A retrospective study of the clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical manifestations of 5 dogs originally diagnosed histologically as necrotizing scleritis

Purpose To describe the clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical manifestations of canine necrotizing scleritis. Methods A retrospective examination of the clinical records and samples of ocular tissues from five dogs with a histological diagnosis ‘necrotizing scleritis’ was completed. Archived, formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded samples and two control globes were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Gram, periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) and Masson trichrome stains, and they were immunohistochemically labeled for CD3, CD18, and CD20. Results Of the five cases reviewed, only two could be confirmed as idiopathic necrotizing scleritis. The other three cases were retrospectively diagnosed as unilateral focal, non‐necrotizing scleritis, one as episcleritis and the third was scleritis secondary to a proptosed globe based on our retrospective clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical evaluations. In these two cases, idiopathic necrotizing scleritis manifested as a bilateral, progressive, inflammatory disease of the sclera and cornea that induces significant uveitis. Light microscopic examination confirmed collagen degeneration and granulomatous inflammation. There was no evidence for an infectious etiology based on Gram’s and PAS stainings. Immunohistochemical labeling revealed a predominance of B cells in idiopathic, bilateral necrotizing scleritis. Tinctorial staining abnormalities with Masson’s trichrome stain were present in scleral collagen of the two cases with idiopathic necrotizing scleritis as well as a case of secondary traumatic scleritis. Conclusions Based on a limited number of cases, idiopathic canine necrotizing scleritis shares similar histopathological features with non‐necrotizing scleritis and episcleritis; however, necrotizing scleritis is B‐cell‐dominated and bilateral, and significant collagen alterations manifest with Masson’s trichrome stain.     

Effects of calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids and rumen-protected methionine on plasma concentrations of ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (7 to 36) amide and pancreatic hormones in lactating cows

Our objective was to determine the effects of calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids (CLFAs) and rumen-protected methionine (RPM) on plasma concentrations of ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (7 to 36) amide, and pancreatic hormones in lactating cows. Four Holstein cows in midlactation were used in a 4 by 4 Latin square experiment in each 2-wk period. Cows were fed corn silage-based diets with supplements of CLFAs (1.5% added on dry matter basis), RPM (20 g/d), CLFAs plus RPM, and without supplement. Jugular blood samples were taken from 1 h before to 2 h after morning feeding at 10-min intervals on day 12 of each period. CLFAs decreased dry matter intake, but RPM did not affect dry matter intake. Both supplements of CLFAs and RPM did not affect metabolizable energy intake and milk yield and composition. Plasma concentrations of NEFAs, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (T-Cho) were increased with CLFAs alone, but increases of plasma concentrations of TG and T-Cho were moderated by CLFAs plus RPM. Calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids increased plasma ghrelin concentration, and the ghrelin concentration with CLFAs plus RPM was the highest among the treatments. Plasma concentrations of glucagon-like peptide-1, glucagon, and insulin were decreased with CLFAs, whereas adding RPM moderated the decrease of plasma glucagon concentration by CLFAs. These results indicate that the addition of methionine to cows given CLFAs increases plasma concentrations of ghrelin and glucagon associated with the decrease in plasma concentrations of TG and T-Cho.     

Relationships of barometric pressure and environmental temperature with incidence of parturition in beef cows

