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Pasteurella pneumotropica é uma bactéria que até o momento não foi descrita como causa de placentite em animais. Dois casos de fetos equinos abortados foram enviados ao Setor de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (SPV-UFRGS) para exame anatomopatológico. Em ambos os casos se observou placentite supurativa associada a múltiplas colônias bacterianas basofílicas. Após o isolamento bacteriano e análise bioquímica, indentificou-se P. pneumotropica. 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.

A salmonelose é uma causa conhecida de distúrbios entéricos em bezerros. Porém, casos na forma septicêmica podem não apresentar manifestação entérica, o que leva o médico veterinário a não suspeitar de salmonelose, comprometendo o diagnóstico. Este estudo descreve os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos, patológicos e imuno-histoquímicos da salmonelose septicêmica em bezerros sem lesões entéricas. O estudo foi realizado a partir dos protocolos referentes a materiais de bovinos enviados para diagnóstico ao Laboratório de Anatomia Patológica (LAP) da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FAMEZ) da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) de janeiro de 1995 a julho de 2018. Foram selecionados os casos de bezerros confirmados ou sugestivos de salmonelose septicêmica sem lesões entéricas. Fragmentos de fígado, pulmão e baço embebidos em parafina foram submetidos ao exame de imuno-histoquímica (IHQ). Somente foram incluídos neste estudo casos em que houve marcação positiva na IHQ ou isolamento da bactéria em cultura. De um total de 5.550 bovinos examinados no período, dez apresentaram salmonelose septicêmica sem lesão entérica. Os sinais clínicos incluíram palidez de mucosas, apatia, hipertermia e dispneia. Apenas três bezerros apresentaram diarreia e dois foram encontrados mortos sem terem sido observadas alterações clínicas. Os achados mais frequentes de necropsia foram hepatoesplenomegalia, fígado amarelado, alaranjado ou acastanhado, palidez de mucosas, pulmões inflados e, por vezes, vermelhos, fibrina ou líquido nas cavidades do organismo e vesícula biliar repleta de bile grumosa. Icterícia foi observada em três bezerros que apresentavam infecção concomitante por Anaplasma sp. Microscopicamente, os nódulos paratifoides hepáticos e pneumonia intersticial foram as manifestações mais encontradas, seguidas por trombose e colônias bacterianas no baço, pulmão, fígado e encéfalo. Na IHQ, marcação fortemente positiva foi observada, predominantemente, no pulmão e, em menor intensidade, no fígado. A técnica de reação em cadeia de polimerase (PCR) tipificou o sorotipo Dublin como agente etiológico nas amostras dos quatro bezerros submetidos a este procedimento. Em bezerros, a forma septicêmica foi a principal responsável pelas mortes por salmonelose. Na maioria das vezes essa forma não estava acompanhada por diarreia. Os sinais clínicos da forma septicêmica são inespecíficos e de pouco auxílio no direcionamento do diagnóstico. A IHQ mostrou-se eficiente na detecção do agente principalmente no pulmão e especialmente nas situações em que não é possível a realização da cultura bacteriana. Salmonellosis is a known cause of enteric disorders in calves. However, cases in the septicemic form may not present enteric lesions, which may lead the veterinary practitioner to not suspect salmonellosis, compromising the diagnosis. The current study describes the epidemiological, clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical aspects of septicemic salmonellosis in calves without enteric lesions. The protocols involving bovine material submitted to the Pathology Laboratory (LAP) of the “Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia” (FAMEZ) of the “Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul” (UFMS) from January 1995 to July 2018 were studied. Cases confirmed or suggestive of septicemic salmonellosis in calves without enteric manifestations were selected. Fragments of the liver, lung, and spleen embedded in paraffin were submitted to immunohistochemistry (IHC). Only cases in which there was positive marking on the IHC or culture isolation of Salmonella were included in this study. Of a total of 5,550 cattle examined in the period, ten presented septicemic salmonellosis without enteric lesions. Clinical signs included mucosal pallor, apathy, hyperthermia, and dyspnea. Only three calves presented diarrhea, and two were found dead before clinical changes were observed. The most common necropsy findings were hepatosplenomegaly; yellow, orange or brown discolored livers; pale mucous membranes; inflated and sometimes red lungs; fibrin or fluid within body cavities; and gallbladder filled with inspissated bile. Jaundice was observed in three calves that had a concomitant infection with Anaplasma sp. Microscopically, paratyphoid hepatic nodules and interstitial pneumonia were the most frequent manifestations, followed by thrombosis and bacterial colonies in the spleen, lung, liver, and brain. A strong positive marking was observed in IHC, predominantly in the lung and to a lesser extent in the liver. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) indicated the Dublin serotype as the causative agent in the samples of the four calves submitted to this procedure. In calves, the septicemic form was the major cause of death due to salmonellosis. Septicemic salmonellosis was usually not accompanied by diarrhea. The clinical signs of septicemia are nonspecific and of little assistance in the diagnosis. IHC has been shown to be efficient in the detection of the agent, mainly in the lung and especially in situations where it is not possible to perform bacterial culture.

