Caracterização patológica e molecular da colibacilose em frangos de corte de Moçambique e em galinhas poedeiras do Brasil

A colibacilose aviária é uma doença bacteriana que causa elevados prejuízos na avicultura de todo o mundo. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever os aspectos patológicos, moleculares e bacteriológicos da colibacilose em frangos de corte e em galinhas provenientes de Moçambique e Brasil, respectivamente. O trabalho foi dividido em dois artigos. O primeiro descreve a colibacilose em 49 frangos de três a 35 dias e o segundo faz a pesquisa dos genes de virulência em 15 amostras de frangos e oito de galinhas poedeiras provenientes de Moçambique e Brasil, respectivamente, que vieram a óbito após e submetidos a necropsia para coleta de diversos órgãos para processamento histológico, microbiológico, imuno-histoquímico e molecular. Macroscopicamente, em frangos foi observado deposição acentuada de fibrina principalmente no coração [100% (49/49)], fígado [100% (49/49)], rins [8,2% (4/49)] e pulmão [18,4% (9/49)]. Na histologia, a lesão prevalente foi serosite fibrinoheterofílica entremeada em fibrina e acompanhada por agregados bacterianos cocobacilares. Em galinhas poedeiras foi observado durante a necropsia desidratação, palidezda crista, bem como aumento difuso do baço e material friável amarelado na luz intestinal. Microscopicamente, a enterite fibrinoheterofílica associado à fibrina, macrófagos e ocasionais células gigantes multinucleadas e plasmócitos foi a lesão mais prevalente. Na microbiologia, foram isoladas colônias puras de Escherichia coli em frangos [24,5% (12/49)] e galinhas poedeiras [12,5% (1/8)], com acentuada marcação positiva na imunohistoquímica para anticorpo anti-Escherichia coli em amostras de frango em amostras de frango analisadas. Foi realizada a reação em cadeia de polimerase (PCR) multiplex para pesquisa de cinco genes de virulência de E. coli onde houve positividade em 80% (12/15) de frangos de corte e 62,5% (5/8) em galinhas. Com os resultados obtidos, concluiu-se que a colibacilose foi a causa da morte dos frangos e das galinhas em estudo infectadas por cepas patogênicas resistentes e multirresistentes para vários antimicrobianos apesar destas terem proveniência bem como manejo diferente.Colibacillosis is a bacterial disease that causes high economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. The aimed of this study is describe the pathological, molecular and bacteriological aspects of colibacillosis in broiler chickens and in layers from Mozambique and Brazil, respectively. The study was separated in two papers. The first describe the disease in Forty-nine broiler chickens with 3 to 35 days, the second paper screams virulance genes in fifteen poultry and in eight layer samples from Mozambique and Brazil repectively that died and necropsied to histologic, microbiology, imuno-histoquimic and molecular analise. Macroscopically, was observed in broiler chickens severe fibrin deposition mainly in the heart [100% (49/49)], liver [100% (49/49)], kidneys [8.2% (4/49)] and in the lungs [18.4% (9/49)]. Microscopically, the fibrin-hecterofilic enteritis associated with fibrin, macrophags and occasional multinucleated giant cells and plasm cells was prevalent lesion observed. In microbiological culture was isolated E. coli colonies in broilers [24,5% (12/49)] and in hens chickens [12,5% (1/8). 49)], with marked positive staining for anti-Escherichia coli antibody in the immunohistochemistry to broilers sample. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for despite to five E. coli virulence genes, there were positivity in 80% (12/15) of broiler chickens and 20% (1/5) in layer. With the results obtained, can conclude that colibacillosis was the cause of death for broiler chickens and layers that were infected with pathogenic and resistant strains for many antimicrobial, although they had origins and management differences

Pleuropneumonia por Mannheimia haemolytica em caprinos associada ao estresse de transporte no Brasil

