Gastrointestinal pythiosis in 10 dogs from California

BACKGROUND: Pythium insidiosum is an aquatic oomycete that causes severe segmental thickening of the canine gastrointestinal (GI) tract, resulting in weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and death. Infection in dogs previously has been observed primarily in the southeastern United States. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinicopathologic and epidemiologic findings associated with GI pythiosis in 10 dogs from California. METHODS: Dogs were initially identified on the basis of supportive clinical findings and routine histology. Pythiosis was confirmed in each dog with at least one of the following: immunoblot serology, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay serology, immunohistochemistry, and culture followed by species-specific polymerase chain reaction, rRNA gene sequencing, or both. RESULTS: Between September 2003 and December 2006, GI pythiosis was confirmed in 1 dog from central California and 9 dogs that lived within a 30-mile radius of Davis, CA. Seven of 8 dogs for which environmental data were available had frequent access to flooded rice fields or other water sources. Esophageal lesions were present in 2 of 10 dogs. Common laboratory findings included eosinophilia (7/9), hypoalbuminemia (9/9), and hyperglobulinemia (8/9). Median survival time was 26.5 days (range, 0-122 days), and the disease was ultimately fatal in all 10 dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The geographic distribution of pythiosis has widened in recent years to include the western United States. Factors that may have contributed to this change include altered rice-farming practices and landscape irrigation. Veterinarians in California should be familiar with the clinicopathologic features associated with GI pythiosis to aid in early diagnosis and effective treatment.     

What is your diagnosis? Lymph node cytology from a dog

Abstract: A 2‐year‐old, castrated male, mixed‐breed dog was presented to the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Center with swelling, edema, ulceration, and draining tracts in the region surrounding the left hock. The dog had mild monocytosis and moderate hyperglobulinemia. Fine‐needle aspirate specimens of the left popliteal lymph node revealed pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis with hyphal organisms. The diameters of the hyphae were variable, ranging from 11 to 22 μm. The organism was considered as most consistent with Lagenidium caninum; although Pythium insidiosum or Lagenidium karlingii were not conclusively excluded, hyphal diameter in these organisms is typically smaller (6.6–8.8 and 2.5–11 μm, respectively). A positive Western blot confirmed the presence of serum antibodies reactive against Lagenidium sp. and the absence of antibodies to P. insidoisum, Basidiobolus, and Conidiobolus antibodies. Careful assessment of hyphal diameter in cytologic specimens may be useful in differentiating L. caninum from P. insidiosum or L. karlingii.     

Diagnosis and Surgical Management of Pythiosis in Draft Horses: Report of 33 Cases in Egypt

A total of 33 draft horses suffering from cutaneous pythiosis were referred to Mansoura Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Egypt, between October 2008 and January 2011. The animals presented ulcerative, granulomatous lesions located at the ventral aspect of the thorax (n = 10), abdomen (n = 14), forelimbs (n = 5), hind limbs (n = 2), and presternal region (n = 1) and at withers (n=1). The animals suffered from ulcerations composed of whitish yellow tissue having numerous draining tracts that discharge serosanguineous or bloody exudates. Initial diagnosis was based on location, gross lesion, and presence of kunkers. Histopathological evaluation revealed an eosinophilic granulomatous reaction associated with intralesional hyphae characteristic of Pythium insidiosum visualized by Gomori methenamine silver stain. The outcome of surgical excision revealed complete cure in 24 cases. Euthanasia was indicated in 9 cases.     

Hypercalcemia associated with gastric pythiosis in a dog

A 20-month-old castrated male Labrador Retriever with a 3-month history of anorexia, weight loss, and vomiting was evaluated. Plasma biochemical abnormalities included marked hyperglobulinemia and hypercalcemia. Serum levels of parathyroid hormone, parathyroid hormone-related protein, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were either low or within reference intervals. Gastric wall thickening and abdominal lymphadenomegaly were observed with abdominal ultrasonography. Cytologic evaluation of a sample obtained via fine-needle aspiration of the gastric wall revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation and numerous poorly stained hyphae. Partial gastrectomy was performed, and a diagnosis of gastric pythiosis was made by immunohistochemical staining of infected gastric tissue, as well as by immunoblot serology. This case demonstrates that diagnostic samples for cytologic evaluation can be obtained by fine-needle aspiration of Pythium insidiosum-infected tissues and that a presumptive diagnosis can be made by examination of a Romanowsky-stained smear. Furthermore, pythiosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for hypercalcemia, especially in young dogs with inflammatory lesions that have a granulomatous component. The mechanism for the hypercalcemia in this dog was not determined; however, calcium concentrations normalized after surgical resection of the gastric lesion.     

