Feline Lymphoplasmacytic Gingivostomatitis: Clinical and Anatomopathological Aspects

Background: Feline lymphoplasmacytic gingivostomatitis (FLPG) is an idiopathic, multifactorial and highly challenging condition, since the results of the available treatments are partial and transitory. A set of lesions triggered by inflammatory reaction is observed, sometimes with ulcerations in the oral mucosa, leading to algia and discomfort. Histopathological examination figures as the definitive diagnostic tool, presenting distinct cellular elements. The present study aims to report three cases of FLPG, firstly addressing the anatomopathological findings, as well as the therapeutic approach used and the results obtained in each case.Cases: Case 1- Occurred in a feline Siamese male 15-year-old, weighing 3.8 kg, which was admitted at a local clinic, under the complaint of prostration, dysphagia, and weight loss, signs that were noticed approximately 5 days before. Clinical evaluation revealed multiple proliferative and ulcerative lesions, extending until the isthmus of the fauces, erythematous areas around the teeth and multifocal gingival reabsorption. Once the clinical signs and lesions were observed, samples were collected for histopathological examination and sent to the Laboratory of Animal Pathology (LAP) of Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine of the University of Passo Fundo (FAVM-UPF). Histologically, both fragments presented lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, with large and intensely eosinophilic cytoplasm, often with granular aspect, central to lateralized hyperchromatic nuclei, located predominantly in lamina propria and mucosa, as well as a discrete Mott cell infiltrate. It was also observed the presence of diffuse suppurative chronic inflammatory infiltrate, predominantly in lamina propria and mucosa, as well as foci of edema and hemorrhage, in addition to loss of tissue architecture establishing the definitive diagnosis of FLPG. The tutor went to another veterinarian for a second opinion, but the patient died within four months. Case 2- Occurred in a no defined-breed male feline 7-year-old, weighing 3.9 kg, on complaint of hyporexia, inappetence, progressive thinning and greasy-looking fur. The tutor reported that the patient showed an increasing disinterest for offered feed, for approximately three weeks, but in recent days, consumption had declined dramatically. Clinical evaluation showed the same pattern of lesions in case 1, but with higher intensity, especially in the fauces area, as well as multifocal periodontal lesion and gingival retraction areas in several teeth. After the clinical signs and lesions were observed, samples were collected for histopathological examination and sent to the LAP of the FAVM-UPF, having the same diagnosis of case 1. The patient was submitted to a complete teeth extraction and, up to date, is asymptomatic, with a positive evolution. Case 3- Occurred in a no defined-breed female feline 6-year-old, weighing 4.1 kg, showing bleeding gums, reluctance to eat and mild halitosis, signs noticed around two weeks before. The patient was submitted to clinical evaluation, with lesions that consisted of erythematous areas, more evident in molar teeth, as well as ulcerated foci of the oral mucosa. Samples were collected for histopathological examination and sent to the LAP of the FAVM-UPF, with the same diagnosis as previous cases. The therapeutic approach used consisted of immunodulation and immunosuppression, using cyclosporin and prednisolone, respectively. Up to present, the patient shows control on severity of lesions, maintaining a good life quality. Discussion: The present study observed that clinical and anatomopathological findings corroborate with those cited in the literature, with special emphasis on the presence of Mott cells as well as the marked lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, common in all three cases. The results of chosen treatments showed variation in results, even with the individualization of the therapeutic approach in the three cases

