Study of digital palmar and plantar arteries of horses and mules by B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography / Estudo das artérias digitais palmares e plantares de equinos e muares por ultrassonografia modo-B e Doppler

The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the palmar and plantar digital arteries of 10 horses and 10 mules through B-mode and spectral Doppler ultrasound. Likewise, compare the plantar arteries of the pelvic limbs with the palmar arteries of the thoracic limbs, in addition to verifying the differences of the digital arteries in the contralateral limbs (right and left) in horses and mules using B-mode and spectral Doppler ultrasonography. The evaluated parameters were the diameter and the intima-media thickness (IMT), resistivity index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), peak of systolic velocity (pSV), final diastolic velocity (fDV) and mean velocity (MV) of the lateral and medial palmar and plantar arteries digital in healthy horses and mules. The horses presented higher diameters values, IMT, pSV, fDV and MV in comparison to the mules. The variables RI and PI also presented differences between horses and mules. Also, both species showed higher values in the variables of B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography in the thoracic limbs. Differences were also detected in the comparison between the limb sides (right and left) in the two modalities. The B-Mode and spectral Doppler ultrasound techniques are viable tools to identify differences in the palmar and plantar digital arteries in healthy horses and mules, highlight the differences between the thoracic and pelvic limbs and their respective sides (right and left) as well.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar e comparar as artérias digitais palmares e plantares de 10 equinos e 10 muares, por meio de ultrassom modo B e Doppler espectral. Da mesma forma, buscou-se comparar as artérias plantares dos membros pélvicos com as artérias palmares dos membros torácicos, além de se verificarem as diferenças das artérias digitais nos membros contralaterais (direito e esquerdo) em equinos e mulas, por meio de ultrassonografia modo B e Doppler espectral. Os parâmetros avaliados foram o diâmetro e a espessura médio-intimal (EMI), o índice de resistividade (IR), o índice de pulsatilidade (IP), o pico de velocidade sistólica (pVS), a velocidade diastólica final (VDf) e a velocidade média (VM) das artérias palmares e plantares lateral e medial digitais em equinos e muares sadios. Os equinos apresentaram maiores valores de diâmetros, EMI, pVS, VDf e VM em comparação aos muares. As variáveis IR e IP também apresentaram diferenças entre equinos e muares. Cavalos e mulas apresentaram maiores valores nas variáveis de ultrassonografia modo B e Doppler nos membros torácicos. Também foram detectadas diferenças na comparação entre os lados dos membros (direito e esquerdo) nas duas modalidades. As técnicas de ultrassom modo-B e Doppler espectral são ferramentas viáveis para identificar diferenças nas artérias digitais palmares e plantares em equinos e muares saudáveis, bem como para destacar as diferenças entre os membros torácicos e pélvicos e seus respectivos lados (direito e esquerdo).

