Intracranial tumors occurring in specific brain regions, such as the cerebellopontine angle, may be associated with cranial nerve dysfunction and dysphagia in humans and animals. Although dysphagia ...is a known risk factor for pneumonia, only postoperative pneumonia has been investigated in veterinary medicine. This study aimed to describe the clinical and pathological features of dogs with untreated intracranial meningiomas and concomitant pneumonia. Data from post-mortem examination registries from 2011 to 2021 were used (n=23). The frequency of pneumonia and other characteristics were compared between dogs with meningiomas in the ventral rhombencephalon region (VR group; n=13) and those with meningiomas in other intracranial sites (OIS group; n=10). The frequency of pneumonia was higher in the VR group than in the OIS group (n=5 vs. n=0; P=0.039). Plaque-like lesions were also more common in the VR group than in the OIS group (P=0.012). Dogs with concomitant pneumonia had cerebellopontine angle (n=3) and basilar meningiomas (n=2), mainly plaque-like lesions extending to or from other brain areas. In dogs with concomitant pneumonia, meningiomas had invasive (n=5) and compressive (n=3) growth behaviors and nerve roots involved in the swallowing process were frequently affected. Microscopically, these meningiomas were classified as atypical (n=4) and meningiomas (n=1). The reported clinical signs included anorexia (n=3), adipsia (n=1), and dysphagia (n=1). Our findings suggest untreated dogs with ventral rhombencephalon meningiomas may develop cranial nerve damage and aspiration pneumonia.
RESUMO: Tumores intracranianos que ocorrem em regiões específicas do cérebro, como o ângulo ponto-cerebelar, podem estar associados à disfunção de nervos cranianos e disfagia em humanos e animais. Embora a disfagia seja um conhecido fator de risco para pneumonia, apenas a pneumonia pós-operatória tem sido investigada na medicina veterinária. Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever as características clínicas e patológicas de cães com meningiomas intracranianos não tratados e pneumonia concomitante. Foram utilizados dados de registros de necropsias de 2011 a 2021. A frequência de pneumonia e outras características foram comparadas entre cães com meningiomas na região do rombencéfalo ventral (grupo VR; n=13) e aqueles com meningiomas em outros sítios intracranianos (grupo OIS; n=10). A frequência de pneumonia foi maior no grupo VR do que no grupo OIS (n=5 vs. n=0; P=0,039). Lesões tipo placa também foram mais comuns no grupo VR do que no grupo OIS (P=0,012). Cães com pneumonia concomitante apresentaram meningiomas no ângulo ponto-cerebelar (n=3) e região basilar (n=2), predominantemente lesões em forma de placa que se estendem de ou para outras áreas do cérebro. Em cães com pneumonia concomitante, os meningiomas apresentaram comportamentos de crescimento invasivo (n=5) e compressivo (n=3) e as raízes nervosas envolvidas no processo de deglutição foram frequentemente afetadas. Microscopicamente, esses meningiomas foram classificados como atípicos (n=4) e papilar (n=1). Os sinais clínicos relatados incluíram anorexia (n=3), adipsia (n=1) e disfagia (n=1). Nossos achados sugerem que cães com meningiomas no rombencéfalo ventral, não tratados, podem desenvolver lesão em nervos cranianos e pneumonia aspirativa.
Objectives
This study presents the clinical, pathological, immunohistochemical and molecular characterization of 26 cats with feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCG).
Methods
Oral mucosal biopsies, ...blood and swabs were collected from cats presenting with oral lesions. The tissue sections were submitted for histopathology and immunohistochemical analysis for feline calicivirus (FCV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). The swabs were subjected to PCR analysis for FCV, and blood for FeLV and FIV.
Results
The main clinical findings were dysphagia (88.2%), halitosis (76.5%), sialorrhea (47.1%), weight loss (41.2%), intense oral discomfort (35.3%), oral hemorrhage (17.6%), and lackluster and fragile coat (11.8%). Gross inspection revealed bilateral lesions across the palatoglossal fold to the lateral tongue base. The lesions were diffuse, proliferative, intensely red and friable, and bled easily upon examination in 80.8% of cases. In 23.1% of cases, the lesions were multifocal to coalescent, at times forming multiple vesicles on a reddened, edematous palatoglossal fold. Microscopic examination showed that 15.4% of lesions had moderate (grade 2) and 84.6% had severe (grade 3) inflammation. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of FeLV antigens in the epithelium and the inflammatory infiltrate of 30.8% of the cats with FCG. FCV antigens were not detected in the FCG lesions.
