Infecção por Streptococcus agalactiae em tilápias do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

This review aims to provide greater understanding of estreptococosis in reared tilapia and thereby assist in choosing the best method of prevention and control of this disease. Streptococcus agalactiae is a cosmopolitan pathogen and the main etiologic agent of septicaemia and meningoencephalitis in teleost. Outbreaks caused by this bacteria lead to high rates of morbidity and mortality of fish, resulting in serious economic losses, especially in the cage tilapia culture that is a branch of aquaculture which produces most in Brazil. This paper presents the main estreptococosis characteristics in Nile tilapia and its prevention by using intraperitoneal vaccines. Further studies should be conducted with the intention of clarifying its pathogenesis and improving the prevention and control.Esta revisão tem por objetivo proporcionar maior entendimento sobre a estreptococose na criação de tilápias e com isso auxiliar na escolha do melhor método de profilaxia e controle desta enfermidade. Streptococcus agalactiae é um patógeno cosmopolita e o principal agente etiológico de septicemia e meningoencefalite em teleósteos. Surtos provocados por essa bactéria levam a altas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade de peixes, resultando em sérios prejuízos econômicos, especialmente na tilapicultura que é o ramo da aquicultura que mais produz no Brasil. Este trabalho traz as principais características da estreptococose em tilápias do Nilo e sua prevenção pelo uso de vacinas intraperitoneais. Novos estudos devem ser realizados com intuito de esclarecer ainda mais sua patogênese e aperfeiçoar os métodos profiláticos e de controle

Forma heterozigota da anomalia de Pelger-Huët em cão

Background: The Pelger-Huët anomaly is a congenital alteration in segmented neutrophil, eosinophil and basophil morphology consisting of nuclear hypo-segmentation. It presents in two ways: the homozygote (very rare) presenting granulocytes with rounded nuclei and dense chromatin, where nuclei with more than two lobes are not found; and in the heterozygote form which presents leukocytes with bi-lobulated nuclei, yet leukocytes that seem immature can also be found. Diagnosis is important for preventing WBC interpretation errors. The objective of this study is to report a case of the heterozygote form of Perger-Huët anomaly in an Australian Shepherd bit.Case: A 6-year-old Australian Shepherd bitch, weighing 28 kg, was received to perform tartar cleaning at the Veterinary Hospital (HV) of the Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), in Umuarama in Paraná State. In the anamnesis, the owner reported that the animal was healthy, vaccinated, and had not made use of medications recently. Upon physical examination, the animal was overweight, with adequate hydration, alert consciousness level, no exo-parasites present, rectal temperature of 39.3°C (37.5 to 39.2), heart rate of 96 beats per min (60 to 120 beats per min), breathing (18 to 36 movements per min), a two second capillary perfusion time, strong and regular pulse, hyperemic oral mucosa, and otherwise, a normal-colored and popliteal reactive left lymph. Semiological evaluation presented no alteration. Due to the tartar cleaning procedure, a hemogram was requested. Blood smear analysis from the first blood workup showed a large increase in the number of hypo-segmented leukocytes, with a pattern of mature chromatin, in the form of bands and meta-myelocytes, characterizing a deviation to the left, all of which did not correspond to the patient’s clinical presentation. In addition, other cells in the granulocytic lineage, such as eosinophils, also presented hypo-segmentation. Since the dog was healthy, the Pelger-Huët anomaly was suspected. To confirm, the hemogram was repeated at 12 days and a bone marrow collection was performed; the same pattern of morphological alterations in leukocytes was observed both in the peripheral blood and the bone marrow, compatible with the Pelger-Huët anomaly.Discussion: In order to arrive at an APH diagnosis, hypo-segmentation of granulocytes in the blood smear must be found and compared with the clinical results that the animal presents; associating any use of medication, serious infections, myeloid leukemia, and metastatic tumors in the bone marrow that might result in acquired hypo-segmentation; also known as pseudo Pelger-Huët anomaly. It is also necessary to evaluate family members for confirmation. Diagnosis is based on persistent nuclear hypo-segmentation of granulocytes, a clinically healthy animal, absence of medication use, and analysis of the bone marrow. It was not possible to determine a hereditary origin; for not having access to the animal’s family, but earlier studies have shown that the incidence of this anomaly is high in the Australian Shepherd race. Generally, the Perger-Huët anomaly is a hematological finding that must be differentiated from other forms of hypo-segmentation. Because of its hereditary origin, it is appropriate that the owner limits the animal’s reproductive interactions to avoid the risk of offspring inheriting the homozygote, which leads to death. The clinical pathologist should be aware of the patient’s history to diagnose and differentiate true from pseudo Pelger-Huët anomaly. Direct blood smear microscopy is essential, because automated hematological analysis alone will not detect such changes