ABSTRACT:The relationship between barometric pressure (BARO) and maximum (MAX_T) and minimum (MIN_T) environmental temperatures with the incidence of parturition in beef cows was examined through exploratory data analysis. Spring- and fall-calving records from a 5-yr period (2005 through 2009) collected at the University of Arkansas, Livestock and Forestry Research Station (Batesville) and the Department of Animal Science Savoy Research Unit (Savoy, AR) were used. All cows were multiparous, predominantly Angus, and naturally bred. During this period, 2,210 calves were born over a cumulative 1,547 d. Local weather station BARO and MAX_T and MIN_T data were obtained from the Southern Regional Climate Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. The combined calving record and climate variables were used to determine differences in BARO, MAX_T, and MIN_T on d 0 (d of calving) and -1, -2, or -3 d, respectively, before calving occurred (CALFD) or did not occur (NOCALFD). Location and season also were included in the model. For fall-calving cows, BARO on d 0 and -1, -2, or -3 was not different between CALFD and NOCALFD (P > 0.10). For spring-calving cows, BARO on d 0, -1, -2, and -3 was greater (P < 0.05) for CALFD compared with NOCALFD. The MAX_T was greater on d -1 (24.4 vs. 22.9°C) and -3 (24.8 vs. 23.4°C) for CALFD in the fall compared with NOCALFD (P < 0.05). No differences were detected in the fall for MAX_T on d 0 or -2 (P > 0.10). In the spring, a decreased MAX_T was associated with CALFD. Maximum environmental temperatures on d 0 (14.7 vs. 16.0°C), -1 (14.4 vs. 16.0°C), and -3 (14.0 vs. 15.7°C) were less for CALFD compared with NOCALFD (P < 0.05). No difference was detected on d -2 (P > 0.10). For fall, MIN_T was greater on d -1 (12.8 vs. 11.3°C), -2 (13.0 vs. 11.4°C), and -3 (13.1 vs. 11.7°C) for CALFD compared with NOCALFD (P < 0.05). In spring, MIN_T for d 0 (2.6 vs. 3.9°C), -1 (2.5 vs. 3.7°C), -2 (2.1 vs. 3.7°C), and -3 (1.8 vs. 3.8°C) were lesser (P < 0.05) for CALFD vs. NOCALFD. These data indicate that for spring-calving cows, a greater BARO and decreased MAX_T and MIN_T were associated with CALFD, whereas for fall-calving cows, an increase in MAX_T and MIN_T was associated with CALFD. Therefore, monitoring weather conditions may assist producers in preparing for the obstetric assistance of beef cattle.     

Downgrading of heavy broiler chicken carcasses due to myodegeneration of the anterior latissimus dorsi: pathologic and epidemiologic studies

Recently, in some Brazilian poultry companies, a dorsal cranial muscular lesion has been increasingly detected in broilers, causing heavy economic losses due to carcass downgrading. The observed gross lesions located in the anterior latissimus dorsi (ALD) muscle are characterized by yellowish discoloration of the skin and swelling on the dorsal cranial region of that muscle. When the ALD muscle is cut, subcutaneous edema, muscular superficial hemorrhage, pallor, adherence, and increased thickness and density are observed. Microscopically, findings indicate degenerative and polyphasic features, variation in fiber size and splitting, presence of hyaline, necrotic and regenerative myofibers, extensive fibrosis, and adipose tissue with lymphohistiocytic infiltration in all ALD muscles affected. The etiology of the lesion is unknown, and no detailed report was found in literature. The highest frequency of carcass downgrading due to this lesion was found in the heaviest and the oldest males of high-yield broiler strains (P < 0.01). This study is the first to describe the pathologic and some epidemiologic aspects of this new myopathy.     

Effect of maternal seaweed extract supplementation on suckling piglet growth, humoral immunity, selected microflora, and immune response after an ex vivo lipopolysaccharide challenge

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of maternal dietary supplementation (n = 10 sows/treatment) with seaweed extract (SWE: 0 vs. 10.0 g/d) from d 107 of gestation until weaning (d 26) on neonatal piglet growth, humoral immunity, intestinal morphology, selected intestinal microflora, and VFA concentrations. Furthermore, this study examined the effect of dietary treatment on the immune response after an ex vivo Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tissue challenge at weaning in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The main factors consisted of sow dietary treatment (SWE or control) and immunological challenge (yes or no). The SWE supplement (10.0 g/d) contained laminarin (1.0 g), fucoidan (0.8 g), and ash (8.2 g) and was extracted from a Laminaria spp. The SWE-supplemented sows had greater colostrum IgA (P < 0.01) and had a trend for greater IgG (P = 0.062) concentrations compared with non-SWE-supplemented sows. Piglets suckling SWE-supplemented sows had greater serum IgG (P < 0.05) concentrations on d 14 of lactation compared with those suckling non-SWE-supplemented sows. Dietary SWE supplementation decreased fecal Enterobacteriaceae populations in sows at parturition (P < 0.05), and piglets suckling SWE-supplemented sows had a decreased colonic E. coli population at weaning (P < 0.01) compared with non-SWE-supplemented sows. Lipopolysaccharide challenge increased the mRNA abundances of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α and IL-6 (P < 0.01) in ileal tissue and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in colonic (P < 0.01) tissue. There was a treatment × LPS challenge interaction for ileal TNF-α mRNA expression (P < 0.05). Piglets suckling SWE-supplemented sows had greater TNF-α mRNA expression after ex vivo LPS challenge compared with non-SWE-supplemented sows (P < 0.05). However, there was no effect of sow dietary treatment on TNF-α mRNA expression in the unchallenged ileal tissue. Piglet BW at birth and weaning, and small intestinal morphology were unaffected by sow dietary treatment under current experimental conditions. In summary, these results demonstrate an important immunomodulatory role of SWE supplementation characterized by enhanced colostral IgA and IgG concentrations, greater piglet circulatory IgG concentrations on d 14 of lactation, and enhanced TNF-α mRNA expression in the ileum after an ex vivo LPS challenge. These results indicate that SWE supplementation enhanced piglet immune function and colonic microflora at weaning.     