Bassuino D.M., Konradt G., Mari C., Cruz R.A.S., Boos G.S., Gomes D.C., Petinatti S.P. & Driemeier D. [Clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical findings of sheep infected with rabies virus.] Achados clínicos, patológicos e imuno-histoquímicos em ovinos com raiva. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 38(1):86-90, 2016. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9090, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brasil. E-mail: davetpat@ufrgs.br In this article we described three cases of rabies in sheep in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Refrigerated samples of encephalon and spinal cord of two sheep, as well as one sheep sent to necropsy, with history in common of progressive neurological signs were referred to histopathological analyses. Samples from the brain and spinal cord were collected and routinely processed for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). To evaluate and to quantify the lesions, and also for immunohistochemistry, serial sections of the cerebral cortex, obex, thalamus, hippocampus, cerebellum and spinal cord were made. Refrigerated samples of brain were sent to direct immunofluorescence (DIF) exam for the detection of viral antigen. The histological findings were characterized by nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis and meningomyelitis with perivascular infiltrate, microgliosis, hemorrhage and congestion. Positive immunostaining was observed in the three sheep analyzed with signals ranging from discrete to accentuated. At the DIF examination, two sheep were positive and one was negative. It is concluded that rabies should be included in the differential diagnosis of diseases from the central nervous system of sheep, even if it is rarely described in this species., Descreveram-se três casos de raiva em ovinos no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Amostras resfriadas de encéfalo e medula espinhal de dois ovinos e um ovino inteiro enviado para necropsia foram encaminhados para análise anatomopatológica, com histórico comum de apresentarem alterações neurológicas progressivas. Fragmentos dos órgãos foram colhidos e fixados em solução de formalina tamponada a 10%, processados rotineiramente para histologia e para o teste de imuno- -histoquímica (IHQ). Realizaram-se cortes seriados para avaliação e quantificação de lesões em córtex cerebral, óbex, tálamo, hipocampo, cerebelo e medula espinhal, estes também submetidos à técnica de IHQ. Amostras resfriadas de encéfalo foram enviadas para exame de imunofluorescência direta (IFD) para detecção do antígeno viral. Os achados histológicos caracterizaram-se por meningoencefalite e meningomielite não supurativa com infiltrado perivascular, microgliose, hemorragia e congestão. No exame de IHQ observou-se imunomarcação positiva nos três ovinos analisados que variou de intensidade discreta a acentuada. No exame de IFD para vírus da raiva, dois ovinos foram positivos e um resultou negativo. Conclui-se que a raiva deve ser incluída no diagnóstico diferencial das doenças do sistema nervoso central de ovinos, mesmo que seja raramente descrita nesta espécie.