Serological markers of Bornavirus infection found in horses in Iceland

Background

In a stable of eight horses in Northern Iceland, six horses presented with clinical signs, such as ataxia and reduced appetite, leading to euthanasia of one severely affected horse. Serological investigations revealed no evidence of active equine herpes virus type 1 infection, a common source of central nervous system disease in horses, nor equine arteritis virus and West Nile virus. Another neurotropic virus, Borna disease virus, was therefore included in the differential diagnosis list.

Findings

Serological investigations revealed antibodies against Borna disease virus in four of five horses with neurological signs in the affected stable. One horse without clinical signs was seronegative. Four clinically healthy horses in the stable that arrived and were sampled one year after the outbreak were found seronegative, whereas one of four investigated healthy horses in an unaffected stable was seropositive.

Conclusions

This report contains the first evidence of antibodies to Borna disease virus in Iceland. Whether Borna disease virus was the cause of the neurological signs could however not be confirmed by pathology or molecular detection of the virus. As Iceland has very restricted legislation regarding animal imports, the questions of how this virus has entered the country and to what extent markers of Bornavirus infection can be found in humans and animals in Iceland remain to be answered.     

贵州牧草病害及其防治

贵州牧草的主要病害有10种,分别是:黑麦草(Loliumperenne)冠锈病(Pucciniacoronata)、褐斑病(Bipolarissorrkiniana)、大斑病(Drechslerasiccans)、网斑病(Drechsleradictyoides)、禾草云斑病(Rhyncohsporiumsecalis);三叶草(Trifoliumspp.)白粉病(Oidiumsp.,Oidiopsissp.)白绢根腐病(Sckrotiumrolfsii)、褐纹斑病(Stemphyliumsarciniiforme,S.botryosum);苜蓿(Medicagosativa)锈病(Uromycesstriatus)、白绢病(Sclerotiumrolfsii)。本文概述这10种主要病害的病原、症状及发病规律,并提出相应的防治措施。     

几种杀菌剂对草坪草腐霉枯萎病的防治试验

采用生长速率法测定了10种杀菌剂对草坪草腐霉枯萎病的室内、室外毒力,结果表明：甲霜灵、移栽灵、代森猛锌、乙磷铝、百菌清和仙生对草坪草腐霉菌室内毒力具有较好的抑制效果,抑菌率均达到90%以上。室外盆栽试验表明：甲霜灵,仙生和乙磷铝对草坪草腐霉枯萎病均具有良好防效,在试验剂量下防效均大于70%,而百菌清的室外防治效果最差,与其余药剂处理差异极显著（P〈0.05）。     

Associations of Neospora caninum seropositivity with gestation number and pregnancy outcome in Danish dairy herds.

The prevalence and distribution of seropositivity towards the protozoan parasite Neospora caninum were studied in single blood samples from 1561 cows from 31 Danish dairy herds. Blood samples were analysed by an indirect enzyme-linked immunoassay and an indirect fluorescent-antibody test. Seroprevalence in 15 herds with previous abortions assigned to neosporosis ranged from 1% to 58%, with a mean frequency of 22%. In eight out of 16 herds without a history of N. caninum related abortions, no seroreactors were found. In the remaining eight herds, the seroprevalence ranged from 6% to 59%. The prevalence and distribution of seropositivity, gestation number prior to sampling, and breed were related to abortions and perinatal deaths using a random-effects logistic-regression model. Abortion risk was significantly increased in seropositive animals (OR=3) and in 2nd-gestation cows (OR=3). Perinatal death was significantly influenced by gestation number and breed, but not by serostatus. Reproductive performance and culling risk of cows were not affected by serostatus. Seropositivity increased with “age” (i.e. gestation number) (P=0.02). In open cows, seropositivity tended to decrease with distance from calving (P=0.05). The proportion of seropositive pregnant cows increased with trimester (P=0.02).     

