Multifocal Areas Of Necrosis Research Articles

Experimental infection of Clades 2.2.1.2 (H5N1) and 2.3.4.4b (H5N8) of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus infection in commercial broilers

In this study the pathogenicity, infectivity, and transmissibility of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) clade 2.2.1.2 and H5N8 HPAI clade 2.3.4.4b viruses were evaluated in commercial broilers on days 24 and 31. The mortality rate was 100 % in both challenge viruses and in contact birds either on day 24 or day 31 which confirmed the highly pathogenicity of both clades (2.2.1.2/ 2.3.4.4b) in commercial broilers. Both clades (H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b/ H5N1 clade 2.2.1.2 viruses) were efficiently replicate within and transmitted between commercial broilers. The H5N8-infected birds shed high titer of viruses from oropharynx and cloaca, which associated with the field spread of AIV-H5N8 in commercial broilers. Mean lesion score in both challenged clades showed similar scores, which confirmed the pathogenicity of both clades in commercial broilers’ organs (mainly spleen, cerebellum, thymus, Bursa, Lung) which confirm the neurogenic affinity of the virus. In the central nervous system, non-suppurative encephalitis consisting in multifocal areas of necrosis in cerebral hemispheres, intense spongiosis, neuronal chromatolysis and gliosis were commonly observed. In cerebrum, chromatolysis of Purkinje neurons was a common finding. In the lung, interstitial pneumonia consisting of moderate to severe increase of the cellularity (macrophages and lymphoid cells) in air capillaries and focal areas of necrosis associated with intense viral replication was commonly observed. In lymphoid tissues, including spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius, multifocal areas of necrosis/apoptosis of variable intensity in mononuclear cells were present. Particularly, diffuse necrotic areas were present in the spleen. In the liver, we detected focal areas of necrosis with mild distention of hepatic sinusoids. To conclude the AIV either H5N1 or H5N8 have neurological affinity with immune suppression effect based on necrosis and apoptosis of lymphoid tissues.

T-cell Lymphoma in the Nasal Cavity in Goat

Background: Lymphomas are considered uncommon in goats, being the multicentric form with the highest number of cases for the species. Primary intranasal lymphomas are often diagnosed in dogs, cats, and humans. In the literature, there is only a description of a multicentric case involving the frontal sinuses and mucosa of the nasal cavity in a goat; therefore, it is important to describe unusual cases of this disease for the inclusion of new clinical and pathological characteristics in the ruminant clinic medicine. The objective of this work is to describe a case of T-cell lymphoma in the nasal cavity of a young goat.Case: The animal had dyspnea and respiratory noise for 15 days. Clinical examination showed nodulation in the right nasal cavity associated with serosanguinous secretion. Tracheostomy was performed; however, after 30 days the animal was euthanized. A sagittal plane of the head showed a pinkish-gray mass in the right and left nasal cavity, with a smooth, multilobulated surface, smooth adhering to the rostral portion of the dorsal concha and occluding the dorsal nasal meatus. Submandibular lymph nodes were slightly enlarged. Histopathological examination of the nasal cavity revealed a non-encapsulated, poorly delimited and ulcerated tumor composed of round cells arranged in a mantle supported by a discrete fibrovascular stroma extending the mucosa and lamina propria. Cells were round with sparse, eosinophilic and poorly delimited cytoplasm. Nuclei varied from round to elongated with condensed chromatin and evident nucleoli. Occasionally, aberrant nuclei, reniform shape and multinucleated cells were seen. Pleomorphism was moderate characterized by anisocytosis and anisocariosis. Typical and atypical mitosis were frequent (0-4 per field of highest magnification [400x]). Amidst the neoplasm, there were multifocal areas of necrosis and hemorrhage associated with a mild lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate. Immunohistochemistry showed positive immunostaining for Vimentin antibodies and CD3, and negative for pan CK and CD20.Discussion: The lymphomas immunophenotyping is little used when it comes to farm animals, and there are few studies that use this technique for the definitive diagnosis of these neoplasms for small ruminants. The use of this technique must be considered in each case, in order to determine the pathogenesis, the accurate diagnosis and the origin of the neoplastic lymphocytes. In goats, T-cell lymphomas are the most diagnosed, although cases of multicentric B-cell lymphomas with ocular involvement have been diagnosed. In view of the clinical picture of the case described, infectious rhinitis already described in goats, such as aspergillosis and protothecosis, should be included as differential diagnoses. However, the anatomopathological findings facilitate the direction of the diagnosis, since infectious rhinitis presents as nodules / ulcerated masses or focal areas of necrosis associated with purulent secretion and in the histopathological examination it is possible to observe the intralesional etiological agents. In addition, the enzootic ethmoidal tumor must be included, as it has similar clinical signs and affects young animals, but they are adenomas/adenocarcinomas that affect the ethmoidal nasal shells induced by a retrovirus. Lymphomas in the caprine species are rare in the Northeastern semi-arid, but that in the present diagnostic routine occasionally occurs, being important the first description of its nasal shape for its inclusion in the differential diagnoses of diseases that present with clinical obstruction and dyspnea for the species. Keywords: hematopoietic neoplasia, immunophenotyping, lymphocytes, dyspnea.Descritores: neoplasia hematopoietica, imunofenotipagem, linfócitos, dispneia.Título: Linfoma de células T na cavidade nasal de caprino.

