Techniques and parameters used in compatibility tests between Beauveria bassiana (Bals) Vuill and in vitro phytosanitary products

The objective of this work was to test and compare different techniques used in tests for compatibility between the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuill and phytosanitary products, in order to develop a protocol for in vitro tests. Four modes of contact were studied between B bassiana (CG432) and the fungicides iprodione (Rovral) 500 g litre(-1) SC) and azoxystrobin (Amistar) 500 g kg(-1) WG), and the insecticide endosulfan (Thiodan) 350 g litre(-1) EC), at three rates. The techniques consisted in incorporating the products into the culture medium (IM), combining the conidia into the products mix (MP) and spraying the products before (SB) and after (SA) inoculation of the fungus on Petri dishes. The fungitoxic effect of the products was studied on the basis of parameters such as germination, colony-forming units (CFUs), vegetative growth and sporulation. The effect of azoxystrobin on conidial germination was significantly higher in the IM technique than in the other techniques. With regard to CFUs, the IM and SB techniques showed the greatest differences relative to the control. Vegetative growth and sporulation were more affected when azoxystrobin was sprayed before the fungus was applied. At the commercial rate, iprodione had a greater effect on the CFU parameter in the IM and MP techniques, and on vegetative growth in the IM technique, than the other techniques used; however, there was no significant difference occurred between the techniques at the commercial rate with respect to germination and sporulation. Endosulfan was more toxic to germination in techniques SB and SA, and to the CFUs parameter in techniques IM and MP. As to vegetative growth and sporulation, regardless of rate, a more pronounced effect was observed in IM than in the other techniques. It can be inferred that there are differences between techniques and that a standardization of the compatibility tests is necessary. Another inference is that these techniques should reflect realistic exposure of the fungus to chemical formulations under field conditions.     

Partial protection against tissue cysts formation in pigs vaccinated with crude rhoptry proteins of Toxoplasma gondii

A vaccine containing crude Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry proteins incorporated in the immunostimulating complexes (ISCOM) adjuvant was tested in pigs for protecting against tissue cyst formation. For this, 38 mixed breed pigs were divided into four groups, G1 (vaccinated challenged, n=10) received two doses (100 microg/dose) of the rhoptry vaccine at days 0 and 21, G2 (vaccinated challenged, n=10) received viable tachyzoites (7 x 10(7)) of the RH strain at day 0, G3 (unvaccinated challenged, n=10) and G4 (unvaccinated unchallenged, n=8). Pigs were challenged with 4 x 10(4) VEG strain oocysts 57 days later. The G1 pigs produced high IgG antibody levels in the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after the second dose of rhoptry vaccine, but were not clinically protected against a high dose oocyst challenge. Partial protection was observed in G1 at the chronic phase of infection, when compared with G3. Pigs in group 2 developed high antibody levels and were protected against clinic signs. T. gondii was not detected in two (G1) and three (G2) pigs by mouse bioassay. The results indicate partial protection in pigs vaccinated with a rhoptry vaccine.     

Surgical treatment of an intramedullary spinal cord hamartoma in a dog

A 9-year-old spayed female Golden Retriever was examined because of progressive hind limb lameness. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic and lumbar portions of the vertebral column revealed a focal, contrast-enhancing, intramedullary spinal cord mass. The history, signalment, and magnetic resonance findings were suggestive of spinal cord neoplasia. A hemilaminectomy, durotomy, and longitudinal myelotomy were performed, and a 1 X 1-cm mass that contained numerous blood vessels was removed with blunt dissection. Results of histologic examination and immunohistochemical staining of the mass suggested that it was a hamartoma. The dog improved after surgery, with no evidence of a recurrence of clinical signs 14 months after surgery. Vascular malformations of the CNS in dogs include hamartomas, hemangiomas, angiomas, hemangioblastomas, meningocerebral hemangiomatosis, and arteriovenous malformations. A hamartoma is a non-neoplastic overgrowth of cells or an improper proportion of cells that are normally in the involved tissue. Although magnetic resonance imaging may be helpful in determining the extent of the lesion in dogs with vascular malforrmations, it cannot be used to distinguish neoplastic from non-neoplastic formations. Excision may result in a good outcome for dogs with an intramedullary spinal cord hamartoma.     

