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Brain abscesses in ruminants often arise from primary infection foci, leading to an unfavorable prognosis for affected animals. This highlights the need for comprehensive studies on brain abscesses across different ruminant species. We retrospectively investigated medical records of epidemiological, clinical, neuroimaging, anatomopathological, and bacteriological findings in six ruminants (three goats, two cows, and one sheep) diagnosed with brain abscesses. All animals studied were female. Apathy (50%), compulsive walking (33%), decreased facial sensitivity (33%), head pressing (33%), seizures (33%), semicomatous mental status (33%), strabismus (33%), unilateral blindness (33%), and circling (33%) represented the most common neurologic signs. Leukocytosis and neutrophilia were the main findings in the hematological evaluation. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed predominant hyperproteinorrachia and pleocytosis. In three cases, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging were used, enabling the identification of typical abscess lesions, which were subsequently confirmed during postmortem examination. Microbiological culture of the abscess samples and/or CSF revealed bacterial coinfections in most cases. Advanced imaging examinations, combined with CSF analysis, can aid in diagnosis, although confirmation typically relies on postmortem evaluation and isolation of the causative agent. This study contributes to clinicopathological aspects, neuroimages, and bacteriological diagnosis of brain abscesses in domestic ruminants.

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The clinical findings of pleural empyema in six horses were retrospectively studied using epidemiological, clinical pathology, microbiological, ultrasound, and post-mortem data. The clinical findings included tachycardia (n = 3/6), tachypnea (n = 6/6), cyanotic mucosa (n = 2/6), hyperthermia (n = 4/6), inspiratory or mixed dyspnea (n = 6/6), presence of fluid and/or pleural rubbing (n = 2/6) and coarse crackling on auscultation (n = 4/6). Horses demonstrated leukocytosis (16.22 × 103/µL) with neutrophilia (12.32 × 103/µL) and hyperfibrinogenemia (633.33 mg/dL) and an increase in urea (69.80 mg/kg) and globulins (5.22 g/dL). The pleural fluid exhibited exudate (n = 5/6). The pathogens isolated from transtracheal wash (TTW) and/or pleural effusion included Aspergillus fumigatus, Enterobacter cloacae, alpha and beta hemolytic Streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella sp., Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus, and beta hemolytic Staphylococcus. The in vitro tests of microbial sensitivity of the isolates revealed that ceftiofur (5/6) and penicillin (3/6) were the most effective drugs. The fatality rate was 83% (5/6). The main post-mortem finding was the presence of fibrin in the pleural cavity with adhesion between the parietal and visceral pleura. These results show that pleural empyema is a complex disease pathophysiology that is refractory to conventional treatment.

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Schwann cells (SCs) are essential for the regenerative processes of peripheral nerve injuries. However, their use in cell therapy is limited. In this context, several studies have demonstrated the ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to transdifferentiate into Schwann-like cells (SLCs) using chemical protocols or co-culture with SCs. Here, we describe for the first time the in vitro transdifferentiation potential of MSCs derived from equine adipose tissue (AT) and equine bone marrow (BM) into SLCs using a practical method. In this study, the facial nerve of a horse was collected, cut into fragments, and incubated in cell culture medium for 48 h. This medium was used to transdifferentiate the MSCs into SLCs. Equine AT-MSCs and BM-MSCs were incubated with the induction medium for 5 days. After this period, the morphology, cell viability, metabolic activity, gene expression of glial markers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), myelin basic protein (MBP), p75 and S100ß, nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and the protein expression of S100 and GFAP were evaluated in undifferentiated and differentiated cells. The MSCs from the two sources incubated with the induction medium exhibited similar morphology to the SCs and maintained cell viability and metabolic activity. There was a significant increase in the gene expression of BDNF, GDNF, GFAP, MBP, p75, and S100ß in equine AT-MSCs and GDNF, GFAP, MBP, p75, and S100ß in equine BM-MSCs post-differentiation. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed GFAP expression in undifferentiated and differentiated cells, with a significant increase in the integrated pixel density in differentiated cells and S100 was only expressed in differentiated cells from both sources. These findings indicate that equine AT-MSCs and BM-MSCs have great transdifferentiation potential into SLCs using this method, and they represent a promising strategy for cell-based therapy for peripheral nerve regeneration in horses.