Hemophagocytic Histiocytic Sarcoma in Dog

Background: Histiocytic sarcoma can present in a localized or disseminated form, being a malignant neoplasm derived from interstitial dendritic cells. Another form of the disease is called hemophagocytic histiocystic sarcoma (HHS), which originates from macrophages located in the splenic red pulp and bone marrow. HHS is a rare neoplasm with unknown etiology and rapid development. It mainly affects middle-aged to elderly animals. It primarily affects the spleen and bone marrow, with occurence of metastases in other organs. Some canine breeds are considered more predisposed to this neoplasia, among them the Rottweiler. The aim of this study was to report a case of HHS in a Rottweiler dog.Case: An 8-year-old Rottweiler suffering from hyporexia and progressive weight loss for a month was attended at the Veterinary Hospital of State University of Maringá. On physical examination, he only presented mild discomfort on abdominal palpation. Blood count was performed, which revealed mild thrombocytopenia (145,000/µL, reference value for the species 150,000-500,000/µL). The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) exam was requested for babesiosis and ehrlichiosis, due to a history of ectoparasites. The animal was released with the prescription of Doxycycline at a dose of 10 mg/kg orally for 28 days. After 5 days, the condition worsened and the animal returned with emesis, apathy and hyporexia, being hospitalized. Abdominal ultrasound, blood count, urinalysis, serum urea and creatinine tests were requested. Among the hematological changes, thrombocytopenia (116,000/µL) and the appearing of regenerative anemia and atypical round cells with ample and slightly basophilic cytoplasm in the smear, similar to histiocytes, stood out. On ultrasound examination, splenomegaly was observed with hypoechogenic areas. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the spleen was performed, which revealed the presence of abundant cellularity consisting of round cells arranged individually and in small groups, with variable nucleus / cytoplasm ratio, slightly basophilic cytoplasm and, sometimes, vacuolized. Eccentric nucleus with chromatin ranging from loose to dense, with evident and often multiple nucleus. In addition, a large number of multinucleated giant cells, mitosis figures (sometimes atypical) and intense anisocytosis and anisocariosis were observed. Furthermore, it was possible to observe erythrophagocytic activity, alterations compatible with histiocytic sarcoma (HS). After 10 days of the first visit, the animal died. At necropsy, samples from altered areas of the spleen, lungs and lymph nodes were collected and sent for histopathological and immunohistochemical examination, in which the diagnosis of hemophagic histiocytic sarcoma was confirmed, in addition to lungs and lymph node metastasis.Discussion: The prognosis of HHS is the worst among histiocytic disorders, as it is associated with coagulopathies and severe anemia due to erythrophagocytic activity, as occurred in the case presented, with a maximum survival time between one to two months. The described animal died ten days after showing the first clinical signs. The immunohistochemistry technique using HLA-DR, CD18, CD163, and CD11d markers was essential to confirm the cell line. Positivity for CD11d marker was found, which allowed to classify the neoplasm as hemophagocytic HS. This report exposes the importance of cytological examination for screening and histopathological and immunohistochemical tests to confirm the diagnosis of this extremely aggressive neoplasm

