Suppurative meningoencephalitis secondary to a Trueperella pyogenes-induced mandibular abscess in a free-ranging gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

Trueperella pyogenes is an opportunistic pathogen, most commonly affecting ruminants and pigs. A female free-ranging gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) had an abscess in the masseter muscle associated with an osteolysis and osteomyelitis in the adjacent right mandibule, with a fistulous tract to the orbit and through the optic foramen into the skull, causing a suppurative meningitis. Histologically, the abscess was characterized by a neutrophilic and histiocytic inflammatory infiltrate with myriad of Gram-positive rod-shaped bacteria, and a focally extensive suppurative and histiocytic leptomeningitis of the ventral portions of the brain. Aerobic microbiologic culture, MALDI-ToF, and PCR identified T. pyogenes.

Bovine coenurosis

An 18-month-old mixed breed steer had incoordination, blindness, and opisthotonos for ten days. The clinical condition progressed to lethargy and lateral recumbency, and the steer was euthanized due to poor prognosis. There is a cyst located mainly on the left side of the brain, moderately distending the third ventricle and protruding through the transverse fissure into the right dorsal thalamic region anterior to the rostral colliculi. The cyst is 3.3 x 3.5 x 3 cm, consists of a thin transparent membrane filled with translucent fluid, and has numerous slightly elongated opaque white structures of approximately 1 mm (protoscolices) adhered to the inner aspect of the capsule (Fig. 1). The cyst causes compression and atrophy of the thalamus and hippocampus, more pronounced on the left side (Fig. 2). There is dilation of the lateral ventricles, moderate on the left side and mild on the right side. The mesencephalic aqueduct is moderately distended.

The flavonoid Licochalcone A induces tegumental damages in Schistosoma mansoni and impairs its oviposition in vitro

In this study, Licochalcone A (LicoA) was investigated in in vitro and in vivo assays. The survival of worms in culture, the pattern of oviposition, the count of intact tubers and the integrity of the coat were adopted in the in vitro tests. After the animals were perfused, the number of worms recovered, their location and the oogram study were the parameters analyzed to signal the existence of potential schistosomicidal activity in vivo. We observed reduction on the survival, integument integrity and reproduction of adult worms in vitro. Murine models did not show a significant difference in the parasitological parameters analyzed that indicate activity against the worms with an oral single dose of 25 mg/ kg of LicoA or two intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/ kg LicoA. Nevertheless, it is too early to completely exclude the schistosomicide activity of LicoA, considering that the used dosage form could not provide a regular absorption of the drug.

Multifocal ulcerative ventriculitis a pigeon by Hadjelia truncata

A single 5-year-old, white homing pigeon (Columba livia domestica) was submitted from a flock of 30 birds. The bird was bright alert and responsive upon presentation. One other bird was sick and two had died. The reported duration of illness was six months. Birds were noted to have a full crop but losing weight.

A pilot study on the use of 3D printers in veterinary medicine

Additive manufacturing (AM) is the process of joining materials to create layer-by-layer three-dimensional objects using a 3D printer from a digital model. The great advantage of Additive Manufacturing is to allow a freer design than traditional processes. The development of additive manufacturing processes has permitted to optimize the production of the customized product through the modeling of the geometry and the knowledge of the morphometric parameters of the body structures. 3D printing has revolutionized the field of Regenerative Medicine because, starting from computerized tomography (CT) images and using traditional materials such as plastic and metals, it can provide customized prostheses for each patient, which adapt perfectly to the needs of the subject and act as structures support. 3D printing allows you to print three-dimensional porous scaffolds with a precise shape and chemical composition suitable for medical and veterinary use. Some of these scaffolds are biodegradable and appear to be ideal for bone tissue engineering. In fact, they are able to simulate extracellular matrix properties that allow mechanical support, favoring mechanical interactions and providing a model for cellular attachment and in vivo stimulation of bone tissue formation.

