Abstract in English:
Feline injection-site sarcomas in felines account for more than 40% of cutaneous and subcutaneous neoplasms in felines. The present study aimed to describe the macroscopic and histomorphological findings of feline application/injection sarcomas. Samples from 31 feline tumors with a history of feline application/inflammation sarcoma were re-evaluated regarding histological subtype, mitotic index and score, depth of tissue invasion, and presence of inflammation considering the location, intensity and predominant cell types. Of the 31 samples from felines diagnosed with sarcoma at the application/inflammation site, 87.15% were cats with no defined breed (NDB), with a mean age of 8.5 years. The predominant anatomical sites were the back and flank/abdomen, both with 29% (9/31), and the prevalent histological subtype was fibrosarcoma at 77.4% (24/31), followed by anaplastic giant cell sarcoma at 12.9% (4/31) and myxosarcoma 9.6% (3/31). The histological grade with the highest number of cases was III (51.6%), followed by Grade II (35.4%) and I (12.9%). The mean of the longest axis measurements varied between the different tumor grades without being significant, with the average being 2.5±2.79cm in Grade I tumors and 3.2±2.28cm in Grade II tumors. and 4.68±2.07cm in Grade III tumors. Necrosis was observed in 74.2% of tumors. The tissue inflammation score was mild to moderate in 58% of cases and severe in 32.2%, with lymphocytic and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates being prevalent, with 25.8% each, followed by lymphoplasmohistiocytic with 22.6%. The infiltration depth was 38.7% in muscle tissue, followed by 32.2% in the subcutaneous tissue. Pleomorphism was accentuated in 51.6%. Desmoplasia was moderate in 45.1%. Satellite nodules were present in 29% of cases, and 19.4% had macrophages with intracytoplasmic content suggestive of adjuvants. Surgical margins were infiltrated (M1) in 48.4% and narrowed in 25.8% (M2). The anatomical locations observed were different from those recommended by the Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force (VAFST); in most cases, the adjuvanted macrophage was not present. From this data, we can suggest that sarcomas in felines are not only correlated to the vaccine application, corroborating the hypothesis that any material, whether liquid or solid, and any chronic inflammatory process in the subcutaneous tissue of cats can induce the entity if they are predisposed to do so. The detailed histomorphological data evaluated in this study were key points and provided important information about tumor behavior, being a tool for clinical-oncological decision-making.
Abstract in Portuguese:
Feline injection-site sarcomas in felines account for more than 40% of cutaneous and subcutaneous neoplasms in felines. The present study aimed to describe the macroscopic and histomorphological findings of feline application/injection sarcomas. Samples from 31 feline tumors with a history of feline application/inflammation sarcoma were re-evaluated regarding histological subtype, mitotic index and score, depth of tissue invasion, and presence of inflammation considering the location, intensity and predominant cell types. Of the 31 samples from felines diagnosed with sarcoma at the application/inflammation site, 87.15% were cats with no defined breed (NDB), with a mean age of 8.5 years. The predominant anatomical sites were the back and flank/abdomen, both with 29% (9/31), and the prevalent histological subtype was fibrosarcoma at 77.4% (24/31), followed by anaplastic giant cell sarcoma at 12.9% (4/31) and myxosarcoma 9.6% (3/31). The histological grade with the highest number of cases was III (51.6%), followed by Grade II (35.4%) and I (12.9%). The mean of the longest axis measurements varied between the different tumor grades without being significant, with the average being 2.5±2.79cm in Grade I tumors and 3.2±2.28cm in Grade II tumors. and 4.68±2.07cm in Grade III tumors. Necrosis was observed in 74.2% of tumors. The tissue inflammation score was mild to moderate in 58% of cases and severe in 32.2%, with lymphocytic and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates being prevalent, with 25.8% each, followed by lymphoplasmohistiocytic with 22.6%. The infiltration depth was 38.7% in muscle tissue, followed by 32.2% in the subcutaneous tissue. Pleomorphism was accentuated in 51.6%. Desmoplasia was moderate in 45.1%. Satellite nodules were present in 29% of cases, and 19.4% had macrophages with intracytoplasmic content suggestive of adjuvants. Surgical margins were infiltrated (M1) in 48.4% and narrowed in 25.8% (M2). The anatomical locations observed were different from those recommended by the Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force (VAFST); in most cases, the adjuvanted macrophage was not present. From this data, we can suggest that sarcomas in felines are not only correlated to the vaccine application, corroborating the hypothesis that any material, whether liquid or solid, and any chronic inflammatory process in the subcutaneous tissue of cats can induce the entity if they are predisposed to do so. The detailed histomorphological data evaluated in this study were key points and provided important information about tumor behavior, being a tool for clinical-oncological decision-making.
