ornamental plants. At necropsy, the kidneys of both cats presented mild enlargement. Moderate perirenal edema was also noted. Cat #1 showed morphologic extrarenal uremic lesions, characterized by ulcers in the oral mucosa and in the margin of the tongue ventral surface. Microscopic lesions observed in both cases were similar and compatible with acute toxic nephropathy. Histologically, severe epithelial cell degeneration and necrosis of proximal and distal convoluted tubules were noted. Other renal microscopic findings included hyaline and granular casts, tubule regeneration and occasional birefringent oxalate crystals. Cat #1 also presented moderate white matter vacuolation in the telencephalon and cerebellum. Discussion: The epidemiologic, clinical and pathological findings reported in the present study are similar to previous descriptions of lily poisoning in cats. Lily poisoning has been described in both males and females, without breed and age predisposition, similarly to what has been found in the present study. Kidney metabolite excretion, including the elimination of molecules such as creatinine, urea, and phosphorus is usually compromised in these cases, which was noted in cat #1. The same animal showed extrarenal manifestations of renal failure, leading to a clinical presentation of uremic syndrome, which is not frequent in these intoxications. Animals intoxicated by lily usually die from renal failure and anuria. In most cases, lesions are restricted to the kidneys. In the reported cases, the microscopical lesions consisted of tubule epithelial cells degenerative changes and necrosis. Acute lily intoxication in cats must be differentiated from other conditions, such as intoxications due to aminoglycoside antibiotics, heavy metals, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antifungal agents, chemotherapeutic drugs, and ethylene glycol. The knowledge regarding the toxic potential of ornamental plants is fundamental in order to prevent such events of intoxication, as well as to reach the final diagnosis. Epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings were essential to conclude the final diagnosis

Surto de neuropatia tardia induzida por organofosforados em búfalos

Forty 1-2-y-old water buffaloes were simultaneously treated with trichlorfon and chlorpyrifos products in the recommended dose for cattle. After a week, 19 animals started presenting clinical signs characterized by apathy, diarrhea, aggressiveness, dehydration, and motor incoordination, followed by flaccid paralysis and permanent lateral recumbency. All affected buffaloes died after a clinical course of 1–4 days. Reduction of serum cholinesterase activity in three cases was indicative of significant exposure to organophosphorus compounds (OPs). Pathological examination of three buffaloes revealed no gross and histological lesions. By thin layer chromatography, chlorpyrifos residues and trace of trichlorfon residues were detected in fresh tissue samples. The epidemiological, clinical, pathological, and toxicological findings were highly compatible with OPs-induced delayed neurotoxicity, a neurological manifestation rarely described in domestic animals.Quarenta búfalos foram simultaneamente tratados com clorpirifós e triclorfom na dose recomendada para bovinos. Após uma semana, 19 animais apresentaram sinais clínicos caracterizados por apatia, diarreia, agressividade, desidratação e incoordenação motora, seguidos por paralisia flácida e decúbito lateral permanente. Todos os búfalos afetados morreram após um curso clínico de 1–4 dias. Redução da atividade da colinesterase sérica em três casos foi indicativa de exposição significativa a organofosforados (OPs). O exame patológico de três búfalos não revelou lesões macroscópicas e histológicas. Por cromatografia em camada delgada, resíduos de clorpirifós e traços de resíduos de triclorfon foram detectados em amostras de tecidos frescos. Os achados epidemiológicos, clínicos, patológicos e toxicológicos foram compatíveis com neuropatia tardia induzida por OPs, uma manifestação neurológica raramente descrita em animais domésticos

