Feline calicivirus: a neglected cause of feline ocular surface infections?

Objective To investigate the prevalence of feline calicivirus (FCV) infection in relation to ocular surface lesions in cats with upper respiratory tract diseases (URTD). Animals studied Ninety‐nine cats with ocular surface infection and symptoms or recent history of URTD were examined at various rescue shelters and hospitals. Procedure A complete general and ophthalmic examination was performed including Schirmer tear test, slit‐lamp biomicroscopy, fluorescein and lissamine green staining. Clinical and ocular symptoms were scored and recorded. Conjunctival samples were collected using a cytobrush, and nucleic acid extraction using RT‐PCR was carried out to analyze for the presence of various infectious agents. Results RT‐PCR detected either FCV, feline herpes virus type 1 (FHV‐1), Chlamydophila felis or Mycoplasma spp. in 63/99 samples. 30/63 samples were positive for FCV, 23/63 for C. felis, 21/63 for Mycoplasma spp., and 16/63 for FHV‐1. Out of the 30 FCV‐positive samples, 11 were positive only for FCV and in 19 samples FCV was seen in combination with other agents. FCV infection was highest in animals examined at the rescue centers and in the age group of 0–2 months. Erosive conjunctivitis was an important ocular finding. Oral ulcers were detected in all FCV‐infected cats. Conclusion Results indicate that FCV is highly prevalent in cats with URTD either as a sole infectious agent or in combination with other pathogens and therefore is a potential cause for ocular surface lesions during the URTD.     

Historical and physical parameters as predictors of severe hyperkalemia in male cats with urethral obstruction

Objective: To evaluate selected historical and physical parameters as predictors of hyperkalemia in male cats with urethral obstruction. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Veterinary teaching hospital. Animals: Two hundred and twenty‐three male cats. Interventions: None. Measurements and main results: The metabolic derangements of 223 male cats that presented with urethral obstruction from 1997 through 1999 were reported in a companion article. Approximately 12% of the cats had multiple, life‐threatening metabolic derangements. In the present study, historical and physical parameters were evaluated as predictors of hyperkalemia (K⁺≥8.0 mmol/L) in cats with urethral obstruction. The 4 historical parameters significantly associated with hyperkalemia were: first time obstruction, outdoor status, anorexia, or vomiting. The 5 physical parameters significantly associated with hyperkalemia were: rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse quality, and the presence of arrhythmia. Of the physical parameters, a rectal temperature below 95–96.6°F (35–35.9°C) or a heart rate below 120 b.p.m. were the most accurate predictors. When used in combination (i.e., evidence of bradycardia and hypothermia), the specificity for hyperkalemia was 98–100%. Conclusions: Rectal temperature and heart rate were the best parameters for predicting hyperkalemia in this population.     

Septic lens implantation syndrome in a cat

A 13-year-old female spayed domestic shorthair cat was presented initially for a change in the appearance of the left eye. On initial examination, a small penetrating wound was suspected as the cause for a corneal scar, an anterior cortical incipient cataract and mild iritis. The cat was not re-presented until 1 year later at which time ocular pain was marked. Severe anterior uveitis and glaucoma were diagnosed and the eye enucleated. Histopathology documented intralenticular coccoid bacteria and septic lens implantation syndrome.     

微生物细胞交流的方式——群体感应

在细菌和真菌中普遍存在着被称为群体感应的细胞与细胞之间的交流.介绍了群体感应概念、机制及其应用.