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Meningoencephalitis secondary to rhinitis caused by Pythium insidiosum in sheep

Meningoencefalite secundária a rinite por Pythium insidiosum em um ovino

ABSTRACT:

A case of meningoencephalitis caused by Pythium insidiosum secondary to rhinitis is reported in a three-year-old crossbred sheep from a herd of 15 animals, raised extensively and with free access to a weir. The animal presented mild dyspnea, blindness, mydriasis, opisthotonos, nystagmus, incoordination, decreased mandibular tone, and spasticity of the pelvic limbs. Macroscopic examination of the nasal cavity showed a blackish-red, irregular, friable mass that bilaterally compromised the nasal septum and the rostral portion of the nasal turbinates. In the brain, there was diffuse thickening of the leptomeninges of the cerebellum and ventral portion of the brainstem characterized by yellowish, granular material associated with vessel hyperemia. On the floor of the fourth ventricle, there was deposition of yellowish, irregular, slightly granular material that protruded towards the obex and displaced the cerebellum dorsolaterally. Microscopically, there were pyogranulomatous, eosinophilic, necrotizing rhinitis and fibrinosuppurative, eosinophilic, necrotizing meningoencephalitis, both associated with thrombosis, vasculitis, and intralesional hyphae. The hyphae were impregnated with silver and presented thin, parallel walls, rarely septate and branched. At immunohistochemistry, the hyphae were immunostained with polyclonal anti-P. insidiosum antibody in fragments of the cerebellum and nasal cavity. The findings showed that P. insidiosum rhinitis can secondarily affect the nervous system of sheep, causing nonspecific neurological clinical signs.

Key words:
hematogenic dissemination; vasculitis; pythiosis; Pythium insidiosum

RESUMO:

Relata-se um caso de meningoencefalite por Pythium insidiosum secundária a rinite em uma ovelha mestiça, três anos de idade, proveniente de um rebanho de 15 animais, criados extensivamente e com acesso livre a açude. O animal apresentava dispneia leve, cegueira, midríase, opistótono, nistagmo, incoordenação, diminuição do tônus mandibular e espasticidade dos membros pélvicos. O exame macroscópico da cavidade nasal evidenciou uma massa vermelho-escura, irregular, friável, que comprometia bilateralmente o septo nasal e a porção rostral dos cornetos nasais. No encéfalo, havia espessamento difuso das leptomeninges do cerebelo e porção ventral do tronco encefálico caracterizado por material granular amarelado associado à hiperemia dos vasos. No assoalho do quarto ventrículo, havia deposição de material amarelado, irregular, levemente granuloso, que se projetava em direção ao óbex e deslocava o cerebelo dorsolateralmente. Microscopicamente, havia rinite piogranulomatosa, eosinofílica, necrosante e meningoencefalite fibrinossupurativa, eosinofílica, necrosante, ambas associadas à trombose, vasculite e hifas intralesionais. Pela utilização da técnica de GMS as hifas foram impregnadas pela prata e apresentavam paredes finas e paralelas, raramente septadas e ramificadas. Na imuno-histoquímica, houve imunomarcação com o anticorpo policlonal anti-P. insidiosum em fragmentos do cerebelo e cavidade nasal. Os achados evidenciaram que rinite por P. insidiosum pode afetar secundariamente o sistema nervoso de ovinos, causando sinais clínicos neurológicos inespecíficos.

Palavras-chave:
disseminação hematogênica; vasculite; pitiose; Pythium insidiosum

