Cryptococcosis involving the eye and central nervous system of a dog

Cryptococcus neoformans meningoencephalitis was diagnosed as the cause of stupor and generalized seizures in a 2-year-old Cocker Spaniel. Unilateral granulomatous chorioretinitis was observed ophthalmoscopically, and isolation of C neoformans from CSF confirmed the antemortem diagnosis. The dog was euthanatized and necropsied. Multifocal lesions were seen throughout the lungs, nasal turbinates, cerebral cortex, and the optic nerve of each eye. Microscopically, the multifocal lesions were granulomas consisting of lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells, and cryptococcal organisms. Infection may have originated in the nasal passages and extended directly through the ethmoid plate into the meninges of the CNS and optic nerves. Although the prognosis is poor in dogs with CNS involvement, various chemotherapeutic agents are available for use by clinicians.     

Clinical assessment of disease activity for canine inflammatory bowel disease

Clinical indices, consisting of gastrointestinal signs and laboratory parameters, are widely used for assessing disease activity in human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The development of a standardized scoring index for use in dogs with IBD would be useful in the management of clinical cases, both at diagnosis and in response to medical therapy. This review provides a synopsis of current strategies used to assess IBD activity in humans and companion animals. The clinical application of a simple scoring index (e.g., canine IBD activity index [CIBDAI]) for measurement of canine IBD activity is also reviewed.     

Psittacine beak and feather disease syndrome in a cockatoo

Psittacine beak and feather disease syndrome was diagnosed in an adult sulfur-crested cockatoo with a history of chronic, progressive feather loss and beak necrosis. A definitive diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical signs and the observation of intracytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusions in involved feather follicular epithelium. Psittacine beak and feather disease syndrome develops in a variety of psittacine species and usually has a progressive and irreversible clinical course. Symmetric feather loss with replacement by severely dystrophic plumage is the salient clinical finding. Beak elongation and breakage also may be found. Treatment of diseased birds remains palliative and consists of a controlled environment, balanced nutrition, antibiotics, and autogenous vaccines. Avian practitioners should include psittacine beak and feather disease syndrome as a potential cause for pathologic feather loss in caged birds.     

A RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF THE RADIOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF PULMONARY METASTATIC DISEASE ON INITIAL PRESENTATION IN THE DOG

Thoracic radiographs of 346 dogs, diagnosed as having primary neoplasms, were reviewed for radiographic changes associated with pulmonary metastatic disease at the time of initial presentation. Dogs having radiographic changes of single or multiple interstitial nodular opacities, in the absence of concurrent intrathoracic disease, were considered to have pulmonary metastatic disease. The frequency of metastasis associated with each histologic tumor type was compared by chi-squared analysis. Dogs having primary thyroid carcinomas and transitional cell carcinomas demonstrated the greatest frequency of radiographic changes, 62.5% and 26% respectively. In dogs having a variety of other neoplasms, including nasal adenocarcinomas and cutaneous neoplasms, thoracic radiography proved useful in delineating intercurrent disease and staging, as well as the extent of neoplastic involvement. These results indicate early radiographic evaluation of the thorax should be performed on all dogs with confirmed or suspected primary neoplasms.     

Colonic lymphocyte and plasma cell populations in dogs with lymphocytic-plasmacytic colitis

OBJECTIVES: To quantitate immunoglobulin-containing cells (IgA, IgG, and IgM) and CD3+ T cells in colonic biopsy specimens obtained from dogs with lymphocytic-plasmacytic colitis (LPC), and to compare lymphocyte and plasma cell populations in dogs with LPC with those in healthy dogs. ANIMALS: 10 healthy dogs and 11 dogs with LPC. PROCEDURE: Colonic mucosal specimens obtained from healthy dogs and dogs with LPC were stained specifically for IgA-, IgG-, and IgM-containing cells and CD3+ T cells by use of immunoperoxidase techniques. Morphometric analyses were done to quantitate lymphocytes and plasma cells in standardized areas of colonic mucosa. Data analyses allowed determination of mean cell numbers in each dog group, and comparison of mean numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells between dog groups. RESULTS: CD3+ T cells predominated in healthy dogs, whereas CD3+ T cells and IgA-containing cells were most numerous in dogs with LPC. In both dog groups, the IgG- and IgM-containing cells were considerably less numerous than the other 2 cell types. Comparison of cell populations between dog groups indicated that IgA- and IgG-containing cells and CD3+ T cells were significantly more numerous in the colonic mucosa of dogs with LPC. CONCLUSIONS: Dogs with LPC have significantly increased numbers of IgA- and IgG-containing cells and CD3+ T cells. These lymphocyte and plasma cell distributions indicate similarities to and differences from such distributions in human beings with inflammatory bowel disease. Results provide a basis for future correlation between histologic stage of disease activity and immunologic findings in dogs with LPC.     

Effect of Tissue Processing on Assessment of Endoscopic Intestinal Biopsies in Dogs and Cats

Background: Prior studies failed to detect significant association between hypoalbuminemia and small intestinal lesions.
Hypothesis: Use of pictorial templates will enhance consistency of interpathologist interpretation and identification of intestinal lesions associated with hypoalbuminemia.
Animals: Tissues from 62 dogs and 25 cats examined as clinical cases at 7 referral veterinary practices in 4 countries.
Methods: Retrospective, observational study. Histopathology slides from sequential cases undergoing endoscopic biopsy were examined by 4 pathologists by pictorial templates. Changes for 9 microscopic features were recorded as normal, mild, moderate or severe, and 2- and 4-point scales were tested for consistency of interpretation. Logistic regression models determined odds ratios (OR) of histologic lesions being associated with hypoalbuminemia while κ statistics determined agreement between pathologists on histologic lesions.
Results: There was poor agreement (κ=−0.013 to 0.3) between pathologists, and institution of origin of slides had effect (κ= 1.0 for 3 of 4 lesions on slides from Institution 5) on agreement between pathologists on selected histologic features. Using 2 point as opposed to 4-point grading scale increased agreement between pathologists (maximum κ= 0.69 using 4-point scale versus maximum κ= 1.0 using 2-point scale). Significant association ( P = .019– .04; 95% OR = 3.14–10.84) between lacteal dilation and hypoalbuminemia was found by 3 pathologists.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Substantial inconsistency between pathologists remains despite use of pictorial template because of differences in slide processing. Distinguishing between mild and moderate lesions might be important source of the disagreement among pathologists.