Porcine Hemophilus parahemolyticus Pneumonia in Saskatchewan I. Natural Occurrence and Findings

An outbreak of fibrinous pleuropneumonia was observed in October 1971 in Saskatchewan on a farm of 900 feeder pigs. Morbidity and mortality were low. Pathologic-anatomic findings included fibrinous pleuritis, pulmonary vascular thrombosis and necrotizing fibrinous pneumonia. Hemophilus parahemolyticus was isolated from the lungs of affected animals. In addition pulmonary lesions were found which suggested an adenovirus infection. It was speculated that the viral infection possibly predisposed the pigs to the Hemophilus infection. The H. parahemolyticus isolate was sensitive to common antibiotics.     

Use of an insect cell culture growth medium to isolate bacteria from horses with effusive, fibrinous pericarditis: a preliminary study

Effusive, fibrinous pericarditis is an uncommon disease entity in horses. In 2001, pericarditis occurred in conjunction with an epizootic in central Kentucky that was associated with exposure to eastern tent caterpillars (ETCs). Bacterial isolation from equine pericardial fluid samples was attempted using an insect cell culture growth medium (ICCGM). Using previously cultured, stored frozen samples from four horses with fibrinous pericarditis, inoculation of 10% blood agar plates yielded no growth, whereas simultaneous inoculation of ICCGM resulted in the isolation of Proprionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus equorum, a Streptococcus sp. and Pseudomonas rhodesiae from pericardial fluid samples. A similar or novel caterpillar-associated bacteria was not identified; however, use of an ICCGM might enhance isolation of bacteria from equine pericardial fluid.     

Case-control study of factors associated with fibrinous pericarditis among horses in central Kentucky during spring 2001

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors significantly associated with an epidemic of fibrinous pericarditis during spring 2001 among horses in central Kentucky. DESIGN: Case-control study. ANIMALS: 38 horses with fibrinous pericarditis and 30 control horses examined for other reasons. PROCEDURE: A questionnaire was developed to solicit information regarding a wide range of management practices and environmental exposures from farm owners or managers. RESULTS: The following factors were found in bivariate analyses to be significantly associated with an increased risk of pericarditis: being from a farm with mares and foals affected by mare reproductive loss syndrome, exposure to Eastern tent caterpillars in or around horse pastures, younger age, shorter duration of residence in Kentucky and at the farm of current residence, being fed hay grown outside Kentucky, a lack of access to pond water, access to orchard grass for grazing, and a lack of direct contact with cattle. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, only variables related to caterpillar exposure and age were significantly associated with fibrinous pericarditis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELVANCE: Results suggest that fibrinous pericarditis in horses may be associated with mare reproductive loss syndrome. Exposure to Eastern tent caterpillars was the greatest risk factor for development of fibrinous pericarditis. The distribution of times of diagnosis of fibrinous pericarditis was consistent with a point-source epidemic.     

Thoracotomy in adult dairy cattle: 14 cases (1979-1991).

Fourteen cows were subjected to thoracotomy as an aid in the treatment of either septic pericarditis (n = 7) or unilateral pleuritis (fibrous or purulent; n = 7). Thoracic lesions were primary in 4 cows, secondary to traumatic reticuloperitonitis in 9 cows, and secondary to extension of a liver abscess in 1 cow. Thoracotomy was performed on 9 cows under local anesthesia. Surgery was performed on 5 cows under general anesthesia; 2 died during anesthesia, and 2 others were euthanatized. Of the 10 cows allowed to recover from surgery, 4 had pericarditis and 6 had pleuritis. Four cows with pleuritis had thoracic abscesses. All but 1 cow with pericarditis died or were euthanatized, and 5 of the 6 cows with pleuritis were discharged from the hospital. A year after surgery, 1 cow was culled because of infertility, and the other 5 cows were returned to production.     

Electrophoretic studies on serum proteins in cows with traumatic pericarditis.

