Lucia Maria Guedes Silveira

Electrochemotherapy for the treatment of fibropapillomas in Chelonia mydas.

Abstract: Fibropapillomatosis continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in sea turtles, particularly in Chelonia mydas. Turtles with this debilitating herpesvirus disease usually present with multiple, large, and ulcerated cutaneous masses that compromise both locomotion and feeding. There are very few available therapeutic strategies, with surgical excision being the most common. However, this surgical excision is associated with a high rate of local disease recurrence and secondary infections. Electrochemotherapy has been used for the treatment of epithelial neoplasm in several animal species. This technique is based on a combination of chemotherapy, usually with bleomycin or cisplatin, and electroporation. It consists of a series of short, high-voltage electric pulses that lead to increased membrane permeability and more efficient transport of antineoplastic drugs through the cellular membrane. Here, two C. mydas fibropapillomas were treated with a standard electrochemotherapy protocol using intralesional bleomycin sulfate injections followed by the application of electric pulses. Two sessions were performed, with a 33-day interval between sessions. Complete regression of lesions occurred without side effects or complications in each animal. There was no sign of local recurrence, even 1 yr after the end of treatment. Electrochemotherapy may be an effective therapeutic alternative for sea turtles with fibropapillomas.

Estudo crítico do tratamento de 196 casos de fratura diafisária de rádio e ulna em cães

The results from three osteosynthesis methods in cases of proximal, mid and distal fractures of radio and ulna in dogs were compared: the skeletal external fixation, plates and screws and the external immobilization. Shaft fractures of radius and ulna in dogs are frequent among the orthopedic morbid cases in Veterinary Medicine and their treatment deserves special attention, due to the high number of unsuccessful cases observed. The demographic data with reference to distribution and classification of fractures, as well as the method used for osteosynthesis and its consequences, were tabulated and the data were statistically compared. As results, from the 196 fractures observed, patients with up to 6.0 kilograms were the most affected (46.4%) with lesions mainly in the distal third (64.93% of the fractures). Animals that have been operated with smaller interval between the fracture occurrence and the surgery showed better results. There was a significant difference between osteosynthesis by external fixators and screwed plates when compared to external immobilization, independent on the fracture site.

Utilização de eletroquimioterapia para carcinoma de células escamosas tegumentar em felino

A eletroquimioterapia compreende a utilizacao conjunta de farmacos antineoplasicos e aplicacao regional de pulsos eletricos (eletroporacao), maximizando a concentracao intracelular destes farmacos, assim propiciando maior acao citotoxica. A bleomicina, farmaco antimicrobiano dotado de propriedade antineoplasica, apresenta restrita penetrabilidade na membrana celular, dada a sua hidrossolubilidade. Todavia, uma vez administrada via intralesional ou intravenosa associada a eletroporacao, demonstra citotoxicidade potencializada. Foram utilizados 21 felinos acometidos por carcinoma de celulas escamosas tegumentar. Padronizou-se o protocolo eletroquimioterapico empregando-se sulfato de bleomicina, pela via intravenosa, na dose de 15U/m2 de superficie corporea. A eletroporacao foi perfilada com eletrodo composto por agulhas, pulsos eletricos com tensao de 1000 V, em onda quadrada unipolar, com duracao de 100 microsegundos, totalizando oito ciclos. Verificou-se remissao neoplasica integral em 21 felinos inclusos no estudo (100%). Inexistiram complicacoes e/ou efeitos adversos decorrentes do procedimento. O protocolo avaliado neste trabalho revelou-se exequivel, eficaz e seguro na terapeutica antineoplasica de carcinoma de celulas escamosas tegumentar felino.