Evaluation of cattle for experimental infection with and transmission of Brucella suis biovar 4

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cattle can become persistently infected with Brucella suis biovar 4, whether the organism can be transmitted vertically or horizontally, and whether tests for bovine brucellosis are diagnostic. DESIGN: Observational study. ANIMALS: 24 pregnant cows and their calves and 6 bulls. PROCEDURE: Cows and bulls were housed separately in groups of 6 with each group consisting of 3 cattle experimentally infected with B suis biovar 4 and 3 na?ve animals. Cattle were observed for clinical signs daily; blood samples were collected weekly. Clotted blood from each sample was submitted for bacterial culture. Serum was tested with an indirect ELISA and the standard tube agglutination test (STAT), buffered plate agglutination test, brucellosis card test (BCT), and complemen't fixation test (CFT). Tissues collected at necropsy were submitted for bacterial culture and histologic examination. RESULTS: All 15 inoculated cattle seroconverted on 2 or more serologic tests, and bacteria were isolated from 4 inoculated cows at necropsy. There was no bacteriologic evidence of vertical or horizontal transmission, and none of the cattle developed clinical abnormalities or gross or histologic lesions. Results of the indirect ELISA were positive for all inoculated cattle. The other tests gave variable results; the CFT, STAT, and BCT yielded negative results for at least 1 of the 4 cattle from which the organism was isolated. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that cattle-to-cattle transmission of B suis biovar 4 is unlikely. Serologic tests for bovine brucellosis should be used cautiously when attempting to identify cattle with rangiferine brucellosis, as they do not discriminate between the 2 diseases and vary in their ability to detect exposed cattle.     

Cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus infection of obese mice

Cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus was identified in respiratory tract lesions of obese mice dying of chronic respiratory disease. Neither Mycoplasma pulmonis nor pathogenic bacteria were isolated from cultures of the lesions at necropsy, but there was serologic and histologic evidence of respiratory virus infection. Cranial-ventral areas of lung were firm and demarcated from unaffected lung at gross examination, and representative tissue sank in water. Microscopically, there was suppurative bronchopneumonia with extensive peribronchiole lymphocyte and plasma cell proliferation. The affected bronchiole epithelium was covered with a sheet of slightly basophilic, filamentous, gram negative bacteria. Bronchioles with lesser amounts of lymphocyte accumulations contained lesser amounts of filamentous bacteria. Bronchioles without filamentous bacteria lining the respiratory epithelium lacked peribronchiole lymphocyte accumulations. There was a high correlation between CAR bacillus-positive serology and the identification of diagnostic histologic lesions. CAR bacillus was readily stained using immunohistochemical methods, and the ultrastructural features were similar to that described in rat infections.     

Bacterial microflora of normal and telangiectatic livers in cattle.

OBJECTIVE: To identify potential bacterial pathogens in normal and telangiectatic livers of mature cattle at slaughter and to identify consumer risk associated with hepatic telangiectasia. SAMPLE POPULATION: 50 normal livers and 50 severely telangiectatic livers. PROCEDURE: Normal and telangiectatic livers were collected at slaughter for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture. Isolates were identified, and patterns of isolation were analyzed. Histologic examination of all livers was performed. RESULTS: Human pathogens isolated from normal and telangiectatic livers included Escherichia coli O157:H7 and group-D streptococci. Most livers in both groups contained bacteria in low numbers; however, more normal livers yielded negative culture results. More group-D streptococci were isolated from the right lobes of telangiectatic livers than from the left lobes, and more gram-negative anaerobic bacteria were isolated from left lobes of telangiectatic livers than from right lobes. All telangiectatic lesions were free of fibrosis, active necrotizing processes, and inflammation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The USDA regulation condemning telangiectatic livers is justified insofar as these livers contain more bacteria than normal livers do; however, normal livers contain similar species of microflora. Development of telangiectasia could not be linked to an infectious process. The finding of E coli O157:H7 in bovine livers suggests that information regarding bacterial content of other offal and muscle may identify sources of this and other potential foodborne pathogens and assist in establishing critical control points for the meat industry.     

