Prevalence of enteric zoonotic organisms in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of enteric zoonotic organisms in cats in north-central Colorado. DESIGN: Prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Serum and fecal samples from 87 cats with diarrhea, 106 cats without diarrhea, and 12 cats for which fecal consistency was unknown. PROCEDURES: Samples were obtained from client-owned cats and cats at a humane society shelter. Serum was assayed for feline leukemia virus antigen and antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus, IgM antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, and IgG antibodies against T gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum. Microscopic examination of unstained feces was performed after centrifugation in a zinc sulfate solution, thin fecal smears were stained with acid fast stain and examined for C parvum, and bacteriologic culture of feces was used to detect aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. RESULTS: Enteric zoonotic organisms were detected in feces from 27 of 206 (13.1%) cats and included C parvum (5.4%), Giardia spp (2.4%). Toxocara cati (3.9%), Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium (1.0%), and Campylobacter jejuni (1.0%); each organism was detected in samples from cats with and without diarrhea. Although differences between groups were not significant, a higher proportion of shelter cats (18.2%) had enteric zoonotic organisms than client-owned cats (10.1%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Enteric zoonotic organisms were detected in feces of 13.1% of cats, suggesting that cats, particularly those in homes of immunocompromised humans, should be evaluated for enteric zoonotic organisms.     

Echocardiographic evaluation of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).

Safe and effective echocardiography would represent a valuable tool for marine mammal veterinarians and physiologists evaluating the dolphin heart. Unfortunately, conventional ultrasound technology (transthoracic echocardiography) has been limited by logistic, anatomic, and behavioral challenges. Five mature male Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were trained for echocardiographic imaging (four for both transthoracic and transesophageal imaging, and one for only transthoracic imaging). It was noted that transesophageal image quality transiently improved when the dolphins spontaneously exhaled. Subsequently, dolphins were conditioned to hold their breath following forced exhalation, and imaging proceeded during such behavioral breath holds. Over 25 transthoracic and 100 transesophageal echocardiographic studies were performed, including both two-dimensional imaging and color flow mapping. Transthoracic imaging yielded poor-quality images of only small portions of the heart. In contrast, transesophageal imaging, which improved dramatically with behavioral breath holding following exhalation, yielded consistently high-quality images of the entire heart (mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary valves, atrial and ventricular septa, left and right atria, left and right ventricles, and ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery). Color flow mapping demonstrated mild tricuspid regurgitation in all dolphins, and mild aortic regurgitation in one dolphin found to have a pedunculated mass arising from the sinutubular junction just above the aortic valve. There were no complications in nonsedated dolphins. The heart of the bottlenose dolphin can be safely, effectively, and reproducibly evaluated with the use of transesophageal echocardiography in conjunction with behavioral breath holding following forced exhalation. This approach, and the normative echocardiographic data generated from this work, lays the foundation for future echocardiographic studies of cetaceans.     

Toxoplasma gondii in an African crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata).

An adult female crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) was evaluated for acute onset of neurologic signs including head tilt, circling, and ataxia. She was found dead in her holding area 2 days after initially exhibiting clinical signs. Necropsy was unremarkable. Histopathology of brain tissue revealed the presence of protozoal cysts associated with inflammation as the underlying cause of clinical signs and death. Immunohistochemical staining of brain tissue for Toxoplasma gondii was strongly positive. PCR on fresh brain confirmed T. gondii as the causative organism. An adult male in the same enclosure has demonstrated similar neurologic signs over the past 3 years and has failed to respond to various medical treatments. Clinical disease associated with T. gondii has not been previously reported in this porcupine species or any other Old World porcupines, although there are several reports of clinical toxoplasmosis involving New World porcupine species.     

Syncope secondary to transient atrioventricular block in a German shepherd dog with dilated cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation

This case report describes transient atrioventricular block as the etiology for syncopal events in a 6-year-old male German shepherd dog with atrial fibrillation and dilated cardiomyopathy. The arrhythmia diagnosis was obtained via Holter monitoring. Medical treatment with a sustained-release preparation of theophylline, as an additive to the standard congestive heart failure treatment (benazepril, furosemide and pimobendan) may have contributed to temporary remission of the syncopal events. However, the congestive heart failure progressed and the dog was euthanized. Veterinarians should be aware of the possibility of transient atrioventricular block causing syncope in dogs with DCM and AF and should be careful in empirically lowering the ventricular response rate if these dogs present with syncopal episodes.     

