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Avian Plasmodium parasites can be pathogenic to their vertebrate hosts. Although cases of anaemia are frequently reported in parasitized birds, the potential damage caused by the parasite during the exoerythrocytic reproduction phase remains poorly investigated. Here, we report 2 individuals of red-legged seriemas ( Cariama cristata ) infected with 2 different lineages of Plasmodium huffi , one of them exhibiting potential malarial-compatible tissue lesions in the spleen, liver, brain and lungs, alongside molecular confirmation of parasite presence in the spleen. Previously classified as specific to birds from the order Piciformes, this parasite has shown different associated lineages amplified across diverse host orders in South America (Anseriformes, Charadriiformes, Columbiformes, Galliformes, Pelecaniformes and Passeriformes). Those infections, however, were defined as abortive due to the absence of gametocytes visualized in blood smear slides. Herein, we confirm P. huffi as a generalist parasite based on the first morphological characterization in the peripheral blood of a bird outside the Piciformes order. This is also the first morphological and molecular description of a Plasmodium species in Cariamiformes. In addition to the morphological analyses, we have also proposed a novel phylogenetic hypothesis based on the partial cytb gene and the near-complete mitochondrial genome of this parasite. Our findings support that the division of the genus Plasmodium into subgenera is not monophyletic, as P. ( Huffia) huffi and its associated lineages cluster more closely with Plasmodium ( Haemamoeba) gallinaceum than with Plasmodium ( Huffia) elongatum .

In August 2021, two juvenile male Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) stranded in the southeastern Brazilian coast and were referred to rehabilitation centers. The animals presented increased body temperature, prostration, respiratory distress and despite treatment died. A necropsy following a standardized protocol was performed, and formalin-fixed tissues were processed for microscopic examination. Samples were screened for morbillivirus, herpesvirus, and Brucella spp. by molecular analyses (PCR, RT-PCR). Bacteriological culture was performed in samples collected from the lungs, trachea, and lymph nodes of both cases. The main histopathologic findings were of infectious nature, including multifocal necrotizing and fibrinous mixed interstitial pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and bronchitis, with intralesional myriad bacteria associated with vascular fibrinoid necrosis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from tracheal and lung swabs of Case 1, and Klebsiella oxytoca was found in nostril swabs, tracheobronchial lymph nodes, and lung of Case 2. Gammaherpesvirus infection was detected in both cases, and the sequences retrieved were classified into the genus Percavirus. All tested samples were PCR-negative for Brucella spp. and morbillivirus. We hypothesize that the deficient immunological status in association with starvation predisposed the reactivation of herpesvirus and secondary bacterial co-infections. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first molecular detection of herpesvirus in an Antarctic pinniped. These findings reinforce that Otariid gammaherpesvirus circulating in the Southern Hemisphere are likely endemic in the Arctocephalus genus. This report contributes to the current knowledge of health aspects affecting wild pinnipeds, especially in the poorly studied Antarctic species., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

A senile male black capuchin monkey (Sapajus nigritus) kept under human care in a Zoo was found dead after 2 weeks presenting signals of weight loss and hyporexia. Histopathological revealed a necrotizing encephalitis. Although it was not observed microscopically, Sarcocystis sp infection was detected in brain tissue from molecular assays. These infections have been rarely described in neotropical primates, particularly associated with tissue lesions., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Yellow Fever (YF) is a viral arbovirosis of Public Health importance. In Brazil, surveillance is focused mainly on detecting epizootic events of Platyrrhini. Herein, we compared the detection and phylogenetic analysis of YF virus in two neotropical primates (NTP), a Callithrix detected in the previous epidemic period (2016-2020), and a Callicebus nigrifons, showing a new introduction of YF in 2023. This paper illustrates the importance of joint actions of laboratory and field teams to ensure quick response to Public Health emergencies, such as the intensification of vaccination of susceptible human populations., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an inflammatory disease characterized by colonic mucosal lesions associated with an increased risk of carcinogenesis. UC pathogenesis involves environmental and genetic factors. Genetic studies have indicated the association of gene variants coding for the divalent metal ion transporter SLC11A1 protein (formerly NRAMP1) with UC susceptibility in several animal species. Two