Carboxymethylcellulose and psyllium effects in sand output of horses with asymptomatic sand accumulation / [Efeitos da carboximetilcelulose e do psyllium sobre a eliminação de areia de cavalos com sablose assintomática]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Psyllium (PSY) and Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) administration on fecal elimination of sand in horses with asymptomatic sand accumulations. Eight horses were selected from sandy areas and randomly divided into 2 groups of four animals. The subjects were treated either with CMC or PSY. The presence of intestinal sand was confirmed through radiography and glove sedimentation test. The study was performed in two phases, with a 7-day interval. In phase I, all the animals received 8 liters of warm water; in phase II, the CMC group received 8 liters of water + 1g/kg of CMC, whereas the PSY group received 8 liters of water + 1g/kg of PSY. All administrations were performed through nasogastric intubation and fractionated in 2 equal volume administrations with an interval of two hours. General and specific physical examination of the digestive system were performed in conjunction with abdominal ultrasonography before the administrations and after 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours, aiming to evaluate intestinal motility and presence of sand. All the feces eliminated by the animals within the 72 hours following the administrations were quantified, diluted and sedimented in order to calculate the sand output (g/kg of feces). All the animals were also subjected to radiographic examination to quantify sand accumulation prior to phase I and after 72 hours of phases I and II. No adverse effects were observed after the treatments. It was possible to notice higher sand elimination in both groups during the phase I, whereas no difference was observed in sand elimination rates between the groups in phase II. The radiographic scores presented differences between the initial timepoint and 72h in phases I and II for both groups. Based on the sand elimination rates and radiographic score, this study demonstrated that sand output was greater after administration of water alone, compared to CMC and Psyllium, leading to the inference that removal of the sandy environment and prevention of sand re-ingestion are effective measures for the elimination of sand from the colon of horses with asymptomatic sand accumulations.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da administração do psyllium (PSY) e da carboximetilcelulose (CMC) sobre a eliminação fecal de areia em equinos com sablose assintomática. Oito equinos com confirmação radiográfica de sablose assintomática foram divididos em dois grupos (grupo CMC e grupo PSY). O estudo foi realizado em duas fases, com intervalo de sete dias. Na fase 1, todos os animais receberam 8L de água; na fase 2, o grupo CMC recebeu 8L de água + 1g/kg de CMC e o grupo PSY recebeu 8L de água + 1g/kg de PSY. Antes da administração de cada solução e após seis, 12, 24, 36 e 48 horas, foram realizados exame físico e ultrassonografia abdominal. Todas as fezes eliminadas em 72 horas foram avaliadas para quantificar a eliminação de areia (g/kg de fezes). Antes da fase 1 e após 72 horas das fases 1 e 2, o exame radiográfico foi realizado para quantificar o escore de acúmulo de areia. Houve maior eliminação de areia após a administração de água em comparação com a administração de CMC, e não se observou diferença entre a CMC e o PSY. Uma redução significativa nos escores radiográficos de acúmulo de areia foi observada após a administração de água, bem como a manutenção dos escores após a administração da CMC e do PSY. Com base na produção de areia e no escore radiográfico, este estudo sugere que a remoção do ambiente arenoso, impedindo a reingestão de areia, é uma medida eficaz para a eliminação da areia do cólon de cavalos com acúmulos de areia assintomáticos.(AU)

Comparação das artérias carótidas comuns de equinos e muares por ultrassonografia modo-B e Doppler espectral e a relação com a massa corpórea / Comparison of the common carotid arteries of horses and mules by B-mode and Doppler spectral ultrasonography and the relation with body mass

A ultrassonografia convencional e o Doppler espectral nas artérias carótidas comuns em equinos e muares são considerados escassos, diferentemente do que ocorre na medicina humana. Este trabalho propôs comparar as artérias carótidas comuns de equinos e muares por ultrassonografia modo-B e Doppler espectral, além de verificar as diferenças dessas variáveis entre os gêneros desses animais e a relação com a massa corpórea. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: massa corpórea, diâmetros das artérias, espessura da camada íntima-média (EIM), índice de resistividade (IR), índice de pulsatilidade (IP), velocidade sistólica (VS), velocidade diastólica (VD) e velocidade média (VM). Salvo a massa corpórea, esses parâmetros foram obtidos de três regiões (cranial, médio e caudal) e submetidos à análise conjuntamente. Os diâmetros das artérias carótidas comuns são diferentes entre equinos e muares, com valores menores nos equinos. O IR, o IP, a VS e a VM diferiram entre equinos e muares, sendo maiores nos equinos, e a VD superior nos muares. Não foi observada diferença das variáveis do modo-B e Doppler entre gêneros nos equinos, diferentemente dos muares, cujos machos apresentaram valores maiores do diâmetro, do IR e do IP, mas menores da VS e da VM. A massa corpórea não influenciou as variáveis do modo-B, independentemente do gênero, mas apresenta correlação significativa nas variáveis do modo Doppler. As artérias carótidas comuns de equinos e muares são diferentes pelos exames ultrassonográficos modo-B e Doppler espectral. O gênero não influencia no modo-B e no Doppler nos equinos, porém influencia parcialmente nos muares. A massa corpórea de equinos e de muares, independentemente do gênero, não tem associação com as variáveis do modo-B, apenas com o Doppler.(AU)

