ABSTRACT
Congenital malformations (CMs) or developmental abnormalities are pathological processes defined as morphological defects that originate during embryonic stages. A wide variety of CMs is observed in reptiles, most of which are incompatible with normal life. Characterization of CMs and their pathogenesis are of great importance for the conservation of reptiles, including neotropical viperids (NVs). External CMs are often reported in these species, but little is known about concomitant microscopical findings in the viscera of malformed individuals. In order to partially fill in this gap in knowledge, we aimed to investigate and characterize histopathological findings in the viscera of malformed NVs, jararacas (Bothrops jararaca) and South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus), correlating these findings with features of external CMs. From 78 malformed snakes analysed, 100% (19/19) of rattlesnakes and 98.3% (58/59) of jararacas had histopathological changes in the viscera. Liver and/or kidney fatty degeneration was the most common finding in malformed and control animals. Renal glomerulocystic and tubular disease was significantly correlated with brachygnathia (P < 0.05) in jararacas. These results add to the body of knowledge of snake pathology and demonstrate some associations between external CMs and visceral histopathological findings, some of which could have implications for individual survival.
Subject(s)
Bothrops/abnormalities , Crotalus/abnormalities , Viscera/abnormalities , AnimalsABSTRACT
Congenital malformations (CMs) or developmental abnormalities are pathological processes defined as morphological defects that originate during embryonic stages. A wide variety of CMs is observed in reptiles, most of which are incompatible with normal life. Characterization of CMs and their pathogenesis are of great importance for the conservation of reptiles, including neotropical viperids (NVs). External CMs are often reported in these species, but little is known about concomitant microscopical findings in the viscera of malformed individuals. In order to partially fill in this gap in knowledge, we aimed to investigate and characterize histopathological findings in the viscera of malformed NVs, jararacas (Bothrops jararaca) and South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus), correlating these findings with features of external CMs. From 78 malformed snakes analysed, 100% (19/19) of rattlesnakes and 98.3% (58/59) of jararacas had histopathological changes in the viscera. Liver and/or kidney fatty degeneration was the most common finding in malformed and control animals. Renal glomerulocystic and tubular disease was significantly correlated with brachygnathia (P < 0.05) in jararacas. These results add to the body of knowledge of snake pathology and demonstrate some associations between external CMs and visceral histopathological findings, some of which could have implications for individual survival.
ABSTRACT
Congenital malformations (CMs) or developmental abnormalities are pathological processes defined as morphological defects that originate during embryonic stages. A wide variety of CMs is observed in reptiles, most of which are incompatible with normal life. Characterization of CMs and their pathogenesis are of great importance for the conservation of reptiles, including neotropical viperids (NVs). External CMs are often reported in these species, but little is known about concomitant microscopical findings in the viscera of malformed individuals. In order to partially fill in this gap in knowledge, we aimed to investigate and characterize histopathological findings in the viscera of malformed NVs, jararacas (Bothrops jararaca) and South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus), correlating these findings with features of external CMs. From 78 malformed snakes analysed, 100% (19/19) of rattlesnakes and 98.3% (58/59) of jararacas had histopathological changes in the viscera. Liver and/or kidney fatty degeneration was the most common finding in malformed and control animals. Renal glomerulocystic and tubular disease was significantly correlated with brachygnathia (P < 0.05) in jararacas. These results add to the body of knowledge of snake pathology and demonstrate some associations between external CMs and visceral histopathological findings, some of which could have implications for individual survival.
ABSTRACT
Peripheral nerve sheath tumors are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that comprise neurofibromas, schwannomas, neurilemmomas, and perineuromas. In animals, peripheral nerve sheath neoplasms are most commonly diagnosed in dogs and cattle, followed by horses, goats, and cats, but their occurrence is uncommon in birds. An adult, free-living, male toco (common) toucan (Ramphastos toco) was admitted to the zoo animal clinic with weight loss, dehydration, and presence of a soft nodule adhered to the medial portion of the left pectoral muscle. Clinical, cytologic, and computed tomography scan results were indicative of a neoplasm. The toucan died during surgical resection of the mass. Necropsy, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical findings confirmed the diagnosis of benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor. To our knowledge, benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor has not previously been reported in a toucan or any other species in the order Piciformes.