mouse lines were genetically selected for high (AIRmax) or low (AIRmin) acute inflammatory responses (AIR). AIRmax is susceptible, and AIRmin is resistant to DSS-induced colitis and colon carcinogenesis. Furthermore, AIRmin mice present polymorphism of the Slc11a1 gene. Here we investigated the possible modulating effect of the Slc11a1 R and S variants in DSS-induced colitis by using AIRmin mice homozygous for Slc11a1 R (AIRmin RR ) or S (AIRmin SS ) alleles. We evaluated UC by the disease activity index (DAI), considering weight loss, diarrhea, blood in the anus or feces, cytokines, histopathology, and cell populations in the distal colon epithelium. AIRmin SS mice have become susceptible to DSS effects, with higher DAI, IL6, G-CSF, and MCP-1 production and morphological and colon histopathological alterations than AIRmin RR mice. The results point to a role of the Slc11a1 S allele in DSS colitis induction in the genetic background of AIRmin mice., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Dengue infection is the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral disease in subtropical and tropical regions, whose primary vector is Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The mechanisms of dengue virus (DENV) pathogenesis are little understood because we have no good disease models. Only humans develop symptoms (dengue fever, DF, or dengue hemorrhagic fever, DHF) and research has been limited to studies involving patients. Samples from serum, brain, cerebellum, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys from a 13-year-old male patient that died with hemorrhagic manifestations were sent for differential diagnosis at Adolfo Lutz, using both classical virological methods (RT-qPCR, virus isolation, ELISA, and hemagglutination inhibition test) and immunohistochemistry (IHQ). A DENV serotype 4 was detected by a DENV multiplex RT-qPCR, and the C6/36 cell supernatant was used for NGS using Minion. Lesions were described in the heart, liver, lung, and kidney with positive IHQ in endothelial cells of the brain, cerebellum, heart, and kidney, and also in hepatocytes and Kuppfer cells. A whole genome was obtained, revealing a DENV-4 genotype II, with no evidence of secondary dengue infection., (© 2022. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia.)

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the ubiquitous coccidia Toxoplasma gondii. Rodents play an important role in maintaining its life cycle, as they are one of the main diet sources for felids (wild and domestic), the unique definitive hosts. However, reports of toxoplasmosis in porcupines (Order Rodentia) are uncommon, with gaps concerning its pathophysiology. South America is the continent with the greatest genetic diversity of rodents and T. gondii. A free-ranging hairy dwarf porcupine was admitted to a wildlife rescue centre with a history of trauma. During rehabilitation, the animal presented neurological symptoms (sporadic episodes of hind limbs paresis) and died 5 months later. The main findings during necropsy were brain congestion and severe incisor overgrowth associated with maxillary perforation. The histopathological exam showed moderate encephalitis, with variable-sized round cysts, positive for PAS stain and immunohistochemistry for T. gondii. Additionally, two cysts were observed in the medulla of the adrenal gland. Molecular techniques were performed to characterize the parasite load by qPCR (Cq = 30) and the genotype by PCR-RFLP with 11 markers, which revealed a potential new genotype. This case adds to the body of knowledge in comparative pathology of Neotropical Rodentia and reports a new potential genotype circulating in South America., (© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

From 2016 to 2018, an epidemic wave of yellow fever (YF) occurred in Brazil, affecting a large number of Platyrrhini monkeys. Titi monkeys ( Callicebus spp.) were severely affected yet pathological characterizations are lacking. This study characterized epizootic YF in 43 titi monkeys ( Callicebus spp.) with respect to the microscopic lesions in liver, kidney, spleen, heart, brain, and lung, as well as the distribution of immunolabeling for YF virus antigen, and the flaviviral load in the liver. Of 43 titi monkeys examined, 18 (42%) were positive for yellow fever virus (YFV) by immunohistochemistry or reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Affected livers had consistent marked panlobular necrotizing hepatitis, lipidosis, and mild inflammation, with intense immunolabeling for YFV mainly in centrilobular hepatocytes (zone 1; P = .05). In the spleen, consistent findings were variable lymphoid depletion (10/11), lymphoid necrosis (lymphocytolysis; 4/11), and immunolabeling for YFV in histiocytic cells (3/16). The main finding in the kidney was multifocal acute necrosis of tubular epithelium (5/7) that was occasionally associated with intracytoplasmic immunolabeling for YFV (6/15). These data indicate that titi monkeys are susceptible to YFV infection, developing severe hepatic lesions and high viral loads, comparable to humans and Alouatta spp. Thus, Callicebus spp. may be reliable sentinels for YF surveillance.