A pleuropneumonia por Mannheimia haemolytica é uma enfermidade com elevada morbidade e mortalidade de ruminantes de todas as idades. O objetivo desse estudo é descrever os aspectos epidemiológicos, patológicos, bacteriológicos e moleculares de pleuropneumonia em caprinos transportados da região Nordeste para a região sul do Brasil. Quarenta caprinos (seis meses a quatro anos de idade) vieram a óbito em dois períodos: durante o transporte e dois a três dias após o desembarque. Os sinais clínicos observados incluíam dispneia, secreção nasal mucopurulenta e tosse. Estes caprinos foram submetidos ao exame de necropsia, na qual foram colhidos múltiplos fragmentos de órgãos para análise histopatológica, bacteriológica e molecular. Macroscopicamente, todos os caprinos apresentaram áreas de consolidação pulmonar, predominantemente da região cranioventral, associadas à deposição de grande quantidade de fibrina, com espessamento e aderência pleural em 90% (36/40) dos casos, além de hidrotórax em 37,5% (15/40) dos casos. Histologicamente, as lesões em todos os caprinos eram constituídas por pleuropneumonia fibrinossupurativa, caracterizada por infiltrado inflamatório difuso acentuado de neutrófilos em pleura, alvéolos, brônquios e bronquíolos, associado à deposição difusa acentuada de fibrina, bem como edema alveolar. Através do exame bacteriológico, foram isoladas bactérias do gênero Mannheimia em todos os casos. Foi realizada a reação em cadeia de polimerase (PCR) para o gene 16S rDNA de Mannheimia spp., na qual 26 amostras resultaram positivas. Através do sequenciamento molecular, obteve-se 98% de identidade para o gene 16S rDNA e 98% de semelhança com Mannheimia haemolytica em todos isolados. M. haemolytica é a principal bactéria causadora de pleuropneumonia em caprinos submetidos ao estresse.Pleuropneumonia by Mannheimia haemolytica is a disease that causes high morbidity and mortality in ruminants of all ages. This study describes the epidemiological, pathological, bacteriological and molecular features of pleuropneumonia in goats transported from the Northeast region to Southern Brazil. Forty goats (six months-old to four years-old) died in two periods: during transportation and two or three days after unloading. Clinical signs included dyspnea, mucopurulent nasal discharge and cough. These goats were necropsied and multiple organ fragments were collected for histopathological, bacteriological and molecular analysis. Grossly, all goats had pulmonary consolidation, predominantly affecting the cranioventral lung region, associated to a severe fibrin deposition, with pleural thickening and pleural adhesion in 90% (36/40) of the cases and hydrothorax in 37.5% (15/40) of the cases. Histologically, lesions in all goats were composed by a fibrinosupurative pleuropneumonia, characterized by a diffuse inflammatory infiltration of neutrophils involving the pleura, alveoli, bronchi and bronchioli, associated with a severe fibrin deposition and alveolar edema. Mannheimia genus bacteria were isolated in all cases. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the 16S rDNA gene of Mannheimia spp. was performed in 26 samples, and a positive result was obtained. Through molecular sequencing an identity of 98% for the 16 rDNA gene and 98% resemblance to Mannheimia haemolytica in all isolates were observed. M. haemolytica is the main bacteria causing pleuropneumonia in goats subjected to stress

Acute sodium fluorosilicate poisoning in cattle

Background: Fluorine is a ubiquitous environmental element and fluoride poisoning in cattle is usually related to the ingestion of contaminated pastures or water, especially near industries, or mineral supplements with excessive amounts of this element. Cattle poisoning can be acute or chronic and is directly associated with the ingested dose and with the duration of exposure. The objective of this study is to report the epidemiological, clinical and anatomopathological aspects of an outbreak of acute sodium fluorosilicate intoxication in cattle. Case: Six 1-year-old, castrated male, mixed breed beef calves from a lot of 60 were found dead without previous clinical signs being observed. The calves died after ingesting a white, odorless, finely granular substance found by the owner near a road that intersected the property. The product was in an open package and identified as sodium fluorosilicate. Of the six dead calves, three were necropsied. Gross lesions were restricted to the digestive system and included varying degrees of hyperemia, hemorrhage, edema, and erosions in the pre-stomach and abomasum mucosae. The histological lesions observed in the three calves were characterized mainly by variable degenerative, necrotic and ulcerative changes in the epithelial lining of the forestomachs and abomasum. Partially (erosion) or totally (ulceration) bare lamina propria of forestomach papillae was covered by cellular debris and neutrophils. Multifocal lymphoid necrosis was seen in lymph nodes and spleen. Fluoride levels measured in the ruminal content of two necropsied calves were 55.2 and 9.17 mgF/kg of dry matter. After the diagnosis and discontinued exposure of the calves to the fluoride product, deaths ceased Discussion: The diagnosis of acute sodium fluorosilicate intoxication in cattle in this study was based on epidemiological, clinical, and anatomopathological findings, and in the determination of fluoride levels in ruminal content. The association of these data constitutes an important aid in suspecting and confirming the diagnosis of intoxication. The acute toxicity of fluoride, observed in the cattle of this study, is relatively rare. The intake of sodium fluorosilicate by cattle may have been favored by the absence of organoleptic properties of the product. The involvement of young cattle revealed an important epidemiological aspect of the condition, since cattle in this age group are the most predisposed to the intoxication due to their greater absorption capacity. The spontaneous ingestion of large amounts of sodium fluorosilicate by cattle of this study produced digestive morphological changes, characterized by variable hyperemia, hemorrhage, and necrosis in the forestomachs and abomasum. The proposed mechanism of lesions is associated with the acidic activity exerted by fluoride on the mucosa. Acute toxicosis must be differentiated from other conditions that cause acute digestive changes in ruminants such as Baccharis spp. poisoning, ruminal acidosis, arsenic poisoning and Baccharidastrum triplinervium intoxication. In these cases, the epidemiological and anatomopathological evidences are extremely important in the differentiation of each condition. Therefore, cattle practitioners should consider acute fluoride poisoning as a differential diagnosis in cattle presenting digestive signs or death without previous signs. Epidemiological, clinical, anatomopathological and the assessment of fluoride levels are important for the accurate diagnosis of this toxicosis

