Use of destained cytology slides for the application of routine special stains

Background: Special stains to demonstrate microorganisms or intra‐ and extracellular substances have not been evaluated in detail regarding their applicability and usefulness in destained cytologic specimens. Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the results of routine special stains on destained slides previously stained with Hemacolor and on fresh (unstained) specimens. Methods: Archival Hemacolor‐stained fine needle aspirate specimens of inflammation with infectious agents (bacterial, mycobacterial, and fungal infections), neoplasia (melanoma, myxosarcoma, and mammary adenocarcinoma), and hemorrhage (pericardial effusion) from 14 dogs and 7 cats were selected. Cells in a minimum of 4 fields were photographed and 5 slides from each case were then destained by different methods (alcohol acid or microwave). Seven special stains were applied selectively to the destained slides, depending on the cytologic findings: periodic acid Schiff, Grocott–Gomori methenamine silver, Gram's, Ziehl–Neelsen, Alcian blue, Fontana–Masson, and Prussian blue. The same fields were rephotographed and 2 observers evaluated the slides qualitatively, with comparison to fresh cytologic specimens from similar lesions. Results: Special stains applied to destained slides demonstrated the expected cellular and extracellular material or organisms independent of the destaining method. Staining intensity, nonspecific staining (background), cell morphology, and nuclear counterstaining results were similar to those of special stains applied to fresh unstained slides. Conclusions: Destaining does not appear to affect the results of routine special staining for cytologic specimens. Destaining before special stains may be a valuable diagnostic strategy when few slides are present or only stained slides are available.     

口服补液盐防治家畜应激作用的初步实验研究

通过口服补液盐(ORS)对地塞米松驴应激模型防治作用实验,初步证明ORS有防治应激作用。为了更进一步证实其作用,进行了ORS防治4次猪运输和3次羊运输应激实验,结果证明予饮ORS液比常水对猪运输应激发病率减少了10％～18％,发病死亡率减少了0～23.1 ％;对羊发病率减少了4.6％～6％。运输前和运输后2个月称重表明,猪羊饮ORS液较常水具有增重快的趋势。     

Dietary influences on the hydration and acid–base status of experimentally dehydrated dairy calves

The incorporation of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) into ‘milk meals’ is potentially an effective, time-saving method of treating diarrhoeic calves. Although milk-based ORS are effective in improving the hydration and acid–base status of healthy calves, this effect remains to be confirmed in dehydrated/diarrhoeic animals. In this study, six experimentally-dehydrated calves were fed with either milk replacer (MR) or an ORS prepared in either water (WORS) or MR (MORS). In one experiment, calves were not treated and blood samples were taken before and after feeding. Parameters of hydration status were determined and blood gas analysis was performed.Plasma volumes increased significantly following the intake of a ‘fluid meal’ whereas they remained constant in the absence of treatment. The rate of plasma volume expansion was reduced by the feeding of MR relative to WORS or MORS. In dehydrated calves, the expansion of plasma volume was more pronounced following the intake of WORS but the increase was less and plasma osmolality increased significantly following the ingestion of MORS. The acid–base status of animals improved as a result of fluid absorption, but this effect was less obvious as the experimental protocol resulted in severe dehydration and moderate acidosis. Feeding hypertonic MORS raised the plasma osmolality in dehydrated calves, and may increase the risk of hypernatraemia in diarrhoeic calves, which should therefore have ad libitum access to water when undergoing treatment with hypertonic ORS. Further research is planned to assess whether feeding ORS reconstituted in milk or MR combined with ad libitum access to water offers a practical treatment for diarrhoeic calves.     

多菌种固态发酵酒糟生产菌体饲料蛋白的研究

本试验通过多菌种混合固体发酵白酒糟,旨在提高酒糟中蛋白含量。结果表明:在投料70g(次粉占40%)、尿素投加量为1%、接种量在3.5%、pH6.31、发酵时间为48h的条件下发酵酒糟所得的发酵蛋白质含量较高。     

Organisms in an aspirate from an ulcerated mass: etiologic agent or mass‐querade?

Smears prepared from a fine-needle aspirate of an ulcerated, dermal mass between the digits of a 9-month-old Bull Terrier puppy revealed a moderately cellular, mixed-cell inflammation with numerous extracellular organisms. The organisms were 3-8 microm in length, curved to oval in shape, with prominent nuclei, and (retrospectively) a rare single, narrow-based bud. The cytologic diagnosis was mycotic dermatitis due to infection with an unusual yeast. Histologic sections of the lesion showed pyogranulomatous inflammation without evidence of an infectious organism. Contamination of the cytologic smears was suspected to have taken place in the clinical pathology laboratory and was confirmed by the isolation of a yeast with identical microscopic features from a cactus located on a windowsill near the work bench. The yeast was cultured and identified as Rhodotorula minuta, an airborne contaminant and ubiquitous saprophyte. It can be difficult to differentiate external contamination from infection when interpreting a cytologic specimen, however, it is important to do so, especially for unusual or opportunistic pathogens.