Chalastospora gossypii in a Maine Coon cat: case report and literature review

A 15-y-old castrated male Maine Coon cat was evaluated for an ulcerated soft tissue mass on the right hindlimb that had been observed for 4 mo and had grown rapidly. A 3 × 3 cm soft, raised, amorphous, and ulcerated subcutaneous mass was observed on the lateral right metatarsus. In-house cytology via fine-needle aspiration was nondiagnostic. Incisional biopsy of the mass and further staging was declined, and amputation was elected. The amputated limb was submitted for histopathology, which revealed severe chronic nodular granulomatous dermatitis and multifocal granulomatous popliteal lymphadenitis with large numbers of intralesional fungal hyphae. Fungal PCR and sequencing on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue identified Chalastospora gossypii. No adjunctive therapy was elected at the time. The patient has done well clinically 1 y post-operatively. C. gossypii is a rare microfungus found worldwide and is considered a minor pathogen of several plants. To our knowledge, infection by this fungus has not been reported previously in veterinary species. Features in our case are comparable to other mycotic infections. Nodular granulomatous mycotic dermatitis and cellulitis, although uncommon, should be a differential for soft tissue masses in veterinary species; C. gossypii is a novel isolate.     

Effects of Serum Deprivation and Cycloheximide on Cell Cycle of Low and High Passage Porcine Fetal Fibroblasts

Arrest of cells in G0/G1 cell cycle phase is desired for nuclear transfer procedures. Serum starvation and cell cycle inhibitors are different ways to induce synchronization of the cell cycle. This study investigated the effects of serum starvation and cycloheximide (CHX) on the cell cycle of low (5th) and high (15th) passages fetal porcine fibroblasts. Cell cycle phases were determined using fluorescent activated cell sorting. Fifth passage fibroblast cultures had higher (p < 0.05) proportion of cells in G0/G1 only after 72 h of serum starvation (77.60 ± 0.65) when compared with non‐starved cells (71.44 ± 1.88). Serum starvation for all periods tested induced an increase (p < 0.05) on proportion of cells in G0/G1 on the 15th passage. No significant differences were observed on the 5th passage cultures exposed to CHX, although, on the 15th passage an increase on proportion of cells was observed after all periods of exposure (p < 0.05). These data indicates that high passage cells in vitro are more susceptible to serum starvation and CHX G0/G1 synchronization.     

Laryngeal paralysis in cats: 16 cases (1990-1999)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical signs, physical examination findings, radiographic features, and concurrent diseases in cats with laryngeal paralysis, as well as evaluate the outcome of medical or surgical management. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 16 cats. PROCEDURE: Medical records from January 1990 to April 1999 were examined for cats with laryngeal paralysis. Signalment, clinical signs, physical examination findings, cervical and thoracic radiographic findings, laryngeal examination results, and clinical outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: No breed or sex predilection was identified in 16 cats with laryngeal paralysis. The most common clinical signs included tachypnea or dyspnea, dysphagia, weight loss, change in vocalization, coughing, and lethargy. Clinical signs were evident for a median of 245 days. Airway obstruction was apparent on cervical and thoracic radiographic views in 9 cats. Examination of the larynx revealed bilateral laryngeal paralysis in 12 cats and unilateral laryngeal paralysis in 4 cats. The 4 cats with unilateral disease were managed with medical treatment, and 3 of these had acceptable long-term outcomes. Seven of 12 cats with bilateral paralysis underwent surgery; procedures performed included left arytenoid tie back, bilateral arytenoid tie back and ventriculo-cordectomy, and partial left arytenoidectomy. One cat was euthanatized as a result of complications from surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Laryngeal paralysis is an uncommon cause of airway obstruction in cats. Cats with less severe clinical signs (often with unilateral paralysis) may be successfully managed with medical treatment, whereas cats with severe airway obstruction (often with bilateral paralysis) may benefit from surgical intervention.     

甜菜夜蛾综合防治技术研究

甜菜夜蛾是一种多食性、暴食性害虫,其暴发成灾将给农业生产造成巨大损失.防治甜菜夜蛾,应加强预测预报,采取农业、物理、生物、化学和成虫诱杀等防治手段相结合的综合技术,在发生关键时期用药防治,可取得较好的防治效果.     

Association of Factor V Secretion with Protein Kinase B Signaling in Platelets from Horses with Atypical Equine Thrombasthenia

Background

Two congenital bleeding diatheses have been identified in Thoroughbred horses: Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) and a second, novel diathesis associated with abnormal platelet function in response to collagen and thrombin stimulation.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Platelet dysfunction in horses with this second thrombasthenia results from a secretory defect.