Herein, we describe a unique case of concomitant angioinvasive pulmonary aspergillosis due to Aspergillus fumigatus and yellow fever in a free-ranging howler monkey (Alouatta sp). Lung samples were negative for influenza viruses A and B., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an important zoonotic vector-borne disease and domestic dogs are considered the main domiciliary and peri-domiciliary reservoir of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in South America. Distinct eco-epidemiological scenarios associated to the prevalence of the disease, clusters of parasite genotypes and chemotypes of vectors population are described in Brazil, especially in the state of São Paulo (SP). In this context, the purpose of the present study is to evaluate the clinical signs, histopathological lesions, parasite load and cytokine profile by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in popliteal lymph nodes of canines naturally infected with L. infantum, from different municipalities of the state of SP. Eighty-three dogs with VL, 61 from northwest SP (NWSP) and 22 from southeast SP (SESP), were clinically classified in stage II, with no babesiosis and ehrlichiosis. Subcapsular inflammatory infiltration and histiocytosis were significantly higher in the SESP group (p = 0.0128; 0.0077, respectively). On the other hand, dogs from NWSP revealed 4.6-fold significantly higher parasite burden (p = 0.0004) and higher IHC scores of IL-1β (p = 0.0275) and IL-4 (p = 0.0327) in the popliteal lymph node tissues, which may be associated with the susceptibility and progression of the disease in these dogs. Differences in immune response profile associated with higher parasite load in dogs can also contribute to explain the distinct eco-epidemiological patterns of VL in specific geographic regions., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

After the sudden death of captive marmosets in São Paulo, Brazil, we conducted a histologic and microbiologic study. We found hyperacute septicemia caused by hypermucoviscous sequence type 86 K2 Klebsiella pneumoniae. We implemented prophylactic antimicrobial therapy, selected dedicated staff for marmoset interactions, and sanitized the animals' fruit to successfully control this outbreak.

Yellow fever (YF) surveillance in Brazil is focused mainly on the detection of epizootic events regarding New World non-human primates (NWNHP). We present a challenging case of a Callitrichidae (Callithrix spp) kept as a domiciliated pet that lived in the urban area of São Paulo municipality and was positive to YF virus by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. After investigation, it was the first occurrence of non-autochthonous YF case of NWNHP described, with probable place of infection in the North shore of São Paulo state. This case illustrates the importance of coordinated laboratorial and field actions, and risks posed by transit of wildlife., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Yellow Fever (YF) is a severe disease caused by Yellow Fever Virus (YFV), endemic in some parts of Africa and America. In Brazil, YFV is maintained by a sylvatic transmission cycle involving non-human primates (NHP) and forest canopy-dwelling mosquitoes, mainly Haemagogus-spp and Sabethes-spp. Beginning in 2016, Brazil faced one of the largest Yellow Fever (YF) outbreaks in recent decades, mainly in the southeastern region. In São Paulo city, YFV was detected in October 2017 in Aloutta monkeys in an Atlantic Forest area. From 542 NHP, a total of 162 NHP were YFV positive by RT-qPCR and/or immunohistochemistry, being 22 Callithrix-spp. most from urban areas. Entomological collections executed did not detect the presence of strictly sylvatic mosquitoes. Three mosquito pools were positive for YFV, 2 Haemagogus leucocelaenus, and 1 Aedes scapularis. In summary, YFV in the São Paulo urban area was detected mainly in resident marmosets, and synanthropic mosquitoes were likely involved in viral transmission.

