ABSTRACT: Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), caused by an Alphaherpesvirus (Gallid herpesvirus-1; GaHV-1), has been noticed in the region of the Terras Altas da Mantiqueira, Minas Gerais. From 2010 to 2018, the “Serviço Veterinário... more
ABSTRACT: Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), caused by an Alphaherpesvirus (Gallid herpesvirus-1; GaHV-1), has been noticed in the region of the Terras Altas da Mantiqueira, Minas Gerais. From 2010 to 2018, the “Serviço Veterinário Oficial” (SVO) of the “Instituto Mineiro Agropecuário” (IMA), implemented measures to prevent spread of the virus to other regions and control the disease in the area. Due to the close proximity and consequent epidemiological link among farms, the region was considered a unique epidemiological unit. To check the efficiency of the ILT control measures, we carried out: (1) a seroepidemiological survey, (2) questionnaires for evaluating biosecurity measures; and (3) an evaluation of the influence of farm population density on the occurrence of ILT. In 2016, 2017, and 2018, ILT was investigated using epidemiological and clinicopathological methods, along with GaHV-1 molecular detection. Serological survey was carried out on 24 farms in the quarantined region...
ABSTRACT: Icterus (jaundice) is a yellowish pigmentation resulting from the depositing of bilirubin in tissues due to its high plasmatic concentration. The pathogenesis of icterus includes metabolic changes or obstructed bilirubin... more
ABSTRACT: Icterus (jaundice) is a yellowish pigmentation resulting from the depositing of bilirubin in tissues due to its high plasmatic concentration. The pathogenesis of icterus includes metabolic changes or obstructed bilirubin excretion and it is classified as pre-hepatic, hepatic and post-hepatic. This study aimed to evaluate and classify different causes of icterus in dogs during post mortem examination. These dogs were examined from 2014 to 2017, using macroscopic and histologic exams as well as ancillary tests. Eighty-three dogs were examined macroscopically and microscopically. They were separated into groups of icterus types: 24 (28.9%) dogs had pre-hepatic icterus, 45 (54.2%) had hepatic, 13 (15.7%) pre-hepatic and hepatic and one (1.2%) had post-hepatic icterus. Many factors were identified as a cause of icterus, including infectious agents (51/83), neoplasms (13/83), hepatic degeneration (11/83), chronic hepatic diseases (6/83), and obstructive causes (1/87). Among the ...
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A twelve-day-old foal was admitted to the Veterinar y School of UFMG with profuse diarrhea. The animal was treated with several medications, including antibio tics. Despite the clinical care, the clinical condi tion did not improve. Due... more
A twelve-day-old foal was admitted to the Veterinar y School of UFMG with profuse diarrhea. The animal was treated with several medications, including antibio tics. Despite the clinical care, the clinical condi tion did not improve. Due to poor prognosis, the foal was euthanized. Gross a nd histopathological examinations, showed pseudomembranous and/or membranous glossitis, esophagitis and gastritis wit h intense amount of pseudohyphae and blastoconidia compatible with Candida spp Also, fibrinous and necrotizing typhlocolitis was observed. Clostridium difficile was isolated from intestinal contents which were also positive for toxins A/B by ELISA. Using a multiplex-PCR assay, genes encoding toxin A (tcdA) and toxin B (tcdB) were detected. The severe lesion s caused by Candida in this foal probably occurred due to changes in t he microbiota induced by the treatment with antibiotic s. However, the possibility of an acquired immunode ficiency cannot be excluded because information abou...
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This paper describes an outbreak of chlamydiosis in psittacines recovered in Minas Gerais, Brazil, from illegal trade in the Brazilian Southeastern Region. Clinically, some birds showed apathy and anorexia or died suddenly without... more
This paper describes an outbreak of chlamydiosis in psittacines recovered in Minas Gerais, Brazil, from illegal trade in the Brazilian Southeastern Region. Clinically, some birds showed apathy and anorexia or died suddenly without evidence of clinical signs. Necropsy was performed on 15 psittacines; 13 Amazon parrots (A. aestiva), one Peach-fronted parakeet (Aratinga aurea) and one Scaly-headed parrot (Pionus maximiliani). The most visible macroscopic changes were mild to marked hepatomegaly, with many white foci ranging in size from 1 mm to 100 mm that extended in to the parenchyma. Other findings included splenomegaly and fibrinopurulent airsacculitis. Microscopic lesions included multifocal to coalescing foci of necrosis of hepatocytes with infiltration of heterophils and lymphocytes and plasma cells randomly scattered through out. In some parrots there were multiple foci of necrotic and granulomatous hepatitis with biliary duct proliferation. The birds with splenomegaly had loss...