Conclusions and relevance
The FCG cases analyzed could not be correlated with FCV. It is possible that FeLV plays a role as a causal agent of lesions in cases where the presence of the virus has been confirmed by immunohistochemistry in epithelial samples.
Scrapie is a contagious disease of sheep and goats caused by prions (PrPSc). This study described an outbreak of Scrapie in sheep in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. An 1-year and 3-month-old ...sheep developed clinical signs characterized by motor incoordination of the pelvic limbs, pruritus and alopecia for three days. The 38 sheep from the flock that were over 1 year of age underwent biopsies of the third eyelid and rectal mucosa, in addition to anti-PrPsc immunohistochemistry (IHC). Blood containing EDTA was collected for PRNP gene genotyping from these sheep. Of the 38, 16 (42.10%) had immunostaining againstPrPSc. IHC-positive animals were euthanized and necropsied, as well as lambs from positive mothers. Different organs of the 19 necropsied animals were collected in 10% buffered formalin for histopathological examination and anti-PrPSc IHC of the obex. The histopathology of the obex of the female with neurological signs presented discrete multifocal vacuolization of the cytoplasm of neurons and neuropil. The anti-PrPSc IHC showed that two out of the 19 obex samples had cytoplasmic immunostaining in neurons. The genotypes reported were ARQ/ARQ in 47.36%, ARR/ARQ in 36.84%, ARQ/VRQ in 10.52% and ARQ/VRR in 5.28%. The genotyping helps to identify susceptible animals and select animals more resistant to the development of Scrapie. The anti-PrPSc IHC from lymphoid biopsies, and genotyping demonstrated the high number of positive sheep classified in susceptible group.
RESUMO: Scrapie é uma doença contagiosa de ovinos e caprinos causada por príons (PrPSc). O objetivo desse estudo é descrever um surto de Scrapie em ovinos no estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Uma ovelha de 1 ano e 3 meses desenvolveu sinais clínicos caracterizados por incoordenação motora dos membros pélvicos, prurido e alopecia durante três dias. Os 38 ovinos do rebanho que tinham idade acima de 1 ano foram submetidos a biópsias de terceira pálpebra e mucosa retal, além de imuno-histoquímica (IHQ) anti-PrPsc. Coletou-se sangue contendo EDTA para genotipagem do gene prnp destes ovinos. Dos 38 ovinos, 16 (42,10%) apresentaram imunomarcação na avaliação IHQ anti-PrPsc. Os animais positivos na IHQ foram eutanasiados e necropsiados, bem como os cordeiros das mães positivas. Diferentes órgãos dos 19 animais necropsiados foram coletados em formalina tamponada a 10% para exame histopatológico e IHQ anti-PrPsc do óbex. Na histopatologia do óbex da fêmea com sinal neurológico havia vacuolização do citoplasma de neurônios e neurópilo multifocal discreta. Na IHQ anti-PrPsc das 19 amostras de óbex, dois apresentaram imunomarcação citoplasmática em neurônios. Os genótipos encontrados foram ARQ/ARQ em 47,36%, ARR/ARQ em 36,84%, ARQ/VRQ em 10,52% e ARQ/VRR em 5,28%. A genotipagem auxilia a identificar os animais susceptíveis e seleciona animais mais resistentes ao desenvolvimento do Scrapie. A IHQ anti-PrPsc de biópsias de tecidos linfoides e a genotipagem demonstram o elevado número de ovinos positivos classificados no grupo susceptível.
Wischnewsky spots (WS) are hemorrhagic, non-erosive, and non-ulcerative lesions that affect the gastric mucosa. They are considered common in the stomachs of humans who have died from hypothermia and ...are rarely described in other animal species. This study describes the occurrence of WS in cattle that had died of hypothermia in two cities in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Two properties were visited, and three cattle were necropsied by the team from the Pathological Anatomy Laboratory of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (LAP-UFMS). The epidemiological conditions and clinical signs of the cattle examined on both properties were similar. The deaths occurred on days when there was a sudden drop in environmental temperature, with continuous rain for more than 24 hours. During the visits, the most affected live cattle were found in sternal decubitus, with their heads resting on their flanks, or laterally in a comatose state, with nystagmus and a rectal temperature below 32°C. Macroscopically, there were multifocal to coalescent red and black areas on the mucosal surface of the abomasums of the three cattle necropsied, mainly at the apex of the folds, oval or punctate in shape, measuring 0.1 to 1.0cm in diameter. Microscopically, these dark areas corresponded to areas of rarefaction of the mucosal epithelial cells associated with hemorrhage and the frequent deposition of golden-brown pigment (hematin) in the extracellular medium. The diagnosis of hypothermia in cattle was based on epidemiology, clinical-pathological examination, and the exclusion of differential diagnoses. The lesions found in the abomasum of cattle that had died from hypothermia were compatible with WS, highlighting the importance of recognizing them in cases of cattle deaths in which this condition is suspected.
