Antônio Flávio Medeiros Dantas

Rabies is a fatal viral zoonosis that remains endemic in more than two-thirds of all countries worldwide, causing approximately 70,000 human deaths annually—equivalent to one death every ten minutes. The rabies virus (RABV), a member of the genus Lyssavirus (family Rhabdoviridae), has bats and canids as its primary reservoirs, although infections have also been reported in other wild species, including Cerdocyon thous (crab-eating fox) and Pseudalopex vetulus (hoary fox). In this study, we performed a comprehensive genomic and biological characterization of a RABV variant circulating in wild foxes from the Northeastern region of Brazil. Using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), phylogenetic analysis, and in vitro and in vivo assays, we identified genetic similarities between these isolates and previously described RABV strains from wild and domestic canids in Brazil. However, the presence of escape mutants indicates a heterogeneous viral population, suggesting ongoing adaptive evolution in wildlife reservoirs. These findings reinforce the importance of genomic surveillance to detect emerging variants that may compromise current vaccination or control strategies. Overall, our results provide new insights into the molecular diversity, pathogenicity, and ecological dynamics of RABV circulating among wild canids in Brazil, contributing to improved understanding and prevention of rabies in endemic regions.

Inclusion body disease (IBD) is a global viral infectious disease that affects snakes, mainly from the Boidae and Pythonidae families. The appearance of secondary infections is common in cases of IBD. The aim of this study was to report a case of inclusion body disease (IBD) associated with secondary infection in the respiratory system by Salmonella spp. in a captive Boa constrictor in the state of Ceará, northeastern Brazil. A male captive snake from a private captivity was sent for necropsy after presenting apathy and anorexia. It was sent for necropsy to the “Laboratório de Anatomia e Fisiologia Animal” at the “Universidade Federal do Cariri.” Macroscopically, there was a discrete focal brownish catarrhal content in the tracheal lumen. The lungs, especially the right one, were reddish, with multifocal to coalescing yellowish areas. On the cut surface, these areas extended to the lung parenchyma. They were soft, yellow and had a pasty texture. A brownish catarrhal exudate was also observed in the lung cavity. Microbiological examination of the tracheal swab and lungs resulted in the isolation of Salmonella spp. as well as Achromobacter denitrificans in the trachea. Fragments from all organs were collected, fixed in 10% buffered formalin solution and routinely processed to make histological slides stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). Microscopically, there was lymphoplasmacytic and heterophilic tracheitis, with hyperplasia of the mucosal epithelium associated with intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies. In the lungs, there was granulomatous pneumonia. The faveolar epithelium showed degeneration and necrosis associated with intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies. In the intestine, there was necrotic enteritis. In the liver there was random necrotic hepatitis. In the kidneys, there was degeneration and necrosis of the tubular epithelium and interstitial nephritis. Round to oval, intracellular eosinophilic to amphophilic inclusion bodies were also seen in the pancreas, liver, bile ducts, kidneys, and brain. Paraffin blocks of lung and intestine fragments were sent to the Veterinary Pathology Department at “Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul” for immunohistochemistry with anti-Salmonella antibody, with positive immunostaining. The findings of inclusion bodies were consistent with infection by a virus of the genus Reptarenavirus. This appears to be the first reported case of IBD in a Boa constrictor from a private zoo in the state of Ceará, northeastern Brazil. In the present report, the disease was associated with secondary infection in the respiratory system by Salmonella sp. Additionally, this seems to be the first report of isolation of A. denitrificans from the microbiome of a respiratory sample in a snake in Brazil. Although Salmonella spp. infections are common in snakes, the isolation of A. denitrificans requires further studies on infection routes, pathogenicity and antimicrobial sensitivity.