Risk factors, clinical indicators, and pathological findings of abomasal ulcers in tropical dairy buffaloes.

The current study aimed at identifying the risk factors and initial diagnostic aids for abomasal ulcers. The risk factor analysis confirmed a significant association (P < 0.05) of abomasal ulcers with concentrate-rich diets (OR, 4.795; CI, 1.212-15.974) and concurrent disorders (OR, 2.978; CI, 0.987-8.980), while the buffaloes in early lactation (OR, 2.777; CI, 0.703-10.972) showed a higher tendency (P = 0.078) for the disorder. The depressed demeanour, dark or black manure (melena), anemia, tachycardia, decreased milk production, anorexia, tachypnea, absence of rumination, abdominal guarding, kyphosis, and tachypnea were the most frequent clinical signs. Subjecting the abomasal fluid for cultural isolation, gram staining, and stormy clot fermentation test identified the presence of clostridium perfringes, while screening through uniplex PCR detected cpa toxin. The buffaloes affected with type-3 and 4 abomasal ulcers exhibited a higher peritoneal fluid to serum ratio of total protein, albumin, and glucose with a low (P < 0.01) serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) concentration compared to reference values of healthy buffaloes. The first two principal components of PCA explained 54.50% of the total variances with lymphocytes, creatine kinase, and rumen chloride levels as the top contributors to dimension I, and albumin, total protein, sodium, and methylene blue reduction time (MBRT) for rumen liquor as the major contributors to dimension II. The vector plot revealed lymphocytopenia, decreased hemoglobin, hypoalbuminemia, hypokalemia, decreased rumen pH, neutrophilia, eosinophilia, leucocytosis, greater MBRT, and higher rumen chloride, serum creatine kinase, and blood urea nitrogen as the major indicators for abomasal ulcers. Histopathological studies revealed infiltration of inflammatory cells in the mucosa along with multifocal areas of necrosis, degeneration, and eroded muscle structure. The study projected a few high-scored clinical signs and extremely variable clinical indicators as initial diagnostic aids of abomasal ulcers, which can be confirmed by ultrasonography and peritoneal fluid examination.

PO111 / #943 TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION IN FUNCTIONAL REHABILITATION OF ADULT VISION WITH PERIVENTRICULAR LEUKOMALACIA SEQUEL: CASE STUDY: E-POSTER VIEWING

Periventricular leukomalacia is associated with preterm birth and consequent cerebrovascular changes. Multifocal areas of necrosis are found in the cortical white matter adjacent to the lateral ventricles, which can impact the dorsal and ventral vision flow, the main cause of alterations in the visual and perceptual processing of these patients. Studies point to the possibility that the primary visual cortex is activated by artificial visual stimulation and by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) with a considerable degree of plasticity even in adults.

Aspectos anatomopatológicos e o uso da imuno-histoquímica em suínos abatidos com lesões cutâneas de erisipela

ABSTRACT: Swine erysipelas is a disease of worldwide distribution, responsible for causing economic losses in swine and considered an occupational zoonotic disease. It is estimated that 30% to 50% of pigs are carriers and stress can predispose the appearance of clinical disease. The diagnosis of erysipelas in slaughter pigs becomes a challenge for pathologists, since scalding and dehairing, routine procedures in slaughterhouses, generate histological artifacts that often make the final diagnosis impossible. This study describes the anatomopathological aspects and evaluate the use of immunohistochemistry as a diagnostic tool in these cases. Forty-three cases of erysipelas in slaughter pigs were analyzed. Grossly, the cutaneous lesions were characteristic pink, red, or purple raised rhomboid, rectangular or square lesions (“diamond skin”). Histologically, in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, there were suppurative vasculitis, hidradenitis and folliculitis, as well as degeneration and necrosis of the vessel wall, thrombosis and multifocal areas of necrosis. Suppurative vasculitis and damage to the blood vessel wall were observed in all cases, with varying degrees of severity. The immunohistochemical technique proved to be an effective complementary method of diagnosis, with positive immunostaining in 93%. In most cases, we observed mild immunostaining (57.5%), moderate in 22.5% and marked in 20%.