Diagnostic significance of electrophoretic findings of serum protein in cows with traumatic pericarditis was evaluated. Affected cows were classified into 3 groups according to autoptical findings: fibrinous, sero-fibrinous, and purulent types. Slight hypoprotenemia, moderate hypo-albuminemia, slight hyper-alpha globulinemia and tendency of hyper-beta globulinemia were commonly observed in the affected cows. The level of gamma globulin tended to be lower in the cows with fibrinous or sero-fibrinous, and higher in purulent pericarditis, than the level in healthy cows. In the serum protein electropherograms of the cows with fibrinous or sero-fibrinous pericarditis, there was pathognostic pattern composed of slender albumin, acute shape of alpha globulin with a broad rising accompanied by double peaks and with main peak migrating toward the albumin side, tendency of rising beta globulin fraction, and large indentation between beta and gamma fractions. These findings except for the slender albumin fraction, however, was not or poorly observed in purulent pericarditis. Electrophoretic findings were subacute inflammatory pattern with non-selective serum protein losing in fibrinous or sero-fibrinous, and chronic inflammatory pattern in purulent pericarditis.     

Microbiologic and pathologic findings in an epidemic of equine pericarditis.

During the spring and summer of 2001 and in association with the mare reproductive loss syndrome, 22 terminal and 12 clinical cases of equine pericarditis were diagnosed in central Kentucky. Actinobacillus species were the principal isolates from 8 of 10 nontreated, terminally affected and 3 of 10 clinically affected horses. Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus zooepidemicus were cultured from the remaining 2 nontreated terminal cases. No viruses were isolated in tissue culture. Nucleic acid of equine herpesvirus-2 was detected in pericardial and tracheal wash fluids of 3 and 1 individuals, respectively. Microscopic alterations in sections of heart and parietal pericardium were consistent with chronic fibrinous bacterial pericarditis. This report confirms a significant role of Actinobacillus species in equine pericarditis and describes an epidemic of this infrequently observed syndrome in the horse.     

Seasonal Fluctuation an Inhited Development of Populations of Dictyocaulus filaria in Ewes and Lambs

The fluctuation of populations of Dictyocaulus filaria in sheep was studied under field conditions in which animals are housed during the winter and grazed from late spring to autumn. A comparison was made between residual pasture contamination with overwintered larvae, the fecal larval deposition by ewes from June and both of these factors combined as sources of infection for spring born lambs. Ewes and lambs were killed serially over a year and worms were recovered from the lungs and counted. It was found that during the stabling period most of the ewes were carrying moderate numbers of D. filaria. However, while the vast majority of lungworm populations in the winter was inhibited in development at the early fifth larval stage, virtually all worms in the spring were adults. Any one source of infection studied contributed to the acquisition of important burdens of D. filaria by lambs as well as ewes. Worm counts reached peak in all lambs by November and this pointed to only one important Dictyocaulus generation per grazing season. It would also appear that larvae picked up by ewes and lambs as the grazing season advanced had become inhibited in development with the inhibition rate being most marked in autumn.     

Septic fibrinous pericarditis in a cocker spaniel

A four-year-old cocker spaniel presented with cardiac tamponade due to a pericardial effusion, in addition to pyrexia and peripheral neutrophilia and a recent history of chest trauma. Cytological examination of the pericardial effusion revealed a predominant neutrophilia. The echocardiographic findings were of numerous hyperechoic densities in the pericardial space, due to fibrin, with concurrent thickening and distortion of the pericardium. Postmortem examination, including microbiology, revealed the presence of organising septic fibrinous pericarditis associated with a mixed infection of Streptococcus canis, Citrobacter species, Pseudomonas species and alpha-haemolytic streptococci.     