Spinal arthropathy associated with Ochrobactrum anthropi in free-ranging cane toads (Chaunus [Bufo] marinus) in Australia

Inflammatory or degenerative pathology involving the vertebral bodies and/or ventral intervertebral joints has been described in numerous species, both captive and free ranging, including mammals, birds, and snakes, although never in amphibians. We described 15 cases of a newly recognized spinal arthropathy in adult cane toads (Chaunus [Bufo] marinus), an invasive species in Australia. Grossly appreciable lesions consisted primarily of ventral proliferation of bone and cartilage that resulted in ankylosis. Histologic examination of the entire vertebral columns of the 15 affected toads revealed 13 toads to have lesions at multiple intervertebral sites, totalling 41 intervertebral joints with lesions. Most lesions involved bone and cartilage proliferation that resulted in fusion of the joint, with (n = 15) or without (n = 9) associated pyogranulomatous inflammation. In the remaining 17 affected joints, histologic lesions were characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage without joint fusion. In addition, in one of these joints, there was also hemorrhage and pyogranulomatous inflammation. Bacterial culture of affected joints in 9 toads and grossly normal joints in 4 control toads resulted in isolation of Ochrobactrum anthropi in 7 affected toads but in none of the controls (P < .01). We proposed an interaction between degenerative and bacterial etiologies in the pathogenesis of this condition. Invasive toads may be predisposed to this condition because of their large size; increased rates of movement; and, possibly, immunosuppression resulting from inhabiting a novel environment.     

Comparison of bacteriologic culture of blood and necropsy specimens for determining the cause of foal septicemia: 47 cases (1978-1987)

Diagnosis of bacterial septicemia was confirmed by results of bacteriologic culture of antemortem blood samples and/or necropsy specimens obtained from 47 foals up to 8 days old. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from all 47 foals, and mixed infections with more than one organism were involved in 26 (55%). Escherichia coli, Actinobacillus spp, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most frequent isolates, infecting 55, 34, and 23% of foals, respectively. Gram-positive bacteria and anaerobic bacteria were isolated only from foals with mixed infections with gram-negative organisms. Clostridium perfringens was the only anaerobe isolated. In 38 (81%) of 47 foals with confirmed septicemia, blood samples were culture-positive. Thirty-two septicemic foals subsequently died, allowing a comparison to be made between the species of bacteria isolated by culture of blood with those recovered by culture of internal organs at necropsy. Blood failed to yield any gram-negative organisms in 12 (37.5%) of 32 foals from which a gram-negative pathogen was isolated at necropsy. Forty-three percent of the gram-negative bacteria, including 59% of the E coli, and 10% of the gram-positive bacteria found in septicemic foals at necropsy were not detected earlier by results of bacteriologic culture of blood.     

Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in turkey poults with gross lesions resembling aspergillosis.

The present report describes a case of Staphylococcus (Staph.) aureus pneumonia in turkey poults. Initially, 3-day-old poults with a history of increased mortality were submitted for necropsy. The poults had severe bilateral consolidation of the lungs with miliary caseous nodules. The gross lesions in the lungs were highly suggestive of aspergillosis. The next day, postmortem examinations were performed on 60 dead poults at the farm, and all 60 had similar lung lesions. Histopathologic examination of affected lungs revealed severe subacute multifocal bronchopneumonia with intralesional bacteria. Tissue Gram stain of lung sections demonstrated gram-positive bacterial cocci. Gomori methenamine silver stain of the lungs failed to demonstrate fungal agents. The histologic distribution of the lesions suggested an aerogenous route of infection. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in pure culture from affected lungs. Hatchery contamination was suspected because of the severity and early onset of the lesions. Bacterial monitoring at the hatchery demonstrated marked Staph. aureus contamination in two setters, a hatcher's air duct, and the poult room. Improved hatchery cleaning and disinfection prevented a reoccurrence of the problem.     