Rabdomiossarcoma botrióide na vesícula urinária de um American Pitbull Terrier

O rabdomiossarcoma botrióide é uma variante do rabdomiossarcoma embrionário e tem origem nas células musculares estriadas, ou precursores destas células, por isso podem se iniciar em partes do corpo com ausência de músculo estriado, como o trato urogenital. Geralmente, os cães acometidos são jovens até dois anos e as massas neoplásicas têm aspecto de cacho de uva. O objetivo do presente relato foi descrever um caso de rabdomiossarcoma botrióide em um cão, American Pittbull Terrier, de 16 meses que apresentou uma massa no interior da vesícula urinária, posteriormente diagnosticada através de exame histopatológico e imunoistoquímico. A massa era multilobulada, firme, rósea a vermelha com áreas multifocais de necrose e estava aderida na mucosa da região mais cranial da vesícula urinária emitindo ramificações disseminadas em direção ao trígono vesical. Microscopicamente, a neoplasia é constituída por duas populações celulares entremeadas a uma matriz mixóide, uma composta por células pequenas e redondas, com citoplasma escasso e núcleo basofílico hipercorado e a outra por células alongadas, com citoplasma eosinofílico e núcleo paracentral, ambas as populações celulares possuíam pleomorfismo moderado e 2 figuras de mitose por campo (400 x). Densidade celular aumentada foi observada abaixo do epitélio vesical. A combinação de exames complementares foi conclusiva para o diagnóstico da neoplasia.

Mammary carcinoma in a geriatric alpaca

An 18-year-old intact, non-lactating, female alpaca presented to the Iowa State University Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center Food Animal and Camelid Hospital for assessment of an inguinal mass noted 2 days prior to shearing. The alpaca was historically multiparous, with her last cria born approximately 1 year prior. On physical exam an 18-centimeter, ulcerated, non-painful mass which produced a thick, white, purulent material and significant crusting was noted in the inguinal region; no normal mammary tissue was appreciated. Clinical differentials were mammary abscess or mammary tumor, the latter of which has not been reported in alpacas. Due to age, cost of therapy and poor prognosis for complete recovery, the owners elected for humane euthanasia and necropsy without further antemortem diagnostic workup. On gross necropsy, the mass was determined to be heterogenous, multilobulated, necrotic and ulcerated with viscous tan to white exudate (Figure 1). Additional findings included multifocal to coalescing pleural nodules and moderate, diffuse lymphadenomegaly of the right inguinal lymph node and mammary lymph node, both of which lacked corticomedullary distinction. On histopathology, a unencapusulated, multilobulated, poorly demarcated, infiltrative neoplasm was diagnosed which completely effaced and replaced normal mammary tissue. Neoplastic cells were epithelial in origin and arranged in nests, islands and tubuloacinar structures, the latter of which contained eosinophilic secretory material (Figure 2). The neoplasm is composed of large polygonal cells arranged in nests, lobules and well differentiated tubules. Neoplastic polygonal cells have distinct cellular borders and abundant hyalinized eosinophilic cytoplasm. Nuclear morphology is characterized by one round hypochromic nucleus per cell, 1–2 nucleoli per nucleus and fine chromatin stippling. There is moderate to marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis observed throughout the mass. The mitotic index is 5–6 mitotic figures per high power field (0.237 mm2). Multifocal areas of necrosis, inflammation and lymphatic invasion were present throughout with scant areas of normal mammary tissue. The right inguinal lymph node demonstrated regional metastasis but no histopathological evidence of distant metastasis including to the lungs was detected. Here, we report a case of mammary carcinoma in an alpaca. Final diagnosis could not be distinguished between simple tubular carcinoma or mammary ductal carcinoma due to the anaplastic nature of the neoplasm. Previously reported neoplasms in alpacas include fibroma, fibropapilloma, lymphoma, interstitial cell tumor, primitive stromal cell tumor, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and carcinoma of bronchoalveolar, ocular and of undifferentiated origin.1, 2 Mammary carcinoma of ductal origin has previously been reported in a llama but that case was associated with significant distant metastasis.3 This is the first report of a mammary carcinoma in an alpaca, and it should be considered a differential in future diagnostic investigations of mammary masses. While metastasis to loco-regional lymph nodes was present, distant metastasis was not and may not be the primary concern in future alpacas with mammary neoplasms.