Poisoning by Senecio brasiliensis in Horses in Northern Rio Grande do Sul

Background: In various regions of Brazil, horses and cattle are considered the most susceptible animals to plant poisoning. The plants of the genus Senecio are the most important in Rio Grande do Sul because they have the active principle known as the pyrrolizidine alkaloid. Its diagnosis is made through epidemiology, clinical signs and histopathological analysis, either of the tissues obtained by biopsy or necropsy. The objective of this study was to report and characterize the epidemiological, clinical and anatomopathological findings of three cases of natural poisoning by Senecio brasiliensis in horses assisted at the Hospital Veterinário (HV) of the Universidade de Passo Fundo (UPF).Cases: Three traction horses, two males and one female, were admitted at the HV-UPF for clinical care. The animals were presenting anorexia, weight loss, dysmetria, proprioceptive deficit and signs suggestive of colic. The epidemiological study revealed that the sites where these animals were located were infested by Senecio brasiliensis. The support therapy used for equine colic in all three cases was unsuccessful. One of the animals died and the other two were euthanized, all three of them being reffered for necropsy. The post-mortem findings were mainly found in the liver, which showed accentuation of the lobular pattern and the appearance of nutmeg. During necropsy, fragments of organs from thoracic and abdominal cavities and central nervous system were collected and fixed in 10% buffered formalin. Subsequently, the samples were processed chemically, submitted to cuts of five micrometers of thickness and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for microscopic analysis. Microscopically, the liver of all three horses presented megalocytosis, fibrosis and bile ducts hyperplasia. In the central nervous system, spongiosis and the presence of Alzheimer type II astrocytes were observed. Thus, through the association of information, the diagnosis of poisoning by Senecio brasiliensis was achieved.Discussion: The diagnosis of natural poisoning by Senecio brasiliensis was obtained through the epidemiological survey that showed S. brasiliensis in pastures where all three horses were allocated.  Cases of intoxication by S. brasieliensis in cattle are more frequent than in equines, although both species are considered the most susceptible. In horses, the main clinical manifestations observed include neurological disorders, apathy, anorexia, dysphagia, weight loss, subcutaneous edema and icterus. The clinical signs presented by the equines suggested initial signs of colic syndrome, although anorexia, weight loss, dysmetria and proprioceptive deficit are commonly observed in pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning in the liver, both in cattle and horses. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids present in the genus Senecio that become toxic when biotransformed in the liver into a pyrrholic form highly reactive that inhibits cell mitosis and leads to the onset of megalocytosis, cell death and liver fibrosis. The necropsy findings and histopathology were characteristic of poisoning in equines, since the predominant macroscopic lesions in the liver were hepatomegaly and accentuation of lobular pattern, whereas microscopically, there was a predominance of hepatic fibrosis, megalocytosis, spongiosis and the incidence of Alzheimer's type II astrocytes in the brain. These lesions are observed both in natural and in experimental cases of poisoning in horses. Thus, through the ante-mortem and complete post-mortem evaluation of the three equines, it was possible to establish the occurrence of natural poisoning by Senecio brasiliensis in Northern Rio Grande do Sul, as well as to characterize the epidemiological, clinical and anatomopathological findings of poisoning in this species

Immunophenotypic characterization of lymphocytic infiltration in canine melanocytic tumors / Caracterização imunofenotípica da infiltração linfocítica em tumores melanocíticos caninos

Melanocytic tumors correspond to approximately for 4 to 7% of tumors in dogs and up to 7% of malignant tumours. Melanomas generally exhibit aggressive biological behavior. In humans, abundant tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) can be considered a good prognostic factor. Research on TIL in canine melanomas is scarce, and to date, there are no studies to verify its association with established prognostic factors. Our study aimed to evaluate the lymphocyte population in canine melanocytic tumors using immunohistochemical markers, and to relate this to pre-established clinicopathological prognostic variables and cell proliferation index (Ki-67). An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted with 21 cases in 19 dogs, of which 71.5% were melanotic melanomas, 19% were melanocytomas and 9.5% were amelanotic melanomas. Ki-67 expression was elevated in amelanotic melanomas, indicating aggressive tumor behavior. We detected lymphocytes T and B through CD3 and CD20 markers, respectively, and found that 86.7% of the melanotic melanomas were positive for CD3, whereas 73.3% were negative for CD20. TIL showed a strong association with malignant tumors, as well as a correlation with other pre-established prognostic factors, such as necrosis, ulceration, and nuclear atypia. TIL need to be further investigated to verify its inclusion as a prognostic factor for canine melanomas