Spontaneous outbreak of Yersinia enterocolitica infection and co-infection with Escherichia coli in black-tufted marmosets (Callithrix penicillata)

Yersiniosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease that affects humans and animals, including primates. The aim of the study was to report one case of fatal Yersinia enterocolitica infection and two cases of co-infection with Escherichia coli in captive black tufted marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) in Apucarana, Paraná, south Brazil. The affected animals presented severe diarrhea and progressed to death. Gross examination showed multifocal to coalescing necrosis in the liver, mild diffuse hepatomegaly, mild diffuse necrotizing enteritis, moderate splenomegaly and focally extensive hyperemia of the leptomeninges. Microscopically, the liver lesions comprised multifocal areas of lytic necrosis with intralesional colonies of gram-negative coccobacilli, characterizing a severe, random, multifocal to coalescing necrotizing hepatitis. A moderate multifocal lymphocytic cholangiohepatitis, severe focally extensive mucosal necrosis in the small intestine, and mild multifocal lymphoplasmacytic leptomeningitis in the brain were observed. Two cases of co-infection by Y. enterocolitica and E. coli, and one case by Y. enterocolitica were confirmed through bacterial culture, biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA. To the best of the author’s knowledge, it is the first report of an infection of Y. enterocolitica and co-infection with E. coli in black-tufted marmosets resulting in diarrhea, septicemia and death.

Metronomic chemotherapy for advanced diffuse hepatocellular carcinoma in a dog

Primary liver tumors represent 0.6% to 1.3% of neoplasms in dogs. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver tumor. It is divided into three morphological groups: massive, nodular and diffuse. The presumptive diagnosis is made through imaging tests, such as ultrasound, although confirmation is made by histopathology. Surgery remains the treatment of choice for massive tumors, but there is no standard treatment for nodular and diffuse forms. This study aimed to report a case of prolonged survival in a dog with diffuse HCC, treated with metronomic chemotherapy and palliative care including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and low-dose naltrexone.

Diffuse melanosis secondary to metastatic melanoma in a Nelore bull

We report a case of diffuse melanosis secondary to metastatic malignant melanoma in a Nelore bull. Clinical signs included isolation from the herd, epistaxis, hyperthermia, pale ocular membranes, mucoid diarrhea and dark urine. Despite anti-inflammatory and antibiotic therapy, the bull died 45 days after the onset of the clinical signs. The most striking lesion was diffuse black discoloration to the visceral organs including liver, spleen, lungs, lymph nodes, and kidneys; all these affect organs were moderately enlarged”. The urine was black. Histologically, 50-80% of the parenchyma of the liver, spleen and lymph nodes was obliterated by aggregates of melanin-loaded neoplastic melanocytes. Those neoplastic cells also occurred within capillaries of the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, urinary bladder, lungs and kidneys. Immunohistochemistry of neoplastic melanocytes was positive for Melan A and PNL2 markers. Abundant brown to black pigment was found in melanophages in the lungs, confirmed by IBA1 immunohistochemistry.

Correlation of Clinical, Histopathological and Histomorphometric Features of Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) represent a heterogeneous group of tumours with similar histological characteristics and biological behaviour. This study aimed to describe the correlation between clinical, histopathological and histomorphometric features of STS in dogs. Medical records were reviewed to identify all dogs in which an STS was diagnosed between 2006-2017. Thirty cases were included, and tumour samples and medical records were recovered. Most of the dogs were mixed breed (40%) and 80% of the STS were located in the subcutaneous connective tissue. Histopathological classification showed that undifferentiated sarcoma (17%) and peripheral nerve sheath tumour (30%) were the most common STS. Grade I STS were obtained in 50% of cases (15/30), and grade II or III tumours compromised 43% (13/30) and 7% (2/30) respectively. The mitotic index ranged from zero to 26 (5.8 ± 7.5). Increased nucleus:cytoplasm ratio was moderately associated with higher tumour grade (p = 0.05; rS = 0.361) and mitotic index (p = 0.05; rS = 0.355), while the number of microvessels was positively correlated with degree of differentiation (p = 0.05; rS = 0.362) and nuclear pleomorphism (p = 0.036; rS = 0.384). Histomorphometry proved to be useful in the evaluation of STS, representing an additional tool correlated with well-established prognostic factors (histopathological grade, degree of differentiation, nuclear pleomorphism).

Chronic pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicosis in a heifer

This heifer came from a group of cattle with chronic diarrhea and emaciation. Some of the animals also had neurological signs, predominantly aggressiveness. Two animals had already died spontaneously after worsening of the clinical signs. The farmer had kept these animals on native pasture during the winter, and he reported that the vegetation had been scarce in that period. On clinical exam, the animals were in bad body condition, with some presenting dyspnea, subcutaneous edema mainly affecting the dewlap, and abdominal distention.