Multiple acquired extrahepatic portosystemic shunts secondary to veno-occlusive disease in a young German shepherd

An 11-month-old German shepherd presented with behavioral abnormalities. Histopathologic analysis of liver biopsies taken during exploratory laparotomy revealed veno-occlusive disease caused by fibrosis of the hepatic central veins leading to secondary portal hypertension, development of shunting vessels, and hepatic encephalopathy. The fibrosis was likely congenital in origin.     

Idiopathic hepatic veno-occlusive disease causing Budd-Chiari-like syndrome in a cat

Budd-Chiari-like syndrome (BCLS) is a rare clinical entity characterised by portal hypertension and ascites. This report describes a case of BCLS in a cat due to obstruction at the level of the hepatic veins. The diagnosis was based on the clinical findings and a histopathological assessment of the liver demonstrating perivenular fibrosis around the central and sublobular veins. Although these lesions are similar to those observed in man with BCLS, the aetiology in this case remains unknown.     

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of ito cells (fat-storing cells) in response to extrahepatic bile duct ligation in broiler chickens.

The Ito cell (fat-storing cell) lies in perisinusoidal space of liver and has a variety of functions. We investigated the immunohistochemistry and ultrastructure of Ito cells in normal and cholestatic livers of broiler chickens. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that Ito cells expressed HHF35 muscle actin, vimentin, desmin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), chromogranin A and cytokeratins in normal livers. These cells were diffusely scattered throughout the lobules. Livers treated with extrahepatic bile duct ligation (BDL) showed cholestasis, fibrosis, proliferation of biliary ductules and Ito cells. The Ito cells were frequently found in fibrotic areas and were larger in size with more extensive immunoreactivity than those of normal livers. Ultrastructural study demonstrated that Ito cells were closely associated with the production of collagen fibers in BDL livers. These findings suggest that Ito cells actively react against hepatocytic injuries and play a major role in the hepatic fibrogenesis of cholestatic livers of chickens.     

Pathogenesis of aleutian mink disease. VII. Chronic hepatitis with bile duct proliferation]

Aleutian disease is a chronic persistent viral infection of mink characterized by hypergammaglobulinema, generalized plasmacytosis, sclerosing glomerulonephritis, polyarteritis, and plasma cell hepatitis with bile duct proliferation. The development of hepatic lesions was studied both light- and electron-microscopically in mink experimentally infected with Aleutian disease virus. Fifteen normal and 99 mink experimentally infected with Aleutian disease virus were used. Experimental mink were killed in intervals from 3 weeks to 23 months after infection, and liver sections were processed for both light- and electron-microscopic studies. Experimentally infected mink developed portal and intralobular lymphocytic and plasmacytic infiltrates in the liver 3 weeks after infection. Four to five weeks after infection there was evidence of early bile duct proliferation that began as an outgrowth of the portal bile ducts. Three to five months after infection a marked bile duct proliferation was present in some of the portal triads and adjacent liver lobules; but there was no tendency of these lesions to progress into biliary cirrhosis. Ultrastructural characteristics of proliferating bile duct cells were marked deformation, formation of multiple cell layers, reduction in the number of microvilli and desmosomes, and infiltration of the epithelial cells by lymphoid cells and plasmacytes. The hepatic lesions either develop by direct virus stimulation or by the deposition of virus-antibody complexes.     

Diseases of captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) in South Africa: a 20-year retrospective survey.

As part of an ongoing study to determine the basis for high prevalences of veno-occlusive disease, glomerulosclerosis, and chronic lymphoplasmacytic gastritis in cheetahs, a retrospective pathology survey of captive cheetahs in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) was conducted. The RSA population was selected because its genetic composition and captive management were similar to those of the cheetah population in U.S. zoos, in which these diseases are common. For this study, archived pathology materials at the University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Sciences in Onderstepoort and the Faculty of Veterinary Science, MEDUNSA, from 69 cheetahs that died between 1975 and 1995 were reviewed, and prevalences of common lesions were compared with those in the U.S. population. Gastritis associated with Helicobacter-like organisms was the most prevalent disease, accounting for close to 40% of the mortalities, including several cheetahs < 3 yr old. Glomerulosclerosis and veno-occlusive disease also were major causes of mortality in RSA cheetahs. RSA cheetahs also had adrenal cortical hyperplasia, cardiac fibrosis, lymphocytic depletion of the spleen, systemic amyloidosis, and splenic myelolipomas. The presence in the captive RSA cheetah population of the same unusual diseases that are common in U.S. cheetahs suggests a species predilection to develop these diseases in captivity.     

