Toad venom intoxication in a dog

O sapo do gênero Bufo possui nas suas glândulas paratóides uma secreção mucóide contendo toxinas como bufaginas e bufotoxinas, que são esteróides cardiogênicos. Os cães podem atacar os sapos, entrando em contato com o veneno por meio das mucosas. Um canino, da raça Bulldog Francês, foi encaminhado ao Setor de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) para a necropsia com histórico de provável intoxicação por veneno de sapo. Na necropsia o canino apresentava pulmões aumentados de volume, avermelhados e com edema, e rins de coloração vermelho-escura. As alterações microscópicas indicaram congestão, hemorragia e edema pulmonar. Nos rins, no baço e nos linfonodos foi observada congestão. As análises toxicológicas para os venenos de rotina foram negativas. Porém, a investigação do veneno de sapo a partir de cromatografia por camada delgada e gasosa demonstrou resultado positivo, revelando ser esta a causa da morte do canino. ____________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThe toads of the genus Bufo produce, in their parotoid glands, a mucoid secretion containing toxins such as bufagins and bufotoxins, which are cardiogenic steroids. The mucous membranes of dogs can absorb this venom when they attack the toads. A French bulldog with a history of probable toad venom intoxication was referred to Veterinary Pathology Section of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) for necropsy. The necropsy revealed enlarged, reddish, edematous lungs, and kidneys displaying a dark red color. The microscopic alterations indicated the presence of congestion, hemorrhage, and pulmonary edema. Congestion was observed in the kidneys, spleen and lymph nodes. The routine toxicological analyses for venom detection were negative. Nevertheless, the toad venom test result was positive as assessed by thin layer and gas chromatography, indicating that toad venom intoxication was the cause of death

Intoxicação espontânea por Palicourea marcgravii em bovino no Distrito Federal, Brasil

Palicourea marcgravii is considered the most important toxic plant in Brazil and, until the 1990s, the most important plant in the Central-Western. This factor is explained due to its extensive distribution, good palatability, high toxicity and cumulative effect. A bovine, Nelore, male, two years old, of a property in the Federal District, was found dead. The property presented history of access to the forest and death of other cattle. No macroscopic changes were observed. Microscopically, in the kidneys, were observed hydropic-vacuolar degeneration of distal contoured urinary tubule epithelial cells. Multifocal areas of cardiomyocytes with coagulation necrosis were noted in the heart presenting pycnotic nuclei with hypereosinophilic cytoplasm and loss of striations. During a visit to the rural property, were found branches and shrubs with fruits recognized as P. marcgravii. This report presents the pathological findings of spontaneous poisoning by P. marcgravii in bovine in the Federal District, Brazil.Palicourea marcgravii é considerada a planta tóxica mais importante do Brasil e, até os anos 90, a planta mais importante do Centro-Oeste. Esse fator é explicado devido à sua extensa distribuição, boa palatabilidade, alta toxicidade e efeito cumulativo. Um bovino, Nelore, macho, dois anos, de uma propriedade no Distrito Federal, foi encontrado morto. A propriedade apresentava histórico de acesso à floresta e morte de outros animais. Não foram observadas alterações macroscópicas. Microscopicamente, nos rins, foi observada degeneração hidrópico-vacuolar das células epiteliais do túbulo contorcido distal urinário. Áreas multifocais de cardiomiócitos com necrose de coagulação foram observadas no coração, apresentando núcleos picnóticos com citoplasma hipereosinofílico e perda de estriação. Durante uma visita à propriedade rural, foram encontrados galhos e arbustos com frutos reconhecidos como P. marcgravi. Este relato apresenta os achados patológicos de intoxicação espontânea por P. marcgravii em bovino no Distrito Federal

Rinite micótica rinofaríngea em um ovino Texel no Rio Grande do Sul

Rinite micótica é uma doença granulomatosa de ocorrência pouco frequente que acomete o homem e os animais. Recentemente, no Centro-Oeste e Nordeste do Brasil foram descritos casos de rinite micótica em ovinos. Em uma propriedade no município de Parobé, Rio Grande do Sul, Sul do Brasil adoeceram e morreram, desde janeiro de 2007, 4 ovinos de um total de 30 animais. Os animais apresentavam dificuldade respiratória, intolerância ao exercício e secreção serossanguinolenta pelas narinas e morte após alguns dias. Um quinto animal doente foi encaminhado ao Setor de Patologia Veterinária da UFRGS para exame clínico e necropsia. O ovino apresentava dificuldade respiratória devido à obstrução parcial dos orifícios nasais, intolerância ao exercício, espirros e corrimento nasal serossanguinolento bilateral. Os principais achados de necropsia foram massas de coloração amarelada irregular, friável e com coágulos de sangue na região etmoidal, conchas nasais e coanas do lado esquerdo. Foram encontrados ainda, pequenos nódulos no lóbulo pulmonar diafragmático esquerdo. Na microscopia da mucosa da cavidade nasal apresentava necrose multifocal, contendo estruturas semelhantes a hifas e circundadas por infiltrado de neutrófilo, macrófagos e células gigantes. Cérebro com focos necróticos piogranulomatosos na leptomeninge das porções frontais. Na coloração de Gomori metenamina-prata, foram observadas hifas, irregulares e raramente septadas e na imunohistoquímica para Pythium insidiosum, obteve-se resultado negativo. A morfologia das hifas fúngicas no tecido é característica de Conidiobolomicose