Acute Sodium Fluorosilicate Poisoning in Cattle

Background: Fluorine is a ubiquitous environmental element and fluoride poisoning in cattle is usually related to the ingestion of contaminated pastures or water, especially near industries, or mineral supplements with excessive amounts of this element. Cattle poisoning can be acute or chronic and is directly associated with the ingested dose and with the duration of exposure. The objective of this study is to report the epidemiological, clinical and anatomopathological aspects of anoutbreak of acute sodium fluorosilicate intoxication in cattle.Case: Six 1-year-old, castrated male, mixed breed beef calves from a lot of 60 were found dead without previous clinical signs being observed. The calves died after ingesting a white, odorless, finely granular substance found by the owner near a road that intersected the property. The product was in an open package and identified as sodium fluorosilicate. Of the sixdead calves, three were necropsied. Gross lesions were restricted to the digestive system and included varying degrees of hyperemia, hemorrhage, edema, and erosions in the pre-stomach and abomasum mucosae. The histological lesions observed in the three calves were characterized mainly by variable degenerative, necrotic and ulcerative changes in the epitheliallining of the forestomachs and abomasum. Partially (erosion) or totally (ulceration) bare lamina propria of forestomach papillae was covered by cellular debris and neutrophils. Multifocal lymphoid necrosis was seen in lymph nodes and spleen. Fluoride levels measured in the ruminal content of two necropsied calves were 55.2 and 9.17 mgF/kg of dry matter. Afterthe diagnosis and discontinued exposure of the calves to the fluoride product, deaths ceased.Discussion: The diagnosis of acute sodium fluorosilicate intoxication in cattle in this study was based on epidemiological, clinical, and anatomopathological findings, and in the determination of fluoride levels in ruminal content. The association of these data constitutes an important aid in suspecting and confirming the diagnosis of intoxication. The acute toxicity of fluoride, observed in the cattle of this study, is relatively rare. The intake of sodium fluorosilicate by cattle may have been favored by the absence of organoleptic properties of the product. The involvement of young cattle revealed an important epidemiological aspect of the condition, since cattle in this age group are the most predisposed to the intoxication due to their greater absorption capacity. The spontaneous ingestion of large amounts of sodium fluorosilicate by cattle of this study produced digestive morphological changes, characterized by variable hyperemia, hemorrhage, and necrosis in the forestomachs and abomasum. The proposed mechanism of lesions is associated with the acidic activity exerted by fluoride on the mucosa. Acute toxicosis must be differentiated from other conditions that cause acute digestive changes in ruminantssuch as Baccharis spp. poisoning, ruminal acidosis, arsenic poisoning and Baccharidastrum triplinervium intoxication. In these cases, the epidemiological and anatomopathological evidences are extremely important in the differentiation of each condition. Therefore, cattle practitioners should consider acute fluoride poisoning as a differential diagnosis in cattle presenting digestive signs or death without previous signs. Epidemiological, clinical, anatomopathological and the assessmentof fluoride levels are important for the accurate diagnosis of this toxicosis.Keywords: pathology, toxicology, diseases of cattle, digestive lesions, fluoride

Caracterização patológica, microbiológica e imuno-histoquímica de colibacilose em frangos de corte de Moçambique

