Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Este trabalho teve como objetivo diagnosticar helmintoses gastrintestinais em fezes caninas e areias de locais públicos no município de Alegre-ES. Foram coletadas amostras de fezes e areias em locais públicos como praças, canteiros, calçadas e essas foram encaminhadas para o laboratório de Parasitologia do Hospital Veterinário do Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Engenharias da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, onde as amostras de fezes foram analisadas pela técnica de Willis-Mollay e Centrífugo-Flutuação Simples e as de areia analisadas pela técnica de Baermann modificada e pela técnica de Silva e colaboradores. Foram analisadas 92 amostras de fezes eforam positivas  52% para Ancylostoma spp., 24% Toxocara canis, 8,7% Dipylidium caninum, 8,7% Strongyloides spp. e  1% Taenia sp. Nas amostras de solo e areia as larvas de ancilostomatídeos foram encontradas em 33,3%. Foi observado ainda que a técnica de Centrífugo-Flutuação Simples foi mais sensível para a detecção das formas parasitárias nas fezes de cães e que a técnica de Baermann foi mais sensível no diagnóstico das larvas encontradas na areia.

Wild birds host a wide variety of endoparasites. These endoparasites are important because they cancause serious infections in birds. The present study aimed to conduct a copro-parasitological survey inwild birds captured in the Cazumbá-Iracema Extractive Reserve (Resex) located in the county of SenaMadureira, State of Acre, in northern Brazil. In order to capture these birds, ornithological mist nets wereplaced in different ecosystems of the Resex. Captured birds were identified and held in cloth sacks for30 min. Fecal samples, from each bird, were collected if available. Direct examination and spontaneoussedimentation were used to analyze these samples. The prevalence rate of endoparasite infections in thefecal samples examined was 70.58% (72/102). Oocysts and cysts of protozoa were detected in 69.44%(50/72) of the samples, whereas helminth eggs were seen in 75.00% (54/72) of these specimens. To date,the southwest of the Amazon rainforest, northern Brazil, is a poorly explored area that warrants furtherresearch on the parasitic fauna of wildlife.

Adenocarcinomas are malignant epithelial neoplasms of glandular nature and have been reported in many organs of companion animals including the lungs, thyroid, prostate, mammary glands, gallbladder, pancreas, esophagus, stomach, and intestine. In felines, reports of such neoplasms in the genitalia and associated glands are very rare and have a reserved prognosis. There are no reports in the veterinary literature describing this type of neoplasia affecting the foreskin of cats. Cytological analysis and histopathological evaluation of incisional or excisional biopsy samples can confirm the diagnosis of preputial neoplasms. The gold standard treatment consists of surgical excision of the neoplasm. In the present report, a 16-year-old male Brazilian shorthair feline was referred to the Surgical Clinic service of the Companion Animal Veterinary Hospital of UFRRJ, with a major complaint of increased volume and ulceration in the preputial and penile region with slow growth. The animal experienced dysuria, urinary retention, and pollakiuria. It had a history of recurrent urinary obstructions and urolithiasis. A penile urethrostomy was performed, and the mass was histopathologically and microbiologically analyzed due to a suspicion of fungal or neoplastic involvement. Histopathological examination showed the presence of tubular adenocarcinomas. Chemotherapy treatment was suggested in the immediate postoperative period, but it was not performed per the owner’s request. One year after the foreskin resection and creation of a new urethral stoma, a new mass was found in the perineal region, and the animal died one week later.    

Over the past years, the number of neoplasm cases reported in nonhuman primates have considerably increased, with hepatocellular tumors reported in several species. Here a case report of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in an adult male Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta caraya) is presented. The animal, kept as pet, was admitted at Veterinary Hospital presented clinical signs of cholestasis. After unsuccessful drug treatment, the animal was submitted to a cholecystoduodenostomy. During the surgical procedure, the hepatobiliary system was meticulously observed. The liver showed no macroscopic alterations, however, there was a solid mass throughout the common bile duct. Biopsy specimens were collected from the bile duct mass, liver and gallbladder for histological and immunohistochemical evaluations. Histological examination of the liver showed diffuse accentuated vacuolization and necrosis, besides hemosiderin accumulation inside hepatocytes. In the portal region, there was an accentuated proliferation of biliary ducts, which presented replete with bilirubin. Discrete neutrophilic inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis were also observed. The bile duct mass showed a cellular proliferation of epithelial origin, confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis. The arrangement, characteristics and growth pattern of these cells revealed a malignant neoplasm. Despite the success of the procedure, the animal died hours later. Cholangiocarcinomas generally present high mortality rates, since its late clinical presentation make the treatments ineffective due to its large extensions at the time of diagnosis. The owner did not allow the necropsy, therefore the presence of other neoplasms and important organ alterations, which may be aggravated the patient's clinical condition, were not confirmed.

The present study sought to characterize the phenomena involved in the histopathology of rabies and to assess the presence and amount of viral antigen in situ in different brain regions of naturally infected equines and bovines. The histopathological examination showed several changes due to inflammation, being most often infected cells neurons. The neuronal degeneration involved 100% of cases, in addition to a diffuse lymphocytic Infiltration and gliosis, characterized by vasculitis and perivasculitis. The presence of Negri bodies was in most cases in discreet, and the fragments with higher concentrations of antigen by both techniques employed were the cerebellum and the brain stem. Immunohistochemistry test (IHC) demonstrated greater sensitivity when applied to samples of bovines. Our results showed that in 37.5% of the total number of fragments analyzed, viral inclusions were not observed, however, there was an inflammatory process. In relation to the species, the fragments from bovine’s animals showed a slight increase when examined under this feature. These findings highlight the importance of submitting samples from suspected animals for laboratory diagnostic, even when there are no apparent abnormal histological findings. 