São Paulo, a densely inhabited state in southeast Brazil that contains the fourth most populated city in the world, recently experienced its largest yellow fever virus (YFV) outbreak in decades. YFV does not normally circulate extensively in São Paulo, so most people were unvaccinated when the outbreak began. Surveillance in non-human primates (NHPs) is important for determining the magnitude and geographic extent of an epizootic, thereby helping to evaluate the risk of YFV spillover to humans. Data from infected NHPs can give more accurate insights into YFV spread than when using data from human cases alone. To contextualise human cases, identify epizootic foci and uncover the rate and direction of YFV spread in São Paulo, we generated and analysed virus genomic data and epizootic case data from NHPs in São Paulo. We report the occurrence of three spatiotemporally distinct phases of the outbreak in São Paulo prior to February 2018. We generated 51 new virus genomes from YFV positive cases identified in 23 different municipalities in São Paulo, mostly sampled from NHPs between October 2016 and January 2018. Although we observe substantial heterogeneity in lineage dispersal velocities between phylogenetic branches, continuous phylogeographic analyses of generated YFV genomes suggest that YFV lineages spread in São Paulo at a mean rate of approximately 1km per day during all phases of the outbreak. Viral lineages from the first epizootic phase in northern São Paulo subsequently dispersed towards the south of the state to cause the second and third epizootic phases there. This alters our understanding of how YFV was introduced into the densely populated south of São Paulo state. Our results shed light on the sylvatic transmission of YFV in highly fragmented forested regions in São Paulo state and highlight the importance of continued surveillance of zoonotic pathogens in sentinel species., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Objective:  To evaluate the performance of the hybrid capture 2 (HC2) high-risk papillomavirus (hrHPV) assay and cytological test in women with previous abnormalities, to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (≥ CIN 2)., Methods:  A cytological test and HC2 (Qiagen, Gaithersburg, Maryland, EUA) for hrHPV were conducted in 359 liquid-based (Sure Path, Becton Dickinson, TriPath Imaging, Burlington, NC, USA) samples collected from women from the Vale do Ribeira Region, during July 2013 and September 2015 with previous cytology classified as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (ASC-H), and atypical glandular cells (AGC). The histopathological examination was conducted in 179 women. The performance evaluations were calculated using the "exact" Clopper-Pearson 95% confidence interval (CI) test by MEDCALC (Medcalc Software Ltd, Ostend, Belgium)., Results:  The ≥ CIN 2 frequency was 11.7% (21/179). The HC2 for hrHPV and repeat cytology to detect ≥ CIN 2 obtained, respectively, a sensitivity of 90.5% (95%CI = 69.6-98.8) and 90.5%, (95%CI = 69.6-98.8), a specificity of 65.8% (95% CI = 57.9-73.2) and 43.7% (95%CI = 35.8-51.8), a positive predictive value of 26.0% (95% CI = 21.4-31.3) and 17.6%, (95%CI = 14.9-20.6), and a negative predictive value of 98.1% (95%CI = 93.3-99.5) and 97.2% (95% CI = 90.1-99.2)., Conclusion:  Hybrid capture 2 for hrHPV improves the performance of the detection of ≥ CIN 2, without compromising sensitivity, and provides a greater safety margin to return to the triennial screening of women undergoing follow-up due to previous abnormalities, without underlying ≥ CIN 2., Competing Interests: Dr. Lorente has nothing to disclose., (Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.)