Effects of nutritional plane and selenium supply during gestation on visceral organ mass and indices of intestinal growth and vascularity in primiparous ewes at parturition and during early lactation

Objectives were to investigate effects of nutritional plane and Se supply during gestation on visceral organ mass and intestinal growth and vascularization in ewes at parturition and during early lactation. Primiparous Rambouillet ewes (n = 84) were allocated to 2 × 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors included dietary Se [adequate Se (ASe, 11.5 μg/kg BW) or high Se (HSe, 77.0 μg/kg BW)], nutritional plane [60% (restricted; RES), 100% (control; CON), or 140% (high; HIH)], and physiological stage at necropsy (parturition or d 20 of lactation). At parturition, lambs were removed and 42 ewes (7 per treatment) were necropsied. Remaining ewes were transitioned to a common diet which met lactation requirements and mechanically milked for 20 d. In the absence of interactions (P > 0.10), main effects are reported. At parturition, stomach complex and liver masses were greatest for HIH, intermediate for CON, and least for RES (P < 0.02). Small intestinal mass was greater (P ≤ 0.002) for HIH than RES and CON, and greater (P < 0.01) for ASe than HSe. During early lactation, RES and CON gastrointestinal masses increased disproportionally to BW (P < 0.05). At parturition, jejunal mucosal density was less (P ≤ 0.01) for RES than CON and HIH, whereas CON had greater (P < 0.003) jejunal mucosal RNA concentration and RNA:DNA than RES and HIH. Although there were no differences (P > 0.17) at parturition, jejunal cell percent proliferation was greatest in RES, intermediate in CON, and least in HIH (P ≤ 0.09) at d 20 lactation. At both stages, RES had less (P = 0.01) jejunal capillary area density than HIH and less (P ≤ 0.03) capillary surface density than CON and HIH. During lactation, jejunal capillary size was greater (P = 0.04) for ewes previously fed HSe compared with ASe. At parturition, ASe-HIH had greater (P < 0.02) jejunal mucosal endothelial nitric oxide synthase 3 mRNA than all other treatments and greater (P = 0.10) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) than all treatments, except ASe-RES. In addition, CON had less (P ≤ 0.08) jejunal VEGF receptor-1 (FLT1) mRNA compared with RES and HIH, and ASe had greater (P = 0.003) FLT1 than HSe at parturition. Ewes fed HIH had greater (P = 0.04) jejunal VEGF receptor-2 mRNA compared with RES. Results indicate that maternal intestinal growth and vascularization are responsive to nutritional plane and dietary Se during gestation and undergo changes postpartum when under similar lactational management.     

Assessing resistance against macrocyclic lactones in gastro-intestinal nematodes in cattle using the faecal egg count reduction test and the controlled efficacy test

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of the faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) to assess the resistance status of ivermectin (IVM)-resistant isolates of the cattle nematodes Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora, using the controlled efficacy test (worm counts) as a reference. The second objective was to investigate whether both IVM-resistant isolates showed side-resistance against moxidectin (MOX) under controlled conditions. Thirty male Holstein calves were experimentally infected with 25,000 L3 of an IVM-resistant O. ostertagi isolate and 25,000 L3 of an IVM-resistant C. oncophora isolate. Twenty-eight days later the calves were randomly divided into 2 treatment groups and 1 untreated control group. Animals in groups 1 and 2 received MOX (Cydectin(?) 1%, Pfizer) and IVM (Ivomec(?) 1%, Merial) respectively, by subcutaneous injection at a dose rate of 0.2mg/kg bodyweight. Faecal samples were collected 7 and 14days after treatment and animals were necropsied 14/15days post-treatment. Both the FECRT and the controlled efficacy test demonstrated that the O. ostertagi and C. oncophora isolates were resistant against IVM, with efficacies below 90%. The IVM-resistant O. ostertagia isolate was still susceptible to MOX treatment, as shown by over 99% reduction in egg counts and worm burden. The FECRT suggested borderline resistance against MOX in the IVM-resistant C. oncophora isolate, with egg count reductions between 97% (95% CI: 76; 100) at day 7 and 86% (95% CI: 49; 96) at day 14. However, the controlled efficacy test clearly showed MOX-resistance, with a decrease of only 31% (95% CI: -12; 57) in C. oncophora worm numbers. After MOX treatment, a significantly lower number of eggs per female C. oncophora worms was counted compared to the control group (43% reduction). Due to this reduced fecundity, the FECRT may fail to detect MOX-resistance.     