Seasonal Fluctuations of Nematode Populations in Breeding Ewes and Lambs

The seasonal changes in nematode populations of a flock of sheep in the Montreal area were determined using serial fecal egg counts, fecal culture of larvae and necropsy worm counts. It was found that Ostertagia spp.,Nematodirus spp., Trichostrongylus agei, Trichostrongylus spp. and Chabertia ovina over-wintered on pasture and could initiate patent infections the following spring. The development of populations of H. contortus was typical of that seen with most of the other species and was characterized by the following series of events. In early winter when the study was started with stabled pregnant ewes, most of the populations were immature and the egg counts were low and remained so throughout the entire winter. However, in the spring, following lambing, large numbers of adult worms were seen with a consequent decrease in immatures and a sudden increase in egg counts. When the ewes and lambs were pastured together, the egg counts in ewes dropped consequent to “self-cure”, the “spring-rise” providing the major source of overwhelming infections for lambs with deaths by the end of July. As the season progressed larvae taken in by both ewes and lambs did not mature, and by early fall, most of the worm population consisted of immature forms. It appeared that H. contortus could not have more than two generations in ewes or lambs in a single grazing season.     

Idiopathic, aseptic, effusive, fibrinous, nonconstrictive pericarditis with tamponade in a standardbred filly.

A Standardbred filly was admitted for evaluation of pleuritis and pneumonia. Heart rate was 80 to 120 beats/min, and the pulse was barely palpable. Thoracic and abdominal ultrasonography and echocardiography revealed substantial pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade, fibrinous pericarditis, pleural effusion, and ascites. Initial electrocardiography revealed normal sinus rhythm with decreased amplitude of the QRS complexes consistent with pericardial effusion. Following thoracentesis, echocardiogram-guided pericardiocentesis was performed. Bacterial culture yielded no growth from any of the fluids, and bacteria were not seen on cytologic examination. Initial treatment included broad-spectrum antibiotic treatments, IV fluid therapy, and anti-inflammatory agent administration. On the basis of negative culture results, an immune-mediated cause was considered, and dexamethasone was instituted in a decreasing dosage regimen. Pericardial effusion, ventral edema, and ascites began to resolve within 3 days after beginning dexamethasone treatment. Thirty days following discharge, the filly was reexamined, and at that time, the prognosis for athletic performance was considered good so the horse was returned to race training. The final diagnosis in this case was idiopathic, effusive, nonconstrictive pericarditis with tamponade. Early identification, clinical understanding, and application of knowledge of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of pericarditis in horses, combined with use of diagnostic aids such as ultrasonography and aggressive therapy consisting of effusion drainage, pericardial lavage, antibiotics that penetrate the pericardium, and corticosteroids when indicated are critical for a successful outcome in horses with pericarditis.     

Pathological changes in the pericardium and meninges of cattle associated with Clostridium chauvoei

Twenty-nine cases of Clostridium chauvoei infection in cattle were investigated over a two-year period. Fourteen had lesions of myositis only, eight had lesions of both myositis and fibrinous pericarditis, six had lesions of fibrinous pericarditis only and one had lesions of purulent meningitis only. Cl chauvoei was identified in all the lesions using the fluorescent antibody technique.     

实验性鸭传染性浆膜炎临床症状与病理学研究

通过对30羽实验性鸭传染性浆膜炎病例的观察，主要症状为腹泻、呼吸困难、头颈震颤、共济失调，以及纤维素性心包炎、肝周炎、气囊炎和脑膜炎等病理变化。组织学观察，全身浆膜纤维素渗出，以及肝细胞弥漫性脂变与坏死，脑神经细胞变性与脑血管套管现象，将液－纤维素肺炎与肾小管变性坏死。     

Two-dimensional echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis in a horse with traumatic pericarditis

Two-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) examination was performed on a horse with clinical signs of pericardial effusion. Thickening of the pericardium, excess amount of pericardial fluid, elevation of the cardiac apex, and right ventricular compression, characteristic of cardiac tamponade, could be seen on 2DE recordings. Fibrinous pericarditis was suspected by observation of fibrinous strands in the pericardial fluid and epicardial fibrin deposits. Echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis was performed, and 4 L of fluid was removed from the pericardial sac. Streptococcus zooepidemicus was isolated from the fluid. Pericardiocentesis was repeated for 3 days, and medication was administered. Despite temporary improvement in cardiac function, the horse's condition deteriorated gradually, and euthanasia was performed on the ninth day of hospitalization. Necropsy revealed chronic serofibrinous pericarditis of traumatic origin, attributable to an intercostal stab wound entering the pericardium and the apical portion of the myocardium.     

