Idiopathic pleural effusion in a dog

Idiopathic pleural effusion was diagnosed in a 4-year-old female Poodle. Treatment included giving low doses of furosemide for 5 months and giving low doses of prednisone that eventually were given on alternate days and discontinued 16 months after initial evaluation. Idiopathic pleural effusion in this dog was eosinophilic. The clinical importance and diagnostic value of this finding were not determined. In man, idiopathic pleural effusions have a high correlation with eosinophilic pleural effusions.     

Mastitis caused by Mycobacterium kansasii infection in a dog

A 2‐year, 7‐month‐old female Chihuahua was admitted for a mammary mass measuring one cm in diameter. The dog had a history of demodicosis for 4 months and showed signs of pseudopregnancy at the time of the visit. Cytologic examination of an aspirate of the mass revealed a large number of macrophages containing nonstaining bacterial rods, which were acid‐fast in a Ziehl–Neelsen stain, suggesting mycobacterial infection. Histologic examination of the mass revealed a pyogranulomatous mastitis characterized by an infiltration with macrophages containing acid‐fast bacteria. Mycobacterium kansasii was subsequently cultured and identified by PCR. Surgical excision of the mass resulted in the growth of other dermal masses, but antimycobacterial treatment with rifampin and clarithromycin resolved these masses within 1 month. Three months after discontinuation of the treatment, similar organisms were found in aspirates of the enlarged bilateral inguinal lymph nodes by cytologic examination. Despite antimycobacterial treatment for another 4 months, there was no improvement and demodicosis also recurred. The dog eventually died of lymphoma 5 months after the relapse of mycobacterial infection. Although M kansasii is considered an important pathogen for pulmonary and cutaneous disease in people, there is only one report in a dog with an infection in a pleural effusion. As both adult‐onset demodicosis in dogs as well as mycobacterial infection in people have been associated with T‐lymphocyte deficiency, the M kansasii infection in this dog may have been associated with a condition of immune compromise.     

Neoplastic melanocytic pleural effusion in a Portuguese water dog

A 9-year-old castrated male Portuguese water dog was presented following incomplete excision of a malignant melanoma at the left lip commissure by the referring veterinarian. Physical examination was otherwise unremarkable. The patient was staged using thoracic radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, and fine-needle aspirates of the mandibular lymph nodes and spleen. Given the absence of any definitive evidence of metastasis, the malignant melanoma was surgically completely removed. The dog then received four melanoma vaccine doses as an adjuvant therapy and remained clinically healthy for more than 3 months after the last immunization. However, 232 days after the initial discovery of the lip mass, the dog was euthanized due to deterioration and a poor prognosis based on the presence of lung metastases and neoplastic melanocytic pleural effusion. The latter has been rarely reported in dogs, despite the high prevalence of oral malignant melanomas and the tendency of these tumors to metastasize to the lungs.     

Idiopathic pleural effusion and pulmonary thromboembolism in a dog with autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Pleural effusion and pulmonary thromboembolism were diagnosed in a dog with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Clinical signs of tachypnea, then dyspnea in association with pleural effusion, developed after 10 days of immunosuppressive corticosteroid therapy (greater than 2 mg/kg of body weight/d, PO). The diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism was made tentatively on the basis of results of a radionuclide lung perfusion scan and was confirmed by exploratory thoracotomy and lung biopsy. Tachypnea and pleural effusion gradually resolved without specific treatment, and additional episodes of anemia or dyspnea have not been observed. The pathogenesis of these findings was suspected to be related to corticosteroid-induced thrombotic tendencies, persistent thrombocytosis (greater than 800,000 cells/microliters), and vascular injury caused by repeated jugular venous catheterization. Pulmonary thromboembolism should be considered in dogs that develop clinical signs of tachypnea and/or pleural effusion during administration of immunosuppressive dosages of corticosteroids.     

Isolation of Mycobacterium kansasii from lymph nodes of cattle in the United States

The isolation of 6 strains of Mycobacterium kansasii from bovine lymph nodes is reported. Occasional isolations of this organism from cattle lymph node lesions provides further evidence of its pathogenicity in domestic animals. The isolates were similar as determined by biochemical and serologic examinations. Histopathologic changes induced by this organism relative to those by M bovis and factors regarding source of infection are discussed.     

Management of pleural effusion secondary to metastatic adenocarcinoma in a dog

A 4-year-old spayed Collie-type dog was evaluated for pleural effusion secondary to metastatic adenocarcinoma with no identifiable primary tumor. For 48 weeks, chemotherapy and thoracentesis palliated clinical signs associated with pleural effusion. At week 49, 5 mCi of chronic phosphate P32 (32P) suspension was injected into the right pleural space. Pleural effusion was not detected for 14 weeks after 32P administration (week 63). In week 64, 32P suspension was readministered by injecting 7.5 mCi into the right hemithorax and 2.5 mCi into the left. Pleural effusion was again detected 3 weeks later (week 67), and the dog was treated with additional chemotherapy. Death, at week 72, was caused by disseminated intravascular coagulopathy.     

