Cauda equina compression syndrome (CECS): retrospective study of surgical treatment with partial dorsal laminectomy in 86 dogs with lumbosacral stenosis

We report our results of partial lumbosacral laminectomy for treatment of canine Cauda equina Compression Syndrome due to a lumbosacral stenosis. Opposite to conventional techniques of dorsal laminectomy, only widening of the Spatium interarcuale is performed. This is achieved by exstirpation of the Lig. flavum and partial dorsal laminectomy of the first sacral segment. The Proc. spinosi and integrity of facet joints are fully maintained by this technique. In 96.5% of 86 dogs treated with this method relief of dorsal pressure and permanent rapid regression of clinical symptoms was achieved. In two cases recurrence of clinical symptoms was observed during follow up and one case showed no improvement at all. In conclusion partial dorsal laminectomy is a minimal invasive technique for treatment of Cauda equina compression syndrome expressed by pain reaction accompanied by minor neurological deficits caused by lumbosacral stenosis. Maintained spinal stability allows short reconvalescence and the unrestricted use of dogs immediately post operation.     

Identification and incidence of Iris yellow spot virus in Allium field crops in Southwest Germany

After the first detection of Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) in Germany in 2007 a 3-year monitoring program was started to determine the occurrence and geographical distribution of IYSV in Allium field crops in southwest Germany (Rhine valley area) and to characterise the German IYSV isolates on the basis of the nucleotide sequence of the nucleocapsid gene. Surveys revealed that IYSV was present in 27 out of 175 onion fields. In most cases disease incidence was low, but in a few fields infection rates of up to 18?% and 50?% were observed for bulb and bunching onions, respectively. In leek, IYSV was found for the first time in 2010. For about 25?% of the tested samples, IYSV-like symptoms were not confirmed by laboratory tests, such as ELISA and/or RT-PCR. This clearly demonstrates the need for reliable diagnostic tools to identify IYSV. New RT-PCR primers were designed as commonly used primers did not yield a PCR product from many clearly ELISA-positive samples. Phylogenetic analyses of 46 isolates revealed a limited degree of diversity among IYSV isolates from southwest Germany. Nearly all German IYSV isolates were closely related to each other, with only four isolates being genetically distinct from the others. IYSV is considered a serious emerging disease in German Allium field crops, especially in bunching onions.     

Sertoli cell tumors associated with feminizing syndrome and spermatic cord torsion in two cryptorchid dogs

The association of cryptorchidism, functional Sertoli cell tumors, and spermatic cord torsion has been rarely reported in the literature. Two dogs were admitted for bilateral skin alopecia and weight loss. Both animals were cryptorchid and displayed a pendulous preputial sheath, prostate hypertrophy, and increased levels of circulating oestrogen. Transabdominal palpation and ultrasonography revealed the presence of neoplastic retained gonads. During surgery, spermatic cord torsion was also detected in the enlarged neoplastic testes of both dogs. Histologic examination confirmed the presence of Sertoli cell tumors that were primarily responsible for the feminizing syndrome. Complete remission of all symptoms occurred within 3 months after orchiectomy.     

Kinetics of the release of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from air‐dried and pre‐moistened soil material

In this study, the kinetics of soil organic matter (SOM) dissolution from soil samples in different states of moisture was investigated, using a continuous extraction method. The investigation distinguished three processes of SOM dissolution. They include an initial, fast process (probably hydrophilic dissolved organic matter) and two slow, rate limited processes, which probably correspond to hydrophobic dissolved organic matter (DOM). The second process indicates a slow, continuous release of DOM, whereas the third process is determined by a power law. The rate of the third process strongly depends on temperature and state of moisture. It is diffusion limited, with the diffusion control probably being located in the solid soil organic matter. This was explained by a gel structure, which slowly forms in the hydrating SOM and allows diffusion of mobile particles of SOM. The results show the importance of considering the moisture state of SOM for the kinetics of DOM dissolution.     

