Pyogranuloma caused by Mycobacterium asiaticum infection in a steer.

In 2003, a steer carcass was condemned at a Central Queensland abattoir because of metastatic tumors. In addition, a granulomatous lesion was found in the mediastinal lymph node. Histological examination showed this to be a pyogranuloma, typically associated with Rhodococcus or the Nocardia/Streptomyces group. However, in this case, the only etiological agent was an acid-fast bacillus, which would normally be associated with a more fibrous lesion. A number of nucleic acid-based techniques were used, and the isolate was identified as Mycobacterium asiaticum. This organism is a rarely encountered opportunistic pathogen of humans, associated with subtropical climates. This is the first report of this organism causing infection in cattle. The similarities between this case and cases of human disease are discussed.     

UTILITY OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR DISTINGUISHING NEOPLASTIC FROM NON-NEOPLASTIC BRAIN LESIONS IN DOGS AND CATS

The aim of this study was to identify magnetic resonance (MR) signs that aid differentiation of neoplastic vs. non-neoplastic brain diseases in dogs and cats. MR images of 36 dogs and 13 cats with histologic diagnosis of intracranial disease were reviewed retrospectively. Diagnoses included 30 primary and three metastatic brain tumors, 11 infectious/inflammatory lesions, three vascular, one degenerative disease, and one developmental malformation. Upon univariate analysis of 21 MR signs, there were seven that had a significant association with neoplasia: single lesion (P = 0.004), shape (P = 0.015), mass effect (P = 0.002), dural contact (P = 0.04), dural tail (P = 0.005), lesions affecting adjacent bone (P = 0.008), and contrast enhancement (P = 0.025). Increasing age was also found to be associated with neoplasia (P = 0.0001). MR signs of non-neoplastic brain diseases in dogs and cats were more variable than those of brain neoplasia.     

SURVIS: a fully-automated aerial baiting system for the distribution of vaccine baits for wildlife

Large-scale oral vaccination of wildlife against rabies using aerial bait distribution has been successfully used to control terrestrial wildlife rabies in Europe and North America. A technical milestone to large-scale oral rabies vaccination campaigns in Europe was the development of fully-automated, computer-supported and cost-efficient technology for aerial distribution of baits like the SURVIS -system. Each bait released is recorded by the control unit through a sensor, with the exact location, time and date of release and subsequently the collected data can be evaluated, e.g. in GIS programmes. Thus, bait delivery systems like SURVIS are an important management tool for flight services and the responsible authorities for the optimization and evaluation of oral vaccination campaigns of wildlife against rabies or the control of other relevant wildlife diseases targeted by oral baits.     

Neospora-like protozoan infection as a major cause of abortion in California dairy cattle

Ninety-five aborted bovine fetuses received from California dairies over a 4.5-year period had histologic lesions of focal encephalitis. Protozoa that reacted with Neospora caninum antiserum were detected in the brain of 88 of these fetuses and in the heart of 1 fetus. Sarcocystis spp schizonts were seen in the vascular endothelium of 1 fetus. It was concluded that a Neospora-like cyst-forming coccidian may be a major cause of abortion in California dairy cattle.     

Cloning, expression and characterization of monkey (Macaca fascicularis) CD137

CD137 plays an important role as a co-stimulatory molecule in activated T cells. Agonistic CD137 specific antibodies have been investigated as therapeutic agents to promote tumor-specific immune responses by direct activation of T cells. As part of the pre-clinical pharmacological evaluation of cynomolgus monkeys, monkey CD137 was cloned and characterized. The deduced amino acid sequence encoded a full-length gene of 254 amino acids 95% identical to human CD137. Sequence variants identified in monkey CD137 include four splice variants lacking the transmembrane domain. These variants were detectable in human including two previously unreported variants. Two missense single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected present in 42 and 50% of 36 monkeys tested. In both monkey and human, mRNA expression of full-length CD137 and splice variants were significantly increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) upon stimulation by anti-CD3 antibodies. Recombinant monkey CD137 protein was bound with high affinity by an agonistic anti-human CD137 antibody but not by an anti-mouse CD137 antibody. In summary, compared to human, monkey CD137 showed distinct extracellular domain amino acid sequence and sequence polymorphisms. Thus, antibodies directed against epitopes in this extracellular domain could have differences in pharmacologic activity between cynomolgus monkeys and human or across individual cynomolgus monkeys.     

