Fungal flora on cutaneous and mucosal surfaces of cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus or feline leukemia virus

OBJECTIVE: To compare cutaneous and mucosal mycoflora in cats infected with FIV or FeLV with that in noninfected cats. ANIMALS: 85 client-owned cats; 24 seropositive for FIV, 10 seropositive for FeLV, 1 seropositive for both viruses, and 50 seronegative for both viruses. PROCEDURE: Cutaneous specimens were obtained from the coat and external acoustic meatus (ear canal) and mucosal specimens from the oropharynx and rectum. Fungi were isolated from specimens, using Sabouraud dextrose agar incubated at 27 or 37 C for cutaneous and mucosal specimens, respectively. RESULTS: Fungal colonies were cultured from at least 1 specimen from 83 of 85 (97.6%) cats. The most common fungal isolates were Aspergillus spp (cultured from 59.3% of all specimens), Penicillium spp (50.0%), Cladosporium spp (44.2%), Scopulariopsis spp (41.8%), and lipophilic yeasts of the genus Malassezia (31.4%). A greater diversity of fungal genera was isolated from retrovirus-infected cats, and Malassezia spp were more commonly recovered from these cats, compared with noninfected cats. Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and dermatophytes (eg, Microsporum canis) were rarely isolated from any cat. Significant differences in frequency of isolation of C. neoformans and dermatophytes were not found between infected and noninfected cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cats infected with FIV or FeLV may have a greater diversity of cutaneous and mucosal mycoflora than noninfected cats. However, infected cats may be no more likely than noninfected cats to expose humans to zoonotic fungi such as C. albicans, C. neoformans, and M. canis.     

Evaluation of numbers of microscopic and macroscopic follicles in cattle selected for twinning

We hypothesized that the number of microscopic follicles present in the ovaries of cattle selected for twin births (Twinner) would be greater than in the ovaries of contemporary Controls. Ovaries were collected from seven Control and seven Twinner cows at slaughter. The number of Small (1 to 3.9 mm), Medium (4 to 7.9), and Large (> 8 mm) surface follicles was counted and one ovary was fixed for histological evaluation. Fifty to sixty consecutive 6-microm slices were taken from a piece of cortical tissue, approximately 1 cm x 1 cm in area, located between the surface follicles. Microscopic follicles were classified as primordial (oocyte surrounded by a single layer of squamous pregranulosa cells), primary (oocyte surrounded by a single layer of one or more cuboidal granulosa cells), secondary (oocyte surrounded by two or more layers of granulosa cells), or tertiary (oocyte surrounded by multiple layers of granulosa cells with initiation of antrum formation to < or = 1 mm in diameter). The total number of follicles was counted in 200 fields (2 mm x 2 mm) per ovary. A field containing no follicles was classified as empty. There were significantly more secondary follicles in Twinner compared with Control ovaries (12.9 vs 6.3; P < .05). Twinners also tended to have more small surface follicles (35.4 vs 49.0; P < 0.1). We conclude that ovaries of Control and Twinner cows do not differ in the number of primordial follicles or in the number of follicles activated into the growing pool; however, Twinner cows are able to maintain more growing follicles at the secondary and subsequent stages of development.     

Treatment of wobbler syndrome in dogs with electroacupuncture

Based on favorable experiences with acupuncture for the treatment of hind limbs paralysis, lumbo-sacral alterations, and other spinal cord problems; a clinical trial, involving 40 dogs affected with wobbler syndrome was carried out. Patients were graded in three categories according to the severity of each case and then randomly divided in two groups. Both groups contained all three grades. Group 1 (20 dogs) was treated using orthodox medical and surgical interventions, while Group 2 (20 dogs) were treated mainly with electroacupuncture, and in few cases with surgical intervention as well. The study was carried out in a three-year period. Acupuncture treatments were given every other day delivering 150 to 300 mVolts at 125 Hz, equivalents to approximately 20 microAmps, in ten acupuncture points per treatment. Deep needle insertion was used. Overall per cent success in Group I was only 20%, while in group II the corresponding value was 85%. The number of acupuncture treatments required to achieve full recovery in Group II was dependent upon the severity of the case, as follows: Grade I: 18.5 +/- 2.5; Grade II: 25 +/- 5.4; and Grade III: 34 +/- 6.7 (r = 0.962). No adverse effects were observed with acupuncture. The use of this technique is proposed for large-scale clinical trials.     

Percutaneous, ultrasonographically guided technique of catheterization of the abdominal aorta in calves for serial blood sampling and continuous arterial blood pressure measurement

The study describes a technique of ultrasonographically guided transcutaneous catheter implantation into the abdominal aorta of 29 6- to 8-week-old German Holstein calves. Catheters were implanted between the left transverse processes of L3 and L4, left in place for 2 days and used for serial blood sampling and continuous measurement of blood pressure. Complete cell counts and clinical examination were performed before, as well as 1 and 5 days after implantation. Catheterization was successful in all calves. The catheter was patent for blood sampling and pressure recordings at all times. A significant decrease in red blood cells was found in all animals after catheterization, which remained reduced for 5 days. Clinical signs of anaemia were absent. In conclusion, ultrasonographically guided catheterization of the abdominal aorta provides a continuous arterial access in calves, whereby the minimal invasive technique and the ultrasonographical guidance reduces accidental tissue trauma and pain for the animal.     

Bilateral aural hyalohyphomycosis in sable antelope (Hippotragus niger).

Three juvenile sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) were diagnosed with bilateral aural hyalohyphomycosis based on histopathology. All three animals were suspected to be immunodeficient based on low IgG levels determined using the zinc sulfate turbidity test. The serum and hepatic copper levels of one animal were below the bovine reference range. Clinical signs in the three animals included bilateral ventral deviation of the pinnae with multifocal subcutaneous aural tumefaction and poor body condition. Numerous septate, nonpigmented fungal hyphae were found within the auricular cartilage, dermis, and subcutaneous granulomas. No significant fungal agents were isolated by culture, and no signs of systemic fungal dissemination were identified except for a concurrent fungal rhinitis in one animal.     

Effects of vitamins A and E on superoxide production and intracellular signaling of neutrophils in Holstein calves.

The effects of vitamin A and vitamin E treatment on superoxide (O2-) production of neutrophils and their intracellular signaling, including intracellular Ca2+, protein kinase C (PKC), and tyrosine kinase (TK), were examined in Holstein calves. After treatment with vitamin A, heat-aggregated IgG (H-agg.IgG)-induced O2- production in neutrophils ranged from 3.7+/-0.4 to 4.3+/-0.9 nmol (mean +/- SD), and it was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that in the control calves. Opsonized zymosan (OPZ)-induced O2- production was similar with that of control calves. Intracellular signaling of neutrophils in vitamin A-treated calves was enhanced compared with that of control calves when stimulated with H-agg. IgG, but not with OPZ. After treatment with vitamin E, H-agg.IgG- and OPZ-induced O2- production of neutrophils ranged from 4.2+/-0.8 nmol to 5.4+/-0.5 nmol and from 7.8+/-0.6 nmol to 8.1+/-0.4 nmol (mean +/- SD), respectively, and they were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those in control calves. Intracellular signaling was also enhanced compared with that of control calves. These results suggested that the effects of vitamin A and E treatment on O2- production were correlated to changes in intracellular signaling of neutrophils in Holstein calves.