Background: Non-human primates (NHPs) are susceptible to dogs' attacks, events that may cause muscle damage along with stress, and could be in some extent compatible with capture myopathy, a syndrome that results in myoglobinuria and renal damage., Methods: We aimed to evaluate by histopathology pre-existing lesions and subsequent sequelae related to dogs' attacks, acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and myoglobinuria, as well as the usefulness of Pearls Stain and IHC to diagnose it. Histopathology was performed in available organs, and sections of kidney submitted to Prussian blue stain and myoglobin immunohistochemistry., Results: During January 2014-June 2016, 16/145 (11%) of NHPs received by Adolfo Lutz Institute, Brazil were reported as attacked by dogs. A high frequency of young and debilitated animals was found. Myoglobinuria was observed in more than half animals (9/16; 56.2%), from which (5/9; 55.5%) presented ATN., Conclusions: Kidney lesions are plausible findings in NHPs attacked by dogs., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The identification of the parasite in cytological smears of lymph node aspirates is a widely applied technique for the direct diagnosis of Leishmania spp. infection, especially in endemic areas. Although very specific, this method has limited sensitivity, and improving the technique would be highly desirable. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of conventional smear cytology (SC), liquid-based cytology (LBC), cell block (CB) stained with haematoxylin and eosin (HE) and immunocytochemistry (ICC), and formalin-fixed paraffin wax-embedded tissue immunohistochemistry (FFPE-IHC) compared with serology and polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniosis (CVL) in lymphoid tissue. The use of a preservative medium and centrifugation for cytological samples reduced the number of unsatisfactory artefacts/background. Moreover, LBC allowed excellent cellular preservation and the application of ancillary techniques, such as CB and ICC. SC was the most accurate morphological diagnostic method (45.0%). CB-ICC alone or associated with SC demonstrated significantly higher sensitivity (70.0% and 72.0%, respectively) when compared with SC alone (34.00%). CB-ICC was found to be more effective in the detection of infected animals with mild clinical signs, similar to FFPE-IHC. The specificity and positive predictive value were similar between all methods. Finally, the detection limit for CB-ICC and SC + CB-ICC was identical (18.46 amastigotes/mm 2 ). Our study suggests that CB-ICC is a promising tool for improvement of the cytopathological diagnosis of CVL and may be applied in routine epidemiological screening., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Brucella-exposure and infection is increasingly recognized in marine mammals worldwide. To better understand the epidemiology and health impacts of Brucella spp. in marine mammals of Brazil, molecular (conventional PCR and/or real-time PCR), serological (Rose Bengal Test [RBT], Competitive [c]ELISA, Serum Agglutination Test [SAT]), pathological, immunohistochemical (IHC) and/or microbiological investigations were conducted in samples of 129 stranded or by-caught marine mammals (orders Cetartiodactyla [n = 124], Carnivora [n = 4] and Sirenia [n = 1]). Previous serological tests performed on available sera of 27 of the 129 animals (26 cetaceans and one manatee), indicated 10 seropositive cetaceans. Conventional PCR and/or real-time PCR performed in cases with available organs (n = 119) and/or blood or swabs (n = 10) revealed 4/129 (3.1%) Brucella-infected cetaceans (one of them with positive serology; the remaining three with no available sera). Pathological, IHC and/or microbiological analyses conducted in PCR/real-time PCR and/or seropositive cases (n = 13) revealed Brucella-type lesions, including meningitis/meningoencephalitis, pneumonia, necrotizing hepatitis, pericarditis and osteoarthritis in some of those animals, and positive IHC was found in all of them (excepting two live-stranded animals without available organs). Brucella spp. culture attempts were unsuccessful. Our results demonstrated exposure, asymptomatic, acute and chronic Brucella sp. infection in several cetacean species in the Brazilian coast, highlighting the role of this pathogen in stranding and/or death, particularly in Clymene dolphin (Stenella clymene) and short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) off Ceará State. Novel hosts susceptible to Brucella included