Uretrolitíase obstrutiva em equino

Background: The presence of macroscopic concretions in the urinary system is called urolithiasis. In horses the occurrence is rare. The calculi are generally large and unique spicule concretions, composed of calcium carbonate crystals. Less commonly, the concretions are of mixed crystals of calcium carbonate and of calcium phosphate. The aim of the this work was to report a case of obstructive urethrolithiasis in a horse.Case: A 1-year-and-5-month-old, undefined breed, uncastrated male presented tenesmus, strangury, and dysuria. The horse died seven days after the onset of clinical signs and was referred for necropsy. At necropsy, samples were collected from organs of the abdominal cavity, thoracic cavity, central nervous system and integumentary system. The fragments were fixed in 10% formaldehyde, cleaved, routinely processed for histology and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. A urinary calculus collected during necropsy was sent for chemical analysis. In the abdominal cavity, a large quantity of citrus liquid of uremic odor was observed. Deposition of fibrin filaments in the peritoneum was observed, as well as in diaphragm and abdominal organs. Serosa of the small and large intestine was red with evidence of the capillaries. Kidneys presented multiple slightly protrusive white areas with a maximum diameter of 3 mm. When cutting, these areas were limited to the cortical region. There was rupture of the urinary bladder, diffuse loss of the mucosa with capillary exposure and evidence, as well as the deposition of fibrin and crude blood clots. The opening of the penile urethra presented a urolith of approximately 3.5 x 3 cm in size, with a rough and porous surface, light brown and of a stony consistency. Necrosis of the mucosa and hemorrhage were also observed in the urethra. Microscopically, the kidney showed multiple foci formed by intense inflammatory infiltrate composed of macrophages, neutrophils and plasma cells in the interstitium of the cortical region. In the urinary bladder, there was diffuse necrosis of the lining epithelium, marked inflammatory infiltrate composed mainly of neutrophils in the submucosa, in addition to fibrin deposition and edema. Penile urethra presented changes similar to those described in the urinary bladder. The chemical analysis of the urinary calculus demonstrated the presence of calcium oxalate, triple magnesium ammonia (struvite) phosphate and ammonium in its composition.Discussion: The diagnosis of obstructive urethrolithiasis was established from the clinical-pathological condition. The occurrence of urolithiasis in horses is rare. The lower occurrence in this species is probably attributed to the large amount of mucus produced by the glands in the renal pelvis and the proximal ureter, which acts as a lubricant to prevent the adhesion of the crystals to the urothelium. The absence of sigmoid flexure and vermiform urethral process in equine also influence the low occurrence of the disease, when compared to ruminants. Rupture of the urinary bladder followed by uroperitonitis and nephritis as observed in this case are common consequences in obstructive urolithiasis. Uroliths in equines are generally composed of a variety of hydrated calcium salts and calcium carbonate, magnesium, and phosphorus salts, with less common struvite compounds. Urethrolithiasis is poorly described in horses and can be caused by struvite stones

Surto de aborto, mumificação fetal e morte perinatal em um rebanho caprino infectado por toxoplasma gondii no Rio Grande do Sul