Anatomopathological and immunohistochemical characterization of a case of granulomatous meningoencephalitis in a bovine with systemic tuberculosis / Caracterização anatomopatológica e imuno-histoquímica de um caso de meningite granulomatosa em bovino com tuberculose sistêmica

A two-year-old male bovine of Aberdeen Angus breed with anorexia, weight loss, and apathy was reported for necropsy, being diagnosed with systemic tuberculosis and tuberculoid meningitis lesions. Bovine tuberculosis was observed and confirmed through the necropsy of granulomatous lesions, mainly in the lungs and regional lymph nodes; specific staining for alcohol-acid resistant bacilli and immunohistochemistry were also performed. It should be noted that bovine tuberculosis is a zoonotic disease, with mandatory notification, caused by Mycobacterium bovis. In most cases, it has nonspecific clinical symptoms, such as respiratory signs, weight loss, and lymphadenopathy. In rare cases, alterations in the central nervous system occur. Therefore, this study aimed to report a case of granulomatous meningitis in a bovine with systemic tuberculosis through the characterization of its anatomicopathological and immunohistochemical aspects

Ventricular septal defect in sheep - case report / Defeito de septo interventricular em ovino - relato de caso

A 1-month-old uncastrated Ile de France male sheep was diagnosed with an opening in the left interventricular septal. The malformation was evidenced and confirmed through necropsy and observations of systemic histological lesions related to congenital heart disease, especially in the liver, lungs, and heart. Depending on the severity of the defect, the connection promoting free blood transit between the two heart ventricles can be associated with a series of clinical signs culminating in the animal's death. The etiology of congenital malformations in ruminants can be nutritional, toxic, hereditary, or infectious. However, these anomalies are infrequent in sheep; thus, their most common causes are undetermined. The present report describes macro- and microscopic findings related to this congenital malformation in a lamb

Metastatic Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Mare

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common cutaneous neoplasm in horses, which mainly affects the external genitalia, oral cavity, and periocular region. The development of SCC metastases is rare in these animals, and the most common occurrence is a marked local infiltration. Exposure to ultraviolet rays and skin depigmentation are the main etiological factors of SCC. Definitive diagnosis of the neoplasm is performed through histological examination of lesions. The present report describes the clinical, anatomopathological, and immunohistochemical (IHC) aspects of a case of metastatic SCC, with the vulva as the primary site in a mare. Case: A 17-year-old mare, mixed breed, was referred to the Veterinary Hospital of the Universidade de Passo Fundo (UPF), with history of areas of depigmented skin (pinto coat), and  clinical history of anorexia, frequent episodes of colic, and recumbency. During clinical evaluation, heart rate (68 bpm), rectal temperature (38.4ºC), and respiratory rate (48 mpm) were elevated, and the oral mucosa was pale. The mare also had an ulcerated tumor mass involving the vulva, which extended to the inguinal region and involved the mammary gland. A cytological aspirate of the vulvar tumor was performed, in which no neoplastic cells were found. Next, a biopsy of 2 distinct areas of the vulva was performed. The material was sent for anatomopathological examination, which showed markedly pleomorphic malignant squamous cells, with individual keratinization and high mitotic index, organized in trabeculae with rare keratin pearl-like formations. The exam allowed the diagnosis of SCC Grade II. Due to the poor prognosis and high cost of treatment, the owner consented to euthanasia and necropsy examination. During necropsy, the vulvar tumor mass was grayish, firm to hard, infiltrative, and had friable areas. Tumor foci suggestive of metastasis were also observed in inguinal, mesenteric, mediastinal and renal lymph nodes, adrenal glands, lung, pericardium, medullary canal, intercostal muscles, right 15th rib, and tissue surrounding the azygos vein. Samples from all organs were collected for anatomopathological examination. Diagnosis of metastatic vulvar SCC was confirmed through histological and IHC studies, which evaluated the expression of cytokeratins (AE1/AE3), as well as the proliferative activity of neoplastic cells through the PCNA marker. Discussion: The diagnosis of metastatic SCC was obtained through the observed clinical, necroscopic, histological, and IHC characteristics. This neoplasm usually appears in depigmented regions exposed to ultraviolet light, and older animals are more likely to be affected. The mare in the present case had areas of depigmented skin (pinto coat). The animal was kept in a paddock outdoor and exposed to constant solar radiation. Although rare in horses, manifestation of anorexia, progressive weight loss, and frequent colic episodes and recumbency may be closely related to the multiple sites of metastasis in the present case. The main histological findings of the neoplasm were the dense proliferation of malignant squamous cells with individual keratinization, arranged in a trabecular pattern and with rare formations of keratin pearls, in line with previous studies. During IHC evaluation, the neoplastic cells showed expression of cytokeratins (AE1/AE3), as well as high proliferative activity evidenced by the PCNA marker. Given this background, the present report describes the clinical, anatomopathological, and IHC aspects of a case of metastatic SCC with a primary site in the vulva of a mare. Keywords: equine, genital neoplasm, tumor embolism, squamous cell carcinoma, metastasis, immunohistochemistry