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Central nervous system (CNS) infections comprise life-threatening clinical conditions in domestic species, and are commonly related to severe sequelae, disability, or high fatality rates. A set of bacterial pathogens have been identified in central nervous infections in livestock and companion animals, although the most of descriptions are restricted to case reports and a lack of comprehensive studies involving CNS-related bacterial infections have been focused on a great number of domestic species. In this scenario, we retrospectively investigated selected epidemiological data, clinical findings, bacteriological culture, and in vitro susceptibility patterns of 136 nonrepetitive neurologic cases in domestic species (2005-2021). Bacterial isolates were recovered from 25% (34/136) of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampled. The isolates were obtained from cattle (9/136 = 6.6%), dogs (7/136 = 5.1%), horses (6/136 = 4.4%), goats (3/136 = 2.2%), pigs (3/136 = 2.2%), sheep (3/136 = 2.2%), cats (2/136 = 1.5%), and asinine (1/136 = 0.7%). Among animals with bacterial isolation, Staphylococcus aureus (6/34 = 17.6%), Escherichia coli (5/34 = 14.7%), Staphylococcus beta-hemolytic (5/34 = 14.7%), and Trueperella pyogenes (3/34 = 8.8%) were predominant, in addition to a miscellaneous of other bacteria isolated in minor frequency, e.g., Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, Enterobacter cloacae, Mannheimia haemolytica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. In vitro susceptibility tests of isolates revealed that amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (11/13 = 84.6%), cephalexin (9/11 = 81.8%), and florfenicol (9/12 = 75%) were the most effective antimicrobials. Conversely, isolates exhibited resistance mainly to tetracycline (6/10 = 60%), penicillin (6/11 = 54.5%), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (5/11 = 45.5%). Also, multidrug resistance to ≥ 3 classes of antimicrobials was found in 23.5% (8/34) strains. Data relative to the outcome was available in 79.4% (27/34) of animals that had bacterial isolation, and from these, the lethality rate was 92.6% (25/27). Incoordination (14/34 = 41.2%), recumbency (11/34 = 32.4%), apathy (10/34 = 29.4%), anorexia (9/34 = 26.5%), blindness (7/34 = 20.6%), seizure (6/34 = 17.6%), limb paresis (5/34 = 14.7%), head-pressing (4/34 = 11.8%), and nystagmus (3/34 = 8.8%) were the most frequent clinical signs. A variety of bacterial pathogens were identified in the CSF of domestic species showing neurologic signs, with a predominance of staphylococci, streptococci, and enterobacteria. High lethality of cases, poor in vitro efficacy of conventional antimicrobials, and a high in vitro multidrug resistance pattern of isolates were seen. Our results contribute to etiological characterization, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and clinical-epidemiological findings of bacterial infections in domestic species with neurological signs.

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As alterações do equilíbrio ácido-base são usualmente observadas por meio da hemogasometria, sendo esse exame fundamental para tratamento do paciente. O objetivo desta revisão é apresentar a importância da compreensão da teoria de eletroneutralidade e da sua representação gráfica (gamblegram), demonstrando sua aplicabilidade na rotina clínica. Para isso, dois casos clínicos em grandes animais são demonstrados. O primeiro caso é de um potro neonato com diarreia há seis dias, apresentando hiponatremia, hipocalemia e hipocloremia, com redução de SIDs, determinando acidose metabólica por fons fortes com redução de HCO3-. O gamblegram nos primeiros dias de internamento apresentou a influência da hiponatremia e hipercloremia relativa sobre a concentração de HCO3-. Inicialmente, fez-se a reposição de HCO3-, Ca," e K. O segundo caso é de um bovino adulto com refluxo abomasal, que apresentou hipocloremia, hipocalemia e normonatremia; as alterações em questão resultaram em alcalose metabólica iônica. O gamblegram foi eficaz na representação gráfica dessas alterações e da sua repercussão sobre o equilíbrio ácido-base de maneira sucinta. As alterações nas concentrações de eletrólitos merecem atenção e a reposição deve ser imediata e constante. O gamblegram é uma ferramenta útil para os clínicos, sendo capaz de representar alterações complexas de maneira prática.