07

Congenital Cutaneous Hemangioma in a Newborn Lamb

Background: Hemangioma is a benign dermal or subcutaneous endothelial cell tumor composed of vascular spaces of varying sizes filled with erythrocytes and lined with a single layer of uniform endothelial cells. Although the pathogenesis is not well defined, these tumors are considered to result from an imbalance in angiogenesis, leading to uncontrolled proliferation of vascular elements. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of congenital cutaneous hemangioma in sheep. This report describes the clinical, laboratory, and pathological findings of a case of congenital hemangioma affecting a newborn lamb. Case: A 5-day-old crossbred (Dorper x Santa Inês) lamb presenting with an ear nodule that expanded in the right ear was necropsied. An expansive subcutaneous nodule was observed macroscopically; it occupied approximately 90% of the right ear and had a crusty, irregular surface. The cut surface had multiple cavitations delimited by firm fibrous tissue and a light yellow-to-translucent content. Microscopically, it showed focally extensive subcutaneous neoplastic proliferation and moderate cellularity; it was formed of vascular beds of varied sizes and supported by moderate fibrocollagenous stroma. Suppurative inflammation was observed in the neoplastic vascular beds with large amounts of free basophilic coccoid bacteria inside macrophages. Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Strong cytoplasmic labeling was observed in neoplastic endothelial cells for CD31 and factor VIII. The Ki67 proliferation marker was positive in approximately 5% of neoplastic cells. The cells did not express smooth muscle actin (1A4) or pan-cytokeratin (AE1AE3). Histological characteristics and immunohistochemistry findings were consistent with those of congenital cutaneous hemangioma, a rare neoplasm in sheep. Discussion: The association of clinical, anatomopathological, and immunohistochemical data enabled the diagnosis of congenital cutaneous hemangioma in the 5-day-old lamb. Reports of vascular tumors in sheep are not frequent in literature and usually involve adult animals with no anatomical site predilection. In sheep, the occurrence of nasotracheal hemangioma in a 2-year-old ewe and gingival hemangioma in a 5-year-old sheep have already been described. A cutaneous extra-neural hemangioblastoma was diagnosed in the ear of a 1-month-old lamb. IHC was also used to confirm the diagnosis of hemangioblastoma. Macroscopically, hemangiomas can present as well-delimited and encapsulated masses that when cut, show a reticulated pattern similar to honeycombs that separate the blood-filled cavities. The present case showed a similar conformation but without enough erythrocytes to result in a bloody appearance. Tumor drainage and the predominance of blood serum in the content possibly made it macroscopically translucent. Microscopically, the hemangioma was classified as cavernous. This morphological variation forms large channels separated by fibrous connective tissue stroma, which may contain inflammatory cells. IHC confirmed the endothelial lining of the cystic cavities and was crucial in excluding differential diagnoses. Thus, factor VIII-related antigen was used as a marker for normal and neoplastic cells, as well as for tumoral and reactive neovascularization, in which neoplastic cells were immuno-expressed for CD31 and Factor VIII. In domestic animals, the association between CD31 and Factor VIII is considered more specific for vascular endothelial cells, differentiating them from cells of lymphatic origin. Congenital cutaneous hemangioma occurs in sheep, and its diagnosis and differentiation can be based on histopathology associated with conventional immunohistochemical panels for vascular neoformation. Keywords: sheep, mesenchymal neoplasm, vascular tumour, small ruminant, histopathology, immunohistochemistry

Intoxicação por chumbo em bovinos em área de treinamento militar

25

Intoxicações naturais por plantas em ruminantes diagnosticadas no Setor de Patologia Veterinária da UFRGS no período de 1996-2005

As intoxicações por plantas em animais pecuários têm particular importância em áreas onde o manejo do pastoreio é feito de forma extensiva. Entre os herbívoros, os ruminantes são os mais suscetíveis. Esse estudo retrospectivo incluiu as intoxicações por plantas em ruminantes diagnosticadas no Setor de Patologia Veterinária (SPV) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) no período de 1996-2005. Essas intoxicações causaram 7,58% (43/567) das mortes de bovinos, 11,46% (25/218) de ovinos e 7,69 % (16/208) de caprinos necropsiados pelo SPV-UFRGS. Destaca-se que das perdas associadas com intoxicações: 62,79% das mortes em bovinos foram atribuídas à lesão hepática crônica causada por Senecio spp.; 28% das mortes em ovinos, às lesões no trato gastrintestinal por Baccharis coridifolia e 75% das mortes em caprinos, à doença de depósito lisossomal por Sida carpinifolia. Os achados indicam que a intoxicação por plantas é importante causa de perda econômica em ruminantes na área de atuação do SPV/UFRGS no Rio Grande do Sul

Encephalic Toxoplasm in a White-Eared Possum (Didelphis albiventris)

