Detection of anti-Sarcocystis spp. antibodies in domestic cats, in southern Brazil.

Parasites of the genus Sarcocystis can infect several species of animals and cause multiple diseases such as equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. Felines are considered hosts of this protozoa; therefore, the present study aimed to detect anti-Sarcocystis spp.-specific antibodies in domestic cats that were under clinical evaluation, using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test. Anti-Sarcocystis-specific immunoglobulin Gs were detected in 24 out of 497 (4.82%) cat serum samples. These findings support the fact that natural Sarcocystis infections do occur in cats. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of domestic cats as both intermediate and definitive hosts in the Sarcocystis life cycle, maintaining the parasite and serving as a source of infection for various other animals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to identify antibodies against the genus Sarcocystis in cats from a region in southern Brazil.

Primary hypothyroidism due to thyroid carcinoma in a feline / Hipotireoidismo primário devido a carcinoma de tireóide em um felino

Hypothyroidism is rarely observed in cats. This article reports the case of a thirteen-year-old feline with a one-year history of bilateral cervical swelling that had majorly grown in size two weeks prior to the animal's admission. The cat presented with dysphonia, lethargy, weight gain, and constipation. On physical examination, hypothermia was observed, with a rectal temperature of 36.5 ºC. Fine-needle aspiration cytology suggested thyroid neoplasia. The serum levels of total T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), along with the exclusion of non-thyroid diseases, confirmed the diagnosis of hypothyroidism. This is the first report of feline hypothyroidism in Brazil secondary to thyroid neoplasia, classified as a follicular-compact carcinoma and confirmed by histopathology.

Hipotireoidismo é uma doença rara na espécie felina. Esse trabalho relata um felino de treze anos de idade com histórico de inchaço cervical bilateral há um ano, que havia crescido principalmente duas semanas antes da admissão do animal. O felino apresentava disfonia, letargia, ganho de peso e constipação. No exame físico, hipotermia foi observado com temperatura retal de 36,5 ºC. Citologia aspirativa de agulha fina sugeriu neoplasia de tireoide. A dosagem sérica de T4 total e TSH junto com a exclusão de doenças não tireoidianas confirmaram o diagnóstico de hipotireoidismo. Esse é o primeiro relato de hipotireoidismo felino no Brasil devido a uma neoplasia de tireoide, classificado como carcinoma folicular-compacto, confirmado na histopatologia.

Natural Occurring Muscular Sarcocysts in Urban Domestic Cats (Felis catus) Without Sarcocystis-Associated Disease.

PURPOSE: Despite of classically acting as definitive hosts of different Sarcocystis species, domestic cats have been pointed out as possible intermediate hosts of S. neurona and S. felis. Nonetheless, details concerning natural sarcocyst development in cats without Sarcocystis-associated disease are scarce. This study aimed to characterize the natural occurrence of muscular sarcocysts in a random group of cats submitted for necropsy. METHODS: One hundred cats necropsied at a Veterinary Pathology Service were included. Nine different muscular tissues from each cat were sampled for histological analysis and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using multispecies primers for Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. PCR-positive cases were sequenced for genus and species identification. Epidemiologic data was also analyzed. RESULTS: Tissue sarcocysts were identified in hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides from five cats, and S. neurona was the only confirmed species. Multifocal sarcocysts affecting two or more muscles were common among positive cats (4/5). Sarcocysts were identified within vastus lateralis (3/5), intercostal (3/5), subscapular (2/5) and diaphragm (2/5) sections. These cysts were always incidental necropsy findings. All sarcocyst-positive cats were from urban areas, among which two were feral and three were pets. Outdoor access was consistently reported. Two cats were positive for retrovirosis, and treatments with potentially immunosuppressive drugs were never stated. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the natural occurrence of S. neurona muscular sarcocysts in a random group of cats without Sarcocystis-associated disease. These findings reinforce the participation of feral and pet cats from urban areas as natural intermediate hosts of S. neurona.

Subcutaneous and muscular lagochilascariasis in a cat from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / Lagoquilascaríase subcutânea e muscular em um gato do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

A domestic cat was submitted to necropsy with a small abscess within the subcutaneous tissue and skeletal muscles dorsal to the left ear. It contained multiple 0.8 to 1.2 cm-long adult nematodes and was drained by two cutaneous fistulae. On histopathology, multiple cavitary areas within the skeletal muscles and subcutaneous tissue contained adult nematodes and were surrounded by thick fibrotic and chronic-active inflammatory reaction. The parasites were externally lined by a smooth cuticle and had two prominent lateral alae. They contained an intestinal tract and a pseudocoelom. A prominent polymyarian-coelomyarian musculature and two large lateral chords were identified, and some sections contained a uterus with multiple non-operculated eggs. Lagochilascariasis should be considered a differential diagnosis for cervical skin abscesses in domestic cats from Southern Brazil. This article brings important contributions to the clinical and anatomopathologic diagnosis of this rare zoonotic disease.(AU)

