Rickets in white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris) / Raquitismo em gambás-de-orelha-branca (Didelphis albiventris)

Two young opossums were necropsied and diagnosed with rickets. This study aims to describe the clinical-pathological aspects of rickets in Didelphis albiventris. Macroscopically, the opossums presented kyphosis and scoliosis, lateral deviation of the limbs in varus, locomotion difficulty, and enlargement with softening of costochondral junctions (rickety rosary). Samples of bones and joints were processed for hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson's trichrome. Microscopically, we observed thickening of the epiphyseal plate, characterized by irregular and multifocal proliferation of serialized and hypertrophic cartilage zones, which formed circular groups of large, dysplastic chondrocytes towards the spongy zone, often surrounded by non-mineralized osteoid tissue. In the cortical bone, there were pale eosinophilic zones around the Havers channels consistent with non-mineralized osteoid. The staining of Masson's trichrome evidenced the accumulation of osteoid tissue in cortical and trabecular bones. It is possible that a mixed cause of absorption deficiency of vitamin D3 associated with an unbalanced Ca:P diet based on lactose-free milk and fruits may have triggered the disease.(AU)

Dois gambás jovens foram necropsiados e diagnosticados com raquitismo. O objetivo do trabalho é descrever os aspectos clínico-patológicos de raquitismo em Didelphis albiventris. Macroscopicamente os gambás apresentaram cifose e escoliose, desvio lateral dos membros em varus, dificuldade de locomoção e alargamento com amolecimento das junções costocondrais (rosário raquítico). Amostras dos ossos e articulações foram processadas para coloração de hematoxilina e eosina e Tricrômico de Masson. Microscopicamente havia espessamento da placa epifisária, caracterizada pela proliferação irregular e multifocal das zonas de cartilagem seriada e hipertrófica, que formavam grupos circulares de condrócitos grandes, displásicos em direção a zona esponjosa frequentemente cercados por tecido osteoide não mineralizado. No osso cortical haviam zonas eosinofílicas pálidas ao redor dos canais de Havers consistentes com osteoide não mineralizado. A coloração de Tricrômico de Masson evidenciou o acúmulo de tecido osteoide no nosso cortical e trabecular. Acredita-se que uma causa mista de déficit de absorção de vitamina D3 associada a uma dieta desbalanceada em Ca:P a base de leite sem lactose e frutas tenha desencadeado a doença.(AU)

Electrocutions in free-living black-tufted marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) in anthropogenic environments in the Federal District and surrounding areas, Brazil.

Shrinking natural habitats exposes some non-human primates to the risk of accidents associated with electrical transmission lines. We examined dead marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) collected in the region from January 2015 to April 2018 to determine the animals' cause of death and for electrocuted animals we examined the locations the animals had died as well as the configuration of the power lines at these sites. We also recorded the sex of the animal, the body region affected, and characteristics of the injuries. We diagnosed electrocutions in 11% (n = 34) of the marmosets studied. Most of the affected animals were male (n = 22) with single or double sites of injury on the limbs. Animals were injured in urban (n = 26) and peri-urban (n = 8) areas on lower-voltage alternate current lines, and we detected no seasonality or hotspots of electrocution. Our findings suggest that movement along transmission lines composed of bundled conductors is a major factor in electrocutions of marmosets in the Federal District and surrounding areas. The planning of electrical power grid infrastructure should consider arboreal primates to prevent electrocutions.