Dirofilaria repens infection in a dog: diagnosis and treatment with melarsomine and doramectin

Therapy of canine dirofilariois due to Dirofilaria repens is indicated for dogs suffering from clinical signs of this disease, such as dermal swelling, sub-cutaneous nodules and pruritus. It is also important in order to decrease the risk of infection to other dogs and humans in the vicinity of the infected animal when suitable mosquito vectors are present. Combined therapy with the arsenic adulticide melarsomine and the avermectin microfilaricidal doramectin was effective in clearing infection with D. repens in a dog. The number of microfilariae dropped from 17 microl(-1) blood pre-treatment to 7 microl(-1) following the first adulticide injection and reached 0 a day after the microfilaricidal administration. The dog remained negative for D. repens microfilaremia during a follow-up period of 90 days. Euthanasia and necropsy performed 3 months after the initiation of therapy due to a progressive neoplastic disease revealed no evidence of filariae.     

Identification of major allergens of Malassezia pachydermatis in dogs with atopic dermatitis and Malassezia overgrowth

Abstract We have previously shown that both atopic and normal dogs generate an IgG response to antigens of Malassezia pachydermatis . The aim of this study was to compare IgE responses to separated proteins of M. pachydermatis in 28 atopic dogs with Malassezia dermatitis and 22 clinically normal dogs using Western immunoblotting. Six different detection systems were evaluated in order to assess sensitivity and eliminate nonspecific binding and cross-reactivity. The protocol yielding the best results utilized a monoclonal mouse antidog IgE, an alkaline phosphatase conjugated goat antimouse IgG which had been passed through a canine IgG column 3 times, a chemiluminescent substrate and a digital imaging system. Proteins of 45, 52, 56 and 63 kDa were recognized by more than 50% of the atopic dog sera and thus represented major allergens. Only a minority of normal dogs showed faint IgE binding to these proteins. The results indicate that the majority of atopic dogs with Malassezia dermatitis have a greater IgE response than normal dogs, suggesting an IgE-mediated immune response may be clinically important in the pathogenesis of the disease.     

Risks to the aquatic ecosystem from the application of Metarhizium anisopliae for locust control in Australia

Laboratory tests of Metarhizium anisopliae var acridum Driver & Milner, at a dose of 1.3 x 10(6) conidia ml-1, had no adverse effects on nymphs of mayfly, Ulmerophlebia sp or 8-week-old fry of the rainbow fish, Melanotaenia duboulayi Castelnau. This dose was toxic to the cladoceran, Ceriodaphnia dubia Richard, causing 100% mortality in 48 h. When this test was repeated at doses of up to 6.7 x 10(3) conidia ml-1, there was only 5% mortality after 192 h. Spraying of artificial water sources with a very high dose of the fungus as an aqueous spray resulted in 80-130 conidia ml-1 at 15 cm depth in the first 24 h after spraying. The conidia rapidly settled out and were absent from the top 15 cm layer of water after about 50 h. A similar experiment using the oil formulation as used in field control resulted in a 2- to 20-fold lower level of conidia in the water. Finally, sampling actual water sources in spray areas revealed a very low level of contamination of the water, with a maximum mean level of 29 conidia ml-1 in the first 24 h after treatment. Thus the level of conidia likely to enter water during control campaigns is a small fraction of that required to kill cladocerans, the only sensitive non-target organism tested. It is concluded that the biopesticide is very unlikely to pose any hazard to aquatic organisms.     

Meningoencephalitis in an adult cow due to Mortierella woifli.

A 7-year-old dairy cow presented with clinical signs of neurologic disease. Despite treatment with penicillin, the cow died 36 hours after initial presentation. Necropsy examination revealed multiple foci of hemorrhage within the cerebrum and thickened meninges. Additionally, endometritis and consolidation of approximately 30% of both lungs was observed. Histology revealed necrotizing vasculitis, infarction, and hemorrhage within sections of the brain, uterus, and lung. Large numbers of intralesional fungal hyphae were visible. Because only formalin-fixed tissue was available, polymerase chain reaction was used to make an etiologic diagnosis of Mortierella wolfii.     

Enrofloxacin-induced retinopathy in a guanaco (Lama guanicoe).

A 4-yr-old male guanaco (Lama guanicoe) in a multispecies exhibit presented with a laceration in the axillary region. The laceration was surgically repaired. Medical treatment was initiated with penicillin G procaine and benzathine (1920 IU/kg, i.m., s.i.d. for 14 days), and enrofloxacin (2.4 mg/kg, i.m., s.i.d. for 14 days). The animal was later treated with trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (24 mg/kg, p.o., s.i.d. for 10 days). Twenty-six days after initial presentation, the guanaco was suspected to be blind. An ophthalmic examination confirmed retinal damage. On postmortem histological evaluation, there was outer retinal atrophy that was most severe in the central retina with localized foci of complete retinal atrophy; lesions were similar to those observed in enrofloxacin retinal toxicity in cats.     

Arsenic and metaldehyde toxicosis in a beef herd.

Over a 12-day period, 13 animals in a herd of 110 beef cattle developed ataxia with profound muscle fasciculations progressing to recumbency. Twelve animals (5 adults and 7 calves from 8-10 months of age) died, and 1 cow was euthanized. Hemorrhagic diarrhea occurred in some, but not all, animals. The onset of clinical signs was at least 12 hours after the cattle had gained access to contents of old buildings used for storage, and the majority of deaths occurred within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of clinical signs. Approximately 9 kg of unidentified pellets were found strewn in the barn area where the cattle had been. Autolysis considered more severe than expected for the postmortem interval, suggestive of high body temperature before death, and congestion of body tissues were the only significant findings detected in the cow that was euthanized and submitted for necropsy examination. The clinical history and lack of postmortem lesions were most consistent with toxicity. A toxic level of arsenic (6.18 ppm) was detected in the kidney, and metaldehyde was detected in the liver. The pellets were analyzed and found to contain both arsenic and metaldehyde, consistent with a discontinued molluscicidal product.     

Oral eosinophilic granulomas in tigers (Panthera tigris)--a collection of 16 cases.

Oral eosinophilic granulomas were diagnosed in 16 tigers (Panthera tigris). All lesions were located on the hard or soft palate and typically consisted of flat or slightly raised circular ulcers. Histologic features of these lesions were essentially identical to those seen in oral eosinophilic granulomas of domestic cats and dogs. No clinical signs were noted in eight cases, though various degrees of inappetence, excessive salivation, and dysphagia were noted in the other eight tigers. Six cases were not treated. Treatment for the remaining 10 cases centered on corticosteroids and additional treatments included surgical removal, cryotherapy, antibiotics, and chlorpheniramine. Treatment with corticosteroids did appear to be effective in some cases, though lesions would worsen after cessation of therapy and no cases were cured. In addition, three cases developed complications possibly related to this corticosteroid therapy. The etiology of these lesions remains unknown, though an underlying allergic condition is likely.     

聚焦硒元素第三部分发展趋势

2000年重新修订的欧盟食品与饲料法正促使食物生产链发生重要的变化,该法律要求生产商提高产品质量,同时要求他们能够证明所生产产品的安全性和功效,否则必须退出欧盟市场。一个利用特殊酵母菌株生产的硒酵母产品成为欧盟新食品与饲料法颁布后首个获准生产的饲料添加剂之一,由此反映了社会对资源和创新的需求。