Blackleg in a free-range brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) / Carbúnculo sintomático em veado virá de vida livre (Mazama gouazoubira)

A case of blackleg in a brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) associated with trauma from being hit by a car in southern Rio Grande do Sul is reported. The clinical signs included fever, dehydration and lethargy that worsened progressively until 36 hours after the accident, when the animal died. In the fore right limb, there was a comminuted closed fracture of the radius and ulna but no skin wounds were observed. Grossly, the musculature of the pelvic limbs presented hemorrhage, edema and emphysema. Microscopically, the muscles of both rear legs had necrosis, edema, hemorrhage and mild inflammatory infiltration of neutrophils. Clostridium chauvoei was cultured from affected skeletal muscles, and it was also detected by immunohistochemistry, confirming a diagnosis of blackleg. The overlapping habitat of cattle and brown brocket deer is proposed as a predisposing factor in this case and alerts to spillover cases maybe happening in this region. In addition, blackleg should be included as differential diagnoses of deer with post-traumatic myositis.(AU)

Descreve-se um caso de carbúnculo sintomático em um veado-virá (Mazama gouazoubira), macho, jovem, resgatado após atropelamento em uma rodovia na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul. O cervídeo apresentou febre, desidratação e letargia, progredindo para a morte em 36 horas. No membro torácico direito foi observado fratura cominutiva fechada de rádio e ulna sem a presença de feridas perfurantes. Na necropsia foi observada hemorragia, edema e enfisema na musculatura dos membros pélvicos. Microscopicamente, os músculos dos membros pélvicos apresentaram necrose, edema, hemorragia e discreto infiltrado inflamatório neutrofílico. Houve o isolamento de Clostridium chauvoei e marcação positiva na técnica de IHQ com anticorpo monoclonal anti-C. chauvoei, confirmando o diagnóstico de carbúnculo sintomático. A sobreposição de habitat entre bovinos domésticos e cervídeos pode ser um fator de risco para esta doença e chama a atenção para casos de "spillover" que podem estar ocorrendo na região. Adicionalmente, sugere-se que o carbúnculo sintomático seja incluído nos diagnósticos diferenciais de cervídeos que apresentam miosite pós-traumática.(AU)

Identifying Mazama gouazoubira (Artiodactyla; Cervidae) chromosomes involved in rearrangements induced by doxorubicin

Abstract The process of karyotype evolution in Cervidae from a common ancestor (2n = 70, FN = 70) has been marked by complex chromosomal rearrangements. This ancestral karyotype has been retained by the current species Mazama gouazoubira (Fischer 1814), for which a chromosomal polymorphism (Robertsonian translocations and the presence of B chromosomes) has been described, presumably caused by a chromosome fragility. Thus, this study has identified doxorubicin-induced chromosome aberrations and mapped the regions involved in breaks, which may be related to the chromosome evolution process. G-banding pattern showed that 21 pairs of chromosomes presented chromosomal aberrations, 60% of the total chromosome number of the species M. gouazoubira. Among chromosomes that carry aberrations, the region where they were most frequently concentrated was distal relative to the centromere. These data suggest that certain chromosomal regions may be more susceptible to chromosome fragility and consequently could be involved in karyotype differentiation in species of the family Cervidae.

Post-mortem hemoparasite detection in free-living Brazilian brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira, Fischer 1814) / Detecção post-mortem de hemoparasitos em veados catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira, Fischer 1814) de vida livre no Brasil

Tick-borne infections can result in serious health problems for wild ruminants, and some of these infectious agents can be considered zoonosis. The aim of the present study was the post-mortem detection of hemoparasites in free-living Mazama gouazoubira from Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The deer samples consisted of free-living M. gouazoubira (n = 9) individuals that died after capture. Necropsy examinations of the carcasses were performed to search for macroscopic alterations. Organ samples were collected for subsequent imprint slides, and nested PCR assays were performed to detect hemoparasite species. Imprint slide assays from four deer showed erythrocytes infected with Piroplasmida small trophozoites, and A. marginale corpuscles were observed in erythrocytes from two animals. A. marginale and trophozoite co-infections occurred in two deer. A nested PCR analysis of the organs showed that six of the nine samples were positive for Theileria sp., five were positive for A. phagocytophilum and three were positive for A. marginale, with co-infection occurring in four deer. The results of the present study demonstrate that post-mortem diagnostics using imprint slides and molecular assays are an effective method for detecting hemoparasites in organs.

