Peterson Triches Dornbusch

Seroepidemiological survey of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in horses from a rural and from urban areas of Paraná State, southern Brazil

The objective of this study was to evaluate the seroepidemiological data of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in horses from a rural settlement and carthorses from urban areas of Paraná State, southern Brazil. A total of 198 horses, including 32 from the rural settlement and 166 carthorses from Colombo (n=48), Pinhais (n=76), Londrina (n=24), and Curitiba city (n=18) was sampled and tested using a commercial competitive inhibition ELISA (cELISA) test. Out of the 198 horses, 193 (97.5%) were seropositive for at least one piroplasm species. Antibodies to T. equi were detected in 155/198 horses (78.3%), antibodies to B. caballi were detected in 137/198 horses (69.2%), and antibodies to both were detected in 99/198 (50.0%) horses. Horses living in the rural settlement and Colombo were more likely to be seropositive to T. equi than those in Curitiba (p<0.05). Horses older than 5 years were more likely to be seropositive for T. equi than those younger than 5 years (p<0.05). No significant association was found between gender or the presence of ticks and seropositivity to T. equi (p>0.05). In conclusion, the high seroprevalences to B. caballi and T. equi observed in this study emphasize that active surveillance programs are critical for monitoring animal health status, particularly because carthorses may act as urban disseminators of these piroplasms.

Detection of Neospora sp. antibodies in cart horses from urban areas of Curitiba, Southern Brazil

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite which affects dogs as definitive hosts and several mammalian species as intermediate hosts mainly causing abortions and central nervous system disorders. The reemerging population of cart horses for carrying recycling material in urban areas of major cities in Brazil may have an impact on disease spreading, and these animals may be used as sentinels for environmental surveillance. Thus, the present study investigated the frequency of Neospora sp. antibodies in cart horses from Curitiba and surrounding areas, Paraná State, Southern Brazil. IgG antibodies against Neospora sp. were detected using indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), and titers equal to or higher than 1:50 were considered reactive. Of all samples, 14/97 (14.4%) were positive: 2/29 (6.9%) were younger than 5; 5/26 (19.2%) between 6 and 9; and 6/31 (19.4%) older than 10 years of age. One of the 11 animals with unknown age was positive (9.1%). Cart horses are likely to be more exposed to dog feces and to Neospora sp. oocyst contamination in urban settings and a lower frequency of disease in dogs may have a negative impact on horse infection risk in these areas.

Detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in carthorses in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.

Toxoplasma gondii, the agent for toxoplasmosis, has worldwide distribution. Horses normally play a secondary role in its life cycle, but movement around urban areas, feeding on grass and the increasing use of carthorses for gathering recyclable material in some urban areas of Brazil may increase their exposure to T. gondii infection. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of anti-T. gondii antibodies in carthorses in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, PR. IgG antibodies against T. gondii were detected using the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) (titers ≥ 64). Seventeen (17.0%) of the 100 horses sampled were seropositive. There were no statistical differences in relation to sex (p = 0.28) or age (p = 0.15). Our findings suggest that carthorses are exposed to T. gondii infections and that no associations with age or sex exist.

Placas ósseas confeccionadas a partir de diáfise cortical equina na osteossíntese femoral em coelhos

Actually, technological advances have contributed to the development and improvement of new materials for implants. Despite the fundamental benefits provided by orthopedic materials, complications resulting from corrosion, degradation, infection, and others may occur. The knowledge of characteristics of the biomaterials is important to predict their behavior in vivo, supporting that the most suitable compound is chosen to reconstruct the bone defect. Metallic plates are the most common material used for repair of long bone fractures, and they are mechanically stable and biocompatible. However, the need of removal and bone weakening are their disadvantages. In this paper, plates made from equine cortical bone were used experimentally in osteotomized rabbit femur (bone-GO Group), in a comparative study with metal plates (metal GM Group). Radiographic evaluation was performed every 30 days during 120 days, at which time was then performed femur histological analysis. During all evaluated moments of the study, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in callus morphometry, and complete consolidation was observed in all animals. However, it was observed that the callus was lower in GO compared to GM, all times during the study. Moreover, most of the GO animals showed complete consolidation fracture at 90 days only, whereas this occurred in GM at 60 days. There were no foreign-body cells in the histopathology exam of the GO animals, but larger amount of fibrous tissue was identified, involving this biomaterial. The plate made from horse bone represents a low cost alternative and it is very feasible, it allowed adequate stabilization of femur fracture in rabbits. In this study, the lower periosteal callus associated with a longer time for consolidation in GO suggest greater fracture stability when the bone plate was used.

Resorbable Self-Locking Implant for Lung Lobectomy Through Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: First Live Animal Application:

The aim of this pilot test was to test a new self-locking resorbable implant for hilum occlusion during a video-assisted thoracoscopic lung lobectomy in a surviving pig model. Once the thoracic cavity was assessed and structures identified, the right middle lobe and its respective hilum were exposed. The implant was introduced with a semiclosed loop through a working channel and positioned around the pulmonary lobe. Occlusion was performed with a conventional Crile forceps and a laparoscopic Kelly forceps. Lobe section was done with laparoscopic Metzenbaum scissors and tissue removal through the dorsal access. No signs of pneumothorax or bleeding were observed during a 60-day follow-up. Necropsy findings showed minimal pleuritis in caudal access and in the lobar stump. A granulomatous formation was found around a dense, amorphous material, which was identified as remains of a small part of the implant. Histopathological findings showed signs of a chronic healing process without other alterations. The resorbable implant LigaTie appears to exhibit similar handling and application characteristics during surgery as nonsurgical tie wraps. The resorbable implant avoids the uncontrolled substances not suitable for implants of conventional ties. The results of this pilot test suggested the resorbable implant’s mechanical properties provided effective tissue support to complete the healing of the pulmonary hilum.