The objective of this study was to report clinical, epidemiological, and anatomopathological data in cattle affected by colitis and perforating ulcerative typhlitis with peritonitis; three (n=3) bovines affected by colitis and two (n=2) with ulcerative typhlocolitis. Clinically, apathy stood out, accompanied by difficulty in exploring the abdominal organs through rectal palpation because of low mobility of the organs due to adhesions. The animals died, and, on necroscopic examination, diffuse, fibrinous purulent peritonitis was recorded due to perforating, multifocal ulcerated areas in the colon and cecum wall. Histopathological examination recorded data compatible with acute, necrotizing, and perforating ulcerative enteritis, with thrombus in the blood vessels associated with fibrinoid necrotizing vasculitis. The immunohistochemistry test for Salmonella spp. was positive in four of the five samples analyzed. The etiopathogenesis of perforating ulcerative typhlocolitis in cattle is associated with infection by Salmonella spp., while not ruling out the possibility of participation of other etiologic agents in the occurrence of this disease, due to the complexity of the disease and the scarcity of reports in the literature, further investigations are necessary to provide a better understanding of this disease in cattle.

O hemangiossarcoma é uma neoplasia que tem origem no endotélio vascular, que pode estar situado em diversos órgãos, tendo preferência pelos órgãos que apresentam maior vascularização, como baço e fígado. Granulomas no lúmen do teto, cálculos de leite e fibropapiloma são responsáveis pela estenose parcial ou total do teto, porém ainda não foi relatado nenhum caso de obstrução de teto por hemangiossarcoma. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, relatar a ocorrência de um hemangiossarcoma no canal do teto de uma vaca. A vaca tinha histórico de mastite com sangue e aumento de volume no canal do teto do quarto mamário anterior esquerdo, que obstruía parcialmente a saída do leite, o qual foi confirmado no exame clínico. Foi realizado hemograma que revelou leucocitose por neutrofilia. O animal foi submetido à telotomia, na qual foi retirada estrutura nodular de coloração avermelhada e consistência endurecida; essa estrutura foi encaminhada para avaliação histopatológica que evidenciou hemangiossarcoma. O animal apresentou boa evolução clínica após o procedimento cirúrgico, recebendo alta médica após cinco dias. A ocorrência do hemangiossarcoma em bovinos é considerada rara, sendo observada com maior prevalência em cães. Nenhuma dessas lesões diagnosticadas em bovinos foram encontradas no canal do teto. Desse modo, o hemangiossarcoma deve ser incluído no diagnóstico diferencial quando observado algum aumento de volume em canal do teto, pois, apesar de ser incomum e raro nos bovinos, notou-se que pode ocorrer de forma esporádica em tecidos que não apresentam alta vascularização.

Plants containing monofluoroacetic acid constitute an important group responsible for poisoning in ruminants. In this sense, Palicourea aeneofusca stands out for being the main representative of these plants in the Agreste region of Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil, causing considerable economic losses. Therefore, the objective of this study is to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and pathological aspects of two outbreaks of spontaneous poisoning caused by P. aeneofusca in cattle in this region. Technical visits were carried out on two properties (A and B) with reports of sudden death in cattle, between August and September 2023, in two municipalities in the Southern Agreste region of Pernambuco. Epidemiological data were collected, in addition to inspection of pastures and identification of plants with toxic potential. Two cattle that died, one from each of the respective properties, were subjected to necropsy examination with collection of material for histopathological evaluation. P. aeneofusca was identified as the cause of cattle poisoning on the properties, both of which maintain preserved forest areas within their territory. In total, four cattle from property A (herd of 60 animals) and one animal from property B (herd of seven animals) died. The histopathological evaluation revealed hydropic-vacuolar degeneration in the cytoplasm of tubular epithelial cells and multifocal lymphocytic myocarditis with small hemorrhagic foci. Epidemiological data, histopathological lesions, and botanical identification of the plant were used as elements to confirm the diagnosis of poisoning by P. aeneofusca, confirming the negative impact of poisoning by this plant on cattle herds in the region.

