BackgroundEnvironmental changes caused by urbanization can cause alterations in the ecology and behavior of sandflies and in the epidemiology of leishmaniasis. Geotechnological tools allow the analysis and recognition of spatiotemporal patterns by monitoring and mapping risk areas of this vector-borne disease. This study aims to describe the sandfly fauna in the municipality of Corumbá and to compare it with the data described in a three-year period from 1984 to 1986 by Galati. A further aim was to analyze the influence of environmental changes on the composition of the fauna.MethodsCaptures were conducted weekly from April 2012 to March 2013, in intra and peridomicile areas with automatic light traps, from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. The following indices were calculated for both periods analyzed: Standardized Index of Species Abundance (SISA), Shannon’s diversity index (H) and Pielou’s index (J). The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was extracted from a remote sensing LANDSAT-5 image.ResultsIn total, 7,370 specimens (6,169 males and 1,201 females) were collected, distributed among 12 species. Lutzomyia cruzi was the most frequent species (93,79%) and the first in the ranking of standardized species abundance index in both studies. The dominance of the species Lu. cruzi in the neighborhoods of Maria Leite and Centro was demonstrated by the low equitability index. The neighborhood of Cristo Redentor had the greatest diversity of sandflies in the present study and the second greatest in the study performed by Galati et al. (Rev Saúde Pública 31:378–390, 1997). Analyzing the satellite images and the NDVI from 1984 and 2010, the largest amount of dense vegetation was found in the neighborhood of Cristo Redentor.ConclusionsIt was, therefore, possible to show how changes caused due to urbanization have affected the density and distribution of Lu. cruzi and other species over time. Moreover, the data suggest that different populations of sandflies adapt in different ways according to environmental conditions and the adaptation does not necessarily depends on the presence of high vegetation cover.

Owing to the existence of cryptic species that are difficult to distinguish morphologically, the search for new taxonomic characters and methods for identifying and classifying sand flies continues. Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) and Lutzomyia cruzi (Mangabeira, 1938) (Diptera: Psychodidae) are two such species that occur in sympatry in some regions of Mato Grosso do Sul State (MS). Twenty females and twenty males from each of the five populations of Lu. longipalpis and one population of Lu. cruzi from MS were examined. An outlying population of Lu. longipalpis from Estrela de Alagoas, State of Alagoas, was used to compare the degree of divergence among the groups in MS. Specimens were cleared, mounted on slides, identified, and measured using LAS-Leica. The principal component analysis of morphometric characters showed a high degree of variation among females, while males varied to a lower degree. The populations of Alagoas and Miranda demonstrated the greatest variation. The first region, Alagoas, is geographically distant from the others and occurs under distinctly different ecological conditions, which likely accounts for the variation. Further studies should be made to elucidate the factors that contribute to the differences found between the populations of MS.

Recording the nycthemeral rhythm of sand flies allows the evaluation of the daily activity in different ecotypes, the period of greatest activity, and their degree of anthropophily. We investigated the fauna and the rhythm of sand fly activity in an ecotourism region in Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) state, Brazil. Sand flies were captured monthly, using a Shannon trap for 24 h periods between July 2012 and June 2014. We collected 1,815 sand flies, in which Lutzomyia whitmani (=Nyssomyia whitmani, sensu Galati) and Lutzomyia longipalpis were the most abundant species during the dry season, with activity from 5 p.m.-7 a.m. and 6 p.m.-5 a.m., respectively. Both species require particular attention as vectors of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in several regions of Brazil, including MS. However, Lutzomyia dispar was more anthropophilic, and was most active between January and March, from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. Lutzomyia misionensis (=Pintomyia misionensis, sensu Galati) was present throughout both years, active from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. Other species were active from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. Due to intense tourism in the months that coincide with a high number of vectors for leishmaniases in Piraputanga, it is essential to determine vector-monitoring strategies in the area by investigating sand fly rhythm while not neglecting other periods of the year when the insects are present.

RESUMO Relata-se um caso de leishmaniose visceral canina com ceratoconjuntivite nodular como queixa exclusiva do proprietário. O diagnóstico se deu pela observação de formas amastigotas de Leishmania sp. no exame parasitológico direto de citologia aspirativa conjuntival. Lesões oculares raramente são queixas principais únicas de cães com leishmaniose, como o caso em questão, o que demonstra a variabilidade de apresentação clínica da doença e a importância da realização de testes laboratoriais diagnósticos para leishmaniose como triagem para pacientes de áreas endêmicas.

RESUMO Relata-se um caso de pneumomediastino, pneumotórax e enfisema subcutâneo em um cão com pneumopatia associada à cinomose. As queixas principais eram tosse, secreção nasal purulenta, apatia e enfisema subcutâneo em face, região cervical e torácica. O exame radiográfico evidenciou pneumomediastino, pneumotórax e broncopneumopatia grave com áreas de consolidação pulmonar. Teste rápido imunocromatográfico para detecção de antígeno da cinomose foi positivo e houve melhora dos sinais respiratórios com antibioticoterapia, porém o quadro evoluiu para alterações neurológicas. De acordo com a revisão de literatura realizada, não há casos semelhantes relatados.