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Oslerus osleri (O. osleri) is a filaroid nematode of the respiratory tract of domestic and wild canids that leads to parasitic tracheobronchitis. The aim of this study was to report the first occurrence of O. osleri in hoary fox in Minas... more
Oslerus osleri (O. osleri) is a filaroid nematode of the respiratory tract of domestic and wild canids that leads to parasitic tracheobronchitis. The aim of this study was to report the first occurrence of O. osleri in hoary fox in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The animal was found struck by vehicle in a periurban area and died before any clinical procedures were attempted. At necropsy the animal showed multiple bone fractures. The mucosa of the middle and distal part of the trachea, and primary bronchi were irregular and moderately thickened, containing numerous cylindrical parasites forming nests, firmly adhered to the mucosa. Histopathological examination revealed diffuse inflammation of the mucosa and numerous parasites embedded in the lamina propria with nematode characteristics. The parasitological evaluation including morphological structures and the size of parasites confirmed the occurrence of O. osleri in the Brazilian hoary fox. The conclusion of this report is that Brazili...
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Canine mastitis is an infrequent condition that occurs most commonly in the postpartum period due to ascending bacterial infection. This report aims to describe clinical, pathological and bacteriological aspects of mastitis caused by... more
Canine mastitis is an infrequent condition that occurs most commonly in the postpartum period due to ascending bacterial infection. This report aims to describe clinical, pathological and bacteriological aspects of mastitis caused by Staphylococcus hyicus accompanied by disseminated superficial lymphadenitis in a dog. In the postpartum period the animal showed clinical signs of prostration, dyspneia, and unresponsivess to environment. At physical examination, hypothermia, dehydration and subcutaneous edema of the limbs were detected. Gross and histologic features were consistent with marked purulent and necro-hemorrhagic mastitis accompanied by lymphangitis, lymphadenitis and thromboembolic pneumonia. Isolation and biochemical identification confirmed the infection by Staphylococcus hyicus. This study shows that one must be attentive not only of the risk of uterine infection postpartum, but also of the possibility of mammary gland infection.
A 7-year-old, intact female Bulldog was presented to the veterinarian with ocular signs characteristic of Horner’s Syndrome: bilateral conjunctival hyperemia, enophthalmos, miosis, and protrusion of the third eyelid of left eye. A month... more
A 7-year-old, intact female Bulldog was presented to the veterinarian with ocular signs characteristic of Horner’s Syndrome: bilateral conjunctival hyperemia, enophthalmos, miosis, and protrusion of the third eyelid of left eye. A month later, the dog returned for recheck with marked neurologic signs: lethargy, circling, constant vocalizing, depressed mentation, and hyperesthesia. A neoplasm in the brain was suspected. Treatment was implemented in an attempt to reduce clinical signs. After initial clinical remission, the clinical condition got worse and the owner elected euthanasia. Necropsy revealed a large intracranial neoplasm affecting an extensive portion of the cerebral parenchyma. The neoplasm was histologically diagnosed as glioblastoma multiforme. Determination of the extent of the affected cerebral regions based on neurologic exam was useful in establishing the presumptive clinical diagnosis of intracranial neoplasm. Horner’s syndrome preceded the neurologic signs in this ...
A 2-year-old, intact female Maltese dog was present ed to the veterinarian with a history of acute neur ological signs. On neurological examination the dog showed deficit of mental status (apathy and depression), se izures, constant... more
A 2-year-old, intact female Maltese dog was present ed to the veterinarian with a history of acute neur ological signs. On neurological examination the dog showed deficit of mental status (apathy and depression), se izures, constant howling, head turn and compulsive circling to the r ight side and falls to the left side. The treatment protocol using prednisolone (for seizures remission) and cyclospor ine (initiated in the chronic stage) did not stop t he progression of the disease and euthanasia was elected 65 days later. N ecropsy revealed mild cerebral asymmetry, and in th e frontal (more affected) parietal and occipital lobes of the right hemisphere there were friable, depressed and yello wish areas characterizing malacia. The left contralateral fron tal lobe was edematous and slightly yellowish. At h istopathology, the lesions were characterized by marked, multifocal to coalescing necrotizing meningoencephalitis, charac terized by focally extensive areas of malacia, especially i...