Pythiosis is a chronic pyogranulomatous/granulomatous disease caused by the aquatic oomycete Pythium insidiosum, filamentous eukaryotic microorganism aquatic which taxonomically belongs to the Stramenopiles-Alveolata-Rhizaria supergroup (MCCARTHY; FITZPATRICK, 2017MCCARTHY, C. G. P.; FITZPATRICK, D. A. Phylogenomic Reconstruction of the Oomycete Phylogeny Derived from 37 Genomes. Msphere, v.2, n.2, p.e00095-17, 2017. Available from: <Available from: https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mSphere.00095-17?url_ver=Z39.88-2003𝔯_id=ori:rid:crossref.org𝔯_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed >. Accessed: Apr. 19, 2022. doi: 10.1128/mSphere.00095-17.
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mSp...
; BURKI et al., 2020BURKI, F. et al. The new tree of eukaryotes. Trends in ecology & evolution, v.35, n.1, p.43-55, 2020. Available from: <Available from: https://www.cell.com/trends/ecology-evolution/fulltext/S0169-5347(19)30257-5 >. Accessed: Apr. 21, 2022. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2019.08.008.
https://www.cell.com/trends/ecology-evol...
; YOLANDA & KRAJAEJUN, 2022YOLANDA, H. ; KRAJAEJUN, T. Global Distribution and clinical features of Pythiosis in humans and animals. Journal of Fungi, v.8, n.2, p.182, 2022. Available from: <Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/8/2/182 >. Accessed: Apr. 13, 22. doi: 10.3390/jof8020182.
https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/8/2/182...
). The equine species is the most affected by this disease (SANTURIO et al., 2006SANTURIO, J. M. et al. Pitiose: uma micose emergente. Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, v.34, p.1-14, 2006. Available from: <Available from: https://seer.ufrgs.br/ActaScientiaeVeterinariae/article/view/15060/0 >. Accessed: Aug. 14, 2020. doi: 10.22456/1679-9216.15060.
https://seer.ufrgs.br/ActaScientiaeVeter...
), followed by dogs, cattle and sheep (YOLANDA & KRAJAEJUN, 2022). Infection occurs when the animal comes into contact with water contaminated with motile zoospores (SANTURIO et al., 2006; YOLANDA; KRAJAEJUN, 2022) or ingests water contaminated with the infectious form (PESSOA et al., 2012PESSOA, C.R. et al. Pythiosis of digestive tract in sheep. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 24, 1133-1136.2012. Available from: <Available from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1040638712462026 >. Accessed: Apr. 13, 2019. doi: 10.1177/1040638712462026.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10...
).

In Brazil, sheep are frequently infected with P. insidiosum, with cases described in the Northeast (TABOSA et al., 2004TABOSA, I. M. et al. Outbreaks of pythiosis in two flocks of sheep in northeastern Brazil. Veterinary Pathology, v.41, p.412-415, 2004. Available from: <Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15232143/ >. Accessed: Mar. 14, 2019. doi: 10.1354/vp.41-4-412.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15232143...
; RIET-CORREA et al., 2008RIET-CORREA, F. et al. Outbreak of rhinopharyngeal zygomycosis in sheep in Paraiba, Northeastern Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.28, p.29-35. 2008. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/brJsr3fDFptYbdLSxrtCpYM/?lang=en >. Accessed: Mar. 14, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2008000100005.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/brJsr3fDFp...
; PORTELA et al., 2010PORTELA, R.D.A. et al. Diseases of the nasal cavity of ruminants in Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.30, p. 844-854.2010. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Ktg3XH96nqGxFgTcZ4RCjLg/abstract/?lang=pt >. Accessed: Mar. 14, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2010001000007.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Ktg3XH96nq...
; CARRERA et al., 2013CARRERA, M. V. et al. Pythiosis in sheep from Pernambuco and Bahia States, Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.33, p.476-482, 2013. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/ss6St8r7KYxz9nvzp7bvtqq/abstract/?lang=pt&format=html >. Accessed: Mar. 12, 2018. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2013000400011.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/ss6St8r7KY...
), Midwest (SANTURIO et al., 2008SANTURIO, J. M. et al. Granulomatous rhinitis associated with Pythium insidiosum infection in sheep. Veterinary Record, v.163, p.276-277, 2008. Available from: <Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18757907/ >. Accessed: Jul. 18, 2020. doi: 10.1136/vr.163.9.276.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18757907...
; UBIALI et al., 2013UBIALI, D. G. et al. Pathology of nasal infection caused by Conidiobolus lamprauges and Pythium insidiosum in sheep. Journal of Comparative Pathology, v.149, p.137-145, 2013. Available from: <Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23375916/ >. Accessed: Sept. 05, 21. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2012.12.002.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23375916...
; MUSTAFA et al., 2015MUSTAFA, V. S. et al. Nasal cavity diseases of small ruminants in Federal District and Goiás State, Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.35, p.627-636. 2015. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/83yQQ4J4LyMByPWPjcgYTMK/?format=pdf⟨=pt >. Accessed: Mar. 14, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2015000700005.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/83yQQ4J4Ly...
) and South (BERNARDO et al., 2015BERNARDO, F. D. et al. Pythiosis in sheep from Paraná, southern Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.35, p.513-517, 2015. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/RHsxp4QtTvQj5RpnydxdpXP/?lang=en >. Accessed: Feb. 12, 2018. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2015000600004.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/RHsxp4QtTv...
) regions of the country. The most common clinical forms reported in sheep include the nasal (SANTURIO et al., 2008; PORTELA et al., 2010; BERNARDO et al., 2015; MUSTAFA et al., 2015; CARMO et al., 2021CARMO, P. M.; UZAL, F.A.; RIET-CORREA, F. Diseases caused by Pythium insidiosum in sheep and goats: a review. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, v.33, n.1, p.20-24, 2021. Available from: <Available from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1040638720968937 >. Accessed: Apr. 27, 2022. doi: 10.1177/1040638720968937.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10...
), cutaneous (TABOSA et al., 2004; RIET-CORREA et al., 2008; YOLANDA & KRAJAEJUN, 2022YOLANDA, H. ; KRAJAEJUN, T. Global Distribution and clinical features of Pythiosis in humans and animals. Journal of Fungi, v.8, n.2, p.182, 2022. Available from: <Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/8/2/182 >. Accessed: Apr. 13, 22. doi: 10.3390/jof8020182.
https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/8/2/182...
) and digestive (PESSOA et al., 2012PESSOA, C.R. et al. Pythiosis of digestive tract in sheep. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 24, 1133-1136.2012. Available from: <Available from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1040638712462026 >. Accessed: Apr. 13, 2019. doi: 10.1177/1040638712462026.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10...
; YOLANDA & KRAJAEJUN, 2022).

