Chronic eosinophilic granulomatous tenosynovitis in a Quarter Horse mare

A 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare was presented to the Michigan State University Equine Surgery Service for evaluation of a right hind metatarsophalangeal joint injury. On presentation, the horse was a grade 4/5 lame. Radiographs and ultrasonography showed peritendinous ossification/mineralisation of soft tissue structures and digital flexor tenosynovitis with profound intracapsular mineralisation. A digital flexor tendon sheath tenoscopy was performed with a plantar annular ligament desmotomy and a manica flexoria ligament tenotomy. During surgery, a significant amount of tan granular material was found within the digital tendon sheath. Approximately 80% of this material was removed, and a sample was sent for histopathology. The horse was diagnosed with eosinophilic granulomatous tenosynovitis. Long-term follow-up revealed improvement with four treatments of intralesional triamcinolone given 2–4 weeks apart. The horse became serviceably sound (grade 1/5) and was beginning light work under the saddle approximately 5 months post-tenoscopy.     

实验性水貂细小病毒性肠炎的病理形态学研究

健康水貂6只,3只作对照,另3只口服-20℃保存9个月的水貂细小病毒性肠炎粪毒。实验貂临床症状典型,小肠粘膜出现“气球样”上皮细胞,肠腺和绒毛上皮细胞广泛变性、坏死、脱落,胞浆内可见嗜酸性小体;胞核可见两种类型Cowdry A型包涵体;在肠系膜淋巴结、骨髓、脾和肾上腺也观察到了核内包涵体。在小肠绒毛上皮细胞膜上和肠腺腺腔中发现大量G-小杆菌。同时,用扫描电镜观察了各肠段粘膜表面的变化;用透射电镜研究了空肠前段粘膜上皮细胞中水貂细小病毒(MPV)的形态发生及其所引起的超微病变,发现核仁及其相随染色质参与了核内包涵体的形成。     