Evaluation of Colistin in the Treatment of Respiratory Infections in Dogs

Thirty cases of respiratory infections in adult dogs were treated with colistimethate sodium. E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Paracolobactrum sp., and Aerobacter aerogenes responded to therapy, whereas Proteus sp., Streptococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to treatment.     

Streptococcus suis Type 2 Infection in Swine in Ontario: A Review of Clinical and Pathological Presentations

Over an 18 month period Streptococcus suis type 2 was isolated in pure or mixed culture in 19 disease outbreaks in pigs. Morbidity and case fatality were variable. Clinical signs were of a nervous or respiratory disease or of death with no premonitory signs. Gross and microscopic findings included one or more of fibrinous polyserositis, fibrinous or hemmorhagic bronchopneumonia, purulent meningitis, myocardial necrosis, focal myocarditis and valvular endocarditis. Brain, cerebrospinal fluid and lung were most reliable sites for isolation of the organism.     

Comparison of recording of pericarditis and lung disorders at routine meat inspection with findings at systematic health monitoring in Danish finisher pigs

Background

The use of secondary data is widespread in a range of surveillance and monitoring applications because of the low cost and high availability associated with this form of data. However, as they are often collected for quite unrelated purposes, they are not necessarily fit for the new purpose that is required of them. Routine meat inspection data were originally collected with the purpose of safeguarding food, but have been re-tasked to also include animal welfare assessment. The objective of the present study was to compare the recording of pericarditis, pleuritis and lungs with lesions at routine meat inspection (RMI) with those performed at systematic health monitoring (SHM) in Danish pigs at slaughter, in order to assess the usefulness of RMI for monitoring the prevalence of these diseases. Data originating from 165 Danish pig herds were collected in the period September 2011 to November 2013. From each herd, a batch consisting of all pigs slaughtered on a specific day from a specific farm were included as the RMI data, while lungs and hearts sampled from the batches were used for the SHM. The RMI data and SHM data included recordings related to a) chronic pericarditis, b) chronic pleuritis and c) lung lesions. The proportion of carcases with a specific disease recording was estimated for each batch of pigs, and linear regression was used to relate the RMI-proportion to the SHM-proportion for the conditions mentioned above.

Results

The coefficients of determination (R²) were estimated as R²_{,pericarditis} = 0.16; R²_,pleuritis = 0.67; R²_{,lungs with lesions} = 0.40. R²_{,pericarditis} changed to 0.42 when the regression analysis included inspection type at the abattoir (with purely visual inspection of the hearts versus traditional inspection including an incision into the heart).

Conclusions

Overall, the results suggest that the correlation between findings at RMI and SHM was moderate for pleuritis and lungs with lesions, but poor for pericarditis. The latter could partly be explained by the type of meat inspection conducted at the abattoir. We conclude that caution should be used whenever RMI data are used for purposes other than those for which they were originally intended.     