Activity changes of glyoxalase system enzymes and glutathione-S-transferase in the bivalve mollusc Scapharca inaequivalvis exposed to the organophosphate chlorpyrifos

The present report was aimed to study possible changes in the activity of glutathione-dependent enzymes glyoxalase I (G I) and glyoxalase II (G II), forming the glyoxalase system, and glutathione-S-transferase in tissues (gills, foot, and digestive gland) of the mediterranean bivalve mollusc Scapharca inaequivalvis, after a 4- or 15-day exposure to a sublethal concentration (0.1 ppm) of the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF). Control experiments were also performed on untreated animals. G I activity decreased in gills and foot, and increased in the digestive gland after 4 days of CPF exposure. Glyoxalase II activity in the gills decreased after a 15 days exposure to CPF, was unchanged in the foot and increased after 15 days in the digestive gland. Glutathione-S-transferase activity, which is involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics, increased significantly in all tissues after CPF exposure. The results suggest that sublethal CPF exposure of S. inaequivalvis does not compromise the cellular redox balance in these tissues.     

MRI ischemic and hemorrhagic lesions in arterial and venous territories characterize central nervous system intravascular lymphoma in dogs

Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is characterized by the proliferation of large malignant lymphocytes within the lumen of blood vessels. This retrospective, multi-center, case series study aimed to describe the MRI features of confirmed central nervous system IVL in dogs and compare them with histopathological findings. Medical record databases from seven veterinary centers were searched for cases of histologically confirmed IVL. Dogs were included if an MRI was performed. The MRI studies and histopathology samples were reviewed to compare the MRI changes with the histopathological findings. Twelve dogs met the inclusion criteria (12 brains and three spinal cords). Imaging of the brains revealed multifocal T2-weighted/FLAIR hyperintense and T1-weighted iso-hypointense lesions, with variable contrast enhancement; areas of abnormal diffusion both in arterial and venous territories in diffusion-weighted imaging; and meningeal enhancement. On gradient echo images (GRE), the changes comprised tubular susceptibility artifacts, consistent with the “susceptibility vessel sign”, and additional variably sized/shaped intraparenchymal susceptibility artifacts. Spinal cord lesions presented as fusiform T2-weighted hyperintensities with scattered susceptibility artifacts on GRE and variable parenchymal and meningeal contrast enhancement. On histopathology, subarachnoid hemorrhages and neuroparenchymal areas of edema and necrosis, with or without hemorrhage, indicating ischemic and hemorrhagic infarctions, were found. These lesions were concurrent with severely dilated meningeal and parenchymal arteries and veins plugged by neoplastic lymphocytes and fibrin. Due to the unique angiocentric distribution of IVL, ischemic and hemorrhagic infarcts of variable chronicity affecting both the arterial and venous territories associated with thrombi formation can be detected on MRI.     

Surgical complications following sentinel lymph node biopsy guided by γ-probe and methylene blue in 113 tumour-bearing dogs

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an accepted veterinary surgical procedure given the impact of early detection of nodal metastases on staging of several canine malignancies. This study aims at reporting the incidence and risk factors for surgical complications of SLNB in tumour-bearing dogs. A total of 113 client-owned dogs that underwent tumour excision and SLNB guided by γ-probing and blue dye were retrospectively enrolled. Recorded variables included: signalment, location and number of extirpated lymphocenters and nodes, time for SLNB, histopathological status of excised nodes. Incidence of SLNB complications was calculated. They were classified as minor and major based on severity and required treatment, and as short-term (0–30 days) and long-term (31–90 days). Univariate analysis with generalized linear model with binomial error estimated the association between variables and incidence of SLNB complications. Significance was set at 5%. Median overall time for SLNB was 25 min. Surgeons excised one node in 38% of dogs and multiple nodes in 62% of cases, belonging to one (62%) or multiple (38%) lymphocenters. Metastases were detected in 45% of nodes. No intraoperative complications occurred. The overall incidence of postoperative complications of SLNB was 21,24%, the majority of which (91.67%) were minor. Only increasing dogs' weight was associated with an increased incidence of SLNB complications (p = .00976). Sentinel lymphadenectomy was associated with a relatively low incidence of complications, most of which were self-limiting. The low morbidity and previously reported impact on staging of SLNB justify its implementation to collect data for prognostic studies.     

Genetic parameters for somatic cell count (SCC) and milk production traits of Guzerá cows using data normalized by different procedures

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study aimed to estimate the genetic parameters for somatic cell count (SCC) and the genetic association between SCC and milk production traits using two...