Avian colibacillosis is an acute and globally occurring infectious disease of domestic and wild birds caused by Escherichia coli, and it is associated with considerable economic losses mainly due to the morbidity and mortality associated. The present study aimed to describe the pathological, bacteriological and immunohistochemical aspects of avian colibacillosis in broiler chickens of Mozambique. Forty-nine broiler chicken presented anorexia, decreased weight gain, ataxia, diarrhea, dyspnea, and death in a clinical course of 3-5 days. The birds were raised in five farms (small, medium and large farms) with manual and automatic breeding system, with flocks ranging from 100 to 20,000 birds. At the necropsy, all birds had poor body condition, and the pericardium and the Glisson’s capsule of all avian exhibited different degrees of adherence often associated with severe fibrin deposition. The thoracic and abdominal air sacs were thickened and adhered to the costal wall. Mild, moderate or marked hepatomegaly associated with white pinpoint multifocal areas (100%, 49/49) and mild to moderate splenomegaly in 75.5% (37/49) with a mottled surface were observed. The lungs and kidney were enlarged and reddish. Histologically, a multiorgan fibrinoheterophilic polyserositis was observed in 75.5% of the cases (37/49), which were characterized by inflammatory infiltrates composed mainly of degenerative heterophils, macrophages and plasma cells, associated with fibrin deposits and intermixed by coccobacillary bacterial basophilic aggregates. These affected mainly the pericardium (28.6%, 14/49), the pleura (18.4%, 9/49), the Glisson’s capsule (10.2%, 5/49), the ventriculus (10.2, 5/33), and the proventriculus (8.2%, 4/49) serosa. Multifocal to coalescing areas of coagulative necrosis associated with similar inflammatory cells were observed mainly in the spleen (28.6%, 14/49), liver (24.5%, 12/49), and intestines (22.4%, 11/49). A similar infiltrate was also observed affecting the the lungs (16.3%, 8/49), the kidney (16.3%, 8/49) and the myocardium (14.3%, 7/49). Isolation and identification of E. coli was obtained in 12 cases through bacterial culture. Some organs (2 cases of each farms) were selected and submitted to immunohistochemistry anti-E. coli, and a positive stain was observed in all tested cases in liver (3/3), heart (4/4), spleen (1/1), lungs (4/4), intestines (4/4), bursa of Fabricius (1/1), ventriculus (1/1), and proventriculus (1/1) tissue sections. These results demonstrate that E. coli was the cause of mortality in these birds. Therefore, biosecurity and management measures should be employed to prevent and control the disease occurrence in Mozambique’s poultry farming.A colibacilose aviária é uma doença aguda de ocorrência mundial que acomete aves domésticas e silvestres, causada por Escherichia coli e resulta em perdas econômicas consideráveis devido à elevada morbidade e mortalidade das aves. O presente estudo teve o objetivo de descrever os aspectos patológicos, bacteriológicos e imuno-histoquímicos de colibacilose aviária em frangos de corte de Moçambique. Um total de 49 frangos de corte apresentaram anorexia, baixo ganho de peso, ataxia, diarreia, dispneia e morte em um curso clínico de 3 a 5 dias. As aves eram provenientes de 5 granjas (pequenas, média e grandes), com sistema de criação manual e automático, com rebanhos que variavam de 100 a 20.000 aves. À necropsia, todas as aves exibiam condição corporal ruim a caquética, além de pericárdio e cápsula de Glisson de todas aves (100%; n=49) com diferentes graus de aderência e deposição de fibrina de forma difusa acentuada. Os sacos aéreos torácicos e abdominais estavam espessados e aderidos à parede costal. Foi observado ainda hepatomegalia discreta, moderada a severa frequentemente associada com áreas multifocais puntiformes brancacentas (100%; 49/49), e esplenomegalia discreta a moderada, associado a áreas multifocais moteadas (75,5%; 37/49). Os pulmões e rins estavam aumentados e com coloração avermelhada. Histologicamente, observou-se majoritariamente serosite fibrinoheterofílica em 75,5% dos casos (37/49), caracterizadas por infiltrado inflamatório composto por heterófilos degenerados, macrófagos, linfócitos e plasmócitos, com deposição de fibrina entremeada por uma miríade de estruturas bacterianas cocobacilares. Esta lesão foi observada principalmente em pericárdio (28,6%; 14/49), pleura (18,4%; 9/49), cápsula de Glisson (10,2%; 5/49), ventrículo (10,2; 5/33) e em proventrículo (8,2%; 4/49). Áreas multifocais a coalescentes de necrose de coagulação associada a infiltrado inflamatório semelhante ao descrito foi observado principalmente no baço (28,6%; 14/49), fígado (24.5%; 12/49), e intestinos (8,2%; 4/49). Um infiltrado inflamatório semelhante também foi visualizado em pulmões (16,3%; 8/49), rins (16,3%; 8/49) e miocárdio (14,3%; 7/49), Colônias puras de E. coli foram identificadas e isoladas em 12 casos. Alguns órgãos (2 de cada granja) foram submetidos ao exame imuno-histoquímico anti-E. coli e marcação positiva foi visualizada em todos casos testados, como em fígado (3/3), coração (4/4), baço (1/1), pulmão (4/4), intestinos (4/4), bursa de Fabricius (1/1), rim (1/1), ventrículo (1/1) e proventrículo (1/1). Estes resultados demonstram que E. coli foi a causa de morte destas aves. Sendo assim, a adoção de boas medidas de biosseguridade e de manejo são indispensáveis para a prevenção e controle da ocorrência da doença nas granjas de frango de corte de Moçambique

