ABSTRACT
The tropical rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus) is a snake of great importance for biomedical industry since its poison is used for the production of antiophidic serum and researches. Several conditions related to animal health, such as diseases and parasites, which can promote the reduction of poison production by these snakes should be investigated. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to characterize the gross and microscopic lesions related to the presence of Ophidascaris arndti in stomachs of tropical rattlesnakes. The gastrointestinal tract of thirty-five South American rattlesnakes captured in Southeastern region of Brazil were analyzed and nineteen animals showed infestation by the parasites, found in the small intestine and, especially, in the stomach of the hosts. Grossly, lesions were characterized by mucosal ulcers occasionally associated with hemorrhage. Microscopic alterations included histiocytic granulomas, fibrosis, necrosis, and hemorrhage. Based on these findings, the diagnosis of a parasitic granulomatous disease was made. The lesions may be related to the cause of death in captivity snakes, since the lesions can promote secondary infections by opportunistic bacteria. Moreover, the intense inflammatory response accompanied by fibrosis may be related to poor functioning of the gastric snakes, which it may exhibit frequent regurgitation of the food.(AU)
A cascavel (Crotalus durissus) é uma serpente de grande importância para a indústria biomédica, uma vez que seu veneno é utilizado para a produção de soro antiofídico e para pesquisas. Condições diversas relacionadas ao estado de saúde do animal, como doenças e parasitoses, que possam promover a diminuição da produção de veneno por essas serpentes, devem ser investigadas. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar os achados macro e microscópicos relacionados à presença de nematódeos Ophidascaris arndti nos estômagos de cascavéis. O trato gastrointestinal de 35 cascavéis capturadas na região Sudeste do Brasil foi avaliado Dessas, 19 apresentavam infestação pelo parasito, que foi encontrado predominantemente no estômago e no intestino delgado dos hospedeiros. Macroscopicamente, as lesões foram caracterizadas por úlceras nas camadas mucosas, ocasionalmente associadas com hemorragia. As alterações microscópicas apresentaram granulomas histiocíticos, fibrose, necrose e hemorragia. Baseado em tais achados, o diagnóstico de doença granulomatosa parasitária foi realizado. As lesões encontradas podem estar relacionadas à causa das mortes das serpentes em cativeiro, uma vez que podem favorecer infecções secundárias por bactérias oportunistas. Além disso, a intensa resposta inflamatória e a fibrose podem estar relacionadas ao mau funcionamento gástrico das serpentes, que podem apresentar frequente regurgitação do alimento.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Crotalus , Gastritis/veterinary , Granuloma/veterinary , Nematoda , Fibrosis/veterinaryABSTRACT
Dogs and cats are the animals that owners most frequently seek assistance for potential poisonings, and these species are frequently involved with toxicoses due to ingestion of poisonous food. Feeding human foodstuff to pets may prove itself dangerous for their health, similarly to what is observed in Allium species toxicosis. Allium species toxicosis is reported worldwide in several animal species, and the toxic principles present in them causes the transformation of hemoglobin into methemoglobin, consequently resulting in hemolytic anemia with Heinz body formation. The aim of this review is to analyze the clinicopathologic aspects and therapeutic approach of this serious toxicosis of dogs and cats in order to give knowledge to veterinarians about Allium species toxicosis, and subsequently allow them to correctly diagnose this disease when facing it; and to educate pet owners to not feed their animals with Allium-containg food in order to better control this particular life-threatening toxicosis.