Bacteriologic and pathologic studies of hepatic lesions in sheep

At an abattoir, lesion specimens from 140 condemned sheep livers were collected for bacteriologic culture and for pathologic examination. Grossly, 23 lesions were abscesses; from 9 of which, Fusobacterium necrophorum biovar A (3 in pure culture and 6 in mixed culture) was isolated and from 14 of which, biovar B (6 in pure culture and 8 in mixed culture) was isolated. Escherichia coli was the predominant facultative anaerobic bacterium and Clostridium perfringens was the predominant obligate anaerobic bacterium isolated from the 14 lesions with mixed bacterial infection. Histologically, these lesions had a core of coagulation necrosis, encircled by a zone of necrotic phagocytic cells and bacteria with cellular characteristics of F necrophorum biovars A or B, and a connective tissue capsule. Of the 117 lesions without F necrophorum, 49 were culture-positive (for other organisms) and 69 were culture-negative. These 117 lesions were fibrous and were smaller than the 23 abscesses. A variety of gram-positive and gram-negative facultative anaerobic and obligate anaerobic bacteria was isolated from the culture-positive lesions, but always in low numbers. Eleven culture-negative and 18 culture-positive lesions were examined and had histologic characteristics of parasite-induced granulomas, with numerous eosinophils and epithelioid giant cells. Results of the study indicated that the histologic appearance of ovine hepatic lesions with F necrophorum was similar to bovine liver abscesses caused by F necrophorum, but unlike bovine liver abscesses, F necrophorum biovar B was isolated more frequently than was biovar A and often in pure culture. Most of the lesions in the condemned livers were parasite-induced granulomas.     

Relationship of upper and lower urinary tract infection and bacterial invasion of uroepithelium to antibody-coated bacteria test results in female dogs

Urinary tract infection was demonstrated in 12 female dogs via bacteriologic culture of a specimen of bladder urine collected by antepubic cystocentesis. Escherichia coli was isolated in pure culture from the urine of 9 dogs. Urine specimens from 2 dogs contained E coli and alpha-streptococci and from 1 dog contained Streptococcus zymogenes in pure culture. In 6 dogs, urinary tract infection was limited to the urinary bladder, whereas 6 dogs had unilateral or bilateral culture-positive renal pelvic urine as well (specimens collected by percutaneous nephropyelostomy). An antibody-coated bacteria (ACB) test was conducted on a portion of the bladder urine specimen from each dog, and the urinary tissues from these 12 dogs and from 6 healthy, noninfected female dogs were examined at necropsy. Tissues were given a subjective score based on the severity of the lesions seen microscopically. Histologic scores, bacterial cultural results, and ACB test results were examined for significance. A significant difference was found in the histologic scores between infected and noninfected dogs (P less than 0.025), but comparisons among histologic scores, cultural results, and ACB test results were not significant among infected dogs. The ACB test could neither be used to localize bacterial infection within the urinary tract nor could it be used to indicate the presence of bacterial invasion of the uroepithelium in dogs.     

Isolation of cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus from pigs and calves and experimental infection of gnotobiotic pigs and rodents.

Filamentous, gram-negative bacteria morphologically similar to cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus of rodents and rabbits were isolated from the tracheas of 5 pigs and 4 calves. All pigs but none of the calves had histologic lesions of chronic tracheitis. In silver-stained histologic sections, CAR bacilli were adhered to the tracheal epithelium of each pig but were not found in the calves. Like CAR bacillus of rats, the bacteria displayed gliding motility and grew only in cell culture or cell culture medium supplemented with fetal serum. Initially, all isolates were contaminated by Mycoplasma spp. This contamination was eliminated from 4 pig isolates by limiting dilutions, and mycoplasma-free isolates were used to intranasally inoculate gnotobiotic pigs and CAR bacillus-free mice and rats and to immunize guinea pigs. The gnotobiotic pigs remained healthy, and when they were necropsied 4 and 7 weeks after infection no macroscopic or microscopic lesions were found in the respiratory tract. However, CAR bacillus was isolated at both times from the nasal cavities and tracheas of inoculated pigs, and the ciliated tracheal epithelium of infected pigs necropsied 7 weeks after infection was colonized by low numbers of CAR bacillus-like bacteria. The rats and mice remained healthy through week 12 postinoculation, and evidence of short- or long-term colonization was not detected by histologic examination or culture. When used as primary antibody for immunohistochemical staining, sera from guinea pigs immunized with pig CAR bacillus specifically stained CAR bacilli colonizing the respiratory epithelium of naturally infected pigs, whereas sera collected prior to immunization failed to react with the bacteria. These results indicate that CAR bacilli are unlikely to be primary pathogens of pigs or cattle and that rodents do not act as reservoirs.     