Background: Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan that belongs to the Aplicomplexa phylum, coccidian subclass, and affects all warm-blooded animals. The role of opossums in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in Brazil is not fully understood, and there are very few descriptions of toxoplasmosis lesions in these animals. This report describes the anatomopathological, molecular and immunohistochemical findings of a case of encephalic toxoplasmosis in free-living white-eared possum (Didelphis albiventris).Case: A young male opossum (D. albiventris), was treated at the Veterinary Hospital of Wild Animals of the University of Brasília, Federal District. The animal was apathetic, uncoordinated, reluctant to move, and had an exposed proximal fracture in the left radius and ulna with laceration of muscles and adjacent tendinous structures. Amputation on the left thoracic limb was performed followed by analgesia and antibiotic therapy. The environment is frequented by other wild animals, and stray cats have access to the patio of the building. Twenty-five days after arriving at the hospital, the animal was found dead in its cage. After death, a necropsy was performed. Organ fragments from the abdominal cavity, thoracic and central nervous system were collected, processed routinely for histology and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Macroscopic lesions in the central nervous system were not observed. On microscopy, the brain showed moderate random glial nodules throughout the neuropil associated with the presence of spherical to elongated parasitic cysts of about 20 µm, with a thin wall and with its interior full of bradyzoites, consistent with Toxoplasma gondii. There was also moderate fibrinoid necrosis and moderate multifocal lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate surrounding the blood vessels (perivascular cuffs) To investigate the etiology of the brain injury, brain sections were subjected to immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technique for detection of T. gondii and Neospora caninum. Immunostaining for T. gondii in the cyst wall and in bradyzoites and negative immunostaining for N. caninum. qPCR was positive for T. gondii and negative for N. caninum.Discussion: Diagnosis of encephalic toxoplasmosis in a Didelphis albiventris was possible based on histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular findings. The morphological classification of the brain lesion was important for the diagnosis. Brain toxoplasmosis in opossums usually results in focal areas of malacia on macroscopy and focally extensive necrosis on microscopy, neutrophil infiltrate, calcified necrotic material, and perivascular cuffs of lymphocytes and plasma cells. In the present case, similar histopathological lesions were noted, but no significant macroscopic changes were observed. The etiology here was defined by immunohistochemistry and qPCR, techniques proven to be useful and with good specificity for diagnosing toxoplasmosis in mammals. It is believed that the positive immunohistochemical and molecular result for Toxoplasma gondii together with the negative result for Neospora caninum were conclusive for the diagnosis. Thus, we demonstrate here a post mortem diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in a free-living synanthropic opossum and the use of anatomopathology, immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction as a diagnostic option for this disease in opossums. Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, marsupial, immunohistochemistry, Real time PCR, protozoal encephalitis.Título: Toxoplasmose encefálica em um gambá-de-orelha-branca (Didelphis albiventris)Descritores: Toxoplasma gondii, marsupial, imuno-histoquímica, Real time PCR, encefalite protozoal

Raiva em equino no município de Porto Alegre - RS, Brasil

Background:  :  :  : rabies is a fatal zoonosis caused by a highly neurotropic RNA virus which causes neurological signs and that is distributed almost worldwide. Rabies affects domestic and wild animals and this is a disease transmitted by their bites, through which the virus present in the saliva is inoculated. In Brazil, Desmodus rotundus is the main hematophagous bat species that transmits rabies, especially to herbivores e equines. In equines, the clinical manifestation varies a lot, including both the paralytic and the furious form of the disease. The goal of this study is to describe a case of equine rabies in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Case: a six-year old male American Quarter Horse, which presented a clinical picture characterized by colic, depraved appetite and difficulty to move, was admitted to the Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (HCV-UFRGS). The horse did not respond to treatment, therefore, it was submitted to exploratory laparotomy, when the moderate intestinal constipation and low intestinal motility was observed. A large colon enterotomy was performed and the intestinal contents were partially emptied. During recovery from anesthesia, the animal remained in lateral decubitus, not making any attempt to stand up. The animal did not show a favorable clinical evolution a few hours later, displaying weakness particularly in the hind limbs. Consequently, the animal underwent euthanasia. Samples of body organs were collected and fixed in formol 10%, processed routinely for histological purposes and then stained by hematoxylin and eosin. The histopathological examination revealed nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis in the central nervous system, without the presence of Negri bodies. Due to the history of recent rabies cases in neighbor areas of the property from where the animal came, direct immunofluorescence (IFD) and immunohistochemical (IHQ) exams for rabies were requested. The result was negative in IFD and a positive immunolabeling was observed in IHQ, thus demonstrating a viral antigen labeling in neurons of the cervical spine, pons, mesencephalon and cerebellum. Discussion: intracytoplasmic inclusions, also known as Negri bodies, are important and pathognomonic findings that were not observed in this case. Its presence and concentration depend on the stage and course of the disease, and they are not present in up to 30% of rabies cases, because certain virus strains do not produce Negri bodies. In equines, the occurrence of Negri bodies is less frequent than in bovines. IFD is the most adequate rabies diagnosis method, which is a highly sensitive technique (80-100%). The result was negative for this case, being confirmed only by IHQ. The immunohistochemical test is an important laboratorial diagnosis tool of rabies, because it allows the solution of unspecific meningoencephalitis cases when Negri bodies are not present. The treatment of animals with rabies is not considered. Vaccination in endemic regions or in areas where a rabies case has occurred is necessary. Rabies cases near the property where the animal lived were reported, but a prophylactic vaccination was not carried out. Rio Grande do Sul had a peculiar epidemiological status regarding rabies, as urban rabies cases had not been reported for approximately 17 years. However, rabies transmitted by hematophagous bats is still endemic in rural areas. This case demonstrates the importance of maintaining a rabies vaccination schedule in equine properties