Animals

Two affected and 6 clinically normal horses.

Methods

Ex vivo study. Washed platelets were examined for (1) expression of the αIIb‐β3 integrin; (2) fibrinogen binding capacity in response to ADP and thrombin; (3) secretion of dense and α‐granules; (4) activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)‐protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway; and (5) cellular distribution of phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate‐3‐kinase, class 2B (PIK3C2B) and SH2 containing inositol‐5′‐phosphatase 1 (SHIP1).

Results

Platelets from affected horses expressed normal amounts of αIIb‐β3 integrin and bound fibrinogen normally in response to ADP, but bound 80% less fibrinogen in response to thrombin. α‐granules only released 50% as much Factor V as control platelets, but dense granules released their contents normally. Protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation was reduced after thrombin activation, but mTOR Complex 2 (mTORC2) and phosphoinositide‐dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) signaling were normal. SH2‐containing inositol‐5''‐phosphatase 1 (SHIP1) did not localize to the cytoskeleton of affected platelets and was decreased overall consistent with reduced AKT phosphorylation.

Conclusions and clinical significance

Defects in fibrinogen binding, granule secretion, and signal transduction are unique to this thrombasthenia, which we designate as atypical equine thrombasthenia.     

Evidence for extreme climatic warmth from late cretaceous arctic vertebrates

A Late Cretaceous (92 to 86 million years ago) vertebrate assemblage from the high Canadian Arctic (Axel Heiberg Island) implies that polar climates were warm (mean annual temperature exceeding 14 degreesC) rather than near freezing. The assemblage includes large (2.4 meters long) champsosaurs, which are extinct crocodilelike reptiles. Magmatism at six large igneous provinces at this time suggests that volcanic carbon dioxide emissions helped cause the global warmth.     

Immunisation against ovine caseous lymphadenitis: correlation between Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis toxoid content and protective efficacy in combined clostridial-corynebacterial vaccines

Groups of sheep were dosed with vaccines containing Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis toxoid combined in varying amounts with 5 clostridial antigens. Resistance of the sheep to infection with C pseudotuberculosis was tested at 1, 6 and 12 months after vaccination by infection with pus from ovine lymph glands actively infected with C pseudotuberculosis. The outcome was assessed 3 months after challenge by slaughter and inspection of the sheep for caseous lymphadenitis lesions. Protection was demonstrated by a significant reduction in the proportion of immunised sheep exhibiting lesions compared with control sheep, and by fewer abscesses in affected immunised sheep than in affected control sheep. A positive correlation was found between amount of C pseudotuberculosis toxoid administered and degree of protection obtained. Chromatographically-purified toxoid induced essentially the same protection, suggesting that anti-toxic immunity is the major factor in protection.     

Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Australian dogs

The role of dogs in the transmission of Coxiella burnetii to humans is uncertain, and extensive seroprevalence studies of dogs have not been previously conducted in Australia. This study determined C. burnetii exposure in four diverse canine subpopulations by adapting, verifying and comparing an indirect immunofluoresence assay (IFA) and an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) used to detect anti‐C. burnetii antibodies in humans. Canine serum samples (n = 1223) were tested with IFA from four subpopulations [breeding establishments; household pets; free‐roaming dogs in Aboriginal communities; shelter dogs]. The proportions of seropositive dogs were as follows: breeding (7/309, 2.3%), household pets (10/328, 3%), Aboriginal communities (21/321, 6.5%) and shelters (5/265, 1.9%). Dogs from Aboriginal communities were 2.8 times (CI 1.5–5.1; P < 0.001) more likely to be seropositive than dogs from other populations. The ELISA was used on 86 of 1223 sera tested with IFA, and a Cohen's Kappa coefficient of 0.60 (CI 0.43–0.78) indicated good agreement between the two assays. This study has established that Australian dogs within all four subpopulations have been exposed to C. burnetii and that a higher seroprevalence was observed amongst free‐roaming dogs associated with Aboriginal communities. As C. burnetii recrudesces during pregnancy and birth products contain the highest concentration of organism, individuals assisting at the time of parturition, those handling pups shortly after birth as well as those residing in the vicinity of whelping dogs are potentially at risk of developing Q fever. However, the identification of active antigen shed in excreta from seropositive dogs is required in order to accurately define and quantify the public health risk.