RESUMO: As manchas de Wischnewsky (WS) são lesões hemorrágicas, não erosivas e não ulcerativas que acometem a mucosa gástrica. Eles são considerados comuns no estômago de humanos que morreram de hipotermia e raramente são descritos em outras espécies animais. Este estudo descreve a ocorrência de WS em bovinos que morreram por hipotermia em duas cidades do estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. Duas propriedades foram visitadas e três bovinos foram necropsiados pela equipe do Laboratório de Anatomia Patológica da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (LAP-UFMS). As condições epidemiológicas e os sinais clínicos dos bovinos examinados nas duas propriedades foram semelhantes. As mortes ocorreram em dias em que houve queda brusca da temperatura ambiente, com chuva contínua por mais de 24 horas. Os bovinos vivos mais acometidos no momento das visitas foram encontrados em decúbito esternal, com a cabeça apoiada nos flancos, ou lateralmente em estado de coma, com nistagmo e temperatura retal abaixo de 32°C. Macroscopicamente, havia áreas vermelhas e pretas multifocais a coalescentes na superfície mucosa dos abomasos dos três bovinos necropsiados, principalmente no ápice das pregas, de formato oval ou pontiforme, medindo de 0,1 a 1,0cm de diâmetro. Microscopicamente, essas áreas escuras correspondiam a áreas de rarefação das células epiteliais da mucosa associadas à hemorragia e à frequente deposição de pigmento marrom-dourado (hematina) no meio extracelular. O diagnóstico de hipotermia em bovinos foi baseado na epidemiologia, no exame clínico-patológico e na exclusão de diagnósticos diferenciais. As lesões encontradas no abomaso de bovinos que morreram por hipotermia foram compatíveis com WS, destacando a importância de reconhecê-las em casos de mortes de bovinos em que haja suspeita desta condição.
A 20-year-old, sexually intact male Dutch Warmblood horse was presented with a 5-day history of difficulty moving and non-flexion of the right pelvic limb, followed by subcutaneous swelling and ...permanent lateral decubitus. Despite attempts at palliative care, the horse was euthanized after clinical worsening and lack of treatment response. The main gross finding was a soft, red-to-black, lobulated mass involving the right semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and biceps femoris muscles. Soft, red nodules were also seen in all pulmonary lobes and adrenal glands. Histology revealed neoplastic proliferation of malignant polygonal cells, occasionally arranged in irregular anastomosing vascular channels filled with erythrocytes. Neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for factor VIII-related antigen, confirming the blood vascular origin. A final diagnosis of epithelioid hemangiosarcoma was made. These findings reinforced the inclusion of hemangiosarcoma as a differential diagnosis of equine muscular lesions and highlighted the histological features of the epithelioid hemangiosarcoma subtype.
RESUMO: Um cavalo macho não castrado, Sela Holandesa, de 20 anos de idade apresentou histórico de dificuldade de movimentação e não flexão do membro pélvico direito, seguido por inchaço subcutâneo e decúbito lateral permanente. Apesar das tentativas de cuidados paliativos, o cavalo foi eutanasiado após piora clínica e falta de resposta ao tratamento. O principal achado macroscópico foi uma massa macia, vermelha a preta e lobulada envolvendo os músculos semitendinoso, semimembranoso e bíceps femoral direito. Nódulos macios e vermelhos também foram observados nos lobos pulmonares e adrenais. A histologia revelou proliferação neoplásica de células poligonais malignas, ocasionalmente arranjadas em estruturas vasculares irregulares preenchidas por eritrócitos. As células neoplásicas foram imunorreativas para antígeno relacionado ao fator VIII, confirmando a origem vascular sanguínea. Portanto, foi realizado o diagnóstico final de hemangiossarcoma epitelioide intramuscular. Esses achados reforçaram a inclusão do hemangiossarcoma como diagnóstico diferencial das lesões musculares equinas e destacaram as características histológicas do subtipo hemangiossarcoma epitelioide.
