Anderson Fernando de Souza

Summary: Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA) is an autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder of horses caused by a missense mutation (c.115G>A) in the peptidyl‐prolyl cis–trans isomerase B ( PPIB ) gene, resulting in defective collagen organisation. Clinically and histopathologically, HERDA may resemble other inherited connective tissue disorders, including Ehlers–Danlos syndrome‐like conditions, making definitive diagnosis challenging. This report describes two horses presenting with skin fragility disorders. Both animals underwent clinical examination, skin biopsy with histopathological evaluation and molecular analysis of the PPIB gene. Histopathological examination revealed comparable dermal collagen abnormalities in both horses, including collagen fibre disorganisation and fragmentation. Molecular testing identified homozygosity for the PPIB c.115G>A mutation in one horse, confirming HERDA, whereas the second horse lacked the mutation, supporting an Ehlers–Danlos syndrome‐like phenotype. These findings demonstrate that histopathology alone is insufficient to definitively diagnose HERDA and that molecular testing is essential to distinguish true HERDA from other inherited skin fragility disorders in horses. Accurate genetic diagnosis is critical for appropriate clinical management, breeding decisions and improved understanding of inherited connective tissue disorders affecting horses.

The objective of this study is to compare the axial compression behaviour of locking plate constructs applied with different fixation functions in the canine femur, focusing on construct stiffness, resistance to plastic deformation, and bone–implant load sharing. Femora were allocated to four groups: intact (control), compression, neutralization, or bridge fixation using a locking plate. Compression and neutralization constructs restored the bone column, whereas bridge fixation eliminated load sharing by spanning a diaphyseal defect. All specimens underwent axial compression testing until failure, with stiffness, apparent elastic limit, maximum load to failure, and failure modes recorded. Construct stiffness varied according to fixation function. Intact femora and compression constructs demonstrated the highest stiffness values and were not significantly different from each other. Bridge constructs showed significantly lower stiffness values than intact, compression, and neutralization constructs. Intact femora also demonstrated higher apparent elastic limit and maximum load values than neutralization and bridge constructs. Plate bending was the predominant failure mode, especially in bridge fixation. Fixation function strongly influences the mechanical behaviour of locking plate constructs. Restoration of the bone column promotes load sharing and is associated with increased construct stiffness under axial compression. Bridge fixation places greater mechanical demand on the implant, increasing susceptibility to plastic deformation.

Estereotipias são comportamentos repetitivos e não orientados, tipicamente associados ao estresse e à incapacidade de lidar com determinado ambiente ou contexto. Os sistemas modernos de criação de equinos têm limitado o acesso às áreas de pastejo e reduzido o nível de interação social, o que se traduz no aumento da prevalência de distúrbios sistêmicos e alterações comportamentais. O objetivo deste documento é apresentar um protocolo de revisão sistemática. Hipotetizou-se que o confinamento excessivo, o baixo nível de interação social, o elevado teor de amido na dieta e o exercício intenso elevam o risco para o desenvolvimento de estereotipias. A revisão sistemática pretende identificar os fatores de risco relacionados ao manejo para o desenvolvimento de estereotipia e determinar a prevalência de estereotipia na população equina globalmente. Este protocolo foi desenvolvido de acordo com Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) e incluirá estudos observacionais e experimentais, realizados em equinos. As buscas bibliográficas serão realizadas no PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus/Web of Science e CAB Abstracts, sem restrições de idioma ou data de publicação. Os resultados esperados são a determinação da prevalência e a definição de fatores associados à estereotipia. Estes achados fornecerão um panorama consolidado das evidências disponíveis e poderão orientar futuras pesquisas e práticas úteis à prevenção dos distúrbios comportamentais nesta espécie.

Bone biomechanics is an interdisciplinary field that requires precise terminology to avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations. However, many technical terms in English are often translated incorrectly into Portuguese. This article aims to present the English-Portuguese translation of the main terms used in biomechanical studies in the field of orthopedics.

Orthopedic infection remains a critical challenge across species, directly compromising implant stability and fracture healing. While human orthopedic surgery is performed within highly controlled and technologically advanced environments, large-animal veterinary orthopedics routinely operates under conditions of elevated contamination, mechanical overload, and limited environmental control. This contrast transforms veterinary surgery into a natural stress test for infection-prevention strategies, exposing vulnerabilities that may remain concealed in optimized human operating rooms. Conversely, human orthopedics continues to drive innovations in implant surface engineering, local antimicrobial delivery, predictive modeling, and personalized prophylaxis that hold significant translational potential for veterinary practice. This perspective explores the lessons from bidirectional exchange between human and veterinary orthopedic surgery, emphasizing how comparative analysis of infection control, implant performance, and surgical environments can inform more resilient and context-adaptable strategies. By fostering intentional collaboration across disciplines, comparative orthopedics may emerge as a translational framework capable of advancing infection prevention and implant reliability in both human and veterinary medicine.

This book review critically evaluates Turner and McIlwraith’s Techniques in Large Animal Surgery, fifth Edition, highlighting its technical rigor, clinical applicability, and strong educational orientation. The review emphasizes the careful balance between retaining proven surgical techniques and integrating updated procedures, references, and expert contributions. Particular attention is given to the book’s value in veterinary teaching and clinical training, underscoring its relevance for students, residents, and practicing large animal surgeons seeking a reliable and pedagogically sound surgical reference.

This study aimed to compare the stress distribution in proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis with locking compression plate in horses based on the type and method of screw implantation in the proximal hole and partial or total removal of implants after fusion. Finite element analysis. Proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis was simulated using a 3-hole, 4.5-mm narrow locking compression plate combined with two 5.5-mm transarticular screws. Models were created according to the type (cortex or locking) and method of implantation (uni- or bicortical) of the screw in the proximal hole of the locking compression plate. Four conditions were simulated: Immediate postoperative, ankylosis, ankylosis with partial removal (transarticular screws remaining) and ankylosis with no implants. An axial load of 8,700 N was applied, and the major principal stresses in the bones and von Mises stress in the implants were evaluated. Cortical screws in the proximal hole better distributed the stresses, reducing their concentration along the diaphysis of the proximal phalanx in the postoperative condition. Stress distribution did not differ between partial and total implant removal. High stresses were observed in the implants, especially when locking screws were used, with a reduction observed after ankylosis simulation. A cortex screw in the proximal hole reduces stress concentration in the proximal phalanx. Retaining the transarticular screws after ankylosis did not alter the stress pattern in the bone.