Cases of meningoencephalitis associated with rhinopharyngeal rhinitis have been reported in sheep as a consequence of infection by Conidiobolus sp., and involvement of the nervous system usually occurs by direct extension of the nasal cavity lesions (PORTELA et al., 2010PORTELA, R.D.A. et al. Diseases of the nasal cavity of ruminants in Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.30, p. 844-854.2010. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Ktg3XH96nqGxFgTcZ4RCjLg/abstract/?lang=pt >. Accessed: Mar. 14, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2010001000007.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Ktg3XH96nq...
; UBIALI et al., 2013UBIALI, D. G. et al. Pathology of nasal infection caused by Conidiobolus lamprauges and Pythium insidiosum in sheep. Journal of Comparative Pathology, v.149, p.137-145, 2013. Available from: <Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23375916/ >. Accessed: Sept. 05, 21. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2012.12.002.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23375916...
; MUSTAFA et al., 2015MUSTAFA, V. S. et al. Nasal cavity diseases of small ruminants in Federal District and Goiás State, Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.35, p.627-636. 2015. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/83yQQ4J4LyMByPWPjcgYTMK/?format=pdf⟨=pt >. Accessed: Mar. 14, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2015000700005.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/83yQQ4J4Ly...
). Previously, a case of meningoencephalitis caused by P. insidiosum in sheep was described (MORI et al., 2017MORI, A. P. et al. Meningoencefalite por Pythium insidiosum em ovino. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.37(Supl.), p.45-46, 2017. Available from: <Available from: http://www.pvb.com.br/antigo/pdf_artigos/23-12-2017_23-48ENISAP%202017.pdf >. Accessed: Oct. 26, 2020.
http://www.pvb.com.br/antigo/pdf_artigos...
), but without lesions in other tissues, which made it difficult to identify the route of entry of the agent into the central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, clinical and pathological characterization of pythiosis with brain involvement is necessary to understand the pathogenesis of infection and the spread of P. insidiosum in animals. In this context, this study aimed to describe the clinical and anatomopathological aspects of nasal pythiosis with brain involvement in a sheep.

We report the case of a three-year-old crossbred sheep that presented with unbalance, falls and head tilt to the left side for one day. The animal was dewormed, not vaccinated, raised extensively in a herd of 15 animals, with access to a weir. On physical examination, it presented regular body score, dyspnea, blindness, mydriasis, opisthotonos, nystagmus, incoordination, decreased mandibular tone, and spasticity of the pelvic limbs. In view of the clinical signs, polioencephalomalacia was suspected, and a therapeutic protocol was instituted with dexamethasone (intravenous injection to dose of 0.1 mg/kg, SID) and vitamin B1 (intramuscular injection to dose of 10 mg/kg, TID). The next day, the sheep died and was sent for necropsy. Organ fragments were collected, fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde, processed routinely for histopathology, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE).

