Outbreak of francisellosis (Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis) in cultured neon jewel cichlids Hemichromis bimaculatus from Morelos, Mexico.

Francisellosis is a disease caused by different species of the bacterial genus Francisella and has been diagnosed in a wide variety of animals, including fish. Francisellosis in fish is characterized by the development of non-specific clinical signs as well as the presence of numerous granulomas in several organs (mainly spleen and kidney). Ten neon jewel cichlids Hemichromis bimaculatus were submitted for diagnosis from a farm located in Morelos, Mexico. Gross examination, wet preparations, cytology, histopathology and PCR were performed. Affected fish showed lethargy, erratic swimming, imbalance and gasping. At the post mortem examination, multiple granulomas were observed in the kidney and spleen. Microscopically, granulomatous inflammation was observed in several organs. Species-specific PCR assay using DNA from the affected tissues of H. bimaculatus as a template demonstrated the presence of F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis (Fno) by amplifying a hypothetical protein gene of the Fno species. The end diagnosis of francisellosis is important for Mexican ornamental aquaculture, since it is necessary to implement measures for treatment, prevention, control and diagnosis. This is the first report of francisellosis in the neon jewel cichlid.

The dialyzable leukocyte extract TransferonTM inhibits tumor growth and brain metastasis in a murine model of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men worldwide. Dialyzed Leukocyte Extracts (DLEs) are heterogeneous mixtures of low-molecular-weight peptides that improve clinical responses in various diseases. Here, we analyzed the effects of TransferonTM, a commercial DLE with characterized active pharmaceutical ingredient and proven batch-to-batch reproducibility, in preclinical models of PCa. We employed v-Src-transformed murine prostate epithelial (PEC-Src) cells, which recapitulate the transcriptional profiles in human PCa, can be grown in immunocompetent mice, and consistently form bone and brain metastases. In vitro, TransferonTM did not induce cytotoxicity nor alterations in migration /invasion of PEC-Src cells. In vivo, TransferonTM reduced metastatic dissemination after intracardiac injection of PEC-Src and inhibited tumor growth of subcutaneous isotransplants. The antineoplastic effect of TransferonTM correlated with changes in tumor infiltration, increased serum concentrations of IL-12 and CXCL1, and reduced levels of VEGF. Our results suggest that the antineoplastic effect produced by TransferonTM is due to its immunomodulatory activity and not by a direct effect on cancer cells, and indicate that TransferonTM could be beneficial as adjuvant therapy in PCa patients.

OSTEOSARCOMA IN AFRICAN HEDGEHOGS (ATELERIX ALBIVENTRIS): FIVE CASES.

Osteosarcomas are unusual neoplasms in African hedgehogs ( Atelerix albiventris ) and have been reported in extraskeletal and skeletal locations, including mandible, ribs, and vertebra. Five hedgehogs with osteosarcoma submitted to the Pathology Department at Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, National Autonomous University of Mexico are reported. In two cases, the neoplasm arose from the skull; one case arose from the ribs with associated compression of the thoracic and abdominal cavity, and another case involved the vertebrae. In the last case, the neoplasm arose from the scapula. Histologic lesions were similar in all cases and consisted of well-demarcated nodules in which neoplastic cells were arranged in sheets of polyhedral to spindle-shaped cells with interspersed areas of necrosis. Numerous trabeculae of osteoid were present throughout the tumors. No metastases were detected. The predominant histologic pattern was osteoblastic, but a telangiectatic-like pattern was observed in the vertebral osteosarcoma. Electron microscopy was performed in two cases, and malignant osteoblasts had features consistent with descriptions in other species, including deposits of hydroxyapatite in osteoid. According to these cases and previously published data, axial osteosarcomas are more frequent in contrast to appendicular osteosarcomas in African hedgehogs, and metastases are rare.

Carcinoma prostático en perro: Informe de un caso / Prostatic carcinoma in dog: Case report

Dogs and humans are the only species that with a certain degree of frequency develop naturally prostatic carcinoma. The prostatic carcinoma (PC) is a neoplasia which originates from the glandular epithelium of the prostate. In dogs, the frequency of appearance varies from 0.29 to 0.6% and there is no evidence of predisposition factors that favor its development; in humans there are a considerable number of factors that can be observed, like fat rich diets, genetics, among other causes. Four histological patterns have been described in dogs: tufting, micropapillar, cribriform and flat, being the former the most common. These tumors have a high metastatic rate, being the sites of incidence the regional lymph nodes, lungs and bones. The present case corresponds to an 11 year old Labrador dog that began with anorexia, prostration and lameness of the left pelvic member (LPM), progressive deterioration and no response to treatment; it had to be euthanized and necropsy was performed. At the macroscopic examination, the most outstanding findings were thrombosis in jugular veins, generalized lymph node enlargement and multiple mineralization zones in the muscles that surround the left pelvic member. Whereas in the prostate, multiple white yellowish well delimited nodules from 0.5 to 0.7 cm in diameter were found. Such nodules were constituted by neoplastic glandular epithelial cells. These cells were observed invading blood and lymphatic vessels of different organs, like muscles, skin, lung, liver, kidney, intestines, testicles and meninges. The final diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma was determined by the histological and ultrastructural characteristics and biological behavior.

Los perros, al igual que los humanos, son las únicas especies que desarrollan cáncer de próstata de forma natural y con relativa frecuencia. El carcinoma prostático (CP) es una neoplasia que se origina en el epitelio glandular de la próstata. En perros, su incidencia varía entre 0.29 y 0.6% y no hay evidencia de factores que favorezcan su desarrollo; mientras que, en humanos, se ha asociado, entre otras causas, con la genética y con dietas ricas en grasa. En perros, histológicamente se han descrito cuatro patrones: tubular, micropapilar, cribiforme y plano, de los cuales el tubular es el más frecuente. Este tipo de tumores frecuentemente hace metástasis a linfonodos regionales, pulmones y hueso. El presente caso clínico corresponde a un perro de 11 años, de raza Labrador, que comenzó con anorexia, postración y claudicación de miembro pélvico izquierdo (MPI), deterioro progresivo y sin respuesta a tratamiento médico, por lo que se decidió aplicarle la eutanasia. Las lesiones más importantes encontradas en el estudio anatomopatológico macroscópico fueron: trombosis difusa de las venas yugulares y linfadenomegalia generalizada; así como múltiples zonas de mineralización entre las fascias de los músculos que rodean el miembro pélvico izquierdo. La próstata, exhibió múltiples nódulos de 0.5 a 0.7 cm de diámetro, delimitados, de color blanco, entremezclados con áreas amarillas, las cuales al estudio histopatológico, correspondieron a células epiteliales glandulares neoplásicas de próstata, que invadían vasos sanguíneos y linfáticos de diversos órganos, como músculo esquelético, piel, pulmón, hígado, riñón, intestino, testículo y meninges, lo cual no es común. El diagnóstico final fue de carcinoma prostático por las características histológicas, ultraestructurales y su comportamiento biológico.