Polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride as promising active ingredient for oral antiseptic products to eliminate microorganisms threatening the health of endangered wild cats: a comparative study with chlorhexidine digluconate.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of polyhexamethylene hydrochloride guanidine (PHMGH) compared to chlorhexidine digluconate (CLX) for use as an oral antiseptic during dental procedures in wild cats. This research is crucial due to limited information on the diversity of oral microorganisms in wild cats and the detrimental local and systemic effects of oral diseases, which highlights the importance of improving prevention and treatment strategies. Samples were collected from the oral cavities of four Puma concolor, one Panthera onca, and one Panthera leo, and the number of colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) was counted and semi-automatically identified. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacterial isolates was determined using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and time-kill kinetics of PHMGH and CLX. A total of 16 bacterial isolates were identified, consisting of six Gram-positive and 10 Gram-negative. PHMGH displayed MIC and MBC from 0.24 to 125.00 µg/mL, lower than those of CLX against three isolates. Time-kill kinetics showed that PHMGH reduced the microbial load by over 90% for all microorganisms within 30 min, whereas CLX did not. Only two Gram-positive isolates exposed to the polymer showed incomplete elimination after 60 min of contact. The results could aid in the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies for oral diseases in large felids. PHMGH showed promising potential at low concentrations and short contact times compared to the commercial product CLX, making it a possible active ingredient in oral antiseptic products for veterinary use in the future.

Subacute multisystemic toxoplasmosis in a captive black-and-gold howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) indicates therapy challenging.

A 10-year-old black howler monkey presented with a 36-day subacute clinicopathological picture of fever, prostration, inappetence, intestinal hypomotility, and emaciation. Therapy was trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with streptomycin. The liver, lungs, lymph nodes, and spleen presented lesions. Toxoplasma gondii isolation and PCR determined the diagnosis, and indirect fluorescent antibody tests confirmed an increase in antibody titers.

Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis caused by rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) migration in a white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris) with concurrent distemper virus in southern Brazil.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a worldwide zoonotic parasite that causes eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in many species of animals including humans. This report describes neuro-angiostrongylosis in a white-eared opossum that showed nervous clinical signs such as circling and depression. At necropsy, no relevant macroscopic lesions were observed. Histologically, eosinophilic meningoencephalitis was associated with multiple sections of nematodes and many intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies within gastric parietal cells. Immunohistochemistry was strongly positive for canine distemper virus in the stomach but there was no immunolabeling in the brain. This study describes a fatal case of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis by A. cantonensis with canine distemper virus concurrent infection in a white-eared opossum in southern Brazil, with histological characterization and molecular confirmation of the parasitism.

Avaliação ultrassonográfica de estruturas reprodutivas, fígado e vesícula biliar de Boa constrictor (Linnaeus, 1758) ex situ / Ultrasonographic evaluation of the reproductive structures, liver and gallbladder of Boa constrictor (Linnaeus, 1758) ex situ / Evaluación ecográfica de las estructuras reproductivas, hígado y vesícula biliar de Boa constrictor (Linnaeus, 1758) ex situ

A ultrassonografia possibilita avaliações que resultam em informações relevantes para a manutenção das espécies em cativeiro. Desse modo, realizou-se um estudo com 15 exemplares de Boa constrictor, de ambos os sexos, a fim de caracterizar a aparência ultrassonográfica das estruturas reprodutivas, fígado e vesícula biliar desses animais, pela técnica da janela lateral. Além disso, avaliou-se a influência dos fatores intervalo entre alimentações e o tamanho dos indivíduos na caracterização ultrassonográfica das estruturas. Folículos pré-vitelogênicos foram caracterizados por formato arredondado, preenchidos basicamente por conteúdo anecoico e com ecotextura homogênea e grosseira e folículos vitelogênicos apresentaram conteúdo anecogênico e hipoecogênico, ambos com margens finas e regulares. Os testículos foram caracterizados por formato alongado, parênquima com média ecogenicidade, margens regulares e ecotextura homogênea. O fígado apresentou formato alongado, parênquima com ecogenicidade mista (hipoecoico a levemente hiperecoico), margens ecogênicas, ecotextura homogênea e tamanho médio de 27,6 cm. A vesícula biliar apresentou formato arredondado, preenchida por conteúdo anecoico, envolvida por uma margem fina hiperecogênica. Dos fatores avaliados, o intervalo entre alimentações foi o que mais influenciou na caracterização ultrassonográfica das estruturas. O tamanho das serpentes não exerceu nenhuma influência. Foi possível concluir que o ultrassom, por meio da técnica da janela lateral, é eficaz na avaliação dos órgãos estudados.(AU)