SAT-LB63 A Case of PTHrP-Negative Hypercalcemia of Malignancy

Case Presentation:A 55-year-old male who had recently arrived from Haiti presented to the Emergency Department with chief complaint of a progressively enlarging neck mass. He first noticed the mass in 2000. From 2000-2017, he underwent resection of the mass three times in Haiti, with recurrence after each surgery. On presentation, he reported unintentional 10 kg weight loss over several months and night sweats. Endocrine was consulted for evaluation of hypercalcemia. On examination and imaging, 8.7 x 14.0 x 14.0 cm fungating tumor on the nape of his neck extending to the occipital area and cervical lymphadenopathy were noted. Labs were notable for WBC of 21.7 K/uL, hemoglobin of 6.0 g/dL, calcium of 12.0 mg/dL, albumin of 3.1 g/dL, free calcium of 6.4 mg/dL, corrected calcium of 12.6 mg/dL, phosphorus of 2.6 mg/dL, and intact PTH of < 4 pg/mL. The PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) level was found to be normal at 19 pg/mL (reference range 14–27 pg/mL). SPEP was normal. Neck mass and cervical lymph nodes were biopsied. Histopathological examination of neck mass showed an ulcerated, moderately-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma with multifocal areas of necrosis. There was no evidence of malignancy in the cervical lymph nodes. CT scan showed 3 mm lung nodules, thought to be granulomas, and no clear evidence of metastatic disease. Hypercalcemia was treated with IV hydration and one dose of bisphosphonate and patient underwent resection of neck mass. Immediately after surgery, his calcium level precipitously decreased and has remained normal in the months since surgery.Discussion: Hypercalcemia of malignancy is a common finding affecting up to 44.1% of patients with malignancy (1,2). The major mechanism, accounting for approximately 80% of malignancy-related hypercalcemia, is mediated via PTHrP, which can cause hypercalcemia by increasing bone resorption and renal tubule calcium reabsorption (2). Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), especially of the lungs, breast, or GI tract, is more frequently associated with hypercalcemia. There are also several case reports of primary cutaneous SCC associated with hypercalcemia. In these cases, tumors were large and hypercalcemia was thought to be due to elevated PTHrP (3,4,5). The skin has been shown to express PTHrP and PTHrP receptors (10). PTHrP has also been detected in 100% of cutaneous SCCs even in the absence of hypercalcemia. (6,7). Furthermore, PTHrP mRNA has been localized in 100% of squamous tumors with hypercalcemia and PTHrP peptide were detected in 91% of cases in a study of 11 patients (9). The patient presented in this case did not have an elevated level of PTHrP. However, resolution of hypercalcemia with resection of the mass supports a diagnosis of hypercalcemia of malignancy. This case illustrates that hypercalcemia due to primary cutaneous SCC typically, but not always, results in an elevated serum PTHrP level.

Amebiasis in a Backyard Red-Foot Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria)

Background: Amebiasis is a parasitic infection caused by obligate or facultative amoeboid protozoans, as well as free-living forms. The genus Entamoeba includes both pathogenic and commensal species that can affect humans and animals. Entamoeba histolytica is the most important species associated with intestinal and extraintestinal infections in humans, while Entamoeba invadens is considered the most common and serious pathogen to many reptile species, including lizards, snakes and crocodilians. The aim of this manuscript is to report a case of amebiasis in a backyard red-foot tortoise in northeastern Brazil.Case: A 10-month-old male red-foot tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) was presented at the Animal Pathology Laboratory of the Veterinary Hospital of Federal University of Campina Grande for necropsy with a 1-week history of anorexia, apathy, and reluctance to move. According to the owner, the animal suffered from heat stress in the backyard, where it was housed with another male red-foot tortoise. At post-mortem examination, there were approximately 1 mL of yellowish viscous transudate in the coelomic cavity. The liver was large, with rounded edges and multifocal to coalescing yellowish areas in the subcapsular surface. When cut, the parenchyma was more friable and yellowish. At the opening of the small intestine, the mucosa was thickened, reddened, and contained many variably sized, dark red ulcers with depressed and hemorrhagic centers. Histopathology of the liver reveals diffuse macro and microvacuolar degeneration of the hepatocyte cytoplasm, often displacing the nucleus peripherally (fatty degeneration). There were extensive and multifocal areas of necrosis characterized by shrunken, hypereosinophilic and pyknotic hepatocytes. Amebic trophozoites were seen through the areas of necrosis and degeneration and the morphological features were suggestive of the genus Entamoeba. In the portal triads and slightly extending to the sinusoidal spaces, there is a moderate inflammatory infiltrate of macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma cells and rare heterophils. There were amebic trophozoites and thrombi in hepatic vessels, and mild intracanalicular cholestasis. The small intestine contained areas of transmural necrosis and ulceration associated with inflammatory infiltrate of macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells. The ulcers were covered by a thick fibrinonecrotic exudate mixed with a varying number of heterophils and macrophages. The submucosa contained hemorrhage and edema. Similar amebic trophozoites were found within the mucosa and submucosa, and also detected in the lumens of blood vessels at the submucosa. The amebic trophozoites, seen in the liver and intestine, were intensely Periodic acid–Schiff positive.Discussion: The diagnosis of amebiasis was based on the epidemiological, clinical and anatomopathological findings. Amebiasis is a well-recognized disease that usually is diagnosed post-mortem in numerous species of reptiles. Unfortunately, there are no scientific articles describing these cases in Brazil. In reptiles, the major pathogenic specie is Entamoeba invadens, while several other species are considered non-pathogenic, such as E. barreti, E. insolita, E. terrapinae, E. ctenosaurae, and E. knowlesi, among others. Although cultivation of E. invadens was not undertaken, the anatomopathological findings and the morphological appearance of the agent is highly suggestive of infection with this organism. In conclusion, amebiasis is a severe infectious disease that can affect young red-footed tortoises under adverse environmental conditions. Clinical signs are nonspecific and may be difficult to identify. The diagnosis is usually made post-mortem by anatomopathological findings and the morphological appearance of the agent.