São descritas alterações macroscópicas e microscópicas em cascos de suínos em fase de creche, intoxicados por selênio. Os suínos apresentaram poliomielomalácia simétrica focal e lesões de casco, que inicialmente eram caracterizados por uma linha avermelhada na borda coronária que evoluiu nos suínos sobreviventes aos surtos, para desprendimento dos cascos. Os sinais clínicos iniciaram após seis dias (surto 1) e 30 horas (surto 2) da introdução da ração com alto teor de selênio. O surgimento dos sinais foi abrupto, caracterizado por andar cambaleante, com evolução para paralisia dos membros pélvicos e posteriormente tetraparesia. Durante a necropsia, nove suínos apresentaram lesões nos cascos, que variavam desde uma linha distal da borda coronária, nos casos iniciais, até uma linha enegrecida próxima a ponta dos cascos, nos suínos que sobreviveram. Microscopicamente, os achados variavam de leve desprendimento do epitélio laminar da derme, em casos iniciais, até ulceração do epitélio e infiltrado inflamatório acentuado, composto por neutrófilos íntegros e degenerados e alguns linfócitos, além de hemorragia, material vegetal aderido a superfície e miríades bacterianas, em casos avançados. Em amostras de ração, detectou-se 3,38 ppm (surto 1) e 154 ppm de selênio (surto 2) e em amostras de fígado foram encontradas dosagens superiores a 3,34 ppm (variando de 3,34 até 10 ppm). No surto 2, após 44 dias da retirada da ração, foi realizada eutanásia de seis suínos para monitoramento de níveis hepáticos de selênio (dois suínos controles e quatro sobreviventes ao surto) e todos apresentavam níveis normais de selênio no fígado e na musculatura esquelética. Are described macroscopic and microscopic alterations on the hoofs of the pigs that was in postweaning period, poisoned by selenium. The pigs had focal symmetrical poliomielomalcia and lesions on the hoof, which were initially characterized by a reddish line on the coronary band that evolved in the survivors pigs of the outbreaks for detachment from hooves. Clinical signs were observed six days (outbreak 1) and 30 h (outbreak 2) after the introduction of feed with high concentrations of selenium. The appearance of the signs was suddenly, characterized by incoordination, progressing to paralysis of the hind limbs and later tetraparesis. During the necropsy, nine swine with lesions on the hoof, which varied from a line distal of coronary band, in early cases, until next blackened tip line on the hooves, in the pigs that survived. Microscopic findings varying from mild detachment of the laminar epithelium with the dermis, in early cases, with ulceration of the epithelium and a prominent inflammatory infiltrate, composed of intact and degenerate neutrophils and some lymphocytes, and hemorrhage, fibrous material adhered to the surface and bacterial myriads. In samples of feed, was detected 3.38 ppm (outbreak 1) and 154 ppm (outbreak 2), and liver samples were found at dosages higher than 3.34 ppm (range from 3.34 to 10 ppm). In outbreak 2, 44 days after the removal of the diet, was performed the euthanasia of six pigs to monitor levels of selenium liver (two controls and four surviving pigs to the outbreak) and all had normal levels of selenium in the liver and skeletal muscles.

Descrevem-se casos de intoxicação aguda por cobre em ovinos da raça Santa Inês, numa propriedade rural, no Rio Grande do Sul. Três ovelhas recém-paridas, que consumiam ração formulada para bovinos, ingeriram, avidamente, sal mineral comercial para bovinos e apresentaram doença clínica e morte, uma semana após a introdução do sal. Os animais desenvolveram anorexia, permaneceram em decúbito lateral, o qual evoluiu para esternal e apresentaram fasciculação e rigidez muscular generalizada, antes de morrerem. À necropsia de um desses animais, as principais alterações foram hepatomegalia moderada e acentuação do padrão lobular hepático, além de erosões e ulcerações multifocais aleatórias na mucosa abomasal. Na avaliação histológica do fígado, havia necrose hepatocelular centrolobular acentuada e difusa, tumefação de hepatócitos, predominantemente, na região periportal, além de pequena quantidade de células de Kupffer com pigmento granular citoplasmático. O diagnóstico baseou-se na história clínica, nos achados de necropsia e histopatológicos e confirmou-se pelas altas concentrações de cobre detectadas no tecido hepático e nas amostras de ração e sal mineral. Cases of acute copper intoxication in Santa Ines sheep are described. The disease occurred on a farm in Rio Grande do Sul. Three ewes that had recently lambed and that were fed cattle diet became severely ill and died one week after ingestion of a commercial mineral mix for beef cattle. The sheep showed anorexia, lateral and sternal recumbency, fasciculation and muscle stiffness and death. At necropsy from one of these sheep, the main changes were moderate hepatomegaly, prominent hepatic lobular pattern, and multifocal randomly distributed erosions and ulcerations on the abomasal mucosa. Histological evaluation of the liver showed marked centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis; diffuse hepatocyte swelling predominantly in the periportal area, and a few Kupffer cells contained cytoplasmic pigment granules. The diagnosis was based on the clinical history, necropsy and histopathologic findings, and confirmed by the high copper concentrations detected in the liver, feed, and mineral mix samples.