Changes in the acid-base balance are usually observed using blood gas analysis, and this test is essential for the treatment of the patient. The aim of this review is to present the importance of understanding the theory of electroneutrality and its graphical representation (gamblegram), demonstrating its applicability in clinical routine. For this, two clinical cases in large animals are discussed. The first case, a neonate foal with diarrhea during six days, presenting hyponatremia, hypokalemia and hypochloremia, with a reduction in SID, determining metabolic acidosis by strong ions with a reduction in HCO3-. The gamblegram in the first days of hospitalization showed the influence of hyponatremia and relative hyperchloremia on the concentration of HCO3-. Initially, HCO3-, Ca²** and K' were corrected. The second case, adult cattle with abomasal reflux presented hypochloremia, hypokalemia and normonatremia, the alterations in question resulting in ionic metabolic alkalosis. The gamblegram was effective in representing these changes and their impact on the acid-base balance. Changes in electrolyte concentrations deserve attention and replacement must be immediate and constant. The gamblegram is a useful tool for clinicians, being able to represent complex changes in a practical way.

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Background: Polioencephalomalacia (PEM) is a neurological disease in ruminants, which is characterized by malacia of brain gray matter. Thiamine deficiency and sulfur intoxication are the most common causes of PEM in sheep. Affected animals present signs of cerebrocortical syndrome, including amaurosis, ataxia, head pressing, mental depression, seizures, and opisthotonus. The neurological examination aims to determine the neurolocalization of the lesions and advanced imaging techniques are useful for confirming the affected area(s) in the central nervous system. The aim of this study is to describe clinical features and ante-mortem diagnosis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a sheep with PEM. Case: A 18-month-old male Dorper sheep from a flock started receiving concentrate 7 days before. According to the owner, no clinical signs of abnormality were observed on the previous morning. However, in the afternoon, the animal became selfisolated and did not follow the flock to the sheepfold. The following day, he was found in recumbency. Physical examination revealed lateral recumbency, rectal temperature 39.5ºC, 52 bpm, 120 bpm, congested mucous membranes, capillary refill time 1 s, ruminal (4/5 min) and intestinal hypomotility. The assessment of the central nervous system revealed a decreased level of consciousness, focal seizures, opisthotonus, and absence of menace response. The following differential diagnoses were listed: PEM, head trauma, focal symmetrical encephalomalacia, bacterial encephalitis, and rabies. Treatment was composed of dexamethasone [0.2 mg/kg - i.v., SID (1st-3rd day), 0.1 mg/kg, i.v., SID (4th-6th day), and 0.05 mg/kg, i.v., SID (7th-9th day)]; mannitol [1 g/kg - i.v. and diazepam 0.4 mg/kg, i.v. single dose at admission]; vitamin B1 [10 mg/kg - i.m., SID], furosemide [1 mg/kg - i.v., SID for 3 days] and sulfadoxine/trimethoprim [30 mg/kg - i.m., SID for 10 days]. After the initial treatment, the patient showed mild clinical improvement; however, the amaurosis was still present. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed on the 2nd day of hospitalization, showing a symmetrical hypersignal in the parietal and occipital cortices, in the axial and sagittal sequences weighted in T2 and FLAIR. Discussion: This study aimed to describe the clinical signs and MRI findings in a sheep with PEM. In this case, the sudden change to the feed composition probably led to ruminal dysbiosis, inhibition of thiamine-producing microorganisms and proliferation of bacteria that synthesize thiaminase. Thiamine therapy proved to be effective and capable of reverting the clinical signs. The decrease in the level of consciousness, cortical blindness, and opisthotonus are due to alterations in the parietal cortex, in the occipital cortex, and in the cerebellum, respectively, which were demonstrated by hypersignal areas in the MRI. Therefore, the neurolocalization of the lesion based on neurologic examination and the MRI findings were related. The physicochemical and cytological evaluations of the cerebrospinal fluid, and dosage of thiamine and the concentration of hydrogen sulphide in the rumen were not performed. However, the response to thiamine treatment associated with the neurologic examination and MRI findings helped in determining the diagnosis. Additionally, MRI can be used as a useful tool for the ante mortem diagnosis of PEM.

