Epitheliotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma associated with melanoma in a dog: case report / Linfoma cutâneo epiteliotrópico de células T associado a melanoma em cão: relato de caso

Several types of tumors affect dogs' skin. Simultaneously occurring neoplasms with different histological patterns might be rarely present in the same animal. This paper describes the occurrence of epitheliotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and melanoma in a dog. The animal had nodular lesions in the abdominal region and serpiginous plaques on the dorsal region of the trunk. Cytology evidenced malignant fusiform cells from the abdominal lesions as well as few round cells from the dorsal. The histopathological examination of the abdominal lesions showed dermis with polygonal to spindle-shaped neoplastic cells. The lesion of the dorsal region evidenced neoplastic round cells with generally distinct cell borders and a moderate amount of eosinophilic cytoplasm. Abdominal lesions were positive for Melan A. Dorsal and forelimb lesions were positive for CD3. This study reports the occurrence of epitheliotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and malignant melanoma in a crossbred Boxer dog and discusses the importance of performing immunohistochemical profile to confirm the phenotype of the tumor.

Diferentes tipos de tumores podem ocorrer na pele de cães. É rara, porém, a ocorrência simultânea de neoplasias com origens histológicas diferentes no mesmo animal. Este trabalho descreve a ocorrência de linfoma cutâneo epiteliotrópico de células T e melanoma em um cão. O animal apresentava lesões nodulares na região abdominal e placas serpiginosas na região dorsal do tronco e membros. A citologia evidenciou células fusiformes malignas das lesões abdominais, bem como algumas células redondas nas dorsais. O exame histopatológico das lesões abdominais mostrou derme com células neoplásicas poligonais a fusiformes. A lesão da região dorsal evidenciou células redondas neoplásicas com citoplasma eosinofílico. Lesões abdominais foram positivas para Melan A. Lesões dorsais e de membros anteriores foram positivas para CD3. Este estudo relata a ocorrência de linfoma cutâneo de células T epitheliotropic e melanoma maligno em um cachorro Boxer, e discute a importância da realização de perfil imuno-histoquímico para confirmar o fenótipo do tumor. A importância do perfil imuno-histoquímico para confirmar o tipo de neoplasia também é discutida.

Glutaraldehyde-treated homologous vein graft as a vein substitute: experimental study in rabbits.

AIM: Vein reconstruction using grafts may prevent sequelae of venous interruption or lesion. Autologous vein is sometimes unsuitable or absent for a vascular restoration. The aim of this study was to study glutaraldehyde-treated homologous vein graft as vein substitute and compare it with autologous vein as a substitute for a vena cava segment in rabbits. METHODS: Sixty rabbits were allocated into two groups: autologous vein graft (AG), and glutaraldehyde-treated homologous vein graft (HG). Each group was subdivided into three subgroups (N.=10) to be studied at: 24 hours, 14 days, and 28 days. The veins were treated in 0.19% glutaraldehyde, pH=7.4, for 1 hour and kept at 4 degrees C in saline with added gentamicin and amphotericin B. The animals received benzanthine penicillin on the day of graft implantation and heparin only during surgery. The grafts were implanted into the vena cava. Anastomosis was performed with interrupted sutures. Cavography was performed, after surgery, and at the time the animals were killed. Evaluation of the veins was made macroscopically and by light and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Fibrosis was seen around the grafts at 14 and 28 days, with no difference in intensity between the groups. Cavography performed before euthanasia of the animals showed 4 partial thrombi in AG (2 at 24 hours and 2 at 14 days), 3 in HG (2 at 24 hours and 1 on day 14), and 4 occlusive thombi in HG (3 at 14 days and 1 at 28 days). Macroscopic examination did not show any thrombus in AG. In HG, two partial thrombi were confirmed at 24 hours and three occlusive thrombi at 14 days. There was no statistical difference in relation to patency between the two groups. At 14 and 28 days, the histological sections showed intimal hyperplasia of similar intensity and variable distribution in both groups. Evaluation by electron microscopy showed at 24 hours lesion areas characterized by absence of the endothelium on the graft surface, presence of inflammatory cells, and, at some sites, presence of mural thrombi in AG and HG. Both groups at 14 and 28 days showed endothelial cells covering the lesion area on the graft surface, this covering being larger in AG than in HG. CONCLUSIONS: In the studied model, both grafts behaved similarly in relation to patency and morphological characteristics. This suggests that the glutaraldehyde-treated graft can be a promising alternative for vein reconstruction, justifying further animal studies with the aim of using it in human surgery.