A selection of naturally occurring pathological phenomena in the brush-tail possum,Trichosurus vulpecula

During a study of the brush-tail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, from three different sites in New Zealand, two of which are endemic for bovine tuberculosis, several pathological entities were encountered. Some of these are differential diagnoses for tuberculosis. The list included: bite abscess, foreign body granulomas, calcification of the caudal aorta, lymphoid nodules in the lung, pulmonary lipid plaques, lipid pneumonia, pneumoconiosis, focal fibrosing alveolitis, adiaspiromy-cosis, collagenous hamartoma, focal dystrophic calcification in the lung, mineralised casts in renal tubules, hyaline nephrosis with proteinuria, focal interstitial nephritis, pyelonephritis, renal and hepatic amyloidosis, lymphoid nodules around sublobular veins in the liver, multi-focal non-suppurative hepatitis, multi-focal bacterial hepatitis, bile ductular hyperplasia and peri-portal fibrosis, hepatocellular fatty change, intranuclear inclusions and cytoplasmic invaginations in hepato-cytes, hepatocellular lipopigmentation and gastrointestinal parasitism.     

Current concepts in the treatment of canine chronic hepatitis

Chronic hepatitis is a common disorder in dogs seen by general practitioners. Several new drugs have been marketed for treating this disease. Unfortunately, there are few controlled studies that examine the efficacy of these medications for the treatment of canine chronic hepatitis. A rational therapeutic approach can be implemented based on histopathologic findings of a liver biopsy. A liver biopsy is essential for establishing a definitive diagnosis and guiding the optimal therapy. The biopsy allows characterizing the inflammatory process, quantitating hepatic copper concentrations, and determining if fibrosis is present. Copper associated hepatopathy is treated with zinc and copper chelators. Idiopathic chronic hepatitis is thought to be immune mediated. The treatment of idiopathic chronic hepatitis consists of controlling inflammation (prednisone, azathioprine), reversing fibrosis (colchicine), and protecting against oxidant damage (vitamin E, ursodeoxycholic acid, S-adenosylmethionine). The prognosis for chronic hepatitis is quite variable. Dogs with end-stage disease have a poor prognosis, while dogs diagnosed earlier can have a mean survival of years. Early diagnosis and intervention are key to the successful treatment of dogs with chronic hepatitis.     

What explains tourists’ support for snow leopard conservation in the Annapurna Conservation Area,Nepal?

Wildlife tourism is increasingly important for the conservation of threatened species such as snow leopards. However, what tourists know or value about snow leopards, and to what extent they support the conservation of this species, has received limited empirical attention. This paper investigates tourist knowledge about snow leopards, beliefs and values toward the species, and support for its conservation in the Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal. Survey data were collected from 406 foreign tourists between March and May 2014. Although knowledge about snow leopards varied among respondents, there was widespread support for their conservation. Knowledge about snow leopards was best explained by education level and environmental organization membership. Improved knowledge about the species, and a variety of intrinsic conservation values, were found to increase tourist support for snow leopard conservation. These results provide important insights to help tailor tourism initiatives to support the conservation of snow leopards.     

卧龙自然保护区雪豹的生境选择偏好与食源结构特征

近年来,人类活动范围不断扩大,对雪豹(Panthera uncia)所处高海拔生态系统侵入不断增加,对雪豹生存已造成威胁。准确掌握雪豹生境选择偏好与食源结构特征,可以完善雪豹基础研究,提高雪豹保护管理效率。因此于2019年7月对卧龙自然保护区内雪豹集中分布区域进行野外调查,研究雪豹对各生境因子的选择偏好情况;分析粪便组成,明确雪豹食源结构。结果显示:雪豹偏好于海拔3500—4500 m、坡度31°—45°且地形较为崎岖的无家畜活动区域,在坡位的选择上,雪豹偏好于山脊与上坡位,避开中、下坡位与山谷。在植被类型选择上,雪豹偏好草甸与高山流石滩,同时也会选择稀疏且基径较小的灌丛。雪豹倾向于选择草本植物稀疏,低矮的区域。雪豹动物性食源以岩羊(59.26%)为主,家畜(25.93%)与啮齿目(22.22%)次之,鸟类(7.41%)占比最少。植物性食源以禾本科(59.26%)、苔藓植物(44.44%)与莎草科(33.33%)为主,灌木及其他植物占比较少。本文丰富了雪豹的基础研究内容,为卧龙及其他保护区雪豹保护管理工作中相关政策的制定提供参考依据。     