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The validity and applicability of tactile battery tests for the diagnosis and medical follow-up of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia syndromes do not have their usefulness well understood in clinical practice. While haptic abilities in older individuals receive less attention, in earlier stages of human life they are well focused on. There are even fewer studies on tactile memory, including episodic memory of demented individuals with or without sensorial limitations. The applicability of a new haptic memory battery was evaluated in patients with Alzheimer's disease with mild or moderate commitment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to apply a battery based on tactile perception, recognition, and recollection of everyday objects in patients with Alzheimer's disease, testing tactile delayed recall memory discrimination and late recognition to compare validated visual and verbal tests. METHODS: Tactile-, visual-, and verbal-based memory performance was registered in 21 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. RESULTS: Except for tactile identification, it showed that there was a close relationship between the three sensory modalities of memory, with an apparent better performance of tactile incidental memory and recognition compared with the test with pictures. CONCLUSIONS: The haptic evaluation of memory demonstrated applicability in the evaluation of memory dysfunction in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Further studies are needed to establish the sensibility and specificity of the proposed test that had a small sample size and many limitations.

A aplicação de baterias baseadas em informações táteis para diagnóstico e acompanhamento de pacientes com doença de Alzheimer e outras demências não é muito difundida na prática clínica. Ao passo que a capacidade de reconhecimento tátil de objetos em crianças recebe bastante atenção dos pesquisadores, o mesmo não ocorre com indivíduos mais idosos. Existem ainda menos estudos abordando avaliação de memória episódica em pacientes idosos, com ou sem limitações sensoriais, como cegueira e surdez. O presente estudo propõe avaliar aplicabilidade de teste para avaliação de memória tátil em paciente com doença de Alzheimer. OBJETIVO: Aplicar em pacientes com doença de Alzheimer uma bateria baseada na percepção e reconhecimento táctil de objetos de uso cotidiano, avaliando a memória e reconhecimento tardio, comparado com testes visuais e verbais validados. MÉTODOS: Foi avaliado o desempenho de baterias baseadas em informação táteis, visuais e verbais em 21 pacientes diagnosticados com a doença de Alzheimer. RESULTADOS: Com a exceção da percepção tátil, foi demonstrada uma boa correlação entre as três modalidades de apresentação das informações a serem resgatadas tardiamente. Houve um desempenho aparentemente melhor do reconhecimento tátil quando comparado com apresentação de figuras impressas. CONCLUSÕES: A determinação da memória tátil em pacientes com doença de Alzheimer demonstrou ser aplicável como instrumento de avaliação dos distúrbios de memória presentes em portadores de doença de Alzheimer com comprometimento leve a moderado. As limitações do estudo, com reduzido tamanho da amostra, aponta para a necessidade de novos estudos com a devida validação, incluindo determinação de sensibilidade e especificidade, assim como pareamento, de acordo com sexo e idade com grupo controle.

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ABSTRACT The validity and applicability of tactile battery tests for the diagnosis and medical follow-up of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia syndromes do not have their usefulness well understood in clinical practice. While haptic abilities in older individuals receive less attention, in earlier stages of human life they are well focused on. There are even fewer studies on tactile memory, including episodic memory of demented individuals with or without sensorial limitations. The applicability of a new haptic memory battery was evaluated in patients with Alzheimer's disease with mild or moderate commitment. Objective: The aim of this study is to apply a battery based on tactile perception, recognition, and recollection of everyday objects in patients with Alzheimer's disease, testing tactile delayed recall memory discrimination and late recognition to compare validated visual and verbal tests. Methods: Tactile-, visual-, and verbal-based memory performance was registered in 21 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Results: Except for tactile identification, it showed that there was a close relationship between the three sensory modalities of memory, with an apparent better performance of tactile incidental memory and recognition compared with the test with pictures. Conclusions: The haptic evaluation of memory demonstrated applicability in the evaluation of memory dysfunction in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Further studies are needed to establish the sensibility and specificity of the proposed test that had a small sample size and many limitations.