Evaluation of Feed Mixtures Amended with Processed Food Waste as Feedstuffs for Finishing Lambs

This study was undertaken to evaluate the acceptability, growth performance, and diet digestibility of feed mixtures containing food wastes that were further heat processed for growing-finishing lambs. The first experiment consisted of two feeding trials in which 36 lambs in each trial were fed 1) total mixed rations (TMR) containing extruded feed mixtures that were amended with pulped plate waste (PW) collected from university dining centers or 2) control TMR containing corn, soybean meal, and ground hay in Trial 1 (T1) or soybean hulls in Trial 2 (T2). On a DM basis, the treatment TMR in T1 contained 23.9% PW, and the treatment TMR in T2 contained 24.1% PW. The PW used in this study contained 37.5 ± 9.4% DM, 33.0 ± 8.2% CP, 14.7 ± 5.5% ether extract (EE), and 12.6 ± 5.2% ADF. During T1, lambs fed the control TMR (compared with lambs fed PW) had greater (P<0.05) ADG (299.6 ± 36.3 vs 259.0 ± 54.5 g), less (P<0.05) ADFI (811.1 ± 64.0 vs 2,113.6 ± 748.6 g), and greater (P<0.05) gain:feed (0.37:1 vs 0.24:1 g). During T2, no differences between the control lambs and lambs fed PW were observed in terms of ADG (mean = 231.6 ± 40.9 g), ADFI (mean = 1,766.1 ± 168.0 g), and gain:feed (mean = 0.12:1 g). The second experiment consisted of three digestibility trials (T3, T4, and T5). In T3, 24 wethers were fed an extruded mixture (EF) containing soybean hulls, rolled shelled corn, and 24.5% pulped PW (DM basis). In T4, 28 wethers were fed a dehydrated mixture (DF) containing wheat middlings and ground food waste originating from retail groceries in a 75:25 (DM basis). In T5, 28 wethers were fed an extruded mixture (EFM) containing soybean hulls, rolled corn, and 42.3% pulped PW (DM basis). Apparent DE of EF was determined to be 3.22 ± 1.50 Mcal/kg. Apparent digestibility coefficients of EF were 54.50 ± 2.68% DM, 42.60 ± 4.39% ADF, 60.30 ± 15.68% CP, and 76.23 ± 3.77%EE. Apparent DE of DF was determined to be 3.17 ± 0.24 Mcal/kg. Apparent digestibility coefficients of DF were 64.98 ± 4.76% DM, 74.99 ± 4.91%protein, 15.70 ± 10.84% ADF, and 79.39 ± 5.07 EE. Apparent DE of EFM was determined to be 2.66 ± 0.18 Mcal/kg. The EFM apparent digestibility coefficients were 54.95 ± 4.16% DM, 62.61 ± 7.25% CP, 27.21 ± 7.77% ADF, and 79.78 ± 6.67% EE. This study indicates that amending traditional diets with dehydrated or extruded mixtures containing food waste is a practical processing method for including food wastes in sheep diets. However, acceptability of these diets by individual sheep may vary, and inconsistent growth performance levels and feed efficiencies may occur.     

Mastocytemia in dogs with acute inflammatory diseases

Nineteen dogs were identified that had mastocytemia (mast cells in venous blood samples) not associated with mast cell neoplasia. The first 10 dogs were identified by examination of blood films from dogs with suspected parvovirus enteritis (8), fibrinous pericarditis and pleuritis secondary to thoracic lacerations (1), and renal insufficiency of unknown cause (1). Because of the apparent association with acute enteritis, blood films from 52 suspected canine parvovirus cases were examined retrospectively and 8 mastocytemic dogs were found. An additional 52 canine blood films were randomly selected from the same retrospective time period and 1 mastocytemic dog was found that had pneumothorax, pelvic fractures, and hemorrhagic septic abdominal effusion secondary to renal hemorrhage and traumatized intestines. All mastocytemic dogs had acute inflammatory leukograms the day that mast cells were first detected: neutropenia with toxic neutrophils (4), neutropenia with a left shift (8), total neutrophil count within reference interval but with a left shift (5), or neutrophilia with a left shift (2). All dogs except the renal insufficiency case had circulating toxic neutrophils. Five dogs were mastocytemic on more than 1 day. The pathogenesis of the mastocytemia associated with the acute inflammatory disease was not determined.     