Vaccine‐Associated Leptospira Antibodies in Client‐Owned Dogs

Background

Long‐term microscopic agglutination test (MAT) results after vaccination with 4‐serovar Leptospira vaccines are not available for all vaccines used in client‐owned dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To determine antibody responses of client‐owned dogs given 1 of 4 commercially available Leptospira vaccines.

Animals

Healthy client‐owned dogs (n = 32) with no history of Leptospira vaccination for at least the previous year.

Methods

Dogs were given 1 of 4 Leptospira vaccines on week 0 and then approximately on week 3 and week 52. Sera were collected before vaccine administration on week 0 and then within 3 days of week 3, within 2 days of week 4, and approximately on weeks 7, 15, 29, 52, and 56. Antibody titers against Leptospira serovars bratislava, canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohemorrhagiae, and pomona and were determined by MAT.

Results

When compared among vaccines, MAT results varied in maximal titers, the serovars inducing maximal titers, and the time required to reach maximal titers. Each vaccine induced at least some MAT titers ≥1 : 800. Most dogs were negative for antibodies against all serovars 1 year after vaccination, and anamnestic responses were variable.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Dogs vaccinated with Leptospira vaccines have variable MAT titers over time, and antibodies should not be used to predict resistance to Leptospira infection. MAT titers ≥1 : 800 can develop after Leptospira spp. vaccination, which can complicate the clinical diagnosis of leptospirosis.     

菌肥灌根对草地早熟禾的生长与抗病诱导作用初探

生物肥料具有促生和控病双重效果,在生产中发挥着巨大作用。为研发一种新的生物肥料,调查了单施极可善+倍绿草肥、单施拮抗菌CE发酵液和混施菌肥（极可善+倍绿草肥+拮抗菌CE发酵液）3种不同施肥处理对草地早熟禾（Poa pratensis）腐霉枯萎病（Pythium graminicola）发病面积、发病程度以及草地早熟禾叶片宽度的影响,并测定不同施肥处理对草地早熟禾体内防御酶活性的变化。结果表明,单施拮抗细菌对抗病性诱导效果最佳,草地早熟禾体内各种防御酶活性均有不同程度的提高;单施极可善和倍绿草肥具有较好的促生作用,草地早熟禾叶片宽度高于其他处理;而菌肥混施虽然也有较好的抗病性的诱导作用,但没表现出促生作用。     

丛枝菌根真菌和根瘤菌防控植物真菌病害的研究进展

丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhiza,AM)真菌和根瘤菌均可在一定程度上减轻植物病害的发生,提高植物生物量。AM真菌提高寄主植物的抗病机理包括:改善寄主营养状况、补偿作用、改变根系形态、与病原菌竞争侵染位点和寄主光合作用产物、改变根际微生物区系以及激活寄主防御机制。根瘤菌防病机理可归纳为:寄主生理生化的变化、根系形态改变和寄主防御机制激活。AM真菌和根瘤菌两者相互作用,可更好地防控植物病害。本文归纳了国内外AM真菌和根瘤菌对植物抗病性的影响及机理,同时展望了两者在生防中的应用前景。     

An atypical case of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a young English Mastiff

A case of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a young English Mastiff from Texas is presented. Clinical signs and laboratory findings included subcutaneous edema, lymphadenopathy, weight loss, and hypoalbuminemia. Cytology of a lymph node revealed numerous amastigotes. No trypomastigotes were observed in buffy coat preparation of peripheral blood, and on histologic evaluation, most organs contained numerous interstitial pseudocysts. Initial serology was positive for both T. cruzi and Leishmania, and immunohistochemistry supported a diagnosis of Leishmania. However, additional serology supported a T. cruzi infection, and cultivation of organisms isolated from a lymph node revealed morphology consistent with T. cruzi. In addition, PCR analysis resulted in a 504 bp fragment with 99% homology to a flagellar protein of T. cruzi. Although uncommon, autochthonous cases of both T. cruzi and Leishmania have been reported in the United States. Clinical signs observed with both diseases can show many similarities, cytology may be indistinguishable, as in this case, and serological cross-reactivity is common. This case demonstrates an unusual presentation of T. cruzi and the use of multiple testing strategies to support its diagnosis.