Marked subcutaneous mast cell and eosinophilic infiltration associated with the presence of multiple Dirofilaria repens microfilariae in 4 dogs

Dirofilaria repens is a parasitic nematode in the subcutaneous tissue of carnivores, including dogs and cats, transmitted by mosquitoes. Human beings may be accidental hosts. Infection of a dog with D repens was first reported in Palestine in 1934, and 2 additional cases were reported in dogs in Israel to date. This report describes D repens infection in 4 dogs in Israel that presented with subcutaneous masses, which were cytologically characterized by marked mast cell and eosinophil infiltration. In 3 cases, multiple microfilariae were present in the lesions; rare microfilariae were present in the 4^th case. In all 4 dogs, PCR of fine‐needle aspirates from the lesions were positive for D repens. The mast cells observed in all lesions were uniform and highly granulated, and with the presence of the microfilariae, a mast cell tumor was considered less likely. This report suggests that D repens infection‐associated subcutaneous lesions, characterized cytologically by massive mast cell and eosinophil infiltration, should be considered a differential diagnosis for mast cell tumor, especially in geographic locations endemic for this nematode. Notably, all 4 dogs were infected with D repens despite a routine prophylactic doramectin therapy administered every 3 months, probably due to the relatively long time interval between treatments.     

Coinfection with multiple tick-borne and intestinal parasites in a 6-week-old dog

Coinfection with Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis, Hepatozoon canis, Isospora spp., Giardia spp., and Dipylidium caninum were detected in a 6-week-old dog. The effect of multi-pathogen infection was a fatal combination of gastrointestinal and hematologic abnormalities, including diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, distended painful abdomen, intussusception, severe thrombocytopenia, anemia, and hypoproteinemia.     

Foliar residues and toxicity to green leafhoppers of the systemic insecticides aldicarb and its isomer butocarboxim in young peach and plum groves

The isomeric systemic carbamoyloximes aldicarb and butocarboxim were applied at two dose rates to the soil in young peach and plum groves to control the green leafhopper Asymmetrasca decedens Paoli. The effectiveness of the treatments was assessed indirectly by measuring the growth rate of shoots, and by determining the adult mortality of leafhoppers that were collected in the field and kept for 24 h on detached peach leaves in the laboratory. Residues of the insecticides and of their sulphoxide and sulphone metabolites, in the leaves of the peach trees, were determined 18 and 31 days after treatment. Only the sulphoxides and sulphones were found; the sulphoxides amounted to 70–80% of the toxic residues after 18 days, and to 50–70% after 31 days. At an identical rate of application, the leaves from aldicarb-treated peach trees contained higher concentrations of the toxic metabolites and were more toxic to leafhoppers than those of trees treated with butocarboxim.     

Foliar phosphorus fertilization of common bean complementing phosphate fertilization at sowing

The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of common bean plants to phosphorus (P) applied to the leaves at different growth stages, as a complement to phosphate fertilization at sowing. The experiment followed the 2 × 7-factor randomized block design (RBD) with four replicates. The first factor was fertilization with P at the base with 60 and 120 kg ha^?1 of phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅). The second factor was the times and doses of P applied to the leaves: 0.5 or 1 kg ha^?1 of P₂O₅, at the V3 phenological stage; parceled in the following manner: 20% in V3, another 40% in R5 and 40% in R6, or 50% in R5 and 50% in R6; and one treatment with no P₂O₅ application to the leaves. P-based foliar fertilization increased P content in the grains of plants grown in soils with greater P availability. The lower common bean biomass production under scarce P availability was minimized by the foliar fertilization, as well as its productivity when 1 kg ha^?1 of P₂O₅ was applied to the leaves, 50% in the R5 phenological stage and 50% in R6. The highest productivity was obtained with the application of 0.5 kg ha^?1 of P₂O₅ to the leaves in the V3 phenological stage with the 120 kg ha^?1 dose at the base.     

LINEAR OSTEOCHONDROMATOSIS IN A CAT

A domestic shorthair cat was presented with quadriparesis and lumbar hyperesthesia that progressed over 4 months. There were linear and amorphous radiopaque masses throughout the soft tissue surrounding the long bones, vertebral bodies, ribs, pelvis, and scapula. The diagnosis of osteochondromatosis was confirmed by histopathology. Unlike previously reported patients with osteochondromatosis, most of the calcified masses in this cat were not connected to the periosteum; some were linear and were arranged parallel to the long bones involved.     

Central diabetes insipidus in five cats: clinical presentation, diagnosis and oral desmopressin therapy

Five cases of central diabetes insipidus (CDI) in domestic shorthair cats are described. All cats were under 3 years of age at the onset of clinical signs, and outdoor or outdoor/indoor cats, in which a prior trauma was either present or possible. The history included polydipsia and polyuria, and physical examination abnormalities included urinary bladder distention and dehydration. All cats had hyposthenuria with a urine specific gravity between 1.003 and 1.006. The diagnosis was confirmed by an observed inability to concentrate urine during a water deprivation test or compatible serum osmolality, followed by an increase in urine concentration after desmopressin administration. All cats in this report were treated successfully with oral desmopressin. The dose (25-50 microg q8-12h) and the response to therapy were variable. Oral desmopressin administration may serve as an effective alternative route for cat owners who find the conjunctival or nasal application of the solution an inconvenient mode of therapy.     

Hematology and serum biochemistry values of trapped, healthy, free-ranging rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) and their association with age, sex, and gestational status

BACKGROUND: The rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) is an herbivore prevalent from South Africa to Turkey, and a most common zoo animal. Although many studies of hyrax diseases and physiology are available, clinicopathologic data are limited. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to establish comprehensive hematologic and biochemical reference intervals for trapped, apparently healthy, free-ranging rock hyraxes using modern laboratory methods and to assess differences related to sex, gestation, and age. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 27 healthy, free-ranging hyraxes under anesthesia. Gender, body weight, and gestational status were recorded. Hematologic (n = 25) and serum biochemical (n = 22) analyses were performed using standard automated methodology. Data for male vs female, adult vs juvenile, and pregnant vs nonpregnant female hyraxes were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Associations between variables were assessed using Pearson's or Spearman rank correlation tests. RESULTS: Significant age- and sex-related, but not gestation-related differences were observed in several variables. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity and phosphorus concentration were significantly higher in juveniles compared with adults. A unique type of monocyte comprised 1-3% of leukocytes in 4 hyraxes. Markedly high serum creatine kinase (CK) activity was observed in most hyraxes. CONCLUSIONS: The large number of animals and the availability of sex, age, and gestational data in this study will be useful to zoo and wildlife veterinarians working with rock hyraxes. High serum concentrations of betahydroxybutyric acid in the rock hyrax, compared with dogs, cats, and ruminants, may be related to its unique digestive system. High CK activity may have been the result of a capture myopathy-like syndrome. The unique monocytes in hyraxes resemble those of elephants and are a novel finding in this species.     

"Plugging into Enzymes": nanowiring of redox enzymes by a gold nanoparticle

The reconstitution of an apo-flavoenzyme, apo-glucose oxidase, on a 1.4-nanometer gold nanocrystal functionalized with the cofactor flavin adenine dinucleotide and integrated into a conductive film yields a bioelectrocatalytic system with exceptional electrical contact with the electrode support. The electron transfer turnover rate of the reconstituted bioelectrocatalyst is approximately 5000 per second, compared with the rate at which molecular oxygen, the natural cosubstrate of the enzyme, accepts electrons (approximately 700 per second). The gold nanoparticle acts as an electron relay or "electrical nanoplug" for the alignment of the enzyme on the conductive support and for the electrical wiring of its redox-active center.