Histological sections of the lesions in the nasal cavity and cerebellum were submitted to Grocott methenamine silver nitrate (GMS) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed according to the protocol of (GABRIEL et al., 2008GABRIEL, A. L. et al. Outbreak of cutaneous pythiosis in cattle. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.28, p.583-587, 2008. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/WrSQ76RCvrp3rqnK7KTtwRr/abstract/?lang=pt >. Accessed: Jul. 01, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2008001200003.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/WrSQ76RCvr...
) modified by (MARTINS et al., 2012MARTINS, T. B. et al. A comparative study of the histopathology and immunohistochemistry of pythiosis in horses, dogs and cattle. Journal of Comparative Pathology, v.46, p.122-131, 2012. Available from: <Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002199751100096X?casa_token=MrApECZmM50AAAAA:P-OES2ZRmrQSEGw4IRAq5rBwYg48rmnqRx6fGxMb1M5ymQnmZiS0Nxrz4nPWl3GMk3SgrUqnbg >. Accessed: Dec. 18, 2018. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2011.06.006.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar...
) using the primary (non-commercial) polyclonal anti-P insidiosum antibody followed by streptavidin-biotin-alkaline phosphatase with Liquid Permanent Red (LPR) chromogen. Histological sections of a confirmed case of equine pythiosis were used as a positive control, and the same sections with replacement of the primary antibody with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and polysorbate 20 were used as negative control.

Macroscopic examination showed lesions restricted to the nasal cavity and the brain. After a sagittal cut of the head, a blackish-red, irregular, friable mass measuring approximately 7x5.5 cm that bilaterally compromised the nasal septum and rostral portion of the nasal turbinates was observed in the nasal cavity (Figure 1).

Figure 1
Nasal cavity. A blackish, irregular, friable mass in the nasal septum and rostral portion of the nasal turbinates.

Upon opening of the cranial box, there was diffuse thickening of the leptomeninges of the cerebellum and ventral region of the brainstem characterized by granular, yellowish material associated with vessel hyperemia (Figure 2). On the floor of the fourth ventricle, there was a deposition of yellowish, irregular, slightly granular material that protruded toward the obex and displaced the cerebellum dorsolaterally.

Figure 2
Brain. Thickening of the leptomeninges of the cerebellum characterized by granular and yellowish material associated with hyperemia of blood vessels.

Histopathological examination of the nasal cavity revealed pyogranulomatous, eosinophilic, necrotizing rhinitis associated with vasculitis and thrombosis, characterized by thickening of the lamina propria and marked, diffuse inflammatory infiltrate located mainly around blood vessels and often distending the vascular wall, as well as by eosinophils and fewer neutrophils, macrophages, and multinucleated giant cells associated with multifocal areas of necrosis and negative images of hyphae in longitudinal and transverse sections, sometimes surrounded by amorphous, granular, hypereosinophilic material similar to the Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon. There was marked congestion and fibrin thrombi occluding the vascular lumen, sometimes associated with hyphae. The nasal mucosa was diffusely ulcerated.

In the cerebellum, brainstem, and parietal cortex there was fibrinosuppurative, eosinophilic meningoencephalitis associated with vasculitis and thrombosis (Figure 3), characterized by multifocal and coalescent areas of marked thickening of the leptomeninges, with inflammatory infiltrate located mainly around the blood vessels, and distending the vascular wall, consisting of eosinophils and fewer neutrophils and macrophages associated with fibrin and negative images of hyphae amid a reaction similar to the Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon and in the lumen of blood vessels.

Figure 3
Cerebellum. Fibrinosuppurative, eosinophilic meningoencephalitis associated with thrombosis and vasculitis. HE. Bar = 100 μm.

There was marked congestion and fibrin thrombi obstructing the lumen of most blood vessels. In the adjacent gray and white matter, a similar inflammatory infiltrate was observed, mainly around the blood vessels, associated with thrombosis and hyphae in the vascular lumen and in the neuropile. The choroid plexus presented mild inflammatory infiltrate consisting predominantly of macrophages, eosinophils, and rare neutrophils and lymphocytes. In the parietal cortex, adjacent to the foci of inflammation, slight neuronal necrosis was observed.

