Complete uterine prolapse without uterine mucosal eversion in a queen

A five‐year‐old female cat weighing 3 kg was presented by the owner after noticing a large pink, bilobed mass protruding through the vulva during labour. The cat was in good condition, with appropriate lactation, and the newborn kittens were nursing normally. The uterus was not reverted or invaginated at examination, and there was rupture of the mesovarium, mesometrium and uterine‐vaginal connection around the cervix. Manual reduction of the prolapsed uterus was not possible because of torn ligaments. A coeliotomy was performed to remove the ovaries, and the apex of the uterine horns was passed by the vaginal route. The remaining part of the mesometrium was disconnected, and the prolapsed uterus was removed. The queen and kittens were discharged from the hospital on the second day after surgery. An unusual feature of this case is that the prolapse was complete, without eversion of any part of the uterus through a vaginal tear.     

Use of Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasonography in Chronic Pathologic Canine Testes

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound with sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles was performed in seven healthy dogs without a history of reproductive pathology and with histologically confirmed normal testes and in 42 dogs with chronic scrotal anomalies. All dogs underwent orchiectomy and histological examination. Enhancement patterns and perfusion parameters (peak intensity and regional blood flow) of testes of healthy dogs and testes with chronic lesions were compared. Fourteen non‐pathologic and 60 pathologic testes were considered. Forty testes were neoplastic (24 interstitial cell tumours, 9 seminomas, 7 Sertoli cell tumours), 20 were non‐neoplastic (16 testicular degenerations, 2 chronic orchitis, 1 testicular atrophy, 1 interstitial cell hyperplasia). In healthy dogs, the contrast medium flow had a rapid homogeneous wash‐in and wash‐out, with a short peak phase. With contrast ultrasound, testes that were inhomogeneous with a hyperenhancing pattern were associated with neoplasia (sensitivity: 87.5%, specificity: 100%). Lesions with persistent inner vessels and a hypo‐to‐isoechoic background were significantly associated with seminomas (sensitivity: 77.8%, specificity: 100%). Testes with non‐neoplastic lesions were characterized by a scant/moderate homogeneous enhancement. Perfusion parameters were higher in neoplastic lesions. Contrast ultrasound was a feasible diagnostic tool in the assessment of testicular lesions, with hyperenhancement being an important feature in the diagnosis of malignancy.     

Interactions between ecto- and endoparasites in trout Salmo trutta.

Trout fry were experimentally infected with endoparasites (Anisakis sp.) and/or ectoparasites (Gyrodactylus derjavini). During the following 3 weeks the infection level of G. derjavini was significantly lowered in fish infected with live anisakids compared to fish injected with physiological saline, a corresponding amount of Anisakis protein sonicate or to untreated fish. Subsequent scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of recovered nematodes from the trout showed an extensive colonization of the worms with host macrophages. It is indicated that the activation of the fish immune system by infection with live anisakids influences the skin response of the host with a subsequent negative effect on the ectoparasites G. derjavini.     

Isolation,proliferation and characterization of endometrial canine stem cells

In the last decade, progenitor cells isolated from dissociated endometrial tissue have been the subject of many studies in several animal species. Recently, endometrial cells showing characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been demonstrated in human, pig and cow uterine tissue samples. The aim of this study was the isolation and characterization of stromal cells from the endometrium of healthy bitches, a tissue that after elective surgery is routinely discarded. Multipotent stromal cells could be isolated from all bitches enrolled in the study (n = 7). The multipotency of cells was demonstrated by their capacity to differentiate into adipocytic, osteocytic and chondrocytic lineages. Clonogenicity and cell proliferation ability were also tested. Furthermore, gene expression analysis by RT‐PCR was used to compare the expression of a set of genes (CD44, CD29, CD34, CD45, CD90, CD13, CD133, CD73, CD31 CD105, Oct4) with adipose tissue‐derived MSC. Stromal cells isolated from uterine endometrium showed similar morphology, ability of subculture and plasticity, and also expressed a panel of genes comparable with adipose tissue‐derived MSC. These data suggest that endometrial stromal cells fulfil the basic criteria proposed by the “Mesenchymal and Tissue Stem Cell Committee of the International Society for Cellular Therapy” for the identification of mesenchymal stem cells. Although endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (EnMSC) showed a lower replicative ability in comparison with adipose tissue‐derived MSC, they could be considered a cell therapeutic agent alternative to adipose tissue or bone marrow‐derived MSC in dog.     

Molecular detection of Leishmania sp. in cats (Felis catus) from Andradina Municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil

The aim of this work was to molecularly detect Leishmania species in 52 cats from Andradina Municipality, S?o Paulo State, Brazil. The direct parasitological test was performed by using imprints of poplited lymph node, bone marrow and spleen to verify amastigote forms of Leishmania spp. The samples that were positive parasitological tests were subjected to molecular analysis (PCR) and sequencing. Infection was detected for 5.76% (3/52) of the examined cats and two had presence of amastigote forms of Leishmania spp. in lymph nodes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of kinetoplast minicircle DNA, indicated positive amplification for samples of spleen and lymph nodes and the sequencing resulted in 97% similarity with Leishmania (L.) chagasi. This study proved the occurrence of infection with Leishmania (L.) chagasi in felines from Andradina municipality, S?o Paulo State.     

Effect of the antiparasitic drugs fenbendazole and ivermectin on the soil nematode Pristionchus maupasi

Pristionchus maupasi, a soil nematode, was used to elucidate the potential ecotoxic effect of the two anthelmintics fenbendazole and ivermectin in cattle dung. The population growth of P. maupasi was greater in faeces from cattle harbouring active Panacur- or Ivomec-boli, which are releasing fenbendazole and ivermectin to the rumen, respectively, compared to the growth in control faeces. In dose-response experiments it could be shown that the pure chemical compound of fenbendazole was increasingly nematocidal to P. maupasi in concentrations from 10 to 20 microg/g faeces (ww, i.e. wet weight) and the pure compound of ivermectin was effective above 3 microg/g faeces (ww). The results indicate that neither fenbendazole nor ivermectin have any acute toxic effect on P. maupasi in naturally excreted concentrations of the pure drugs, together with their metabolites in faeces from bolus-treated cattle. Both drugs are excreted in concentrations that are non-toxic to P. maupasi.     

Effects of formalin treatment on epithelial structure and mucous cell densities in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), skin

Formalin bath treatments of rainbow trout are widely used for control of ectoparasitic infections in fish farms and the effects of this chemical on parasite infections have been studied. In addition, tolerance of the host to various concentrations of formalin are also known. However, effects of formaldehyde on the skin epithelium integrity and mucous cell density still need elucidation. The present study revealed that exposure of rainbow trout fry 2 months post-hatching to various concentrations of formalin affected the mucous cell dynamics of the fish. Limited exposure (50 ppm, 1 h) stimulated mucous cell proliferation as indicated by the slight increase in densities of Alcian blue positive cells in tail fin epidermis. In contrast, high concentrations (200-300 ppm, 1 h) or lengthy exposure (24 h) at lower concentrations caused a decrease in mucous cell density. Scanning electron microscopy revealed effects on the epithelial structure of fish fins. Blebbing of epithelial cell membranes was the first sign of injury. The dilated openings of mucous cells indicated increased release of mucus. Highly irregular organization of the cells followed, with regional differences occurring in different parts of fins. The implications of formalin bathing for susceptibility or resistance of fish to subsequent pathogen exposure are discussed.