Cutaneous reactivity to mosquito bites and its antigens in cats

Abstract This study describes 26 cats with mosquito bite hypersensitivity. Most were short-haired, free-roaming cats. Typical clinical features were seasonal (summer), symmetric miliary dermatitis on the pinnae. Mosquito bite exposure with Aedes albopictus was performed on the pinnae and the lateral thorax in five cases and three healthy cats. All sites showed weals within 20 min. Papules, which revealed eosinophilic dermatitis, were recognized during a 12–48-h period. The control cats showed only slight and transient erythema after being bitten. Intradermal skin tests with an extract of A. albopictus were performed in three cases, and Prausnitz-Küstner tests under A. albopictus bites were performed in three cases. Both tests showed weals in all cases studied, although papules were not observed. Intradermal skin tests with the control cats, and Prausnitz-Küstner tests with saline and healthy cat serum failed to produce any positive reactions. The findings indicate that mosquito bite hypersensitivity in cats is triggered by a type I hypersensitivity reaction to mosquito antigens. Certain other factors may be involved in the formation of delayed papular reactions. Whether this is a normal or abnormal reaction to mosquito bites is also discussed. Résumé— Cette étude a été réalisée sur 26 chats atteints d'hypersensibilité aux piqûres de moustiques. La plupart des chats sont des chats à poils courts vivant à l'extérieur. Les lésions cliniques sont caractérisées par une dermatite miliaire symétrique sur les pavilions auriculaires survenant l'été. Une exposition aux piqûres de moustique (Aedes albopictus) a été réalisée sur les pavilions auriculaires et sur la face latérale du thorax de 5 chats atteints et de 3 chats sains. Tous les sites d'exposition montrent des reactions à 20 minutes. Ces papules qui traduisent une dermite éosinophilique, persistent pendant 12 à 48 heures. Les chats sains ne montrent qu'un érythème transitoire après la piqûre, des tests d'intradermoréaction avec un extrait d'A. albopictus ont été réalisés dans 3 cas, des tests de Prausnitz-Küstner spécifiques dans 3 cas. Les deux tests montrent des reactions dans tous les cas étudiés bien que des papules ne soient pas observées. Ces tests réalisés sur les chats témoins, ne montrent aucune reaction, positive ou significative. Ces résultats suggèrent que l'hypersensibilité aux piqûres de moustiques chez le chat est regie par une hypersensibilité de type I à divers antigènes de moustique. D'autres facteurs doivent intervenir dans la formation des reactions papuleuses retardées. [Mashiko N, Takuo I. Cutaneous reactivity to mosquito bites and its antigens in cats. (Réactivité cutanée aux piqûres de moustiques et à leurs antigènes chez le chat.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 19–26.] Résumén Este estudio describe 26 gatos con hipersensibilidad a la picadura de mosquito. La mayoria eran gatos en régimen abierto de pelo corto. Las caracteristicas clinicas tipicas fueron dermatitis miliar simétrica estacional (verano) en pabellones auriculares. Se llevó a cabo una exposición a la picadura del mosquito Aedes albopictus en los pabellones y en el tórax lateral en 5 casos y 3 gatos sanos. Todas las zonas mostraron ronchas a los 20 minutos. Aparecieron pápulas con dermatitis eosinofilica a las 12 a 48 horas. Los gatos control mostraron solamente eritema leve y transitorio tras la picadura. Se realizaron pruebas cutáneas intradérmicas con extracto de A. albopictus en 3 casos y pruebas de Prausnitz-Küstner bajo picaduras de A. albopictus en 3 casos. Ambas pruebas mostraron ronchas en todos los casos estudíados, aunque no se observaron pápulas. Las pruebas intracutáneas con los gatos control y las pruebas de Prausnitz-Küstner con suero salino y suero de gatos sanos no causaron reacción positiva. Estos hallazgos indican que la hipersensibilidad a la picadura de mosquito se inicia por una hipersensibilidad de tipo I a antigenos del mosquito. Otros factores pueden estar implicados en la formación de reacciones papulares retardadas. Se discute si esta es una reacción normal o anormal a la picadura de mosquito. [Mashiko N, Takuo I. Cutaneous reactivity to mosquito bites and its antigens in cats. (Reactividad cutanea a las picaduras de mosquito y sus antigenos en el gato.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 19–26.] Zusammenfassung— Diese Studie beschreibt 26 Katzen mit Mückenstichhypersensibilität. Die meisten der Tiere waren kurzhaarig und hatten Freilauf. Die typischen klinischen Bilder bestanden in säsonaler (Sommer), symmetrischer miliarer Dermatitis an den Ohrmuschein. Es wurde eine Exposition auf Mückenstiche mit Aedes albopictus an den Ohrmischein und am lateralen Thorax bei 5 Patienten und 3 gesunden Katzen durchgeführt. Alle Stellen zeigten Quaddeln innerhalb von 20 Minuten. Papeln, die eine eosinophile Dermatitis enthüllten, wurden nach einer Zeitspanne von 12 bis 48 Stunden gesehen. Die Kontrollkatzen zeigten ein nur leichtes und transientes Erythem nach dem Biß. Intradermale Hauttests mit einem Extrakt von A. albopictus wurden in 3 Fallen durchgeführt und Prausnitz-Küstner-Tests unter A. albopictus-Bissen wurden in 3 Fallen durchgeführt. Beide Tests zeigten Quaddeln in alien untersuchten Fallen, obwohl Papeln nicht beobachtet wurden. In den intradermalen Hauttests bei den Kontrollkatzen und Prausnitz-Küstner-Tests mit Kochsalz-Lösung und Serum gesunder Katzen gelang es nicht, irgendweiche positiven Reaktionen zu erzeugen. Diese Befunde zeigen, daß Mückenstichhypersensibilität bei Katzen durch eine Typ 1-Hypersensibilitätsreaktion auf Mückenantigene ausgelöst wird. Bestimmte andere Faktoren können in die Bildung von verzögerten papulären Reaktionen miteinbezogen sein. Ob dies eine normale oder unnormale Reaktion auf Mückenstiche ist, wird ebenfalls diskutiert. [Mashiko N, Takuo I. Cutaneous reactivity to mosquito bites and its antigens in cats. (Hautreaktivität auf Mückenstiche und Antigene bei der Katze.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 19–26.]     