Espinha bífida, diplomielia e múltiplas malformações em um cordeiro Texel

This report described the clinical and pathological aspects of open spina bifida and diplomyelia along with multiple congenital malformations in a Texel lamb. Clinically, paresis of the thoracic limbs, paralysis of the pelvic limbs and a cutaneous opening in the lumbosacral region were observed. At necropsy, there was a focally extensive disruption of the skin associated with an absence of the dorsal portions of the lumbosacral vertebrae. Additionally, diplomyelia of the lumbar segment, mild hydromyelia of thoracic segment, and moderate communicating hydrocephalus of the lateral and third ventricles were noted. Possible viral etiologies (bovine viral diarrhea virus, bluetongue virus, and Schmallemberg virus) were not detected by RT-PCR, and toxic plants were not identified. Therefore, a possible genetic cause may not be discarded.Este trabalho descreve os aspectos clínicos e patológicos de um caso de espinha bífida aberta e diplomielia, além de múltiplas malformações, em um cordeiro Texel. Clinicamente, este apresentava paresia de membros torácicos, paralisia dos membros pélvicos e uma abertura cutânea na região lombossacral desde o nascimento. À necropsia, visualizou-se solução de continuidade na pele e ausência das porções dorsais das vértebras lombossacrais. Além disso, observou-se diplomielia em segmento lombar, hidromielia discreta de segmento torácico e hidrocefalia comunicante moderada de ventrículos laterais e terceiro ventrículo. Possíveis etiologias virais (vírus da diarreia viral bovina, vírus da língua azul e Schmallemberg virus) não foram detectadas através de RT-PCR, e possíveis plantas tóxicas não foram identificadas. Portanto, uma causa genética não pode ser descartada

Pleuropneumonia por Mannheimia haemolytica em caprinos associada ao estresse de transporte

This study described the epidemiological, clinical, pathological and bacteriological aspects of Mannheimia haemolytica pleuropneumonia in goats associated with shipping stress. Forty goats transported from the Northeast to the Southern region of Brazil died during shipment, or 2-3 days after unloading. Clinical signs included dyspnea, mucopurulent nasal discharge, and coughing. All goats were necropsied, and multiple tissues were collected for histopathological analysis and involved agent identifications. All lungs showed pulmonary consolidation, predominantly affecting the cranioventral lobes, in addition to the marked fibrinous pleuritis, pleural thickening, and pleural adhesions, that affected 90% of the goats. Histologically, there was fibrino-suppurative pleuropneumonia characterized by a diffuse neutrophilic infiltrate admixed with fibrin. Non-hemolytic [85% (34/40)] and hemolytic [15% (6/40)] species were obtained in bacteriological culture. Fir Mannheimia spp. was reported in 26 isolates and subsequently confirmed as M. haemolytica (99% identity), after amplification and partial sequencing of the 16S rDNA gene. Stress may trigger the development of bacterial pleuropneumonia in goats, and non-hemolytic strains of M. haemolytica may cause this condition in goats with severe immunosuppression. Key words: goat diseases, respiratory diseases, pathology, PCR.Descreve-se os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos, patológicos e bacteriológicos da pleuropneumonia por Mannheimia haemolytica em caprinos, após transporte prolongado. Quarenta caprinos transportados da região Nordeste para a região Sul do Brasil morreram durante a viagem ou 2-3 dias após o desembarque. Clinicamente, observou-se dispneia, secreção nasal mucopurulenta e tosse. Na necropsia foram coletados múltiplos fragmentos de órgãos para análises histopatológicas e identificação do agente envolvido. Todos os pulmões apresentaram consolidação pulmonar predominantemente em região cranioventral, associada à deposição acentuada de fibrina, espessamento e aderência pleurais em 90% dos casos. Histologicamente, havia pleuropneumonia fibrinossupurativa caracterizada por infiltrado neutrofílico difuso associado à fibrina. Colônias não hemolíticas [85% (34/40)] e hemolíticas [15% (6/40)] foram obtidas pelo isolamento bacteriológico. Mannheimia spp. foi isolada em 26 amostras, os quais posteriormente foram confirmados como Mannheimia haemolytica (99% de identidade), pela amplificação e sequenciamento parcial do gene 16S rDNA. O estresse pode favorecer o desenvolvimento de pleuropneumonia bacteriana em caprinos, e cepas não hemolíticas de M. haemolytica podem causar doença em animais com imunodepressão acentuada