Effects of castration on chronic bacterial prostatitis in dogs

An Escherichia coli bacterial prostatitis was experimentally induced in dogs to determine the effect of castration on chronic bacterial prostatitis. Two weeks after instillation of bacteria directly into the prostate gland, 17 of 22 adult mixed-breed male dogs had positive urine or prostatic fluid cultures or both. Seven of the 17 dogs were randomly chosen to be castrated, and 10 of the 17 served as sham-operated controls. At weekly intervals, urine was obtained from 17 dogs for aerobic microbiologic culturing. At each week, dogs with no bacterial growth in the cultured urine had prostatic fluid collected for aerobic microbiologic culture. Dogs with negative urine, prostatic fluid, and prostatic tissue needle biopsy culture results at week 7 were euthanatized. For remaining dogs, weekly cultures were continued until the dogs were euthanatized at week 12. None of the 7 castrated dogs and 6 of the 10 dogs subject to sham operation had prostatic infection at the time of necropsy. The castrated dogs had a mean infection duration of 4.2 weeks, which was statistically shorter than the 9.5-week mean duration of infection in the sham-operated controls. Cultures of prostatic tissue obtained immediately after euthanasia correlated 100% with urine and prostatic fluid cultures taken before euthanasia. All of the 6 dogs with positive prostatic cultures at termination had moderate to marked lymphoplasmacytic chronic prostatitis. The 11 dogs that were not infected at the end of the study had normal to moderate lymphoplasmacytic chronic prostatitis on histologic examination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Fatal mycotic dermatitis in captive brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis).

Cutaneous fungal infections occurred in four captive brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis). The ventral scales were most commonly affected, and lesions began as areas of erythema and edema with vesicle formation, followed by development of caseous brown plaques. Lesions usually started where ventral scales overlapped and spread rapidly. All snakes died within 14 days after clinical signs were first noted. The deaths of three of the snakes were directly attributable to the cutaneous disease; the other snake died from renal failure and visceral gout, most likely induced by gentamicin therapy. Histologically, lesions consisted of epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis, with foci of epidermal necrosis, intraepidermal vesicle formation, and subacute inflammation of the underlying dermis. These lesions were associated with bacteria and numerous septate, branched fungal hyphae within the epidermis and overlying serocelluar crusts. Hyphae that penetrated through the superficial surface of the epidermis often formed terminal arthroconidia. The same species of fungus was isolated in pure culture from the skin of three snakes, but fungal cultures were not performed on samples from the fourth snake. The fungus has been identified as the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii based on its formation of solitary dermatophytelike aleurioconidia and alternate and fission arthroconidia. The source of the fungus in this outbreak was not determined; however, the warm, moist conditions under which the snakes were housed likely predisposed them to opportunistic cutaneous fungal infections.     

Osteomyelitis associated with Salmonella enterica SS arizonae in a colony of ridgenose rattlesnakes (Crotalus willardi).

The identification of three Arizona ridgenose rattlesnakes (Crotalus willardi) with Salmonella arizonae-associated osteomyelitis led to a 5-yr prospective study of radiographic signs and Salmonella intestinal carriage rates in a 19-member colony of this rattlesnake species. Ventrodorsal radiographs were performed and cloacal swabs were cultured for Salmonella spp. annually. Ten snakes survived the 5-yr period, with six of them remaining free of bony lesions. Three snakes that had no bony lesions in 1995 developed radiographic signs of osteomyelitis during the study. Six snakes with bony lesions at the beginning of the study died or were euthanatized due to osteomyelitis during the study. The radiographic signs of osteomyelitis were progressive for five snakes that were serially radiographed. Only one snake with radiographic signs of osteomyelitis at the beginning of the study was still alive at the end of the study, and this animal's bony lesions were more extensive at the end. Thirty-nine intestinal S. arizonae isolates, representing 13 serotypes, were obtained from the 19 snakes. Salmonella arizonae serotype 56:Z4,Z23 was isolated only once from a cloacal culture, from a snake that had no radiographic bone lesions. Twelve extraintestinal Salmonella isolates, representing two serotypes, were isolated from six snakes. All extraintestinal isolates except one were of S. arizonae serotype 56:Z4,Z23, and all isolates from bone were of this serotype. One snake with characteristic bone lesions died, and Providencia rettgeri was cultured from each of the tissues cultured, whereas no Salmonella spp. were isolated from this snake. Salmonella arizonae serotype 56:Z4,Z23 [corrected] appears to have a tropism for bone and other extraintestinal sites in C. willardi and may cause a progressive, ultimately fatal disease in this species.     

