Microbial Complexity of Oral Cavity of Healthy Dogs Identified by Mass Spectrometry and Next-Generation Sequencing

The high complexity of the oral microbiota of healthy dogs and the close exposure of humans to companion animals represent a risk of the transmission of potential zoonotic microorganisms to humans, especially through dog bites, including multidrug-resistant ones. Nonetheless, a limited number of comprehensive studies have focused on the diversity of the microorganisms that inhabit the oral cavities of healthy dogs, particularly based on modern molecular techniques. We investigated bacterial and fungal organisms in the oral cavities of 100 healthy dogs based on a combination of conventional and selective microbiological culture, mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and next-generation sequencing. In addition, in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolates and mecA resistance gene were assessed. A total of 213 bacteria and 20 fungi were isolated. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (40/100 = 40%), α-hemolytic Streptococcus (37/100 = 37%), and Pasteurella stomatis (22/100 = 22%) were the most prevalent bacteria diagnosed by microbiological culture and MALDI-TOF MS, whereas Aspergillus (10/100 = 10%) was the most common fungi identified. Based on next-generation sequencing of selected 20 sampled dogs, Porphyromonas (32.5%), Moraxella (16.3%), Fusobacterium (12.8%), Conchiformibius (9.5%), Bergeyella (5%), Campylobacter (3.8%), and Capnocytophaga (3.4%) genera were prevalent. A high multidrug resistance rate was observed in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates, particularly to azithromycin (19/19 = 100%), penicillin (15/19 = 78.9%), and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (15/19 = 78.9%). In addition, the mecA resistance gene was detected in 6.1% (3/49) of coagulase-positive staphylococci. Here, we highlight the microbial complexity of the oral mucosa of healthy dogs, including potential zoonotic microorganisms and multidrug-resistant bacteria, contributing with the investigation of the microbiota and antimicrobial resistance patterns of the microorganisms that inhabit the oral cavity of healthy dogs.

Proposing Clinicopathological Staging and Mitotic Count as Prognostic Factors for Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are a heterogeneous group of malignant mesenchymal tumors with similar histological features and biological behaviors. They are characterized by a low to moderate local recurrence rate and low metastasis, affecting approximately 20% of patients. Although this tumor set is vital in veterinary medicine, no previous unified staging system or mitotic count has been associated with patient prognosis. Therefore, this study proposed a new clinicopathological staging method and evaluated a cut-off value for mitosis related to the survival of dogs affected by STS. This study included 105 dogs affected by STS, treated only with surgery, and a complete follow-up evaluation. The new clinicopathological staging system evaluated tumor size (T), nodal involvement (N), distant metastasis (M), and histological grading criteria (G) to categorize the tumor stage into four groups (stages I, II, III, and IV). The proposed tumor staging system was able to differentiate patients' prognoses, with dogs with stage IV disease experiencing the lowest survival time and dogs with stage I disease having the highest survival time (p < 0.001). Moreover, we assessed the median mitosis (based on mitotic count) and its association with overall survival. Our study's median mitosis was 5, and patients with ≤5 mitoses had a higher survival time (p = 0.006). Overall, the proposed staging system and mitotic count seemed promising in the prediction of patient prognosis.

Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of peripheral neural sheath tumor and perivascular wall tumor in dog

ABSTRACT Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) comprise a heterogeneous group of malignancies derived from extra-skeletal mesenchymal tissues that may show similar histopathological changes. Histopathologic patterns suggestive of perivascular wall tumors (PWT) and peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNST) have been described. This study investigated the histogenesis in a series of 71 cases of canine STS that showed morphological compatibility with what is described for PWT and PNST. Immunohistochemistry analysis were done to CD56, S100, SMA, Desmin, Von Willebrand Factor, NSE and GFAP. Twenty-one cases (29.6%) showed histopathologic features compatible with PWT, 23 cases (32.4%) with PNST and 27 cases (38.0%) shared both histopathological features. By immunohistochemistry, 59 (83.1%) cases showed positivity only for neural markers and 12 (16.9%) had simultaneous positivity for both neural and muscle markers. PNST was the most prevalent neoplasm and none of the cases were positive for muscle markers only. The histopathologic features were not useful to define the diagnosis of PWT, since most tumors were negative for muscle markers but positive for neural markers. Due to this immunoreactivity and the morphologic features, future studies may propose guidelines for the classification of these neoplasms.