CRIAÇÃO COMERCIAL SUSTENTÁVEL DE JACARÉ NO BRASIL

Considered semi-aquatic animals, crocodilians, which are now part of the Brazilian fauna are distributed in several regions of Brazil, predominantly in the Pantanal, in the Amazonia basin and in the basins of the São Francisco and Paraná rivers. The yacaré (Caiman yacare), spectacled caiman (C. crocodilus), broad-snouted caiman (C. latirostris), black caiman (Melanosuchusniger), dwarf caiman (Paleosuchuspalpebrosus) and smooth-fronted caiman (P. trigonatus) are the species that occur in the Brazilian territory, of which stand out the specimens of C. yacare, C. latirostrisand the C. crocodilos, since they have good characteristics for production and are suitable for the captive breeding system in the country. With the increase in demand for products and by-products of these species, there was a consequent need for regulation for their breding, since the disorderly exploration of these individuals, as well as illegal hunting, were culminating in the reduction of their numbers, a fact proven since some species had been included in the past in the list of endangered animals (CITES Appendix I). However, the creation of laws that favored the practice of sustainable breeding, with emphasis on the Ranching and Farming systems, as well as the increase in studies / knowledge of the species, culminated in the reduction of hunting of these animals, thus contributing to the reestablishment of alligator populations in the national fauna and for the maintenance of the ecosystem in which they are inserted.Considerados animais semiaquáticos, os crocodilianos, que hoje fazem parte da fauna brasileira, estão distribuídos em diversas regiões do Brasil, com predominância no Pantanal, na bacia Amazônica e nas bacias dos rios São Francisco e Paraná. Jacaré do pantanal (Caimanyacare), jacaré-tinga (Caimancrocodilus), jacaré-de-papo-amarelo (Caiman latirostris), jacaré açu (Melanosuchusniger), jacaré paguá(Paleosuchuspalpebrosus) e jacaré coroa (Paleosuchustrigonatus) são as espécies que ocorrem no território nacional, das quais se destacam os exemplares de C. yacare, C. latirostris e o C. crocodilos, uma vez que possuem boas características para produção e são aptas ao sistema de criação em cativeiro no país. Com o aumento da procura de produtos e subprodutos dessas espécies, houve consequente necessidade de regulamentação para sua criação, visto que a exploração desregrada desses indivíduos, bem como a caça ilegal, estavam culminando na redução de seus exemplares, fato este comprovado, já que algumas espécies foram incluídas na lista de animais em extinção (Apêndice I da CITES). Contudo, a criação de legislações que favoreceram a prática da criação sustentável, com destaque para os sistemas Ranching e Farming, bem como o aumento de estudos/conhecimento sobre as espécies, culminaram na diminuição da caça desses animais, contribuindo, dessa maneira, para o restabelecimento das populações de jacarés na fauna nacional e para a manutenção do ecossistema em que elas estão inseridas