Patógenos transmitidos por carrapatos podem resultar em sérios problemas de saúde para os ruminantes selvagens, e alguns podem ser zoonoses. O objetivo do presente estudo foi a detecção post mortem de hemoparasitos, em Mazama gouazoubira de vida livre, oriundos de Minas Gerais, através da análise de lâminas de impressão e nested PCR. Foram amostrados nove M. gouazoubira de vida livre, que morreram após a captura. Exames de necropsia foram realizados, e as carcaças foram examinadas para detectar alterações macroscópicas. Amostras dos órgãos foram coletadas para a realização de imprint em lâminas e para nested PCR à procura de hemoparasitos. A análise das lâminas mostrou pequenos trofozoítos de Piriplasmida nos eritrócitos de quatro dos oito animais examinados, e corpúsculos de Anaplasma marginale foram observados nos eritrócitos de dois dos cervídeos. A coinfecção com A. marginale e trofozoítos de piroplasmas ocorreu em dois animais. As análises de nPCR dos órgãos mostraram que seis dos nove animais estavam positivos para Theileria sp., cinco para A. phagocytophilum e três para A. marginale, sendo que a coinfecção ocorreu em quatro cervídeos. Os resultados do presente estudo demonstram que os diagnósticos post-mortem, pelas imprints em lâminas e ensaios moleculares, são métodos eficazes de detecção de hemoparasitos nos principais órgãos parasitados.

Distribuição dos brônquios lobares dos pulmões do veado-catingueiro Mazama gouazoubira / Distribution of lobar bronchi of the lungs of brown brocket deer Mazama gouazoubira

Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever a lobação do pulmão do veado-catingueiro Mazama gouazoubira. Dois animais da espécie, obtidos post mortem por atropelamento em rodovia, foram utilizados para o estudo, obedecendo aos critérios da Lei Vigente (Lei 1.153/95). Através da dissecação, a pele foi completamente removida e os animais foram fixados em solução de formaldeído a 10 porcento. Através de um acesso ventral, o bloco de vísceras foi removido e posteriormente os pulmões foram dissecados do bloco por uma secção na região torácica da traqueia e de outras estruturas do hilo pulmonar. Os pulmões e a árvore brônquica foram dissecados, fotografados, as imagens foram registradas com câmera fotográfica digital (Câmera Sony a200, 10.2mpx). Os pulmõesapresentaram-se unidos pelas estruturas que penetravam a região do hilo pulmonar, o pulmão direito do veado-catingueiro mostrou ser composto pelos lobos cranial (segmento cranial e segmento caudal), médio, caudal e acessório. O pulmão esquerdo apresentou apenas lobo cranial (segmentado em parte cranial e parte caudal) e lobo caudal. A árvore brônquica se inicia emergindo para o pulmão direito um brônquio traqueal acima da bifurcação da traqueia que sequencialmente serão denominados de brônquios principais direito e esquerdo, os quais no nível do hilo pulmonar penetram nos pulmões direito e esquerdo respectivamente. Os pulmões e árvore brônquica de M. gouazoubira apresentaram a mesma descrição anatômica de outros ruminantes, como bubalinos, ovinos e bovinos.

The study aimed to describe the lung lobation of the brown brocket deer, Mazama gouazoubira. Two animal of the species, obtained postmortem by trampling on the highway, were used for the study, according to criteria of the Governing Law (1.153/95). The skin was completely removed and the animals were fixed in 10 percent formaldehyde. The viscera were removed and the lungs were dissected by a section of the block in the thoracic trachea and other structures of the pulmonary hilum. The lungs and bronchial tree were dissected, photographed and the images were recorded with a digital camera (Sony a200 Camera, 10.2mpx). The lungs showed themselves united by structures that penetrate the region of the pulmonary hilum, the right lung was found to be composed of the cranial lobes (segment cranial and caudal segment), middle, caudal and accessory. The left lung showed only cranial lobe (segmented into the cranial and caudal part) and caudal lobe. The bronchial tree begins emerges to the right lung one tracheal bronchus above the bifurcation of the trachea that are sequentially named right and left main bronchi, which at the level of the pulmonary hilum penetrate the left and right lungs respectively. The lungs and bronchial tree of M. gouazoubira showed the same anatomical description of other ruminants, like buffaloes, sheep and cattle.

