Roberio Gomes Olinda

Association of Trypanosoma vivax in extracellular sites with central nervous system lesions and changes in cerebrospinal fluid in experimentally infected goats

Changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and anatomical and histopathological central nervous system (CNS) lesions were evaluated, and the presence of Trypanosoma vivax in CNS tissues was investigated through PCR. Twelve adult male goats were divided into three groups (G): G1, infected with T. vivax and evaluated during the acute phase; G2, infected goats evaluated during the chronic phase; and G3, consisting of non-infected goats. Each goat from G1 and G2 was infected with 1.25 × 105 trypomastigotes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and investigation of T. vivax was performed at the 15th day post-infection (dpi) in G1 goats and on the fifth day after the manifestation of nervous system infection signs in G2 goats. All goats were necropsied, and CNS fragments from G1 and G2 goats were evaluated by PCR for the determination of T. vivax. Hyperthermia, anemia and parasitemia were observed from the fifth dpi for G1 and G2, with the highest parasitemia peak between the seventh and 21st dpi. Nervous system infection signs were observed in three G2 goats between the 30th and 35th dpi. CSF analysis revealed the presence of T. vivax for G2. Meningitis and meningoencephalitis were diagnosed in G2. PCR were positive for T. vivax in all the samples tested. In conclusion, T. vivax may reach the nervous tissue resulting in immune response from the host, which is the cause of progressive clinical and pathological manifestations of the CNS in experimentally infected goats.

Atividade antibacteriana e cicatrizante do óleo de buriti Mauritia flexuosa L.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity and wound healing effect of buriti oil (M. flexuosa) in rats. To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity, five species of bacteria, including both gram-negative and gram-positive, were tested by the agar diffusion method. To assess the wound healing effect, 40 rats of Wistar lineage were clustered into two groups: G1, composed by 20 rats with cutaneous wounds and treated using topic administration of basic cream containing 10% of buriti oil; and G2 or control group, composed by 20 rats with cutaneous wounds and treated using topic administration of basic cream without any buriti oil. The cream administration was performed on circular wounds of 1 cm area in the lumbodorsal region. Clinical, histopathologic and morphometric evaluations of the wounds were done in 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21th days. Four from five bacteria species tested had growing inhibition, which demonstrates the antimicrobial potential of buriti oil. A significant reduction on the wound area with contraction of the edges was found for G1 in the 14th day. On this same day, the wounds treated using buriti oil showed an increase in the fibroblasts and collagen fibers countings and complete reephitelialization, characteristics not demonstrated by G2.

Spontaneous and experimental poisoning by Marsdenia megalantha Goyder & Morillo in ruminants and a pig.

Marsdenia megalantha is a rupicolous shrub with succulent roots from the semiarid region of Brazil that is known to cause fatal poisoning in livestock. We reported spontaneous cases of poisoning by M. megalantha roots in bovine, caprine, ovine, and equine species. The clinical and pathological findings of experimental administration of M. megalantha to sheep, goats, a calf and a pig are reported. Three goats, two sheep and a calf were dosed once orally with freshly chopped roots at dose of 25xa0g wet plant/kg bw; another sheep and a pig were dosed with 10xa0g wet plant/kg bw. Poisoning occurred in all of the animals except the three goats. Clinical signs of poisoning included tachycardia, opisthotonus, ruminal bloat, dyspnea, nystagmus, mydriasis, ataxia, and recumbence with paddling movements. Pathological evaluation showed segmental laminar neuronal necrosis and spongiosis in the telencephalic cortex and degeneration of Purkinje cells. The picrate paper procedure detected no cyanide in the plant roots, but the reaction used for nitrate detection gave a strongly positive response. In conclusion, M. megalantha is a poisonous plant that produces acute poisoning characterized mainly by nervous disturbances. Livestock producers should offer alternative food during the dry and early rainy seasons to avoid the poisoning by this plant.

Rhinocerebral and rhinopharyngeal conidiobolomycosis in sheep

The present study aimed to report the occurrence as well as the clinical, laboratorial, pathological and mycological findings of three outbreaks of rhinocerebral and rhinopharyngeal conidiobolomycosis in sheep from Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil. A total of six sheep with clinical signs of conidiobolomycosis were evaluated, and information on history was obtained from ranchers. Clinical signs included depression, progressive emaciation, sero-sanguinolent nasal discharge, tachycardia, dyspnea, miosis and unilateral exophthalmia with increased ocular globe volume, corneal ulceration and nervous system signs. The main hematological alteration was neutrophilia. Serum biochemical evaluation revealed increased values for AST, GGT, creatinine, urea, and glucose, and decreased total proteins and albumin levels. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed the presence of fibrin reticules and pleocytosis. Upon necropsy, longitudinal sections of the head revealed the presence of a nodular mass with a friable consistency and a white-yellowish coloration. Microscopic findings included meningitis, cortex necrosis and encephalitis with the presence of eosinophilic Splendore-Hoeppli substance. Histopathology of the lungs revealed a Splendore-Hoeppli-like material and hyperplasia of alveolar and bronchiolar epithelium. Renal lesions were suggestive of amyloidosis.

Enfermidades de cutias (Dasyprocta aguti) criadas em cativeiro diagnosticadas pelo exame anatomopatológico

Necroscopic examination is remarkably useful to diagnose wild animals diseases. In several occasions the clinical signs are not charactheristic as in domestic animals and the occurrence of death in asymptomatic animals is frequent. Thus, the present work aimed to accomplish a retrospective study on agouti diseases diagnosed by pathological examination in the Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Federal Rural University of the Semi-arid, through January 2006 to December 2006. In 32 agoutis submitted to the necropsy, the percentage of diagnosed diseases was: perinatal death due hypothermia/ inanition complex (21.6%), obstructive urolithiasis (6.24%), dystocia (6.24%), cecum sablosis (6.24%), intussusceptions (3.20%), fecaloma (3.20%) and esophagus obstruction (3.20%). A total of 16 (50.08%) animals remained undiagnosed in which nine (28.48%) showed advanced autolysis and seven (21.60%) agouti had none macroscopic or microscopic lesions compatible with any disease. The present article presents reports of some diseases not yet diagnosed in agoutis and these results may produce literature review about the pathologic aspects of these diseases in this species.

Isolamento de Alcaligenes faecalis em peixe Betta splendens Regan, 1910 no Brasil

This paper aimed to describe one case of infection by Alcaligenes faecalis in an ornamental fish Betta splendens, including clinical, pathological, and bacteriological evaluation. A female fish weighing 16 g initially showed discrete ulcerative lesions in the integument, inappetence, progressive weight loss, lethargy, dyspnea, and increased volume in the left lateral region. Necropsy revealed bilateral exophthalmia, corneal opacity, ascites, and subcutaneous abscess causing distension of the celomatic cavity. Histological changes of the skin were characterized by abscess, necrosis, hemorrhage, and inflammatory infiltrate consisting mainly of heterophils. Microbiological assays using the exudates and venous blood isolated exclusively A. faecalis.