Viorel Miclăuş

Multidisciplinary analysis of Knemidocoptes jamaicensis parasitising the Common Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs: proofs for a multispecies complex?

The number of studies discussing the pathology and host specificity in Knemidocoptinae is very limited. In Knemidocoptes jamaicensis, the host specificity seems to be very broad, and there is a clear morphological variability in individuals originating from various bird species; hence, serious doubts appear about the species status of this mite. We report a multidisciplinary approach to the taxonomy, morphology, ecology, and pathology of K. jamaicensis. The source of the mites in our study was a second year aged female of the Common Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs, which accidentally died in the mist net during a field study in Dumbrava, Cluj County, Romania in March 2011. Comparisons of the biometrical data regarding the body dimensions, length of certain setae, and distances between bases of dorsal setae with other published data showed a great variability of certain measurements between populations infecting various hosts and localities and sometimes even within single populations. Gross and histologic lesions consisted in severe bilateral orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis and epidermal spongiosis. Lesions also involved the skin of the joints. Skin inflammation was absent, and no lesions were noticed in the metatarsus bone. Following molecular analysis, the 518-base-long sequence differed from the published 18S rDNA in nine positions. Additionally, our paper reports for the first time the DNA barcode sequences of K. jamaicensis and, together with the synoptic analysis of host spectrum, geographical distribution and morphological variability it brings important evidences to sustain the hypothesis of multispecies complex for K. jamaicensis.

Histological evidence for inoculative action of immature Linguatula serrata in lymph nodes of intermediate host

The histopathological examination of 11 mesenteric lymph nodes from adult sheep infected with immature stages of Linguatula serrata revealed acute and chronic lesions with the presence of bacterial colonies and yeast cells. Bacteria were mainly present in acute, hemorrhagic, or necrotic lesions while yeast cells were seen mostly in the structure of chronic granulomas.

Vascular abnormalities of the distal deep digital flexor tendon in 8 draught horses identified on histological examination

The purpose of this study was to provide a detailed description of the vascular changes in the distal part of deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). Eight isolated forelimbs were collected from 8 horses with DDF tendinopathy diagnosed post-mortem by ultrasound and gross anatomopathological examination. The samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, softened in 4% phenol and dehydrated with ethylic alcohol. Goldners Trichrome staining method was used. The histopathological examination revealed vascular proliferation associated with structural disorders of blood vessels. Angiogenesis, fibroplasia and consecutive hypertrophy of the vascular wall with or without vascular occlusion were the most common findings. Other histopathological findings were: endothelial cell edema, progressive metaplasia from squamous to cubic cells, vascular wall hyalinization, endothelial cells apoptosis/necrosis and endothelial desquamation. These results demonstrated damage of the distal deep digital flexor tendon vasculature which may progressively alter the structural integrity of the tendon and contribute to degenerative lesions.

Mesothelial metaplasia in European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis (Testudines: Emydidae) infected with Spiroxys contortus (Nematoda: Spirurida)

SummaryThe mesothelium consists of a monolayer of specialized epithelial cells that line the surfaces of the peritoneal, pleural, and pericardial cavities. The present study reports mesothelial changes associated with larval stages of the spirurid nematode Spiroxys contortus in a naturally infected European pond turtle. Between 2002 and 2007, eight European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis were brought for necropsy. In one adult male turtle, necropsy revealed the presence of gastric and mesothelial changes associated with gastric infestation with the nematode Spiroxys contortus. Gastrointestinal samples with gross lesions were collected and processed by paraffin technique for further histological examination. Mesothelial cuboidal to columnar or pseudostratified focal progressive metaplasia was observed in visceral coelomic cavity. Intracytoplasmic acidophilic hyaline inclusions were also observed in metaplastic mesothelial cells, most of them being placed to the apical cell’s poles. The significance of our findings is discussed in the light of current knowledge regarding the mesothelial cells.

Comparative immunohistochemical assessment of the effect of repetitive anesthesia with isoflurane and sevoflurane on rat liver