Bacteriologic and histologic studies of hepatic abscesses in cattle

Twenty-eight abscessed livers were collected from feedlot cattle at an abattoir; specimens were obtained from 49 abscesses for bacteriologic culture and for histologic examination. Cultural procedures included techniques to enumerate and isolate facultative and obligate anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria were isolated from all 49 abscesses, whereas facultative bacteria were isolated from only 22. Mean bacterial counts for anaerobic and facultative bacteria were 3 X 10(8) and 8 X 10(8) bacteria/g of purulent material, respectively. Fusobacterium necrophorum, the only anaerobe isolated, was detected in 100% of the abscesses. Fusobacterium necrophorum biotype A was isolated from 57% of the abscesses (in pure culture from 75%), and F necrophorum biotype B was isolated from 47% of the abscesses (from 96% with mixed infections). Corynebacterium pyogenes was the predominant facultative bacterium isolated. Histologic changes in abscesses were qualitatively similar; abscesses were pyogranulomatous, with a necrotic center surrounded by zones of inflammatory tissue. However, the severity of lesions varied, depending on the F necrophorum biotype involved. Portal triad fibrosis and bile-duct proliferation were most severe in biotype A and mixed biotype B infections and less severe in abscesses from which biotype B was isolated in pure culture.     

Association of severity of enteric granulomatous inflammation with disseminated Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection and antemortem test results for paratuberculosis in dairy cows

Disseminated infection (DI) of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in cattle may impair cow health, potentiate spread of disease, and is a potential food-safety risk. The objectives of this study were to determine the association between severity of histologic enteric lesions and the occurrence of DI, clinical signs, and positive fecal culture and serum ELISA results. Bacteriologic fecal culture and serum ELISA were performed on 40 dairy cows from MAP-infected herds. Cows were classified as having DI if MAP was isolated from any of 11 extra-intestinal tissues collected postmortem. A grade of 0-3, corresponding to the severity of histologically evident granulomatous inflammation was determined for sections of ileum, jejunum, mesenteric lymph node, and ileocolic lymph node. An overall intestinal inflammation (OII) grade of 0-3 was assigned to each cow. The proportion of cows with DI increased with tissue-specific lesion grade and OII grade. All cows with grade 3 inflammation in any single tissue had DI, however, some cows with DI had grade 1 inflammation or no lesions. In general, there was a positive association between OII grade and clinical signs, gross enteric lesions, and positive ELISA and fecal culture results. However, 12% of OII grade 0 cows had clinical signs (explained by other conditions recognized with necropsy), and the proportion of positive ELISA results was lower for OII grade 3 cows relative to grade 2 cows. Although MAP dissemination may occur early in the disease process, histopathology of intestinal tissues may be used to detect a substantial proportion of DI cows.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SPLENIC NODULAR LIPOMATOSIS OR MYELOLIPOMAS IN CHEETAHS (ACINONYX JUBATUS)

A total of 44 live cheetahs were examined sonographically between 1989 and 1994. Seventeen of these animals originated from 4 European facilities, the other 27 cheetahs were examined in 3 facilities in Namibia. Evaluation of the cheetahs included a clinical examination, abdominal ultrasound, and complete blood work. Splenic myelolipomas were diagnosed sonographically in 11 cheetahs. In 7 cheetahs the diagnosis was confirmed at necropsy. Nine of the 14 cheetahs in Europe had myelolipomas in the spleen, while in the African cheetahs there were only 2 animals with myelolipomas. Histologically these lesions were characterized by fatty nodules. A more fitting term of Nodular Lipomatosis of the spleen is therefore suggested. All cheetahs with nodular lipomatosis of the spleen, had concurrent chronic diseases at necropsy. An indicator function of splenic nodular lipomatosis for chronic disease and/or stress is possible.     

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection following renal transplantation in a cat

An 11-year-old cat with a history of renal transplantation and treatment with cyclosporine and prednisolone was examined because of vomiting, diarrhea, inappetence, lethargy, and weight loss. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed 2 large heteroechoic masses thought to be mesenteric lymph nodes. Ultrasound-guided biopsy was performed, and histologic examination of biopsy specimens revealed granulomatous inflammation of presumptive lymph node tissue. Examination of sections stained with acid-fast stains revealed innumerable acid-fast bacilli within histiocytes, and a presumptive diagnosis of mycobacteriosis was made. The cat's clinical condition deteriorated, and euthanasia was elected. At necropsy, granulomatous inflammation was present within the mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, liver, small and large intestines, lungs, and bone marrow. Bacterial culture yielded Mycobacterium avium, a slow-growing, opportunistic, saprophytic mycobacterium that can cause tuberculous lesions that are clinically indistinguishable from those associated with classic tuberculosis. It is a rare cause of disseminated mycobacteriosis in human transplant recipients. To our knowledge, this is the first report of disseminated M avium complex infection in a feline transplant recipient.     