Chronic cardiac insufficiency was associated with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a cow. An eight-year-old cow developed a progressive condition (over a period of three months) characterized by an enhanced abdominal volume, reluctance to move, a positive jugular pulse, watery diarrhea and death. At necropsy, moderate subcutaneous edema and an enhanced hepatic lobular pattern were observed. A 23x20x11 cm firm, grayish-white mass adhered to and infiltrated the right atrium. Multiple firm, yellowish-white nodules of 0.5 to 12 cm in diameter were diffusely scattered in the epicardium and parietal pericardium. Histologically, the tumor was poorly circumscribed with foci of infiltration of the myocardium. The neoplastic cells had two major histologic patterns, Antoni types A and B. Within occasional foci, pleomorphic cells with an epithelioid appearance were present in addition to multinucleated cells with periodic acid Schiff (PAS)-positive cytoplasmic globules. Foci of cartilaginous and granular differentiations were interspersed among the neoplastic cells. Multiple vessels presented wall hyalinization and tumoral embolus. Large necrotic foci with mineralization and cholesterol clefts were also observed. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for S100 protein, vimentin and neuron-specific enolase labeling.

Dois surtos de intoxicação por selênio em suínos que ocorreram no estado do Paraná são descritos. Foram acometidos leitões em fase de creche, 16 de um lote de 100 com 27 dias de idade (surto 1) e 350 de 2285 com 22 dias de idade (surto2) apresentaram poliomielomalácia simétrica focal. Animais que sobreviveram aos surtos desenvolveram lesões de casco características de intoxicação crônica por selênio. Os sinais clínicos iniciaram após 6 dias e 30 horas da introdução da ração com alto teor de selênio nos surtos 1 e 2, respectivamente. O surgimento dos sinais foi abrupto, os animais começavam com andar cambaleante, evoluiam para paralisia dos membros pélvicos e progrediam para paralisia dos membros torácicos e tetraparesia. Os animais do surto 1 não tinham alterações de comportamento e mantinham estado de alerta e animais do surto 2 apresentaram quadros de depressão. Macroscopicamente, observaram-se focos circulares amarelados com áreas deprimidas mais escura, em alguns animais, restritas ao corno ventral da substância cinzenta (H medular) em intumescências cervical e lombar. Microscopicamente, essas áreas corresponderam à malácia da substância cinzenta, caracterizada por microcavitações, perda neuronal, cromatólise, neuronofagia, infiltrado de células Gitter, microgliose, astrócitos de Alzheimer tipo II e proliferação de células endoteliais evidenciadas na imuno-histoquímica (IHQ) para fator de von Willebrand. 9Continua) No segundo surto, dois animais apresentaram vacuolização difusa do citoplasma de neurônios. Em um animal, Astrócitos gemistocíticos foram observados. Na IHQ para Proteína Ácida Glial Fibrilar (GFAP), obteve-se marcação positiva na maioria dos animais e, na IHQ para Proteína S-100, obteve-se marcação em alguns casos. Além dessas alterações medulares, foram encontrados, em dois animais lesões de polioencefalomalácia em porções do tronco encefálico. Fragmentos de fígado de oito animais e ração de ambos os surtos foram encaminhados para dosagem de selênio. Em amostras de ração, detectou-se 3,38 ppm (surto 1) e 154 ppm (surto 2) e em amostras de fígado teve dosagens superiores a 3,34 ppm. No surto 2, foi realizada uma visita onde seis suínos foram eutanasiados para monitoramento de níveis hepáticos de selênio, sendo dois animais controles e quatro sobreviventes do surto. Quarenta e dois dias após a retirada da ração, os níveis de selênio foram inferiores ao controle e ao nível considerado em quadros de intoxicação (3 ppm). Two outbreaks of selenium poisoning occurred in pigs in Cruzeiro do Iguaçu and Dois Vizinhos, both of the located in Paraná State. The affected pigs were in the post-weaning period, 16 out of 100 were 27 days of age (outbreak 1) and 350 out of 2285 were 22 days of age (outbreak 2). Affected animals showed signs of focal symmetrical poliomyelomalacia. Surviving pigs developed lesions in hoof, which are characteristic of chronic poisoning by selenium. Clinical signs were observed 6 days and 30 hours after the introduction of the feed with high selenium content in outbreaks 1 and 2, respectively. The appearance of the signs was abrupt, beginning with gait and progressing to paralysis of rear limbs and the forelimbs, or tetraparesis. Animals of outbreak 1 were alert and had no behaviors changes and animals of outbreak 2 showed depression. Macroscopically, in some animals there were yellow circular focus with dark areas, restricted to the ventral horn of the gray matter of spinal cord in cervical and lumbar intumescence. Microscopically, these areas corresponded to gray substance malacia characterized by microcavitation, neuronal loss, chromatolysis, Gitter cell infiltrate, neuronophagia, microgliosis, Alzheimer type II astrocytes and proliferation of endothelial cells, which were labeled by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for von Willebrand factor. In the second outbreak, two animals showed a diffuse cytoplasm vacuolization of the neurons. Gemistocytic astrocytes were observed in one animal. In most affected pigs, positive in test for glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) was observed, but only in some cases, there was positive anti-S-100 IHC. In addition these spinal cord changes were seen polioencephalomalacia in portions of the brainstem in two animals. Liver samples from eight animals and feed samples from both outbreaks were referred to determine selenium concentration. Selenium dosages in feed samples were 3.38 ppm (outbreak 1) and 154 ppm (outbreak 2) and in liver samples were above 3.34 ppm. Additions six animals were euthanized for monitoring hepatic levels of selenium, two were control animals and four were survivors of the second outbreak. 42 days after the withdrawal of the diet, selenium levels were lower than in internal control and the level seen in intoxication outbreaks (3 ppm).

