Epidermal renewal after treatment of primary canine hypothyroidism using levothyroxine

Background: Primary canine hypothyroidism, an endocrine disorder that causes imbalances in the hypothalamus-pituitarythyroid axis, is a common cause of endocrine dermatoses, which frequently presents with opaque dry brittle hair. Tissue changes are also visible, such as myxedema, hyperkeratosis, epidermal atrophy, alopecia, and others. This paper describes the skin changes caused by primary hypothyroidism in a female dog before and after treatment with levothyroxine. Case: This case study involved a 7-year-old Dalmatian bitch with a history of weight gain and changes such as rough dry brittle hair. For about a year, the dog also had also presented symmetrical erythematous and alopecia skin lesions in the regions of the hind limbs, lower back and tail, progressive lethargy and fatigue after exercise. A hemogram showed mild normocytic and normochromic regenerative anemia, as well as mild leukopenia and neutropenia. Biochemical tests revealed increased levels of creatinine, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Skin biopsy revealed the presence of comedones in the epidermis and acanthosis and trichilemmal keratinization. Hormonal tests revealed high TSH and low free T4 and total T4 levels. A cervical ultrasound scan showed changes in the thyroid glands, with hypoechoic parenchyma, in addition to increased size of the right lobe, suggesting thyroiditis. Based on these exams, the patient was diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism, and treatment with levothyroxine was instituted. Discussion: Around 90% of dogs with hypothyroidism show a decrease in total T4 and about 65-75% of them show an increase in TSH levels. In endocrinopathy, there is a decrease in the expression of T3 receptors in the keratinocytes and genes responsible for epidermal renewal. Also, molecules that affect epidermal differentiation bind to intracellular receptors belonging to the steroid/thyroid hormone superfamily. In this study, however, the application of the minimum levothyroxine dose restored the normal epidermal pattern for the species and the remaining parameters returned to normal. The hormone T3 acts in the differentiation of keratinocytes, a fact that, although not yet proven, is believed to be indirect and mediated by the epidermal growth factor or by the expression of the genes responsible for the renewal of the epidermis. Besides, some effects on the epidermis caused by deficiency of thyroid hormones may be due to secondary vitamin A deficiency, which is necessary for epithelial differentiation and binding epidermal growth factor (EGF) to the cell. Still, there is a theory that sex hormones also affect the differentiation of the epidermis, as studies show that deficiency causes effects similar to those caused by hypothyroidism. Some studies indicate the investigation of the relationship between secondary vitamin D deficiency and the increased cellularity of the epidermis of the spayed hypothyroid female rats. Additionally, the mechanism of the formation of hyperkeratosis in hypothyroidism is not yet elucidated. T3 is known to regulate keratin gene expression and perhaps also epidermal maturation, epithelial cycle, and normal keratin synthesis. The single treatment with levothyroxine in the female dog was effective in promoting the restoration of gene expression to T3 in keratinocytes.

Prevalência de nematódeos intestinais em equinos de tração na cidade de Pelotas/RS, Brasil / Prevalence of intestinal nematodes in traction horses in city of Pelotas/RS, Brazil / Prevalencia de nematodos intestinales en caballos de tracción en la ciudad de Pelotas/RS, Brasil

Os equinos são utilizados em diversas atividades de trabalho, esporte e lazer, que demandam um bom desempenho e higidez do animal. Um dos fatores que alteram esses aspectos é a presença de endoparasitos. A atividade econômica utilizando equinos para tração é uma prática comum na cidade de Pelotas/RS, visto que muitas famílias dependem do cavalo para seu sustento. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a avaliar a prevalência de nematódeos intestinais em equinos de tração na cidade. Para o estudo, foram utilizados resultados de diagnósticos de amostras fecais, obtidos através do banco de dados do laboratório do Grupo de Estudos em Enfermidades Parasitárias (GEEP) da Faculdade de Veterinária -Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel). Entre os meses de janeiro a dezembro de 2018, 82 amostras foram processadas através da técnica de Gordon e Whitlock e os resultados expressos em OPG. Do total de amostras analisadas, 90,2% (74/82) foram positivas para algum nematódeo, apresentando média de contagem de 739,2 OPG. Observou-se maior prevalência de infecções por parasitos da família Strongylidae (74,3%). Infecções por Parascaris spp. e Strongyloides sp. foram observadas com 13,4% e 2,43% de prevalência, respectivamente. Conclui-se que na população de equinos avaliada, a maioria dos animais estavam parasitados por algum espécime de nematódeo, sendo os da família Strongylidae os mais prevalentes.(AU)

Horses are used in various work activities, sports and leisure activities, which require good performance and animal health. One of the factors that alter these aspects is the presence of endoparasites. Economic activity using horses for traction is a common practice in the city of Pelotas/RS, as many families depend on the horse for their livelihood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal nematodes in traction horses in the city. For the study, we used results of diagnostics of fecal samples, obtained from the laboratory database of the Parasitic Disease Study Group (GEEP) at the Veterinary School -Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel). Between the months of January to December 2018, 82 samples were processed by the Gordon and Whitlock technique and the results expressed in EPG. Of the total samples analyzed, 90.2% (74/82) were positive for some nematode, with a mean count of 739.2 OPG. There was a higher prevalence of infections by parasites of the family Strongylidae (74.3%).Infections with Parascaris spp. and Strongyloides sp. were observed with 13.4% and 2.43% prevalence, respectively. It is concluded that in the evaluated horse population, most of the animals were parasitized by some specimen of nematodes, with the Strongylidae family being the most prevalent.(AU)

