Genetic and morphological identification of filarial worm from Iberian hare in Portugal.

The Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) is an endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula and the only hare species found in Portugal, although also being present in some areas of Spain. The reduction of wild hare populations due to several ecological and sanitary factors, has been raising growing concerns in the recent years. Despite different helminth species were already described in Iberian hares in Portugal, to this date, no filarial worms have been identified in this species. Furthermore, only a few studies on lagomorphs' onchocercid worms are available, referring to other hosts species of hares and/or rabbits. In this study, we describe the presence of filarial worms in the blood vessels of two adult Iberian hares collected in 2019 in continental Portugal. Morphology and sequencing data from the 12S rRNA, coxI, 18S rRNA, myoHC, hsp70 and rbp1 genes, showed that the filaroid species were genetically related with Micipsella numidica. However, the extension of the genetic differences found with M. numidica suggests that the filaroids specimens under study belong to a new species, that we provisionally named Micipsella iberica n. sp.. The body location of this putative new parasite species and its physiological implications indicate that it may constitute a potential menace to the already fragile Iberian hare justifying, therefore, further investigation regarding the morphological characterization, prevalence and real clinical impact of this new parasite in hares.

Bone marrow bi-hypoplasia in a dog with a sertoli cell tumor / Hipoplasia dupla de medula óssea em um cão com tumor de células de sertoli

A 20-year-old unneutered male poodle presented prostration, apathy, staggering gait, lack of appetite and tick infestation. The dog was diagnosed with a Sertoli cell tumor in an undescended testicle by cytological, histopathological and immunohistochemical tests. Pancytopenia with moderate nonregenerative anemia, leukopenia and severe thrombocytopenia were detected in the complete blood count. Cytological and histopathological evaluation of the bone marrow revealed a cellularity of 30%, with erythroid (59%), lymphoid (40%) and mast cells (1%), and an absence of granulocytic, monocytic and megakaryocytic lineage cells. In post-mortem examinations, changes related to hemostatic disorders were found. The absence of microorganisms in molecular tests and an estrogen serum concentration over reference values confirmed hyperestrogenism as a possible cause of pancytopenia. The literature describes a Sertoli cell tumor hyperestrogenism that induced pancytopenia, along with bone marrow hypoplasia of all hematopoietic lineages. In contrast, in the present case, the erythroid precursor cells were preserved in the bone marrow, although there were no reticulocytes circulating in the blood. This case, therefore, should be considered in future investigations of pancytopenia induced by Sertoli cell tumor hyperestrogenism.(AU)

Um cão Poodle, macho, de 20 anos, não castrado, apresentou prostração, apatia, andar cambaleante, falta de apetite e infestação por carrapatos. Nesse animal, foi diagnosticado tumor de células de Sertoli em um testículo não descendente, utilizando-se citologia, histopatologia e imuno-histoquímica. Pancitopenia com anemia moderada não regenerativa, leucopenia e trombocitopenia intensas foram detectadas no hemograma. Na avaliação citológica e histopatológica da medula óssea, havia celularidade de 30%, constituída pelas linhagens eritroide (59%) e linfoide (40%) e por mastócitos (1%), com ausência de células das linhagens granulocítica, monocítica e megacariocítica. Em exames post mortem, mudanças relacionadas à hemostasia foram encontradas. A ausência de micro-organismos nos testes moleculares e a concentração sérica de estrogênio acima dos valores de referência confirmaram hiperestrogenismo como a possível causa da pancitopenia. A literatura descreve hiperestrogenismo em tumores de células de Sertoli induzindo pancitopenia associada com hipoplasia da medula óssea de todas as linhagens hematopoiéticas. Em contraste, no presente caso, as células precursoras eritróides estavam preservadas na medula óssea, embora não houvesse reticulócitos no sangue. Assim, o relato apresentado deve ser considerado em futuras investigações de pancitopenia induzida por hiperestrogenismo em tumor de células de Sertoli.(AU)

Avaliação hemogasométrica em cadelas com piometra / Hemogasometric evaluation in bitches with pyometra

A piometra é uma afecção comum em cadelas com uma etiologia hormonal associada à infecção bacteriana, levando ao acúmulo de exsudato uterino. Desequilíbrios ácido-base e hidroeletrolíticos são complicações que contribuem para a progressão da doença, o que piora o estado geral da paciente e pode levá-la ao óbito. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi caracterizar os distúrbios ácido-base e eletrolíticos em cadelas com piometra, além de avaliar se a terapia hídrica pré-cirúrgica (Ringer lactato) é efetiva na correção desses desequilíbrios. Vinte cadelas com piometra foram submetidas à hemogasometria em oito tempos preestabelecidos. Concluiu-se que o distúrbio ácido-base mais frequente foi a alcalose respiratória e que a terapia hídrica no pré-cirúrgico com solução Ringer lactato foi efetiva na correção da acidose metabólica e proporcionou melhora na alcalose respiratória, embora não tenha corrigido quadros de alcalose metabólica.

Pyometra is a common disease in dogs with a hormonal etiology associated with a bacterial infection and leading to accumulation of uterine exudates. Acid-base and electrolyte disturbances are complications that contribute to disease progression, worsening the condition of the patient, possibly leading death. The aim of this study was to characterize the acid-base and electrolyte disturbances in dogs with pyometra, and to evaluate whether preoperative fluid therapy (Ringer's lactate) is effective in correcting these imbalances. Twenty bitches with pyometra were subjected to blood gas analysis in eight pre-set times. It was concluded that the acid-base disorder was the most frequent respiratory alkalosis and fluid therapy in the preoperative Ringer 's lactate solution was effective in the correction of metabolic acidosis, although this has not corrected metabolic alkalosis frames and has provided improved alkalosis breathing .