Assessment of the Antimicrobial Activity of Algae Extracts on Bacteria Responsible of External Otitis

External otitis is a diffuse inflammation around the external auditory canal and auricle, which is often occurred by microbial infection. This disease is generally treated using antibiotics, but the frequent occurrence of antibiotic resistance requires the development of new antibiotic agents. In this context, unexplored bioactive natural candidates could be a chance for the production of targeted drugs provided with antimicrobial activity. In this paper, microbial pathogens were isolated from patients with external otitis using ear swabs for over one year, and the antimicrobial activity of the two methanol extracts from selected marine (Dunaliella salina) and freshwater (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata) microalgae was tested on the isolated pathogens. Totally, 114 bacterial and 11 fungal strains were isolated, of which Staphylococcus spp. (28.8%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) (24.8%) were the major pathogens. Only three Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains and 11 coagulase-negative Staphylococci showed resistance to methicillin. The two algal extracts showed interesting antimicrobial properties, which mostly inhibited the growth of isolated S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella spp. with MICs range of 1.4 × 10⁹ to 2.2 × 10¹⁰ cells/mL. These results suggest that the two algae have potential as resources for the development of antimicrobial agents.     

Protective effect of the AT137RQ and ARQK176 PrP alleles against classical scrapie in Sarda breed sheep

The susceptibility of sheep to scrapie is under the control of the host’s prion protein (PrP) gene and is also influenced by the strain of the agent. PrP polymorphisms at codons 136 (A/V), 154 (R/H) and 171 (Q/R/H) are the main determinants of susceptibility/resistance of sheep to classical scrapie. They are combined in four main variants of the wild-type ARQ allele: VRQ, AHQ, ARH and ARR. Breeding programmes have been undertaken on this basis in the European Union and the USA to increase the frequency of the resistant ARR allele in sheep populations. Herein, we report the results of a multi-flock study showing the protective effect of polymorphisms other than those at codons 136, 154 and 171 in Sarda breed sheep. All ARQ/ARQ affected sheep (n = 154) and 378 negative ARQ/ARQ controls from four scrapie outbreaks were submitted to sequencing of the PrP gene. The distribution of variations other than those at the standard three codons, between scrapie cases and negative controls, was statistically different in all flocks. In particular, the AT₁₃₇RQ and ARQK₁₇₆ alleles showed a clear protective effect. This is the first study demonstrating a protective influence of alleles other than ARR under field conditions. If further investigations in other sheep breeds and with other scrapie sources confirm these findings, the availability of various protective alleles in breeding programmes of sheep for scrapie resistance could be useful in breeds with a low frequency of the ARR allele and would allow maintaining a wider variability of the PrP gene.     

Slurry injection with nitrification inhibitor in maize: Plant phosphorus,zinc, and manganese status

Slurry injection below the maize (Zea mays L.) row may substitute a mineral nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) starter fertilizer (MSF) and thus reduce nutrient surpluses in regions with intensive livestock husbandry. We investigated the plant P, zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) status compared to the current farm practice. In 2014 and 2015 field trials were conducted to evaluate plant nutrient status at different growth stages. Besides an unfertilized control, two slurry injection treatments (±nitrification inhibitor (NI)) were compared to slurry broadcast application plus MSF. In both experiments NI addition significantly increased nutrient concentrations during early growth (6-leaf 2015: +33% P, +25% Zn, +39% Mn). Under P deficiency due to cold weather conditions broadcast application showed higher P uptake until 6-leaf (36–58%), while it was lower at 8- (32%) and 10-leaf (19%) stage compared to slurry injection (+NI). Zn availability was enhanced for slurry injection (+NI) during early growth and Zn and Mn uptakes were higher at harvest. Slurry injection decreased P balances by 10–14 kg P ha^?1, while Zn and Mn balances were excessive independent of treatments. Slurry injection (+NI) can substitute a MSF without affecting early growth and enhances the Zn and Mn status. This new fertilizing strategy enables farmers to reduce P surpluses.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—ULTRASONOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF SKELETAL MUSCLE METASTASES IN A DOG WITH HEMANGIOSARCOMA

A 13‐year‐old spayed female German shepherd dog was presented for acute onset of lethargy, anorexia, and disseminated erythematous skin lesions. Thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasonographic findings were consistent with metastatic hemangiosarcoma. Multiple, ill‐defined, irregularly shaped hypoechoic nodules were also detected within the thoracic and abdominal wall. Hemangiosarcoma metastases to the skeletal muscle were confirmed based on histopathological examination. Multivisceral involvement was also confirmed by necropsy. Metastatic neoplasia should be considered as a differential diagnosis for dogs with ill‐defined, irregular, hypoechoic, intramuscular nodules.