Influence of L-Carnitine on Performance and Ruminal and Blood Metabolites of Grazing Calves and Finishing Lambs

Three experiments were conducted to study the influence of level and type of L-carnitine (LC) on performance and rumiasl and plasma metabolites of weanling calves and finishing lambs. Weanling calves (84) grazing dormant dallisgrass-bermudagrass forage were fed a 20% CP supplement to provide 0, 0.5, 1, or 2 g of ruminally unprotected (RUP) LC per calf daily in Exp. 1. There was a linear increase (P=0.01) and cubic response (P=0.03) to RUP LC in growth rate and quadratic changes (P=0.01) in plasma ammonia N (PAN) and plasma urea N (PUN). In Exp. 2, 32 lambs were individually fed 14% CP diets containing 0, 50, 100, or 200 ppm RUP LC or ruminally protected (RP) LC in a 2 × 4 arrangement of treatments. Lambs gained BW faster (P=0.03) and more efficiently (P=0.07) as the LC level increased to 100 ppm and then declined at 200 ppm (quadratic response). Longissimus area decreased (P=0.03), and fat cover tended (P=0.15) to decline, at 50 and 100 ppm LC and increased at 200 ppm (linear and quadratic response). Ruminal ammonia N levels were reduced at 50 ppm LC but increased at greater LC levels (linear, quadratic, and cubic response, P=0.02). Plasma carnitine concentrations increased (P=0.01) as the dietary level of LC increased. Protected LC was more effective than RUP LC in increasing growth rate (P=0.06) and reducing PAN (P=0.1). In Exp. 3, 16 wether and 16 ewe lambs were individually fed corn-based or soybean hull-based diets with 0 or 100 ppm RP LC in a 2 × 2 arrangement of treatments. Lambs fed RP LC gained BW faster and more efficiently (P=0.04) than lambs that were not fed LC. Lambs fed corn-based and soybean hull-based diets responded similarly to RP LC; however, performance was greater (P=0.03) for lambs fed the corn-based diet. Gender of lambs did not influence the response to diet or RP LC. Supplementing the diet with 100 ppm RP LC reduced (P=0.01) ruminal pH and ammonia N. Plasma carnitine concentrations were increased (P=0.01), and PAN was decreased (P=0.04) by feeding 100 ppm RP LC. Ruminnaly unprotected and RP LC were effective in improving growth rate in ruminants; the latter appeared to be more effective in finishing lambs. L-carnitine reduced ruminal ammonia N and plasma glucose and, in some cases, PAN and PUN.     

Systemic mycosis caused by Trichophyton spp. in an olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea): An immunohistochemical study

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: A sub-adult female olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) was found floating off the coast of Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: The turtle was lethargic and weak, and died one day after it was found. Necropsy was performed and selected samples of lung and liver were routinely processed for histopathological and immunohistological studies. Grossly, round, ulcerative lesions were observed on the rear flippers. The liver, spleen, coelomic wall, gastric serosa, lungs and urinary bladder were covered by various amounts of fibrin and small granulomas. Histopathologically, a severe fibrinous and granulomatous polyserositis (liver, spleen, stomach, urinary bladder, coelomic wall), severe fibrinous pleuritis and severe multifocal granulomatous pneumonia were diagnosed. Numerous fungal hyphae were observed associated with the lesions. Specific monoclonal and heterologously absorbed polyclonal antibodies served as the primary reagents for identification of aspergillosis, candidiasis, fusariosis, geotricosis, dermatophytosis, scedosporiosis, and zygomycosis. All hyphae were identified as Trichophyton spp., because a strong and uniform reactivity was obtained only with an heterologously absorbed polyclonal antibody raised against somatic antigens of Trichophyton spp.

DIAGNOSIS: Systemic mycosis caused by Trichophyton spp.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There are no known previous reports of Trichophyton spp. causing skin disease or systemic mycotic infection in sea turtles. The usefulness of immunohistochemistry for identifying fungi in sea turtles is reinforced.