Echinococcus spp. are zoonotic cestode parasites made up of eight identified species and one genotypic grouping (Echinococcus canadensis), which cause the echinococcosis-hydatidosis complex. The main intermediate hosts are cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and wild animals such as rodents. The aim is to characterize the epidemiological and anatomopathological aspects of the first infection report with the cestode Echinococcus sp. in a prey (Galea spixii) in northeastern Brazil. An adult female Spix’s yellow-toothed cavy (Galea spixii) was preyed upon by a captive-bred bird (Parabuteo unicinctus) during falconry training in a closed forest located in the municipality of Livramento, Paraíba. The rodent was collected from predation, and during inspection, multiple cysts were observed covering organs in the abdominal and thoracic cavities. The rodent’s carcass was sent for necropsy. Macroscopically, it showed multiple traumas due to predation and an abdominal cavity with multiple hydatid cysts covering the omentum, liver, pancreas, thoracic cavity, and lungs. The cysts ranged from 2 to 10 mm in diameter, intact and occasionally collapsed, oval, well-delimited, randomly distributed, filled with translucent hydatid fluid, and visible white to yellowish structures. Organ fragments were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and then routinely processed. Histological sections of the liver, lung, pancreas, and omentum with cysts were selected and submitted to Masson’s trichrome (MT) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) for morphological characterization of the parasite and evaluation of the tissue architecture of the organs in wild rodents. Microscopically, viable and degenerated unilocular and multilocular cysts of varying sizes were observed in the liver, lung, pancreas, and omentum. The cysts were externally surrounded by a moderately thick adventitial layer of fibrous connective tissue and occasional neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages, with parasite components in the center. The morphological characteristics of the parasite were compatible with a cestode belonging to the genus Echinococcus sp. On MT staining, areas of fibrosis were evident around the viable and degenerated cysts in the liver, pancreas, and lung, and the acellular and eosinophilic laminated layer was evident on PAS. Based on the epidemiological and anatomopathological findings associated with the morphological characteristics of the cestode Echinococcus sp., the diagnosis of hydatidosis in Spix’s yellow-toothed cavy was made. G. spixii should be considered intermediate hosts in the infection of Echinococcus sp. for domestic and wild canids and accidentally for humans.

The epidemiologic, clinical, pathological, immunohistochemical, and microbiological findings of aspergillosis in birds in northeastern Brazil are described in this study. From January 2000 to December 2022 the Laboratory of Animal Pathology of the Federal University of Campina Grande performed 357 necropsies on birds, 16 (4.48%) of which were diagnosed as aspergillosis. The disease affected domestic and wild birds, including quails, chickens, parrots, and a penguin. Affected animals were predominantly males, with ages ranging from 1-month-old to elderly; and reared in intensive, extensive or domiciliated systems, except for the penguin, which was free-living. The clinical course ranged from acute to chronic and clinical signs were mostly nonspecific or related to the respiratory system. Necropsy revealed lesions primarily in the respiratory tract, characterized by caseous nodules mainly in the air sacs and lungs, but there was also involvement of the liver, heart and crop. Histopathology revealed granulomatous and heterophilic inflammation associated with fungal hyphae. The diagnosis was based on epidemiologic, clinical, anatomopathological, immunohistochemical and microbiological findings. Aspergillosis affects both domestic and wild birds in the form of sporadic cases and outbreaks, causing significant economic losses in poultry farms. The disease must be included in the differential diagnosis of respiratory, digestive, and multisystemic disorders.

The present study describes the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of a case of diffuse seminoma in a 16‐year‐old male mixed‐breed horse. According to the owner, the animal's left testicle had been gradually increasing in size over a period of 2 months. On palpation, the testicle had a firm consistency, with no sensitivity to digital pressure, was adhered to the scrotum and measuring 16 cm × 8 cm. In the ultrasound examination, it presented a heterogeneous texture and areas of hypoechogenic echogenicity without visualization of the mediastinum. Therefore, the bilateral orchiectomy was performed. After the surgical procedure, it was found that the affected testicle presented a firm mass measuring 9 cm × 7 cm × 3.5 cm. Histologically, a multilobulated, non‐encapsulated and invasive tumour mass was found, which replaced the seminiferous tubules, consisting of polygonal cells arranged in a mantle that varied from cohesive to loosely cohesive, supported by a scarce fibrous stroma. In the immunohistochemical examination, the neoplastic cells showed positive immunolabelling for OCT4 and C‐KIT. In this report, the physical examination combined with the ultrasonographic examination were fundamental to the therapeutic management of the case, and the final diagnosis was made after histopathological and immunohistochemical tests.