Descrevem-se casos de morte súbita em bovinos associados com a ingestão de Amorimia (Mascagnia) exotropica em seis propriedades rurais localizadas na região metropolitana de Porto Alegre e na serra gaúcha. Os bovinos intoxicados foram encontrados mortos sem história de sinais clínicos prévios, ou apresentaram tremores musculares, quedas bruscas, movimentos de pedalagem, opistótono, respiração ofegante e decúbito lateral, quando induzidos ao movimento poucos minutos antes da morte. Registrou-se maior número de casos entre os meses de maio e agosto. Nove bovinos foram necropsiados e os principais achados macroscópicos observados foram mucosa oral levemente cianótica (3/9), hidropericárdio leve a moderado (3/9), petéquias e equimoses no epicárdio (5/ 9), coágulo no interior do ventrículo esquerdo (4/9), edema pulmonar (5/9) e mucosas vermelhas no abomaso e no intestino delgado (6/9). Histologicamente havia necrose de coagulação no miocárdio (9/9) caracterizada por retração celular, aumento da eosinofilia do citoplasma com perda das estriações, vacúolos intracitoplasmáticos, núcleos em picnose, vacúolos intranucleares com marginalização da cromatina e ocasionais núcleos em cariorrexia e cariólise. No coração, edema intersticial (3/9) e infiltrado inflamatório intersticial predominantemente mononuclear (7/9) também foram observados. Nos rins de três bovinos havia degeneração hidrópico-vacuolar multifocal das células epiteliais dos túbulos contorcidos distais associada com núcleos picnóticos deslocados para periferia da célula. Cases of sudden death in cattle were associated with the consumption of Amorimia (Mascagnia) exotropica and occurred in six ranches located in the mountainous region of Rio Grande do Sul and the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, Brazil. Affected cattle were found dead with no history of previous clinical signs, or showed muscular tremors, falls, paddling, opistotonus, panting, and lateral recumbence after being induced to move, few minutes before death. Most cases were recorded between May and August. Nine cattle were necropsied and main gross findings were oral mucosae slightly cyanotic (3/9), mild to intermediate hydropericardium (3/9), epicardial petechiae and ecchymoses (5/9), clot within the left ventricle (4/9), lung edema (5/9), apart of abomasal and small intestinal reddened mucosa (6/9). Histologically, there was myocardial coagulation necrosis (9/9), which was characterized by cellular retraction, enhanced cytoplasmic eosinophilia, lack of cytoplasmic striations, intracytoplasmic vacuoles, nuclear piknosis, intranuclear vacuoles, chromatin marginalization and occasional nuclear karyorrhexis and karyolysis. There also were interstitial edema (3/9) and interstitial inflammatory infiltrate (mainly mononuclear) (7/9) in the heart, apart of multifocal vacuolar-hydropic degeneration in the epithelial cells of the distal convoluted tubules associated with pyknotic and eccentric nuclei in the kidneys of three cattle.

