Undifferentiated tumor in the ovary of a corn snake (Elaphe guttata guttata)

A 6-year-old intact female corn snake (Elaphe guttata guttata) was presented with a 3-week history of anorexia. Coelomic radiographs revealed a 9 x 4 cm soft tissue opacity suggestive of a right ovarian enlargement. The mass (9 x 5 x 4 cm) was surgically removed, and multiple smears from tissue sections were stained with Diff-Quik. Multiple tissue samples from the mass were collected and fixed in formalin. Cytologic specimens were moderately cellular and contained light pink amorphous background material. The cells were primarily spindle-shaped with moderate to marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis. Cells sometimes were round to polygonal, and rarely were arranged in small clusters. Macrophages occasionally were observed. Histologic specimens consisted of a highly cellular mass composed of pleomorphic, spindle-shaped cells and, occasionally, round to polygonal cells arranged in irregular fascicles. The neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), smooth muscle actin, and skeletal muscle actin, but did not stain for vimentin or desmin. On the basis of the morphologic and immunohistochemical results, a diagnosis of ovarian undifferentiated carcinoma was made. In this report, we describe the challenges of using immunohistochemistry to diagnose this uncommon type of tumor in reptiles.     

How to Perform and Interpret Testicular Fine Needle Aspiration in Stallions

Although several methods of testicular biopsy have been proposed previously, testicular fine needle aspiration (FNA) has proved to be the simplest, the most rapid, inexpensive, and overall the least invasive technique for obtaining testicular biopsies. Testicular FNA is indicated for fertility investigations in stallions with oligozoospermia or azoospermia. It is also used for differential diagnosis of testicular enlargement. After sedation, the stallion’s testis is punctured to obtain testicular parenchyma samples containing cells mainly from the seminiferous epithelium. The material obtained is used to perform smears which are analyzed for identification and quantification of germ cells and Sertoli cells. The results are based on the presence of the cell types found in the smears and the proportions of Sertoli cells per germ cells. In addition to being a very useful diagnostic tool, testicular FNA is also used for follow-up examinations, as it is minimally invasive.     

Anthrax undervalued zoonosis

Anthrax is a non-contagious disease, known since ancient times. However, it became a matter of global public interest after the bioterrorist attacks in the U.S.A. during the autumn of 2001. The concern of politicians and civil authorities everywhere towards this emergency necessitated a significant research effort and the prevention of new bioterrorist acts. Anthrax is primarily a disease that affects livestock and wildlife; its distribution is worldwide; and it can represent a danger to humans but especially more so when it occurs in areas considered to be free and in atypical seasons and climatic conditions. The atypicality of the phenomenon may lead health workers to misdiagnose and, consequently, an inappropriately manage of affected carcasses with a consequent and inevitable increase in the risk of human infection. This article emphasises the importance of paying increasing attention to this zoonosis. The biggest risk is its underestimation.     

PULSED WAVE-DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF THE COMMON CAROTID ARTERY IN THE RESTING HORSE: PHYSIOLOGIC DATA

A pulsed wave-Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of common carotid arterial blood flow was carried out on 63 healthy Italian Saddlebred horses. Vessel diameter and tracing morphology were evaluated were evaluated and blood flow parameters (systolic, diastolic and mean velocity, acceleration and deceleration of the systolic wave, cartid pulse volume) were calculated and correlated with class variables (sex, age and body weight). On the basis of the presence of an incisure in the ascending branch of the systolic curve, subjects were divided in two groups: one with a bifid systolic curve and the other with a monophasic aspect. Correlations between: 1) diameter of the vessel and body weight and 2) carotid pulse volume and flow velocity (systolic, diastolic and mean) were found. A greater systolic pulse volume was found in male subjects, in subjects with greater body weight and in those which had a monophasic systolic wave.     