Isolation and identification of Mycobacterium avium subspecies silvaticum from a horse

Routine cultivation methods are able to distinguish between isolates of the Mycobacterium avium and the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. However, molecular tools are needed to further identify the several subspecies in the M. avium complex, especially for the subspecies avium and silvaticum. A rapid technique using HhaI restriction digestion of a 349 bp amplification product of the 85B antigen (α-antigen) gene was used for the identification of M. avium subsp. silvaticum in a three-year-old gelding presenting with caseous, necrotizing, granulomatous lesions. The result was confirmed by sequencing of the 85B antigen gene.     

Isolation of a paramyxovirus from the cerebrospinal fluid of a dog with posterior paresis

A paramyxovirus was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid of a dog with a history of incoordination and posterior paresis. The virus apparently was not related to canine distemper virus (CDV), considering the lack of virus neutralization with CDV-specific antibody, negative immunofluorescence with CDV-specific conjugate, and avirulence for ferrets. The virus was antigenically related to a prototype strain of canine parainfluenza virus, as determined by positive immunofluorescence with canine parainfluenza virus-specific conjugate and virus neutralization tests.     

Effects of graded pleural effusion on QRS in the dog

Six anesthetized healthy dogs were placed in right lateral recumbency. Electrocardiographic leads I, aVF, V10, rV3, V3, and V5 were obtained during a control period and after introduction of pleural effusions ranging between 0.66 and 55 ml of isotonic saline solution/kg of body weight. Peak-to-peak amplitudes of QRS were measured, and the effusion required to decrease this amplitude by more than 1 SD from the mean of healthy dogs was determined for each lead tested. Sensitivity of detecting pleural effusion was greatest in lead I in which an effusion of 2.75 ml/kg could be detected. The QRS amplitudes in leads V10 and aVF were decreased to a significant level only at large effusions. Leads V3 and V5 were "blind," even to the greatest pleural effusions. Radiographs taken with the graded pleural effusion documented that the heart "floated" away from rV3 and toward V3 and V5, thus explaining the sensitivity of rV3 and insensitivities of V3 and V5. It seems that pleural effusion can be detected by using these leads in dogs in right lateral recumbency, that detection is best if serial recordings are taken, and that relatively high sensitivities are achieved using lead I.     

奶水牛牛分枝杆菌的分离与鉴定

从患疑似结核病的广西奶水牛群中进行牛分枝杆菌的分离和鉴定。共收集了238份临床样品(鼻黏液及牛奶),病料经1.25 mol/mL NaOH溶液预处理后,接种罗氏培养基进行细菌分离。分离菌经进一步纯化后进行抗酸性染色并镜检,镜检后判为阳性的细菌再接种到鉴别培养基上进行鉴别培养,同时,应用PCR方法对镜检为阳性的细菌进行进一步的鉴别检验。结果收集的所有临床样品,经37℃培养后共获得细菌12株。这12株菌经抗酸性染色后镜检都为分枝杆菌阳性,进一步经鉴别培养基鉴定12株菌中有2株为牛分枝杆菌,其余均为非典型分枝杆菌。2株牛分枝杆菌经PCR方法鉴定得以确诊。     

1株犬类志贺邻单胞菌的分离鉴定及序列分析

从病死犬病料中分离到1株类志贺邻单胞菌,并对该菌做了生理生化鉴定、药敏试验,致病性试验。结果表明,本菌对多种抗生素耐药,其庆大霉素耐药机制与所携带的质粒相关;本菌对小白鼠有强致病性,其LD50为1．6×10^7.4CFU。用PCR方法扩增分离菌株16SrDNA基因并测序,并将其与GenBank上其他细菌16SrDNA核苷酸序列进行同源性分析。结果表明,分离株的16SrDNA核苷酸序列与类志贺邻单胞菌（GQ359962．1）的同源性为98％,因此将该分离菌株鉴定为致病性肠球菌,命名为YN-1株（云南-1株）。     

Marked pleural effusion causing right atrial collapse simulating cardiac tamponade in a dog

A 16-month-old, female German shepherd dog was presented with severe bicavitary effusions. A diaphragmatic hernia was diagnosed by thoracic radiography. An echocardiogram performed prior to surgical repair of the hernia revealed signs of cardiac tamponade, with right atrial collapse, in the absence of pericardial effusion. Right atrial collapse was presumed to be secondary to severe pleural effusion. At surgery, no pericardial disease was identified. Surgical correction of the diaphragmatic hernia resulted in resolution of the pleural and peritoneal effusions. Follow-up echocardiography demonstrated resolution of the signs of cardiac tamponade.     

