Endogenous lipid pneumonia in cats: 24 cases (1985-1998)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical signs, radiographic and histologic abnormalities, and concurrent diseases in cats with endogenous lipid pneumonia (EnLP) and to determine the pathologic importance of EnLP in cats. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 24 cats. PROCEDURE: Medical records of cats in which EnLP was confirmed by histologic examination of necropsy specimens were reviewed. Information collected from the medical records included signalment, body weight, clinical signs, and results of clinicopathologic tests. Thoracic radiographs were reviewed by a radiologist; histologic specimens were reviewed by a pathologist. RESULTS: All cats had nonspecific clinical abnormalities, such as lethargy, anorexia, or weight loss; 16 had signs of respiratory tract disease. All cats had concurrent systemic diseases, and clinicopathologic abnormalities were reflective of these conditions. Nonspecific abnormalities were detected on thoracic radiographs from 9 of 11 cats. Most cats had macroscopic, multifocal, subpleural lesions; inflammatory infiltrates, cholesterol clefts, and multinucleated giant cells were common. Ten cats had an underlying obstructive pulmonary disease that was the likely cause of EnLP. Lesions of EnLP were not considered to be severe enough or extensive enough to be the cause of death in any of these cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: EnLP is an uncommon respiratory tract disorder of cats with no pathognomonic clinical, laboratory, or radiographic findings. Although EnLP was not the cause of death in any of these cats, results of the present study do suggest that EnLP may be a marker for potentially severe underlying obstructive pulmonary disease.     

Evaluation of efficacy of selamectin, fipronil, and imidacloprid against Ctenocephalides felis in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy of monthly administration of selamectin, fipronil, and imidacloprid against Ctenocephalides felis in dogs. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. ANIMALS: 44 healthy dogs. PROCEDURE: Dogs known to be free of fleas were infested with 100 unfed adult fleas on days -28 and -21. On days 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120, dogs (12/group) were treated by topical administration of selamectin (6 mg/kg [2.7 mg/lb] of body weight), fipronil (7.5 mg/kg [3.4 mg/lb]), or imidacloprid (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb]); 8 untreated dogs were used as controls. On day -6 and every 2 weeks after initial treatment, comb counts of viable adult fleas were made, and fleas (< or =50/dog) were replaced onto the dog from which they were removed. On day 89, fleas were not replaced. On day 91 and every 7 days until the end of the study, dogs were challenged with 20 adult fleas. RESULTS: 14 days after initial treatment, geometric mean flea counts were reduced by 97.5 to 99.1 % for all treatments, compared with pretreatment counts on day -6. Selamectin, fipronil, and imidacloprid reduced geometric mean flea counts by 99.7 to 100% from day 29 to the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Selamectin is as effective as fipronil and imidacloprid in reducing C felis infestation in dogs housed for 3 months in a flea-infested environment under conditions known to support the flea life cycle, and in protecting against subsequent weekly challenges with C felis for an additional 2 months.     

Variations and phenotypic correlation of growth attributes of Calliandra calothyrsus in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica

Forested land cleared for agriculture in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica rapidly loses its productivity leading to further slash-and-burn cultivation and the degradation of more forest. Contour hedgerows of Calliandra calothyrsus Meissner have been shown to reduce water runoff and soil erosion, and products of the species have a wide range of uses in the local farming community. A trial was established at 1550 m in which the locally naturalised population of C. calothyrsus was compared with seven provenances from across the species' ecological range. There was considerable variation between provenances of C. calothyrsus in all the above-ground growth variables measured and, although the local provenance performed moderately well, it was clear that there is potential to improve the suitability of the species for a range of local uses by the introduction of new provenances. One provenance combined high above-ground productivity with low fine root-length density, especially in the inter-hedgerow area: it offers particular potential for use in simultaneous agroforestry systems providing wood and foliage products whilst not imposing high levels of competition with crop plants for below-ground resources. Although there were significant differences between provenances in the distribution of roots between the hedgerow and inter-row areas, they did not differ in the distribution of roots between soil depths. There were only limited differences between provenances in the response of their subsequent growth to harvesting. However, significant block × provenance interactions suggested that the performance of C. calothyrsus provenances may be difficult to predict between sites and farmers should be encouraged to carry out trial planting of a number of provenances to find those which best match their farm environment and needs.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Identification of potential vectors of the coconut lethal disease phytoplasma

Lethal disease (LD) is a lethal yellowing-type disease of coconuts associated with phytoplasmas in Tanzania, but the insect vector for it has not yet been identified. In this study, the auchenorrynchous insects in LD-infected coconut fields were surveyed to determine potential vectors for the disease. No significant correlation was found between disease incidence and numbers of insects collected from the field, possibly reflecting the unknown incubation period for the disease. However, analysis of more than 5000 individual insects by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using LD-specific primers derived from the phytoplasma 16S rRNA gene, revealed PCR products of the correct size from eight individuals of Diastrombus mkurangai and four of Meenoplus spp. When digested with restriction endonucleases, fragments of the same size as the LD phytoplasma were obtained. No PCR products were detected in any of the other insect species tested. These results implicate D. mkurangai and Meenoplus spp. as probable vectors of the LD phytoplasma.