Lidocaine effects on corneal endothelial cell ultrastructure

The purpose of this study was to determine whether intracameral commercial lidocaine 2% induces alterations on the rabbit corneal endothelium. Forty white rabbits received different substances inside the anterior chamber: group (G)1, no substance; G2 and G3 received lidocaine 2% with preservative in aqueous solution; G4 and G5, lidocaine 2% with preservative in gel solution; G6 and G7, the anesthetic preservative (metilparahydroxybenzoate 0.1%); and G8 and G9, lidocaine 2% without preservative in aqueous solution. The animals from G2, 4, 6 and 8 were sacrificed after 1 h, and from G3, 5, 7 and 9 after 24 h after injection of the substance inside the anterior chamber. The corneas were clinically evaluated and assessed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. G1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 animals had very similar characteristics in clinical, ultrastructural and morphometric evaluations; the G3 and G4 animals showed discrete edema and one animal in G5 had intense corneal edema. We conclude that lidocaine 2% with preservative induces few ultrastructural alterations in the corneal endothelial cells.     

Intra-abdominal leiomyosarcoma in a ferret (Mustela putorius Furo): histopathological and immunohistochemical characterization

A 5 years old female ferret with an abdominal palpable mass confirmed at echo-graphic examination died during an explorative laparotomy. A single lymph-node-like nodule was found adjacent to the intestinal loops. The round mass well circumscribed, solid and white, histologically, at low magnification, appeared encapsulated and built up by a population of atypical spindle cells arranged in interwoven fascicles. The cells had high anisocytosis degree, moderate mitotic activity and prominent nucleoli. A central area of necrosis was present. To characterise the tumour immunohistochemically cytokeratin, vimentin, S-100, melan-A, vWF, desmin, actin and alpha-actin were applied. Neoplastic cells resulted positive to vimentin, actin and alpha-actin. Based on the histological and immunohistological pattern a diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma was made.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF OVINE CYSTIC ECHINOCOCCOSIS

The sanitary and economic impact of cystic echinococcosis is serious in those countries where it becomes endemic. Ultrasonography is one technique that may be used to diagnose this disease in endemic areas. In parasitized sheep, hydatid cysts appear sonographically as a round hypoechoic structure. Twenty two sheep destined for slaughter were studied sonographically and imaging findings compared to post-mortem findings. Three sheep with hydatid cysts were identified. Eighty additional sheep not destined for slaughter were also studied. Echinococcus granulosus cysts were detected in three animals. Forty sheep from a non-endemic area had no hepatic cysts. The in vivo sonographic study of sheep provides a useful screening tool for echinococcosis.     

Pharmacokinetics of difloxacin after intravenous, intramuscular, and intragastric administration to horses

OBJECTIVE: To study the pharmacokinetics of difloxacin (5 mg/kg) following IV, IM, and intragastric (IG) administration to healthy horses. ANIMALS: 6 healthy mature horses. PROCEDURES: A crossover study design with 3 phases was used (15-day washout periods between treatments). An injectable formulation of difloxacin (5%) was administered IV and IM in single doses (5 mg/kg); for IG administration, an oral solution was prepared and administered via nasogastric tube. Blood samples were collected before and at intervals after each administration. A high-performance liquid chromatography assay with fluorescence detection was used to determine plasma difloxacin concentrations. Pharmacokinetic parameters of difloxacin were analyzed. Plasma creatine kinase activity was monitored to assess tissue damage. RESULTS: Difloxacin plasma concentration versus time data after IV administration were best described by a 2-compartment open model. The disposition of difloxacin following IM or IG administration was best described by a 1-compartment model. Mean half-life for difloxacin administered IV, IM, and IG was 2.66, 5.72, and 10.75 hours, respectively. Clearance after IV administration was 0.28 L/kg.h. After IM administration, the absolute mean +/- SD bioavailability was 95.81 +/- 3.11% and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was 1.48 +/- 0.12 mg/L. After IG administration, the absolute bioavailability was 68.62 +/- 10.60% and Cmax was 0.732 +/- 0.05 mg/L. At 12 hours after IM administration, plasma creatine kinase activity had increased 7-fold, compared with the preinjection value. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Data suggest that difloxacin is likely to be effective for treating susceptible bacterial infections in horses.