The first identification of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in sheep and goats in Egypt: molecular and pathological characterization.

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is one of the most fatal and contagious diseases of goats. To date, the occurrence of CCPP in Egypt has not been reported. During the period from 2017 to 2018, 200 goats and 400 sheep from Matrouh Governorate (Al Alamein and El Hammam cities) were suspected to have CCPP; animals were examined to confirm the presence of CCPP infection as well as the epidemiological status, clinical features, and molecular and histopathologic characteristics of lung tissues. Additionally, a treatment trial was performed to assess the efficacy of anti-mycoplasma therapy in the treatment of clinical cases of this disease. The occurrence of CCPP was 32.5% and 5% in goats and sheep, respectively, while case fatality was 30% and 8% in goats and sheep, respectively. The clinical forms of CCPP in both sheep and goats varied from per-acute to acute or chronic cases. Histopathological analysis of lung tissues from dead cases (either sheep or goats) revealed different stages of broncho- and pleuropneumonia ranging from per-acute to acute or chronic stages. Lung tissues showed severe congestion of interalveolar capillaries, flooding of alveoli and bronchi with a fibrinous exudate, a high degree of pleural thickening, and multifocal areas of necrosis that were sometimes sequestered in the fibrous capsule. Isolation of Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae (Mccp) was confirmed in all dead cases by agar and broth culture methods and polymerase chain reaction. The treatment trial revealed that the marbofloxacin and spiramycin groups had a higher cure rate (70%) than the oxytetracycline group (40%) and a lower fatality rate (30%) than the oxytetracycline group (60%). Conclusively, infection with CCPP in goats and sheep is considered to be novel for Mccp in Egypt, where this species is considered to be the main pathogen in goats, not in sheep. Additionally, it could be concluded that treatment may be effective only if given early. Further comprehensive surveys are required to investigate the risk of CCPP in goats and sheep in all Egyptian governorates.

Pathobiology and innate immune responses of gallinaceous poultry to clade 2.3.4.4A H5Nx highly pathogenic avian influenza virus infection

In the 2014–2015 Eurasian lineage clade 2.3.4.4A H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak in the U.S., backyard flocks with minor gallinaceous poultry and large commercial poultry (chickens and turkeys) operations were affected. The pathogenesis of the first H5N8 and reassortant H5N2 clade 2.3.4.4A HPAI U.S. isolates was investigated in six gallinaceous species: chickens, Japanese quail, Bobwhite quail, Pearl guinea fowl, Chukar partridges, and Ring-necked pheasants. Both viruses caused 80–100% mortality in all species, except for H5N2 virus that caused 60% mortality in chickens. The surviving challenged birds remained uninfected based on lack of clinical disease and lack of seroconversion. Among the infected birds, chickens and Japanese quail in early clinical stages (asymptomatic and listless) lacked histopathologic findings. In contrast, birds of all species in later clinical stages (moribund and dead) had histopathologic lesions and systemic virus replication consistent with HPAI virus infection in gallinaceous poultry. These birds had widespread multifocal areas of necrosis, sometimes with heterophilic or lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate, and viral antigen in parenchymal cells of most tissues. In general, lesions and antigen distribution were similar regardless of virus and species. However, endotheliotropism was the most striking difference among species, with only Pearl guinea fowl showing widespread replication of both viruses in endothelial cells of most tissues. The expression of IFN-γ and IL-10 in Japanese quail, and IL-6 in chickens, were up-regulated in later clinical stages compared to asymptomatic birds.