At GMS, the hyphae were heavily impregnated by silver, with thin, parallel walls rarely septate and branched, measuring 4-25µm (Figure 4). The hyphae did not stain in PAS. At IHC, the hyphae were strongly immunostained with polyclonal anti-P insidiosum antibody in fragments of the cerebellum and nasal cavity (Figure 4, Inset). The diagnosis of meningoencephalitis secondary to rhinitis caused by P. insidiosum was established based on anatomopathological findings and confirmed through IHC.

Figure 4
Cerebellum. Hyphae with strong silver impregnation characterized by thin, parallel walls, rarely septate, in the lumen and wall of a blood vessel. GMS. Bar = 20 μm. Inset: Cerebellum. Hyphae red-immunostained with polyclone anti-Pythium insidiosum antibody. IHQ. Alkaline phosphatase. Bar = 20 μm.

Generally, animals infected with oomycetes have access to dams (RIET-CORREA et al., 2008RIET-CORREA, F. et al. Outbreak of rhinopharyngeal zygomycosis in sheep in Paraiba, Northeastern Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.28, p.29-35. 2008. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/brJsr3fDFptYbdLSxrtCpYM/?lang=en >. Accessed: Mar. 14, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2008000100005.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/brJsr3fDFp...
), where grazing occurs in swampy areas with low vegetation, most often associated with the large amount of decomposing organic matter, with an ideal temperature for proliferation of the agent (SANTURIO et al., 2006SANTURIO, J. M. et al. Pitiose: uma micose emergente. Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, v.34, p.1-14, 2006. Available from: <Available from: https://seer.ufrgs.br/ActaScientiaeVeterinariae/article/view/15060/0 >. Accessed: Aug. 14, 2020. doi: 10.22456/1679-9216.15060.
https://seer.ufrgs.br/ActaScientiaeVeter...
). It is believed that, in this case, access to the reservoir favored the animal’s contact with the infective form of P. insidiosum.

Meningoencephalitis associated with rhinopharyngeal rhinitis has been frequently described in sheep as a consequence of infection by Conidiobolus sp. (RIET-CORREA et al., 2008RIET-CORREA, F. et al. Outbreak of rhinopharyngeal zygomycosis in sheep in Paraiba, Northeastern Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.28, p.29-35. 2008. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/brJsr3fDFptYbdLSxrtCpYM/?lang=en >. Accessed: Mar. 14, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2008000100005.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/brJsr3fDFp...
; PORTELA et al., 2010PORTELA, R.D.A. et al. Diseases of the nasal cavity of ruminants in Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.30, p. 844-854.2010. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Ktg3XH96nqGxFgTcZ4RCjLg/abstract/?lang=pt >. Accessed: Mar. 14, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2010001000007.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Ktg3XH96nq...
; MUSTAFA et al., 2015MUSTAFA, V. S. et al. Nasal cavity diseases of small ruminants in Federal District and Goiás State, Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.35, p.627-636. 2015. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/83yQQ4J4LyMByPWPjcgYTMK/?format=pdf⟨=pt >. Accessed: Mar. 14, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2015000700005.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/83yQQ4J4Ly...
). Involvement of the CNS in conidiobolomycosis occurs by direct extension of proliferative and destructive granulomatous lesions that extend from the middle third of the nasal cavity to the cribriform plaque, olfactory bulb and, more often, to the frontal cortex (RIET-CORREA et al., 2008; PORTELA et al., 2010; UBIALI et al., 2013UBIALI, D. G. et al. Pathology of nasal infection caused by Conidiobolus lamprauges and Pythium insidiosum in sheep. Journal of Comparative Pathology, v.149, p.137-145, 2013. Available from: <Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23375916/ >. Accessed: Sept. 05, 21. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2012.12.002.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23375916...
; MUSTAFA et al., 2015). In the present case, the lesions were located in the rostral portion of the nasal cavity, presenting macroscopic aspects similar to the rhinofacial pythiosis described by other authors (SANTURIO et al., 2008SANTURIO, J. M. et al. Granulomatous rhinitis associated with Pythium insidiosum infection in sheep. Veterinary Record, v.163, p.276-277, 2008. Available from: <Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18757907/ >. Accessed: Jul. 18, 2020. doi: 10.1136/vr.163.9.276.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18757907...
; PORTELA et al., 2010; CARRERA et al., 2013CARRERA, M. V. et al. Pythiosis in sheep from Pernambuco and Bahia States, Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.33, p.476-482, 2013. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/ss6St8r7KYxz9nvzp7bvtqq/abstract/?lang=pt&format=html >. Accessed: Mar. 12, 2018. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2013000400011.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/ss6St8r7KY...
; BERNARDO et al., 2015BERNARDO, F. D. et al. Pythiosis in sheep from Paraná, southern Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.35, p.513-517, 2015. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/RHsxp4QtTvQj5RpnydxdpXP/?lang=en >. Accessed: Feb. 12, 2018. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2015000600004.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/RHsxp4QtTv...
; MUSTAFA et al., 2015; CARMO et al., 2021CARMO, P. M.; UZAL, F.A.; RIET-CORREA, F. Diseases caused by Pythium insidiosum in sheep and goats: a review. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, v.33, n.1, p.20-24, 2021. Available from: <Available from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1040638720968937 >. Accessed: Apr. 27, 2022. doi: 10.1177/1040638720968937.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10...
). However, the histopathological observation of vasculitis and thrombosis associated with P. insidiosum hyphae in the lumen of vessels suggests that the involvement of the CNS occurred through hematogenesis. Moreover, the absence of lesions in the nasal conchae and cribriform plaque, which could possibly facilitate the agent’s ascension by direct extension of the lesion in the nasal cavity, reinforces the possibility of the agent having reached the CNS by the hematogenous route.