the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei), the Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) and the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris). Additionally, three coinfection cases involving Brucella spp. and cetacean morbillivirus, Edwarsiella tarda and Proteus mirabilis were detected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first long-term and large-scale survey of Brucella spp. in marine mammals of South America, widening the spectrum of susceptible hosts and geographical distribution range of this agent with zoonotic potential., (© 2019 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Yellow fever (YF) is a zoonotic arthropod-borne disease that is caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV) and characterized by a sylvatic and urban cycle. Its most severe presentation is manifested as a hemorrhagic disease, and it has been responsible for thousands of deaths in the last decades. This study describes the public health approaches taken to control the 2016-2017 YF outbreak in nonhuman primates (NHPs) that took place in the northeastern region of São Paulo state, Brazil. NHPs recovered from the field were necropsied, and YF diagnoses were made at the Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School and the Center of Pathology, Adolfo Lutz Institute of São Paulo. NHP samples were inoculated into Vero cells for YFV isolation. RNA extraction was performed directly from NHP tissues and tested by RT-qPCR. YFV-positive samples were confirmed by sequencing. Based on the rapid RT-qPCR results, surveillance actions were implemented in the entire region. Confirmatory histopathology and immunohistochemistry for YFV were also performed. Among nine NHPs, gross hepatic involvement was observed in six animals, five of which were YFV-RT-qPCR-positive. One YFV was isolated from the serum of an infant NHP. YFV RNA sequences diverged from the virus responsible for the last epizootic that occurred in São Paulo state, but it was similar to the current Brazilian epizootic. Public health actions included dissemination of information on YF transmission, investigation of the probable location of NHP infection, characterization of the environment, and subsequent creation of the blueprint from which prevention and control measures were implemented. The YFV sylvatic cycle occurred in the periurban areas of the northeastern region of São Paulo state, but no human cases were reported during this period, showing that integrated actions between human, animal, and environmental health professionals were critical to restrain the virus to the sylvatic cycle.

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are among the most common types of tumors in dogs, and they are currently accepted as comparative models of the disease in humans. Aberrant patterns of DNA methylation seem to play a key role in the development of hematopoietic neoplasms in humans, constitute a special mechanism of transcriptional control, and may be influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Blood leukocyte DNA global methylation has been poorly investigated in dogs. The aim of this study is to examine whether peripheral blood global DNA methylation is associated with canine multicentric lymphomas. Peripheral venous blood samples from ten healthy dogs and nine dogs bearing multicentric lymphomas were collected, and the buffy coat was separated. Global DNA methylation was analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and immunocytochemistry (ICC). In both analyses, leukocytes from dogs with lymphoma presented lower global DNA methylation than in healthy dogs (HPLC: p = 0.027/ 5MeCyt immunoreactivity scores: p = 0.015). Moderate correlation was observed between the results obtained by HPLC and ICC (correlation coefficient = 0.50). For the identification of differently methylated genes between both groups, the Infinium Human Methylation (HM) EPIC BeadChip (850K) was used. Of the 853,307 CpGs investigated in the microarray, there were 34,574 probes hybridized in the canine samples. From this total, significant difference was observed in the methylation level of 8433 regions, and through the homologous and orthologous similarities 525 differently methylated genes were identified between the two groups. This study is pioneer in suggesting that dogs bearing non-Hodgkin lymphoma presented DNA global hypomethylation of circulating leukocytes compared with healthy dogs. Although canine samples were used in an assay developed specifically for human