Histology of two rice bodies isolated from the stifle of an adult draught horse stallion

In the human and equine species, different kinds of free floating intra-articular particles are related to certain disorders. Osteochondral fragments formed during osteochondrosis dissecans are the most common finding in the equine species, whereas in humans rice bodies due to rheumatoid arthritis are more frequent. Herein we report a third type of floating body inside the stifle of an adult draught horse stallion, in macroscopic appearance similar to articular rice bodies known in humans. As revealed by histologic examination, the two particles consist of polypoid degenerated structures derived from synovial villi. Their formation was probably induced by ischemia.     

Immunocytochemical Evidence that Secretion of Pectin Occurs During Gel (Gum) and Tylosis Formation in Trees

ABSTRACT During gel (gum) formation in angiosperm trees, fibrillar material accumulated in protective layers of xylem parenchyma cells before being secreted across half-bordered pit membranes into vessel elements. Immunogold labeling demonstrated that this fibrillar material was mainly composed of partially esterified pectic polysaccharides. The primary wall of expanding tyloses, an extension of the parenchyma protective layer, secreted similar pectic substances to completely block vessel elements. In most studies, these occluding structures were reported to be formed in response to causative factors such as aging processes, injuries, or infections. Current observations support the view that partial to complete embolism, which almost always accompanies these factors, might be the main cause triggering the formation of vessel occlusions. Whereas pectin seems to be the basic component of gels (gums) and of the external layer of tyloses, other substances, such as phenols, were also detected either as a part of these plugs or as accumulations beside them in vessels. Finally, it is proposed that the term 'gel' instead of 'gum' be used in future studies to describe the occluding material secreted by ray and paratracheal parenchyma cells.     

Effects of cattle grazing on ecology and habitat of Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis)

Dramatic declines in the endangered Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit, a genetically unique population of small, burrowing rabbits in Northwestern United States, are likely the combined results of habitat degradation and fragmentation, disease, and predation. A critical component of pygmy rabbit habitat includes big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), which constitutes 82-99% of their winter diet and 10-50% of their summer diet. Sagebrush also forms the bulk of hiding cover around burrow sites. Across the range of pygmy rabbits, sagebrush habitat is grazed extensively by cattle. However, grazing has unknown effects on pygmy rabbits inhabiting the remaining, fragmented shrub-steppe habitat. We evaluated the effects of four grazing treatments on the distribution of pygmy rabbit burrows, diets of pygmy rabbits, and quality and quantity of vegetation at Sagebrush Flat in central Washington. Ungrazed areas contained significantly more burrows per unit area than did grazed areas. Vegetation composition and structure differed little among treatments in early summer before annual grazing by cattle. However, cattle grazing in late summer through winter removed about 50% of the grass cover, and reduced the nutritional quality (e.g., increased fiber and decreased protein) of the remaining grass. Although pygmy rabbits ate <2% grasses in winter, grasses and forbs comprised 53% of late summer diets. Because these endangered rabbits avoided grazed areas, removing cattle grazing from key habitat locations may benefit efforts to restore this rabbit in Washington.     

Cellulose is degraded during phloem necrosis of Hevea brasiliensis

A cytochemical investigation was performed for studying cellulose alteration during phloem necrosis of the rubber tree. An exoglucanase-gold complex was used for localizing β-(1,4)-D-glucan linkages of non reducing ends of the polymer. Variation in cell wall labelling indicates that cellulose is degraded during this disease and suggests that cellulases are involved in this alteration. Wall appositions and periplasmic vesicles were also observed.     

The histology of Hevea brasiliensis phloem necrosis

Phloem necrosis of rubber tree(hevea brasiliensis)is characterized by cel wall degradation, alteration of the middle lamella, the vesiculation of endomembranes, the formation of tylosoids and the internal coagulation of rubber.     

Characterisation of and changes in the atmospheric deposition situation in German forest ecosystems using multivariate statistics

Based on the results of the atmospheric deposition classification of the year 1989, a methodical approach should be introduced, which—based on the modelled total deposition rates—enables us to characterise the input situation of forest monitoring plots and to delimit load areas in Germany. In 1989, the deposition situation in nearly 1,800 forest monitoring sites (BZE/extensive Soil Condition Inventory) in Germany could be explained by four factors (or three, excluding sea salt impact) with the help of a factor analysis. The factor values were grouped into six deposition types with typical compounds and regional patterns. The classified input rates of the soil inventory plots adequately represent the stress situation and deposition changes in Germany. The application of the statistical approach on the level of Brandenburg clarifies the special local input situation. Due to the special combination of deposed elements, the sources of emissions can be characterised as well. When the soil inventory is repeated, a project planned for 2006, this approach can be used in order to determine homogenous areas for stratified data evaluation.