The absence of craniofacial asymmetry drew attention in this sheep. This clinical aspect has been frequently described in cases of rhinofacial pythiosis (SANTURIO et al., 2008SANTURIO, J. M. et al. Granulomatous rhinitis associated with Pythium insidiosum infection in sheep. Veterinary Record, v.163, p.276-277, 2008. Available from: <Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18757907/ >. Accessed: Jul. 18, 2020. doi: 10.1136/vr.163.9.276.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18757907...
; PORTELA et al., 2010PORTELA, R.D.A. et al. Diseases of the nasal cavity of ruminants in Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.30, p. 844-854.2010. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Ktg3XH96nqGxFgTcZ4RCjLg/abstract/?lang=pt >. Accessed: Mar. 14, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2010001000007.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Ktg3XH96nq...
; BERNARDO et al., 2015BERNARDO, F. D. et al. Pythiosis in sheep from Paraná, southern Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.35, p.513-517, 2015. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/RHsxp4QtTvQj5RpnydxdpXP/?lang=en >. Accessed: Feb. 12, 2018. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2015000600004.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/RHsxp4QtTv...
; MUSTAFA et al., 2015MUSTAFA, V. S. et al. Nasal cavity diseases of small ruminants in Federal District and Goiás State, Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.35, p.627-636. 2015. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/83yQQ4J4LyMByPWPjcgYTMK/?format=pdf⟨=pt >. Accessed: Mar. 14, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2015000700005.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/83yQQ4J4Ly...
), and popularly characterizes the disease as ‘bull snout’. It is believed that the impairment of the CNS and the evolution of the neurological clinical condition and, consequently, the death of the animal did not allow the evolution of the nasal cavity lesions and the appearance of craniofacial asymmetry.

Although, polioencephalomalacia was considered a presumptive diagnosis, the animal did not respond to therapeutic treatment with dexamethasone and vitamin B1 and died the following day. The anatomopathological findings in the brain stem and cerebellum associated with P. insidiosum were serious and justified the neurological condition.