The ultrasonography enables assessments which result in relevant information for the maintenance of the species in captivity. Thus, we conducted a study with 15 specimens of Boa constrictor of both sexes, in order to characterize the ultrasonographic appearance, of reproductive structures, liver and gall bladder of these animals, through the side window technique. Besides that, we evaluate the influence of the factors fasting interval and size of the individual in the ultrasonographic characterization of structures. Pre-vitellogenic follicles were characterized by rounded shape, filled primarily by anechoic content and homogeneous and coarse echotexture and vitellogenic follicles showed anechogenic and hypoechoic content, both with fine and regular margins. Testes were characterized by elongated shape, parenchymal with echogenicity mean, regular margins and homogeneous echotexture. The liver showed elongated shape, parenchyma with mixed echogenicity (hypoechoic to hyperechoic), echogenic margins, homogeneous echotexture and average size of 27,6 cm. The gallbladder showed rounded shape, filled with anechoic content, surrounded by a thin hyperechoic margin. Of the factors evaluated, fasting interval was the one that interfered the most in the ultrasonographic characterization of the organs. The size of the snakes did not exert any influence. It was concluded that ultrasound, through the side window technique, is effective in the evaluation of the organs studied.(AU)

La ecografía permite evaluaciones que resultan en informaciones relevantes para el mantenimiento de las especies en cautiverio. Siendo así, este estudio se realizó con 15 individuos de Boa constrictor, de ambos los géneros, con el objetivo de caracterizar la apariencia ecográfica de los órganos reprodutivos, hígado y vesicula biliar de los animales, por la tecnica de ventana lateral. Además, se evaluó la influencia de los factores como intervalo entre una alimentación y otra y el tamaño de los individuos en la caracterización ecográfica de los órganos. Foliculos vitelogénicos primordiales se caracterizarón por el formato redondeado, rellenos con contenido anecoico y ecotextura homogénea y grosera y foliculos vitelogénicos presentaron contenido anecogénico y hipoecoico, ambos con márgenes refinadas y regulares. Los testículos se caracterizáron por la forma alargada, parénquima ecogénico, margenes regulares y ecotextura homogénea. El hígado se mostró alargado, com ecogenicidad de parénquima mixta (entre hipoecoico a ligeramente hiperecoico), con márgenes ecogénicas, ecotextura homogénea y tamaño promedio de 27,6 cm. La vesicula biliar se mostró con forma redondeada, rellena por contenido anecoico, envolvida por una margen delgada hiperecoica. Entre los factores evaluados, el espacio entre una alimentación y otra se mostró mas influente en la caracterización ecográfica de las estruturas. El tamaño de las serpientes no ejerció ninguna influencia. Así, se concluyó que la ultrasonografía a través de la ventana lateral es eficaz en la evaluación de los órganos analizados.(AU)

High morbidity cutaneous enzootic myiasis by Dermatobia hominis (Diptera: Oestridae) in sambar deer (Rusa unicolor).

This study describes the first known occurrence and treatment of enzootic cutaneous myiasis by Dermatobia hominis in a herd of sambar deer (Rusa unicolor). Sambar deer are clinically affected by enzootic cutaneous myiasis during the spring and summer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Through direct inspection and clinicopathological evaluation in the herd with 80 R. unicolor, it was observed that infestation by D. hominis caused 100% morbidity. At histological exam, skin had eosinophilic and granulomatous chronic active severe necrohemorrhagic dermatitis associated with botfly and moderate surrounding fibroplasia. The systemic treatment with oral ivermectin at 0.08% was effective in 93.7% of deer with enzootic cutaneous myiasis after fourteen days. After treatment, the skin deer had eosinophilic and granulomatous chronic severe dermatitis associated with degenerated botfly and severe fibroplasia. Notable differences in leukocyte profile were observed between groups pre- and post-treatment. Decrease of relative values of neutrophils and eosinophils were significant in the treated deer group. An increase of relative values of monocytes was also confirmed in the treated group. Sambar deer was the only species affected by D. hominis, even though several other wild herbivores were kept in the same area. More studies are needed to elucidate the susceptibility of R. unicolor to D. hominis cutaneous infestations.

Avaliação ultrassonográfica de estruturas reprodutivas, fígado e vesícula biliar de Boa constrictor (Linnaeus, 1758) ex situ / Ultrasonographic evaluation of the reproductive structures, liver and gallbladder of Boa constrictor (Linnaeus, 1758) ex situ / Evaluación ecográfica de las estructuras reproductivas, hígado y vesícula biliar de Boa constrictor (Linnaeus, 1758) ex situ