Electron microscopy of mast cells in the venous wall of canine liver

Although many mast cells locate under the endothelial layer along the sublobular veins in canine liver, the cell function remains to be fully defined. To establish the nature of the canine mast cell, the mast cells were examined by electron microscopy. A few monocytes contacted with luminal surface of endothelial cells under which mast cells situated. To confirm the chemotaxis of monocyte by hepatic mast cells, the hepatic venous vessels were treated with a histamine releaser (compound 48/80). The monocytes invaded into the subendothelial layer and extended their pseudopodium to the degranulated mast cells. It presumes that some mediators within the mast cell granules might act as a chemotactic substance to the monocyte. On the contrary, mast cells were migrating from subendothelial layer to venous lumen under normal condition. The migrating mast cell showed strong acid phosphatase reaction in their granules. It suggests that the granules of migrating mast cell became visible to acid phosphatase activity by a physical force such as contact stimulation, and that a part of mast cells remigrate from the venous wall to other places by the blood flow. Furthermore, hepatic mast cells were revealed to contain both endothelin-1 and histamine in their granules by immunocytochemistry. As these substances have an activity of stronger venous constriction, it seems that the mast cells play an important role in the blood flow regulation of the canine liver, mast cell, monocyte.     

Multiple ocular colobomas in the snow leopard (Uncia uncia)

Two singleton female snow leopard cubs are reported with bilateral central upper lid colobomas. In addition, one cub had a coloboma of the fundus in one eye extending from the lower optic disc region. Surgical treatment by wedge resection was successful in both cases. Details of ocular colobomas in other snow leopards reported in the literature are described and it is suggested that the exact etiology of the condition in this species may be discovered by further study of similar colobomas in the domestic cat.     

Diagnostic efficacy of serum alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase in dogs with histologically confirmed hepatobiliary disease: 270 cases (1980-1990).

The diagnostic efficacy of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activities was examined, using the records of 270 dogs initially suspected of having hepatobiliary disease on the basis of history, findings on physical examination, results of baseline screening tests, or any combination of these data. Histologic examination of hepatic tissue was performed in each dog. Sixty-three dogs did not have histologic evidence of hepatobiliary disease and served as the control group. On the basis of diagnosis, dogs were assigned to 1 of 8 groups: dogs with cirrhosis (n = 34), steroid hepatopathy (n = 16), hepatic neoplasia (primary and secondary, n = 36), chronic hepatitis (n = 14), chronic passive congestion (n = 5), hepatic necrosis (n = 17), portosystemic vascular anomaly (n = 35), and cholestasis (extrahepatic bile-duct obstruction and intrahepatic cholestasis, n = 50). Of the 207 dogs with hepatobiliary disease, 29 (14%) had normal ALP and GGT activities, 31 (15%) had normal ALP activity, and 112 (54%) had normal GGT activity. Of the 63 control dogs, 29 (46%) had normal serum ALP and GGT activities, 32 had normal ALP activity (ALP specificity, 51%), and 55 had normal GGT activity (GGT specificity, 87%). The specificity of ALP and GGT in parallel (positive result = result of either test abnormal) was 46%, and in series (positive result = results of both tests abnormal) was 91%. The highest median activities of ALP developed in dogs with cholestasis, steroid hepatopathy, chronic hepatitis, and hepatic necrosis. The highest median activities of GGT developed in dogs with steroid hepatopathy, cholestasis, and hepatic necrosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Nodular hyperplasia in the liver of the dog: an association with changes in the Ito cell population

The prevalence and morphological features of hyperplastic nodules in the liver of the dog were studied in a series of 50 consecutive post-mortem examinations. Macroscopically visible nodules were present in 35 of 50 dogs (70%), and the prevalence was related to age. The earliest age at which nodules were found was between 6 and 8 years. They were present in all dogs older than 14 or more years. The lesions were focal, multiple and consistently had evidence of a lobular pattern. There was no liver fibrosis. No direct association between previous drug administration or specific extrahepatic disease was found. Changes in the perisinusoidal fat storing cells (Ito cells) were observed in the dogs in this study. These changes comprised proliferation and hypertrophy and were recorded predominantly in dogs with hepatic nodules. The presence of a ceroid pigment was correlated with these changes. The pigment, together with lipid and macrophages, was present in the form of lipogranulomata. Lipogranulomata were observed in the parenchyma and in the portal areas of dogs with hepatic nodules. These changes may play a role in the pathogenesis of nodular hyperplasia in the liver of the dog.     