Considering the macroscopic and microscopic findings observed in this case, which corroborated those described in the literature for a case of P. insidiosum meningoencephalitis with the absence of lesions in other organs (MORI et al., 2017MORI, A. P. et al. Meningoencefalite por Pythium insidiosum em ovino. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.37(Supl.), p.45-46, 2017. Available from: <Available from: http://www.pvb.com.br/antigo/pdf_artigos/23-12-2017_23-48ENISAP%202017.pdf >. Accessed: Oct. 26, 2020.
http://www.pvb.com.br/antigo/pdf_artigos...
), it is proposed that infection by P. insidiosum should be included in the list of differential diagnoses of meningoencephalitis associated with rhinitis, or of diseases that affect the CNS of sheep. The main diseases that can also cause injuries in the places identified in this case are rabies (GUEDES et al., 2007GUEDES, K. M. R. et al. Diseases of the central nervous system in goats and sheep of the semiarid. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.27, p.29-38, 2007. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Hbk6LJS5b6rdhXRzTxp6vQB/?lang=pt >. Accessed: Mar. 26, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2007000100006.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Hbk6LJS5b6...
; BORGES et al., 2016BORGES, I. L. et al. Surto de raiva em ovinos na Paraíba. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.36(Supl.2), p.193-194. 2016. Available from: <Available from: http://www.pvb.com.br/portal/download_artigo/MTk0NHwyMDIxMTAwNjAzMDk0NQ >. Accessed: Feb. 12, 2018.
http://www.pvb.com.br/portal/download_ar...
), nervous form of listeriosis (GUEDES et al., 2007GUEDES, K. M. R. et al. Diseases of the central nervous system in goats and sheep of the semiarid. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.27, p.29-38, 2007. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Hbk6LJS5b6rdhXRzTxp6vQB/?lang=pt >. Accessed: Mar. 26, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2007000100006.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Hbk6LJS5b6...
), and bacterial meningitis (GUEDES et al., 2007GUEDES, K. M. R. et al. Diseases of the central nervous system in goats and sheep of the semiarid. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.27, p.29-38, 2007. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Hbk6LJS5b6rdhXRzTxp6vQB/?lang=pt >. Accessed: Mar. 26, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2007000100006.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Hbk6LJS5b6...
).

The lesions observed in the nasal cavity must be differentiated mainly from the rhinofacial form of conidiobolomycosis (PORTELA et al., 2010PORTELA, R.D.A. et al. Diseases of the nasal cavity of ruminants in Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.30, p. 844-854.2010. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Ktg3XH96nqGxFgTcZ4RCjLg/abstract/?lang=pt >. Accessed: Mar. 14, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2010001000007.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/Ktg3XH96nq...
; UBIALI et al., 2013UBIALI, D. G. et al. Pathology of nasal infection caused by Conidiobolus lamprauges and Pythium insidiosum in sheep. Journal of Comparative Pathology, v.149, p.137-145, 2013. Available from: <Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23375916/ >. Accessed: Sept. 05, 21. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2012.12.002.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23375916...
; MUSTAFA et al., 2015MUSTAFA, V. S. et al. Nasal cavity diseases of small ruminants in Federal District and Goiás State, Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v.35, p.627-636. 2015. Available from: <Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/83yQQ4J4LyMByPWPjcgYTMK/?format=pdf⟨=pt >. Accessed: Mar. 14, 2019. doi: 10.1590/S0100-736X2015000700005.
https://www.scielo.br/j/pvb/a/83yQQ4J4Ly...
) and from infection by the fungus Cryptococcus spp. (SILVA et al., 2010SILVA, S. T. G. et al. Nasal cryptococcosis in a sheep in Brazilian Semi-Arid. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Pathology, v.3, n.2, p.127-130, 2010. Available from: <Available from: https://bjvp.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/DOWNLOAD-FULL-ARTICLE-24-20881_2010_11_3_34_13.pdf >. Accessed: Mar. 25, 2022.
https://bjvp.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2...
; MACÊDO et al., 2020MACÊDO, A. G. C. et al. Nasal Cryptococcosis Caused by Cryptococcus gattii in Sheep in Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, v.48, 2020. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ufrgs.br/actavet/48-suple-1/CR_561.pdf >. Accessed: Apr. 30, 22. doi: 10.22456/1679-9216.104135.
http://www.ufrgs.br/actavet/48-suple-1/C...
). In the property of the case studied, there were no reports of pythiosis previously in other sheep, but some cases have already been described in the area covered by our diagnostic laboratory.

In conclusion, it is suggested that P. insidiosum spreads via the hematogenous route and causes meningoencephalitis in sheep with nasal pythiosis, which may trigger varied and nonspecific neurological symptoms. This feature has not yet been described in the literature. In addition, pythiosis with brain involvement should be included in the differential diagnosis of diseases that affect the central nervous system of sheep.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for the design of the doctoral scholarship of the first author.

REFERENCES

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    CR-2022-0038.R2

Edited by

Editor: Rudi Weiblen(0000-0002-1737-9817)

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    29 Aug 2022
  • Date of issue
    2023

History

  • Received
    28 Jan 2022
  • Accepted
    13 June 2022
  • Reviewed
    14 Aug 2022
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