Acute sodium fluorosilicate poisoning in cattle

Background: Fluorine is a ubiquitous environmental element and fluoride poisoning in cattle is usually related to the ingestion of contaminated pastures or water, especially near industries, or mineral supplements with excessive amounts of this element. Cattle poisoning can be acute or chronic and is directly associated with the ingested dose and with the duration of exposure. The objective of this study is to report the epidemiological, clinical and anatomopathological aspects of an outbreak of acute sodium fluorosilicate intoxication in cattle. Case: Six 1-year-old, castrated male, mixed breed beef calves from a lot of 60 were found dead without previous clinical signs being observed. The calves died after ingesting a white, odorless, finely granular substance found by the owner near a road that intersected the property. The product was in an open package and identified as sodium fluorosilicate. Of the six dead calves, three were necropsied. Gross lesions were restricted to the digestive system and included varying degrees of hyperemia, hemorrhage, edema, and erosions in the pre-stomach and abomasum mucosae. The histological lesions observed in the three calves were characterized mainly by variable degenerative, necrotic and ulcerative changes in the epithelial lining of the forestomachs and abomasum. Partially (erosion) or totally (ulceration) bare lamina propria of forestomach papillae was covered by cellular debris and neutrophils. Multifocal lymphoid necrosis was seen in lymph nodes and spleen. Fluoride levels measured in the ruminal content of two necropsied calves were 55.2 and 9.17 mgF/kg of dry matter. After the diagnosis and discontinued exposure of the calves to the fluoride product, deaths ceased Discussion: The diagnosis of acute sodium fluorosilicate intoxication in cattle in this study was based on epidemiological, clinical, and anatomopathological findings, and in the determination of fluoride levels in ruminal content. The association of these data constitutes an important aid in suspecting and confirming the diagnosis of intoxication. The acute toxicity of fluoride, observed in the cattle of this study, is relatively rare. The intake of sodium fluorosilicate by cattle may have been favored by the absence of organoleptic properties of the product. The involvement of young cattle revealed an important epidemiological aspect of the condition, since cattle in this age group are the most predisposed to the intoxication due to their greater absorption capacity. The spontaneous ingestion of large amounts of sodium fluorosilicate by cattle of this study produced digestive morphological changes, characterized by variable hyperemia, hemorrhage, and necrosis in the forestomachs and abomasum. The proposed mechanism of lesions is associated with the acidic activity exerted by fluoride on the mucosa. Acute toxicosis must be differentiated from other conditions that cause acute digestive changes in ruminants such as Baccharis spp. poisoning, ruminal acidosis, arsenic poisoning and Baccharidastrum triplinervium intoxication. In these cases, the epidemiological and anatomopathological evidences are extremely important in the differentiation of each condition. Therefore, cattle practitioners should consider acute fluoride poisoning as a differential diagnosis in cattle presenting digestive signs or death without previous signs. Epidemiological, clinical, anatomopathological and the assessment of fluoride levels are important for the accurate diagnosis of this toxicosis

Hypertrophic osteopathy in a cat with cardiac interventricular septal defect

A 3-year-old mixed-breed female cat was diagnosed with a ventricular septal defect of the heart through an echocardiogram. After a 9-month treatment, progressive and diffuse hard thickening of all limbs was observed, which on radiographic examinations, revealed a marked thickening of the long bones. The necropsy findings were limited to the appendicular skeleton and thoracic vertebrae, in addition to a severe cardiac interventricular septal defect and lung edema. The histological evaluation revealed severe replacement of the cortical bone by spongy bone in all bone fragments examined. This is the first report of hypertrophic osteopathy occurring in association with a cardiac malformation in a cat