Hergot I.G., da Rocha M.B.M.C., Xavier F.G., Santos W.H.M., de Oliveira L.B., Martins N.R.S. & Ecco R. 2021. Evaluation of actions of the official veterinary service to mitigate outbreaks of infectious laryngotracheitis and improve... more
Hergot I.G., da Rocha M.B.M.C., Xavier F.G., Santos W.H.M., de Oliveira L.B., Martins N.R.S. & Ecco R. 2021. Evaluation of actions of the official veterinary service to mitigate outbreaks of infectious laryngotracheitis and improve biosecurity on laying hen farms. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 41:e06749, 2021. Setor de Patologia Animal, Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil. E-mail: ecco@vet.ufmg.br Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), caused by an Alphaherpesvirus (Gallid herpesvirus-1; GaHV-1), has been noticed in the region of the Terras Altas da Mantiqueira, Minas Gerais. From 2010 to 2018, the “Serviço Veterinário Oficial” (SVO) of the “Instituto Mineiro Agropecuário” (IMA), implemented measures to prevent spread of the virus to other regions and control the disease in the area. Due to the close proximity and consequent epidemiological link amon...
RESUMO.[Diagnósticos diferenciais em 83 cães com icterícia.] Icterícia é a pigmentação amarelada decorrente da deposição de bilirrubina em tecidos devido à elevada concentração plasmática. A patogênese da icterícia inclui alterações no... more
RESUMO.[Diagnósticos diferenciais em 83 cães com icterícia.] Icterícia é a pigmentação amarelada decorrente da deposição de bilirrubina em tecidos devido à elevada concentração plasmática. A patogênese da icterícia inclui alterações no metabolismo ou na excreção de bilirrubina, sendo classificada em pré-hepática, hepática ou pós-hepática. O objetivo desse estudo foi identificar, avaliar e classificar as causas de icterícia em cães necropsiados de 2014 a 2017, associando as lesões macroscópicas, histológicas e exames complementares. Foram avaliados macroe microscopicamente 83 cães com diferentes intensidades de icterícia. Os cães foram separados em grupos de acordo com o tipo de icterícia: 24 (28,9%) cães com icterícia pré-hepática, 45 (54,2%) cães com icterícia hepática, 13 (15,7%) com icterícia pré-hepática e hepática e um (1,2%) com icterícia pós-hepática. Foram identificadas várias etiologias associadas à icterícia, dentre elas pode-se destacar, agentes infecciosos (51/83), neopl...
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An adult male puma (Puma concolor), hit by a car in an urban area, died three days later despite the therapeutic support provided. At necropsy, multiple firm nodules were identified in the gastric mucosa. The nodules were coated by an... more
An adult male puma (Puma concolor), hit by a car in an urban area, died three days later despite the therapeutic support provided. At necropsy, multiple firm nodules were identified in the gastric mucosa. The nodules were coated by an intact mucosa with a central opening from which reddish and cylindrical nematodes protruded into the lumen. Twenty-seven nematodes were retrieved for morphological and morphometric evaluations. During histopathological examination of the gastric tissue, the adult nematodes appear in longitudinal and transverse sections, surrounded by thick bands of collagen, interspersed with mixed inflammatory infiltrates. The nematodes had an eosinophilic cuticle with caudal serrated projections (bulbar type), coelomyarian musculature, pseudocoelom, and females with uterus containing numerous larvated eggs, characteristics consistent with the Cylicospirura genus. Morphologically, female nematodes had six large tricuspid teeth in the oral cavity and the vulva had an o...
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ABSTRACT: Tracheal avulsion is a condition seen in small animals and occurs as a result of a traumatic incident to the cervical and/or thoracic regions. The aim of this study is to report a case of tracheal avulsion in a cat using imaging... more
ABSTRACT: Tracheal avulsion is a condition seen in small animals and occurs as a result of a traumatic incident to the cervical and/or thoracic regions. The aim of this study is to report a case of tracheal avulsion in a cat using imaging examinations for diagnostic investigation. In this report, we examined an eight-month-old male, cat of undefined breed, diagnosed with tracheal avulsion using complementary imaging tests. This diagnosis was confirmed with post-mortem examination. Radiographic examination of the patient’s thorax and a tracheoscopy were performed. These examinations revealed complete discontinuity of the tracheal circumference, the presence of focal and circumscribed dilation of the tracheal lumen and stenosis. The patient quickly died without clinical and surgical intervention. Macroscopic analysis revealed a tracheal diverticulum confirming the findings of the imaging tests. The use of radiographic examinations in conjunction with tracheoscopy was effective at diag...