Streptococcus suis is a Gram-positive pathogen that inhabits the upper respiratory tract and can cause severe systemic inflammatory disease in pigs, mainly during the nursery phase. Streptococcus ...suis is a reemergent pathogen, and outbreaks of its inducing disease represent significant economic losses for the pig industry worldwide. In this study, we described the clinical, pathological, and molecular aspects of an outbreak of S. suis infection with atypically high mortality. The outbreak occurred in nursery farms integrated into a cooperative in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Of the 30 nurseries, 10 were severely affected by the pathogen and had high economic losses. Clinical signs usually started approximately 10 days after weaning and were mainly characterized by acute nervous and locomotor disorders. The mortality of the affected batches usually ranged between 8% and 10%, but in some cases, it reached 18%. Nine piglets were submitted to post mortem examination. Macroscopically, the synovial joints were enlarged and contained fibrinous exudates. In the central nervous system, there was hyperemia of the leptomeningeal vessels associated with deposition of fibrin and purulent exudate in the leptomeninges. In three piglets, there was thickening of the choroid plexus associated with dilation of the lateral ventricles. Microscopic lesions were characterized mainly by fibrinosuppurative inflammation, which involved the synovial membranes, leptomeninges of the brain, and spinal cord. Furthermore, it also affects the choroid plexus, ependyma, nerve roots, and central canal of the spinal cord. S. suis was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid, meningeal swabs, and/or synovial fluid of 8/9 piglets, and typified as serotype 9 by multiplex PCR.
RESUMO: Streptococcus suis é um patógeno Gram positivo que habita o trato respiratório superior e pode causar doença inflamatória sistêmica grave em suínos, principalmente durante a fase de creche. Streptococcus suis é um patógeno reemergente e surtos representam perdas econômicas significativas a suinocultura mundial. Neste estudo descrevemos os aspectos clínicos, patológicos e moleculares de um surto de infecção por S. suis com mortalidade atipicamente alta. O surto ocorreu em creches integradas a uma cooperativa do estado do Paraná, Brasil. Das 30 creches, 10 foram severamente afetadas pelo patógeno e apresentavam elevadas perdas econômicas. Os sinais clínicos iniciavam em torno de 10 dias após o desmame e eram caracterizados principalmente por sinais clínicos nervosos e locomotores agudos. A mortalidade dos lotes afetados variava entre 8% e 10%, mas em alguns casos ultrapassava 18%. Nove leitões foram submetidos ao exame post mortem. Macroscopicamente, as articulações sinoviais estavam aumentadas e continham exsudato fibrinoso. No sistema nervoso central havia hiperemia dos vasos leptomeníngeos associada a deposição de fibrina e exsudato purulento nas leptomeninges. Em três leitões havia espessamento do plexo coroide associado a dilatação dos ventrículos laterais. As lesões microscópicas eram caracterizadas principalmente por inflamação fibrinossupurativa que envolvia as membranas sinoviais, as leptomeninges do cérebro e medula espinhal. Além disso, também afetava o plexo coroide, epêndima, raízes nervosas e canal central da medula espinhal. S. suis foi isolado do líquido cefalorraquidiano, suabe de meninge e/ou líquido sinovial de 8/9 leitões e tipificado como sorotipo 9 por PCR multiplex.
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%.
RESUMO: A erisipela suína é uma doença de distribuição mundial, responsável por causar prejuízos econômicos na suinocultura, além de ser uma doença zoonótica com caráter ocupacional. Estima-se que 30%-50% dos suínos sejam portadores e fatores estressantes podem predispor o aparecimento da doença clínica. O diagnóstico de erisipela em suínos de abate torna-se um desafio aos patologistas, uma vez que os processos de escaldagem e depila, rotineiros em abatedouros frigoríficos, geram artefatos histológicos que muitas vezes impossibilitam o diagnóstico final. Este trabalho descreve os aspectos anatomopatológicos e avalia o uso da imuno-histoquímica como uma ferramenta diagnóstica nestes casos. Foram analisados fragmentos de pele de 43 casos de erisipela em suínos de abate. Macroscopicamente, eram múltiplas lesões cutâneas romboides, retangulares ou quadradas rosa, vermelho ou roxo característicos (“pele de diamante”). Histologicamente, na derme e subcutâneo, havia vasculite, hidradenite e foliculite supurativas, bem como degeneração e necrose da parede de vasos, trombose e áreas de necrose multifocais. A vasculite supurativa e a lesão na parede de vasos sanguíneos foram observadas em todos os casos, em diferentes graus de severidade. A técnica imuno-histoquímica se mostrou um eficaz método complementar de diagnóstico, com imunomarcação positiva em 93%. Na maior parte dos casos observamos marcação discreta (57,5%), moderada em 22,5% e acentuada em 20%.