Alterações de tamanho e forma em baços são frequentemente identificadas em cães e esplenectomia é medida terapêutica usual. Esse trabalho inclui as alterações detectadas em amostras de baços de cães esplenectomizados. Os casos foram avaliados quanto aos dados gerais, clínicos e patológicos. De um total de 9.085 amostras de tecidos caninos, 179 (2%) foram provenientes de baços de cães com esplenectomia total. A idade média dos cães foi 9,9 anos. Do total analisado, obteve-se 173 diagnósticos conclusivos, dos quais 120 (69,3%) corresponderam a doenças neoplásicas e, 53 (30,6%), doenças não neoplásicas. Dentre os diagnósticos neoplásicos, 92,5% (111/120) eram neoplasmas malignos e, 7,5% (9/120), benignos. As principais alterações identificadas foram hemangiossarcoma 44,1% (79/179), hiperplasia linfoide nodular 20,1% (36/179), fibrossarcoma 10,6% (19/179), hemangioma 3,9% (7/179) e doenças hemolíticas imunomediadas 3,9% (7/179), além de etástases de diferentes neoplasias 3,3% (6/179). Gross changes in spleen size and shape are frequently recognized in dogs, and splenectomy is the usual measure adopted in such cases. This study includes the changes observed in spleen samples excised from dogs. Cases were evaluated on the basis of general, clinical, and histopathological findings. In the 2000-2010 period, 9085 samples of canine tissues were evaluated, 179 (2%) of which were taken from total surgical spleen removal. The mean age of dogs studied was 9.9 years. A conclusive diagnosis was obtained in 173 spleen samples, of which 120 (69.3%) were neoplastic disorders and 53 (30.6%), non-neoplastic diseases. Malignant changes corresponded to 92.5% (111/120) of the neoplastic cases, and benign ones to 7.5% (9/120). The main changes observed in spleen samples were hemangiosarcoma 44.1% (79/179), nodular lymphoid hyperplasia 20.1% (36/179), fibrosarcoma 10.6% (19/179), hemangioma 3.9% (7/179), and immune-mediated hemolytic diseases 3.9% (7/179), apart of different metastatic neoplasms 3.3% (6/179).

Lorenzett M.P., Lucca N.J., Henker L.C., Machado G., Gomes D.C., Mendes R.E., Driemeier D. & Casagrande R.A. [Occurrence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in dairy cattle in the western of Santa Catarina, Brazil.] Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum em bovinos leiteiros no oeste do estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veteriná- ria, 38(3):243-249, 2016. Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Av. Luiz de Camões, 2090, Lages, SC 88520-000, Brasil. E-mail: renata.casagrande@udesc.br The neosporosis is considered a major cause of neonatal mortality and abortion in cattle, causing great economic and reproductive losses. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of antibodies against N. caninum in dairy cattle in Concordia, which is considered one of the biggest milk producers in the Santa Catarina state. Antibody was detect by indirect immunofluorescence (IFI), with the cut-off of 1:200. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and frequency distribution. The variables questioned was analyzed first by a univariate logistic regression to evaluate the association between abortion history and general management practices used in the farm with seropositive animals were selected for multivariate analysis if P 0.05) for all other variables questioned and its association with seropositive animals. Therefore, in this study it can be concluded that the dairy cattle from this region in study are potentially exposed to infection by N. caninum., A neosporose é considerada uma das principais causas de aborto e mortalidade neonatal em bovinos, levando a grandes perdas econômicas e reprodutivas. Neste estudo, objetivou-se pesquisar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum em vacas leiteiras no município de Concórdia, que é considerado um dos maiores produtores de leite do estado de Santa Catarina. Para a pesquisa de anticorpos utilizou-se a técnica de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI), com ponto de corte 1:200. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva e inferencial e distribuição de frequências. As variáveis questionadas foram analisadas primeiramente através de uma regressão logística univariada, com o objetivo de avaliar a associação entre histórico de aborto e práticas de manejo geral adotadas na propriedade com animais soropositivos. Estes animais também foram selecionados para análise multivariada (P0,05) para as demais variáveis questionadas e sua associação com animais soropositivos. Portanto, neste estudo pode-se concluir que os bovinos leiteiros da região estudada estão potencialmente expostos à infecção por N. caninum.