We carried out an epidemiological characterization of human and feline sporotrichosis, between 2016 and 2018, in a high density-populated area in Brazil. Professionals were trained to identify suspected cats and notified vets to interview... more
We carried out an epidemiological characterization of human and feline sporotrichosis, between 2016 and 2018, in a high density-populated area in Brazil. Professionals were trained to identify suspected cats and notified vets to interview the owners and collect swabs of the wounds from these animals. Mycological cultures were performed, and colonies identified for Spotrothrix spp. Subsequently, data regarding the outcome from suspected animals were collected. Confirmed cases of human sporotrichosis (56) were also counted and analysed for spatial distribution. Regions with highest prevalence of feline sporotrichosis, had greater frequencies of both human and feline cases. 118 (77.63%) animals were positive. Animals that lived only partially at home were 3.02 times more likely of being positive (OR 3.02, CI 95% 1,96-10,43). The prevalence of feline sporotrichosis was 8.36 ‰ (CI 95%, 5.38 - 9.55 ‰). There was no statistically significant association between environmental variables and ...
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Case summary An adult cat presented with neurological signs and marked icterus. Clinical pathology tests detected increased serum alkaline phosphatase levels, as well as alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, unconjugated bilirubin... more
Case summary An adult cat presented with neurological signs and marked icterus. Clinical pathology tests detected increased serum alkaline phosphatase levels, as well as alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, unconjugated bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin above the normal reference intervals. Ultrasonography showed hepatomegaly and a dilated gall bladder. Following these results, the cat was referred for a cholecystectomy owing to a clinical suspicion of obstructive cholecystitis. The animal died in the postoperative period and was referred for necropsy. Grossly, the animal had marked icterus. On the cortical surface and in the brain parenchyma there were marked yellowish areas. The liver was diffusely reddish-orange, enlarged and the capsular surface was slightly irregular. The gall bladder was absent. At its anatomical site and surrounding the common hepatic duct, a whitish nodular neoplasia of 2.0 cm was found. Microscopically, a cholangioma was diagnosed in the region of th...
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ABSTRACT: A three-year-old female African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris), born and domiciled in Brazil, presented apathy, prostration, and difficulty to stay standing. Its parents were siblings but did not present clinical signs... more
ABSTRACT: A three-year-old female African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris), born and domiciled in Brazil, presented apathy, prostration, and difficulty to stay standing. Its parents were siblings but did not present clinical signs related to this condition. As its clinical condition worsened, the animal was euthanized and referred for necropsy. No gross lesions were found in the central nervous system (CNS). Histologically, there was vacuolation with axonal degeneration in the white matter of the CNS and in peripheral nervous tissue. The Kluver-Barrera (KB) stain confirmed demyelination in vacuolated areas. Immunohistochemistry using several neural markers confirmed astrocytosis and microgliosis associated with vacuolated areas. In addition, there was a mild decrease in the immuno intensity of myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) in these areas. These results suggest a genetic origin of the present demyelination, which resulted in the wobbly syndrome described in this report.
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Clinical and pathological findings in a case of malignant tumor located in the nasal and paranasal sinuses of a six-year-old donkey are reported. The animal was referred to the Equine Veterinary Hospital after three years of progressively... more
Clinical and pathological findings in a case of malignant tumor located in the nasal and paranasal sinuses of a six-year-old donkey are reported. The animal was referred to the Equine Veterinary Hospital after three years of progressively increasing facial swelling. Clinically, the animal presented with tachypnea, dyspnea, and wheezing in the laryngotracheal region. There was swelling in the frontal bone and left orbital regions with exophthalmos of the left eye and bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge, as well as retropharyngeal lymph node enlargement. Radiographic examination revealed radiopacity in the left maxillary, frontal and nasal sinuses, and in the left orbital region. Endoscopy revealed an irregular mass in the nasopharynx. Computed tomographic images of the skull showed an irregular mass, of variable density, in the rostral region, extending from the nasal cavity to the conchofrontal sinus on the left side, with dorsal displacement of the septum and dorsal nasal meatus...
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A 2-mo-old, female blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) presented with severe abdominal distension, pain, and respiratory distress. Ultrasonographic examination detected a heterogeneous mass with multiple anechoic areas, compatible with a... more
A 2-mo-old, female blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) presented with severe abdominal distension, pain, and respiratory distress. Ultrasonographic examination detected a heterogeneous mass with multiple anechoic areas, compatible with a multilocular cyst, occupying most of the coelomic cavity. Postmortem examination revealed a mass of 12.0 × 8.5 × 5.0 cm, which had an irregular surface and was connected by a pedicle to the ileum. This mass compressed and displaced the liver, proventriculus, gizzard, and intestines cranially to the left. The cut surface was lobulated, gray-white, mildly firm or soft, and was interspersed with multiple cysts filled with viscous and opaque liquid. Microscopically, it was composed of well- differentiated embryonic tissues from the endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm; therefore, it was diagnosed as a mature teratoma, which was theorized to have originated from Meckel's diverticulum. This study is the first, to the authors' knowledge to report a ca...
