Current trends in bovine abortion in Argentina / Tendências atuais do aborto bovino na Argentina

Bovine abortion is an important cause of significant economic losses in beef and dairy herds. This syndrome is usually difficult to diagnose. The aim of this study was to characterize bovine abortion causes in Argentina by standard diagnosis procedures (histology, bacterial and viral isolation) and other diagnostic tests like direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT), fetal serology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and PCR, showing their specific advantages and limitations. Necropsies were performed in 150 aborted bovine fetuses submitted to the diagnostic laboratories of Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) Balcarce, Argentina. Etiological diagnosis was confirmed in 78 fetuses (52% of the cases). Most causes of abortion were of infectious origin, being Neospora caninum (14.67%), Campylobacter fetus sp. (9.33%), Leptospira spp. (7.33%) and Brucella abortus (6.65%) the main microorganisms identified. Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and bovine herpes virus (BHV) were diagnosed in 2 (1.33%) and 3 (2%) cases, respectively. This study showed a better characterization of bovine abortion compared with previous researches done on this topic.(AU)

O aborto bovino é uma causa importante de perdas econômicas significativas em rebanhos bovinos e leiteiros. Esta síndrome é geralmente difícil de diagnosticar. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar o aborto bovino na Argentina por procedimentos diagnósticos de rotina (histologia, isolamento viral e bacteriana) e outros testes diagnósticos como ensaio directo de anticorpos fluorescentes (DFAT), sorologia fetal, imuno-histoquica (IHC), e PCR; mostrando suas vantagens e limitações específicas. As necropsias foram realizadas em 150 fetos bovinos abortados submetidos aos laboratórios de diagnóstico do Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuária (INTA) de Balcarce, na Argentina. O diagnóstico etiológico foi confirmado em 78 fetos (52% dos casos). A maioria das causas de aborto foram de origem infecciosa, sendo Neospora caninum (14,67%), Campylobacter fetus sp. (9,33%), Leptospira spp. (7,33%) e Brucella abortus (6,65%) os principais microrganismos identificados. O vírus da diarréia viral bovina (BVDV) e o herpesvírus bovino (BHV) foram diagnosticados em 2 (1,33%) e 3 (2%) casos, respectivamente. Este estudo mostrou uma melhor caracterização do aborto bovino em comparação com pesquisas anteriores feita sobre este tema.(AU)

Transplacental transmission of Neospora caninum in naturally infected small ruminants from northeastern Brazil / Transmissão transplacentária de Neospora caninum em pequenos ruminantes infectados naturalmente do Nordeste do Brasil

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are causative agents of abortion in sheep and goats. Thus, the present study aimed to describe the transplacental transmission of these protozoans in small ruminants of northeastern Brazil. Seventeen fetuses (6 goats and 11 sheep) from farms with history of abortion were necropsied and samples were collected from different tissues (brain, liver, lung, kidney and heart). The samples were analyzed by PCR, histopathology (HP) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to evaluate whether T. gondii and/or N. caninum infection were the cause of abortion. None of the samples was positive for T. gondii according to PCR and IHC results. Some brain, liver, lung, kidney and heart samples of goat fetuses were positive for N. caninum by PCR. In the histopathology, mild mononuclear infiltration and necrosis with calcification were observed in the liver and brain of one goat fetus, respectively, that also was positive for N. caninum by PCR and IHC. The results confirmed vertical transmission of N. caninum in naturally infected goats of northeastern, Brazil.(AU)

Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum são reconhecidos como protozoário causadores de aborto em ovinos e caprinos. Desta forma, objetivou-se descrever a transmissão transplacentária desses agentes em pequenos ruminantes na região Nordeste do Brasil. Foram examinados seis fetos caprinos e onze fetos ovinos, totalizando 78 amostras de diferentes tecidos (cérebro, fígado, pulmão, rim e coração) provenientes de propriedades rurais com histórico de aborto. As amostras foram analisadas por Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR), Histopatologia (HP) e Imunohistoquímica (IHQ), com a finalidade de associar o abortamento a T. gondii e/ou N. caninum. Nenhuma amostra foi positiva na PCR e IHQ para T. gondii. Algumas amostras de cérebro, fígado, pulmão, rim e coração de fetos de caprinos e ovinos foram positivas na PCR para N. caninum. Na histopatologia foi observado leve infiltrado mononuclear no fígado e necrose com calcificação no SNC de um caprino, associada à imunomarcação positiva para N. caninum na IHQ e PCR positiva. Os resultados confirmam a transmissão vertical de N. caninum em caprinos naturalmente infectados na região nordeste do Brasil.(AU)