硬骨鱼肥大细胞的研究进展

有关肥大细胞，在某些啮齿动物及人类中研究已比较深入，但在鱼类及其他低等脊椎动物中研究较少。硬骨鱼(teleostean fish)肥大细胞(MC)，常被称为嗜酸性颗粒细胞(EGC)，或肥大细胞／嗜酸性颗粒细胞(MC／EGC)，本文对有关研究进展作一综述并对硬骨鱼肥大细胞的发生、组织化学性质、细胞颗粒介质及其在鱼类健康与疾病中可能的功能意义等进行讨论，旨为深入研究鱼类重大疫病的发生机理提供基础依据。     

Distichiasis in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

A 4‐year‐old intact male ferret was presented to the Ophthalmology Service of the Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals of Utrecht University with chronic blepharospasm, epiphora, and conjunctivitis of the right eye. Examination of the eye revealed mild conjunctivitis and three hairs protruding from the openings of meibomian glands in the upper eyelid, providing the clinical diagnosis of distichiasis. The distichia were removed by transconjunctival unipolar electrocautery. Recovery was uneventful, but the original signs recurred 10 weeks after surgery. Ophthalmic examination revealed another distichia at a different location in the same eyelid and it was removed by full‐thickness wedge excision. Histopathological examination failed to reveal the exact origin of the distichia. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of distichiasis in a ferret.     

Idiopathic eosinophilic colitis lesions of the equine small (descending) colon

Five horses with a primary surgical lesion of the small (descending) colon were diagnosed with eosinophilic colitis based on visual and histopathological examination. These were evident as visibly striking, hyperaemic, focal lesions of the small colon, with serosal petechiation, oedema and marked thickening of the intestinal wall at the site. Areas of focal necrosis were also evident. The gross appearance of the lesions were considered to be sufficiently severe in all cases to merit resection, due to concerns about intestinal necrosis and septic peritonitis. An inability to fully exteriorise the affected portion of intestine to perform a resection and anastomosis necessitated intraoperative euthanasia of one horse. A total of three horses survived to hospital discharge. Eosinophilic colitis lesions are a rare cause of severe small colon disease, but should be considered in cases with similar visual characteristics.     

A novel herpesvirus associated with chronic superficial keratitis and proliferative conjunctivitis in a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)

An adult great‐horned owl (Bubo virginianus; GHOW) presented with a history of recurrent corneal ulceration of the right eye (OD). Findings included ulcerative superficial keratitis, proliferative conjunctivitis, and iris pigmentary changes. The ulcer was initially nonresponsive to medical therapy, but showed rapid and appropriate healing following diamond burr debridement. Proliferative conjunctivitis markedly improved following topical antiviral therapy with cidofovir 1%, interferon alpha 2B ophthalmic solutions, and oral l ‐lysine. Histopathologic evaluation of a conjunctival biopsy revealed epithelial features suspicious for viral cytopathic changes and intranuclear structures suspicious for viral inclusions, suggestive of a possible viral‐induced papillomatous conjunctivitis. A novel alphaherpesvirus, referred to as Strigid Herpesvirus 1 (StrHV1), was identified using PCR and gene sequencing. This case represents a new clinical manifestation of a previously unreported herpesvirus in the GHOW. Identification of the herpes virus was critical to administration of appropriate therapy and resolution of the conjunctivitis, and corneal epithelial debridement promoted resolution of the chronic corneal epithelial defect.     

Fatal equine meningoencephalitis in the United Kingdom caused by the panagrolaimid nematode Halicephalobus gingivalis: case report and review of the literature

A fatal case of eosinophilic and granulomatous meningoencephalitis caused by the free-living panagrolaimid nematode Halicephalobus gingivalis is reported in a 10-year-old Welsh gelding in the United Kingdom. Clinical examination first revealed behavioural abnormalities which rapidly progressed to severe ataxia, reduced mentation status and cranial nerve signs. Despite symptomatic treatment no amelioration of neurological signs was achieved and the horse was subjected to euthanasia. A complete post mortem examination revealed eosinophilic and granulomatous meningoencephalitis mainly affecting the cerebellum and brain stem with intralesional adult nematodes, larvae and eggs. There was also eosinophilic meningitis of the cervical spinal cord. The intralesional nematodes were morphologically consistent with the panagrolaimid nematode H. gingivalis. Although infection by this facultative neurotropic parasite is extremely rare, it needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of central nervous signs in horses and, in particular, other equine helminthic infection of the central nervous system. This fatal case is unusual since lesions were locally very extensive and the nematodes did not colonise haematogenously to other organs as seen often in equine halicephalobosis. As the taxonomy of H. gingivalis has changed and some recent reports in the literature still refer to this species as Micronema deletrix or Halicephalobus deletrix, we here provide a short update of the species and some insights on the order Tylenchida, which contains free-living nematodes with parasitic tendencies.