Los caballos se utilizan en diversas actividades laborales, deportivas y de ocio, que requieren un buen rendimiento y salud animal. Uno de los factores que alteran estos aspectos es la presencia de endoparásitos. La actividad económica que usa caballos para la tracción es una práctica común en la ciudad de Pelotas/RS, ya que muchas familias dependen del caballo para su sustento. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la prevalencia de nematodos intestinales en caballos de tracciónen la ciudad. Para el estudio, utilizamos los resultados del diagnóstico de muestras fecales, obtenidos de la base de datos de laboratorio del Grupo de Estudio de Enfermedades Parasitarias (GEEP) dela Facultad de Veterinaria -Universidad Federal de Pelotas (UFPel). De enero a diciembre de 2018, se procesaron 82 muestras mediante la técnica de Gordon y Whitlock y los resultados se expresaron en OPG. Del total de muestras analizadas, 90.2% (74/82) fueron positivas para algunos nematodos, con un recuento medio de 739.2 OPG. Hubo una mayor prevalencia de infecciones por parásitos de la familia Strongylidae (74,3%). Infecciones por Parascaris spp. y Strongyloides sp. se observaron con 13.4% y 2.43% de prevalencia, respectivamente. Se concluyó que en la población equina evaluada, la mayoría de los animales fueron parasitados por algún espécimen de nematodos, siendo los de la familia Strongylidae los más prevalentes.(AU)

Prevalência de nematódeos intestinais em equinos de tração na cidade de Pelotas/RS, Brasil / Prevalence of intestinal nematodes in traction horses in city of Pelotas/RS, Brazil / Prevalencia de nematodos intestinales en caballos de tracción en la ciudad de Pelotas/RS, Brasil

Os equinos são utilizados em diversas atividades de trabalho, esporte e lazer, que demandam um bom desempenho e higidez do animal. Um dos fatores que alteram esses aspectos é a presença de endoparasitos. A atividade econômica utilizando equinos para tração é uma prática comum na cidade de Pelotas/RS, visto que muitas famílias dependem do cavalo para seu sustento. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a avaliar a prevalência de nematódeos intestinais em equinos de tração na cidade. Para o estudo, foram utilizados resultados de diagnósticos de amostras fecais, obtidos através do banco de dados do laboratório do Grupo de Estudos em Enfermidades Parasitárias (GEEP) da Faculdade de Veterinária -Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel). Entre os meses de janeiro a dezembro de 2018, 82 amostras foram processadas através da técnica de Gordon e Whitlock e os resultados expressos em OPG. Do total de amostras analisadas, 90,2% (74/82) foram positivas para algum nematódeo, apresentando média de contagem de 739,2 OPG. Observou-se maior prevalência de infecções por parasitos da família Strongylidae (74,3%). Infecções por Parascaris spp. e Strongyloides sp. foram observadas com 13,4% e 2,43% de prevalência, respectivamente. Conclui-se que na população de equinos avaliada, a maioria dos animais estavam parasitados por algum espécime de nematódeo, sendo os da família Strongylidae os mais prevalentes.

Horses are used in various work activities, sports and leisure activities, which require good performance and animal health. One of the factors that alter these aspects is the presence of endoparasites. Economic activity using horses for traction is a common practice in the city of Pelotas/RS, as many families depend on the horse for their livelihood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal nematodes in traction horses in the city. For the study, we used results of diagnostics of fecal samples, obtained from the laboratory database of the Parasitic Disease Study Group (GEEP) at the Veterinary School -Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel). Between the months of January to December 2018, 82 samples were processed by the Gordon and Whitlock technique and the results expressed in EPG. Of the total samples analyzed, 90.2% (74/82) were positive for some nematode, with a mean count of 739.2 OPG. There was a higher prevalence of infections by parasites of the family Strongylidae (74.3%).Infections with Parascaris spp. and Strongyloides sp. were observed with 13.4% and 2.43% prevalence, respectively. It is concluded that in the evaluated horse population, most of the animals were parasitized by some specimen of nematodes, with the Strongylidae family being the most prevalent.

Los caballos se utilizan en diversas actividades laborales, deportivas y de ocio, que requieren un buen rendimiento y salud animal. Uno de los factores que alteran estos aspectos es la presencia de endoparásitos. La actividad económica que usa caballos para la tracción es una práctica común en la ciudad de Pelotas/RS, ya que muchas familias dependen del caballo para su sustento. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la prevalencia de nematodos intestinales en caballos de tracciónen la ciudad. Para el estudio, utilizamos los resultados del diagnóstico de muestras fecales, obtenidos de la base de datos de laboratorio del Grupo de Estudio de Enfermedades Parasitarias (GEEP) dela Facultad de Veterinaria -Universidad Federal de Pelotas (UFPel). De enero a diciembre de 2018, se procesaron 82 muestras mediante la técnica de Gordon y Whitlock y los resultados se expresaron en OPG. Del total de muestras analizadas, 90.2% (74/82) fueron positivas para algunos nematodos, con un recuento medio de 739.2 OPG. Hubo una mayor prevalencia de infecciones por parásitos de la familia Strongylidae (74,3%). Infecciones por Parascaris spp. y Strongyloides sp. se observaron con 13.4% y 2.43% de prevalencia, respectivamente. Se concluyó que en la población equina evaluada, la mayoría de los animales fueron parasitados por algún espécimen de nematodos, siendo los de la familia Strongylidae los más prevalentes.