Primary conjunctival sporotrichosis in three cats from Northeastern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Classically, sporotrichosis occurs as a chronic granulomatous lymphocutaneous infection. The extracutaneous form is uncommon and may affect the eye without cutaneous involvement. The most frequent form of ocular sporotrichosis reported in humans is a granulomatous conjunctivitis. There are no previous reports on primary ocular sporotrichosis in cats. PROCEDURES: Three mixed breed cats rescued from shelters were referred by the veterinarian for ophthalmic evaluation with a complaint of conjunctivitis nonresponsive to treatment with no evidence of skin disease or systemic disease. Complete ophthalmic examination, conjunctival cytology, and microbiological analysis were performed. RESULTS: Ophthalmic examinations revealed epiphora, purulent ocular discharge, conjunctival hyperemia, and a mass in the palpebral conjunctiva. Conjunctival cytology revealed segmented and degenerated neutrophils, conjunctival epithelial cells, and an abundant number of round and oval cells compatible with Sporothrix spp. Microbiological culture was performed and confirmed the presence of fungi from the Sporothrix schenckii complex. All animals were treated with oral itraconazole; two animals received topical itraconazole in association with oral treatment. Case 1 was refractory to treatment, and iodate potassium was combined with itraconazole therapy without resolution at the time of this publication. Cases 2 and 3 had complete resolution of conjunctival lesions with four months of oral and topical itraconazole therapy. CONCLUSION: Conjunctival sporotrichosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis of conjunctivitis in cats from endemic regions. Conjunctival cytology is an important tool that can aid early diagnosis.

Disseminated histiocytic sarcoma in a Labrador retriever in Brazil

Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) refers to a rare neoplasm of round cells frequently presented in a disseminated form, affecting bones, joints, skin, and subcutaneous tissue. The objective of this study was to report a case of disseminated HS in a canine attended at HOVET-UFRPE, Recife, Brazil. Physical examination and complementary tests were performed; complete blood count and serum biochemistry were normal, but at thoracic radiography exam a neoformation was detected in the right lung. Cytopathological evaluation was suggestive of malignant epithelial neoplasia. At necropsy, there were disseminated nodules in the lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, meninges and eye. The histopathological examination revealed proliferation of pleomorphic round cells, suggesting HS, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. From the obtained results, it becomes evident the importance of complementary exams to properly diagnose histiocytic diseases. This is one of the few reports of canine disseminated HS in Brazil.(AU)

Disseminated histiocytic sarcoma in a Labrador retriever in Brazil

Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) refers to a rare neoplasm of round cells frequently presented in a disseminated form, affecting bones, joints, skin, and subcutaneous tissue. The objective of this study was to report a case of disseminated HS in a canine attended at HOVET-UFRPE, Recife, Brazil. Physical examination and complementary tests were performed; complete blood count and serum biochemistry were normal, but at thoracic radiography exam a neoformation was detected in the right lung. Cytopathological evaluation was suggestive of malignant epithelial neoplasia. At necropsy, there were disseminated nodules in the lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, meninges and eye. The histopathological examination revealed proliferation of pleomorphic round cells, suggesting HS, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. From the obtained results, it becomes evident the importance of complementary exams to properly diagnose histiocytic diseases. This is one of the few reports of canine disseminated HS in Brazil.