Rhinitis and sinusitis involving Aspergillus fumigatus in a dog

Abstract

Extract

Fungi of the genus Aspergillus are ubiquitous, but their involvement in clinical disease in man and other mammals is relatively uncommon. When involved in a disease process they are generally considered to be a secondary complicating factor to other underlying local or systemic conditions (Zimmerman, 1955 Zimmerman, L. E. 1955. Fatal fungus infections complicating other diseases. Am. J. clin. Path., 25: 46–65.  [Google Scholar]; Smith, 1962 Smith, D. T. 1962. Symposium Summation. Lab. Invest., 11: 1239–1241.  [Google Scholar]; Cordes and Shortridge, 1968 Cook, W. R., Campbell, R. S. F. and Dawson, C. 1968. The pathology and aetiology of guttural pouch mycosis in the horse. Vet. Rec., 83: 422–438.  [Google Scholar]; Kilman et al, 1969 Kilman, T. W., Ahn, C., Andrews, M. C. and Klassen, K. 1969. Surgery for pulmonary aspergillosis. J., thorac. cardiovasc. Surg., 57: 642–647.  [Google Scholar]; McCausland, 1972 McCausland, I. P. 1972. Systemic mycoses in two cats. N.Z. vet. J., 20: 10–12. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]).     

Potential role of the CD38/cADPR signaling pathway as an underlying mechanism of the effects of medetomidine on insulin and glucose homeostasis

ObjectiveTo investigate the CD38/cADPR signaling pathway as possible underlying mechanism of the effects of medetomidine on insulin and glucose homeostasis.AnimalsThirty–two C57BL/6 mice of both sexes.MethodsWild–type (WT) and CD38–knockout (CD38^?/?) mice received medetomidine (50 μg kg^?1) or a similar volume of 0.9% NaCl (control) by intraperitoneal (IP) injection (each group n = 8). The mice were euthanized 45 minutes later with sodium pentobarbital IP and blood was sampled via cardiac puncture. Insulin and glucose concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay and by the oxygen rate method, respectively. Data were analyzed with anova and Bonferroni post hoc (5% significance) and are shown as mean ± SD.ResultsPlasma insulin and glucose concentrations were similar between WT and CD38^?/? mice under control conditions. As compared to controls, medetomidine administration produced a statistically significant decrease in plasma insulin concentrations in the WT mice whereas the decrease in the CD38^?/? mice was not statistically significant. Correspondingly, medetomidine caused a significantly greater increase in plasma glucose concentrations in the WT than in the CD38^?/? mice.ConclusionThe CD38/cADPR signaling pathway may be one underlying mechanism of the glucose and insulin effects of the alpha–2 adrenergic receptor agonist medetomidine and likely other drugs of its’ class.     

Activity Patterns of Myosorex Varius And M. Cafer in Captivity

The circadian rhythms of captive Myosorex varius and M. cafer (Insectivora: Soricidae) were investigated. Both were predominantly nocturnal, M. varius being active for 4% of the day and 34% of the night, while comparable figures for M. cafer were 11% and 37% respectively. The mean level of daily activity in both forms was similar to that which appears to be characteristic of their subfamily, the Crocidurinae.     

Relationship Between Growth and Mycotoxin Production by Fusarium species, Biocides and Environment

Fusarium head blight of cereals has, in recent years, become one of the most important pre-harvest diseases worldwide. This paper examines the in vitro efficacy of fungicides to control Fusarium species in cereals and the efficacy in the field on both Fusarium infection of ripening ears as well as their impact on mycotoxin production. Field studies suggest that fungicides such as tebuconazole and metconazole give good control of both Fusarium infection of ears and control of deoxynivalenol (DON) production. However, azoxystrobin and related fungicides are less effective, and grain from treated crops has sometimes been found to have increased concentrations of DON and nivalenol. Studies of isolates of Fusarium culmorum from different parts of Europe showed that complex interactions occur between environmental factors, fungicide type and isolate in relation to growth inhibition and DON production. These studies confirmed the ineffectiveness of azoxystrobin and suggest that environmental stress factors, particularly water availability and temperature, and low fungicide doses may stimulate mycotoxin production by Fusaria in vitro and in wheat grain.     

Arthroscopic injection of corticosteroids into the fibrous tissue of subchondral cystic lesions of the medial femoral condyle in horses: a retrospective study of 52 cases (2001-2006)

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: There are no published results of subchondral cystic lesions (SCLs) in the medial femoral condyle (MFC) treated with arthroscopic injection of corticosteroids into the lining of the cyst. OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine the success rate for treatment of SCLs in the MFC with arthroscopic injection of the fibrous tissue of the cyst with corticosteroids. 2) To identify any factors that may predict outcome. HYPOTHESES: Injection of the fibrous tissue of SCLs of the MFC with corticosteroids utilising arthroscopic guidance yields a similar or higher chance for intended performance than does arthroscopic debridement as previously reported; this technique will be effective for treating SCLs in older horses. METHODS: Horses with clinical and radiographic evidence of a SCL in the MFC were injected with corticosteroids under arthroscopic guidance, and case records and radiographs were reviewed retrospectively. A telephone survey of referring veterinarians, owners and trainers was conducted. RESULTS: Thirty-five of 52 (67%) cases were classified as successful involving 73 SCLs of which 56 (77%) were classified as successful. There was no significant association between age group (age3 years) and outcome, or cyst configuration and outcome. Significantly more unilateral SCLs (28/31 [90%] SCLs) were classified as successful than bilateral (28/42: 67%). There were significant differences in outcome based on the surgeon operating the case and an association between pre-existing radiographic findings of osteophytes and negative outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Injection of SCLs utilising arthroscopic guidance is an effective alternative method of surgical treatment of SCL. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: This technique offers a similar chance of success as has been reported with debridement and may allow for a shorter period of convalescence. If unsuccessful, the option remains to debride the cyst in a second surgery.