Abdominal fluid from a dog

A 2-year-old intact female mixed-breed dog with a 1-month history of lethargy and anorexia was evaluated for abdominal distension and an abdominal mass. The dog's last heat cycle, her third, was 1 month prior to presentation, and no reproductive cycle abnormalities were noted at any time. Hematologic and serum biochemical abnormalities were consistent with hemorrhage and inflammation. Ultrasonographic examination confirmed a large midabdominal mass and a moderate amount of abdominal fluid. Cytologically, the fluid showed evidence of pyogranulomatous inflammation, hemorrhage, and mesothelial reactivity, as well as ciliated columnar cells and free cilia that were interpreted as likely of oviductal origin. The mass was removed surgically, and the histopathologic interpretation was oviductal hamartoma with marked stroma formation and acute hemorrhage. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of oviductal hamartoma in any species and the first reported case detailing the finding of ciliated columnar epithelial cells in the abdominal fluid of a dog. Ciliated columnar epithelial cells in abdominal fluid should be considered indicative of a likely underlying oviductal lesion.     

Pleural fluid from a dog with marked eosinophilia

A 12-year-old neutered male Shar-Pei was presented to the North Carolina State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital cardiology service with a 2-week history of coughing and a 2-day history of lethargy and anorexia. Pleural effusion and a mediastinal mass were detected with thoracic radiographs. Ten mL of fluid were removed via thoracocentesis, and cytologic examination of the fluid revealed marked eosinophilic inflammation and few atypical mast cells. Mast cell neoplasia was suspected. Aspirates of the mediastinal mass, abdominal lymph nodes, and bone marrow contained similar pleomorphic mast cells and increased numbers of eosinophils. The dog was diagnosed with systemic (visceral) mastocytosis, a rare form of neoplasia in dogs, and was euthanized. These tumors carry a poor to grave prognosis and the etiology is uncertain.     

Cerebrospinal fluid from a dog with neurologic collapse

A 3-year-old Staffordshire Terrier was presented to the Texas Veterinary Medical Center with a short progressive history of anorexia, weight loss, and weakness that had progressed to ataxia and collapse with empirical treatment. The dog was tetraparetic and obtunded. Results of a complete neurologic evaluation were consistent with severe, multifocal to diffuse disease involving the forebrain, spinal cord, and brainstem. Cerebrospinal fluid, obtained via cerebellomedullary cisternal puncture, was highly cellular and contained large atypical round cells with small numbers of nondegenerate neutrophils and large mononuclear cells. Rare eosinophils and small lymphocytes were noted. The atypical round cells were approximately 15–25 μm in diameter with a single nucleus set in a small amount of cytoplasm. The nuclei were typically round to slightly ovoid; however, occasional notched, lobulated, and reniform nuclei were observed. These cells were interpreted as malignant lymphocytes. Owing to a grave prognosis, the animal was euthanized and a necropsy was performed. No gross lesions were found in the central nervous system. Multiple sections of cerebellum, medulla, and spinal cord contained a diffuse neoplastic infiltrate that was predominantly meningeal with rare superficial neuropil invasion. The neoplastic cells were arranged in sheets, cords, and rosettes. Immunohistochemical staining for vimentin, pancytokeratin, CD3, CD79a, synaptophysin, S-100, and neuronspecific enolase was negative; glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) staining was equivocal. Based on histologic findings, a diagnosis of medulloblastoma was made. This case documents the rare occurrence of a canine medulloblastoma and illustrates the difficulty in distinguishing between some embryonal brain tumors and lymphoma.     

Isolation of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium bovis from a dog in Korea

A 3-year-old female Miniature Schnauzer dog with a week-long history of generalized intention tremor and progressive weight loss for several months was admitted. Mild anemia, fever, splenomegaly, aseptic cerebral meningitis and systemic lymph nodes enlargement were examined through erythrogram, ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Mycobacterium bovis was identified via molecular microbiology having the same molecular type as that of isolates from a cattle farm previously identified. However, the dog was raised in a city. The M. bovis had multidrug resistance (MDR)-bearing mutations in both katG and rpoB genes toward first-line antibiotics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing an MDR M. bovis infection of a dog in Korea.     

Isolation of a rotavirus from a newborn dog with diarrhea

A rotavirus was isolated from a newborn dog that died after having clinical signs of diarrhea. Virus particles with rotaviral morphologic features were observed by transmission electron microscopy in the intestinal homogenate collected at necropsy. Cytopathic effects were observed, and rotaviral antigens were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in MA-104 monolayer cultures (a fetal rhesus macaque kidney cell) inoculated with intestinal homogenate. This rotavirus isolate, designated LSU 79C-36, may be a specific canine rotavirus or a rotavirus from another species.