A ultrassonografia possibilita avaliações que resultam em informações relevantes para a manutenção das espécies em cativeiro. Desse modo, realizou-se um estudo com 15 exemplares de Boa constrictor, de ambos os sexos, a fim de caracterizar a aparência ultrassonográfica das estruturas reprodutivas, fígado e vesícula biliar desses animais, pela técnica da janela lateral. Além disso, avaliou-se a influência dos fatores intervalo entre alimentações e o tamanho dos indivíduos na caracterização ultrassonográfica das estruturas. Folículos pré-vitelogênicos foram caracterizados por formato arredondado, preenchidos basicamente por conteúdo anecoico e com ecotextura homogênea e grosseira e folículos vitelogênicos apresentaram conteúdo anecogênico e hipoecogênico, ambos com margens finas e regulares. Os testículos foram caracterizados por formato alongado, parênquima com média ecogenicidade, margens regulares e ecotextura homogênea. O fígado apresentou formato alongado, parênquima com ecogenicidade mista (hipoecoico a levemente hiperecoico), margens ecogênicas, ecotextura homogênea e tamanho médio de 27,6 cm. A vesícula biliar apresentou formato arredondado, preenchida por conteúdo anecoico, envolvida por uma margem fina hiperecogênica. Dos fatores avaliados, o intervalo entre alimentações foi o que mais influenciou na caracterização ultrassonográfica das estruturas. O tamanho das serpentes não exerceu nenhuma influência. Foi possível concluir que o ultrassom, por meio da técnica da janela lateral, é eficaz na avaliação dos órgãos estudados.

The ultrasonography enables assessments which result in relevant information for the maintenance of the species in captivity. Thus, we conducted a study with 15 specimens of Boa constrictor of both sexes, in order to characterize the ultrasonographic appearance, of reproductive structures, liver and gall bladder of these animals, through the side window technique. Besides that, we evaluate the influence of the factors fasting interval and size of the individual in the ultrasonographic characterization of structures. Pre-vitellogenic follicles were characterized by rounded shape, filled primarily by anechoic content and homogeneous and coarse echotexture and vitellogenic follicles showed anechogenic and hypoechoic content, both with fine and regular margins. Testes were characterized by elongated shape, parenchymal with echogenicity mean, regular margins and homogeneous echotexture. The liver showed elongated shape, parenchyma with mixed echogenicity (hypoechoic to hyperechoic), echogenic margins, homogeneous echotexture and average size of 27,6 cm. The gallbladder showed rounded shape, filled with anechoic content, surrounded by a thin hyperechoic margin. Of the factors evaluated, fasting interval was the one that interfered the most in the ultrasonographic characterization of the organs. The size of the snakes did not exert any influence. It was concluded that ultrasound, through the side window technique, is effective in the evaluation of the organs studied.

La ecografía permite evaluaciones que resultan en informaciones relevantes para el mantenimiento de las especies en cautiverio. Siendo así, este estudio se realizó con 15 individuos de Boa constrictor, de ambos los géneros, con el objetivo de caracterizar la apariencia ecográfica de los órganos reprodutivos, hígado y vesicula biliar de los animales, por la tecnica de ventana lateral. Además, se evaluó la influencia de los factores como intervalo entre una alimentación y otra y el tamaño de los individuos en la caracterización ecográfica de los órganos. Foliculos vitelogénicos primordiales se caracterizarón por el formato redondeado, rellenos con contenido anecoico y ecotextura homogénea y grosera y foliculos vitelogénicos presentaron contenido anecogénico y hipoecoico, ambos con márgenes refinadas y regulares. Los testículos se caracterizáron por la forma alargada, parénquima ecogénico, margenes regulares y ecotextura homogénea. El hígado se mostró alargado, com ecogenicidad de parénquima mixta (entre hipoecoico a ligeramente hiperecoico), con márgenes ecogénicas, ecotextura homogénea y tamaño promedio de 27,6 cm. La vesicula biliar se mostró con forma redondeada, rellena por contenido anecoico, envolvida por una margen delgada hiperecoica. Entre los factores evaluados, el espacio entre una alimentación y otra se mostró mas influente en la caracterización ecográfica de las estruturas. El tamaño de las serpientes no ejerció ninguna influencia. Así, se concluyó que la ultrasonografía a través de la ventana lateral es eficaz en la evaluación de los órganos analizados.

Transverse lie with prolapsed arm in a female red-howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans - Cabrera, 1940).

This study focuses on a case of a red-howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) which was found with a fetus in a transverse lie position with a prolapsed arm. The topic of this research is well justified as there are no data on this condition involving this type of non-human primate in literature. In this study, a red-howler monkey was observed by locals pulling at her pelvic region for 3 days near a farm. On the third day, the monkey was found lying on the ground at which point she offered no resistance when approached. The environmental police took the monkey to receive medical attention. During the physical examination, it was quickly observed that the monkey was pregnant; the right forelimb of the fetus was exposed from the vulva. An ultrasound revealed a non-viable fetus, and due to the severe weakness of the mother, we opted for euthanasia. During the necropsy, not only was the fetus found macerated but it was also in a transverse lie position with a prolapsed arm and presented no external or internal injuries consistent with trauma.