Sávio Freire Bruno

A experiência do município de Paraty (Rio de Janeiro, Brasil) na prevenção e controle da leishmaniose tegumentar americana

American tegumentary leishmaniosis (ATL) is an important zoonosis in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, and it represents an increasing public health problem. The municipality of Paraty is an endemic area, where 76 human cases were reported in 2002. In June of 2002 the Municipal Health Department had started an ATL control program, according with methodologies recommended by National Health Foundation (FUNASA) on the ATL Control Manual of 2000. The control strategies were based on capture of sandflies in Atlantic Forest areas and identification of vectors species, chemical control of vectors through periodic domiciliary and peridomiciliary insecticide application, serological investigation of suspect dogs and elimination of infected dogs, rodents control, investigation of new possible cases and educational measures to the local community. This paper presents the municipality of Paraty experience on implanting a control program of ATL and its efficiency. After the adoption of these measures, it had occurred 52 new cases in 2003. This result indicates that there was a decrease of 31,6%, in relation to the cases reported on 2002.

Human herpesvirus 1 in wild marmosets, Brazil, 2008.

To the Editor: Human herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1) infections in New World monkey species, especially in the Callithrichid family, have been described (1–6), but most reports have discussed experimental infections or isolated spontaneous infections in pet, zoo, or research animals. We report an outbreak of HHV-1 in wild marmosets (Callithrix spp.) in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In October 2008, the Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuaria received 5 marmosets (Callithrix spp.) from the Campo Grande district of Rio de Janeiro for necropsy. These animals were usually fed by residents of a condominium complex and were having neurologic signs and severe prostration, physiologic changes suggestive of herpesvirus infections. Euthanasia, followed by necropsy and histopathologic examinations to determine the cause of illness, were recommended. The primary changes observed during necropsy were vesicular and necrotic plaques on tongues (Figure A1, panel A) and ulcerations in oral mucosa of all examined animals, as well as large lymph nodes of the cervical region, mainly retropharyngeal. Three animals showed marked brain congestion (Figure A1, panel B). Other alterations were splenomegaly, lung congestion, and adrenomegaly. Histopathogic examinations found superficial ulcerations of the tongue, variable in dimension, that showed fibrinopurulent exudates, mononuclear cell infiltrates on lamina propria, and balloon degeneration of epithelial cells. The brains had multifocal nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis with perivascular and vascular infiltrates of mononuclear cells and gliose foci (Figure, panels A, B). Adrenal glands had hyperemia, hemorrhage, perivascular infiltrates of mononuclear cells, and focal necrosis. Mild hyperemia and alveolar emphysema had occurred in lungs. The livers showed hyperemia and mild to moderate periportal infiltrates of mononuclear cells. Lymph nodes showed hemorrhages, lymphoid hyperplasia, and small foci of subcapsular necrosis. Hyperemia and decreased lymphoid cells population were present in the spleens. In addition, intranuclear inclusion bodies in cells of brains, peripherical nerves, tongues, and adrenal glands were observed. These changes were found in all animals. All changes were consistent with HHV-1 in nonhuman primates (2–8). To confirm the diagnosis, immunohistochemical examination was done by using polyclonal antibody directed against HHV-1. We used the avidin–biotin–peroxidase complex method with Harris hematoxylin counterstain. Sections taken of the ulcerated oral lesions had intranuclear inclusion areas strongly marked by immunoperoxidase (Figure, panels C, D). HHV-1 infection was confirmed in the 5 marmosets. Many reports have described human herpesvirus in New World monkeys. Most of the reports were of experimental or isolated spontaneous infections in pets (1,2), zoo (3), research (4,5) or wild animals (6). This is the second report of a naturally occurring infection in wild marmosets. Both infections occurred in the Grande Rio region, where Callithrix spp. imported from other Brazilian states were accidentally introduced. These species came to occupy a niche that once belonged to the golden lion tamarin (Leontopitecus rosalia) (9,10). Humans are the reservoir and the natural host of human herpesvirus (3–6), which can be disseminated by direct contact, through sexual activity (5) and, in a brief period after contamination, through domestic tools and food remains (6). Once brought to the colony, the disease spreads quickly with high rates of illness and death (4,5). In general, the herpesviruses produce asymptomatic and latent infections in their natural hosts but cause severe disease when transmitted to other species (5,7,8). In Old World primates, benign and localized human herpesvirus infections have been described. Although systemic infections with fatal outcome occur, infection usually remain confined to the skin, oral cavity, external genitalia, and conjunctiva (1–3,5,6) rather than affecting the nervous system. New World primates are highly susceptible to infection and severe disease, with spontaneous infections more commonly reported in Callithrix spp. The clinical course is severe, resulting in death in most reported cases (2,4,5). In marmosets, human herpesvirus produces an epizootic disease with substantial illness and death (7). This viral infection has already been described in 3 species of marmosets (C. jacchus, C. penicillata and C. geoffroyi) and in owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus) and cotton-head tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) (1–3,5). There is only 1 report of spontaneous infection in free-living black tufted-ear marmosets (C. penicillata), which occurred at the State Park of Serra da Tiririca, Niteroi, Brazil (6). In this report, the infection is thought to have been related to the proximity between local human residents and wildlife; the disease also reportedly developed with substantial illness and death in the marmoset population (6). Similarly, the cases presented here presumably were acquired from close contact with humans because the animals were fed regularly at a residential condominium, and the virus can be transmitted through contact with contaminated saliva, aerosols, and fomites, such as tools. The high susceptibility and mortality rates for New World monkeys that contract this infection argues strongly for prophylactic strategies, considering that the infection occurs even in conservation parks and could seriously affect the local primatologic fauna and thus species conservation. Figure Microscopic lesions of brain caused by human herpesvirus 1 infection in marmosets. A) Histopathogic sample stained with hematoxylin and eosin showing nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis with perivascular infiltrates (black arrow) and infiltrates in piamater ...