Expression of fibrosis-related genes in canine chronic hepatitis

Molecular regulation of fibrosis in chronic canine hepatitis is poorly understood. The authors employed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the expression levels of genes reported to be related to fibrosis in other species (human, mouse, and rat) and to elucidate the relationship of these genes with the degree of fibrosis and the presence or absence of ascites and/or jaundice in dogs with hepatitis. Nine fibrosis-related genes were assayed: PDGFB, PDGFD, MMP2, TIMP1, THBS1, COL1A1, COL3A1, TGFB1, and TGFB2. Liver samples of 15 dogs with chronic hepatitis and 4 healthy control dogs were obtained via laparoscopic biopsy and subjected to histologic and quantitative PCR analyses. The expression of all 9 genes showed significant positive correlation (P<.01, r>.70) with the degree of fibrosis. Furthermore, the expression levels of all genes except TGFB1 were significantly higher (P<.05) in dogs with hepatic failure-related symptoms (ascites/jaundice). Results suggest that these 9 genes are integral to the development of fibrosis in canine chronic hepatitis.     

Hepatic Fibrosis in Dogs

Hepatic fibrosis is commonly diagnosed in dogs, often as a sequela to chronic hepatitis (CH). The development of fibrosis is a crucial event in the progression of hepatic disease that is of prognostic value. The pathophysiology of hepatic fibrosis in human patients and rodent models has been studied extensively. Although less is known about this process in dogs, evidence suggests that fibrogenic mechanisms are similar between species and that activation of hepatic stellate cells is a key step. Diagnosis and staging of hepatic fibrosis in dogs requires histopathological examination of a liver biopsy specimen. However, performing a liver biopsy is invasive and assessment of fibrotic stage is complicated by the absence of a universally accepted staging scheme in veterinary medicine. Serum biomarkers that can discriminate among different fibrosis stages are used in human patients, but such markers must be more completely evaluated in dogs before clinical use. When successful treatment of its underlying cause is feasible, reversal of hepatic fibrosis has been shown to be possible in rodent models and human patients. Reversal of fibrosis has not been well documented in dogs, but successful treatment of CH is possible. In human medicine, better understanding of the pathomechanisms of hepatic fibrosis is leading to the development of novel treatment strategies. In time, these may be applied to dogs. This article comparatively reviews the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis, its diagnosis, and its treatment in dogs.     

Detection of Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae DNA in hepatic specimens from two dogs with hepatic disease

A 4-year-old Basset Hound and a 6-year-old Doberman Pinscher were referred for diagnostic evaluation following documentation of persistently increased hepatic enzyme activities and hepatic dysfunction. Histologic evaluation of hepatic biopsy specimens from the 2 dogs revealed granulomatous hepatitis in the Basset Hound and lymphocytic hepatitis with fibrosis and copper accumulation in the Doberman Pinscher. No etiologic agents were identified histologically. Bartonella henselae DNA was subsequently amplified from hepatic tissue from the Basset Hound and Bartonella clarridgeiae was amplified from hepatic tissue from the Doberman Pinscher. Amplification was performed with a polymerase chain reaction assay incorporating primers that target a portion of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region. Both dogs were treated with azithromycin, in combination with a variety of other medications and herbal treatments, and improved clinically. Identification of Bartonella DNA in these dogs indicates the need for future prospective studies to determine the clinical relevance of Bartonella spp infection in dogs with hepatic disease.     

