Thyroid hormones concentrations and ECG picture in the dog

Disorders of the thyroid gland activity are the most commonly encountered disturbances of endocrine origin in the dog. Hypo- or hyperthyroidism may disturb the function of the cardiovascular system and cause arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of thyroid gland activity on electrocardiogram (ECG) picture in the dog by comparing ECG curves of healthy dogs, dogs with hypothyroidism and dogs with cardiac insufficiency caused by endocardiosis of the mitral valve. The study was performed on 38 dogs, patients of the Department of Internal and Parasitic Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats in Wroc?aw. The animals were assigned to 3 groups: Group I--control group, 13 clinically healthy dogs; Group II--14 dogs with diagnosed cardiac insufficiency caused by endocardiosis of the mitral valve; Group III--11 dogs with hypothyroidism. Clinical examination of the animals was conducted according to the following pattern: anamnesis, general clinical examination, cardiological examination (ECG, USG of the heart) and laboratory analysis (triacylglycerydes, cholesterol, T3, T4, FT4). In this study, the significant influence of thyroid gland activity on ECG picture of the evaluated dogs was found. In the dogs with hypothyroidism a decrease in the sino-atrial node activity was observed, which led to decreased heart rate. In dogs with hypothyroidism, the innerheart conduction was reduced, which was demonstrated by prolongation of the P wave, QRS complex and the QT interval.     

Risk-based surveillance for avian influenza control along poultry market chains in South China: The value of social network analysis

Over the past two decades, the poultry sector in China went through a phase of tremendous growth as well as rapid intensification and concentration. Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) subtype H5N1 was first detected in 1996 in Guangdong province, South China and started spreading throughout Asia in early 2004. Since then, control of the disease in China has relied heavily on wide-scale preventive vaccination combined with movement control, quarantine and stamping out. This strategy has been successful in drastically reducing the number of outbreaks during the past 5years. However, HPAIV H5N1 is still circulating and is regularly isolated in traditional live bird markets (LBMs) where viral infection can persist, which represent a public health hazard for people visiting them. The use of social network analysis in combination with epidemiological surveillance in South China has identified areas where the success of current strategies for HPAI control in the poultry production sector may benefit from better knowledge of poultry trading patterns and the LBM network configuration as well as their capacity for maintaining HPAIV H5N1 infection. We produced a set of LBM network maps and estimated the associated risk of HPAIV H5N1 within LBMs and along poultry market chains, providing new insights into how live poultry trade and infection are intertwined. More specifically, our study provides evidence that several biosecurity factors such as daily cage cleaning, daily cage disinfection or manure processing contribute to a reduction in HPAIV H5N1 presence in LBMs. Of significant importance is that the results of our study also show the association between social network indicators and the presence of HPAIV H5N1 in specific network configurations such as the one represented by the counties of origin of the birds traded in LBMs. This new information could be used to develop more targeted and effective control interventions.     

Preliminary evaluation of diagnostic tests using horses experimentally infected with trypanosoma evansi

Seven surra negative horses were intravenously inoculated with 3 x 10(6)Trypanosoma evansi parasites derived from a camel. One horse was maintained as an uninfected negative control. Three antigen and three antibody detection tests were evaluated for diagnosis of infection in horses. The microhaematocrit centrifugation test (MHCT) was the most sensitive, first detecting parasites between one and three days (x 2.4) post infection (p.i.). The antigen (ag)-ELISA detected antigen between three and ten days (x 6.6) p.i. The latex agglutination test (LAT) first gave positive results on day 3 (x 3.0) p.i. Following the treatment of horses with trypanocidal drugs, the MCHT and the mouse inoculation test (MIT) became negative. Antigen levels using LAT declined and reached pre-infection levels in five out of six horses during the period of observation (92-279 days). Antigen levels using the ag-ELISA declined as well but did not reach pre-infection levels in any of the six horses.Three antibody detection techniques, ab-ELISA, card agglutination test (CATT), and immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) detected antibodies in the blood of all seven infected horses but not in the uninfected control. However, the ab-ELISA did not discriminate clearly between sera from infected and uninfected horses because unacceptably high ELISA background readings were detected in 15% of the surra negative horses shipped to the UAE from the UK. The ELISA antibody increased above pre-infection levels in the six horses experimentally infected, but not in one horse. In this horse the ELISA antibody level exceeded the cut-off level only after the reoccurrence of the T. evansi infection. The IFAT detected antibodies 15.7 days p.i. in all infected horses.     