The effect of a monensin ruminal delivery device on performance of cattle grazing pasture

A total of 28 trials utilizing 2,262 steers and heifers were conducted to evaluate a sustained monensin2 ruminal delivery device (RDD) on the daily gain of grazing cattle. Five series of trials, with four to eight trials per series within a grazing season, were conducted to evaluate the daily gain response under different environmental conditions and locations. Pastures grazed included both summer (cool- and warm-season grasses and native range) and winter (rye, ryegrass and wheat) growing pastures. The experimental design for all trials in each of five series was a randomized complete block with initial weight or breed as the blocking factor. The treatments compared in series I, III, IV and V (20 trials) were a control and a single RDD, whereas in series II (eight trials), a 2 x 2 factorial was utilized that compared RDD and estradiol 17-beta controlled release implants. In the five series of trials, the monensin RDD increased daily gain .04 (P = .002), .03 (P = .07), .09 (P = .01), .05 (P = .10) and .08 kg (P = .04) compared with the controls. Use of the RDD provided an effective method of achieving consistent monensin delivery and weight gain improvement without requiring the extra labor needed to administer monensin via hand-feeding or self-feeding supplements, blocks or loose mineral.     

Disseminated candidiasis secondary to fungal and bacterial peritonitis in a young dog

Objective – To describe a severe case of bacterial sepsis and disseminated candidiasis in a previously healthy dog.
Case Summary – Fungal sepsis was identified in a 2-year-old dog following intestinal dehiscence 4 days after abdominal surgery. Septic peritonitis was identified at admission and evidence of dehiscence at the previous enterotomy site was found during an exploratory laparotomy. Both gram-positive cocci and Candida albicans were cultured from the abdominal cavity. Candida sp. was also subsequently cultured from a central venous catheter. Euthanasia was performed due to failure to respond to therapy. Fungal organisms, morphologically consistent with Candida spp., were found in the lungs and kidney on postmortem histopathologic examination indicating disseminated candidiasis.
New or Unique Information Provided – Candida peritonitis is a well-recognized entity in humans and contributes to morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Abdominal surgery, intestinal perforation, presence of central venous catheters, and administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics are all considered to be suspected risk factors. This report describes the first known case of systemic candidiasis occurring secondary to Candida peritonitis and bacterial sepsis in a critically ill dog.     

Suspected paraspinal abscess and spinal epidural empyema in a dog

Epidural spinal cord compression was visualized myelographically in a dog presented for rapid development of paraparesis. A large, fluid-filled pocket in the epaxial musculature was found at surgery and appeared to communicate with the first lumbar vertebra. Unfortunately, cytopathological evaluation of the fluid was not performed. No etiological agents were isolated on aerobic culture. The dog responded well to decompressive surgery and medical therapy consisting of antibiotics, pain medication, and nursing care. In the veterinary literature, only two studies of spinal epidural empyema in the dog have been reported. Of these dogs, one had successful decompressive surgery performed. The other dogs in these two reports were euthanized. The dog presented in this report fully recovered. Spinal epidural empyema should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs presenting with a fever and a rapidly progressing myelopathy.     

Surgical and nonsurgical management of and selected risk factors for spontaneous pneumothorax in dogs: 64 cases (1986-1999)

OBJECTIVE: To compare results of surgical versus nonsurgical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 64 dogs with pneumothorax without any history of antecedent trauma. PROCEDURE: Information on signalment, thoracic radiographic findings, treatment, histologic findings, and outcome was obtained from the medical records. Signalment of affected dogs was compared with signalment of a control population of 260 dogs examined by the emergency service for reasons other than pneumothorax during the study period. RESULTS: Siberian Huskies were overrepresented in the case population, compared with the control population of dogs examined by the emergency service for other reasons. Twenty-eight dogs were treated without surgery (ie, thoracocentesis or tube thoracostomy with or without cage rest), and 36 were treated with surgery. Information regarding final outcome was available for 33 dogs treated with surgery (median follow-up time, 485 days) and 15 dogs treated without surgery (median follow-up time, 366 days). Dogs that underwent surgery had significantly lower recurrence (1/30) and mortality (4/33) rates, compared with dogs treated without surgery (6/12 and 8/15, respectively). A definitive diagnosis was obtained for 38 dogs, including 34 of 36 dogs undergoing surgery; 26 had bullous emphysema and 4 had neoplasia. Two dogs developed spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to migration of plant foreign bodies. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that recurrence and mortality rates for dogs with spontaneous pneumothorax managed surgically were significantly lower than rates for dogs managed by nonsurgical means alone. Early surgical intervention is recommended for definitive diagnosis and treatment of dogs with spontaneous pneumothorax.