Necrotic skin lesion in a dog attributed to Loxosceles (brown spider) bite: a case report

Envenomations caused by Loxosceles (brown spider) have been reported throughout the world. Clinical signs associated to bites of these spiders involve dermonecrotic lesions and intense local inflammatory response, besides systemic manifestations such as intravascular hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute renal failure. The present study aimed to report and to describe dermonecrotic lesions probably caused by a Loxosceles envenomation in a four year-old poodle female dog, treated at the Dermatology Service of the Veterinary Hospital of the Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry School, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil. Initially, the animal presented two skin lesions with blackish aspect that evolved into ulcerative crusts. The owner reported the presence of a brown spider near the place where the animal spent most of the time. Histological examination of lesions revealed necrosis of the epidermis extending to adnexa and panniculi, which is compatible with Loxosceles bite reaction. The animal was treated with systemic antibiotic and local curatives. Lesions healed by second intention in two months.(AU)

Cutaneous pyogranuloma in a cat caused by virulent Rhodococcus equi containing an 87 kb type I plasmid.

A 2-year-old intact male domestic shorthaired cat presented with a chronic, nodular, ulcerated, cutaneous lesion on the right thoracic limb. Histological and cytological examination revealed a pyogranulomatous inflammation with basophilic organisms in the macrophages. A virulent form of Rhodococcus equi containing an 87 kb type I (VapA) virulence plasmid was identified from cultures of biopsy samples. This report describes the clinicopathological features, plasmid profile and virulence of this case of R equi infection.

Healing process in anastomosis of homologous venous grafts preserved in glutaraldehyde implanted aorta of rabbits.

AIM: Autologous vein (AV) is sometimes not suitable or present for a vascular restoration. Homologous vein preserved in glutaraldehyde may be an alternative to AV, but little is yet known about this graft and its healing process after implantation in arteries. The purpose of this study was to compare the initial healing process of glutaraldehyde-tanned homologous venous grafts (group 1) with fresh autologous venous grafts (group 2), at 4 or 15 days. METHODS: Forty Norfolk rabbits were allocated in 2 groups of 20 animals each. The grafts was interposed in the infrarenal aorta of the rabbit. Anastomotic tensile strength (TS), hydroxyproline (HP) determination, and histology (HA) were performed. RESULTS: TS increased in both groups, from the 4th to 15th day, (p<0.01) in both proximal (G1: from 364.5+/-98.3 g to 491.8+/-107.3 g; G2: from 366.26+/-85.15 g to 518.46+/-82.79 g) and distal anastomosis (G1: from 363.53+/-96.26 g to 507.32+/-91.01 g; G2: from 352.30+/-102.41 g to 528.67+/-48.58 g), with no difference between the groups. HP did not change (p>0.10) in this same period and was similar in both groups, in the proximal (G1: from 677.99+/-153.98 microg/100 mg to 914.92+/-459.83 microg/100 mg; G2: from 668.65+/-170.28 microg/100 mg to 669.46+/-319.80 ug/100 mg) as well as in the distal anastomosis (G1: from 740.07+/-213.53 microg/100 mg to 923.52+/-270.57 microg/100 mg; G2: from 737.66+/-266.76 microg/100 mg to 707.68+/-171.25 microg/100 mg). Initial inflammatory and reparative features of the anastomosis were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that the healing process of the glutaraldehyde-tanned homologous vein graft was similar to that of the fresh autologous venous graft.

Progressive lung and cardiac changes associated with pulmonary hypertension in the fetal rat.

To determine the natural history of lung vascular remodeling and cardiac changes in the rat model of persistent pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PPHN) of the newborn, we studied fetal rats subjected to maternal indomethacin administration initiated on day 19 of gestation and continued for 2, 3, or 4 days. Animals receiving a similar volume of water or alcohol served as controls. Significant pulmonary hypertension was noted in the experimental group, as evidenced by a significantly increased right to left ventricular wall ratio to 1.6 +/- 0.1 in the 4-day treatment group, as compared with 1.2 +/- 0.4 in the control group (P < 0.01). The smooth muscle area for <25 microm external diameter arterial vessels was significantly increased (12.7 +/- 0.6 vs. 10.0 +/- 0.6 microm; P < 0.01) and the adventitial area of all diameters vessels was significantly greater (P < 0.01) following 3 days of indomethacin treatment, as compared with water controls. Associated with these changes, the 4-day treatment group's lung/body weight ratio was 0.021 +/- 0.001, and was significantly less (P < 0.01) than for the control group (0.035 +/- 0.001). This reduction in lung weight was not associated with changes in lung protein content or wet/dry weight ratio, indicating that pulmonary hypertension in the fetal rat induced lung hypoplasia. In conclusion, closure of the ductus arteriosus in the fetal rat results in early-onset right ventricular hypertrophy, followed by pulmonary vascular remodeling and lung hypoplasia. We speculate that lung growth in late gestation is adversely affected by pulmonary hypertension.

Myosin light chain phosphatase and kinase abnormalities in fetal sheep pulmonary hypertension.

