IMAGING DIAGNOSIS: FIBRODYSPLASIA OSSIFICANS PROGRESSIVA IN A CAT

A 1‐year‐old female cat was presented for progressive alopecia, gait abnormalities, and stiffness. Radiography demonstrated multiple calcified lesions within the soft tissues of the cervical and thoracic spine, shoulder, and limbs. Postmortem computed tomography provided more detailed information on the distribution, pattern, and extension of lesions. In addition, computed tomography helped guide sample selection for histopathology. The final diagnosis was fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. This is a rare disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by fibrosis and heterotopic bone formation in connective tissues. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report describing this disease in a European cat.     

植物生长调节剂、基质对三个品种费约果扦插生根的影响

选取五年生健壮费约果树为母株,采用L9(33)正交设计法研究植物生长调节剂、基质对三个品种费约果半木质化枝条扦插生根的影响。本试验结果表明：不同品种、植物生长调节剂和基质处理的生根的影响呈显著性水平。影响费约果扦插枝条生根率因素的主次顺序为品种>植物生长调节剂>基质;影响根长因素的主次顺序为基质>植物生长调节剂>品种;影响插穗根数的因素主次顺序品种>基质>植物生长调节剂。Gemini品种经1000 mg/L ABT浸泡两分钟,以腐叶土+珍珠岩为基质,生根效果最好,生根率为70.00%,平均根长为8.85 cm,平均根数为10.22条/穗;Unique品种经1000 mg/L ABT浸泡两分钟,以腐叶土+蛭石为基质,生根效果较好,生根率为56.67%,平均根长为9.32 cm,平均根数为12.33条/穗;Coolidge品种生根率低,均≤20 %。     

The 1997-1998 classical swine fever epidemic in The Netherlands--a survival analysis

The aim of this analysis was to characterise the temporal pattern of infection during the 1997/98 classical swine fever (CSF) epidemic in The Netherlands and hence identify and quantify risk factors for infection in different enterprise types and areas. Survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to describe the epidemic. Substantial differences in temporal survival patterns (herd breakdown rate) were found between areas where different control policies operated. Factors with a significant influence on the infection hazard of individual herds included: sow numbers as a percentage of total sows and fatteners (HR = 3.38 for mixed herds (0.1–60% sows) vs. fattening herds (0% sows) and HR = 2.74 for breeding herds (60–100% sows) vs. fattening herds), the number of ‘transport contacts per month’ (>0.3 vs. <0.3; HR = 4.11), pig density (pigs/km²) in the area (HR_{1000 pigs} 1.48) and herd size (HR_{100 pigs} = 1.01).

Pre-emptive slaughter in an area appeared to be associated with lower subsequent disease levels. Higher frequency of transport contacts for welfare slaughter during the epidemic, however, well regulated and controlled, was associated with a substantially higher risk of becoming infected. The positive association of a higher pig density with CSF indicates the potential importance of local spread as a factor in disease transmission and emphasizes that dilution of the pig population can contribute to reduction in CSF occurrence. This analysis suggests however, that if pre-emptive slaughter can promptly be applied effectively in an area after initial diagnosis, pig density is then not a significant factor. Mixed and breeding herds had a higher probability of becoming infected than fattening herds, possibly due to different types and frequencies of inter-herd contacts. These contacts continue to some extent during the epidemic, despite the standstill of animal movements.     

The antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus species isolated from canine dermatitis

In a retrospective study, 1538 strains of -haemolysin-producing Staphylococcus species isolated from dermatitis in dogs at three veterinary clinical microbiology laboratories in Norway during 1986–87 and 1993–94 were investigated for their antimicrobial susceptibility. None of the strains was resistant to cloxacillin, cephalexin or the quinolones enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. More than 96% of the strains were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulphonamide, bacitracin and fucidic acid. Between 67% and 89% of the strains were susceptible to erythromycin, lincosamides, tetracycline, neomycin and chloramphenicol. Only 37.9% of the strains were susceptible to penicillin. The frequency of penicillin resistance increased significantly between the first and second periods, from 46.0% to 58.6%. The frequency of resistance to lincomycin, clindamycin and erythromycin also increased significantly between the first and second periods, from 3.0%, 2.1% and 3.3% to 25.5%, 19.5% and 24.8%, respectively. A moderate increase in resistance to tetracycline was also noted, from 20.4% in the first to 27.6% in the second period. On the other hand, the frequency of resistance to trimethoprim-sulphonamide decreased significantly from 4.1% in the first to 0.9% in the second period. Many different resistance patterns were observed in each period. However, the proportion of multiresistant strains increased from 2.1% in the first to 10.2% in the second period. There was a decrease in resistance to the combination of trimethoprim-sulphonamide and penicillin from the first to the second period. Resistance to the combination of lincosamides and pencillin increased. For the combinations penicillin-tetracycline-lincosamides, pencillin-lincosamides-erythromycin, and pencillin-tetracycline-lincosamides-erythromycin, there was a striking increase in resistance between the first and the second periods.Abbreviations CVL Central Veterinary Laboratory - NCVM Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine - NVL Norwegian Veterinary Laboratory     