Acute coumaphos organophosphate exposure in the domestic dogs: Its implication on haematology and liver functions

Indiscriminate use of organophosphate acaricides especially among livestock and dog owners in the control of ticks and other ectoparasites has taken a worrisome dimension. In the present study, we investigated, the effects of acute dermal exposure in the form of acaricides baths of coumaphos at different concentrations on the haematology, blood pressure and liver functions in local mongrel dogs.Twenty-four, male mongrel dogs of about 8 months of age with an average weight of 9.88 ± 0.4 kg were used for the study. The dogs were divided into four groups consisting of six dogs per group. Group A (control) was bathed with ordinary water, while group B was bathed with the recommended concentration of 0.016% (160 ppm) Coumaphos in water. Groups C and D were bathed with 10 and 20 times the recommended dose (1600 ppm and 3200 ppm), respectively.Significant leucopenia, increased plasma urea and decreased low density lipoprotein (LDL) values were observed at 8 h post exposure, which worsened with time. At 24 and 36 hrs post exposure, normochromic normocytic anaemia, pan leucopenia, bloody diarrhoea, retching, vomiting and paddling were observed in affected animals. Post mortem examination revealed severe lungs, liver and stomach congestion. Multifocal areas of necrosis in the liver and kidney, serosal and mucosal haemorrhages and haemorrhagic meningitis were also observed.The use of excessively high concentration of organophosphate as acaricides bath is associated with severe anticholinesterase poisoning, which may result in death of affected animals.

Acquired Diaphragmatic Eventration in a Dog

Background: Diaphragmatic eventration is characterized by weakness of the diaphragmatic muscle, which leads to cranial dislocation of the affected diaphragm and, ultimately, in dyspnea. This condition is rare in humans and even rarer in animals, and may be congenital or acquired. The acquired form is less commom and may be induced by trauma or inflammation and neoplastic invasion of the phrenic nerve. Here, we report a case of acquired diaphragmatic eventration in a dog, with the aim of increasing the knowledge of this condition in animals and helping others to recognize and treat future cases.Case: A 12-year-old male dachshund presented with severe dyspnea, exercise intolerance and episodes of coughing. Based on a physical examination and imaging, the main suspicion was a diaphragmatic hernia, and surgery was performed. When the surgeon entered the thoracic cavity, an extremely thin - yet, intact - right hemidiaphragm was observed. The left side of the diaphragm was normal. A polypropylene mesh was sutured to the affected diaphragm in an attempt to strengthen the hemidiaphragmatic muscles and prevent further insinuations of viscera into the thoracic cavity. The dog developed bronchopneumonia, postoperatively, and was hospitalized and treated with antibiotics, analgesics and support medication. However, the dog died five days after surgery. A postmortem examination revealed that the right side of the diaphragm was markedly thin and flaccid. Diaphragm samples were collected for histopathological examination. For comparison, a sample of normal diaphragm was collected from a same age, matched dachshund that died due to an unrelated condition. This tissue was called “diaphragm control”, and it was collected in order to compare the histologic features of a normal diaphragm muscle with the affected one. Histopathology revealed a marked reduction of muscle fibers. In the affected sample, replacement of these fibers by fibrous connective tissue and a marked infiltration of fat were seen among the remaining muscle fibers. Multifocal areas of necrosis were also observed affecting some muscles fibers. Microscopic comparisons of both diaphragm samples (affected vs. control) revealed a drastic difference in the amount of muscle fibers and fat, corroborating the intense diaphragmatic atrophy observed in the diaphragm from the affected dog. Based on clinical presentation, the gross lesions observed during surgery and later during the post mortem examination, and histopathological findings, a definitive diagnosis of acquired diaphragmatic eventration was established.Discussion: Diaphragmatic eventration is rarely reported in small animal clinics and thus may be confused with other conditions. It must be mainly differentiated from diaphragmatic hernia and should be considered as a differential diagnosis when an animal, regardless of age, presents with dyspnea, apathy and coughing episodes. On suspecting diaphragmatic eventration, surgical intervention should be carried out as soon as possible. The recommended treatment is plication of the affected hemidiaphragm. However, in the present case, a polypropylene mesh was sutured to the affected area to support the atrophic muscles. It is thought that, trauma injured the dog’s phrenic nerve, affecting right hemidiaphragmatic innervation, and generating progressive atrophy of diaphragmatic muscle fibers. Subsequently, the dog developed diaphragmatic eventration due to diaphragmatic fragility. Diaphragmatic eventration is a very rare disorder in small animals and can be difficult to diagnose based solely on physical and radiographic examinations.