Use of hinged circular fixator constructs for the correction of crural deformities in three dogs

Background Hinged circular external skeletal fixator constructs are used to perform sequential correction of angular limb deformities, often with resultant limb segment lengthening, via distraction osteogenesis. Although there are several reports describing the use of these constructs for correction of antebrachial deformities in dogs, there is little information regarding their use on other limb segments. This report describes the use of hinged circular fixator constructs for the correction of acquired crural deformities in three skeletally immature dogs. Case reports Two dogs had purely frontal plane deformities (one valgus, one varus) and the third dog had frontal (valgus) and sagittal (recurvatum) components to its deformity. At the time of long‐term evaluation, frontal plane angulation relative to the contralateral limb improved from 40° to 22° of valgus, 30° to 5° of valgus, and 20° to 1° of varus in the three individual dogs. Tibial length discrepancies of 12% and 22% that were initially present in two dogs were improved to 6% and 10%, respectively, of the contralateral tibial length at the time of final evaluation; both dogs had compensatory growth of the ipsilateral femur and all dogs had an excellent functional outcome. Conclusion These cases illustrate the value of using hinged circular fixator constructs for correction of crural angular deformities, particularly when length discrepancies of the tibia are present.     

Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis in six dogs: MRI, CSF and histological findings, treatment and outcome

Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis has been described in humans as a rare, chronic progressive non-specific inflammatory and fibrotic disease of the dura mater. This is a case series of six canine cases of presumptive or confirmed intracranial idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis. These dogs were included in this retrospective study, based on magnetic resonance imaging findings. All presented with pachymeningeal thickening and enhancement without involvement of the leptomeninges on magnetic resonance imaging and no underlying cause identified on cerebrospinal fluid analysis, complete blood count, serum biochemistry and infectious disease titres. Histopathological examination was available in one case. Response to immunomodulatory treatment (corticosteroids and cytosine arabinoside) was achieved in five cases. Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis for dogs with pachymeningeal thickening on magnetic resonance imaging and no identified underlying cause. The prognosis appears to be fair to poor.     

Epidemiology and clinical features of human infection with Coxiella burnetii in Denmark during 2006-07

Query (Q) fever was virtually unknown in Denmark in 2005, when, after the introduction of new sensitive diagnostic methods for Coxiella burnetii, an increasing number of positive cattle created concern among people with frequent exposure. This led to a dramatic rise in examinations for Q fever among humans in the following 2 years. The aim of our study was to assess indication for testing and symptoms in individuals with serological signs of infection with C. burnetii. We performed a case-review study of seropositives among all humans tested for Q fever in 2006-07 in Denmark. Seropositive cases were categorized with acute infection: 4-fold increase in immunoglobulin G (IgG) phase II or concomitant IgM phase II ≥ 1 : 256 and IgG phase II ≥ 1 : 1024; and previous infection: IgG phase II ≥ 1 : 1024. A borderline result was defined as: IgG phase II = 1 : 512. Physicians completed a questionnaire retrospectively. Of the 1613 people tested, 177 (11%) were seropositive [37 (2%) acute infection, 140 (9%) previous infection], 180 had a borderline result. Among 127 seropositives responders, 31% were tested due to symptoms compatible with Q fever after a possible exposure to C. burnetii, 64% were asymptomatic and were tested following relevant exposure only; 64% were males, 43% farmers, 39% veterinarians, 84% had been exposed to cattle. The most frequently reported symptoms were asthenia (25%), myalgia (21%), fever (17%) and headache (13%). About two-thirds of seropositives reported asymptomatic infections, and were tested for Q fever because of concern for occupational exposure to cattle. One-third of the seropositives reported symptoms consistent with Q fever, the majority being mild. Our study provided important evidence that increased requests for Q fever testing in 2006-07 arose from heightened public awareness of the disease, and not from an outbreak of clinical disease. Nonetheless, Q fever should be considered endemic in Denmark.