Conventional ultrasound and spectral Doppler in the common carotid arteries in horses and mules are considered scarce, different from human medicine. The aim of this study was to compare the common carotid arteries of horses and mules by B-mode ultrasonography and spectral Doppler ultrasonography, as well as to verify the differences of these variables between their genders and the relation with body mass. The following parameters were evaluated: body mass, artery diameter, intima-media thickness (EIM), resistivity index (IR), pulsatility index (IP), systolic velocity (VS), diastolic velocity (VD) and average velocity (VM). Besides the body mass, the other variables were obtained from three regions (cranial, medium and caudal) and analyzed together. The diameters of the common carotid arteries are different between horses and mules, being smaller in horses. The IR, IP, VS and VM differed between horses and mules, being higher in the horses, but the VD was higher in mules. No difference in the variables in B-mode and Doppler between gender were observed in horses, different from mules, in which the diameters, IR and IP values were higher in males and the VS and VM was higher in females. Body mass did not influence B-Mode, both for horses and mules. A significant correlation was observed for Doppler. The common carotid arteries of horses and mules are different by ultrasound scans B-mode and spectral Doppler. Gender does not influence the B-Mode and Doppler variables in horses, but can in mules. The body mass of horses and mules, regardless of gender, is not associated with B-mode variables, but with Doppler variables.(AU)

Comparação das artérias carótidas comuns de equinos e muares por ultrassonografia modo-B e Doppler espectral e a relação com a massa corpórea / Comparison of the common carotid arteries of horses and mules by B-mode and Doppler spectral ultrasonography and the relation with body mass

A ultrassonografia convencional e o Doppler espectral nas artérias carótidas comuns em equinos e muares são considerados escassos, diferentemente do que ocorre na medicina humana. Este trabalho propôs comparar as artérias carótidas comuns de equinos e muares por ultrassonografia modo-B e Doppler espectral, além de verificar as diferenças dessas variáveis entre os gêneros desses animais e a relação com a massa corpórea. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: massa corpórea, diâmetros das artérias, espessura da camada íntima-média (EIM), índice de resistividade (IR), índice de pulsatilidade (IP), velocidade sistólica (VS), velocidade diastólica (VD) e velocidade média (VM). Salvo a massa corpórea, esses parâmetros foram obtidos de três regiões (cranial, médio e caudal) e submetidos à análise conjuntamente. Os diâmetros das artérias carótidas comuns são diferentes entre equinos e muares, com valores menores nos equinos. O IR, o IP, a VS e a VM diferiram entre equinos e muares, sendo maiores nos equinos, e a VD superior nos muares. Não foi observada diferença das variáveis do modo-B e Doppler entre gêneros nos equinos, diferentemente dos muares, cujos machos apresentaram valores maiores do diâmetro, do IR e do IP, mas menores da VS e da VM. A massa corpórea não influenciou as variáveis do modo-B, independentemente do gênero, mas apresenta correlação significativa nas variáveis do modo Doppler. As artérias carótidas comuns de equinos e muares são diferentes pelos exames ultrassonográficos modo-B e Doppler espectral. O gênero não influencia no modo-B e no Doppler nos equinos, porém influencia parcialmente nos muares. A massa corpórea de equinos e de muares, independentemente do gênero, não tem associação com as variáveis do modo-B, apenas com o Doppler.(AU)

Conventional ultrasound and spectral Doppler in the common carotid arteries in horses and mules are considered scarce, different from human medicine. The aim of this study was to compare the common carotid arteries of horses and mules by B-mode ultrasonography and spectral Doppler ultrasonography, as well as to verify the differences of these variables between their genders and the relation with body mass. The following parameters were evaluated: body mass, artery diameter, intima-media thickness (EIM), resistivity index (IR), pulsatility index (IP), systolic velocity (VS), diastolic velocity (VD) and average velocity (VM). Besides the body mass, the other variables were obtained from three regions (cranial, medium and caudal) and analyzed together. The diameters of the common carotid arteries are different between horses and mules, being smaller in horses. The IR, IP, VS and VM differed between horses and mules, being higher in the horses, but the VD was higher in mules. No difference in the variables in B-mode and Doppler between gender were observed in horses, different from mules, in which the diameters, IR and IP values were higher in males and the VS and VM was higher in females. Body mass did not influence B-Mode, both for horses and mules. A significant correlation was observed for Doppler. The common carotid arteries of horses and mules are different by ultrasound scans B-mode and spectral Doppler. Gender does not influence the B-Mode and Doppler variables in horses, but can in mules. The body mass of horses and mules, regardless of gender, is not associated with B-mode variables, but with Doppler variables.(AU)

Implementation of immobilization accessories for positioning of small animals for radiation therapy / Implementação de acessórios de imobilização para o posicionamento de pequenos animais para a radioterapia