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Background: Inappropriate use of drugs for veterinary patients represents a common problem at clinical practice. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories are one of these misused drugs and may lead to clinical status of challenging diagnosis. Adverse effects for patients submitted to its incorrect use may include simple cases such as pharmacological gastroenteritis to severe acute renal failure or perforated gastroenteric ulcers with no pathognomonic clinical signs. The objective of this report was to describe a case of a perforated pyloric ulcer secondary to prolonged use of meloxicam in a cat with its clinical, laboratorial and image aspects from the moment of suspicion until the diagnosis.Case: An 8-year-old female feline was attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Dom Bosco Catholic University, with main complaint being a mammary nodule with recent ulceration. Tumor staging and pre-surgical blood analysis were performed previous to total unilateral mastectomy. Eleven days post-surgery the patient was brought for suture removal, but it was observed stupor, moderate dehydration (estimated 10%), 36.7ºC rectal temperature, heart rate at 100 beats/min, respiratory rate at 60 breaths/min, 40 mg/dL blood glucose, icterus and abdominal distension with tympany at percussion (fluid wave test was negative). Anamnesis revealed the possible use of meloxicam for 10 days. The first suspicion was sepsis, with enteric gas secondary to infection. Due to no classical signs of peritoneum effusion and possible severe enteric distension, abdominocentesis was not immediate performed. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry revealed a marked band leukocytosis associated with renal injury, supporting the first sepsis suspicion. Abdominal radiography revealed radiodensity of diffuse aspect at ventral topography but no evidence of marked enteric distension that would justify tympany. Abdominal ultrasound identified effusion predominantly hyperechogenic with hyperechogenic mesentery, indicative of peritonitis. A diagnostic abdominocentesis was performed revealing a dense yellow-green effusion with high suspicion of being gastroenteric liquid. Exploratory laparotomy was not authorized by the owner and the patient was submitted to euthanasia due to the bad prognosis. Macroscopic necropsy was performed and a perforated pyloric ulcer was identified along with an impregnated mesentery with a green-brown color (peritonitis), closing the diagnosis.Discussion: The importance of reiteration regarding veterinary prescription orientation, especially for feline patients, is evidenced. Along the indiscriminate over-the-counter sale of veterinary drugs, self-medication prior to veterinary consultation is usual even for ongoing assisted patients. Considering the unspecific clinical signs that patients with perforated gastroenteric ulcers may present, the diagnosis may be challenging when no complementary image exams are immediate available. The stuporous mental state inhibiting possible manifestation of abdominal discomfort, absence of positive fluid wave test and tympany at percussion which prohibited a secure abdominocentesis could have led to a delay in diagnosis, if not for image support. Considering the emergency status of these patients, early diagnosis is crucial, therefore clinicians should have precaution when approaching patients with possible perforated gastroenteric ulcers and trust clinical history, even when classical signs of abdominal effusion are not present.

Background: Canine eosinophilic folliculitis is a dermatological disease of acute onset with development of erosive to ulcerative papular lesions, especially on the nasal bridge, that may cause severe skin abnormalities leading to discomfort and pain to the patient. The aim of this report was to characterize a case of a canine eosinophilic folliculitis with papular, ulcerative and crusting dermatitis on the nasal bridge, papules on eyelid and pinna, with confirmed diagnosis based on aspiration cytology, history and response to immunosuppressive therapy with glucocorticoid.Case: A 1-year-old intact Daschund was attended showing an acute onset (over 4 h) of generalized urticarial reaction and nonpruriginous lesion at the muzzle with mild serosanguineous exudate, which persisted for 96 h when the dog was evaluated. It was observed a papular and ulcerative dermatitis with serosanguineous exudate and hematic crusts at nasal bridge, papules measuring 2 mm in diameter in the medial and lateral canthus of the left eyelid, ulcerative papule with hematic crust in the border of left ear pinna, multifocal papules on the skin, dyskeratosis and generalized hair loss. The patient was anesthetized for blood sampling (CBC and serum biochemistry), lesions fine-needle aspiration, scraping and imprint for cytological examination, bacterial culture and nasal turbinates radiography. Fragments for histopathological evaluation were also collected. Erythrogram and platelet evaluation were unremarkable. Leukogram revealed leukocytosis (neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, monocytosis and eosinophilia). Serum biochemistry revealed hyperalbuminemia and discrete hyperproteinemia; values of alanine aminotransferase, creatinine and globulins were within normal range. In cytological examination, intense cellularity was observed with predominance of eosinophils (60%), neutrophils (35%), macrophages performing cytophagocytosis (5%) and degenerated cells. There was no bacterial growth within 48 h after incubation of nasal bridge lesion swab. There were no abnormalities identified at radiographic evaluation of nasal turbinates. As the patient was already with antibiotic therapy and steroidal anti-inflammatory, it was opted to maintain it, since interruption between the day of examination and laboratory results could cause more prejudice than benefit, corticosteroid dose, however, was readjusted (prednisone 2 mg/kg/per os/every 24h). After 1 week of treatment the owner reported significant improvement of clinical signs without any further complaint.Discussion: Typically, type I hypersensitivity reactions such as insect bites do not exceed clinical signs of erythema, local edema and pruritus, with spontaneous remission of clinical signs within few hours after exposure to the antigen. Eosinophilic folliculitis, however, may cause more severe clinical alterations, such as pain, apathy and hyporexia. Nasal bridge is the predominant site described to be affected in cases of eosinophilic folliculitis, being auricular pinna, thorax and limbs considered atypical presentations which can delay proper diagnosis, since in endemic regions for diseases such as visceral leishmaniasis, infectious etiology may be listed first. Differential diagnosis also includes superficial pyoderma, juvenile cellulitis, pemphigus foliaceus and pharmacodermia. The case described in this report emphasize the importance of an accurate diagnosis as well as an early and adequate treatment in order to promote satisfactory response. Also, highlights inadequate use of antimicrobials as a direct consequence of lack of laboratorial investigation.Keywords: skin, eosinophilia, furunculosis, dermatitis, insects.