We describe herein herpesvirus-associated genital lesions in a Guiana dolphin ( Sotalia guianensis) from the northern Brazilian coast. Papillary lesions on the vulva, with epithelial hyperplasia, swollen keratinocytes, and intranuclear inclusions, were positive for a herpesvirus ( Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily).

Strongyloides spp. are intestinal parasites that affect several animal species. Four species of the genus have been reported in domestic cats: S. felis, S. planiceps, S.stercoralis and S. tumefaciens . Reports describing infection by these nematodes in domestic cats in Brazil are scarce. This study aimed to describe the pathological features of Strongyloides spp. parasitism in two cats in the Amazon region, state of Pará, Brazil. During the necropsy of the two cats, numerous whitish nodules approximately 0.2cm in diameter were observed in the wall of the large intestine. The nodules were conspicuous in the colonic mucosa and exhibited a punctate aperture facing the center of the lumen. Microscopically, these nodules were formed by projections of the mucosal epithelium into the submucosa, which formed tubules lined with a single layer of columnar epithelium, with high cellularity and rare goblet cells, characterizing epithelial hyperplasia of the crypts. Adult nematodes and eggs observed in the lumen of the tubules were morphologically compatible with Strongyloides spp. Numerous larvae were also observed in the interstitium adjacent to the nodule. A mild lymphocytic infiltrate was observed neighboring the hyperplastic nodules. The histological changes are consistent with those described for S. tumefaciens infection.

No abstract

We report two cases of hemochromatosis-like disease in captive Brazilian tapirs, Tapirus terrestris in Pará state, Brazil. Both animals presented symptoms of chronic hepatopathy associated with marked accumulation of hemosiderin. The coloration of Perls demonstrated pronounced iron accumulation in macrophages in the portal space, Kupffer cells, and, to a lesser extent, in the hepatocytes of the periportal region. Marked portal fibrosis was evidenced by Masson’s trichrome. The pathological mechanisms of this disease in tapirs are not yet well established. It has been suggested that the species may have different mechanisms of iron absorption and elimination, rendering them sensitive to elevation in dietary levels of this metal. Two previous reports of this disease in T. terrestris exist from zoos in Australia and Scotland. This is the first report of this disease in tapirs in Brazil based on histopathological and histochemical findings.

Digestive disorders in cattle are associated with the breeding system and feed provided to the animals. Abomasal compaction is primarily related to the ingestion of forage with elevated levels of lignin, low quality, and difficult digestibility. In addition, the excess of fibrous food in the diet can lead to phytobezoars that may be responsible for intestinal obstruction disorders. This study aimed to describe pathological and clinical aspects of an outbreak of digestive disorders associated with the consumption of palm fiber (Elaeis guineensis). The outbreak struck a herd of 499 animals raised in a feedlot system after a change in diet that included an increase in the amount of palm fiber. Forty (8.01%) animals showed clinical signs such as fattening and regurgitation during rumination, and 21 (4.2%) animals died later. The cattle affected presented with apathy, emaciation, dehydration, distended abdomen, incomplete or absent ruminal movements, and congestive mucosa. Three animals were submitted to necropsy, and distended rumen and reticulum has a large amount of brownish liquid, long and tangled vegetable fibers with sand and stones. In two animals, the omasum had many rounded structures measuring approximately 5cm in diameter, made of vegetable fiber (phytobezoars). Abomasum of animals had similar material to the rumen, and one animal had compressed content. In two animals, dilatation was observed in the small intestine, and in the opening, the total obstruction of the lumen by phytobezoar was observed. During the follow-up of the slaughter of 76 cattle, 15 (19.7%) had phytobezoars of different sizes in the omasum and abomasum. The increased amount of oil palm fiber in animal feeding favored the occurrence of compression abomasum and intestinal obstruction phytobezoa, causing significant economic losses.

A pig was in left lateral recumbency with limb spasticity, accentuated prostration, and strabismus, and was euthanized. During autopsy, yellowing of the leptomeninges at the ventral pons to medulla oblongata was noted. In the cerebellar peduncles, there was a focally extensive black-to-yellow area at the level of the vestibular nuclei. Histologic examination revealed a cross-section of a nematode larva, consistent with Stephanurus dentatus, bordered by edema and marked infiltration of mononuclear cells, plasma cells, and a few eosinophils. Vacuolation of the neuropil, with rare gitter cells and axonal spheroids, was also observed. We diagnosed parasitic encephalitis caused by S. dentatus migration based on the pathology findings and characterization of the parasite.

ABEL 4Rhipicephalus sanguineus é um carrapato envolvido na transmissão de diversos patógenos aos cães. Geralmente, o seu controle é realizado com carrapaticidas químicos. Porém o uso incorreto pode gerar indivíduos resistentes a esses produtos (MELO et al., 2010). Considerando que isso pode estar relacionado à falta de informação sobre a biologia do carrapato, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o conhecimento dos proprietários de cães do Município de Castanhal, PA, a respeito da biologia, controle e transmissão de patógenos por R. sanguineus. Para tanto, 64 proprietários de cães, escolhidos aleatoriamente, foram entrevistados enquanto aguardavam atendimento no Hospital Veterinário da UFPA. A amostra foi calculada no software EpiInfo 7 (frequência esperada=50%, erro β=20%, erro α=0,01). Os questionários semiestruturados foram analisados no software SPSS v.20.0, para verificação da associação entre as respostas e cálculo da odds ratio, quando possível (IC 95%). Os entrevistados não tinham preferência pelo sexo do animal e a maioria possuía cães sem raça definida (54%). Grande parte das residências não apresentava lotes vagos nos arredores (52,4%), o que se constituiu em fator de proteção para a infestação por carrapatos nessas casas (OR=0,23). Embora os cães da maioria dos entrevistados nunca tivessem apresentado alguma doença transmitida por carrapatos (78,6%), muitos acreditam que esses são importantes transmissores de doenças (42,2%), podendo até causar a morte dos cães (82,8%). Observou-se também que a maioria dos entrevistados não sabia definir o tempo de vida de um carrapato no ambiente (79,7%), ou quando era necessário substituir os carrapaticidas (42,2%), assim como ignoravam a causa da resistência dos carrapatos aos produtos químicos (57,8%). Isso indica a falta de conhecimento sobre a biologia desse ectoparasito, o que se reflete na dificuldade em controlá-lo. Percebe-se, então, que se faz necessária a conscientização da população sobre a biologia do carrapato para otimizar o seu controle.

tumefaciens (BOWMAN et al., 2002). Embora a identificação específica nesse caso ainda esteja em andamento, este padrão de resposta tecidual não tem sido descrito na infecção por outras espécies de Strongyloides nos gatos domésticos. Os dados do presente estudo indicam que a possibilidade da infecção por essa espécie em felinos no Brasil deve ser investigada.