Feasiability of Using Evidence-Based Virtopsy to Answer the Possible Clinical and Post-Mortem Questions, in Veterinary Practice

A post-mortem examination is an important part of evidence-based medicine to understand the deterioration of clinical signs or causes of death in euthanized or deceased individual animals or even populations. Post-mortem analysis is aimed at improving clinical treatment and therapy, confirming a suspected diagnosis, man-aging breeding strategies, and clarifying the forensic cases (e.g., neglect or animal abuse). In analogy to virtopsy in human medicine, diagnostic imaging modalities have been applied in post-mortem veterinary medicine, which we call vetvirtopsy. We hypothesize that vetvirtopsy can be used as a method to answer certain clinical/post-mortem questions to im-prove the diagnosis reliability. In some questions, vetvirtopsy actually can replace conventional necropsy. This overview study aims to compare vetvirtopsy with conventional necropsy for variable causes of death in animals and to define its possibilities and limitations. Deceased or euthanized pets and wild animals were collected. The imaging techniques, such as post-mortem digital radiography, post-mortem ultrasound, post-mortem computed tomography, and post-mortem magnetic resonance tomography combined with image-guided tissue sampling, were used to address the open questions about clinical symptoms or causes of their death. The case series in this project showed that diagnostic imaging techniques are feasible in answering distinct ante-mortem and post-mortem clinical and forensic questions. However, there is an interdisciplinary collaboration between diagnostic imaging and sampling under imaging guidance

Pyoderma caused by Proteus mirabilis in sheep

Abstract Pyoderma is a purulent skin infection usually caused by bacteria and can be divided into primary and secondary categories based on histology. In the present study, an 18‐month‐old female mixed breed sheep was examined for pyoderma at the injection site of the enterotoxemia vaccine. After routine bacteriology and histopathology procedures, secondary pyoderma caused by Proteus mirabilis was diagnosed. The bacterium analysed using genome sequencing and new strain called AJJ 2021 was diagnosed. This is the first report of pyoderma caused by Proteus mirabilis in sheep

Molecular identification, phylogenetic analysis and histopathological study of pathogenic free-living amoebae isolated from discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus) in Iran: 2020–2022

Abstract Free-living amoebae (FLA) are capable of inhabiting diverse reservoirs independently, without relying on a host organism, hence their designation as “free-living”. The majority of amoebae that infect freshwater or marine fish are amphizoic, or free-living forms that may colonize fish under particular circumstances. Symphysodon aequifasciatus, commonly referred to as the discus, is widely recognized as a popular ornamental fish species. The primary objective of the present study was to determine the presence of pathogenic free-living amoebae (FLA) in samples of discus fish. Fish exhibiting clinical signs, sourced from various fish farms, were transferred to the ornamental fish clinic. The skin, gills, and intestinal mucosa of the fish were collected and subjected to culturing on plates containing a 1% non-nutrient agar medium. The detection of FLA was conducted through morphological, histopathological and molecular methods. The construction of the phylogenetic tree for Acanthamoeba genotypes was achieved using the maximum likelihood approach. The molecular sequence analysis revealed that all cultures that tested positive for FLA were T4 genotype of Acanthamoeba and Acanthamoeba sp. The examination of gill samples using histopathological methods demonstrated the presence of lamellar epithelial hyperplasia, significant fusion of secondary lamellae, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. A multitude of cysts, varying in shape from circular to elliptical, were observed within the gills. The occurrence of interlamellar vesicles and amoeboid organisms could be observed within the epithelial tissue of the gills. In the current study, presence of the Acanthamoeba T4 genotype on the skin and gills of discus fish exhibiting signs of illness in freshwater ornamental fish farms was identified. This observation suggests the potential of a transmission of amoebic infection from ornamental fish to humans, thereby highlighting the need for further investigation into this infection among ornamental fish maintained as pets, as well as individuals who interact with them and their environment

Effects of L-serine on oxidative stress indices and histopathological changes of pancreas in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Background and Aim: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with an increasing global prevalence that can lead to premature death. High blood glucose is the main lab. abnormality in diabetes mellitus which occurs as a consequence of disorder in pancreatic insulin secretion or function. L -Serine supplementation regarded as safe by the FDA can improve glucose homeostasis and reduce homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of L-serine intake on oxidative stress indices and histopathologic changes in the pancreas of diabetic mice. Materials and Methods: In order to conduct this study, 18 c57bl/6 male mice were purchased and divided into 3 groups (control, diabetic control and diabetic mice treated by L-serine(. Diabetes induced by chemical method (streptozotocin, 200 mg/kg). After four weeks of oral administration of L-Serine (approximately 280 mg/day/mouse), animals were euthanized by guillotine and blood samples and pancreas tissues were obtained to determine biochemical parameters, oxidative stress indices and pathological changes. Results: The results of this study showed that oral administration of the supplement of L-Serine in diabetic mice could help to lower blood sugar levels and could lead to increased catalase enzyme activity (P<0.05) but had no significant effect on the levels of MDA, cholesterol, and triglyceride. On the other hand, histopathological changes showed a slight reduction in diabetes-induced pancreas damage in mice treated with L-serine. Conclusions: These findings showed that the supplement of L-Serine may have a protective effect against diabetes-induced pancreas damage by lowering blood sugar and improving oxidative stress status

Prenatal, lactation and postnatal effects of lead acetate on histological, histochemical and hepatic indices of liver of male offspring wistar rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of maternal administration to lead acetate on the morphological structure of the liver; AST, ALT, ALP and GGT levels and glycogen content of hepatocytes of male offspring wistar rats. Female rats were exposed to 0.2% lead acetate in drinking water and the study was performed on their male offspring (7 groups). To evaluate the levels of liver enzymes, blood samples were taken from rats after anesthesia. After dissection, to study its morphological structure and glycogen content of hepatocytes, liver tissue was isolated and transferred to 10% formalin. To measure the levels of hepatic enzymes; AST, ALT, ALP and GGT; serum samples were evaluated. For histological examinations, liver tissue samples were embedded in paraffin after tissue processing and 3 μm thickness sections were prepared from them and then H&amp;E and PAS staining was performed. The results showed that exposure to 0.2% lead acetate induced significant changes in liver enzyme levels in different experimental groups.&nbsp

The study of a hermaphroditic sheep caused by a mutation in the promoter of SRY gene

In mammals, sex-determining region Y (SRY) gene plays vital role as a transcription factor to regulate the expression of the genes contributing to development of male genitals. Any mutation disrupting expression of SRY gene can cause disorders of sex development (DSDs).In this study, the examination of a hermaphroditic (female-like) Shal sheep which was referred for infertility is described. Initially, the reproductive system of the sheep was histologically and anatomically assessed. Karyotyping was used to determine the real gender of the animal. Sex hormones including progesterone, estradiol, and testosterone were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Eventually, promoter part and SRY gene were sequenced and aligned to detect any potential mutation using NCBI data base.Although anatomical inspection led to identification of uterus, ovary, and enlarged clitoris as well as testes in the sheep, the karyotyping results interestingly revealed that the animal was genetically a male. Although the sheep had both male and female gonads, there were no overt signs of reproductive behavior and gamete production was not observed. Plasma steroid hormone levels were reported to be at basal levels. Additionally, a mutation was detected on the promoter of the SRY gene.In conclusion, the case implies that mutation on the promoter part of SRY gene could disrupt sexual development of the fetus culminating in DSDs in the sheep