DNA, it was possible to identify differently methylated genes and our results reiterate the importance of the use of peripheral blood leukocytes in cancer research and possible new biomarkers targets., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV; Paramyxoviridae ) causes epizootic and interepizootic fatalities in odontocetes and mysticetes worldwide. Studies suggest there is different species-specific susceptibility to CeMV infection, with striped dolphins ( Stenella coeruleoalba ), bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ), and Guiana dolphins ( Sotalia guianensis ) ranking among the most susceptible cetacean hosts. The pathogenesis of CeMV infection is not fully resolved. Since no previous studies have evaluated the organ-specific immunopathogenetic features of CeMV infection in tissues from infected dolphins, this study was aimed at characterizing and comparing immunophenotypic profiles of local immune responses in lymphoid organs (lymph nodes, spleen), lung and CNS in CeMV-molecularly (RT-PCR)-positive cetaceans from Western Mediterranean, Northeast-Central, and Southwestern Atlantic. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses targeted molecules of immunologic interest: caspase 3, CD3, CD20, CD57, CD68, FoxP3, MHCII, Iba1, IFNγ, IgG, IL4, IL10, lysozyme, TGFβ, and PAX5. We detected consistent CeMV-associated inflammatory response patterns. Within CNS, inflammation was dominated by CD3 + (T cells), and CD20 + and PAX5 + (B cells) lymphocytes, accompanied by fewer Iba1 + , CD68 + , and lysozyme + histiocytes, mainly in striped dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. Multicentric lymphoid depletion was characterized by reduced numbers of T cells and B cells, more pronounced in Guiana dolphins. Striped dolphins and bottlenose dolphins often had hyperplastic (regenerative) phenomena involving the aforementioned cell populations, particularly chronically infected animals. In the lung, there was mild to moderate increase in T cells, B cells, and histiocytes. Additionally, there was a generalized increased expression of caspase 3 in lymphoid, lung, and CNS tissues. Apoptosis, therefore, is believed to play a major role in generalized lymphoid depletion and likely overt immunosuppression during CeMV infection. No differences were detected regarding cytokine immunoreactivity in lymph nodes, spleen, and lung from infected and non-infected dolphins by semiquantitative analysis; however, there was striking immunoreactivity for IFNγ in the CNS of infected dolphins. These novel results set the basis for tissue-specific immunophenotypic responses during CeMV infection in three highly susceptible delphinid species. They also suggest a complex interplay between viral and host's immune factors, thereby contributing to gain valuable insights into similarities, and differences of CeMV infection's immunopathogenesis in relation to body tissues, CeMV strains, and cetacean hosts.

Background: Sporotrichosis is an emerging zoonotic mycosis that presents as a cutaneous lymphatic or disseminated disease, caused by fungi from the Sporothrix schenkii (S schenkii) clinical clade. Its importance is growing, primarily due to an outbreak that occurred in Brazil, affecting mainly cats and people., Objectives: In Brazil, an S schenkii diagnosis is often made using cultures, which allows genus identification and sufficient growth to perform molecular biology testing. Despite its advantages, fungal cultures are slow to develop and can delay public health measures, highlighting the importance of developing additional diagnostics techniques., Methods: Cell block cytology (CBLC) is an older method that regained importance after liquid-based cytology (LBC) was introduced, and it has been previously and successfully applied to veterinary diagnostics. We aimed to standardize and compare CBLC from cervical brush exfoliation of open wounds and fine-needle aspirates with culture and immunohistochemistry of skin biopsies for sporotrichosis in cats, as a novel method., Results: For this purpose, we selected 40 cats with skin lesions suspected of having sporotrichosis in Guarulhos city, São Paulo state, Brazil. We achieved 97.5% and 95% positivity using CBLC and culture, respectively, and 100% of feline skin biopsies were positive for Sporothrix spp on histopathology/immunohistochemistry., Conclusions: Cell block cytology is an efficient and rapid tool to diagnose sporotrichosis in cats, particularly during epidemics., (© 2019 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.)