Retinal dysplasia in American pit bull terriers - phenotypic characterization and breeding study

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the inheritance and phenotype of retinal dysplasia (RD) in the American pit bull terrier. ANIMALS STUDIED A breeding colony established from a single female pure-bred American pit bull terrier dog with RD. PROCEDURES A female pure-bred American pit bull terrier with RD was donated to the Veterinary Hospital of Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil. A breeding colony was established and the phenotype and inheritance of the condition investigated. Regular ophthalmic examinations and fundus photography were performed on three generations of offspring from the founder animal. Some animals were additionally studied by optical coherence tomography. Ocular histopathology was performed on some animals from the colony. RESULTS Fifty-seven offspring were produced in two generations from the affected founder female. Thirty-two were diagnosed with RD and showed a spectrum of severity of lesions including multifocal, and or geographic lesions and some developed retinal detachment. Histologic examination demonstrated retinal folds, rosettes, and areas of retinal detachment. The affected dogs were shorter in stature than the unaffected littermates. Breeding studies suggested the trait has an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. DNA testing showed that the affected dogs were negative for the known gene mutations for canine dwarfism with RD. CONCLUSION This is a report of a novel inherited form of RD that affects American pit bull terriers.

Histopathological hoof laminar changes in horses with Pituitary Pars Intermedia Adenoma: cases report

Laminitis in horses is often associated with endocrine disorders, especially the pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in older animals. Morphologic exams of the laminar tissue of the hoof were performed in two horses with suspected PPID, with no clinical signs of laminitis. Changes compatible with laminitis of endocrine origin were observed, such as rounding of the nuclei of the basal cells, thinning and stretching of the secondary epidermal laminae and tissue proliferation. PPID horses with no clinical signs of laminitis may be affected by lesions of the laminar tissue of the hoof that compromise the integrity of the dermal-epidermal junction and may develop clinical symptoms of the disease. It has been suggested that the development stage of endocrine laminitis is longer, but further studies should be conducted to confirm it.

Applying and Cutting Device for Tie-Wraps During Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in Standing Mares

Background: Laparoscopic ovariectomy it is used more than 20 years in veterinary medicine, however, information of this technique in Brazil are rare. Also, the cost for his execution are high, specially the ovarian hemostasis procedure, that depends on highly specialized surgical instruments. The goal of this study is show the results achieved during laparoscopic ovariectomy in mares using a device to apply and cut tie-wraps, developed by the authors and that is in a patent process. Materials, Methods & Results: Four mares with ovarian pathologies were selected for a standing unilateral ovariectomy procedure and access to cavity occurred through three laparoscopic portals. The vessels and ligament were dissected to allow positioning of a polyamide tie-wrap by the device for cutting and applying those seals. Occlusion was made by pushing, and cutting through a rotation on the tie latch. Then, the mesovarium was cut with laparoscopic scissors and ovary removed by a communication between two accesses. Total surgical time and the equipment handling were noted. The average duration of surgical procedures was 80 ± 12.35 min and device handling time since its external preparation, application and cutting the polyamide tie-wraps was 3.4 ± 2.63 min. Only in one of four animals it was necessary to apply more than one tie, since the first promoted incomplete vessels occlusion. Within 10 postoperative days none of the animals showed clinical signs consistent with bleeding and / or infection and the wound’s healing were complete. Discussion: Surgical time for dissection and hemostasis during laparoscopic ovariectomy in mares shows great variation in the literature and depend on hemostasis technique. The average time of 80 min for a one-sided procedure using the device for application and cutting tie-wraps was considered appropriate, with the possibility of significantly reduction, since this is an instrumental in testing and yet there is not a definition of the learning curve from its use. The main reason related to the tie-wraps use, even controversial, is due a significant reduction in cost, since the devices for hemostasis available are very expensive to brazilian veterinarians. Although considered a simple application and advantages over other hemostatic methods the authors of this study do not indicate the use of non-surgical polyamide ties when other materials are available, also, it is important to clarify that the main purpose of this study was to report the effectiveness of the device for application and cut these ties while performing these surgical procedure steps. The device for applying and cutting tie-wraps allows closing and resection of polyamide tie-wraps, producing safe hemostasis to ovarian vessels during laparoscopic ovariectomy in mares, with appropriate surgical time and without trans or postoperative complications.

Spinal cord compression caused by melanoma in brown coat horse

This paper describes a case of malignant melanoma in brown coat horse, which had ataxia and proprioceptive deficits in hind limbs, progressing to permanent decubitus. The animal was euthanized and the final diagnosis was based on necropsy and histopathology. At necropsy different masses and / or nodules in skeletal muscle, bone, abdominal cavity, lungs, heart, spleen, liver, adrenal gland, lymph nodes, brain and cerebellum were found. Neurological clinical signs presented by the animal were justified by spinal cord compression caused by melanocytic mass invading the medullary canal of the flow segment of the thoracic spine (between 15th and 18th thoracic vertebrae). This is the first case report of melanoma leading to spinal cord compression in a non-gray horse. Thus, it is important to include this neoplasm in the differential diagnosis list of cutaneous and subcutaneous masses and / or nodules, and in suspected cases of spinal cord compression in horses of any coat.