Spontaneous poisoning in sheep caused by pseudofruits of Hovenia dulcis (japanese grape): Intoxicação espontânea em ovinos causada por pseudofrutos de Hovenia dulcis (uva japonesa)

An outbreak of spontaneous intoxication by the pseudofruits of the japanese grape (Hovenia dulcis) was observed in a flock of 270 sheep in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, resulting in the death of nine animals. The clinical picture was characterized by digestive, nervous, and respiratory alterations with progression to death after 15 to 48 hours. The main microscopic findings were hepatic necrosis, necrosis of the rumen and abomasum mucosa, pulmonary edema and atelectasis, kidney degeneration, cerebral spongiosis, and vacuolization of Purkinje neurons. Hovenia dulcis is wide spread in Brazil, especially in the south of the country. However, this is the first report of spontaneous poisoning in sheep caused by its pseudofruits

Eugenia pyriformis ('uvaia') intoxication of sheep / Intoxicação por Eugenia pyriformis ('uvaia') em ovinos

This study describes the clinical and pathological picture of a disease followed by death in sheep raised for subsistence, characterized by difficulty in locomotion, sternal decubitus, severe dyspnea, opisthotonos, and pedaling movements, followed by death. The disease occurred in February 2020 in the northern state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, due to the consumption of the fruits of Eugenia pyriformis ('uvaia'). All sheep that became ill later died, resulting in morbidity of 68.75% and mortality of 100%. An autopsy revealed the presence of E. pyriformis fruits with or without seeds in the rumen, in addition to the diet provided to the animals. The main histological findings consisted of edema and perivascular cuffs in the frontal telencephalon, nephrosis and glomerular necrosis, in addition to glomerulosclerosis. One sheep had heightened urea and creatinine and lower levels of non-protein thiols. Deaths ceased once animals were prevented from accessing E. pyriformis. These findings confirm that this plant was responsible for the deaths of the animals and point to the possibility of E. pyriformis having neurotoxic and nephrotoxic action on sheep

N-acetylcysteine+nimesulide : an association strategy aiming to prevent nimesulide-induced hepatotoxicity