Research Interests: Zoology, Biology, Medicine, Female, Animals, and 3 moreVeterinary Sciences, Teratoma, and Bird diseases
ABSTRACT: A standardized immunochemistry method for the diagnosis of clostridial myonecrosis was applied to 38 formalized tissue samples from ruminants with clinical and post mortem history suggestive of blackleg or gas gangrene. The... more
ABSTRACT: A standardized immunochemistry method for the diagnosis of clostridial myonecrosis was applied to 38 formalized tissue samples from ruminants with clinical and post mortem history suggestive of blackleg or gas gangrene. The diagnosis of clostridial myonecrosis was confirmed in 37 out of 38 (97.4%) samples tested. Clostridium chauvoei and Clostridium perfringens type A were the most common agents found alone, being detected in ten (26.3%) and six (15.8%) samples, respectively. The other cases showed an association of two or three clostridia, with C. perfringens type A detected in 11 (29%) cases. Based on the findings of the present study, polyvalent vaccines against clostridial infections of animals incorporating C. perfringens would be more adequate for preventative purposes in the endemic areas.
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Infectious laryngotracheitis is a highly contagious disease of chickens responsible for significant economic losses for the poultry industry worldwide. The disease is caused by Gallid herpesvirus-1 (GaHV-1) commonly known as the... more
Infectious laryngotracheitis is a highly contagious disease of chickens responsible for significant economic losses for the poultry industry worldwide. The disease is caused by Gallid herpesvirus-1 (GaHV-1) commonly known as the infectious laryngotracheitis virus. Although characterized by their potential to regain virulence, chicken embryo origin (CEO) vaccines are the most effective vaccines against laryngotracheitis as they significantly reduce the replication of challenge virus in the trachea and conjunctiva. Knowledge on the nature of protective immunity elicited by CEO vaccines is very limited. Therefore, elucidating the origin of the immune responses elicited by CEO vaccination is relevant for development of safer control strategies. In this study the transcription levels of key host immune genes (IFN-γ, IFN-β, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18) and viral genes (ICP4, ICP27, UL46, UL49), as well as viral genome loads in trachea were quantified at 6 and 12 hours post-challenge of CEO vaccinated and non-vaccinated chickens. Immediately after challenge a significant increase in IFN-γ gene expression was followed by a significant reduction in viral replication. In contrast to the rapid induction of IFN-γ, expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and type I IFN β was either slightly reduced or remained at basal levels. These suggest that the former cytokines may not play important roles during immediate early responses induced by ILTV challenge in either vaccinated or non-vaccinated chickens. Overall, these results suggest that the rapid expression of IFN-γ may induce pathways of antiviral responses necessary for blocking early virus replication.
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Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) is a worldwide emerging disease that affects broilers. Recently, the isolation of Enterococcus faecalis in cases of the disease has been described. This study aimed at determining the genetic diversity and... more
Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) is a worldwide emerging disease that affects broilers. Recently, the isolation of Enterococcus faecalis in cases of the disease has been described. This study aimed at determining the genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance profile of 12 Enterococcus faecalis strains isolated from broilers with VO. Strains were isolated from nine flocks from six farms in a high-density poultry production area in Southeast Brazil and were evaluated using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and phylogenetic analysis. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests and PCR were performed to detect antimicrobial resistance genes. E. faecalis isolates belonged to different sequence types (ST), six of which (ST49, ST100, ST116, ST202, ST249, and ST300) have been previously described. Strains ST708 and ST709 were newly identified in this study. Strain ST49 was most frequently isolated (50% of the flocks) from the analysed VO cases. No phylogenetic or phylogeographic relationship was fo...
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ABSTRACT Despite of being a relatively rare disease in horses, cholelithiasis is the most common cause of biliary obstruction in this species. Simultaneous intrahepatic and extrahepatic gallstones are the most frequent presentation.... more
ABSTRACT Despite of being a relatively rare disease in horses, cholelithiasis is the most common cause of biliary obstruction in this species. Simultaneous intrahepatic and extrahepatic gallstones are the most frequent presentation. Usually, there are no clinical signs associated with this condition, although biliary obstruction could occur as a consequence. Two cases of cholelithiasis in horses, including gross and histopathological findings are described. In one of the cholelithiasis cases there was no association with clinical signs or cause of death, but in the other one, chronic loss of weight may have been caused by cholelithiasis.