Trophoblast-like cells in the tissues of porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum)

During development and subsequent field evaluation of an oral vaccinia-rabies glycoprotein (V-RG) recombinant virus vaccine, 53 adult porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum; 38 females and 15 males) were examined. Microscopic examinations revealed the presence of giant epitheloid cells in various tissues (adrenal glands, spleen, liver, and lungs) of 4 (11%) female animals. These giant cells were approximately 20 times the size of the surrounding cells of the parenchyma. The cells were found singly and were not associated with any inflammatory cellular infiltrate and appeared to be located within vascular lumina. Morphologically these cells were typical of uterine epitheloid trophoblasts. This is the first record of the presence of trophoblast-like cells in nongenital tissues of porcupines.     

Hepatic lipidosis and other test findings in two captive adult porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) dying from a "sudden death syndrome".

Routine postmortem examination and histologic evaluation of tissue sections demonstrated hepatic lipidosis (HL) in 2 adult captive porcupines with a history of sudden death. The male porcupine had a markedly enlarged pale liver that microscopically showed large unilocular vacuoles within hepatocellular cytoplasm. The periparturient female had similar but less marked hepatic lesions and an incidental pulmonary mycosis. These findings suggest HL as an important differential of spontaneous death in captive porcupines. It is hypothesized that in addition to the widely documented causes, HL in captive porcupines may be specifically associated with nutritional imbalances caused by the feeding of unsuitable commercial diets. The possible association of the condition with dietary and other factors in captive porcupines needs to be thoroughly investigated.     

Hepatic capillariasis in captive ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)

A female ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) and her two cubs held in a zoo in Chile exhibited signs of severe hepatic insufficiency. In spite of supportive treatment, the three animals died a few days after the onset of signs. Postmortem examination revealed ascites and fibrotic lesions in the liver of all the individuals. Histologically, the liver of two of them showed a severe parasitic ova infection and lipidosis, the morphologic characteristics of the parasitic ovas were consistent with Capillaria hepatica (syn. Calodium hepatica) eggs. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first clinical case report of hepatic capillariasis in prosimians, and its implications are discussed.     

Capillaria hepatica in a dog and a hedgehog

A liver infection with Capillaria hepatica is described, having been found for the first time in Switzerland in a dog and a hedgehog. After a literature review of cases known among man and animals, we present our own pathological findings. Furthermore, the parasite's life cycle is discussed.     

Baylisascaris procyonis encephalitis in Patagonian conures (Cyanoliseus patagonus), crested screamers (Chauna torquata), and a western Canadian porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum epixanthus) in a Manitoba zoo

Neurological disease occurred in 4 Patagonian conures (Cyanoliseus patagonus), 2 crested screamer chicks (Chauna torquata), and 1 western Canadian porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum epixanthus) at a Manitoba zoo. Baylisascaris procyonis, the common raccoon roundworm, not previously identified in Manitoba, is considered the likely cause of neural larval migrans in these cases.     

Capillaria hepatica infection in wild brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from the urban area of Milan, Italy

Forty-seven wild brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) collected from the urban area of Milan (Italy) were screened for Capillaria hepatica liver infection. The liver of each rat was grossly and histologically examined for the presence of C. hepatica adults, eggs and typical C. hepatica induced lesions. In 17 rats (36%) liver lesions consistent with C. hepatica infection were detected. Grossly, white-yellow nodules of 1-5 mm in diameter were present, either scattered on the liver surface or localized in a single lobe. Histologically, granulomatous liver lesions associated with eggs and/or worms were observed. The degree of gross liver involvement was moderate in most of the positive cases (71%). About 30 cases of C. hepatica infection in humans have been documented world-wide, most of which are reported in children from 1 to 5 years of age. Our results suggest that the potential transmission of C. hepatica to children in the study area should be considered an important health issue.     

Macrophages, myofibroblasts and mast cells in a rat liver infected with Capillaria hepatica

We trapped a rat (Rattus norvegicus) infected with Capillaria hepatica. At necropsy, grossly yellowish-white nodules (2-3 mm in diameter) were noted to be scattered on the liver''s surface. Microscopically, granulomatous and fibrotic nodules that contained the eggs and/or adult worms of Capillaria hepatica were detected in the liver. Septal fibrosis was diffusely formed throughout the liver. There were a number of ED1-positive macrophages located in the sinusoids of the pseudolobules. On the double staining, myofibroblasts and mast cells were generally observed within the fibrous septa with the mast cells in close proximity to the myofibroblasts. We suggest that the interactions between macrophages, myofibroblasts and mast cells play a role in the septal fibrosis observed in rats infected by Capillaria hepatica.     

The venous drainage of the heart in porcupines (Hystrix cristata)

The venous drainage of the heart in porcupines (Hystrix cristata) was investigated. Each of the five adult porcupines (three males, two females) was injected with a coloured latex mixture via the V. cava caudalis for the demonstration of the cardiac veins. The dissection of the specimens revealed that the venous drainage of the heart in porcupines was made by the V. cordis magna, V. distalis ventriculi sinistri, V. proximalis ventriculi sinistri, V. cordis caudalis (the left marginal vein), V. cordis media and Vv. cordis dextrae. The cardiac veins were observed in a subepicardial course on the heart except for the R. interventricularis paraconalis. The R. interventricularis paraconalis showed an intramyocardial course until the middle of the sulcus interventricularis paraconalis, and a subepicardial course after this point. The V. cordis magna and V. distalis ventriculi sinistri opened to the sinus coronarius. The V. cordis caudalis and the V. cordis media drained into the V. cava caudalis. The venous drainage of the conus arteriosus was made by the left V. coni arteriosi opening to the R. interventricularis paraconalis, and by the right V. coni arteriosi which continued to the Vv. cordis dextrae.