Heavy metal poisoning poses a challenge in diagnostic practices and environmental safety. This study describes the epidemiological, clinical, and pathological aspects of a chromium (Cr) poisoning ...outbreak in growing/finishing pigs housed in pens with bedding of pine wood shavings containing Cr. A visit to the affected farm was conducted. Epidemiological data were collected, and necropsy and histopathological examinations and heavy metal quantifications were performed. Up to 30% of the animals from the affected pens displayed clinical signs 48 h after housing, characterized by apathy, rigid gait, distended abdomen, pain to abdominal palpation, fever, vomiting, and skin cyanosis. The lethality rate reached 76.6%. Main postmortem findings consisted of ulcerative gastritis with perforation of the glandular stomach in all necropsied swine. Heavy metal analysis revealed a higher concentration of Cr in the bedding of the affected pens, along with elevated levels of Cr in the livers of the affected swine. Given that Cr is a known cause of poisoning in humans (with acute oral exposure resulting in corrosive lesions in the gastrointestinal tract), this study marks the first diagnosis of acute oral natural Cr poisoning in animals. This diagnosis was established through the association of epidemiological, pathological, and heavy metal quantification data.
Sow mortality is directly related to financial losses and productive efficiency in pig farms. Despite this, diseases associated with the death of sows are poorly understood. This study aimed to ...determine the main causes of death of sows in Brazilian pig farms. To perform this research, three Brazilian pig farms were visited, and necropsies were performed on all sows that had died spontaneously or were subjected to euthanasia. Tissue fragments were collected for histopathological and bacteriological examination. In addition, the clinical signs, productive stage, parity, and type of death (spontaneous or euthanasia) were recorded. A total of 138 necropsies were performed, and 132 had a conclusive diagnosis. The most frequent productive stages were gestation and lactation (33.3 and 31.9%, respectively), followed by parturient sows (17.4%), cull sows (9.4%), weaning-to-estrus interval (WEI) (4.3%), and unmated gilts (3.6%). The most affected organ systems were reproductive (28%), digestive (25%), locomotor (22%), cardiovascular (9.1%), and hematopoietic (6.1%). The most frequently diagnosed conditions were uterine prolapse (16/132; 12.1%), gastric ulcer (13/132; 9.8%), suppurative arthritis (11/132; 8.3%), liver lobe torsion (11/132; 8.3%), heart failure (9/132; 6.8%), vaginal or vaginal and rectal prolapse (9/132; 6.8%), and pododermatitis (8/132; 6.1%). Although 58.2% of the deaths were due to one of these seven diseases, there was a great variability in diagnoses.
RESUMO: A mortalidade de porcas está diretamente relacionada a perdas financeiras e à eficiência produtiva das granjas. Apesar disso, as doenças associadas à morte de porcas são pouco conhecidas. Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar as principais causas de morte de porcas em granjas suinícolas brasileiras. Para a realização desta pesquisa, três granjas brasileiras foram visitadas e necropsias foram realizadas em todas as porcas que morreram espontaneamente ou foram submetidas à eutanásia. Fragmentos de tecidos foram coletados para exame histopatológico e bacteriológico. Além disso, foram registrados os sinais clínicos, estágio reprodutivo, ordem de parto e tipo de morte (espontânea ou eutanásia). Um total de 138 necropsias foram realizadas e 132 tiveram um diagnóstico conclusivo. Os estágios produtivos mais frequentes foram gestação e lactação (33,3 e 31,9%, respectivamente), seguidos por porcas parturientes (17,4%), porcas de descarte (9,4%), intervalo desmame-estro (IDE) (4,3%) e leitoas vazias (3,6%). Os sistemas orgânicos mais afetados foram reprodutor (28%), digestivo (25%), locomotor (22%), cardiovascular (9,1%) e hematopoiético (6,1%). As condições mais frequentemente diagnosticadas foram prolapso uterino (16/132; 12,1%), úlcera gástrica (13/132; 9,8%), artrite supurativa (11/132; 8,3%), torção do lobo hepático (11/132; 8,3%), insuficiência cardíaca (9/132; 6,8%), prolapso vaginal ou prolapso vaginal e retal (9/132; 6,8%) e pododermatite (8/132; 6,1%). Embora 58,2% dos óbitos tenham ocorrido por uma dessas sete doenças, houve grande variabilidade de diagnósticos.