Hepatic myelolipoma in two Goeldi's monkeys from South America held captive

Two cases of hepatic myelolipoma in Goeldi's monkeys from South America are described. One was a female evaluated due progressive abdominal distension. Ultrasound and computed tomography detected hepatic mass. Partial hepatectomy was performed, but the monkey died after surgery. Case 2 was a male that died suddenly, showing non-specific clinical signs.

[Subisthmic aortic coarctation. Apropos a rare case of arterial hypertension]

An uncommon case of high blood pressure secondary to subisthmic aortic coarctation and cured surgically by arterial revascularization is reported. It is probably a congenital coarctation, because the extensive clinical evaluation and condition of the patient ruled out an acquired disease of the aorta, confirmed by the morphologic operative findings and pathological examinations of the aortic wall. In this case, the clinical diagnosis was initially suggested due to an abdominal systolic-diastolic bruit, associated to hypertension and weak femoral pulses. Although doppler ultrasonography and nuclear magnetic resonance were useful diagnostic tools, a complete angiography should be performed because it is currently the most informative technique to evaluate the aorta and its collaterals, frequently involved in association with subisthmic aortic coarctation. Surgical exploration revealed a hypoplastic descending thoracic aorta and histological data confirmed the nonexistence of acquired pathology of the aortic wall. Surgical management was accomplished successfully and the patient was asymptomatic 41 months after the operation with normal blood pressure, no treatment, and a normal pattern of life. Based on this presentation, the authors describe the etiology, morphology and anatomic classification, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management of subisthmic aortic coarctation.

Aspirative cytology with fine-needle in the abdomen, retroperitoneum and pelvic cavity: a seven year experience of the Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Center of Porto

A review was made of 236 fine-needle aspiration cytologies (FNAC), guided by ultrasound, computerized tomography or fluoroscopy, performed in the abdomen, retroperitoneum and pelvic cavity. Seventy-three FNAC were from the liver, 41 from the kidneys, 30 from the pelvic cavity, 26 from the retroperitoneum, 24 from the peritoneal cavity, 13 from the pancreas, 11 from the adrenal glands, nine from the abdominal wall, seven from the spleen and two from the digestive tract. The total accuracy rate was 90%, ranging from 77% in the abdominal wall lesions to 100% in the splenic lesions. Indications for FNAC and results are discussed as well as the accuracy rate obtained with different guiding modalities. We conclude considering FNAC a safe, unexpensive and reliable method to confirm the diagnosis of malignant lesions in the abdomen, retroperitoneum and pelvic cavity.

[Heart failure at an internal medicine department: a retrospective study]

The files of 222 patients (112 men) admitted to a Medical Department (Medicina 1) of the Hospital de Santa Maria (Lisbon) between 1/1/87 and 21/6/88 with the diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) were studied retrospectively. The next parameters were considered: sex, age, cause of cardiac disease, duration of CHF, presence of diabetes, predispondent factors of CHF episodes, cardiac rhythm and blood pressure on admission, presence of rales, ascitis and edema, echocardiographic findings and evolution. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) (50%) and hypertensive heart disease (HHD) (31%) were the most frequent causes of CHF in this study. The mean age was 70 years, being higher in women (74 versus 66 years). Men were predominant in the younger groups. The rheumatic heart disease (RHD) group had the lowest mean age (54) while the cardiac diseases of unknown origin had the highest mean age (79). Patients with RHD were those with longer CHF (16 years) while patients with IHD, idiopathic cardiomyopathy and cor pulmonale had a shorter duration of CHF (less than 5 years). The respiratory infection was the most frequent predisponent factor (40%). In a high number of cases (31%) it was not possible to find the presumable cause of the CHF episode. Atrial fibrillation was the predominant disarrhythmia (44%) on admission, specially in patients with RHD. Patients with HHD isolated or associated to other causes were those with higher initial blood pressure. Echocardiographic studies were suggestive that HHD can be associated with CHF without a significant increase in left atrium and ventricle dimensions nor impairment of left ventricle systolic function. Echocardiographic analysis of larger numbers of patients and the study of left ventricular diastolic function and Doppler flow patterns will eventually contribute to a better understanding of CHF physiopathology.

Esophageal balloon dilatation: a follow-up study in 74 patients

Balloon esophageal dilation was performed in 74 patients, 60 of whom had malignant neoplasia of the esophagus, 11 had benign esophageal stenoses, and 3 had esophageal stenoses caused by nonesophageal cancer. Sixteen patients underwent preoperative balloon dilations and 15 were able to swallow until surgery. In 49 patients receiving palliative treatment for esophageal cancer, balloon dilatation allowed 40 (82%) to swallow until near death. We experienced one esophageal rupture.