A. S. Leonardo

Neurogical Changes in Horses Naturally Infected With Halicephalobus gingivalis

Abstract This paper aims to describe clinical and neuropathological changes in three horses naturally infected with Halicephalobus gingivalis in Brazil. Three cases of central nervous system (CNS) infection by H. gingivalis were selected, and archival (2003–2014) data (epidemiologic, clinical, and pathologic findings) were reviewed. The pattern, distribution, and severity of microscopic lesions in the CNS were determined. The main clinical signs in all horses included blindness, apathy, ataxia, and incoordination, which could be attributed to telencephalon, basal nuclei, and midbrain damage by migration of H. gingivalis. Thalamus/hypothalamus, hippocampus, and pons also presented significant lesions that could have contributed to proprioceptive dysfunction in all animals. The CNS changes in infected horses included severe multifocal necrotizing granulomatous meningoencephalitis characterized by gray and white matter perivascular infiltration with macrophages, multinucleate giant cells, a few eosinophils and lymphoplasmacytic cuffing within intralesional cross, and longitudinal parasitic sections. Reactive astrocytosis with strong antiglial fibrillary acidic protein immunolabeling surrounding damaged areas in the CNS was also detected. This report highlights the main CNS alterations caused by H. gingivalis infection and may contribute to the diagnosis of this disease in horses. HighlightsInfections by Halicephalobus gingivalis are aggressive, with vague central nervous system (CNS) clinical manifestations, representing a challenge for diagnosis.Blindness, apathy, ataxia, and incoordination occur due to telencephalon, basal nuclei, and midbrain damages.The CNS changes included severe multifocal necrotizing granulomatous meningoencephalitis throughout gray and white matter.The main glial cell change in the CNS of horses with halicephalobus was reactive astrocytosis surrounding injured areas.These findings may strengthen the diagnosis criterias and comprehension of helicephalobosis in horses by practioners.

Macroscopic, histochemical, and immunohistochemical comparison of hysterorrhaphy using catgut and chitosan suture wires

The objective of the current article was to compare the quality of the healing process after hysterorrhaphy with catgut and chitosan suture wires via macroscopic, histochemical, and immunohistochemical evaluations. Seven ewes were submitted to a video-assisted laparotomy. A hysterectomy was performed with subsequent catgut and chitosan hysterorrhaphy in both horns. Then, macroscopic evaluation and biopsies of the hysterorrhaphy and control areas were carried out after 30 days. Although postoperative adhesion was observed in five animals of the catgut group, no adhesions were detected in the chitosan one. Additionally, there was a significant difference in increasing collagen type III and connective tissue for the chitosan group when compared to the control and catgut groups. A larger amount of blood vessels was also observed in the control group in comparison with the catgut and chitosan groups. Collagen type I and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) were significantly different among groups. Thus, chitosan promoted a preventive effect on postoperative adhesion formation in the hysterorrhaphy areas, with increasing collagen type III deposition during tissue mending, which granted an enhanced healing process.

Morphoquantitative description of bovine digital cushion

Borges L.C., Leonardo A.S., Barreto-Vianna A.R.C., Borges J.R.J., Castro M.B. & Lima E.M.M. 2015. Morphoquantitative description of bovine digital cushion. Pesquisa

Morphometry of primary and secondary epidermal laminae in equine hoof

We studied the length of primary and secondary epidermal laminae of the toe and the lateral and medial quarters of horses, distributed into proximal, middle and distal thirds of the hooves. Eight limbs from adult crossbred horses, four females and four males, used to pull carts without pedal conditions. Fragments were taken from different regions of the hooves and subjected to conventional histological techniques. The samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and analyzed by light microscopy. The primary epidermal laminae were higher in the hooves of forelimbs compared to hindlimbs in the proximal and middle thirds and the regions of the medial quarter and toe. The secondary laminae were higher in forelimb of the middle third and medial quarter. Comparing the length of the epidermal laminae between hoof parts, it was seen that the primary laminae are lower in the proximal third and higher in the toe, while the secondary laminae are lower in the proximal third and medial quarter. The results suggested that the morphology of the laminae in the different regions of the hooves is influenced through the work performed by the animal, as well as through the different distribution of forces.

Density of primary and secondary epidermal laminae of equine hoof

Differences in the microscopic morphology of the hoof in forelimbs and hindlimbs of horses have been scarcely reported in the literature, especially concerning the distribution of primary and secondary epidermal laminae in the different regions. This study aimed to determine the density of primary and secondary epidermal laminae in the hoof of horses. For this, it was used fore and hindlimbs of 16 adult mixed breed horses. With a cross section 0.5 cm above the sole, it was quantified the primary epidermal laminae in the regions of the toe, and of lateral and medial quarters. Fragments with about 1cm ³ were taken from the proximal, middle and distal thirds of the hooves, in the different regions, subjected to conventional histological techniques and examined with an optical microscope. Data were statistically analyzed in relation to the fore and hindlimbs and between their various regions. The density of primary epidermal laminae varied around the hoof circumference, with greater values in the hoof toe, which gradually decreased towards the bulb of the hoof, without difference between thoracic and pelvic limbs. The average density of the secondary epidermal laminae per primary epidermal lamina does not change around the circumference of the hoof. Our findings indicated that the density of epidermal laminae is not different between fore and hindlimbs. The variation in the density of primary epidermal laminae around the hoof seems to be part of an adaptive response to different stresses in each region. A better understanding of the structural morphology contributes to a better understanding of the diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of disorders that affect the hoof.