Effect of sex and seasons of the year on hematologic and serum biochemical variables of captive brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) / Efeito do sexo e estações do ano sobre as variáveis hematológicas e bioquímico-séricas de veados-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira) criados em cativeiro

The Brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) is the most common free-living and captive deer in South America, especially in Brazil, and has great ecological and scientific significance. However, data on hematological and biochemical parameters in brown brocket deer are scarce. The goal of this study was to establish reference ranges for hematological and biochemical parameters of Mazama gouazoubira, comparing differences during the seasons of the year and between sex. Blood samples from ten adult healthy brown brocket deer (6 female and 4 male) were collected during daytime, monthly, during 12 months. The animals were maintained in individual stable, protected from noise and fed ad libitum with commercial ration and green fodder. For blood collection, animals were submitted to physical restrain for no longer than 2 minutes. The following parameters were determined: red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count, enzyme activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), total protein (TP), albumin, cholesterol, total calcium, ionic calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, triglycerides, creatinine and urea. Values were compared according to season and sex. RBC count, WBC count and MCV suggested seasonal influence. Haemoglobin concentration, PCV and MCV were influenced by sex. Serum concentration of total calcium, ionic calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium were influenced by season. Serum magnesium was also influenced by sex. The blood parameters herein reported may be useful as reference values for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in captive brown-brocket deer.

O veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira) é o cervídeo de vida livre mais comum na América do Sul, especialmente no Brasil, e tem grande importância ecológica e científica. No entanto, dados sobre parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos nesta espécie animal são escassos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer valores de referência hematológica e bioquímica do Mazama gouazoubira, comparando diferenças entre as estações do ano e entre sexo. Amostras sanguíneas de dez veados-catingueiros (6 fêmeas e 4 machos), todos adultos hígidos, foram mensalmente colhidas pela manhã, durante 12 meses, e prontamente analisadas. Os animais foram mantidos em baias individual, protegidos de barulho e alimentados ad libitum com ração comercial e forragem verde. Para obtenção das amostras, os animais foram submetidos à contenção física por, no máximo, 2 minutos. Os seguintes parâmetros foram determinados: Contagem total de hemáceas, concentração de hemoglobina, volume globular (VG), volume corpuscular médio (VCM), hemoglobina corpuscular média (HCM), concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média (CHCM), contagem total de leucócitos, contagem de plaquetas, atividade das enzimas alanina aminotransferase (ALT), aspartato aminotransferase (AST), gama glutamiltransferase (GGT) e concentrações séricas de fosfatase alcalina (FA), creatino quinase (CK), proteína total (PT), albumina, colesterol, cálcio total, cálcio iônico, sódio, potássio, magnésio, triglicérides, creatinina e uréia. Os valores foram comparados de acordo com o sexo e sazonalidade. A contagem total de hemáceas, de leucócitos e VCM sugeriu influência das estações do ano sobre estes parâmetros. A concentração de hemoglobina, VG e VCM foram influenciados pelo sexo. Concentrações séricas de cálcio total, cálcio iônico, sódio, potássio e magnésio também foram influenciados pelas estações do ano. O teor sérico de magnésio sofreu influência, ainda, do sexo. Os parâmetros sanguíneos obtidos e aqui reportados podem ser úteis como valores de referência nesta espécie para fins diagnóstico e prognóstico.

Topographic anatomy of the spinal cord and vertebromedullaryrelationships in Mazama gouazoubira Fisher, 1814 ( Artiodactyla; Cervidae ) / Anatomia topográfica da medula espinal e relações vértebromedulares em Mazama gouazoubira Fisher, 1814 (Artiodactyla; Cervidae)

To gain an understanding of the detailed anatomical aspects of Mazama gouazoubira (brocket deer), this paper describes the relationships between its spinal cord and the vertebral canal, adding information with a clinical and surgical approach. Three specimens of M. gouazoubira were prepared following the methods normally used in anatomy. The epaxial muscles and vertebral arches were removed to expose the spinal cord and the spinal nerve roots. The dimensions of the medullary segments were measured using a pachymeter with 0.05 mm precision. The spinal cord is cylindroidal, dorsoventrally flattened, with an average craniosacral length of 656.27 mm, and has two dilatations corresponding to the cervical and lumbar intumescences. The cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacrocaudal segments showed an average length of 175.07, 226.03, 123.47 and 43.63 mm, with indices of 28.02, 35.34, 19.68 and 6.93%, respectively. The medullary cone, whose average length is 46.27 mm, begins between L2 and L3 and ends between S1 and S2, with a mean index of 7.53%. The overall average distance between the nerve roots of the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral segments was 2.23, 2.06 and 1.98 cm, respectively.

