Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis in Atypical Dog Breeds: A Case Series and Literature Review

Background

Canine necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) is a fatal, noninfectious inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. NME has been reported only in a small number of dog breeds, which has led to the presumption that it is a breed‐restricted disorder.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Our objective was to describe histopathologically confirmed NME in dog breeds in which the condition has not been reported previously and to provide preliminary evidence that NME affects a wider spectrum of dog breeds than previously reported.

Animals

Four dogs with NME.

Methods

Archives from 3 institutions and from 1 author''s (BS) collection were reviewed to identify histopathologically confirmed cases of NME in breeds in which the disease has not been reported previously. Age, sex, breed, survival from onset of clinical signs, and histopathologic findings were evaluated.

Results

Necrotizing meningoencephalitis was identified in 4 small dog breeds (Papillon, Shih Tzu, Coton de Tulear, and Brussels Griffon). Median age at clinical evaluation was 2.5 years. Histopathologic abnormalities included 2 or more of the following: lymphoplasmacytic or histiocytic meningoencephalitis or encephalitis, moderate‐to‐severe cerebrocortical necrosis, variable involvement of other anatomic locations within the brain (cerebellum, brainstem), and absence of detectable infectious agents.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Until now, NME has only been described in 5 small dog breeds. We document an additional 4 small breeds previously not shown to develop NME. Our cases further illustrate that NME is not a breed‐restricted disorder and should be considered in the differential diagnosis for dogs with signalment and clinical signs consistent with inflammatory brain disease.     

Conservation of the jackass penguin (Spheniscus demersus (L.))

The jackass penguin Spheniscus demersus (L.) is confined to the coastal waters of southern Africa, and breeds on 18 islands predominantly within the region of the cold, nutrient rich Benguella current. Since the early 1900s the species' population has declined in numbers of unknown magnitude. The decline appears to be continuing, although the absence of reliable census data precludes an accurate measurement of the rate of change. The initial fall in numbers was undoubtedly due to severe disturbance of nesting birds and excessive commercial exploitation of eggs. The average annual egg crop for the period 1900-30 exceeded 450,000 eggs from Dassen Island alone. Egg collection has been suspended temporarily, but the species now appears to be threatened by oil pollution, and by competition with a pelagic shoal fish industry. Threats to breeding colonies are posed by harbour developments. These factors are discussed and evaluated. South African marine organisms are considered officially to be an economic resource and are heavily exploited. Legislation governing the control of this resource is the concern of the Ministry for Economic Affairs. There is no provision for any government body to investigate the status and biology of economically insignificant, but yet integral, components of the marine ecosystem. The major priority of conservations is to safeguard the jackass penguin population at its present level. This includes proclamation of several offshore islands and their surroundings as national nature reserves. We consider current efforts to rescue, clean and rehabilitate oiled seabirds as contributing little to conservation in real terms, even though the activity has an important humanitarian and educational function. Research priorities include a comprehensive census of the jackass penguin and other seabird populations in southern Africa; a study of mortality and recruitment, with particular attention to factors affecting the rates of these processes; a study of the dynamics of the penguin/prey interaction, with special reference to the possible effects of competition with the pelagic fishing industry; an evaluation of the degree of disturbance that nesting penguins can tolerate; an investigation into the temporal and spatial patterns of oil pollution incidents, oil slick occurrence and movement, and the development of methods of keeping birds away from oil slicks; and, lastly, an evaluation of the efficacy of rehabilitating oiled penguins as a contribution to maintaining or increasing the current jackass penguin population. The responsibility for these projects rests with the South African government.     

Interactions between Escherichia coli and allophane—I. Adsorption

Sorptive interactions between Escherichia coli (ATCC 11303B) and a purified allophane clay fraction were studied quantitatively using electronic particle counting and electrophoresis. Adsorption was influenced by pH and ions present at the allophane surface. These effects could be rationalized by considering changes in the net surface charge of the components. Electronic particle counting studies at pH 5.5 and above gave adsorption isotherms that obeyed single-term Langmuir kinetics. At pH 4.5, a more complex two-step isotherm was obtained, which was attributed to aggregation of unadsorbed cells by Al solubilized from the allophane surface.     