 The aim of present study was to evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infection and related factors that govern prevalence in pet dogs. Of 200 fecal samples screened, a prevalence of 39% was observed, in which Toxocara canis (37%) and coccidian (29%) were predominant. Factors that could be associated with an increase in the probability of parasite detection in fecal samples included time since the last deworming, sex, and breed. Pet dogs with > 6 months since the last deworming had a 1.5 times higher probability (P<0.05) of gastrointestinal parasite infection, whereas purebred and males tended to have (P<0.10) 0.9 and 0.8 times higher probability of gastrointestinal parasite infection than crossbreed and female dogs, respectively. In conclusion, results suggested that animals with > 6 months since last deworming, purebred, and male dogs exhibited a comparatively higher prevalence and probability of gastrointestinal parasite infection.

Among the infections caused by arthropods in dogs are Leishmania infantum, Babesia canis and rickettsias Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Studies show, in Brazil, high rates of co-infection in dogs by these agents. In Carmo da Mata, Central West of Minas Gerais there are no reports of cases of human or canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). In this municipality, the existence and prevalence of LVC and concomitant seropositivity with B. canis and rickettsias were evaluated. In the urban area, 433 domiciled dogs were tested for Leishmania infection, with three immunological tests (rapid immunochromatography and ELISA), with a prevalence of 0.7% (95% CI: 0.2-1.9). To evaluate the concomitant seropositivity, 433 dogs were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence reaction, with 166 (38.3%) reagents for A. phagocytophilum, 171 (39.5%) for B. canis and 231 (53.3%) for E. canis. Of the total, 192 (44.2%) presented concomitant seropositivity with the three agents. Of the three dogs with CVL, one had only CVL and two had concomitant seropositivity, one with B. canis and the third with A. phagocytophilum and E. canis. Immunosuppression caused to dogs by ehrlichiosis can lead to an increase in cases of LVC and thus, it is necessary preventive measures to avoid the expansion of LVC in the municipality.

Arthropod-borne infections are dependent on environmental conditions; therefore, anthropomorphic meddling may disrupt the natural balance that maintains wildlife. It is common to find dogs roaming in Brazilian natural reserves, what favors the spillover of pathogens among species. The aim of this study was to determine the canine seroprevalence of Ehrlichia canis, E. ewingii, Anaplasma platys, A. phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi, Leishmania infantum and Dirofilaria immitis using 84 serum samples from dogs from the border area of the SESC-Pantanal reserve (RPPN SESC-Pantanal 16°40 ́51 ́ ́S;56o17 ́45 ́ ́W) stored at the Laboratório de Protozoologia e Imunomodulação, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Samples were tested with SNAP Canine Leishmania Antibody Test (IDEXX Laboratories) or DPP canine visceral leishmaniasis test (Bio-Manguinhos) for the presence of L. infantum antibodies and with SNAP 4Dx Plus Test (IDEXX Laboratories) for D. immitis, Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp. and B. burgdorferi seroprevalences.The seroprevalence for tick-borne parasites was 79.8%, 13.1% for L. infantum and 7.1% for D. immitis. Since tick-borne parasites were the most frequent among the examined dogs it may be suggested that these parasites, ticks and hosts display special resilience skills to overcome the hostile local conditions. The low L. infantum prevalence suggests that the local biodiversity, especially the bird abundance, depurates Leishmania circulation. The mosquito-borne D. immitis prevalence was higher than expected, suggesting that the local flooding regime provides suitable mosquito-breeding spots. On the other hand, the only known vector in the area feeds on birds, therefore reducing mosquitoes worm burden and imparing D. immitis transmission.

The objective of this work was to quantify the economic losses caused by a botulism outbreak among beef cattle in a semi-containment regime. The animals were fed corn silage and commercial feed and had access to a pasture of Guinea grass ( Panicum maximum ). Of the 150 steers in the herd, 22 (14.6% morbidity rate) presented clinical signs compatible with botulism and died (100% lethality rate). The 22 steers were clinically evaluated and eight were necropsied. The carcasses were evaluated macroscopically, and samples of the main organs were collected for laboratory testing. Ruminal and intestinal contents, and samples of the silage and animal feed provided were also collected. Botulinum toxin type C was identified in the ruminal contents of one steer and in the corn silage. Herein, the epidemiology, clinical signs, and laboratory findings regarding botulinum intoxication are emphasized for this outbreak. Our findings show the importance of keeping the silage well preserved because this represented a means of neurotoxin transmission that generated economic damage to the producer.

 The aim of the present study was to differentiate hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) from concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (CLVH) and to compare their echodopplercardiography measurements in random bred domestic cats. After owners consent cats of any sex or age with no history of heart disease were randomly submitted to physical examination and echocardiogram. When left ventricular hypertrophy was present on the echocardiogram, cats were further examined by chest X-rays, ultrasonography and laboratory work. Those presenting cardiac hypertrophy with the diagnosis of any disease that could cause left ventricular hypertrophy were allocated into one group (CLVH) and those presenting hypertrophy without any concomitant detectable disease were allocated to another group (HCM). Cats with ventricular hypertrophy cats were included (n=10), among which five were classified as secondary CLVH, with hyperthyroidism being the main cause and five characterized as HCM. Considering the diagnosis of concentric ventricular hypertrophy, other diseases should be investigated and ruled out, such as hyperthyroidism. It is also necessary to consider and monitor cardiac changes more closely, since their phenotypic manifestation was severer than those observed in the animals with HCM. However, to determine whether disease progression in these animals is faster severer than in others, further epidemiological studies are necessary.