Malformación adenomatoidea quística pulmonar / Pulmonary cystic adenomatoid malformation

Introducción: la malformación adenomatoidea quística pulmonar descrita por Bartholinuis en 1687 es una entidad poco frecuente, caracterizada por un sobrecrecimiento de bronquiolos principales terminales los cuales sustituyen a los alveolos, produciendo aumento de volumen del lóbulo afectado. Objetivo: mostrar los hallazgos necrópsicos de un caso de malformación adenomatoidea quística congénita pulmonar, utilizando la clasificación propuesta por Stocker y otros. Métodos: se realiza revisión de la literatura sobre la entidad y de la historia clínica de la gestante. Resultados: se trata de una gestante de 21 años que acude al Hospital Ginecobstétrico Docente de Guanabacoa en el mes de febrero del 2010 para interrupción de la gestación por presentar un ultrasonido que a las 24 sem mostró la presencia de quistes pulmonares, desplazamiento del mediastino, hidrotórax, ascitis y polihidramnios. Este proceder se realizó con éxito y se hizo el estudio anatomopatológico del feto. Conclusiones: se diagnosticó malformación adenomatoidea quística pulmonar tipo III en una edad gestacional temprana, una alteración pulmonar poco frecuente, que permitió la decisión informada para la interrupción de la gestación

Introduction: congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung described by Bartholinuis in 1687 is a rare entity characterized by an overgrowth of the main terminal bronchioles which replaced the alveoli, causing enlargement of the affected lobe. Objective: to show the autopsy findings of a case of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung, using the classification proposed by Stocker and others. Methods: literature review on organizational and medical records of pregnant women is conducted. Results: this is a twenty- one year- old pregnant woman who goes to the Gynecobstetric Teaching Hospital of Guanabacoa in February 2010 for termination of pregnancy since an ultrasound at 24 weeks showed the presence of lung cysts, mediastinal shift, hydrothorax, ascites, and polyhydramnios. This approach was successful and the pathology study of the fetus was performed. Conclusions: type III cystic adenomatoid lung malformation was diagnosed in early gestation, which is a rare lung disorder. This situation allowed informed decision for termination of pregnancy

Molecular and pathological study of bovine aborted fetuses and placenta from Neospora caninum infected dairy cattle

The objective of the study was to evaluate the presence of Neospora caninum organisms in the brain of aborted fetuses and placentas of full-term calves born of seropositive cows. During 2006-2007, 12 brains of aborted calves from Neospora seropositive cattle and 7 placentas from seropositive dams giving birth to full-term calves, from four dairy cattle farms located around Tehran province, Iran were examined by Nested-PCR and histopathology techniques. The Nested-PCR demonstrated that all of 12 aborted fetal brain samples and 5 of 7 placentas were infected by N. caninum. Mild to severe placentitis was observed in 5 placentas. Severe hyperemia and perivascular and perineuronal edema revealed in all fetal brain. In 3 out of 12 brains, scattered foci of hemorrhages, neuropilar necrosis and gliosis were present. In addition, nonpurulent encephalitis with severe lymphohistiocytic perivascular cuffing in one case and a small tissue cyst like Neospora caninum cyst in other calf were observed. Our results confirmed the molecular and histopathologic findings of other studies about Neospora caninum infection and it seems to support the hypothesis that Neospora infection is associated with bovine abortion in Iran

Cytomegalovirus infection with lissencephaly.

Lissencephaly is a malformation of the brain in which the brain surface is smooth, rather than convoluted. Among the various causes of lissencephaly, infection by a virus during pregnancy plays an important role. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important pathogen causing this anomaly. We present this case of a young female with 24-week-gestation diagnosed on ultrasound as carrying an anomalous fetus with lissencephalic features. At autopsy, there were multiple intra-nuclear CMV inclusions in the brain and the kidneys. This case is presented for its rarity and for the documentation of the tissue localization of CMV inclusions at autopsy.

Limb body wall complex.

Limb body wall complex (LBWC) is a rare clinicopathological entity, representing a compound anomaly pattern in ventral body wall defects. The authors report a case of LBWC diagnosed in early antenatal period. The pregnancy was terminated following the diagnosis. Fetal autopsy findings were typical of LBWC.

