Hydrodissection to create conjunctival flaps in dogs with corneal ulcers

Background and Aim

Hydrodissection is a liquid injection technique that is rarely used in animal ophthalmic procedures. The use of this technique in the creation of conjunctival flaps for the treatment of corneal ulcers in dogs can improve the outcome, task, and comfort for patients. This study aimed to evaluate the use of hydrodissection in the creation of conjunctival flaps in dogs with corneal ulcers.

Materials and Methods

This study focused on a surgical procedure for creating conjunctival flaps in the eyes of 17 dogs with deep corneal ulcers. We divided the patients into two groups: Hydrodissection was performed in the first group (G1) and conventional divulsion without hydrodissection in the second group (G2). In G1, the conjunctival flap was created by subconjunctival injection of 1 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride, followed by flap construction. The flap was constructed through conventional divulsion using iris scissors in the G2. The operative time, degree of bleeding, and ease of conjunctival divulsion were evaluated during the procedure. Blepharospasm, hyperemia, edema, and scarring of the conjunctiva were evaluated during the post-operative period. Post-operative complications, notably suture dehiscence, were recorded in each group.

Results

Hydrodissection is an easy-to-perform maneuver that optimizes the construction of conjunctival flaps. There were no statistical differences in the parameters used to evaluate the trans- and post-operative period between the groups. The volume of sodium chloride administered in the conjunctiva ranged from 0.5 mL to 1 mL in G1. Dehiscence of the flap sutures was observed in four patients (two in G1 and two in G2), with no significant difference between the groups.

Conclusion

Hydrodissection facilitates the construction of conjunctival flaps in dogs with corneal ulcers, affording greater comfort to patients and proving to be an excellent option for ophthalmologists.

Excision of a Fibrosarcoma in the Right Forelimb and Reconstruction with Full-Thickness Autologous Graft in a Dog

Background: Fibrosarcomas are malignant neoplasms originating from fibroblasts that are normally located in the skin, subcutaneous tissue and adjacent to bones. The main treatment for fibrosarcoma is surgery. The removal of large neoplasms from dogs’ limbs usually leads to the formation of large skin defects, often preventing primary occlusion and thus requiring reconstructive surgery to close the wound. This paper reports on the surgical procedure and postoperative complications pursuant to the excision of a fibrosarcoma in the right forelimb and reconstruction with a full-thickness autologous graft in a dog.Case: We report a case of a 12-year-old Brazilian mastiff presenting a nodule located in the distal segment of the right forelimb, which had grown over a 2-year period.  Blood and imaging tests were performed, which showed no changes and excluded the possibility of metastasis. The cytological examination was suggestive of a mesenchymal neoplasm.  The patient underwent tumor excision surgery followed by reconstructive surgery with a full-thickness autologous graft to close the defect. The neoplasm was excised by means of a circular geometric figure incision using a 3 cm margin. The defect resulting from removal of the tumor was kept constantly moistened and wrapped in surgical compresses until grafting was performed. The graft was harvested from the region of the right flank based on a surgical field mold taken from the recipient bed. After harvesting the graft, all the subcutaneous tissue was removed until the hair follicles were visible. Fenestrations were then made throughout the entire graft and it was placed in the recipient bed and closed with 4-0 nylon using simple interrupted sutures. After the surgical procedure, the graft was covered with a water-based lubricating gel and bandaged, and the limb was immobilized. Cephalexin, meloxicam, tramadol and dipyrone were used as postoperative medications. The bandage was changed every 72 h. The postoperative complications observed involved the formation of seroma, infection and necrosis of the graft, which was removed and debrided on the 9th postoperative day. The defect generated after removal of the graft was treated using hydrocolloid dressings, which were changed every 5 days.  Seven changes of the hydrocolloid dressings were required to ensure complete closure of the defect. A histopathological examination of the neoplasia revealed that it was a fibrosarcoma. Discussion: Fibrosarcomas are neoplasms with a low degree of malignancy, which metastasize only in an advanced stage of the disease. Treatment consists of surgical resection with a wide safety margin. Full-thickness skin grafts include the epidermis and the entire dermis and are applied to cover major defects in flexor surfaces and defects in distal extremities. The main reasons for skin graft failure are separation between the graft and the recipient bed, infection and movement. The formation of seroma mechanically separates the graft from its bed, impairing nutrition and revascularization. Hydrocolloids, which are flexible and highly absorbent membranes composed of pectin, gelatin and carboxymethyl cellulose, are useful in treating a variety of wounds. The complications that occurred in this case are consistent with others reported in the literature. The treatment of the open wound with hydrocolloid dressings proved to be quite satisfactory, allowing for complete healing of the wound.