As neoplasias na espécie suína são raras, sendo ocasionalmente descritas associadas a sinais clínicos e motivos para eutanásia no Brasil. Descrevem-se os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e anatomopatológicos dos neoplasmas em suínos no Sertão da Paraíba. Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo dos laudos de biópsia e necropsias de suínos diagnosticados com neoplasias no Laboratório de Patologia Animal da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande durante os anos 2003 a 2022. Foram diagnosticadas sete neoplasias, sendo: carcinoma de células escamosas (CCE), melanoma, nefroblastoma e o hemangiossarcoma. O CCE foi diagnosticado em três fêmeas adultas que ficavam alojados em baias com acesso ao sol, em apenas um caso o foi considerado como motivo de eutanásia. Macroscopicamente as lesões ulcerativas e crostosas possuíam diferentes localizações no dorso dos animais. O melanoma foi identificado em dois casos, ambos com idade aproximada de um ano apresentando-se como massas multifocais, solitárias, macias e enegrecidas. O hemangiossarcoma foi diagnosticado em um macho de um ano de idade com lesões nodulares ulcerativas, multilobuladas e macias. O nefroblastoma foi considerado como um achado incidental durante a inspeção no abatedouro em um caso, macroscopicamente caracterizou-se por massa tumoral multilobulada, firme, branco-amarelada, medindo 8 cm de diâmetro, aderida a cápsula renal que ao corte estendia-se até a região medular. Os neoplasmas foram considerados pouco frequentes. Contudo, os tumores mais frequentes estavam acometendo a pele com evolução das lesões de até um ano. Essa localização possibilita a associação com exposição prolongada à luz ultravioleta, fator desencadeante de neoplasias cutâneas. O acometimento de animais jovens foi comum, evidenciando uma característica epidemiológica importante dessas patologias na espécie. A realização do diagnóstico de lesões proliferativas nesses animais é importante como diferencial de condições não neoplásicas principalmente em abatedouros.

Descrevem-se os achados clínicos, patológicos e histopatológicos de um caso de amiloidose com ruptura hepática em um gato, sem raça definida, macho, de quatro anos de idade, com histórico de anorexia, dor à palpação abdominal e vocalização há dois dias. O animal foi internado e na avaliação clínica verificou-se, além dos sinais clínicos relatados, mucosas oculares e oral pálidas, desorientação, midríase e disfagia. A evolução clínica foi de dez dias e, mesmo com a instituição do tratamento sintomático, o animal morreu e foi encaminhado para realização da necropsia. Macroscopicamente, foi observado hemoperitônio na cavidade abdominal, fígado aumentado de volume, difusamente pálido, friável, com superfície capsular irregular, áreas multifocais de fissuras no parênquima associadas a coágulos cruóricos. A principal lesão microscópica caracterizou-se por dilatação sinusoidal difusa por material eosinofílico hialino, amorfo, opaco e abundante, e áreas multifocais de hiperplasia de células epiteliais de ductos biliares. Na coloração histoquímica de Vermelho Congo esse material corou-se em vermelho alaranjado, confirmando o diagnóstico de amiloidose. A doença representa um desafio na Medicina Veterinária (UFRPE), principalmente para felinos, pois tem um caráter progressivo, difícil diagnóstico clínico, tratamento ineficaz e geralmente com prognóstico desfavorável e sinais clínicos tardios, surgindo apenas quando há comprometimento grave nos órgãos. Dessa forma, é essencial o reconhecimento de mais casos da doença para melhor compreensão da etiopatogenia e auxílio terapêutico.