Cytokine and iNOS profiles in lymph nodes of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum and their association with the parasitic DNA load and clinical and histopathological features

In South America, visceral leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease with severe evolution characteristics in humans, and dogs are its main reservoir. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the clinical status of dogs from a Brazilian endemic area naturally, at Barra Mansa municipality, infected with Leishmania infantum, in conjunction with their histopathological profile and, in order to determine possible markers of susceptibility or resistance to the disease, parasitic DNA load, cytokine and iNOS mRNA expression profiles were investigated in lymph nodes. High levels of IFN-ɣ and IL-6 mRNA were detected. Both IFN-ɣ and IL-6 mRNA were associated with disorganization of the corticomedullary region. IFN-ɣ and TNF-α mRNA were associated with the absence of follicular hyperplasia. The regulatory pathway was remarkable with IL-10 mRNA detection and its significant association with the severity of the disease. Plasmacytosis and sinus histiocytosis were associated with high loads of parasitic DNA, but there was no significant association between the parasite DNA load and animal clinical alterations. Since high parasitic loads were found in animals with or without symptoms, clinical examination cannot be considered as a criterion for disease susceptibility assessment.

Aspectos fisiopatológicos da retenção de ovos em Jabutipiranga (Geochelone carbonaria Spix, 1824)

Egg retention is a disorder that affects the genital system of reptiles, with a great prevalence in chelonians. These work analyses fourteen cases of egg retention in South American Red-footed Tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria Spix, 1824) maintained as pets that had been attended in the Veterinary Clinic of Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF) between 1999 and 2003. Among the factors that contribute to the occurrence of this dystocia are aspects of the retained eggs such as shape abnormalities, size enlargement and thickened shells were analyzed, as well as poor environmental condition, metabolic bone disease, gastrointestinal foreign body and parched feces, that can predispose to egg retention. Both therapeutic procedures and the presence of prolapsed oviduct were analyzed. The use of radiographic techniques for both diagnosis and therapeutic decisions in egg retention were fundamental in the studied cases. Concernig the treatment, two procedures were taken into account: the use of oxytocin and the surgery. Regarding the factors that contribute to the dystocia occurence, it was concluded that the maintenance of animals in ambients with rigid substrate was decisive.

Ocorrência e tratamento de sarna knemidocóptica (Knemidokoptes sp.) em aves de companhia atendidas na Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade Federal Fluminense, RJ, Brasil

Knemidocoptic mange caused by Knemidokoptes sp. can be considered an important disease in the birds. The purpose of this paper is to describe the occurrence and treatments of pet birds cared at the Wild Animals Sector of the Veterinary Medicine College - Universidade Federal Fluminense, with emphasis on the species most commonly affected and the efficiency of its treatment. Between January 2000 and June 2006, 374 birds were cared and 25 cases of ectoparasitosis were diagnosed. The prevalence of knemidocoptic mange was of 68% (n= 17). Cutaneous lesions on the feet and legs occurred in 14 cases (82.4%). The Passeriformes (Serinus canarius) were most affected with 14 cases (82.4%), followed by three cases (17.7%) in Psittaciformes (Melopsittacus undulatus). Hyperkeratotic skin lesions with deformity of digits were observed. The skin scraping examination confirmed the diagnosis of knemidocoptic mange. The treatment of knemidocoptic mange on 15 birds among Passeriformes and Psittaciformes, was done with sulphide carbonate 3g 100mg-1 and potassium carbonate 3g 100mg-1 applied to them every other day, for two weeks. Only two patients (11.8%) were treated with topical application of benzyl benzoate solution 25% in the same frequency and duration of the previous treatment. Mineral oil 100% was used twice a day directly on the lesions alternating with the other treatments. Three patients showed severe knemidocoptic lesions that were associated with a single dose (0.06ml) of ivermectin 1% pour on. The patients submitted to these treatments reached clinical cure in 100% of the cases.

Prevalência e aspectos anatomopatológicos da mineralização metastática em coelhos provenientes de biotérios e criação comercial do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

A survey on the prevalence and morphological aspects of natural cases of metastatic mineralization was performed in 79 rabbits from two breeding animal houses (A and B) and from a commercial rabbit breeding facility in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Rabbits from the three facilities were fed with the same commercial ration. Only rabbits from the facility A presented gross and microscopic alterations associated with metastatic mineralization with a prevalence of 21%. All of the affected rabbits were older than one year old and 92% were females. The most altered organs were the aorta and its main branches, which showed extensive mineralization of the intima and media, osseous and cartilaginous metaplasia of the media, granulomatous arteritis and hyaline degeneration. The second most affected organ were the kidneys, which showed mineralization of Bowman capsule, distention of the Bowman space, interstitial fibrosis and mineralization of the wall of convoluted tubules and collecting ducts. The pathologic alterations were similar to that observed in the cases of hypervitaminosis D and on rabbits fed with either high calcium or phosphorus diets. Therefore, the concentrations of these substances in the commercial rabbit rations should be reviewed and periodically analysed.

What is your diagnosis? Scapular mass in a Chinese hamster

A one-year-old Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) was presented at the Small Animal Hospital of the Universidade Federal Fluminense for lethargy and a 3-cm-wide subcutaneous, firm, mobile round mass in the left scapular region. Radiographs revealed a soft tissue density mass of homogenous radiopacity with no connection to underlying bone, but no evidence for pulmonary metastases. A fine-needle aspirate was performed; the cytologic appearance of the mass is presented in Figures 1A,B. Two days after aspiration, the mass was excised and submitted for histopathology. A