Intraventricular pneumocephalus associated with nasocephalic necrosis in a puppy: a case report

ABSTRACT Pneumocephalus is defined as the presence of air in any of the intracranial compartments. Its most frequent causes are trauma and cranial surgery. Clinical signs occur as a result of increased intracranial pressure and vary with the location and extent of the lesion. A case involving a seven-month-old female Saint Bernard, who suffered cranial trauma caused by a bite to the face at ten days of age and had presented with seizures and localized pain four months previously is reported. A computed tomography scan of the skull revealed a nasocephalic mass with low contrast enhancement, bone lysis, and hypodensity (-940 Hounsfield units) of the lateral and third ventricles, indicating intraventricular pneumocephalus. During surgery, a fragment of the mass was collected for histopathological examination, which demonstrated the presence of multifocal areas of necrosis. The computed tomography (CT) is a reliable method for the characterization of intracranial lesions and diagnosis of pneumocephalus, whose occurrence must be considered in pathological processes in which there is increased intracranial pressure and in patients undergoing certain surgical procedures and anesthetic specific, and CT is indicated as a monitoring tool for these patients.

SOME PATHOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICHAL STUDIES ON PASTEURELLA MULTOCIDA AND ARCANOBACTERIUM PYOGENES IN BOVINE LUNGS

P. multocida and A. pyogenes were detected in twenty six and thirteen out of forty pneumonic lungs (62.5% and 32.5%) respectively. Higher frequencies of lung infection were caused by serotypes A and D. In twelve lungs immunolabelled for P. multocida and A. pyogenes, the antigen of the latter was more frequently associated with serotypes A and D. P. multocida serotypes A&D and A. pyogenes were mostly associated in variable intensity with lungs affected with fibrinosuppurative, suppurative and necrotizing bronchopneumonias. Furthermore, in lungs affected with multifocal areas of necrosis one or both bacteria were stained as intracellularly inside the cytoplasm of PMNs and macrophages surrounding the area of necrosis and/or extracellularly in the necrotic center, most commonly, caseopurulent ,

Intracranial Transitional Meningioma in a Cat

Background: Meningioma is a tumor that is usually attached to the dura mater. It typically arises from the meningothelial cell of the arachnoid or pia mater. Considered an extra-axial tumor of the central nervous system which can occur on any region of the meninges. The biological behavior tends to be benign and usually is not infiltrative allowing surgical indication, conferring to the patient a better prognosis. Geriatric patients are the most affected and there is no breed predisposition. This paper describes the clinical signs, pathological findings, and immunohistochemical features of a case of transitional meningioma in a cat.Case: A 14-year-old, neutered male mongrel cat was referred to the Veterinary Clinic Hospital. The history was that the cat had anorexia and disorientation. On the day of admission, lethargy and blindness were observed. Full complete blood counts showed leukopenia and lymphopenia. The serum biochemistry tests were unspecific. Thoracic and skull radiographs and ultrasound examination revealed no abnormalities. The cat was hospitalized and the main treatment was based on antibiotics and corticosteroids. The cat tested negative for FIV and FeLV. Toxoplasma gondii serum antibodies were not detected using indirect fluorescent antibody test performed with a commercial kit. The clinical signs progressed to walking in circles, stumbling, wandering, anisocoria, and stupor. On the eleventh day the cat died during hospitalization. The cat was submitted for routine post-mortem examination revealing a rounded mass involving the right occipital cortex and the cerebellum, easily separable from the brain parenchyma. In the brainstem there were moderate diffuse congestion, perivascular edema, and moderate multifocal areas of necrosis, and hemorrhage. Histological examination revealed neoplastic cells sit in tight little whorled clusters, sometimes elongated with abundant collagen intermingled. Sections from the tumor underwent immunohistochemical evaluation for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S100, cytokeratin, and vimentin. There was immunoexpression only of vimentin. The diagnosis of transitional meningioma was established from the pathologic features and confirmed by positive staining of vimentin antibody.Discussion: The animals affected by brain tumors present a series of poorly defined or mild neurological signs. Unfortunately, evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid is neither sensitive nor specific test for the diagnosis of meningiomas in dogs and cats. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are considered the main diagnostic tools available for ante-mortem investigation of several types of brain tumors, but they are also expensive and difficult to obtain in veterinary medicine. The neurosurgery related morbidity and mortality limits the biopsy and surgical treatment to veterinary centers with highly qualified and advanced anesthesia techniques and critical care. In Brazil, there is no report of transitional meningiomas in cats and there are a few controlled studies to better insight into the biological behavior of intracranial neoplasms, prognosis and therapeutic procedures in cats. The meningioma should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with clinical signs of intracranial diseases. However, as the difficulty of performing imaging tests specific prevents the antemortem diagnosis, definitive diagnosis is restricted, in most cases, to necropsy and histopathology.Keywords: brain tumor, feline, intracranial tumor.