Inasmuch as smooth muscle contractile protein abnormalities may account for the maintenance of a high pulmonary vascular resistance, we evaluated the pulmonary arterial myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and phosphatase (MLCP) in normal and pulmonary hypertensive (PH) fetal sheep. In addition, aorta and vena cava MLCP and MLCK activities were also measured. The MLCK activity (nanomoles/min/mg) was determined by the incorporation of [32P]PO4(-3) to the 20-kD smooth muscle myosin light chains and the MLCP activity by assaying for the dephosphorylation of the 20-kD myosin light chain (MLCP-light chain) and heavy meromyosin (MLCP-HMM). The MLCP content was determined by Western blot analysis. PH was characterized by a significant increase in the right-to-left ventricular wall weight ratio from 0.99 +/- 0.04 in the control to 1.52 +/- 0.12 in the experimental group (p < 0.01). The pulmonary MLCP-light chain and MLCP-HMM activities in the experimental group were 2.0 +/- 0.2 and 1.3 +/- 0.2 and significantly lower than in the control group values (3.8 +/- 0.5 and 2.5 +/- 0.3; p < 0.01). The MLCK activity was 9.6 +/- 1.2 in the control and 7.8 +/- 0.7 in the experimental fetal pulmonary artery (p = NS). The activities of both enzymes in the aorta and vena cava samples were not altered by PH. The MLCP content in experimental animals (0.50 +/- 0.09 OD x mm2) was significantly lower than that for the control pulmonary tissue (1.72 +/- 0.42; p < 0.01), suggesting that PH down-regulates pulmonary vascular MLCP expression. In conclusion, the maintenance of a high pulmonary vascular resistance in PH may be secondary to abnormalities in tissue content and/or activity of MLCP.

Tensile strength and histological changes of abdominal aorta of malnourished rats.

The resistance of the abdominal aorta of rats after 6, 7 and 8 weeks of malnutrition, compared with control animals, was evaluated by longitudinal tensiometry. Weakness of this vessel in malnourished rats was demonstrated; microscopic examination of the aorta stained by Masson, Calleja and hematoxylin-eosin methods showed a decrease in amorphous ground substance and an increase in the width of elastic laminae. There was no visible alteration either in the endothelial lining layer or in the smooth muscle fibers. Such alterations of the aorta are, to the authors' knowledge, the first reported modifications in the peripheral vasculature after malnutrition.

[Sporotrichosis of the domestic cat (Felis catus): human transmission]. / Esporotricose do gato doméstico (Felis catus): transmissão humana.

A case of sporotrichosis transmitted by cat to a veterinarian hospital employees is reported. Inquiry at domiciliary area of the cat's owner revealed two other presumable cases of human sporotrichosis transmitted by cats, and confirmed the diagnosis (by culture of Sporothrix schenckii) of disease in three other domestic cats. Feline sporotrichosis is characterized by ulcerative, cutaneous lesions and systemic dissemination, which invariably cause animal's death. The transmission of sporotrichosis to other animals and humans is enhanced by the great amount of fungus present in cat's lesions.

Comparative study of the action of topical heparinoids on the evolution of experimental thrombophlebitis.

The action of three different topical heparinoids on the evolution of experimental thrombophlebitis was studied. Thrombophlebitis was induced in the marginal vein of the ear of rabbits by stasis and injection of hypertonic glucose solution. Forty-eight hours later the animals were allocated to three treatment groups and a control group. The substances were applied over the affected vein three times a day for 6 days and the ears inspected daily by transilumination. After 7 days, the animals were killed and anatomopathological studies performed. No difference in thrombus frequency or inflammatory reaction was observed between the animals treated with heparinoids and the control groups, or among the treated groups.

Comparative study of the action of topical heparinoids on the evolution of experimental thrombophlebitis

The action of threem different topical heparinoids on the evolution of experimental thrombophlebitis was studies. Thrombophlebitis was induced in the marginal vein of the ear of rabbits by stasis and inection of hypertonic glucose solution. Forty-eight hours later animals were allocated to three treatment groups and a control group. The substances were applied over the affected vein three times a day for 6 days and the ears inspected daily by transillumination. After 7 days, the animals were killed and anatomopathological studies performed. No difference in thrombus frequency or inflamatory reaction was observed between the animals treated with heparinoids and the control group, or among the treated groups

Prevention of experimental venous thrombosis induced by contrast medium in the rat.

In order to assess experimentally the usefulness of some procedures employed in man to prevent venous thrombosis following phlebography, thrombosis was induced in rats using sodium diatrizoate in a temporarily isolated segment of a jugular vein. The prevention of thrombosis was attempted by washing out the vein with physiologic saline or saline plus heparin or by injecting saline plus heparin in the opposite jugular vein. Thrombosis occurred in all animals in the control group and in the group treated with saline alone. Both treatment schemes with heparin significantly reduced the incidence of thrombosis, the wash out with heparin being more effective than systemic heparin.

[Experimental venous thrombosis in guinea pigs: effect of heparin and drugs affecting platelet function (author's transl)]. / Trombose venosa experimental na cobaia: efeito da heparina e de drogas que alteram a fundão plaquetaria.

Thrombosis was induced in the jugular vein of guinea pigs by damage of the epithelium with a sclerosing solution. The effect of heparin, Dextran 70, acetylsalicylic acid, dypriridamole and phenilbutazone in preventing the development of the thrombus was investigated. Only heparin in high doses showed this effect.