Abstract in English:
In this retrospective study, the clinical and anatomopathological findings of fungal diseases in dogs and cats in Northeastern Brazil are described. During the study period, 6,827 histopathological examinations (4,090 necropsies and 2,737 biopsies) of companion animals were reviewed, and fungal infections were diagnosed in 54 cases. Of these, 32 cases were diagnosed in cats and 22 in dogs. Sporotrichosis was the most prevalent mycosis (19/54), followed by dermatophytosis (9/54), cryptococcosis (8/54), candidiasis (7/54), and phaeohyphomycosis (4/54). Other diseases had two cases each, including aspergillosis, mucormycosis, and histoplasmosis, whereas coccidioidomycosis occurred once. Mycoses were diagnosed through microscopic lesions associated with the histomorphological characteristics of the agent, as evidenced by routine and special histochemical stains. They were occasionally confirmed by immunohistochemistry and microbiological cultivation. This retrospective study showed that despite being uncommon, fungal diseases are important causes of death in dogs and cats in the region, with cats being the most affected species and sporotrichosis being the most prevalent mycosis. Clinical signs were correlated with the portal of entry of the infection associated with localized or disseminated superficial and deep skin lesions or affecting parenchymal organs, especially in systemic infections. Microscopic lesions were mainly characterized by pyogranulomatous inflammation associated with fungal structures. In dogs, mycoses occurred mainly owing to an immunological impairment secondary to canine distemper virus co-infection.
Abstract in Portuguese:
Neste estudo retrospectivo, são descritos os achados clínicos e anatomopatológicos das doenças fúngicas em cães e gatos no Nordeste do Brasil. Durante o período de estudo, foram revisados 6.827 exames histopatológicos (4.090 necropsias e 2.737 biópsias) de animais de companhia e diagnosticados 54 casos de infecções fúngicas. Destes, 32 casos foram diagnosticados em gatos e 22 em cães. A esporotricose foi a micose mais prevalente (19/54), seguida pela dermatofitose (9/54), criptococose (8/54), candidíase (7/54) e feo-hifomicose (4/54). Outras doenças tiveram dois casos cada, incluindo aspergilose, mucormicose e histoplasmose, enquanto a coccidioidomicose ocorreu uma vez. As micoses foram diagnosticadas por meio das lesões microscópicas associadas às características histomorfológicas do agente, evidenciadas pelas colorações de rotina e histoquímicas especiais, e ocasionalmente confirmadas pela imuno-histoquímica e cultivo microbiológico. Esse estudo retrospectivo demonstrou que apesar de incomuns, as doenças fúngicas são importantes causas de morte em cães e gatos da região, sendo os gatos a espécie mais afetada e a esporotricose, a micose mais prevalente. Os sinais clínicos estavam correlacionados com a porta de entrada da infecção, associados a lesões cutâneas localizadas ou disseminadas superficiais e profundas ou afetando órgãos parenquimatosos, especialmente em infecções sistêmicas. As lesões microscópicas eram caracterizadas principalmente por inflamação piogranulomatosa associada a estruturas fúngicas. Nos cães, as micoses ocorreram principalmente devido ao comprometimento imunológico secundária a coinfecção pelo vírus da cinomose canina.