Ocorrência de bactérias patogênicas e deteriorantes em sashimi de salmão: avaliação de histamina e de susceptibilidade a antimicrobianos

Resumo O estudo das condições higiênico sanitárias de alimentos cárneos consumidos crus, como o sashimi, é necessário para definir sua qualidade e possíveis consequências para a saúde humana. Foram coletadas 60 amostras de sashimi de salmão (Salmo salar), de dez restaurantes na cidade de São Luís, Maranhão - Brasil, sendo seis de cada local. As amostras foram analisadas para contagem de coliformes a 35 °C, coliformes a 45 °C e Staphylococcus coagulase positiva e negativa, identificação da presença de Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus e Aeromonas spp, teste de suscetibilidade a antimicrobianos dos isolados e quantificação de histamina nas amostras. Os resultados mostraram elevadas contagens de coliformes a 35 °C e 12 amostras com >102 NMP/g de coliformes a 45 °C, presença de E. coli e de Salmonella sp. em 3 amostras cada, ausência de V. parahaemolyticus e Staphylococcus coagulase positiva e contagem de Staphylococcus coagulase negativa entre <20 e 5,0x104 UFC/g, presença de Aeromonas spp. em 95% das amostras, sendo 60 isolados A. hydrophila e 6 A. caviae. Para suscetibilidade aos antimicrobianos, os isolados de E. coli foram sensíveis a CPM, CTX, LVX, PPT e SUT, dois resistentes a AMP; um resistente a GEN, um a AMI e um a AMC. Os isolados de Salmonella foram sensíveis a AMC, CPM, CFO, CRX, GEN, LVX e PPT, um resistente a AMI e um a AMP e SUT. Os isolados de Aeromonas foram resistentes em média a cinco dos antimicrobianos, sendo a AMP (97%), a CRX (90,9%) e a AMC (77,3%), e 81,8% foram sensíveis ao CPM. Os níveis de histamina variaram de 44,06 ± 0,74 a 505,46 ± 8,83 mg/kg, sendo 21 das amostras com níveis superiores a 100 mg/kg. As amostras apresentaram condições higiênicos sanitárias insatisfatórias e riscos para a saúde pública, por identificação de bactérias patogênicas e elevadas concentrações de histamina capazes de causar intoxicação escombróide, e ainda, isolados com multirresistência aos antimicrobianos testados.

Evaluation of the hygienic-sanitary conditions of a dairy localized in the Island of São Luís, Maranhão

ABSTRACT: The product quality is a competitive advantage that plays a differential role among companies. In the food industry, which is based on the Quality Management System, such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), which cover the hygiene procedure, aiming at food safety. In view of the above, the aim of this study was to evaluate the hygienic-sanitary conditions of a selected dairy from the São Luís Island - MA. An application of the checklist was performed, swab collection from the hands of the manipulators and equipment and the collection of water and yogurt for microbiological analysis. After this step, a training was performed for food handlers and finally, new collections and microbiological analysis were performed. All the microbiological analysis performed were satisfactory, except for the water sample, one before and again for training. It can be verified that the hygienic-sanitary condition of the dairy was good. However, after a lecture and new microbiological analyzes, improvements were observed in the results.