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Inhalation anesthetics are used in human, as well as veterinary medical practice. In the present study we investigated the effect of isoflurane and sevoflurane on rat hepatocytes. METHODS A total of 40 Wistar female rats were used in this study. Animals were divided in groups of 5 rats. Groups IM, SM served as control groups. Groups I1, I2, I3 were used to study isoflurane and S1, S2, S3 for sevoflurane study. They were anesthetized 3 times, for 2h long, at 2 days interval with a concentration of: 1.5% isoflurane (I1, I2, I3) and 2% sevoflurane (S1, S2, S3). The oxygen supply throughout the anesthesia was 1LO2/min. Groups IM, IS, I1, S1 were sacrificed immediately after the last anesthesia. Groups I2, S2 were sacrificed 6h after the last anesthesia, and groups I3, S3, 24h post-anesthesia. Liver samples were harvested to highlight caspase-3 in apoptotic hepatocytes. RESULTS Following isoflurane administration, there were less than 1% cells in apoptosis highlighted in rat livers from groups IM, I1 and I2. At 24h post-anesthesia (group I3), a small number of apoptotic hepatocytes was highlighted (around 3.23% cells in apoptosis), with a strictly periacinar disposition, randomly distributed in a small number of hepatic lobules. After sevoflurane administration, less than 1% apoptotic hepatocytes were identified at all control moments throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the anesthetics do not present a considerable hepatotoxicity. The comparative assessment of the two anesthetics shows that sevoflurane is superior to isoflurane.

Oral Human Papillomavirus Infection in Children.

Oral human papillomavirus infection is rare in children, but the presence of a villous lesion with slow but continuous growth concerns parents, who need information and therapeutic solutions from the physician. All these aspects are discussed based on a case report of a 9-year-old child with an oral human papillomavirus infection.

Histological evidence concerning the osseointegration of titanium implants in the fractured rabbit femur

Stabilization of the broken bone is achieved using biocompatible materials. Since histology is still considered the gold standard technique for the assessment of bone formation around metallic implants, this report investigated the titanium implant integration in the accidentally broken bone in rabbits. The experimental protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethical Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy Oradea, Romania. Holes were drilled in the diaphysis of the femur, and titanium implants were inserted in the created bone defect. In two subjects, fractures occurred on days two and three after the metallic alloy implantation. The other two rabbits presented no fractures following the surgical procedure. The rabbits were euthanized and the bones (with metallic implants) were harvested for histopathological investigation. Following decalcification, the bone samples were processed using the standard paraffin technique and stained by Goldner’s trichrome procedure. In subjects with a perfect immobilization of the titanium implants, the osseointegration occurred with minimal callus formation (i.e. primary cortical healing). In rabbits with bone fractures, the callus was more exuberant. A progressive replacement of the granulation tissue with hyaline cartilage and woven bone occurred soon after. The former aspects suggested an indirect metaplasia in the created callus. In all subjects, no inflammatory cells were identified in the created callus. The bone regeneration occurred either by primary cortical healing (in perfectly immobilized titanium implants) or by a process similar to the endochondral ossification (in poorly immobilized titanium implants following accidental post-implantation bones fracture).

Human papillomavirus infection in the oromaxillofacial area: Clinical anatomy and histological considerations

Clinical manifestations of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the head and neck can range from benign lesions, which are the most frequent, to malignant lesions. The prevalence of head and neck cancer is increasing, despite currently decreasing trends in known risk factors such as smoking and alcohol use. A new patient profile has appeared in recent practice: most frequently a middle‐aged male patient who does not smoke or drink alcohol, is sexually active (possibly having multiple partners), and presents with oral or cervicofacial lesions requiring diagnosis and treatment. Another risk factor that should be considered in these patients is HPV infection. The association of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) with HPV is a challenge for the medical practitioner. The gold standard for diagnosis is histopathological examination, which can also yield evidence suggesting HPV infection. Determination of the viral genotype provides additional data for assessing the oncological risk of an HPV infection. Treatment of these patients is aimed at removing the lesions, in association or not with antiviral treatment and recurrence control. Clin. Anat. 28:1002–1007, 2015.

Severe granulomatous gastric lesions following migration of Spiroxys contortus larvae (Nematoda: Spirurida) in European pond turtles, Emys orbicularis

SummaryThe European pond turtle gradually disappeared from most of its range due to various factors. Hence, conservation measures are of main concern in all European countries where it is still present. A decent methodology for assessing the effect of parasites on the health of wildlife is microscopic lesion description. In 2002–2007, eight Emys orbicularis were brought for necropsy. The presence of gastric nematodes, identified as adults and larval Spiroxys contortus was noticed in all the turtles. A discrete cellular infiltrate with mononuclear cells and eosinophils was noticed in the gastric mucosa. The most prominent lesions were severe granulomas with or without degenerated larval structures. Some of the granulomas presented a central area of coagulation necrosis surrounded by giant cells, epithelioid cells and macrophages. In mature granulomas, the cluster of macrophage cell line and necrosis were surrounded by a fibrous capsule. Vascular cuffs, hyperemia, edema and venous ectasia were also present.