Juvenile-Onset Ischemic Dermatopathy in a Dog

Background: Juvenile-onset ischemic dermatopathy is a rare dermatosis in dogs. Reports on this condition are scarce in the literature, and its pathogenesis is poorly understood. This disease consists of a set of alterations that exhibit similar clinical and histological characteristics, and which are associated with cutaneous vasculopathic processes. Consequently, this case report describes the clinical case of a dog diagnosed with juvenile-onset ischemic dermatopathy. Case: A 9-month-old female mongrel dog exhibited significant tegumentary alterations, while other contact animals (siblings and mother) did not. The patient history did not contain a complete record of vaccines, and included previous therapeutic failures. A general skin examination revealed the presence of erythematous lesions containing crusts and erosions associated with extended areas with alopecia, especially in the ears, nose, and tail. Therefore, skin cytology and a parasitological examination of the skin and cerumen were performed. These tests revealed the presence of neutrophilic inflammatory process, bacterial inflammation, and various yeast-like structures compatible with Malassezia sp. The parasitological examination of the cerumen revealed the presence of numerous mites of the Otodectes cynotis species.Consequently, the dog received a treatment that included amoxicillin with potassium clavulanate, itraconazole, therapeutic baths with a shampoo containing chlorhexidine and miconazole, and an antiparasitic medication containing sarolaner, which was administered once every 35 days. Thirty days later, the patient returned with a significant improvement of the lesions, except those in the ears and tail; consequently, material from these two body areas was submitted to histopathological examination, and additional tests were performed to allow differential diagnosis. The histopathological report indicated the existence of interface dermatitis (cytotoxic), and suggested the clinical hypothesis of chronic juvenile ischemic dermatopathy secondary to vasculitis, since the patient exhibited lesions and clinical history compatible with this condition. Accordingly, the patient was given a treatment with oclacitinib at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg every 12 h for 60 days, and at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg every 24 h thereafter. This treatment resulted in significant improvement of the lesions, with only scars remaining. Complete blood count and biochemical tests performed after two months of treatment returned values within the normal ranges. Side effects from the medication used were not observed. Six months after commencement of oclacitinib administration, the patient remained stable and exhibited no new lesions. Discussion: Cutaneous vasculopathies are not biased by breed, and are secondary to deposition of immune complexes that develop owing to factors such as presence of pathogenic agents, immune-mediated diseases, exposure to viral particles present in the rabies vaccine, and alimentary hypersensitivities, among others. This condition is divided into five distinct categories, among which juvenile-onset ischemic dermatopathy is included. A specific treatment for this condition is not established, as it has peculiar characteristics. However, reported studies have demonstrated good results with the use of oclacitinib maleate. This drug is an inhibitor of Janus kinase, an enzyme involved in hypersensitivity reactions and pruritus in dogs. Published studies have reported that oclacitinib is effective for the control of the inflammatory processes that occur in this type of cutaneous vasculopathy, which explains the therapeutic success in the case described here.

Fatal multiple intestinal intussusceptions and torsion secondary to a non-degradable foreign body gastrointestinal obstruction in a captive Lion (Panthera leo)

Intussusception is the invagination of one segment of the intestine into the part of the tract that either precedes or follows in the gastrointestinal tract of different species of animals. This report describes a case of fatal multiple intestinal intussusceptions and torsion associated with non-degradable foreign body gastrointestinal obstruction in a captive lion (Panthera leo) in a zoo in Nigeria. Parenchymatous tissues were aseptically collected during necropsy for bacteriological isolation and histopathology. Also, intestinal fecal material was collected and sent for parasitological examination. The main lesions were gastroduodenal, duodeduodenal, duodejejunal and jejunojenunal intussusceptions and duodenal torsion. A non-degradable towel-like fabric foreign body obstruction along the pyloric antrum/canal region of the stomach down to the jejunum was found. Microscopic lesion included ischemic necrosis of inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscles of the intestine with necrosis of other layers and vascular congestion. Parasitological examination revealed presence of Babesia spp. in blood smear examined before the death of the lion. While Escherichia coli was isolated from the liver on MacConkey agar. A diagnosis of intussusception and torsion associated with non-degradable foreign body (fabric) gastrointestinal obstruction was made. This first case of ingestion of a non-degradable fabric foreign body leading to gastrointestinal obstruction in captive lion in Nigeria has brought about the need for vigilance of zoo authority to prevent a recurrence during crowd influx to the garden.

Recovery of Soil Transmitted Helminthes (STH) Ova from Diaper of Female Child

Soil Transmitted Helminthes (STH) is always a problem in developing and under developed countries. Children are mostly prone to STH in tropical and non-tropical countries including Pakistan. We have observed ova of Ascaris and some non-descriptive objects in the parasitological examination of the fecal material of infant collected from diaper.