The use of nuclear imaging for a mixed C cell microfollicular carcinoma of the thyroid gland in a mature horse

A 15‐year‐old Boerperd stallion presented for thyroid enlargement associated with inappetance. Ultrasonographic examination of the thyroid gland revealed an enlarged left lobe, which, on cytological examination, contained numerous anaplastic cells. A mixed C cell microfollicular thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed following histopathological examination of the excisional biopsy specimen. In order to determine metastasis, pulmonary radiographs revealed a poorly‐marginated soft tissue opacity caudo‐dorsal to the cardiac silhouette. Thyroid and pulmonary scintigraphy was performed comparing ^99mTc‐sestamibi with ^99mTc‐pertechnetate and no metastasis was detectable. Following hemithyroidectomy, the stallion made a full recovery without the need for neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Six months later, repeated thyroid and pulmonary scintigraphy using ^99mTc‐sestamibi was normal.     

Escherichia coli O115 forms fewer attaching and effacing lesions in the ovine colon in the presence of E. coli O157:H7

Escherichia coli O115 has been isolated from healthy sheep and was shown to be associated with attaching-effacing (AE) lesions in the large intestine. Following previous observations of interactions between E. coli O157 and O26, the aim of the present study was to assess what influence an O115 AE E. coli (AEEC) would have on E. coli O157 colonisation in vitro and in vivo. We report that E. coli O115- and O157-associated AE lesions were observed on HEp-2 cells and on the mucosa of ligated ovine spiral colon. In single strain inoculum, E. coli O115 associated intimately with HEp-2 cells and the spiral colon in greater numbers than E. coli O157:H7. However, in mixed inoculum studies, the number of E. coli O115 AE lesions was significantly reduced suggesting negative interference by E. coli O157. Use of the ligated colon model in the present work has allowed in vitro observations to be extended and confirmed whilst using a minimum of experimental animals. The findings support a hypothesis that some AEEC can inhibit adhesion of other AEEC in vivo. The mechanisms involved may prove to be of utility in the control of AE pathovars.     

Canine transmissible venereal tumour: a review

Canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) is a contagious venereal tumour of dogs, commonly observed in dogs that are in close contact with one another, or in stray and wild dogs that exhibit unrestrained sexual activity. CTVT represents a unique, naturally transmissible, contagious tumour, where the mutated tumour cell itself is the causative agent and perpetuates as a parasitic allograft in the host. Clinical history, signalment and cytological features are often obvious for establishing a diagnosis though biopsy and histological examination may be needed in atypical cases. Most cases are curable with three intravenous injections of vincristine sulphate at weekly intervals. The role of stray and wild dogs makes the disease difficult to control and necessitates sustained animal birth control in stray dogs along with prompt therapy of the affected dogs. This review captures the manifold developments in different areas embracing this fascinating tumour, including its biology, diagnosis and therapeutic alternatives.     

Computed tomography of the lungs of Indian pythons (Python molurus)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of computed tomography (CT) for detection of pneumonia in snakes. ANIMALS: 8 clinically normal Indian pythons (Python molurus) and 5 pythons with evidence of respiratory tract disease. PROCEDURES: Preliminary examinations (clinical examination, conventional radiography, and microbiologic examination of a transtracheal wash sample) were performed. The lungs of each snake were then examined by use of CT performed in accordance with a standardized protocol. Structures of the lungs were assessed, and thickness and attenuation of the parenchyma were determined. RESULTS: It was possible to assess lung parenchyma in all pythons. Mean +/- SD attenuation in healthy pythons was -744.4 +/- 47.1 Hounsfield units. Significant differences were not evident between the right and left lungs or among measurement areas within a lung. In all Indian pythons with clinical signs of dyspnea and microbiologic detection of pathogens, hyperattenuation of the alveolar tissue was evident. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Analysis of the results revealed the benefit of CT for use in the diagnosis of pneumonia in snakes. A standardized protocol and reference values were established as a basis for CT assessment of the lungs of snakes.     

Die Wiederbewaldung der Gebirge in Fransreich

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