Poxvirus infection in a cat with presumptive human transmission

The present report describes a case of generalized cowpox virus infection with necrotizing facial dermatitis in a cat and a likely transmission to an animal keeper. The viral aetiology was confirmed by histopathology, immunohistochemistry, PCR, virus isolation, DNA sequencing and electron microscopy. Histopathological examination of the cat's skin revealed a severe, necrotizing dermatitis with ballooning degeneration and hyperplasia of epithelial cells with pathognomonic cytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies. Additionally, at post-mortem examination, a systemic poxvirus infection was detected affecting pancreas, thymus, lymph node, liver and lung. The human patient's skin biopsy revealed an ulcerative dermatitis with epidermal hyperplasia and ballooning degeneration. Serological investigation displayed a high orthopoxvirus-specific antibody titre in the human patient. Environmental factors increase the natural reservoir host population for cowpox viruses, such as voles, which results in a higher risk of infection for cats and subsequently for humans. Due to this zoonotic potential, a cowpox virus infection must be considered as an aetiological differential in cases of necrotizing dermatitis in cats.     

Natural and experimental pox virus infection in the domestic cat

Three naturally occurring cases of cowpox virus infection in the domestic cat are described. Isolate L97 was identified as cowpox virus on the basis of morphology, serology and characteristic cytopathic effect in tissue culture and on the chorioallantoic membrane of embryonated eggs. All three cases showed multiple skin lesions, slight conjunctivitis or purulent ocular discharge but there were no respiratory signs. Two animals recovered, the third was put down as a stray. The disease was reproduced in experimental cats. Isolate L97 was inoculated into two cats intravenously and two cats by skin scarification. All four developed skin lesions at the site or sites of inoculation, and in one cat multiple lesions developed. The two intravenously inoculated animals also developed severe oedema of the neck and brisket around the site of inoculation into the jugular vein, and one cat died. Serological and pathological findings on both the natural and experimental infections are described. Serum neutralising antibody titres in both natural and experimental early convalescent cases were significantly enhanced by the addition of complement.     

The laboratory diagnosis of Orthopoxvirus infection in the domestic cat

Twenty-eight cases of naturally occurring feline Orthopoxvirus infection were diagnosed by combinations of virus isolation, electron microscopy, agar gel precipitation, histopathology and serology. Twenty-five of 28 cases were positive by virus isolation on the chorioallantoic membrane of hens' eggs and in tissue culture, 22 of 28 by electron microscopy, three of five by histopathology, none by agar gel precipitation, and 17 of 17 by serology. The techniques used are described, and the results compared and discussed.     

Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a domestic cat in Finland: Case report

Background

Anaplasmosis is a vectorborne disease caused by the gram-negative bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This species displays positive tropism to granulocytes and can cause illness in several mammalian species, including cats, dogs, and humans. It is considered as an emerging disease in Europe. The clinical signs are nonspecific and include fever, lethargy, and inappetence. The most typical hematologic abnormality is thrombocytopenia. A tentative diagnosis can be made by detecting intracytoplasmic morulae inside neutrophils. The diagnosis is confirmed by PCR and serology in paired serum samples. A sample for PCR analysis should be taken before treatment. Anaplasmosis is treated with doxycycline.

Case presentation

A feline case of anaplasmosis is presented. The history, clinical presentation, diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up are discussed.

Conclusions

This case indicates that Anaplasma phagocytophilum infects cats in Finland. To provide accurate treatment, anaplasmosis should be listed as a differential diagnosis in cats suffering from acute febrile illness with previous tick exposure.     

Electroejaculation in the domestic cat

A method of electroejaculation for tomcats is described. Normal sperm counts in 4 cats ranged from 6 to 13 times 10Vejaculate. There was a great deal of variation between collections from the same cat indicating the necessity for at least 5 collections when assessing the fertility of a tomcat. Sperm counts were higher in the latter half of the year, at the time of increased sexual activity for cats in the Brisbane area. The volume of semen collected by electroejaculation increased in direct proportion to the length of electrical stimulation, hence, volume is not a reliable criterion for the appraisal of semen. However, results have indicated that semen volume tends to increase from July to December, thus indicating increased accessory gland activity during the breeding season. As this procedure does not cause any apparent discomfort or harmful effects there seems no reason to assume that it could not be used routinely on stud cats.     

Pyogranulomatous panniculitis in a domestic cat associated with Pseudomonas luteola infection

Pseudomonas luteola, a pathogen causing disease in humans, has in animals been reported only in rainbow trout and ferrets. This case report describes pyogranulomatous panniculitis in a cat associated with P. luteola infection. Organisms were seen histologically and identified with PCR and sequencing. Lesions resolved after treatment with marbofloxacin.     

