Diseases of the digestive system of agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) raised in captivity in the Brazilian semiarid region

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to describe the clinical and pathological aspects of diseases of the digestive system in agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina Linnaeus, 1758) diagnosed by the “Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária” (Veterinary Pathology Laboratory) of the “Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido” (UFERSA), from January 2018 to February 2020. During the study period, necropsy and a survey of the clinical history of 27 agoutis were performed, 25.93% (7/27) of which were diagnosed with digestive system diseases. The percentages of digestive tract diseases among the diagnosed were: acute carbohydrate overload (11.12%), gastric ulcer (7.41%), gastric volvulus (3.70%), and intestinal volvulus (3.70%). Studies on the occurrence rate of these diseases, as well as the description of their clinical and anatomopathological aspects, may serve as a basis for guiding the appropriate management in the breeding of these animals.

Equine abortion associated with placentitis caused by Pasteurella pneumotropica

ABSTRACT: Pasteurella pneumotropica is a bacterium that has so far not been described as a cause of placentitis in animals. Two cases of aborted equine fetuses were sent to the Department of Veterinary Pathology of the “Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul” (SPV-UFRGS) for anatomopathological examination. Both cases presented suppurative placentitis associated with multiple basophilic bacterial cells. After bacterial isolation and biochemical analysis, P. pneumotropica was identified.

Study on incidence and pathology of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus in Hisar, Haryana, India

The present study was conducted on 20 dead carcasses of Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus brought to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LUVAS), Hisar for post mortem examination. Thorough necropsy examinations were conducted and the representative samples for parasitic examination were collected. Most of the carcasses showed varying degrees of traumatic injuries (9), external wounds and haemorrhages (5) along with putrefactive changes (6). Intestinal contents and faecal samples were collected and screened for the presence of any parasite by sedimentation and flotation techniques. Out of 20 faecal samples, overall incidence of parasitic gastrointestinal tract infection was 40% (8/20). Out of 20, eight cases revealed presence of coccidian oocysts, however, among the eight cases, one case also revealed mixed infection of Moneizia andStrongylespp.,andanother case with Strongyle and Trichuris spp. Gross pathology of the intestines revealed varying degrees of vascular changes like petechial haemorrhages and the presence of catarrhal exudate. Histopathological examination revealed mild to moderate congestion, fused villi, desquamated mucosal epithelium in focal areas, and infiltration of mononuclear cells mainly lymphocytes. The different developmental stages of coccidian spp.were also observed in the intestinal mucosa. In conclusion, the preliminary study reported the parasitic load and pathological changes in the intestinal tract which further indicated the parasitism of these wild animals which is of immense significance from the epidemiological point of view.

An Update on Molecular Pathways Regulating Vasculogenic Mimicry in Human Osteosarcoma and Their Role in Canine Oncology

Canine tumors are valuable comparative models for human counterparts, especially to explore novel biomarkers and to understand pathways and processes involved in metastasis. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a unique property of malignant cancer cells which promote metastasis. Thus, it represents an opportunity to investigate both the molecular mechanisms and the therapeutic targets of a crucial phenotypic malignant switch. Although this biological process has been largely investigated in different human cancer types, including osteosarcoma, it is still largely unknown in veterinary pathology, where it has been mainly explored in canine mammary tumors. The presence of VM in human osteosarcoma is associated with poor clinical outcome, reduced patient survival, and increased risk of metastasis and it shares the main pathways involved in other type of human tumors. This review illustrates the main findings concerning the VM process in human osteosarcoma, search for the related current knowledge in canine pathology and oncology, and potential involvement of multiple pathways in VM formation, in order to provide a basis for future investigations on VM in canine tumors.