Evaluation of adjuvant chemotherapy in feline injection site-associated sarcoma

ABSTRACT Feline Injection Site-Associated Sarcoma (FISS) is a neoplasm that implies in reduction of quality of life and overall survival in feline patients. A retrospective study of 13 cases of FISS was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of surgical treatment associated to chemotherapy with doxorubicin or carboplatin. Local recurrence occurred in all patients. Patients treated with surgery and chemotherapy presented a longer overall survival and disease-free interval when compared to those that solely received surgical treatment, although no statistical significance was observed (p= 0.3360 and 0.7506, respectively). Surgery remains as the main option for FISS treatment. Further prospective studies with larger samples are warranted to investigate the benefit of chemotherapy for this neoplasm.

RESUMO O Sarcoma de Aplicação Felino (SAF) é uma neoplasia associada a redução na qualidade de vida e sobrevida global. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia da quimioterapia associada à cirurgia no manejo do SAF. Estudo retrospectivo de 13 pacientes com SAF submetidos à cirurgia isolada ou associada a quimioterapia com carboplatina ou doxorrubicina. Recorrência local ocorreu em todos os pacientes. Pacientes tratados com cirurgia e quimioterapia apresentaram maior sobrevida global e intervalo livre de doença quando comparados àqueles que receberam apenas tratamento cirúrgico, mas não foi observada diferença estatística (p=0,3360 e 0,7506, respectivamente). A cirurgia continua sendo a principal opção para o tratamento do SAF. Estudos prospectivos são necessários para investigação do real benefício da quimioterapia para esta neoplasia.

Outcome of adjuvant chemotherapy with lomustine, vinblastine and chlorambucil on management of canine mast cell tumour of high to intermediate risk

ABSTRACT In spite of the many available protocols, the use of chemotherapy for the management of canine mast cell tumours (MCT) remains empirical, and there is lack of criteria for the choice of protocol and definition of patients who may benefit from treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of dogs with MCT after adjuvant chemotherapy according to the risk of recurrence or metastasis proposed on the literature. This prospective study included 89 followed up dogs with prognosis assesment including clinical, histological, immunohistochemical and genetic features of canine MCT. Patients were grouped according to risk of recurrence and metastasis and recommended treatment with lomustine followed by chlorambucil if considered at high-risk, or vinblastine followed by chlorambucil if a patient was at intermediate risk. Outcome was defined by disease-free interval (DFI) and overall survival (OS) estimated by Kaplan-Meier curve. Adjuvant lomustine was useful for control of canine MCT of high-risk of recurrence or metastasis, but only when sequentially associated to chlorambucil with a DFI of 686 days and not reached OS. There was no difference in outcome in the intermediate-risk group despite choosen treatment. Patients at intermediate-to-low risk may not require adjuvant treatments, even in the absence of free surgical margins.

RESUMO Apesar dos inúmeros protocolos disponíveis, o uso da quimioterapia permanece empírico para o mastocitoma canino e faltam critérios para escolha do protocolo e da definição dos pacientes que poderiam se beneficiar do tratamento. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o resultado de cães com mastocitoma após a quimioterapia adjuvante, de acordo com o risco de recorrência ou metástase proposto na literatura. Este estudo prospectivo incluiu 89 cães com acompanhamento clínico e avaliação prognóstica, incluindo características clínicas, histológicas, imuno-histoquímicas e genéticas dos mastocitomas. Os pacientes foram agrupados segundo o risco de recorrência ou metástase, sendo recomendado tratamento com lomustina seguida de clorambucila, se considerados sob alto risco, ou vimblastina seguida de clorambucila, se estivessem sob risco intermediário. O resultado final foi definido pelo intervalo livre de doença (ILD) e pela sobrevida global (SG), estimados pela curva de Kaplan-Meier. Na adjuvância, a lomustina foi útil no controle do mastocitoma canino de alto risco, mas apenas quando associada ao clorambucila, com um ILD de 686 dias, sem atingir a mediana para SG. Não houve diferença no grupo de risco intermediário, independentemente do tratamento escolhido. Pacientes de risco intermediário podem não necessitar de tratamentos adjuvantes, mesmo na ausência de margens cirúrgicas livres.

