Equine influenza in the United Kingdom in 1998

In 1998, equine influenza was diagnosed by serology and nucleoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as the cause of acute respiratory disease in vaccinated and unvaccinated horses in the UK. The signs were generally milder in vaccinated horses and completely susceptible animals showed the most severe signs, including pyrexia, inappetence, coughing, mucopurulent nasal discharge and secondary bacterial pneumonia. In a detailed investigation of an outbreak among 52 vaccinated thoroughbreds in a flat racing yard, more than 60 per cent of the horses seroconverted on the evidence of paired serum samples tested by single radial haemolysis (SRH). Preliminary sequencing and characterisation of an isolate from this outbreak indicated that it was an 'American-like' strain. In addition, in this outbreak there was a larger proportion of horses with preinfection SRH titres greater than 140 mm2 that subsequently seroconverted than in other recent outbreaks from which 'European-like' strains have been isolated. This result suggested that the cross-protectivity between circulating 'American-like' strains and the 'European-like' strains of A/equine-2 viruses present in current vaccines may be decreasing.     

Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome. clinical and pathological features of cases in the United Kingdom (1993-1998)

This paper documents the salient clinical and pathological features of porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) in 96 pigs submitted from 55 units in the UK from 1993 to 1998. This series of cases pre-dated the emergence of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in the UK. The morbidity during outbreaks was 1% or less. Affected pigs ranged from 14 to 70 kg in weight and most died after a short clinical illness. Fifty-five pigs had multifocal or coalescing erythematous skin lesions, some progressing to dermal necrosis. Biochemistry showed raised serum urea, creatinine and gamma globulin levels accompanied by proteinuria. All cases showed bilateral renal enlargement with petechiae throughout the cortices. Microscopically these renal lesions ranged in chronology from acute necrotizing glomerulitis and vasculitis with multiple hyaline casts in renal tubules to chronic glomerular sclerosis with interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. Haemorrhagic dermatitis when present was associated with necrotizing vasculitis in the dermal vessels. Vasculitis was sometimes detected in other tissues including subcutis, lymph nodes, spleen, liver, joint synovial membrane, gastric and intestinal submucosa or serosa and meninges but its frequency and distribution varied considerably in individual pigs. Immunostaining showed deposits of IgG and IgM in damaged glomeruli, renal casts and skin lesions. The aetiology and pathogenesis of the condition remain unknown but the histopathological and immunological findings suggest a systemic immune-complex disorder resulting in vasculitis with particular predilection for kidney and skin.     

英国兽药理事会批准的可用于马匹的兽药产品分析

为了探究英国兽药理事会(VMD)批准上市的马匹兽药产品情况,从VMD 2016年3月提供的产品信息数据库统计分析。结果显示,上市的可用于马匹的兽药产品占兽药总数的12%,而马匹专属产品占6%;1990年-2015年年均批准马匹用兽药产品约12个;持有上市总兽药以及马匹兽药数量最多的前3个企业依次为Norbrook laboratories Ltd,Zoetis UK Ltd和Intervet UK Ltd;批准产品中抗炎药、中枢神经系统药和抗寄生虫药比例最高;优势兽药活性成分中非甾体抗炎药美洛昔康、抗寄生虫药伊维菌素及其同吡喹酮复方和镇静剂甲苯噻嗪获批产品数名列前3位;从给药途径来看,注射给药产品占62%,而口服产品占27%,外用和吸入给药产品比例较低。以上统计结果说明国际兽药企业注重马匹用药在英国的审批和上市,从马匹用兽药优势品种和主要活性成分可以提示马匹用药热点,该统计结果为管理和制定同国际接轨的我国马匹用药标准提供参考。     

Equine viral arteritis (EVA): A potential trapdoor for the practicing veterinary surgeon in the United Kingdom

Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is a notifiable disease in the UK with potentially serious consequences for horse owners and breeders. Legislation exists under ‘The Equine Viral Arteritis Order 1995’ to protect the UK from this contagious equine disease. The UK is at risk of introduction of EVA through importation of infected horses or semen. There is however much misunderstanding regarding the importance of EVA and occasionally misinterpretation, specifically on how to protect and manage stallions with vaccination. Issues with changing vaccine datasheet recommendations and vaccine availability have resulted in stallions being inappropriately vaccinated or vaccinations lapsing. This article is aimed at the practicing veterinary surgeon, to update them as to the current status of EVA vaccination and disease screening in horses in the UK and how to avoid some common pitfalls.     