Multisystemic aspergillosis in turkeys

A multisystemic aspergillosis in turkeys is reported. Five ailing turkey poults and 10 carcasses were presented with history of 27% mortality within three days after the onset of symptoms. The ailing birds showed dyspnoea, depression, rattling, diarrhoea, tremor and convulsion. In postmortem, there were numerous caseous yellow nodules in thoracic and abdominal sacs, lungs, intestine and brain grossly. Histopathological analysis of the affected organs displayed multifocal areas of necrosis with fungal hyphae, infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells and giant cells and fibrous tissue proliferation at the periphery of the nodules. Swabs from oral cavity of the ailing birds and lungs/airsacs from the dead carcasses yielded fungus Aspergillus fumigatus which was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Typical fungal hyphae and conidiophores were also demonstrated in the lungs, intestine and air sacs by Periodic acidschiff (PAS) staining technique. Examination of bedding material collected from the farm revealed presence of fungus, thus contaminated litter could be the cause for outbreak in this case.

Intoxicação espontânea por Pterodon emarginatus (Fabaceae) em bovinos no estado de Goiás

Descreve-se um surto de intoxicação por Pterodon emarginatus em bovinos no Estado de Goiás. De um lote de 84 bovinos que comeram avidamente folhas e os frutos da planta após a queda acidental de uma árvore, todos os animais adoeceram e sete morreram. Os sinais clínicos observados foram eriçamento dos pelos, retração do flanco, apatia profunda, prostração, tremores musculares, ressecamento do focinho, tenesmo, incoordenação, relutância em movimentar-se e decúbito esternal prolongado. As atividades séricas de AST, ALT e GGT e os teores de bilirrubina estavam acentuadamente elevados. As principais alterações macroscópicas consistiam de hepatomegalia e áreas multifocais de necrose no fígado, além de hemorragias no coração, pleura parietal, mesentério, omento, serosa do rúmen, baço, pulmão, subcutâneo e musculatura esquelética intercostal e torácica. Microscopicamente, observou-se degeneração e necrose hepatocelular massiva moderada a acentuada, hiperplasia biliar multifocal moderada e bilestase multifocal leve. Adicionalmente, notou-se degeneração vacuolar multifocal moderada nos túbulos contorcidos dos rins.

Fatal Canid herpesvirus 1 infection in an adult dog

Canid herpesvirus 1 (CaHV-1) is a well-known cause of fatal hepatic and renal necrosis in neonatal puppies. In adult dogs infected with CaHV-1, papulovesicular genital lesions may be observed. CaHV-1 infection during pregnancy can lead to embryonic resorption, abortion, and stillbirth. In high-density dog populations, CaHV-1 can also contribute to kennel cough. Furthermore, recent literature has clearly documented that CaHV-1 can induce ocular disease in immature and adult dogs. The current study describes a case of fatal CaHV-1 infection in a 9-year-old spayed female Bichon Frise dog. Following a history of vomiting and diarrhea, the dog deteriorated and subsequently died. The main lesions were multifocal areas of necrosis with intranuclear inclusion bodies in the liver, adrenal gland, and small intestine, similar to the lesions observed in CaHV-1-infected puppies. Infection with CaHV-1 was confirmed on samples of liver by polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. There was no indication of immunosuppression in this dog. Based on the results presented herein, CaHV-1 should be included in the list of differential diagnoses of hepatic necrosis in adult dogs.

Pathogenicity of Fowl Adenovirus in Specific Pathogen Free Chicken Embryos

Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) associated with fowl adenovirus (FAdV) infection has a worldwide distribution. The aim of the present study was to determine the pathogenicity of Malaysian FAdV serotype 9 (UPM04217) in specific pathogen free (SPF) embryonated chicken embryos. FAdV (titre 10(5.8)/ml) was inoculated into SPF embryonated chicken eggs (0.1 ml per egg) via the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). There was 100% embryo mortality within 4-11 days post infection (dpi). The gross and microscopical lesions of the embryo were confined to the liver and were noted at 5, 7, 9 and 11 dpi. The liver was pale with multifocal areas of necrosis, fibrosis and haemorrhage. Microscopically, there was moderate to severe congestion and haemorrhage and severe and diffuse hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis, with intranuclear inclusion bodies (INIBs) and associated inflammation. Haemorrhage, congestion, degeneration, necrosis and hyperplasia of the CAM with INIBs were observed at 5, 7, 9 and 11 dpi. Varying degrees of congestion, haemorrhage, degeneration and necrosis were also observed in the yolk sac, kidney, spleen, heart and bursa of Fabricius. Ultrastructurally, numerous viral particles in the nucleus of hepatocytes were recorded at 7, 9 and 11 dpi, whereas at 5 dpi, fine granular and filamentous INIBs were observed. The INIBs in the CAM were present either as fine granular filamentous structures or as large viral inclusions. FAdV (UPM04217) is therefore highly pathogenic to SPF chicken embryos and the embryonic liver should be used for isolation and propagation of the virus.