Abortos, malformações congênitas e falhas reprodutivas espontâneas em caprinos causados na intoxicação pelas folhas da catingueira, Poincianella pyramidalis (sin. Caesalpinia pyramidalis) / Spontaneous abortion, congenital malformation and reproductive losses in goats due to poisoning by the leaves of Poincianella pyramidalis (syn. Caesalpinia pyramidalis)

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos de folhas da espécie arbórea Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L.P. Queiroz como causa espontânea de abortos, malformações e falhas reprodutivas em rebanhos caprinos no semiárido brasileiro. Foram realizadas investigações epidemiológicas, avaliações clínicas de caprinos acometidos por malformações e necropsias de fetos abortados em 12 propriedades localizadas nos municípios de Gurjão e Soledade, na Paraíba, e no município de Pau dos Ferros, Rio Grande do Norte. O estudo considerou apenas as propriedades que tinham basicamente a presença de P. pyramidalis entre as plantas teratogênicas. Na propriedade localizada no município de Pau dos Ferros foi verificada a ocorrência de grande número de abortos e o nascimento de cabritos malformados, acometendo 90% das cabras gestantes. Nas 12 propriedades pertencentes aos municípios de Gurjão e Soledade na Paraíba os casos espontâneos de mortalidade embrionária, abortos e malformações acometeram 257 cabras (41,1% das cabras dos rebanhos). A artrogripose foi a principal malformação congênita observada. Exames de necropsia e histopatológico de quatro fetos acompanhados das placentas não constataram a presença de agentes infecciosos. Os casos de perda embrionária, abortos e malformações foram concentrados predominantemente nas épocas do ano em que a pastagem estava escassa, mas havia disponibilidade de P. pyramidalis nas propriedades, devido à ocorrência das chuvas da pré-estação, que não permitiu a germinação de pasto, mas a rebrotação de P. pyramidalis. Os achados desse estudo comprovam que esta planta interfere consideravelmente na eficiência reprodutiva dos rebanhos caprinos do Semiárido.(AU)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the leaves of the tree Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L.P. Queiroz as a spontaneous cause of abortion, malformation and reproductive failure in goat herds in the Brazilian semiarid region. Epidemiological investigations, clinical evaluation of goats affected by malformation and necropsy of aborted fetuses was carried out on 12 farms located in the municipalities of Gurjão and Soledade, state of Paraíba, and on a farm located at the municipality of Pau dos Ferros, state of Rio Grande do Norte. The study considered only the farms where occurred predominantly P. pyramidalis among teratogenic plants. On the farm located in the municipality of Pau dos Ferros the occurrence of frequent abortion and birth of malformed goats, affecting 90% of pregnant goats, was observed. On the 12 farms belonging to the municipalities of Gurjão and Soledade, spontaneous cases of embryonic mortality, abortion and malformation occurred in 257 goats (41.1% of goats). Arthrogryposis was the main congenital malformation observed. Necropsy and histopathological exams of four fetuses and their placentas did not detect the presence of infectious agents. The cases of embryonic mortality, abortion and malformation were predominantly concentrated during the seasons of the year when pasture was scarce, but P. pyramidalis was available, due to the occurrence of pre-seasonal rains, which did not allow the pasture to germinate but P. pyramidalis to regrowth. The findings of this study confirm that this plant significantly interferes in the reproductive efficiency of semi-arid goat herds.(AU)

Caracterização clínica e histopatológica das dermatites alérgicas em cães / Clinical and histopathological characterization of allergic dermatitis in dogs

Descrevem-se as características clínicas e histopatológicas da dermatite alérgica diagnosticada em cães da região metropolitana de João Pessoa, Paraíba. Durante o período de setembro de 2014 a setembro de 2015, um total de 90 cães com lesões cutâneas. Desses 24 apresentaram alterações compatíveis com dermatite alérgica, sendo 12 machos e 12 fêmeas. A dermatite atópica (DA) foi a mais frequente, afetando 58,33% (14/24) dos cães, seguido por dermatite por hipersensibilidade alimentar (HA) 25% (6/24), dermatite de contato alérgica (DAC) com 8,33% (2/24) dos casos, dermatite alérgica por picada de pulgas (DAPP) com um caso e a hipersensibilidade a medicamento (farmacodermia) também um caso, que representou 4,17% respectivamente. As lesões macroscópicas incluíram hipotricose, hiperpigmentação, comedões, eritema, alopecia, xerose, erosões, úlceras e exsudato, anatomicamente distribuídas na face, cabeça, pescoço, toracolombar, lombossacra, flanco, membros e abdome. As lesões microscópicas mais frequentes foram hiperceratose, acantose, espongiose e exocitose de linfócitos na epiderme. Na derme superficial foi observada perivasculite, perianexite e em alguns casos de incontinência pigmentar, edema, dilatação de vasos sanguíneos, linfáticos e glândulas sudoríparas. O exame histopatológico associado com a história clínica, exame clínico e pele são ferramentas importantes para o diagnóstico de dermatite alérgica em cães, bem como medidas terapêuticas associadas.(AU)

This paper describes the clinical and histopathological features of allergic dermatitis in dogs diagnosed the metropolitan region of João Pessoa, Paraíba. From September 2014 to September 2015 a total of 90 dogs with skin lesions was studied. Twenty-four cases showed changes consistent with allergic dermatitis, in 12 males and 12 females. The age of dogs ranged from 3 months to 15 years. Atopic dermatitis was the most common, affecting 58.33% (14/24) of the dogs, followed by food hypersensitivity dermatitis at 25% (6/24), allergic contact dermatitis at 8.33% (2/24), a case of allergic dermatitis flea and one case of drug hypersensitivity, which represented 4.17% respectively. Gross lesions included hypotrichosis, hyperpigmentation, comedones, erythema, alopecia, xerosis, erosions, ulcers, and exudates. Anatomically distributed was on face, head, neck, thoracolumbar, lumbosacral, flank, limbs and abdomen. The most common microscopic lesions were hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, spongiosis and exocytosis of lymphocytes in the epidermis. In the superficial dermis was observed perivasculitis, perianexite and in some cases pigmentary incontinence, edema, dilated lymphatic vessels and sweat glands. Histopathological examination associated with medical history, clinical examination and skin examen are important tools for the diagnosis of allergic dermatitis in dogs, as well as for associated therapeutic measures.(AU)

Poisoning of sheep by seeds of Crotalaria retusa: acquired resistance by continuous administration of low doses.

Seeds of Crotalaria retusa containing 6.84% (dry weight) of monocrotaline (MCT) were administered experimentally to sheep. Three sheep that received 136.8mg MCT/kg bw daily for 70 days had no clinical signs. Five out of six sheep ingesting single doses of 205.2 and 273.6mg MCT/kg bw died with acute (three sheep) or chronic intoxication (two sheep). Acute intoxicated sheep had periacinar liver necrosis and chronic intoxicated sheep liver fibrosis and megalocytosis. Another three sheep had no clinical signs after the ingestion of 20 daily doses of 136.8mg MCT/kg, followed by seven doses of 273.6mg MCT/kg, and one single dose of 342mg MCT/kg. These experiments demonstrated that sheep are susceptible to acute intoxication by MCT being intoxicated by a single oral dose of approximately 205.2mg/kg. In contrast, they develop strong resistance to MCT after the daily ingestion of non lethal doses (136.8mg/kg). It is suggested that chronic poisoning does not occur by the repeated ingestion of non acutely toxic doses, but probably by the ingestion of single toxic doses. It is also suggested that sheep do not become intoxicated with the ingestion of C. retusa in the vegetative non-seeding stage.