First Report of Equine Leishmaniosis in the State of Sergipe, Brazil

Background: Leishmaniasis is caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan of the genus Leishmania. In Brazil, the species Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum is reported as an etiological agent of leishmaniasis. Transmission of the disease occurs through bite of the sand fly mosquitoes Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia cruzi, present in several regions of Brazil, including the state of Sergipe, where they are considered endemic. Although few cases have been reported in other states of Brazil, no case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in horses has been reported in Sergipe. The objective of this study was to report a case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a horse in the municipality of Itaporanga d'Ajuda, Sergipe, Brazil.Case: A 2-year-old female quarter-horse was examined by a private veterinarian due to the presence of a nodular lesion on the mucocutaneous region of the lips. Macroscopically, the nodule was alopecic with depigmented areas, measuring approximately 1.0 cm in diameter, and there was a focal ulcer in the region of the labial commissure. Excisional biopsy was performed as follows; the material obtained was fixed in 10% buffered formalin and sent for histopathological examination. Further, it was subjected to routine histological processing by embedment in paraffin and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Microscopically, there were intense multifocal to coalescent lymphohistioplasmocytic infiltrates with epithelioid macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, both containing amastigote forms comparable with Leishmania spp. Morphological diagnosis was defined as extensive multifocal to coalescent chronic granulomatous dermatitis with intracytoplasmic amastigote forms. Furthermore, for positive controls, immunohistochemical examination was performed using serum from dogs naturally infected with L. (L.) infantum, which resulted in a strongly positive immunostaining of innumerable intracytoplasmic amastigote structures, confirming infection by Leishmania infantum.Discussion: Leishmaniasis is a public health problem and is frequently studied. In the biological cycle of the parasite, canids are considered as reservoirs, and humans are considered as accidental hosts. However, in endemic rural areas, several species of mammals can be infected. Microscopic lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis are compatible with granulomatous dermatitis, characterized by lymphohistioplasmocytic inflammatory infiltrates with epithelioid macrophages containing amastigote forms. Age, breed, and sex are not considered predisposing factors for this disease and their transmission depends on the existence of the vector in the environment. The diagnosis is based on serological, molecular, and immunohistochemical techniques; in the present study, immunohistochemistry was performed for diagnostic confirmation using serum from dogs naturally infected with L. (L.) infantum. It was found that this antibody can be successfully applied in the immunohistochemical diagnosis of leishmaniasis in tissues of horses. Histopathological examination including immunohistochemical analysis was essential to confirm the diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Leishmania infantum infection in a horse in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. It is essential to carry out epidemiological studies to define control measures to be implemented in the state since it is important for public health.

Amitraz: pharmacological and toxicological aspects in animals

Infestations by ectoparasites are one of the greatest problems in the veterinary practice, due to a large drop in performance in cattle herds and other farm animals, generating great economical losses; for pets, besides the low quality of life and disruption of homeostasis, ectoparasites represent a risk for transmission of zoonotic diseases. The formamidines emerge as a very large group of ectoparasiticides, which its main representative, amitraz, is the only one approved for animal use. Amitraz is indicated for animal use against mites, lice, and ticks for cattle, swine, and sheep. For dogs, it is used against ticks and mites. However, due to a lack of proper orientation and information, reports of accidental intoxications by amitraz, in both animals and humans, are not unusual in the literature. Amitraz intoxication has been reported in dogs, and the clinical signs are evidenced in the nervous, digestive, cardiovascular, and urinary systems and include sedation, bradycardia, bradyarrhythmias, hypotension, bradypnea, transitory hyperglycemia, mydryasis, and hypothermia, cats being more sensitive than dogs regarding these last signs. To detect amitraz and its main metabolites, there are many standardized methodologies. This review describes the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodinamics, indications, toxicological and pathological effects of amitraz, as well as the intoxication treatment and the aspects related to its detection in biological matrices