Um gato doméstico foi submetido à necropsia com um pequeno abscesso no tecido subcutâneo e musculatura esquelética dorsal ao ouvido esquerdo. Continha vários nematódeos adultos de 0,8 a 1,2 cm de comprimento e foi drenado por duas fístulas cutâneas. Na histopatologia, múltiplas áreas cavitárias coalescentes dentro dos músculos esqueléticos e tecido subcutâneo continham nematódeos adultos e eram circundadas por espessa reação inflamatória fibrótica e crônica ativa. Os parasitas eram revestidos externamente por uma cutícula lisa e tinham duas asas laterais proeminentes. Eles continham um trato intestinal e um pseudoceloma. Uma musculatura polimiariana proeminente e duas grandes cordas laterais foram identificadas, e algumas seções continham um útero com múltiplos óvulos não operculados. A lagoquilascaríase deve ser considerada um diagnóstico diferencial para abscessos cutâneos cervicais em gatos domésticos do Sul do Brasil. Esse artigo traz importantes contribuições para o diagnóstico clínico e anatomopatológico dessa rara doença zoonótica.(AU)

Acquired diaphragmatic eventration in a dog

Background: Diaphragmatic eventration is characterized by weakness of the diaphragmatic muscle, which leads to cranialdislocation of the affected diaphragm and, ultimately, in dyspnea. This condition is rare in humans and even rarer in animals,and may be congenital or acquired. The acquired form is less commom and may be induced by trauma or inflammationand neoplastic invasion of the phrenic nerve. Here, we report a case of acquired diaphragmatic eventration in a dog, withthe aim of increasing the knowledge of this condition in animals and helping others to recognize and treat future cases.Case: A 12-year-old male dachshund presented with severe dyspnea, exercise intolerance and episodes of coughing. Basedon a physical examination and imaging, the main suspicion was a diaphragmatic hernia, and surgery was performed. Whenthe surgeon entered the thoracic cavity, an extremely thin - yet, intact - right hemidiaphragm was observed. The left sideof the diaphragm was normal. A polypropylene mesh was sutured to the affected diaphragm in an attempt to strengthenthe hemidiaphragmatic muscles and prevent further insinuations of viscera into the thoracic cavity. The dog developedbronchopneumonia, postoperatively, and was hospitalized and treated with antibiotics, analgesics and support medication.However, the dog died five days after surgery. A postmortem examination revealed that the right side of the diaphragmwas markedly thin and flaccid. Diaphragm samples were collected for histopathological examination. For comparison, asample of normal diaphragm was collected from a same age, matched dachshund that died due to an unrelated condition.This tissue was called “diaphragm control”, and it was collected in order to compare the histologic features of a normaldiaphragm muscle with the affected one. Histopathology revealed a marked reduction of muscle fibers...

Acquired diaphragmatic eventration in a dog

Background: Diaphragmatic eventration is characterized by weakness of the diaphragmatic muscle, which leads to cranialdislocation of the affected diaphragm and, ultimately, in dyspnea. This condition is rare in humans and even rarer in animals,and may be congenital or acquired. The acquired form is less commom and may be induced by trauma or inflammationand neoplastic invasion of the phrenic nerve. Here, we report a case of acquired diaphragmatic eventration in a dog, withthe aim of increasing the knowledge of this condition in animals and helping others to recognize and treat future cases.Case: A 12-year-old male dachshund presented with severe dyspnea, exercise intolerance and episodes of coughing. Basedon a physical examination and imaging, the main suspicion was a diaphragmatic hernia, and surgery was performed. Whenthe surgeon entered the thoracic cavity, an extremely thin - yet, intact - right hemidiaphragm was observed. The left sideof the diaphragm was normal. A polypropylene mesh was sutured to the affected diaphragm in an attempt to strengthenthe hemidiaphragmatic muscles and prevent further insinuations of viscera into the thoracic cavity. The dog developedbronchopneumonia, postoperatively, and was hospitalized and treated with antibiotics, analgesics and support medication.However, the dog died five days after surgery. A postmortem examination revealed that the right side of the diaphragmwas markedly thin and flaccid. Diaphragm samples were collected for histopathological examination. For comparison, asample of normal diaphragm was collected from a same age, matched dachshund that died due to an unrelated condition.This tissue was called “diaphragm control”, and it was collected in order to compare the histologic features of a normaldiaphragm muscle with the affected one. Histopathology revealed a marked reduction of muscle fibers...(AU)