Parasitic Encephalitis in a Bitch

ABSTRACTBackground: Encephalitis is common in most inflammatory and infectious diseases of the central nervous system, and bacterial and viral pathogens, protozoa, fungi, and erythematous parasites are recognized as etiological agents. Clinical signs vary according to the anatomical location and severity of the inflammation. Some parasites may undergo aberrant migration into the brain of dogs and cats, which is are considered a rare clinical phenomenon. This case report describes the occurrence of parasitic encephalitis in a mixed breed bitch about 4 year-old.Case: A mixed breed bitch, about 4 year-old, rescued from the street with weakness of the pelvic limbs, was treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Piauí - UFPI. After A clinical and neurological examination, the patient was hospitalized for diagnosis, treatment, confirmation and follow-up of her clinical evolution. Complementary tests were performed to evaluate her general condition, given her unknown history because she was a rescue dog. Complete blood count (CBC), hemoparasite screening, biochemical function (urea, creatinine, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin and globulin), abdominal and pelvic ultrasound, serological and parasitological tests for leishmaniasis, distemper antigen and ehrlichiosis antibody detection tests were performed, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected for analysis. The CBC revealed normocytic hypochromic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Biochemical functions were within normal limits, except for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), which was slightly low. The ultrasound examination showed splenomegaly. The canine distemper, ehrlichiosis and leishmaniasis tests were negative. The results of the CSF analysis revealed the presence of spherical structures compatible with parasitic cysts, suggestive of Echinococcus granulosus. After the laboratory diagnosis of parasitic encephalitis, the animal was treated with prednisolone, albendazole, praziquantel and doxycycline. Three days after starting treatment for parasitic encephalitis, the patient presented significant clinical improvement, began to feed again and to move around.Discussion: The presence of parasitic cysts in cerebrospinal fluid is uncommon; however, encephalitis due to aberrant parasite migration has been described in dogs and cats. The migration and growth of the parasite causes extensive damage to the neural parenchyma. The clinical signs of worm encephalitis tend to show acute to super-acute onset, and the definitive diagnosis depends on the identification of the parasitic agent in the patient’s brain. This type of diagnosis has so far been performed only during necropsy. In the case reported here, parasitic cysts were identified in CSF, thus confirming and formulating a definitive diagnosis. It is rare to find microorganisms and tumor cells in samples of cerebrospinal fluid; however, if this occurs, a definitive diagnosis can be formulated. The use of cerebrospinal fluid is therefore an important diagnostic tool when other imaging tests such as tomography and magnetic resonance provide limited access. Praziquantel and Albendazole are recommended for the treatment of Echinococcus, prednisolone is recommended for cases of encephalitis, and prophylactic antibiotic therapy is used to prevent secondary bacterial meningoencephalitis. The recommended treatment was efficient for this patient, and could be adopted to treat other dogs with parasitic encephalitis. The main forms of prevention in dogs are periodic worming, and the ingestion of only processed or cooked foods and treated water.

QUALIDADE HIGIÊNICO-SANITÁRIA DE TAMBAQUI (Colossoma macropomum) COMERCIALIZADO NA CIDADE DE SÃO LUÍS - MA

Resumo A identificação das condições higiênico-sanitárias do pescado é de suma importância para a promoção da saúde e a qualidade de vida da população. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade microbiológica e verificar o perfil de susceptibilidade a antimicrobianos das cepas isoladas de amostras de tambaqui (C. macropomum) comercializadas na cidade de São Luís, Maranhão. As 60 amostras de tambaqui, obtidas de supermercados e feiras livres, foram analisadas quanto à determinação do Número Mais Provável (NMP) de coliformes totais e termotolerantes; pesquisa de Escherichia coli; pesquisa de Aeromonas spp., e perfil de resistência antimicrobiana. Foi detectada uma elevada contagem de coliformes totais e termotolerantes, além de bactérias patogênicas, tais como: Aeromonas spp. em 56 (93,3%) e E. coli, em 13 (43,3%) das amostras analisadas. Em relação ao perfil de resistência antimicrobiana, os isolados de E. coli demonstraram baixos percentuais de resistência e as cepas de Aeromonas apresentaram elevados níveis de resistência aos antimicrobianos testados. Pode-se concluir que o tambaqui comercializado em São Luís − MA apresenta condições higiênico-sanitárias inadequadas para o consumo.

Integrated assessment of biomarker responses and microbiological analysis of oysters from São Luís Island, Brazil

This study was conducted to evaluate the use of biochemical biomarkers and microbiological analysis to identify levels of oyster contamination at different ports in São Luís Island (Maranhão), Brazil. Oysters were analyzed for total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, Escherichia coli and Aeromonas spp. In addition, tissue was removed from the digestive gland to determine the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) activity. The highest percentage of microbiological contamination of oyster samples occurred during the rainy season. The activity of GST and catalase in oysters was also higher in the rainy season, coinciding with the greatest abundance of total and thermotolerant coliforms. Among the prospective biomarkers, GST showed the best results for identification of areas with higher levels of contamination.