Evaluation of feed conversion in steers from a diallel of Simmental, Limousin, Polled Hereford, and Brahman beef cattle

A total of 269 steers produced in a four-breed diallel mating design of Simmental, Limousin, Polled Hereford, and Brahman breeds were evaluated for the unadjusted and maintenance-adjusted total feed intake to total weight gain ratio. Time on feed ranged from 184 to 251 d. Covariate adjustments were made separately for age- and 12th rib fat-constant end points. Purebred, general combining ability, and maternal effects and heterosis were estimated. Effects of year, breed of dam, slaughter group, and days on feed accounted for most of the variation in feed conversion. Significantly higher unadjusted cumulative feed/gain ratios were found for steers from Brahman sires and for those from Simmental, Limousin, and Brahman dams. Adjustment to either fat- or age-constant values did not rerank breed groups, but a small reduction in the differences between these groups was detected for fat-constant efficiency. For maintenance-adjusted feed intake, progeny of Simmental and Limousin dams were less efficient than those of Polled Hereford and Brahman dams. Negative values for general combining ability, maternal effects, and heterosis would indicate less feed required per unit of weight gain. General combining ability for Polled Hereford crosses was negative and significant for cumulative feed/gain ratios, but no difference among dam breeds was found for the maintenance-adjusted ratio. Maternal effects for Limousin dams were positive and significant for all maintenance-adjusted ratios. Heterosis estimates for specific breed crosses were generally negative and ranged from -.87 to .22.     

Efficacy of mitoxantrone against various neoplasms in dogs

One hundred twenty-six dogs with histologically confirmed, measurable malignant tumors were evaluated in a prospective study to determine the response to the antineoplastic drug mitoxantrone. Ninety-five dogs had been refractory to one or more treatment modalities (surgery, n = 57; chemotherapy other than mitoxantrone, n = 37; radiation, n = 4; whole body hyperthermia, n = 1). The extent of neoplastic disease was determined immediately before each dose of mitoxantrone was administered (1 to 10 doses, 2.5 to 5 mg/m2 of body surface area, IV) 21 days apart. Each dog was treated with mitoxantrone until the dog developed progressive disease or until the dog's quality of life diminished to an unacceptable level as determined by the owner or attending veterinarian. A partial or complete remission (greater than 50% volume reduction) was obtained in 23% (29/126) of all dogs treated. Tumors in which there was a partial or complete remission included lymphoma (11/32), squamous cell carcinoma (4/9), fibrosarcoma (2/9), thyroid carcinoma (1/10), transitional cell carcinoma (1/6), mammary adenocarcinoma (1/6), hepatocellular carcinoma (1/4), renal adenocarcinoma (1/1), rectal carcinoma (1/1), chondrosarcoma (1/2), oral malignant melanoma (1/12), cutaneous malignant melanoma (1/1), myxosarcoma (1/1), mesothelioma (1/1), and hemangiopericytoma (1/1). Our results indicated that mitoxantrone induces measurable regression in various malignant tumors in dogs.     

Systemic trichomoniasis in a squab operation.

Systemic trichomoniasis was responsible for severe morbidity and mortality in a commercial squab operation. Squabs of 1 to 3 weeks of age were primarily affected. Extensive caseous necrosis of the liver, heart, lung, and intestinal mesentery was observed grossly. Histologically, extensive heterophilic inflammation surrounded the necrotic areas and was observed perivascularly in areas that were uninvolved grossly. Numerous trichomonads were demonstrated in affected tissues with Bodian's silver stain.     

California National Animal Health Monitoring System for meat-turkey flocks, 1988-1989: diagnostic testing results.

Six hundred fourteen meat turkeys were submitted for necropsy from 24 California ranches as part of the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS). Enteritis was the most frequent pathologic diagnosis in birds 18 days old or younger and the second most frequent diagnosis in birds 19-70 days old. Hemorrhagic enteritis was the most frequent diagnosis in birds aged 19-70 days. Tibial dyschondroplasia, bronchopneumonia, and ascaridiasis were ranked one through three in frequency of diagnoses in birds over 70 days of age. Salmonella was isolated from 71% of flocks tested, and Mycoplasma meleagridis was isolated from 33% of tested flocks over 70 days of age. Antibodies to several disease agents were detected, including hemorrhagic enteritis (100% of flocks over 70 days old) and Newcastle disease (63% of flocks over 70 days old).