Four cases of equine polysaccharide storage myopathy in the United Kingdom

This paper describes four cases of equine polysaccharide storage myopathy which were confirmed by histological examination of muscle biopsy specimens. The horses were of mixed breeding, with warmblood and thoroughbred dominating. They all had recurrent episodes of rhabdomyolysis, indicated by clinical signs and increased plasma levels of muscle enzymes. They were managed conservatively and have continued athletic careers despite their disease.     

Copper and zinc levels in the blood of thoroughbreds in training in the United Kingdom

The concentration of copper and zinc in the blood and sera of over 300 Thoroughbreds in training was determined by atomic absorption between February 1979 and July 1981. The mean (+/- sd) concentration of copper in the serum of stabled Thoroughbreds (79 +/- 16 micrograms/dl) was significantly (P less than 0.0001) lower than that of those at grass (101 +/- 26 micrograms/dl), whereas the mean serum zinc concentration of stabled Thoroughbreds (170 +/- 54 micrograms/dl) was higher than that of those at grass (111 +/- 45 micrograms/dl). No such differences were observed in whole blood. There were marked differences in the mean serum copper and zinc concentrations in the blood of Thoroughbreds housed in different stables. Significant changes occurred throughout the year in the mean values from individual stables. However, there were no such changes in the mean values of the total population. The observed differences were probably caused by dietary variations. The results emphasise the need to establish reference values related to diet if copper and zinc levels in blood are to be used for interpretative purposes.     

Pancreatic islet cell adenocarcinoma: clinical and diagnostic features of six cases.

The clinicopathologic aspects of pancreatic islet cell adenocarcinoma in 6 dogs were compared. Diagnosis was based on insulin-glucose ratios in 5 dogs. Surgical excision of the tumor resulted in absence of clinical signs for at least 1 year in 3 dogs.     

Equine sarcoidosis: clinical signs,diagnosis, treatment and outcome of 22 cases

Background –  Equine sarcoidosis may present as a generalized or localized exfoliative dermatitis and/or as a granulomatous inflammation of multiple organs. Objectives –  To report the clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and outcome for 22 horses with histologically confirmed sarcoidosis. Animals –  Twenty‐two horses of different breeds, between 3 and 17 years of age. Methods –  Diagnosis was based on clinical signs and histopathological findings. Results –  The following three forms of equine sarcoidosis were identified: generalized (13.6%), partially generalized (18.2%) and localized (68.2%). High‐dose systemic corticosteroids were used as the initial treatment in all three forms, followed by lower doses for a variable number of weeks. No local treatment was prescribed. Case outcome was variable; one of three cases of generalized sarcoidosis was euthanized immediately and the remaining two were euthanized after 2–3 months of unsuccessful treatment; all four cases of partially generalized sarcoidosis deteriorated despite treatment and were euthanized after 3.5–12 months; two cases with localized disease showed no response or insufficient response to treatment and were euthanized; four cases recovered fully with or without treatment, and one showed partial recovery without treatment; and eight cases improved whilst receiving prednisolone but required continuous low doses to maintain remission. Conclusions and clinical importance –  Recognition of the different forms of sarcoidosis based on history, clinical appearance and histopathology assisted in making an informed choice between treatment and euthanasia and prevented unnecessary local treatment. Equine sarcoidosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of a localized exfoliative dermatitis of unknown origin.     

Intestinal haemangiosarcoma in the cat: clinical and pathological features of four cases

The clinical and pathological features of four cases of feline intestinal haemangiosarcoma are described. All cases were in domestic shorthaired cats and the mean age of the animals (n=3) was 13 years. The tumours originated in the colon, small intestine, ileocaecocolic junction or rectum. The rectal tumour was juxtaposed with an adjacent mast cell neoplasm. Metastasis to mesenteric lymph node occurred in two cases, and in one of these cats there was also abdominal seeding. The histopathological appearance was of a spindle cell neoplasm with vascular differentiation in each case. Immunohistochemical staining for factor VIII-related antigen, an endothelial cell marker, confirmed all four tumours to be of endothelial origin. The neoplastic endothelial cells lining irregular vascular channels were more likely to express the antigen than those forming denser sheets without obvious vascular differentiation.     

Natamycin treatment of ringworm in cattle in the United Kingdom.

A total of 258 cattle clinically affected with Trichophyton verrucosum (ringworm) were treated twice by spraying with a suspension containing the fungicidal antibiotic natamycin. One-hundred-and-forty-seven in-contact, but unaffected cattle were also similarly treated. Forty-one of the affected animals were examined mycologically and clinically as they were taken to be representative of the whole group. At eight weeks after the last treatment 93 per cent of the affected animals had completely recovered and the remaining 7 per cent had improved markedly; 70 per cent of the mycologically examined animals proved negative at the same time. No reinfection of the recovered animals or spread of the disease to the treated in-contact animals was seen up to six months after treatment.