Introduction: Nimesulide is a potent anti-inflammatory with rapid and long-lasting effects, but also with a high risk of hepatotoxicity. Objective: This work aimed to prevent nimesulide-induced hepatotoxicity through the association of nimesulide with a hepatoprotective agent. Materials and Methods: First, we tested three hepatoprotective agents: N-acetylcysteine, L-carnitine, and Gingko biloba extract in an in vitro hepatic cell model. Both N-acetylcysteine and G. biloba showed promisor results. We selected N-acetylcysteine to continue the studies in an animal model. In vivo study was performed using male Wistar rats divided in 4 groups: control, nimesulide (100mg/kg/day), nimesulide (100mg/kg/day) + N-acetylcysteine (100mg/kg/day) and N-acetylcysteine alone (100mg/kg/day). Treatments were given by gavage, daily, for 15 days. Results: Animals receiving nimesulide alone showed lower body weight gain compared to control. Body weight gain in the nimesulide + N-acetylcysteine group was higher than nimesulide alone, evidencing lower toxicity. However, the body weight gain of the nimesulide + N-acetylcysteine group was still lower than the control animals. Animals treated with nimesulide alone presented an increased relative mass of heart, liver, and spleen and significant hepatic damage seen in microscopy when compared to other groups. N-acetylcysteine co-administered with nimesulide prevented the increased heart mass, but the same was not true with liver and spleen. Conclusions: This work evidence partial protection elicited by the association of N-acetylcysteine and nimesulide against nimesulide-induced hepatotoxicity.Introdução: A nimesulida é um potente anti-inflamatório com efeitos rápidos e duradouros, mas também com alto risco de hepatotoxicidade. Objetivo: Este trabalho teve como objetivo prevenir a hepatotoxicidade induzida pela nimesulida por meio da associação de nimesulida a um hepatoprotetor. Materiais e Métodos: Primeiro, testamos três possíveis hepatoprotetores: N-acetilcisteína, L-carnitina e extrato de Gingko biloba em um modelo de células hepáticas in vitro. N-acetilcisteína e G. biloba apresentaram bom potencial hepatoprotetor. Selecionamos a N-acetilcisteína para continuar os estudos em um modelo animal. O estudo in vivo foi realizado com ratos Wistar machos divididos em 4 grupos: controle, nimesulida (100 mg/kg/dia), nimesulida (100 mg/kg/dia) + N-acetilcisteína (100 mg/kg/dia) e N-acetilcisteína isolada (100 mg/kg/dia). Os tratamentos foram realizados por gavagem, diariamente, por 15 dias. Resultados: Os animais que receberam nimesulida isoladamente apresentaram menor ganho de peso corporal em comparação ao controle. O ganho de peso corporal no grupo nimesulida + N-acetilcisteína foi maior que o nimesulida isolado, evidenciando menor toxicidade. No entanto, o ganho de peso corporal do grupo nimesulida + N-acetilcisteína ainda era menor do que os animais controle. Os animais tratados com nimesulida isoladamente apresentaram aumento da massa relativa do coração, fígado e baço e dano hepático significativo observado na microscopia quando comparados a outros grupos. A N-acetilcisteína co-administrada com nimesulida impediu o aumento da massa cardíaca, mas tal fato não ocorreu com o fígado e o baço. Conclusões: Este trabalho evidencia proteção parcial provocada pela associação de N-acetilcisteína e nimesulida contra hepatotoxicidade induzida por nimesulida.Introducción: La nimesulida es un potente antiinflamatorio con efectos rápidos y duraderos, pero también con un alto riesgo de hepatotoxicidad. Objetivo: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo prevenir la hepatotoxicidad inducida por nimesulida combinando nimesulida con un medicamento hepatoprotector. Materiales y métodos: Primero, probamos tres candidatos: N-acetilcisteína, L-carnitina y extracto de Gingko biloba en un modelo de células hepáticas in vitro. N-acetilcisteína y G. biloba mostraron buen potencial. A continuación, seleccionamos N-acetilcisteína para continuar los estudios en un modelo animal. El estudio in vivo se realizó con ratas Wistar machos divididas en 4 grupos: control,nimesulida (100 mg/kg/día), nimesulida (100 mg/kg/día) + N-acetilcisteína (100 mg/kg/día) y N-acetilcisteína aislada (100 mg/kg/día). Los tratamientos se realizaron por sonda, diariamente, durante 15 días. Resultados: Los animales que recibieron nimesulida sola mostraron menos aumento de peso corporal en comparación con el control. El aumento de peso corporal en el grupo de nimesulida + N-acetilcisteína fue mayor que el de nimesulida sola, mostrando menos toxicidad. Sin embargo, el aumento de peso corporal del grupo nimesulida + N-acetilcisteína fue aún menor que el de los animales de control. Los animales tratados con nimesulida sola mostraron un aumento en la masa relativa del corazón, el hígado y el bazo y un daño hepático significativo observado al microscopio en comparación con otros grupos. La N-acetilcisteína administrada conjuntamente con nimesulida evitó el aumento de la masa cardíaca, pero no sucedió lo mismo con el hígado y el bazo. Conclusiones: Este trabajo muestra una protección parcial causada por la asociación de N-acetilcisteína y nimesulida contra la hepatotoxicidad inducida por la nimesulida