Abstract in English:
ABSTRACT.- Bazzi T., Melo S.M.P., Fighera R.A. & Kommers G.D. 2016. [Clinical, epidemiological, histomorphological and histochemical characteristics of the feline sporotrichosis.] Características clínico-epidemiológicas, histomorfológicas e histoquímicas da esporotricose felina. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 36(4):303-311. Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Departamento de Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Avenida Roraima 1000, Camobi, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil. E-mail: glaukommers@yahoo.com
Sporotrichosis is a mycotic infection caused by the Sporothrix complex species, affecting mostly cats, horses, and dogs. The main objectives of this retrospective study were to characterize the histomorphological and histochemical aspects of sporotrichosis in 10 cats, and also to evaluate epidemiological and clinical aspects, and gross findings obtained from the biopsy and necropsy protocols of these ten cases, obtained from the archives of the Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. The disease affected mostly male mongrel cats, and was mostly observed in the cutaneous disseminated form. Gross lesions were characterized by cutaneous nodules (ulcerated or not) and by ulcerated masses or plaques. By histopathology, there were a relationship between the fungal load and two patterns of inflammatory response. The first pattern was characterized by high fungal load, and most yeasts were inside of numerous macrophages with abundant, many times vacuolated cytoplasm. The amount of neutrophils ranged from mild to moderate in this pattern. The second pattern was characterized by numerous epiteliod cells and many neutrophils. The fungal load was low and most yeasts were observed in the extracellular space. The yeasts were round, oval or cigar-shaped. Several histochemical techniques, such as Grocott’s silver stain, periodic Schiff acid, and Alcian blue were utilized and they made it easier to visualize, to characterize the morphology, and to quantify the organisms. The Giemsa stain allowed visualizing the agent, but it not allowed to sharply highlight them from other intralesional components. Organisms were negative for melanin granules through the Fontana-Masson stain in all cases. The histomorphological and histochemical study allowed demonstrating determinant fungal characteristics to the establishment of the diagnosis by means of this diagnostic tool.
Abstract in Portuguese:
RESUMO.- Bazzi T., Melo S.M.P., Fighera R.A. & Kommers G.D. 2016. [Clinical, epidemiological, histomorphological and histochemical characteristics of the feline sporotrichosis.] Características clínico-epidemiológicas, histomorfológicas e histoquímicas da esporotricose felina. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 36(4):303-311. Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Departamento de Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Avenida Roraima 1000, Camobi, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil. E-mail: glaukommers@yahoo.com
Esporotricose é uma infecção fúngica causada por espécies do complexo Sporothrix, vista com maior frequência em gatos, equinos e cães. Os principais objetivos deste estudo retrospectivo foram caracterizar os aspectos histomorfológicos e histoquímicos da esporotricose em 10 gatos, além de avaliar os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e os achados macroscópicos desses 10 casos, obtidos dos protocolos de biópsias e necropsias dos arquivos do Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. A doença acometeu predominantemente gatos machos, sem raça definida e apresentou-se principalmente na forma cutânea disseminada. As lesões macroscópicas caracterizaram-se como nódulos cutâneos (ulcerados ou não) e como massas e placas ulceradas. Na histopatologia observou-se uma relação entre a quantidade de leveduras observada e dois padrões de resposta inflamatória. O primeiro padrão caracterizou-se por numerosas leveduras que se encontravam, na sua maioria, no interior de numerosos macrófagos com citoplasma abundante e muitas vezes vacuolizado. Nesse padrão, a quantidade de neutrófilos variava de leve a moderada. O segundo padrão caracterizava-se por numerosas células epitelioides, infiltrado predominantemente acentuado de neutrófilos e a quantidade de leveduras era leve e estas eram observadas geralmente livres no espaço extracelular. As leveduras eram redondas, ovais ou alongadas (em forma de charuto). Foram utilizadas várias técnicas histoquímicas como a impregnação pela prata de Grocott, ácido periódico de Schiff e azul Alciano que facilitaram a visualização, caracterização da morfologia e quantificação dos organismos. A coloração de Giemsa permitiu a visualização do agente, porém não permitiu destacá-los nitidamente de outros elementos intralesionais. Os organismos foram negativos para grânulos de melanina pela coloração de Fontana-Masson em todos os casos. O estudo histomorfológico e histoquímico permitiu demonstrar características fúngicas determinantes para o estabelecimento do diagnóstico de esporotricose através dessa ferramenta diagnóstica.