Atypical Transmissible Venereal Tumor in Dogs

Background: The Transmissible Venereal Tumor (TVT), classified as a round cell tumor, is considered one of the oldest existing tumors. It affects dogs all over the world and has a contagious characteristic. Despite the good response to clinical treatment in most cases, it can sometimes have non-classical presentations and even different behavior. Thus, the present study aims to report 3 cases of atypical TVT treated at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the State University of Maringá (UEM) in Umuarama, Paraná, aiming to describe the epidemiology and clinical-pathological aspects, focusing on the diagnostic method used, the treatment of choice and the clinical follow-up of each case.Cases: Case records of 3 intact male mongrel dogs with atypical Transmissible Venereal Tumor (case 1: intranasal; case 2: intra-abdominal and case 3: cutaneous with lymph node metastasis) were reviewed regarding history, clinical signs, duration of clinical signs, examination findings, results and findings of complementary exams (hematological, biochemical, radiographic, ultrasonographic and cytological), treatment, follow-up and final result. Case 1: had an ulcerated mass in the nasal plane causing significant airway obstruction and respiratory difficulty. Case 2: had a lesion in a typical location (penile mucosa in the glans area) but with a large intra-abdominal mass in the lumbar paravertebral region, causing compression of important structures. Case 3: on the other hand, had cutaneous TVT with several ulcerated plaque lesions all over the skin, in addition to popliteal lymph node enlargement due to metastasis later confirmed by microscopy. All dogs reported were mixed breed, intact males with free access to the street. Despite the fact that each patient had their own anatomical tumor characteristics, they were all diagnosed through cytological examination and all classified as lymphocytic TVT. The standard treatment for this neoplasm was instituted; the chosen chemotherapy was vincristine sulfate at a dose of 0.75 mg/m2 intravenously every 7 days for 5-7 weeks. In addition, all 3 animals needed supportive treatment due to anorexia, bacterial contamination secondary to injuries, dehydration and pain.Discussion: Usually, TVT is not considered malignant, not causing metastasis, however it is now known that its behavior has changed a lot and more and more cases of metastatic or highly infiltrative TVT have been reported. The 3 cases presented in this report had epidemiological characteristics as mentioned in the literature, but the location, macroscopic and radiographic characteristics are uncommon for this neoplasm, that is, with an atypical tumor presentation. This demonstrates the importance of a good clinical evaluation and, especially, of the cytological exam, which was essential for the definitive diagnosis for the three cases presented. It is speculated that more “aggressive” cases of TVT may be correlated with the plasmacytic cytological type, however none of the patients described here had this cytological presentation. Thus, the clinician must be aware of the risk factors associated with this neoplasia, because even in non-classical presentations, the lymphocytic cell morphological characteristic was present and the patients responded well to the classic treatment, not requiring a change in chemotherapy protocols, however a special attention must be paid to the particularities involved in each presentation of the same tumor in different patients. Keywords: TVT, canine, neoplasm, metastasis, cytology

FONTES DE CONTAMINAÇÃO E CONTÁGIO DE PROTOTHECA ZOPFII EM PROPRIEDADE LEITEIRA

O trabalho teve como objetivo foi determinar fontes de contaminação e contágio de Prototheca zopfii em propriedade leiteira situada na cidade de Ribeirão do Pinhal, Estado do Paraná. Material e Métodos: foram coletadas 33 amostras com suabe estéril de diferentes locais relacionados à produção leiteira. As amostras foram imersas em meio líquido de infusão de cérebro e coração (BHI) e incubadas sob aerofilia em estufa à 37ºC por 24 horas. Após esse período foram repicadas em meio sólido de BHI adicionado a sangue ovino desfibrinado e novamente incubados nas mesmas condições por 48 a 96 horas. Também foram coletadas amostras de leite de dois animais suspeitos e foram processadas conforme método recomendado pelo National Mastitis Council. As análises positivas no crescimento microbiano, foram identificadas segundo as características macro e microscópicas bioquímicas e tintoriais. Resultados: a alga Prototheca zopfii apresentou-se em 31,4% das amostras, inclusive nas mãos dos responsáveis pela ordenha. Conclusão: esta pesquisa demonstra a importância de adotar manejo profilático para garantir higidez dos rebanhos e dos funcionários das propriedades leiteiras