Equine laryngeal hemiplegia part II: some clinical observations

Some clinical features of laryngeal hemlplegia in 127 horses arc described. Possible aetiologic factors were found in only 11% of affected animals. The onset of clinical signs was either sudden or insidious. The majority of cases were presented because of an abnkmal respiratory noise made at exercise. Other clinical signs, particularly those usually attributed to laryngopalatal dislocation, were observed in a substantial proportion of affected animals. In all cases surveyed the left arytenoid was affected, although in 3 animals a bilateral laryngeal dysfunction was noted. Thirty of 65 animals examined with a fibreoptic endoscope had other upper respiratory tract abnormalities in addition to abnormal arytenoid movements. Electrocardiographic examination of 45 affected horses did not reveal a significantly higher incidence ot abnormalltles than that observed in the racing population. The majority of haemograms taken from affected animals were also within normal limits.     

Tritrichomonas foetus infection,a cause of chronic diarrhea in the domestic cat

Tritrichomonas foetus is a very intriguing trichomonad protozoan with respect to its varied choice of residence in the different host species. It is an obligate parasite of the reproductive and the gastrointestinal tract of bovine and feline host respectively, leading to trichomonosis. Bovine trichomonosis is a sexually transmitted disease whereas feline trichomonosis is a disease with a purported fecal-oral route of spread. Further, the trichomonad is a commensal in the nasal passages, stomach, cecum and colon of swine host. Advances have been exponential in understanding the trichomonad biology and specifically feline trichomonosis since late 1990s and early 2000s when T. foetus was soundly determined to be a causative agent of chronic diarrhea in the domestic cat. It is a challenging task, even for a skilled investigator not to mention the busy clinical veterinarian, to keep up with the vast volume of information. Here we comprehensively reviewed the trichomonad biology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, host immunity, world map of distribution, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. Risk factors associated with T. foetus-positive status in the domestic cat include young age, purebred, history of diarrhea, co-infections with other enteral pathogens. In addition, molecular similarity of bovine and feline isolates of T. foetus in DNA sequence was concisely discussed. The data presented serve as an information source for veterinarians, and investigators who are interested in biology of T. foetus and feline trichomonosis.     

Avian paramyxovirus type I infection in pigeons: clinical observations

An outbreak of a neurological disease in pigeons caused by avian paramyxovirus type I occurred in the New York metropolitan area in 1984. It was characterized clinically by head tremors, paresis of the wings and legs, ataxia, torticollis, and loose droppings. Clinical pathologic evaluation revealed anemia and elevated plasma transaminase enzymes. Mortality was virtually 100% in juvenile pigeons, whereas the adults generally experienced much lower morbidity and mortality.     

Echocardiography in the domestic cat.

Echocardiographic examinations were performed on 25 normal healthy cats placed in left lateral recumbency. The cats were representative of serveral breeds, consisted of 12 males and 13 females, and weighed between 2 and 6.5 kg. Twelve measurements from the echocardiograms of each cat were made for the purpose of compiling a small data base (reference values). These measurements included wall thicknesses, luminal dimensions, and contractile indices. Left ventricular wall thickness averaged 0.37 +/- 0.08 cm, and the septal wall thickness averaged 0.45 +/- 0.09 cm. The average left ventricular lumen in diastole was 1.48 +/- 0.26 cm, and in systole, it was 0.88 +/- 0.24 cm, which resulted in an average shortening fraction of 41 +/- 7.3%. Velocity of circumferential shortening, an index of contractility, averaged 2.86 +/- 0.78 cm. In eight additional cats, both ventricles were catheterized for echographic chamber identification and then cineangiographic procedures. Then these cats were euthanatized, and postmortem measurements were compared with echocardiographic and cineangiographic measurements. According to the three methods of determining wall thickness, differences were less than 15%, where the range of deviations was between 0 and 0.5 mm and the average deviation was -0.01 +/- 0.26 mm.     

Cystic liver disease related to high Platynosomum fastosum infection in a domestic cat

Platynosomum fastosum is a small fluke found in the biliary ducts and gallbladder of cats. Its lifecycle includes the snail Sublima octona as intermediate host, and lizards, toads and geckos as paratenic hosts. Affected cats are usually adult and acquire the parasite by feeding on infected lizards. This parasite occurs across the world but is more frequent in tropical areas. The clinical signs range from none to obstruction of the biliary tract, with hepatic failure and death, reinforcing the necessity of including the liver fluke Platynosomum fastosum in the differential diagnosis of hepatic diseases in cats. This report describes an unusual case of a cat with a polycystic hepatic disease and a severe infestation by Platynosomum fastosum and presents a review of the literature.     

Pharmacokinetics of cefotaxime in the domestic cat

Cefotaxime was administered as single IV or IM dose for the purpose of examining its pharmacokinetics in healthy cats. The mean predicted plasma concentration of cefotaxime in 6 cats at 0 time after a single IV dosage of 10 mg/kg of body weight was 88.9 micrograms/ml. The mean plasma concentrations decreased to 10.8 micrograms/ml at 2 hours, 3.7 micrograms/ml at 3 hours, and 0.5 microgram/ml at 6 hours. The half-life was 0.98 +/- 0.25 hour (mean +/- SD), and the total body clearance was determined to be 2.76 +/- 1.25 ml/min/kg. After a single IM injection of 10 mg/kg of body weight, the mean maximum observed plasma concentration was 36.2 micrograms/ml at 0.75 hour. The mean absorption half-life was 0.24 hour. In 2 animals, the bioavailability of an IM injection was 98.2% and 93.0%.