Background: Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is one of the main agents that cause economical losses in cattle worldwide. Congenitally infected calves that are born persistently infected (PI) to BVDV are the main sources of infection to susceptible cattle. Direct contact is the most important form of transmission, but indirect contact can also spread BVDV, not only inside herds, but also between them. Transmission of BVDV by haematophagous insects has been proven experimentally, but the role of ticks in the transmission of BVDV has never been investigated. Ticks can heavily infest cattle raised in tropical areas and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is the most important among them. The present experiment was carried out to investigate the role of R. microplus ticks in the transmission of BVDV, experimentally infecting PI calf with ticks. Material, Methods and Results: Three calves were used in the experiment: one PI calf was identified from a natural outbreak; a second animal was infested with the progeny of a tick fed on the PI calf and the third was kept as a negative control, infested with negative ticks. Viral RNA investigation was performed by reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from the sera of the calves and from ticks (adult females, eggs and larvae that were the progeny of the experimentally contaminated adult females and from the control animal). BVDV RNA was detected in tick adult females fed on the PI calf, but not in the control animal. Experimental infestation of a second cattle with larvae derived from adult females infected with BVDV was not able to produce infection. These data suggest that the virus is able to pass to ticks during feeding on the infected PI animal, but that there is no transmission by transovarial route, as viral RNA was not detected in eggs and larvae from adult females infected with BVDV. Discussion: Bovine tick is the most important ectoparasite in domestic animals in tropical and subtropical areas. However, its role in transmission of viral agents, particularly BVDV, has not been previously studied. The results of our experiment suggested that adult females of R. microplus were not able to transmit the infection to susceptible cattle. However, a macerate of a pool of tick females fed on the PI calf was positive to BVDV. A further validation using a larger number of infested bovines would help to confirm this new finding. R. microplus ticks are monoxenic, but it must be considered that the males, different from females, make a non-continual process of blood sucking and may move between bovines to reproduce. Additionally, in conditions of close contact between animals, besides tick males, larvae may change hosts in the early stages of development. These facts do not permit to exclude the risk of direct spread of viral infection in the herd by a same specimen of R. microplus. On the other hand, the presence of virus inside females represents an environmental reservoir of BVDV, which may infect through epithelial abrasions if ingested These considerations may be reinforced by the fact that in field conditions it has been observed that high animal density favors the fast spread of BVDV in cattle herds. Collectively, these evidences suggest that ticks would represent an additional factor to be allowed for in BVDV transmission. As a conclusion, the present study demonstrates that R. microplus can be contaminated with BVDV during blood feeding, strengthening the idea that haematophagous vectors can be involved in the spread of the disease. In spite of the fact that BVDV was not transmited by the progeny of the ticks, it is not possible to discard such form of transmission under natural conditions.

Neste trabalho, são descritos dois casos fatais de septicemia com lesões embólicas causadas por Actinobacillus equuli subsp. haemolyticus em potros recém-nascidos. Em um dos animais, foram observados, na necropsia, pequenos nódulos esbranquiçados de aproximadamente 0,2cm de diâmetro na cortical dos rins e no outro havia uma área de coloração acinzentada no lobo diafragmático esquerdo do pulmão. As principais alterações microscópicas observadas no primeiro animal foram rins com infiltrado inflamatório multifocal a coalescente acentuado, com predomínio de neutrófilos, associado com áreas basofílicas levemente granulares compostas por grumos bacterianos. No segundo animal, o pulmão apresentava infiltrado inflamatório neutrofílico, edema, congestão e colônias bacterianas intravasculares. Em ambos os casos, colônias bacterianas foram encontradas disseminadas por vários órgãos incluindo capilares cerebrais. Nos dois casos foi isolado e identificado A. equuli subsp. haemolyticus. This paper describes two fatal cases of embolic and septicaemic lesions caused by Actinobacillus equuli subsp. haemolyticus in two newborn foals. In one foal was observed at necropsy small whitish nodules of approximately 0,2cm in diameter on the renal cortex and the other foal had an area of gray color in the left diaphragmatic lobe of the lung. The main histologic changes were observed in the first foal kidneys with multifocal to coalescing inflammatory suppurative infiltrates associated with slightly granular basophilic bacterial colonies. In the second animal the lung showed neutrophilic inflammatory infiltrate, edema, congestion and presence of intravascular bacterial colonies. In both cases, the bacteria were disseminated by several organs including cerebral capillary cerebral. In both cases A. equuli subsp. haemolyticus was isolated and identified.