Evaluasi Penggunaan Gliserol dalam Pembuatan Preparat Telur Cacing Semipermanen

Glycerol is one of the ingredients for preserving bacterial culture. Glycerol has hygroscopic properties so that it can absorb water molecules from the environment and prevent wet mount preparations. The use of glycerol in making semipermanent worm egg preparations for microscopic examination was evaluated in this study. This research was conducted at the Microbiology and Parasitology Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University, Bandung. From the results of the study it was found that worm egg preparations with the addition of glycerol can last longer than those without glycerol. This method can be recommended for making semipermanent worm egg preparations for the purpose of parasitological examination in the laboratory and student laboratory

Phthirus pubis Infestation of the Eyelids Presenting as Chronic Blepharoconjunctivitis in a 6-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report

Purpose: To report the case of Phthirus pubis infestation of the eyelashes presenting as chronic blepharoconjunctivitis. Case Report: A 6-year-old girl presented with a 2-month history of blepharoconjunctivitis unresponsive to topical antibiotics in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed the presence of nits and adult parasites on the eyelashes. Parasitological examination confirmed adult forms and nits of Phthirus pubis. There was no evidence of infestation elsewhere. Outcome was favourable with mechanical removal and application of petroleum jelly. Conclusion: Careful slit-lamp examination of the eyelashes should be done in all patients presenting with ocular irritation symptoms.

Budgetary impact of diagnostic tests for visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil

The aim of the present study was to estimate the financial costs of the incorporation and/or replacement of diagnostic tests for human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazil. The analysis was conducted from the perspective of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) over a period of three years. Six diagnostic tests were evaluated: the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), the IT LEISH rapid test, the parasitological examination of bone marrow aspirate, the direct agglutination test (DAT-LPC) standardized in the Clinical Research Laboratory, René Rachou Institute of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, the Kalazar Detect rapid test, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The assumptions used were the number of suspected cases of VL reported to the Brazilian Ministry of Health in 2014 and the direct cost of diagnostic tests. The costs to diagnose suspected cases of VL over three years using the IFAT and the DAT-LPC were estimated at USD 280,979.91 and USD 121,371.48, respectively. The analysis indicated that compared with the use of the IFAT, the incorporation of the DAT-LPC into the SUS would result in savings of USD 159,608.43. With regard to the budgetary impact of rapid tests, the use of IT LEISH resulted in savings of USD 21.708,72 over three years. Compared with a parasitological examination, diagnosis using PCR resulted in savings of USD 3,125,068.92 over three years. In this study, the replacement of the IFAT with the DAT-LPC proved financially advantageous. In addition, the replacement of the Kalazar Detect rapid test with the IT LEISH in 2015 was economically valuable, and the replacement of parasitological examination with PCR was indicated.

Multiparasitism in a wild cat (Leopardus colocolo) (Carnivora: Felidae) in southern Brazil

Parasitic diseases reflect the health and balance of ecosystems, affecting not only individuals but also entire populations or communities. The aim of this study was to report on the diversity of parasitic helminths detected in the feces of a wild feline in southern Brazil. Parasites were obtained from fecal samples, and four techniques were used for parasitological examination: direct examination, centrifugal flotation with zinc sulfate (Faust technique), simple sedimentation (Hoffman technique) and Baermann-Moraes. The parasites were identified through micrometry and morphology, as follows: Ancylostoma sp., Toxocara sp., Trichuridae, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Alaria sp., and Spirometra sp. We recorded the genus Ancylostoma parasitizing L. colocolo for the first time.

Endoparasites of wild animals from three biomes in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil

ABSTRACT The population of wild animals is regulated by many biotic and abiotic factors, and parasites are a biotic factor that affects the dynamic and density of host populations. From 2002 to 2014, 62 wild animals from the biomes Pantanal, Amazon, and "Cerrado" (or Savanna), which died in attendance in the veterinary hospital or have been road-killed, underwent necropsy for parasitological examination. Overall, 36 species of parasites were identified from 24 host species. Among the parasites, the most prevalent order was Oxyurida (29.1%), followed by Strongylida (20.9%), Spirurida (19.4%), Ascaridida (16.2%), Pentastomida (3.2%), Echinostomida (3.2%), Gygantorhynchia (3.2%), Rhabditida (1.6%), Plagiorchiida (1.6%), and Monilimorfida (1.6%), especially nematodes, which have more biotic potential and is more easily adapted to the environment than other classes. The occurrence of endoparasites was observed more frequently in endothermic than ectothermic animals, and herein is reported eleven new host occurrences for endoparasites in wild animals. The study has contributed to the knowledge on the biodiversity of parasites in wild animals from three biomes in central-western Brazil.