Lack of associations between ultrasonographic appearance of parenchymal lesions of the canine liver and histological diagnosis

Objective: To assess if there are any ultrasonographic features that may enable tentative diagnosis of hepatic parenchymal disease. Methods: Records of 371 dogs that had abdominal ultrasonography and abnormal liver on biopsy or necropsy were reviewed. Results: Histological diagnoses were hepatitis (n=77), nodular hyperplasia (n=47), vacuolar change (n=45), fibrosis (n=32), primary hepatic carcinoma (n=30), lymphoma (n=28), metastatic neoplasia (n=27), necrosis (n=21), lipidosis (n=17), haemangiosarcoma (n=13), round cell tumour (n=9), hepatocellular adenoma (n=8), degenerative change (n=6), steroid hepatopathy (n=7) and extramedullary haematopoiesis (n=4). The most prevalent ultrasonographic features were multifocal lesions (63% livers with haemangiosarcoma and 43% livers with hepatocellular carcinoma), diffuse lesions (71% livers with steroid hepatopathy, 44% livers with fibrosis and 40% livers with vacuolar hepatopathy), hyperechoic lesions (71% livers with steroid hepatopathy, 41% livers with lipidosis and 38% livers with fibrosis), heterogeneous lesions (62% livers with haemangiosarcoma), hepatomegaly (43% livers with steroid hepatopathy) and peritoneal fluid (62% livers with haemangiosarcoma). Target lesions were associated with malignancy in 67% instances. Marked variability in ultrasonographic appearance of lesions was observed for all diagnoses, and no statistically significant associations between ultrasonographic appearance and diagnosis were found. Clinical Significance: Histological examination remains essential for diagnosis of canine hepatic disease.     

Immunohistochemical evaluation of hepatic progenitor cells in different types of feline liver diseases

Hepatic progenitor cells are periportally resident cells capable of differentiating into mature hepatocytes or cholangiocytes to ensure hepatic regeneration. This reaction is termed a ductular reaction. In the present study, regenerative response of the feline liver to different hepatic diseases was investigated immunohistochemically. Regeneration of the liver through hepatocellular replication and proliferation of progenitor cell compartment were comparatively evaluated. Histological and immunohistochemical stainings were conducted on feline liver samples (n=40) representing various hepatobiliary diseases. Cytokeratin (CK) 7, CK19, Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Ki67, and Human hepatocyte marker 1 (Hep Par-1) were used. The presence of progenitor cells within feline livers was proved, both as passive cells in normal liver and as active cells (ductular reaction) in hepatic lesions. CK7 was found to be a suitable antibody for immunohistochemically detecting feline progenitor cells. In acute events, regeneration was predominantly shaped by the division of hepatocytes. In chronic events and severe acute events, hepatocytes lost their ability to divide and regeneration mainly occurred through progenitor cells. Location of the ductular reaction varied between different hepatic diseases. Parenchymal ductular reaction was detected in fulminant hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, hepatocellular lipidosis and metastatic lymphoma, whereas septal ductular reaction was detected in chronic hepatitis and metastatic lymphoma. Ductular reaction exhibited positive staining for Hep Par-1 in chronic and severe acute events. This study indicates the major role played by hepatic progenitor cells in regeneration of the feline liver. Moreover, it shows how the activation pattern of ductular reaction varies according to the hepatobiliary disease type.     

Periodontal status in snow leopards

Periodontal examinations were performed on ten 1- to 22-year-old snow leopards (6 males and 4 females), using dentistry methods for determining the plaque and gingival indices. All tooth surfaces were probed, and alveolar bone attachment loss was determined. After subgingival plaque removal, plaque specimens were examined for differential bacterial morphotypes. The small number of leopards evaluated precluded definitive statistical analysis. However, the progression from gingival health to gingivitis to periodontitis was similar to that seen in man. Therefore, the use of plaque index, gingival index, alveolar bone attachment loss, and differential bacterial morphotypes can be used to determine the dental health of snow leopards.     

Management of liver disease in dogs and cats

Ampicillin or amoxicillin is a good initial choice for treatment of liver disease involving bacteria. Cephalosporins, among other antibiotics, can be used with aminoglycosides for a broad-spectrum effect. Metronidazole may benefit patients with hepatic encephalopathy. Tetracycline, penicillins and cephalosporins are good choices for biliary disease. Corticosteroids are indicated for chronic active hepatitis, cholangiohepatitis, immune-mediated hepatopathy, and hepatic lymphosarcoma and mast-cell tumors. D-penicillamine is used to treat hepatic Cu toxicosis. Colchicine has been used to combat hepatic fibrosis. Lactulose is used in long-term management of hepatic encephalopathy. Diuretics and a low-Na diet help control ascites. Cimetidine is used to control GI ulcers. Anabolic steroids help reverse protein catabolism. Acetylcysteine is an antidote for acetaminophen toxicity. Use of hetacillin, chloramphenicol, lincomycin, sulfonamides, erythromycin, acetaminophen and methyltestosterone should be avoided in patients with liver disease.