Esophageal Perforation Associated with a Foreign Body in a Dog

Background: The esophagus is a tubular organ that connects the laryngopharynx to the stomach. This organ has three points of narrowing: the thoracic inlet, the base of the heart, and the diaphragmatic hiatus; these are common sites of obstruction by foreign bodies. Clinical signs of esophageal obstructions include sialorrhea, dysphagia, regurgitation, dehydration, and depression. The diagnosis is based on clinical examination, anamnesis, and complementary imaging. The treatment requires the removal of the foreign body. Herein, we report a case of esophageal perforation associated with a foreign body in a Spitz German treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco.Case: A 2-year-old female German Spitz was referred to the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (HV-UFRPE); she presented with recurrent drooling and emesis. According to the instructor, approximately five days after a party at the residence, the animal began to exhibit clinical signs. She was examined at a veterinary clinic, where she remained hospitalized for three days, without clinical improvement. She was then taken to the HV-UFRPE for further assessment. Upon physical examination, sialorrhea, hypercormed conjunctival mucosa, hyperthermia (41ºC), and regurgitation were observed. Imaging tests (simple radiography and ultrasonography), blood count, and a serum biochemistry panel (urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, and albumin) were requested. The radiographic examination revealed a pulmonary interstitial pattern and pleural effusion. Analysis of the thoracic fluid yielded results consistent with a septic exudate. No significant changes were observed on total abdominal ultrasonography. The hemogram showed thrombocytosis, leukocytosis with absolute neutrophilia, as well as relative and absolute monocytosis. Esophagoscopy was offered, but the test was not performed and the patient died 24 h after its, being heading for necropsy. On necropsy, diffuse fibrinous pleuropneumonia filling the thorax was observed. The heart showed concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle. The esophagus was obstructed by a food object, causing a necrotic, ulcerative esophagitis with perforation. In the abdominal cavity, hepatic and renal congestion were observed along with early-phase gestation (first trimester). Other organs lacked significant changes, and the cause of death was attributed to septic shock secondary to esophageal perforation. Tissue samples from the heart, lungs, and esophagus were obtained for histopathological examination. Diagnoses included cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and heart congestion, subacute interstitial pneumonia, diffuse chronic pulmonary edema, and necrotizing ulcerative esophagitis.Discussion: The presence of an esophageal foreign body is considered a veterinary emergency. Small-breed dogs are more often affected by foreign bodies, as are young animals with a depraved appetite and lack of selectivity with respect to food. The most common foreign bodies reported in literature are bones, as they are frequently offered to pets. In this report, a carrot caused esophageal obstruction. Current literature recommends that a complete anamnesis and physical examination, including cervical and thoracic radiography, be performed in animals with suspected foreign material in their esophagus. This case contextualizes a problem that requires full attention, directly related to a dog’s accessibility to and consumption of objects or foods that can result in esophageal obstruction. Therefore, education by the instructor is considered essential in the prevention of these conditions

Systemic Cryptococcosis in a Miniature Schnauzer Dog

Background: Cryptococcosis is an important zoonotic disease that occurs worldwide. The disease is caused by a soilborne opportunistic fungus of the genus Cryptococcus, which can also be found in the feces of birds, especially pigeons. In Brazil, the geographical distribution of the agent is fairly defined, with the species C. gattii predominantly found in thenorth-eastern states. Diagnosis is based on the clinical history, physical examination findings, and results of complementary testing, such as cytopathological and histopathological examinations. This report aims to describe the clinical and anatomopathological findings in a case of systemic cryptococcosis in a dog.Case: A 4-year-old female Miniature Schnauzer was referred for necropsy. For 3 months prior to death, the dog had displayed generalized alopecia, pruritus, and severe weight loss, Initially, a private veterinarian had suspected leishmaniasis. Gross examination was performed and samples for cytopathology, histopathology, and fungal culture were obtained. Themacroscopic examination revealed generalized alopecia, congested mucosa, cachexia, hyperemia of the brain, and multiple white nodules measuring 0.5 cm to 4 cm in the lungs and the kidneys. None of the other organs showed significant lesions. Cytopathological examination of the nodules revealed a highly cellular sample, with a severe chronic inflammatory response, characterized by multinucleated giant cells and round-to-elliptical, yeast-shaped structures (5-10 μm), suggestive ofCryptococcus organisms. Histopathological examination of the lungs, kidneys, and brain revealed a severe diffuse chronic inflammatory process, with lymphocytic infiltration and multinucleated giant cells; countless yeast-shaped, round-to-ovoid structures (similar in appearance to “soap bubbles”) that were negative in hematoxylin-eosin stain were also present.Grocott’s methenamine silver stain was then applied, which positively stained the organism capsules black, confirming Cryptococcus. For mycological diagnosis, samples from the lungs nodules were cultured on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar supplemented with chloramphenicol 0.4% and incubated for 7 days at 25-30ºC. Abundant small, smooth, irregular-sized,cream-colored colonies were obtained, and a mycological smear, stained by India ink, was performed.Discussion: Considered an uncommon disease, canine cryptococcosis can be misdiagnosed. Clinical findings, such as alopecia, lymphadenopathy, and cutaneous nodules that may be ulcerated, are commonly seen in these patients due to the hematogenous spread of the organism. In the case described, the dog’s owner was contacted and asked to provide epidemiological information. The owner reported that the dog had lived in an apartment, with little access to the street; however, pigeons were frequently observed on the balcony, along with pigeon feces in the dog feeder. The presence of pigeon feces is a risk factor for the development and spread of the fungus, which may be problematic to public health. Cytopathological examination is a simple, quick diagnostic tool with good sensitivity for some infectious agents. Mycological culture can provide results due to the characteristic of the Cryptococcus sp., since the encapsulated yeast produces a mucous-like colony. Cryptococcosis has a relevant role in public health, so a precise diagnosis is imperative. Its diagnosis is based upon culture, cytology and serological tools. When the animal does not survive to the ilness, the association between necropsyfindings and histopathological examinations is essencial.Keywords: canine, diagnostic, yeast, anatomopathology