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior This doctoral thesis involved the study of ocular and periocular diseases affecting domestic animals, and included one manuscript about lesions of surgical pathology and one manuscript about hyphema in dogs and cats submitted to necropsy. In the first part, 33,075 reports of hystopathological exams performed in a veterinary pathology diagnostic laboratory in the Central Region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, over 50 years. From the total amount, 540 (1.6%) concerned ocular and periocular lesions. For various reasons ninety specimens were excluded from the study, 450 remaining. More than half of all cases consisted of samples from dogs (53.5%), followed by cattle (28.2%), cats (11.1%), horses (5.1%) sheep (1.3%), rabbits (0.4%), and pig (0.2%). The eyelids were the most prevalent (248/450) site of lesions in each of the species studied, followed by third eyelid (73/450), and conjunctiva (27/450). In dogs lesions in sebaceous glands were the most common findings (75/241), followed by melanocytic tumors and nonspecific conjunctivitis. In cattle, anatomical sites affected by ocular and periocular lesions, in decreasing order of frequency, were eyelid, cornea and third eyelid. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) alone accounted for 80.3% of all lesions diagnosed in cattle. Neoplasia accounted for most of the lesions diagnosed in cats (39/50 cases); all of these were malignant, and SCC, hemangiosarcoma and fibrosarcoma were the most common types diagnosed. In horses, 19 out of 23 submissions were neoplasms and most were sarcoid (8/23) and SCC (8/23). In sheep, all samples represented SCC of the eyelids (5) and third eyelid (1). For the second manuscript, cases of hyphema in dogs and cats submitted to necropsy were examined. Twenty cases, 14 dogs and six cats of several ages and breeds and of both sexes were included in the study. Hyphema presented as a unilateral (14 cases out of 20) or bilateral (6/20) disorder in dogs and cats and extension of hemorrhage varied from minimal to diffuse. Hyphema was secondary to systemic disease (15/20) or occurred as a primary ocular lesion (5/20) in four dogs and one cat. Primary hyphema was always unilateral. In four of these cases, the cause of hyphema was trauma and remaining case was caused by phacoclastic uveitis in a dog with bilateral hypermature cataract. Various causes of bleeding disorders were found related to secondary hyphema: in decreasing order of frequency, they included vasculitis (8/15), systemic hypertension (5/15), and acquired coagulopathies (2/15). Esta tese envolveu o estudo de doenças oculares e perioculares de animais domésticos, e incluiu um artigo sobre lesões de patologia cirúrgica e um artigo sobre hifema em cães e gatos submetidos à necropsia. Para o primeiro trabalho, foram examinados 33.075 laudos de exames histopatológicos realizados num laboratório de diagnóstico de patologia veterinária na Região Central do Rio Grande do Sul durante 50 anos. Destes, 540 (1,6%) eram de lesões oculares e perioculares. Por várias razões, 90 espécimes foram excluídos do estudo, restando 450. Mais da metade dos casos correspondiam a espécimes de cães (53,5%), seguidos por bovinos (28,2%), gatos (11,1%), cavalos (5,1%), ovelhas (1,3%), coelhos (0,4%), e porco (0,2%). As pálpebras foram o local mais prevalente (248/450) de ocorrência das lesões em cada uma das espécies, seguidas da terceira pálpebra (73/450) e conjuntiva (27/450). Em cães, as lesões nas glândulas sebáceas consistiram nos achados mais comuns, seguidos dos tumores melanocíticos e de conjuntivites inespecíficas. Em bovinos, os locais anatômicos afetados por lesões perioculares e oculares, em ordem decrescente de frequência, foram pálpebra, córnea e terceira pálpebra. Somente o carcinoma de células escamosas (CCE) perfez 80,3% de todas as lesões diagnosticadas em bovinos. Em gatos, a maioria (39/50 casos) das lesões diagnosticadas era de neoplasia maligna, e CCE hemangiossarcoma e fibrosarcoma foram os diagnósticos mais frequentes. Em equinos 19 de 23 submissões eram neoplasmas e os mais comuns foram sarcoide (8/23) e CCE (8/23). Em ovinos, todas as amostras correspondiam a casos de CCE de pálpebra (5/6) ou terceira pálpebra (1/6). Para o segundo trabalho, casos de hifema em cães e gatos submetidos à necropsia foram examinados. Vintes casos, 14 cães e seis gatos de várias idades e raças e de ambos os sexos foram incluídos no estudo. O hifema teve uma apresentação unilateral (14 casos dos 20) ou bilateral (6/20), e a extensão da hemorragia variou de mínima a difusa. O hifema era secundário à doença sistêmica (15/20) ou ocorreu como lesão ocular primária em cinco dos 20 casos (quatro cães e um gato). O hifema primário foi sempre unilateral; a causa foi traumatismo em quatro desses casos, e o caso restante foi causado por uveíte facoclástica em um cão com catarata hipermadura bilateral. Várias causas de distúrbios hemorrágicos foram encontradas em relação ao hifema secundário: em ordem decrescente de frequência foram: vasculite (8/15), hipertensão sistêmica (5/15) e coagulopatias adquiridas (2/15).