RESUMO A aplicação de baterias baseadas em informações táteis para diagnóstico e acompanhamento de pacientes com doença de Alzheimer e outras demências não é muito difundida na prática clínica. Ao passo que a capacidade de reconhecimento tátil de objetos em crianças recebe bastante atenção dos pesquisadores, o mesmo não ocorre com indivíduos mais idosos. Existem ainda menos estudos abordando avaliação de memória episódica em pacientes idosos, com ou sem limitações sensoriais, como cegueira e surdez. O presente estudo propõe avaliar aplicabilidade de teste para avaliação de memória tátil em paciente com doença de Alzheimer. Objetivo: Aplicar em pacientes com doença de Alzheimer uma bateria baseada na percepção e reconhecimento táctil de objetos de uso cotidiano, avaliando a memória e reconhecimento tardio, comparado com testes visuais e verbais validados. Métodos: Foi avaliado o desempenho de baterias baseadas em informação táteis, visuais e verbais em 21 pacientes diagnosticados com a doença de Alzheimer. Resultados: Com a exceção da percepção tátil, foi demonstrada uma boa correlação entre as três modalidades de apresentação das informações a serem resgatadas tardiamente. Houve um desempenho aparentemente melhor do reconhecimento tátil quando comparado com apresentação de figuras impressas. Conclusões: A determinação da memória tátil em pacientes com doença de Alzheimer demonstrou ser aplicável como instrumento de avaliação dos distúrbios de memória presentes em portadores de doença de Alzheimer com comprometimento leve a moderado. As limitações do estudo, com reduzido tamanho da amostra, aponta para a necessidade de novos estudos com a devida validação, incluindo determinação de sensibilidade e especificidade, assim como pareamento, de acordo com sexo e idade com grupo controle.

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The route used in the transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can directly affect the treatment success. The transplantation of MSCs via the intrathecal (IT) route can be an important therapeutic strategy for neurological disorders. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the IT transplantation of autologous (Auto-MSCs) and allogeneic (Allo-MSCs) bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in healthy dogs. Based on neurodisability score, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), no significant differences from the control group were observed on day 1 or day 5 after IT Auto- or Allo-MSCs transplantation (P > 0.05). In addition, analysis of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 expression in the CSF revealed no significant differences (P > 0.05) at 5 days after IT transplantation in the Auto- or Allo-MSCs group when compared to the control. Intrathecal transplantation of BM-MSCs in dogs provides a safe, easy and minimally invasive route for the use of cell-based therapeutics in central nervous system diseases.

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BACKGROUND: Nerve injuries are debilitating, leading to long-term motor deficits. Remyelination and axonal growth are supported and enhanced by growth factor and cytokines. Combination of nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) with adipose-tissue-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (AdMSCs) has been performing promising strategy for nerve regeneration. METHODS: 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL)-NGCs were fabricated. Wistar rats subjected to critical sciatic nerve damage (12-mm gap) were divided into sham, autograft, PCL (empty NGC), and PCL + MSCs (NGC multi-functionalized with 106 canine AdMSCs embedded in heterologous fibrin biopolymer) groups. In vitro, the cells were characterized and directly stimulated with interferon-gamma to evaluate their neuroregeneration potential. In vivo, the sciatic and tibial functional indices were evaluated for 12 weeks. Gait analysis and nerve conduction velocity were analyzed after 8 and 12 weeks. Morphometric analysis was performed after 8 and 12 weeks following lesion development. Real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the neurotrophic factors BDNF, GDNF, and HGF, and the cytokine and IL-10. Immunohistochemical analysis for the p75NTR neurotrophic receptor, S100, and neurofilament was performed with the sciatic nerve. RESULTS: The inflammatory environment in vitro have increased the expression of neurotrophins BDNF, GDNF, HGF, and IL-10 in canine AdMSCs. Nerve guidance conduits multi-functionalized with canine AdMSCs embedded in HFB improved functional motor and electrophysiological recovery compared with PCL group after 12 weeks. However, the results were not significantly different than those obtained using autografts. These findings were associated with a shift in the regeneration process towards the formation of myelinated fibers. Increased immunostaining of BDNF, GDNF, and growth factor receptor p75NTR was associated with the upregulation of BDNF, GDNF, and HGF in the spinal cord of the PCL + MSCs group. A trend demonstrating higher reactivity of Schwann cells and axonal branching in the sciatic nerve was observed, and canine AdMSCs were engrafted at 30 days following repair. CONCLUSIONS: 3D-printed NGCs multi-functionalized with canine AdMSCs embedded in heterologous fibrin biopolymer as cell scaffold exerted neuroregenerative effects. Our multimodal approach supports the trophic microenvironment, resulting in a pro-regenerative state after critical sciatic nerve injury in rats.

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