In Africa, Old World Primates are involved in the maintenance of sylvatic circulation of ZIKV. However, in Brazil, the hosts for the sylvatic cycle remain unknown. We hypothesized that free-living NHPs might play a role in urban/periurban ZIKV dynamics, thus we undertook an NHP ZIKV investigation in two cities in Brazil. We identified ZIKV-positive NHPs and sequences obtained were phylogenetically related to the American lineage of ZIKV. Additionally, we inoculated four C. penicillata with ZIKV and our results demonstrated that marmosets had a sustained viremia. The natural and experimental infection of NHPs with ZIKV, support the hypothesis that NHPs may be a vertebrate host in the maintainance of ZIKV transmission/circulation in urban tropical settings. Further studies are needed to understand the role they may play in maintaining the urban cycle of the ZIKV and how they may be a conduit in establishing an enzootic transmission cycle in tropical Latin America.

Cutaneous neoplasia is common in non-human primates. We describe the gross and microscopic features of multicentric cutaneous keratoacanthomas in a free-living marmoset (Callithrix sp.). Immunohistochemistry for human papillomavirus and herpes simplex virus type I and simplex virus type II was negative. Keratoacanthomas should be included in the differential diagnosis for cutaneous masses in non-human primates., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rare in New World primates. We report the gross, microscopical, and immunocytochemical features of a spontaneous HCC in a free-living marmoset (Callithrix sp.). Hepatitis B and C virus and aflatoxin immunohistochemistry were negative; however, concomitant intra- and extrahepatic biliary trematodiasis could have played a role., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Pulmonary neoplasia is rare among wild New World primates. We report the gross, microscopical, and immunohistochemical features of a primary multicentric pulmonary adenosquamous carcinoma in a free-living black capuchin monkey (Sapajus nigritus). Herein, the spectrum of pulmonary neoplasms in non-human primates is widened and briefly reviewed., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The opossum (family Didelphidae) is a marsupial endemic to the Americas. Apart from the South American short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) and the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), there is considerable lack of knowledge about the health and diseases of most opossum species. Among these, the big-eared opossum (Didelphis aurita) is found in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Natural and experimental studies have shown this species to be susceptible to infectious agents with zoonotic potential and the animals may play a role in transmission of such agents. However, neoplasia appears to be uncommon in this species. We describe the gross, microscopical and immunohistochemical features of a parotid salivary gland basal cell adenocarcinoma in a free-living big-eared opossum. This case represents the first report of salivary gland neoplasia in opossums., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In January 2017, a yellow fever outbreak occurred in Espirito Santo, Brazil, where human immunization coverage is low. Histologic, immunohistologic, and PCR examinations were performed for 22 deceased nonhuman New World primates; typical yellow fever features were found in 21. Diagnosis in nonhuman primates prompted early public health response.

Background: The study of neoplasia in wildlife species contributes to the understanding of cancer biology, management practices, and comparative pathology. Higher frequencies of neoplasms among captive non-domestic felids have been reported most commonly in aging individuals. However, testicular tumours have rarely been reported. This report describes a metastatic testicular sex cord-stromal tumour leading to fatal haemorrhage and thrombosis in a captive African lion (Panthera leo)., Case Presentation: During necropsy of a 16-year-old male African lion, the left testicle and spermatic cord were found to be intra-abdominal (cryptorchid), semi-hard and grossly enlarged with multiple pale-yellow masses. Encapsulated haemorrhage was present in the retroperitoneum around the kidneys. Neoplastic thrombosis was found at the renal veins opening into the caudal vena cava. Metastases were observed in the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes. Histology revealed a poorly differentiated pleomorphic neoplasm comprised of round to polygonal cells and scattered spindle cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm. An immunohistochemistry panel of inhibin-α, Ki-67, human placental alkaline phosphatase, cytokeratin AE1/AE3, cKit, vimentin and S100 was conducted. Positive cytoplasmic immunolabeling was obtained for vimentin and S100., Conclusions: The gross, microscopic and immunohistochemical findings of the neoplasm were compatible with a poorly differentiated pleomorphic sex cord-stromal tumour. Cause of death was hypovolemic shock from extensive retroperitoneal haemorrhage and neoplastic thrombosis may have contributed to the fatal outcome. To our knowledge, this is the first report of sex cord-stromal tumour in non-domestic felids.