Radiation therapy is a modality that is presenting great advances in veterinary medicine worldwide. In Brazil, this therapeutic option is underachieved. The success of this method depends on several factors, including the use of appropriate accessories for protection and immobilization of patients. For the immobilization of small animals during treatment, in addition to sedation and anesthesia, immobilizing accessories, similar to those used in human radiotherapy, are used. This study aimed to present proposals for immobilizing accessories adapted to the positioning of small animals in order to be used in radiotherapy planning. In order to achieve results, accessories were made and tested in a living animal simulating a radiotherapy planning, which proved to be favorable to use in positioning small animals undergoing radiotherapy and for implementation processes.(AU)

A radioterapia é uma modalidade que tem apresentando grandes avanços dentro da medicina veterinária pelo mundo. No Brasil, essa opção terapêutica é pouco realizada. O sucesso dessa modalidade depende de vários fatores, entre eles, o uso de acessórios adequados para a proteção e imobilização dos pacientes. Para a imobilização dos pequenos animais durante o tratamento, além da sedação e da anestesia, são utilizados acessórios imobilizadores semelhantes aos usados na radioterapia humana. Devido a isso, este trabalho teve como objetivo de apresentar propostas de acessórios de imobilização adaptados ao posicionamento de pequenos animais para o uso nos planejamentos radioterápicos. Para a sua realização, foram confeccionados acessórios e testados em um animal vivo simulando um planejamento radioterápico, os quais mostraram ser favoráveis ao uso nos posicionamento de pequenos animais submetidos à radioterapia e para sua implementação.(AU)

Implementation of immobilization accessories for positioning of small animals for radiation therapy / Implementação de acessórios de imobilização para o posicionamento de pequenos animais para a radioterapia

Radiation therapy is a modality that is presenting great advances in veterinary medicine worldwide. In Brazil, this therapeutic option is underachieved. The success of this method depends on several factors, including the use of appropriate accessories for protection and immobilization of patients. For the immobilization of small animals during treatment, in addition to sedation and anesthesia, immobilizing accessories, similar to those used in human radiotherapy, are used. This study aimed to present proposals for immobilizing accessories adapted to the positioning of small animals in order to be used in radiotherapy planning. In order to achieve results, accessories were made and tested in a living animal simulating a radiotherapy planning, which proved to be favorable to use in positioning small animals undergoing radiotherapy and for implementation processes.(AU)

A radioterapia é uma modalidade que tem apresentando grandes avanços dentro da medicina veterinária pelo mundo. No Brasil, essa opção terapêutica é pouco realizada. O sucesso dessa modalidade depende de vários fatores, entre eles, o uso de acessórios adequados para a proteção e imobilização dos pacientes. Para a imobilização dos pequenos animais durante o tratamento, além da sedação e da anestesia, são utilizados acessórios imobilizadores semelhantes aos usados na radioterapia humana. Devido a isso, este trabalho teve como objetivo de apresentar propostas de acessórios de imobilização adaptados ao posicionamento de pequenos animais para o uso nos planejamentos radioterápicos. Para a sua realização, foram confeccionados acessórios e testados em um animal vivo simulando um planejamento radioterápico, os quais mostraram ser favoráveis ao uso nos posicionamento de pequenos animais submetidos à radioterapia e para sua implementação.(AU)

Implementation of immobilization accessories for positioning of small animals for radiation therapy

ABSTRACT Radiation therapy is a modality that is presenting great advances in veterinary medicine worldwide. In Brazil, this therapeutic option is underachieved. The success of this method depends on several factors, including the use of appropriate accessories for protection and immobilization of patients. For the immobilization of small animals during treatment, in addition to sedation and anesthesia, immobilizing accessories, similar to those used in human radiotherapy, are used. This study aimed to present proposals for immobilizing accessories adapted to the positioning of small animals in order to be used in radiotherapy planning. In order to achieve results, accessories were made and tested in a living animal simulating a radiotherapy planning, which proved to be favorable to use in positioning small animals undergoing radiotherapy and for implementation processes.