Metastatic Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Mare

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common cutaneous neoplasm in horses, which mainly affects the external genitalia, oral cavity, and periocular region. The development of SCC metastases is rare in these animals, and the most common occurrence is a marked local infiltration. Exposure to ultraviolet rays and skin depigmentation are the main etiological factors of SCC. Definitive diagnosis of the neoplasm is performed through histological examination of lesions. The present report describes the clinical, anatomopathological, and immunohistochemical (IHC) aspects of a case of metastatic SCC, with the vulva as the primary site in a mare. Case: A 17-year-old mare, mixed breed, was referred to the Veterinary Hospital of the Universidade de Passo Fundo (UPF), with history of areas of depigmented skin (pinto coat), and  clinical history of anorexia, frequent episodes of colic, and recumbency. During clinical evaluation, heart rate (68 bpm), rectal temperature (38.4ºC), and respiratory rate (48 mpm) were elevated, and the oral mucosa was pale. The mare also had an ulcerated tumor mass involving the vulva, which extended to the inguinal region and involved the mammary gland. A cytological aspirate of the vulvar tumor was performed, in which no neoplastic cells were found. Next, a biopsy of 2 distinct areas of the vulva was performed. The material was sent for anatomopathological examination, which showed markedly pleomorphic malignant squamous cells, with individual keratinization and high mitotic index, organized in trabeculae with rare keratin pearl-like formations. The exam allowed the diagnosis of SCC Grade II. Due to the poor prognosis and high cost of treatment, the owner consented to euthanasia and necropsy examination. During necropsy, the vulvar tumor mass was grayish, firm to hard, infiltrative, and had friable areas. Tumor foci suggestive of metastasis were also observed in inguinal, mesenteric, mediastinal and renal lymph nodes, adrenal glands, lung, pericardium, medullary canal, intercostal muscles, right 15th rib, and tissue surrounding the azygos vein. Samples from all organs were collected for anatomopathological examination. Diagnosis of metastatic vulvar SCC was confirmed through histological and IHC studies, which evaluated the expression of cytokeratins (AE1/AE3), as well as the proliferative activity of neoplastic cells through the PCNA marker. Discussion: The diagnosis of metastatic SCC was obtained through the observed clinical, necroscopic, histological, and IHC characteristics. This neoplasm usually appears in depigmented regions exposed to ultraviolet light, and older animals are more likely to be affected. The mare in the present case had areas of depigmented skin (pinto coat). The animal was kept in a paddock outdoor and exposed to constant solar radiation. Although rare in horses, manifestation of anorexia, progressive weight loss, and frequent colic episodes and recumbency may be closely related to the multiple sites of metastasis in the present case. The main histological findings of the neoplasm were the dense proliferation of malignant squamous cells with individual keratinization, arranged in a trabecular pattern and with rare formations of keratin pearls, in line with previous studies. During IHC evaluation, the neoplastic cells showed expression of cytokeratins (AE1/AE3), as well as high proliferative activity evidenced by the PCNA marker. Given this background, the present report describes the clinical, anatomopathological, and IHC aspects of a case of metastatic SCC with a primary site in the vulva of a mare. Keywords: equine, genital neoplasm, tumor embolism, squamous cell carcinoma, metastasis, immunohistochemistry