Assessment of electrochemotherapy effects on the development of Ehrlich solid tumor in swiss mice using a novel electroporator device

ABSTRACT Electrochemotherapy is a local anticancer treatment in which non-permeant chemotherapeutic drugs are associated with electric pulses of well-established parameters. The electric pulses cause pores to open on the plasma membrane and facilitate drug transport, enhancing cytotoxicity and reducing side effects. Assessment of electrochemotherapy effects on Ehrlich solid tumor development in this work aims to evaluate in vivo usage of the electroporator device developed by the Department of Electrical Engineering of Engineering School of UFMG. Therefore, 40 Swiss mice were inoculated with Ehrlich tumor cells, and developed the tumor in solid form. After 21 days, mice were subjected to specific treatment protocols (control, bleomycin, electric pulses and electrochemotherapy); 17 days later they were euthanized and the tumors collected for histopathology analysis. Electrochemotherapy induced discrete weight loss and an inflammatory response in the tumor, which was not seen on the other treatment groups. Bleomycin alone induced necrosis. Both groups showed lower cellular proliferation rates. From this study, it was concluded that the animals tolerated electrochemotherapy treatment under anesthesia and the electroporator device developed by the Engineering School of UFMG was adequate when used in an electrochemotherapy protocol.

RESUMO Eletroquimioterapia é uma modalidade de tratamento local contra o câncer em que a administração de quimioterápicos não penetrantes à membrana plasmática é associada à aplicação de pulsos elétricos com parâmetros bem estabelecidos, que abrem poros na membrana plasmática e facilitam a entrada desses fármacos nas células, aumentando sua citotoxicidade e reduzindo efeitos colaterais. A avaliação dos efeitos da eletroquimioterapia sobre o desenvolvimento do tumor sólido de Ehrlich em camundongos Swiss neste trabalho teve como objetivo testar o uso in vivo do aparelho eletroporador desenvolvido pelo Departamento de Engenharia Elétrica da Escola de Engenharia da UFMG. Para tanto, foram utilizados 40 camundongos fêmeas da linhagem Swiss, nos quais foram inoculadas células de tumor de Ehrlich, para o desenvolvimento do tumor na forma sólida. Após 21 dias, os camundongos foram submetidos ao protocolo de tratamento específico (controle, bleomicina, pulsos elétricos e eletroquimioterapia); 17 dias depois foram eutanasiados e seus tumores coletados para análise histopatológica e imuno-histoquímica. A eletroquimioterapia induziu perda de peso discreta e uma resposta inflamatória no tumor que não foi observada nos outros grupos. O grupo bleomicina apresentou maior porcentagem de necrose. Ambos os grupos apresentaram menor índice de proliferação celular. Com este estudo, pode-se concluir que o tratamento sob anestesia foi bem tolerado pelos animais e que o aparelho eletroporador desenvolvido pela Escola de Engenharia da UFMG é adequado para utilização em um protocolo de eletroquimioterapia.

Health assessment of raptors in triage in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

Falconiformes (n=82), Strigiformes (n=84) and Cathartiformes (n=14) at a triage center (CETAS-Belo Horizonte, IBAMA, Brazil) were examined between 2008 and 2010 . No bird was reactive at hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) for antibodies against Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mg). Two Caracara plancus (2/68) had HI titers (16-32) against Newcastle disease virus. No Chlamydophila psittaci DNA was detected in the liver (PCR; n=95). Blood smears (Giemsa; n=89) and spleen fragments (PCR; n=82) were 13.5% and 8.5% positive, respectively, for Haemoproteus only. Necropsy of Cathartiformes (n=10), Falconiformes (n=42) and Strigiformes (n=57) showed that trauma injuries were the main cause (63.3%) of admission and death, being fractures (38.5%) of the thoracic limbs (57.1%) the most frequent. Nematode (12.8%), cestode (1.8%), trematode (0.9%), and acanthocephalan (2.7%) parasite infections were relevant. Mites (Acari) were the most frequent (17.4%) external parasites, particularly Ornithonyssus sylviarum in Asio clamator and Amblyomma cajennense in Tyto alba. Chewing lice (10.1%) and Pseudolynchia spp. (9.2%) were also found. Histomonas spp. (6.4%) was found in the ceca of Bubo virginianus, Athene cunicularia, Tyto alba, and Asio clamator, but not in Falconiformes or Cathartiformes. Trichomonas spp. (oral cavity, pharynx and upper esophagus; 9.1%) was detected in Falconiformes and Strigiformes, but not in Cathartiformes. Trichomonas spp. were found in A. cunicularia, Asio clamator, Glaucidium brasilianum and Tyto alba (Strigiformes), and in Rupornis magnirostris, Milvago chimachima, Falco femoralis, Falco sparverius and Caracara plancus (Falconiformes). Coccidia (9.1%) (Sarcocystis spp., 6.4%) and mycosis were observed in most Tyto alba (70%). The evaluated Orders may not pose risks for commercial poultry production. Habitat loss and urban adaptation may be increasingly affecting raptors.

Detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum in dead captive psittacines in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mg) infection of wild native Brazilian psittacines (Psittaciformes) which died of any cause during sorting, rehabilitation, or conservation, was investigated by PCR. Two previously described PCR methodologies using Mg specific primers were employed for the analyses of 140 swab samples (cloaca, trachea, or palatine cleft). Average positive Mg detection in cloacal swabs was 51.9%, with 80.0% (n=5) of Blue-and-yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna), 60.0% (n=3) Dusky Parrots (Pionus fuscus), 52.5% (n=59) Amazon Parrots (Amazona aestiva), 50.0% (n=2) Orange-winged Parrots (Amazona amazonica), 50.0% (n=2) Jandaya Parakeetsor Jandaya Conures (Aratinga jandaya), 0% (n=2) Golden Conures or Golden Parakeets (Guarouba guarouba), and 0% (n=2) Hyacinth Macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus). Palatine cleft swab sampling was more sensitive to detect Mg, with 85.4% (n=17) detection rate, as compared to 67.4% (n=46) obtained with tracheal samples, and 53.5% (n=77) with cloacal swabs. The surprisingly high Mg incidence in psittacines kept in conservation or triage environments is possibly due to the proximity or cohabitation with several bird species during confinement and housing psittacines of different origins together. The implementation of biosecurity measures and species-specific facilities is recommended.

Detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum in dead captive psittacines in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mg) infection of wild native Brazilian psittacines (Psittaciformes) which died of any cause during sorting, rehabilitation, or conservation, was investigated by PCR. Two previously described PCR methodologies using Mg specific primers were employed for the analyses of 140 swab samples (cloaca, trachea, or palatine cleft). Average positive Mg detection in cloacal swabs was 51.9%, with 80.0% (n=5) of Blue-and-yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna), 60.0% (n=3) Dusky Parrots (Pionus fuscus), 52.5% (n=59) Amazon Parrots (Amazona aestiva), 50.0% (n=2) Orange-winged Parrots (Amazona amazonica), 50.0% (n=2) Jandaya Parakeetsor Jandaya Conures (Aratinga jandaya), 0% (n=2) Golden Conures or Golden Parakeets (Guarouba guarouba), and 0% (n=2) Hyacinth Macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus). Palatine cleft swab sampling was more sensitive to detect Mg, with 85.4% (n=17) detection rate, as compared to 67.4% (n=46) obtained with tracheal samples, and 53.5% (n=77) with cloacal swabs. The surprisingly high Mg incidence in psittacines kept in conservation or triage environments is possibly due to the proximity or cohabitation with several bird species during confinement and housing psittacines of different origins together. The implementation of biosecurity measures and species-specific facilities is recommended.

Occurrence of chicken anemia virus in backyard chickens of the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

The occurrence of CAV in backyard chickens in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, was evaluated. The spleen and thymus of chickens from different origins were collected for DNA extraction and nested-PCR. CAV genome was detected in 30% of the flocks (n=20) examined. CAV origin for backyard chickens is speculated, taking into consideration its widespread incidence in the chicken industry, the contamination of live vaccines with CAV prior to its eradication from SPF flocks, and the use of attenuated CAV vaccines.

Occurrence of chicken anemia virus in backyard chickens of the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

The occurrence of CAV in backyard chickens in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, was evaluated. The spleen and thymus of chickens from different origins were collected for DNA extraction and nested-PCR. CAV genome was detected in 30% of the flocks (n=20) examined. CAV origin for backyard chickens is speculated, taking into consideration its widespread incidence in the chicken industry, the contamination of live vaccines with CAV prior to its eradication from SPF flocks, and the use of attenuated CAV vaccines.