RESUMO A radioterapia é uma modalidade que tem apresentando grandes avanços dentro da medicina veterinária pelo mundo. No Brasil, essa opção terapêutica é pouco realizada. O sucesso dessa modalidade depende de vários fatores, entre eles, o uso de acessórios adequados para a proteção e imobilização dos pacientes. Para a imobilização dos pequenos animais durante o tratamento, além da sedação e da anestesia, são utilizados acessórios imobilizadores semelhantes aos usados na radioterapia humana. Devido a isso, este trabalho teve como objetivo de apresentar propostas de acessórios de imobilização adaptados ao posicionamento de pequenos animais para o uso nos planejamentos radioterápicos. Para a sua realização, foram confeccionados acessórios e testados em um animal vivo simulando um planejamento radioterápico, os quais mostraram ser favoráveis ao uso nos posicionamento de pequenos animais submetidos à radioterapia e para sua implementação.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from healthy sheep of different populations in São Paulo, Brazil.

AIMS: Sheep are important carriers of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in several countries. However, there are a few reports about ovine STEC in American continent. METHODS AND RESULTS: About 86 E. coli strains previously isolated from 172 healthy sheep from different farms were studied. PCR was used for detection of stx(1), stx(2), eae, ehxA and saa genes and for the identification of intimin subtypes. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-PCR was performed to investigate the variants of stx(1) and stx(2), and the flagellar antigen (fliC) genes in nonmotile isolates. Five isolates were eae(+) and stx(-), and belonged to serotypes O128:H2/beta-intimin (2), O145:H2/gamma, O153:H7/beta and O178:H7/epsilon. Eighty-one STEC isolates were recovered, and the stx genotypes identified were stx(1c)stx(2d-O118) (46.9%), stx(1c) (27.2%), stx(2d-O118) (23.4%), and stx(1c)stx(2dOX3a) (2.5%). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed 27 profiles among 53 STEC and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) isolates. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that healthy sheep in São Paulo, Brazil, can be carriers of potential human pathogenic STEC and atypical EPEC. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: As some of the STEC serotypes presently found have been involved with haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) in other countries, the important role of sheep as sources of STEC infection in our settings should not be disregarded.

Frequency of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolates among diarrheic and non-diarrheic calves in Brazil.

The occurrence of Shiga toxin (Stx) gene sequences was examined in 344 fecal samples from diarrheic (n=139) and non-diarrheic (n=205) calves from 12 beef farms in São Paulo State, Brazil to study the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains. Forty-four (12.7%) animals were found to be positive for stx. The frequency of carriage of stx was higher in diarrheic calves (28/139, 20%) than in non-diarrheic animals (16/205, 7.8%) (P<0.001). Among the 24 STEC strains recovered from the animals, 12 isolates carried stx1, four stx2, and 8 carried both stx1 and stx2 genes. The eae and the enterohaemolysin (Ehly) gene sequences occurred at high frequencies in these STEC strains (41.6 and 50.0%, respectively). A total of 16 serotypes were identified. The serotypes O111:NM (four isolates), O111:H8 (two) and O118:H16 (one), currently described as enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), were isolated from cattle in Brazil for the first time. These findings reinforce the importance of cattle as a reservoir of EHEC strains in Brazil.

Properties of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolates from sheep in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Fecal samples from 48 sheep from two farms in São Paulo, SP, Brazil, were examined to determine the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Forty-two STEC strains were isolated from 25 (52.1%) of 48 sheep feces, and were examined for the presence of genes encoding STEC-related virulence factors. Twenty-one (50.0%) of the 42 STEC isolates were positive for stx(1) and stx(2), 16 isolates (38.1%) were stx(1), and five (11.9%) were stx(2). Expression of Shiga toxins was demonstrated by the Vero cell toxicity test for all the strains carrying stx. Fourteen of the STEC strains (33.3%) carried the enterohemolysin gene (ehly) and presented the enterohemolytic phenotype, and five (11.9%) were positive for the plasmid encoded katP gene. The eae gene was not present in any of the isolates. STEC strains presenting stx(1), stx(2) and ehly were most commonly (23.8%) recovered from these sheep. The predominant STEC serotype found was ONT:H8, and others included O5:H-, O16:H-, O75:H-, O75:H8, O87:H16, O91:H-, O146:H21, O172:H-, OR:H-, ONT:H- and ONT:H16. This is the first report on ovine STEC in South America, and identifies a number of ovine non-O157 STEC that belong to serotypes implicated in human disease.