Síndrome da Hiperestesia Felina – Relato de Caso

Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS) is a clinical condition, characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and changes in behavior. It is a rare syndrome, often of unknown origin, and the most common associated causes are skin related disorders, such as bacterial, fungal dermatitis, allergics and immune-mediated diseases. Causes related to the central nervous system and behavioral disorders are also reported. The clinical signs are varied, the diagnosis is often complex and the treatment varies according to the underlying cause. The purpose of this case report is to describe a case of FHS of possible dermatological etiology. A three-year-old Siamese male feline was treated for feline lower urinary tract disease throughout the duration of nine days. Associated, the animal also presented erythematous areas and hypotrichosis all over the face, especially around the eyes, nose and auricular pavilions, along with painful hypersensitivity to the touch and skin fasciculations in the lumbar and coccygeal region and pelvic limbs. An histopathological exam of the skin lesions was performed, where a chronic, superficial perivascular dermatitis was seen to be proliferative. Based on physical examination findings and additional tests, the animal was diagnosed with feline hyperesthesia syndrome secondary to dermatopathy.A Síndrome da Hiperestesia Felina (FHS) é uma condição clínica, caracterizada por contrações musculares involuntárias e mudanças de comportamento. É uma síndrome rara, muitas vezes de origem desconhecida, sendo que as causas mais comuns associadas são doenças relacionadas à pele, tais como dermatites bacterianas, fúngicas, alérgicas e doenças imunomediadas. Causas relacionadas ao sistema nervoso central e distúrbios comportamentais também são relatadas. Os sinais clínicos são variados, o diagnóstico muitas vezes é complexo e o tratamento varia de acordo com a causa de base.  O objetivo deste relato de caso é descrever um caso de FHS de possível origem dermatológica. Um felino, macho, de três anos, da raça Siamês, foi atendido apresentando doença do trato urinário inferior felino há nove dias. Associado, o animal possuía áreas eritematosas e de hipotricose por toda a face, principalmente ao redor dos olhos, nariz e pavilhões auriculares, juntamente com hipersensibilidade dolorosa ao toque e fasciculações cutâneas na região lombar, coccígea e membros pélvicos. Foi realizado exame histopatológico das lesões de pele, onde foi visualizada dermatite superficial perivascular crônica proliferativa. Com base nos achados de exame físico e nos exames complementares, o animal foi diagnosticado com síndrome da hiperestesia felina secundária à dermatopatia

Influência da temperatura na infecção de tilápias do Nilo por Streptococcus agalactiae

Mudanças ambientais afetam a homeostase dos peixes, tornando-os mais suscetíveis a doenças. No Brasil, tem sido relatados surtos de infecção por Streptococcus agalactiae em tilápia do Nilo, principalmente quando se encontram fora da zona de conforto térmico. No presente trabalho, foi avaliada a taxa de mortalidade e determinado quais foram os órgãos mais afetados por essa bactéria em temperaturas que ocorrem naturalmente no Sul do Brasil. Quarenta tilápias-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) foram infectadas por Streptococcus agalactiae e distribuídas em quatro grupos (n = 10), cada um deles submetidos a diferentes temperaturas: G1: 24°C, G2: 26°C, G3: 28°C e G4: 32°C. Os peixes foram monitorados durante 10 dias. Os peixes com sinais clínicos irreversíveis foram sacrificados e coletadas amostras de cérebro, fígado e rins para analise bacteriológica e molecular. Foram observados sinais compatíveis com infecção estreptocócica em todos os grupos. A taxa de mortalidade mais elevada ocorreu nos grupos mantidos nas temperaturas de 24°C e 32°C. O cérebro foi o órgão mais afetado, com a maior percentagem de isolamento de S. agalactiae pelos dois métodos de diagnostico. Os resultados sugerem que, tal como nos mamíferos, temperaturas que estão mais afastadas da zona de conforto afetam significativamente a homeostase dos peixes, aumentando a sua susceptibilidade para infecções bacterianas.Environmental changes affect fish homeostasis, turning them more susceptible to diseases. In Brazil, outbreaks of Streptococcus agalactiae infection have been reported in Nile tilapia when they are outside of their thermal comfort zone. This investigation evaluated mortality rate and which were the most infected organs at temperatures that naturally occurred in southern of Brazil. Forty Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were infected with S. agalactiae and distributed in four groups (n=10) and each group was exposed to a different temperature: G1: 24°C, G2: 26°C, G3: 28°C, and G4: 32°C. Fish were monitored for 10 days. In this period, fish that presented irreversible clinical signs were sacrificed and samples of brain, liver, and kidney were collected for bacteriological and molecular analysis. Signs compatible with a streptococcal infection were observed in all groups. Highest mortality rates occurred at 24°C and 32°C. The brain was the most affected organ with the highest percentage of isolation of S. agalactiae by both methods of diagnosis. The results suggest that, as in mammals, temperatures that are further away from the comfort zone influence fish homeostasis, increasing susceptibility to bacterial infections