Propondo conhecer os aspectos anatômicos pormenorizados de Mazama gouazoubira (veado catingueiro), o presente trabalho descreve as relações entre sua medula espinal e o canal vertebral, adicionando informações com enfoque clínico-cirúrgico. Utilizaram-se três espécimes de M. gouazoubira que foram preparados seguindo métodos usuais em anatomia. Retirou-se a musculatura epiaxial e os arcos vertebrais para a exposição da medula espinal e raízes dos nervos espinais. As dimensões dos segmentos medulares foram obtidas utilizando um paquímetro de precisão 0,05 mm. A medula espinal possui a forma cilindróide, aplanada dorsoventralmente, com comprimento crânio-sacral médio de 656,27 mm, possui duas dilatações correspondentes às intumescências cervical e lombar. Os segmentos cervical, torácico, lombar e sacro-caudal apresentam 175,07; 226,03; 123,47 e 43,63 mm decomprimento médio, com índices de 28,02; 35,34; 19,68 e 6,93% respectivamente. O cone medular de comprimento médio 46,27 mm inicia-se entre L2 e L3 e termina em S1 e S2, com índice médio de 7,53%. A média geral obtida para a distância entre as raízes dos nervos dos segmentos cervical, torácico e lombossacral foi de 2,23; 2,06 e 1,98 cm, respectivamente.

Proteinograma sérico de veados-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira) criados em cativeiro obtido por eletroforese em gel de agarose e de poliacrilamida (SDS PAGE) / Serum protein concentrations of captive brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) determined by means of agarosis and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide (SDS-PAGE) gel electrophoresis

The serum protein concentrations of brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) obtained by agarosis gel and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide (SDS-PAGE) gel were determined from blood samples of ten adult healthy animals (six females and four males), monthly collected in the morning, during 12 months. The animals, maintained in individual stable and protected from noise, received ad libitum a diet of comercial ration and green roughage. Serum protein concentrations in agarosis gel revealed the presence of four protein fractions: albumin, alphaglobulin, betaglobulin, and gammaglobulin. Only serum concentrations of albumin were influenced by season, being values in spring higher than values in summer (4.15 x 3.64g/dl). Serum concentrations of albumin (4.05 x 3.75g/dl) were higher for female and alphaglobulin (0.39 x 0.53g/dl) werehigher for males. Results showed 34 proteins with molecular weights ranging from 18kD to 165kD. Significant differences between at least two seasons were found on values of 11 proteins. In conclusion, on account of the 10 animals been maintained in the same physical space and submitted to the same handling system, physiological variations, which are characteristic of this species, can be apointed as the reason of these differences.

Chromosome polymorphism in the Brazilian dwarf brocket deer, Mazama nana (Mammalia, Cervidae)

The Brazilian dwarf brocket deer (Mazama nana) is the smallest deer species in Brazil and is considered threatened due to the reduction and alteration of its habitat, the Atlantic Rainforest. Moreover, previous work suggested the presence of intraspecific chromosome polymorphisms which may contribute to further population instability because of the reduced fertility arising from the deleterious effects of chromosome rearrangements during meiosis. We used G- and C-banding, and nucleolus organizer regions localization by silver-nitrate staining (Ag-NOR) to investigate the causes of this variation. Mazama nana exhibited eight different karyotypes (2n = 36 through 39 and FN = 58) resulting from centric fusions and from inter and intraindividual variation in the number of B chromosomes (one to six). Most of the animals were heterozygous for a single fusion, suggesting one or several of the following: a) genetic instability in a species that has not reached its optimal karyotypic evolutionary state yet; b) negative selective pressure acting on accumulated rearrangements; and c) probable positive selection pressure for heterozygous individuals which maintains the polymorphism in the population (in contrast with the negative selection for many rearrangements within a single individual).