Erythema multiforme in a spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta).

A 10.5-yr-old male spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) developed acute, severe erythematous and ulcerative dermatitis of the hindquarters, feet, face, and ears 19 days after receiving a recombinant canary pox vectored canine distemper vaccine. Biopsies of the lesions supported a diagnosis of erythema multiforme (EM), which is an immune-mediated disorder that can occur days to months after exposure to antigenic stimuli. During the lengthy recovery, esophageal regurgitation and ulceration developed either as complications of the disease or secondary to therapy. The esophageal disease was managed with metoclopramide, sulcrafate, omeprazole, and frequent feedings. The distemper vaccine is postulated to have been the inciting cause of EM in this animal.     

Intracranial lymphomas in simian retrovirus-positive Macaca fascicularis

Two young adult Macaca fascicularis each had unilateral mydriasis and ptosis. Both animals were euthanatized, monkey No. I for progressive neurologic signs and monkey No. 2 because of a positive intradermal tuberculin test. At necropsy, each animal had a single intracranial mass on the ventral surface of the midbrain, surrounding the oculomotor nerve. Histologically, both masses were immunoblastic lymphomas. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the neoplasms to be of B-cell origin. Simian retrovirus (SRV) was isolated from both monkeys, but simian immunodeficiency virus was not found. Both animals lacked antibody to SRV. Both animals had antibodies to Epstein-Barr-like virus (EBV), but EBV antigens were not found by immunohistochemistry. Polymerase chain reaction analysis for integrated EBV DNA was unproductive. One of the animals (monkey No. 2) had a pulmonary infection with Mycobacterium avium, suggesting that immunosuppression was present. These cases represent a unique and previously undescribed type of solitary lymphoma in SRV-infected macaques.     

Top 20 environmental weeds for classical biological control in Europe: a review of opportunities, regulations and other barriers to adoption

Classical biological control remains the only tool available for permanent ecological and economic management of invasive alien species that flourish through absence of their co‐evolved natural enemies. As such, this approach is recognized as a key tool for alien species management by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) and the European Strategy on Invasive Alien Species (ESIAS). Successful classical biological control programmes abound around the world, despite disproportionate attention being given to occasional and predictable non‐target impacts. Despite more than 130 case histories in Europe against insect pests, no exotic classical biological control agent has been released in the EU against an alien invasive weed. This dearth has occurred in the face of increasing numbers of exotic invasive plants being imported and taking over National Parks, forests and amenity areas in this region, as well as a global increase in the use of classical biological control around the world. This paper reviews potential European weed targets for classical biological control from ecological and socioeconomic perspectives using the criteria of historical biological control success, taxonomic isolation from European native flora, likely availability of biological control agents, invasiveness outside Europe and value to primary industry and horticulture (potential for conflicts of interest). We also review why classical biological control of European exotic plants remains untested, considering problems of funding and public perception. Finally, we consider the regulatory framework that surrounds such biological control activities within constituent countries of the EU to suggest how this approach may be adopted in the future for managing invasive exotic weeds in Europe.     

Unguided bronchoalveolar lavage techniques and residual effects in dogs

Objectives To investigate the use of unguided bronchoalveolar lavage techniques in dogs without fibreoptic bronchoscopy, using an adapted single vascular catheter and a double-lumen catheter made from two single vascular catheters.
Animals Sixty-nine dogs were examined with the single-catheter technique and 110 dogs with the double-catheter technique.
Design A prospective study.
Procedure Sixty-nine and 220 samples, collected with the single catheter and the double catheter respectively, were examined cytologically Lungs of 69 dogs were examined grossly and histologically. Radiographic examination was performed on 11 dogs.
Results The double-catheter technique produced samples with significantly higher cellularity (P < 0.01) and fewer red blood cells (P < 0.01) than the single-catheter technique. Repeat samples collected with a double catheter were not significantly different (P > 0.01) in any value. A reference range for nucleated cell counts of 62 to 1210 – 10⁶/L was calculated from 57 clinically and histologically normal dogs. The major residual effects of the technique were localised pulmonary oedema, and alveolar distension with collapse and congestion of distant parenchyma. Thoracic radiographs revealed increased lung opacity for at least up to 7 h after the procedure.
Conclusions The cellularity of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained was adequate and sufficient fluid was retrieved when the single catheter was located in a proper position. However, the double catheter obtained better samples more quickly and easily, with less damage to the respiratory tract.     

Coliform myositis in a calf

Coliform myositis was diagnosed in a young calf with signs of pain, swelling, and edema of the right hind limb. Diagnostic methods included bacteriologic culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The organism isolated was a gas-producing Escherichia coli. The infection responded to administration of trimethoprim/sulfadiazine, to which the organism was susceptible in vitro.     

Utility pole decay — Part I: Appraisal of a device for nondestructive detection of decay

Summary A device that measures the resistance of wood to forceable penetration by a needle was appraised for use as a nondestructive means of detecting internal decay in utility poles. Because of the length and shape of the needle, detection of decay was limited to decay pockets within 6 cm of the wood surface and to pockets with a minimum diameter of 1 cm. Decay pockets of this location and size were detected in Douglas-fir, southern pine, and western redcedar. The device accurately detected decay in an advanced stage in 93% of the specimens; intermediate decay, in 44%; and sound wood, in 100%.The depth of the sound shell that overlaid rot pockets could be accurately determined. There was a tendency to overestimate the depth of the sound wood by about 0.75 cm in comparatively dry woods and by about 0.25 cm in the same woods after wetting to moisture contents more like those in decayed poles in service.The device will be useful to pole inspectors for locating seriously rotted poles because by determining the extent of sound shell, they can then decide when pole replacements are needed.

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Zusammenfassung Die vorliegende Untersuchung dient der Überprüfung eines Gerätes, das den Widerstand des Holzes gegen das Eindringen einer Nadel mißt. Damit soll auf zerstörungsfreiem Wege etwaige Fäulnis in stehenden Leitungsmasten festgestellt werden. Länge und Form der Prüfnadel begrenzen die Prüfungen auf Fehlerstellen, die bis höchstens 60 mm in die Tiefe reichen und nicht kleiner als 10 mm im Durchmesser sind. Faulstellen dieser Art wurden in Masten aus Douglas-fir, Southern pine und Western red cedar festgestellt. Die Vorrichtung zeigte sehr genau bei 93% der Proben fortgeschrittene Fäulnis an, bei 44% der Proben beginnende Fäulnis und bei 100% aller Proben gesundes Holz.Die Dicke des noch vorhandenen gesunden Holzes über der Faulstelle konnte genau ermittelt werden. Es zeigte sich eine gewisse Tendenz zu Fehlmessungen um rd. 7,5 mm bei verhältnismäßig trockenem Holz und um 2,5 mm, nachdem dasselbe Holz etwas stärker angefeuchtet worden war, als dies gewöhnlich bei befallenen Masten der Fall ist.Das Gerät wird vor allem für die Inspektion von stehenden Masten nützlich sein, die Befall aufweisen, wobei die Bestimmung des noch gesunden Holzanteils einen Anhaltspunkt dafür liefert, wann ein befallener Mast ausgewechselt werden muß.

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This work was done cooperatively with the Navy Department, Naval Facilities Engineering Command.

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The author is indebted to Dr. Wolman G.m.b.H., Sinzheim bei Baden-Baden, Germany, for loan of the needle-penetration device, and Messrs. Robert Graham and John Mothershead, Oregon Forest Products Laboratory, Corvallis, Oreg., and Floyd Hand, Bonneville Power Administration, for supplying the pole sections.