Cryptosporidium sp.-associated enteritis without gastritis in rough green snakes (Opheodrys aestivus) and a common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis).

An epizootic of severe Cryptosporidium sp.-associated enteritis occurred in a group of 15 wild-caught juvenile rough green snakes (Opheodrys aestivus) at the Baltimore Zoo quarantine facility. All of the animals died with no premonitory signs. Histopathologic examination of the small and proximal large intestine of eight of the green snakes showed moderate to severe Cryptosporidium sp. infection and enteritis characterized by dense heterophilic and lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrates throughout the lamina propria with epithelial necrosis. Cryptosporidium sp. was also found in feces of an adult common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) that was wild caught on zoo grounds and held in quarantine during the epizootic. After euthanasia, histologic examination of the garter snake showed a severe small intestinal Cryptosporidium sp. infection with only mild enteritis consisting of sparse heterophilic and lymphocytic infiltrates. There was no gross or histologic evidence of Cryptosporidium sp. gastritis in the nine snakes evaluated, and this is the first report of Cryptosporidium sp.-associated enteritis in snakes without gastric lesions.     

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a dog from Africa

A 4-year-old male Boxer dog with a history of vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss moved from West Africa to Lyon, France, where it was further evaluated. Radiographs revealed pleural effusion and enlargement of tracheobronchial lymph nodes and liver. Cytologic examination of the pleural effusion and a fine needle aspirate specimen of the liver showed mixed mononuclear inflammation with nonstaining rod structures within epithelioid histiocytes. At necropsy, the main gross pathologic findings were exudative pleuritis, nodular hepatitis, and infarcts and caseous nodules in the kidneys. The main histologic lesions were granulomatous hepatitis, granulomatous pneumonia, fibrinous leukocytic pleuritis, necrotic and fibro-calcified granulomatous lymphadenitis, and granulomatous nephritis. A Ziehl-Neelsen stain applied to both cytologic and histologic samples was positive for acid-fast bacilli. Bacterial culture of the pleural fluid was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Cytology is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of this important zoonotic disease.     

Jamshidi needle biopsy for diagnosis of bone lesions in small animals

Sixty-two bone lesions in 59 small animals were biopsied using a Jamshidi-type biopsy needle. In all instances, the Jamshidi needle biopsy diagnosis was confirmed or disputed by results of histologic examination of specimens obtained by surgical resection or by amputation or at necropsy. In 57 of 62 bone lesions, biopsy resulted in an accurate diagnosis of tumor vs nontumor, yielding an accuracy rate of 91.9%. The specific tumor type or lesion type was identified accurately by Jamshidi needle biopsy in 51 of 62 lesions, yielding an accuracy of 82.3%. Of the 62 bone lesions, 48 were intramedullary osteosarcoma and 62.5% of these were subclassified correctly by Jamshidi needle biopsy results as osteoblastic, chondroblastic, fibroblastic, osteoclastic, or poorly differentiated osteosarcoma. Jamshidi needle biopsy was easy, quick, and safe, and its high accuracy rate of diagnosis indicated that it should be a valuable aid for diagnosis of bone lesions in small animals.     

Cutaneous and pulmonary mycosis in green anacondas (Euncectes murinus).

Two dead, captive green anacondas (Eunectes murinus), including one male and one female, submitted for necropsy were in poor body condition, having multiple, scattered, dark red foci on the scales and mottled lungs. Both snakes had severe mycotic dermatitis. In addition, the male snake had mycotic stomatitis, and the female snake had mycotic pneumonia. Trichophyton sp., Verticillium sp., and Alternaria sp. were isolated from the dermal lesions. The pulmonary lesions were morphologically consistent with Aspergillus sp. Bacterial organisms isolated from skin and internal organs included Chryseobacterium meningosepticum, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Providencia rettgeri. Mycotic diseases can be devastating to reptiles, and suboptimal husbandry and captivity were likely the predisposing factors that led to opportunistic invasion in these snakes.