[Histhopathological study of brains in aborted fetuses of sheep, goat and cattle and their possible etiologies]

The histopathological findings include as following: Gliosis [52%], Neuronal necrosis [37%], Perivascular cuffing [5.4%], hyperemia and hemorrhage in cerebral tissues [32.9%], hyperemia and hemorrhage in meninge[19.2%], prevascullar and preneuronal edema [52%], Meningial edema [16.4%], Vacuole in neurons [2.7%], Vacuole in neuropil [8.2%], protozoal cyct [5.4%]. Frequency of fetal brain lesions consists of: meningitis [9.6%], encephalitis [50.7%], [nonsuppurative encephalitis 38.3%, suppurative encephalitis 12.3%], meningoencephalitis [8.2%], Encephalomalacia [1.4%], congenital anomalies [6.8%][hydrocephaly and hy dranencephaly]. Non purulent encephalitis was the most common lesion in fetal brains that could be caused by viral and protozoal agents. 71% of non-supporative encephalitis consisted of multifocal necrotic encephalitis which are mostly caused by protozoa. The etiology of abortion should be considered in future studies

Morphologic study of abortus in chromosomally abnormal pregnancy

This study was conducted to evaluate the value of histomorphological features of chorionic villi, such as villous size, shape, vascularity, trophoblastic proliferation and trophoblastic pseudoinclusions for the prediction of chromosomal abnormality. A review of all spontaneous abortions between 1995-2000 yielded 115 cases in which maternal history indicated no more than one prior spontaneous abortion and a reliable date of last menstrual period. Molar pregnancies were excluded. Cell culture for chromosomal analysis was made of the tissues of non-maternal origin. The remaining material was fixed in 4% formalin and embedded in paraffin. Sections 4 microm thick, of the chorionic villi were made and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The histomorphologic criteria revealed sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 58.3%, 89.1% and 75.6%, respectively. The most frequent features were: intervillous fibrin, villous edema, increased villous size, villous ramifications and reduced vascularity. Induced abortions showed less villous fibrohyalinization and more increased vascularity than spontaneous abortions. The histopathologic examination is of great help in assessing whether an abortion is chromosomally normal or abnormal

Estudios citogenético y morfológico en producto de aborto espontáneo procedentes de diferentes servicios de ginecoobstetricia de la ciudad de Medellín / Cytogenetic and morphologic study of spontaneous abortions products in Medellín, Colombia

En el período comprendido entre septiembre 1 de 1996 y octubre 1 de 1997, se recolectó para estudios morfológico y citogenético un total de 84 productos de aborto espontáneo del 1° y 2° trimestres de la gestación, en diferentes servicios de ginecoobstetricia de la ciudad de Medellín. Dieciséis de los 84 se descartaron por contaminación o ausencia de tejidos apropiados para el estudio. De los 68 productos restantes en 60 (88,2 por ciento) Se establecieron cultivos para estudio citogenético, los cuales fueron exitosos en 34 casos (56, 7 por ciento). Diecisiete de los anteriores (50 por ciento) mostraron un cariotipo anormal con las siguientes alteraciones cromosómicas: monosomía X, 10 (58,8 por ciento)mosaicismos 5 (29,4 por ciento), trisomías 1 (5,9 por ciento) y tetraploidía 1 (5,9 por ciento). En 21 de los 68 productos (30,9 por ciento) (3 embriones y 18 fetos) fue posible el estudio morfológico. Doce de éstos, (2 embriones y 10 fetos; 57, 1 por ciento) mostraron alteraciones morfológicas externas o internas. El presente estudio citogenético y morfológico en productos de aborto espontáneo con edad gestacional menor de 20 semanas es el primero que se informa en nuestro medio y sus resultados son similares a los obtenidos en otros reportes que aparecen en la literatura

Eighty tour spontaneous abortion products, with gestational age under 20 weeks, were collected in ditterent obstetric and gynecologic services trom Medellin-Colombia between September 1996 and October 1997; they were studied both morphologically and cytogenetically. Sixteen of those products were discarded because of contamination or absence of suitable tissues for the study In 60 of the remaining 68 products (88°/~) cultures for cytogenetic studies were establishedJ and they were succesful in 34 cases (56J7%). Seventeen of. these (50%) showed an abnormal karyotype with the following chromosomal anomalies: X monosomies 10 (58J8%), mosaicisms 5 (29,4%)J trisomies 1 (5,9%), and tetráploidy 1 (5J9%). From the 68 products, a morphologic study was performed in 21 cases (3 embryos and 18 fetuses). Twelve products (2 embryos and 10 fetuses; 57 J 1 %) had external and/or jnternal anomalies This study of spontaneous abortions with gestational age under 20 weeks is the first in our country, and its results are similar to those published from other centers.