Abstract in English:
ABSTRACT.- Galiza G.J.N., Silva T.M., Caprioli R.A., Tochetto C., Rosa F.B., Fighera R.A. & Kommers G.D. 2014. [Determining histomorphological and histochemical characteristics in the diagnosis of cryptococosis in companion animals.] Características histomorfológicas e histoquímicas determinantes no diagnóstico da criptococose em animais de companhia. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 34(3):261-269. Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil. E-mail: glaukommers@yahoo.com
Seven cases of cryptococosis (six cats and one dog) were studied to establish the determining histomorphological and histochemical characteristics in the histopathological diagnosis of this condition. Additional data related to the epidemiology, clinical aspects, sites of the lesions, and gross findings were obtained from the necropsy and biopsy protocols. Histologically, yeasts were observed inside macrophages or free in the parenchyma, associated with scarse to severe lymphohistioplasmacytic inflammatory reaction. In the hematoxylin-eosin (HE) sections, the yeasts were round, with a central cell containing a nucleus, surrounded by a clear halo (usually non-stained capsule). The techniques of periodic Schiff acid (PAS), Groccot (GMS), and Fontana-Masson (FM) were utilized and demonstrated the wall of the yeast cells. The FM stain showed the melanin present in these cells. The Alcian blue and Mayer’s mucicarmin stains showed mainly the yeast polysaccharide capsule. The diameter of the cells ranged from 1.67 to 10.00µm and the full diameter of the encapsulated yeasts varied between 4.17 e 34.16µm. Yeast buddings were better observed through the PAS stain and were narrow based, simple or multiple, mainly in the opposite poles of the cells or forming chains. The definitive diagnosis of cryptococosis was established through the histopathological exam, based on the specific morphology of the agent (encapsulated yeast) and on histochemical proprieties, mostly in the cases without fungal culture.
Abstract in Portuguese:
RESUMO.- Galiza G.J.N., Silva T.M., Caprioli R.A., Tochetto C., Rosa F.B., Fighera R.A. & Kommers G.D. 2014. [Determining histomorphological and histochemical characteristics in the diagnosis of cryptococosis in companion animals.] Características histomorfológicas e histoquímicas determinantes no diagnóstico da criptococose em animais de companhia. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 34(3):261-269. Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil. E-mail: glaukommers@yahoo.com
Sete casos de criptococose (seis gatos e um cão) foram estudados para estabelecer as características histomorfológicas e histoquímicas determinantes no diagnóstico histopatológico dessa condição. Os dados complementares relacionados à epidemiologia, aos aspectos clínicos, à localização das lesões e às alterações macroscópicas foram obtidos dos protocolos de necropsias e biópsias. Na histologia, as leveduras foram observadas no interior de macrófagos ou livres no parênquima, associadas à reação inflamatória linfo-histioplasmocítica que variou de escassa a acentuada. Pela técnica de hematoxilina-eosina (HE) as leveduras eram arredondadas, com célula central contendo um núcleo, circundada por um halo claro (cápsula geralmente não corada). As técnicas histoquímicas do ácido periódico de Schiff (PAS), Grocott e Fontana-Masson (FM) foram utilizadas e evidenciaram a parede das células das leveduras. Pelo FM observou-se a melanina presente nessas células. As técnicas do azul Alciano e da mucicarmina de Mayer evidenciaram principalmente a cápsula polissacarídica das leveduras. O diâmetro das células das leveduras variou de 1,67 a 10,00µm e o diâmetro total das leveduras encapsuladas variou entre 4,17 e 34,16µm. Os brotamentos foram melhor visualizados através do PAS e ocorreram em base estreita, de forma única ou múltipla, principalmente em polos opostos das células das leveduras ou formando uma cadeia. O diagnóstico definitivo de criptococose foi estabelecido através do exame histopatológico, baseando-se na morfologia característica do agente (levedura encapsulada) e em suas propriedades tintoriais (histoquímicas), principalmente nos casos em que a cultura micológica não foi realizada.