Photodynamic therapy of feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma using a newly developed liposomal photosensitizer: preliminary results concerning drug safety and efficacy

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinomas are common skin tumors in cats. We investigated photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a new liposomal photosensitizer as a minimally invasive, effective treatment that can be easily performed while achieving good cosmetic results. AIM: The goal of this study was to assess and describe possible toxicities using a liposomal formulation of the photosensitizer meta-(Tetrahydroxyphenyl)Chlorin (m-THPC) and investigate if favorable pharmacokinetics translate into favorable tumor response and control. ANIMALS: Eighteen client-owned cats with 20 spontaneous cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas were included in the study. METHODS: PDT was performed using a new, liposomal formulation of the photosensitizer. Toxicity, tumor response, and tumor control were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: No general adverse effects were observed in cats treated with the new liposomal formulation. Mild local toxicity such as erythema and edema were seen in 15% of the patients. All cats responded to therapy, with a complete response rate of 100%. The overall 1-year control rate was 75%. The tumor recurrence rate was 20% with a median time to recurrence of 172.25 +/-87.1) days. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: A new liposomal photosensitizer was successfully used for squamous cell carcinoma in cats and was well tolerated. There were no systemic adverse effects observed with the liposomal formulation. The favorable pharmacokinetics of the liposomal drug resulted in a favorable tumor response.     

Plasma interleukin-6 response is predictive for severity and mortality in canine systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is still a major cause of death in both human and veterinary medicine. Early diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment. Identification of patients at risk for developing sepsis is already possible in human medicine through the measurement of plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. In veterinary medicine, however, this has been investigated only in canine experimental models. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to measure IL-6 plasma levels in dogs with naturally occurring systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis and to analyze the value of IL-6 as a predictive parameter for severity and mortality. METHODS: Included in the study were 79 dogs that had been admitted to the small animal clinics of Munich and Berlin from July 2004 to July 2005 and that satisfied the diagnostic criteria for SIRS and sepsis as defined using established parameters. Measurement of plasma IL-6 levels on days 0, 1, and 2 was performed by the use of a colorimetric bioassay based on IL-6-dependent cell growth. RESULTS: Septic foci were identified in 43 patients (septic group), and 36 patients were enrolled in the SIRS group. The frequency of positive blood cultures was 11%. The overall mortality rate was 48%. Higher plasma IL-6 levels on the day of admission were significantly correlated with a more severe degree of disease, increased mortality rate, and earlier fatality. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma IL-6 concentration is predictive of outcome in canine SIRS and sepsis and may be a valuable laboratory parameter for assessing critically ill dogs.     

海南不同地区香蕉假茎象甲对几种杀虫剂的敏感性测定

采用虫体浸渍法,测定了海南澄迈和儋州两地的香蕉假茎象甲成虫对480克/升毒死蜱EC、77.5%敌敌畏EC、40%辛硫磷EC、40%丙溴磷EC、25%丙溴?辛硫磷EC、20%三唑磷EC等6种杀虫剂对的敏感性。结果表明,6种药剂对澄迈和儋州两地区的香蕉假茎象甲的毒力大小顺序相同,毒死蜱＞丙溴?辛硫磷＞丙溴磷＞三唑磷＞敌敌畏＞辛硫磷;儋州地区的香蕉假茎象甲对6种药剂的敏感性均高于澄迈地区。     

Association of Treponema spp. with canine periodontitis

To evaluate the association of oral Treponema (T.) spp. with severity of canine periodontitis, subgingival plaque samples of dogs of various breeds undergoing surgery were investigated. A wide range of oral Treponema spp. was analysed by a molecular and culture-independent approach applying DNA-DNA dot blot hybridization analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization using Treponema specific oligonucleotide probes specific for phylogenetic groups I-VII of oral treponemes as well as probes specific for T. socranskii and T. denticola. To assess the periodontal status of affected dogs clinical parameters were measured and the periodontal status was classified from grade 0 (physiological periodont) to 3 (severe periodontitis). The periodontal status correlated significantly with an increasing concentration of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC, r=0.854) determined with a Halimeter, indicating a positive correlation between the presence of VSC-producing bacteria and periodontitis. In this study Treponema spp. of phylogenetic groups III, V-VII were not detected in any sample, whereas T. denticola-like treponemes were found only in 2 of 51 animals. However, treponemes belonging to phylogenetic groups I, II and IV of oral treponemes or T. socranskii were found in up to 64.84% of the dogs. The detection rate of Treponema spp. was significantly associated with an increased periodontal status. Treponemes present in periodontal lesions were also visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization of gingival biopsies showing Treponema spp. not only in the microbial biofilm but also within the gingival tissue. The data presented here indicate that oral Treponema spp. are associated with canine periodontitis. Similar to human periodontitis, treponemes of groups I, II and IV and T. socranskii were found more frequently the higher the degree of periodontitis was.