Outbreak of Bovine Herpetic Meningoencephalomyelitis in Southern Brazil

Background: Herpetic meningoencephalitis is an infectious contagious disease worldwide distributed, most often caused by bovine alphaherpesvirus type 5 (BoHV-5), although bovine alphaherpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) may occasionally be the causative agent. The disease is characterized by subacute to acute clinical onset, often affecting animals submitted to stressful situations. Clinical signs are mainly neurologic due to meningoencephalitis and cortical necrosis. The involvement of the spinal cord has also been reported, however in BoHV-1 associated disease only. The aim of this report is to describe an outbreak of bovine meningoencephalomyelitis associated to BoHV-5.Case: In August 2017, nine 1-year-old calves died in a beef cattle farm with a flock of approximately 400 bovines. The animals presented neurological clinical signs characterized by excessive salivation, nasal and ocular discharges, incoordination, apathy, head tremors, head pressing, wide-based stance, recumbency followed by convulsions and paddling. According to the owner and referring veterinarian, affected animals displayed severe clinical signs with rapid progression and often leading to death in up to seven days. Four of these calves were submitted for necropsy, and gross lesions were present in the brain, characterized by mild to moderate multifocal hemorrhagic and soft areas. On cut surface, extensive areas of dark brown discoloration and malacia were observed. Histologically, lesions were characterized by extensive areas of liquefactive necrosis in the cerebral cortex grey matter, associated with inflammatory infiltrates composed of neutrophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells and foamy macrophages, as well as multifocal to coalescing areas of hemorrhage and fibrin deposition. Intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies were rarely observed in neurons and astrocytes. On leptomeninges, there was diffuse inflammatory infiltrates of lymphocytes and plasma cells. Inflammation was also seen in a milder degree in the spinal cord, characterized by infiltrate of lymphocytes at grey matter, mainly around vessels. A herpesvirus which induced typical cytopathic effect in cell cultures was recovered from tissues. The isolated virus was typed as BoHV-5 by nucleotide sequencing analysis of the gC coding region.Discussion: The diagnosis of meningoencephalomyelitis associated to BoHV-5 was based on epidemiological, clinical, macroscopical, histological, virological and genomic findings. In the outbreak here reported, the disease occurred in young animals, with low morbidity but high lethality rates. Clinical signs on this case were consistent with previous reports on the literature. Bovines affected by BoHV-5 may display no gross lesions within the CNS; however, inflammatory and degenerative changes are frequently seen, characterized by malacia, leptomeningeal vessels hyperemia, edema and hemorrhages. Histologically, non-suppurative necrotizing meningoencephalitis is seen, with perivascular inflammatory infiltrates and, occasionally, intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies in astrocytes and neurons. Similar but milder lesions were seen in the spinal cords of two of the necropsied calves, a feature which has only been previously associated to BoHV-1 infections. The identification of the implicated agent was accomplished by virus isolation in cell cultures followed by genome typing. Specific treatments for this condition are not currently available, and the number of animals that recover from clinically apparent disease is extremely low. Preventive measures are based on serological testing of herds, and segregation or elimination of seropositive calves. To avoid progression of the disease in seropositive animals, control efforts must be directed to avoid stressful conditions. Vaccination with BoHV-1 and BoHV-5 vaccines is expected to confer protection to clinical disease

Bilateral Gastrocnemius Muscle Rupture in a Bovine

Background: Locomotor system diseases are quite common in the field practice in dairy cattle and represent an important cause of economics losses. The rupture of the gastrocnemius muscle has been reported in humans, cattle, horses, camels and llamas. It can be complete or partial. The rupture of muscle as well as sacral fractures are infrequent, and consequently not commonly reported in veterinary medicine. The aim of this work was to report a case of bilateral gastrocnemius rupture in a dairy cow related to a sacral (S2) fracture.Case: A 3-year-old Holstein cow with lameness and urinary incontinence was presented for clinical examination. After three days, clinical signs progressed to sternal recumbency and difficulty to keep normal posture. While standing, the cow’s tarsal joint showed a 90o degree angle with tibia, in a manner that the metatarsal bones were completely leant on the ground. Also, a marked enlargement in both gastrocnemius area were observed. The animal was in good body condition and alert,although unable to maintain both hind limbs extended straight, and was not able to raise the tarsal joint off the ground. Physiological parameters presented normal values. Due to the poor prognosis, euthanasia and necropsy were conducted. At necropsy, it was observed that in both hind limbs the gastrocnemius muscle was ruptured, presenting severe diffuse dark red color, severe enlargement, and moderate diffuse edema and emphysema. The rupture was complete and observed at both muscular insertions in the calcaneus bone. Besides the muscular alterations, the animal had a 2 centimeters fracture on the second sacral vertebra, associated with focally extensive hemorrhage in the spinal canal and meninges. Histologically the main findings were degeneration and severe diffuse necrosis of muscle fibers associated with severe hemorrhage, and mild infiltrate of neutrophils.Discussion: Fractures in cattle may occur due to multiples causes, however farm management and facilities play an important role in the incidence of these disorders. Slippery floors along with groups composed of animals of different sizes and ages are a major cause of injury in this species. The consequence of a vertebral fracture vary greatly according to the location and extent of the injury, the degree of spinal cord compression and which spinal anatomical structures are involved. Besides the direct damage caused by the fractures in the bone’s stability, changes can also occur in related structures, such as muscles and tendons, which are extremely important for the animal to maintain its normal stance and move adequately. One example is the trauma of gastrocnemius muscle that is found sporadically due to struggling. In this case it is conjectured that the pain and the spinal cord compression at the fracture’s location, lead to difficulty for the animal to rise, culminating with the ruptured muscles by overexertion. The characteristic position adopted by the animal was useful to establish the diagnosis, although necropsy was necessary to confirm it. Once the occurrence of this condition is infrequent, this report becomes important to aid veterinarians in order to differentiate it from other diseases of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, including toxic conditions as Senna sp. and ionophore poisoning, besides nutritional myopathies such as vitamin E and selenium deficiency. Coxofemoral luxation and infectious diseases such as rabies and botulism should also be considered