Treatment of refractory feline sporotrichosis with a combination of intralesional amphotericin B and oral itraconazole

OBJECTIVE To describe the use of intralesional amphotericin B in localised lesions for the treatment of 26 cats from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with sporotrichosis refractory to oral itraconazole. DESIGN Uncontrolled intervention study. METHOD The 26 cats in this study were diagnosed with sporotrichosis, confirmed by isolation of Sporothrix schenckii, and presented residual localised skin lesions refractory to treatment with oral itraconazole for a minimum period of 8 weeks. The animals received weekly applications of intralesional amphotericin B in conjunction with oral itraconazole. In cases of owner unavailability, a maximum of 2 weeks between the infiltrations was accepted. RESULTS Twenty-two (84.6%) of the 26 treated cats achieved clinical remission, 16 (72.7%) of which were cured, and in the remaining six (27.3%) the lesions recurred at the same site. Lack of clinical response was observed in one animal and three owners abandoned treatment. CONCLUSION The proposed therapeutic regimen is an adjunctive treatment option for cats with sporotrichosis presenting as residual skin lesions refractory to itraconazole.     

Constitutive expression of interferons in swine leukocytes

Interferon (IFN)-α and IFN-γ positive cells were revealed by flow cytometry in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) pigs. A low prevalence of IFN-γ positive cells was also detected in PBMC of some Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus-infected pigs and uninfected, control pigs. IFN-α positive cells showed phenotypes of both monocytes and plasmacytoid dendritic cells. The presence of IFN-α in PBMC was also confirmed by Western blotting. By immunoprecipitation, IFN-α was detected as 32 and 55-57 kDa bands in PBMC of healthy SPF piglets. These samples were also IFN-γ positive; the cytokine was revealed as 24, 37 and 54 kDa bands. The unusual molecular mass values of intracellular interferons were probably due to oligomerization, as previously described for human IFN-α. Swine intracellular IFN-α displayed the expected antiviral activity on bovine MDBK cells. The results indicate that interferons are constitutively expressed in swine leukocytes with peculiar molecular features.     

Brucellosis in Brazil

This paper reviews the epidemiology of bovine, swine, ovine, caprine, and canine brucellosis in Brazil. The zoonotic aspects of Brucella infection in Brazil is also discussed. Emphasis is given to the new program for the control of brucellosis in cattle and buffaloes that is likely to provide important insights into the prospects and strategies for controlling brucellosis in developing countries.     

水质对猪的重要性

即使是最有进取心的养猪生产者也会忽视水质对猪生产性能的影响。尽管水质检验表明猪场水质仍在可接受的范围内,但水管内积聚起的水藻、细     

Pituitary apoplexy-like disease in 4 dogs

BACKGROUND: Pituitary apoplexy in humans is a clinical syndrome resulting from sudden infarction, hemorrhage, or both in a normal or an adenomatous pituitary gland. OBJECTIVE: Describe a clinical syndrome in dogs similar to pituitary apoplexy in humans. ANIMALS: Four dogs exhibiting a sudden onset of neurologic signs. METHODS: A retrospective study was used, including clinical examination, computed tomography (CT), postmortem examination, and histopathology of the brain. Pituitary tissue from 3 of the dogs was subjected to immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Four dogs (2 Mongrels, 1 Bordeaux Dog, and 1 Cocker Spaniel; median age, 11 years; median body weight, 20.5 kg) presented with acute neurologic signs including depression (n = 3), behavioral changes (n = 1), vision loss (n = 1), seizures (n = 1), and collapse (n = 1). CT disclosed suprasellar infarction, hemorrhage, or both associated with a pituitary macroadenoma in 3 dogs and a frank hemorrhage in a nonadenomatous pituitary gland in 1 dog. CT findings were correlated with postmortem findings, and pituitary apoplexy was confirmed by histopathology and immunocytochemistry of the pituitary tissue. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study provides histopathologic evidence of pituitary apoplexy in dogs. The results are relevant for future diagnosis and treatment of pituitary disease in dogs.