Síndrome de Caroli em um cão

Caroli syndrome is characterized by a combination of intrahepatic biliary ductal ectasia and congenital ductal fibrosis due to the failure of involution of ductal plates and large intrahepatic ducts. This study aims to report Caroli syndrome in a dog, with emphasis on clinical characteristics, complementary examinations, and diagnostic approach. A 1-year-old mixed-breed intact male dog was presented with a 7-day history of acute vomiting and anorexia. Clinical evaluation revealed severe jaundice, abdominal pain, dehydration, lethargy, and abdominal distension. Ultrasonography revealed hepatic cysts filled with fluid. Exploratory laparotomy was performed to clarify the imaging findings; however, the dog died shortly after surgery. Postmortem examination revealed that the liver was reduced in size and had multiple interconnected and distended saccular dilations. The bile ducts were markedly dilated and replaced a large part of the liver parenchyma. Multiple small cysts were also observed in the kidneys. Microscopically, the hepatic lesions were characterized by extensive bridging fibrosis associated with proliferating and ectatic bile ducts contiguous with the biliary tree. Marked fibrosis and small cysts were observed in the kidneys. Therefore, a final diagnosis of Caroli syndrome was made. While uncommon, this syndrome should be considered as a differential diagnosis for young dogs with biliary cysts and hepatic fibrosis.A síndrome de Caroli é caracterizada pela combinação de ectasia biliar intra-hepática e fibrose ductal congênita, que se devem a falha na involução das placas ductais dos grandes ductos intra-hepáticos. Esse trabalho tem a intenção de reportar um caso de síndrome de Caroli em um canino, com ênfase em suas características clínicas, exames complementares, e abordagem diagnóstica. Um canídeo de um ano de idade, sem raça definida, apresentou um histórico clínico de sete dias de vômito agudo e anorexia. A avaliação clínica revelou severa icterícia, dor abdominal, desidratação, letargia e distensão abdominal. A ultrassonografia foi sugestiva de cistos hepáticos preenchidos por fluido. Uma laparotomia exploratória foi realizada para esclarecer os achados de imagem, porém, o cão morreu logo após a cirurgia. O cão foi submetido a exame de necropsia, onde se observou fígado diminuído em tamanho e com múltiplas dilatações saculares distendidas e interconectadas entre si. Os ductos biliares estavam acentuadamente dilatados e substituíam grande parte do parênquima hepático. Nos rins, múltiplos pequenos cistos eram observados. Microscopicamente as lesões hepáticas eram caracterizadas por extensa fibrose em ponte, associada a ductos biliares ectáticos e proliferados, que eram contíguos a árvore biliar. Nos rins, marcada fibrose e pequenas formações císticas foram observadas. Baseado na associação dos achados clínicos e patológicos, o diagnóstico de síndrome de Caroli foi feito. Mesmo que incomum, essa síndrome deve ser considerada como um diagnóstico diferencial para cães jovens com ductos biliares císticos e fibrose hepática