Fatal suppurative meningoencephalitis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in two calves

One calf died (No. 1) and another was euthanized following astasia (No. 2). Histopathological examination revealed suppurative meningoencephalitis in these calves. Klebsiella pneumoniae antigens were detected in lesions. Thymocytes were decreased in the thymus cortex in both cases. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the No. 1 isolate and bacterial extracts from formalin fixed paraffin embedded sections of No. 2 revealed that both samples were K. pneumoniae. The No. 1 isolate showed multidrug resistance against penicillin antibiotics, fosfomycin, streptomycin, macrolide antibiotics, tetracycline antibiotics, and clindamycin. Immunosuppression is a significant septicemic K. pneumoniae infection risk factor. Our study provides new aspects regarding K. pneumoniae infections in cattle, bacterial meningoencephalitis differentiation, and K. pneumoniae and bacterial meningoencephalitis treatments.     

Adipsia and hypernatraemia in a dog with focal hypothalamic granulomatous meningoencephalitis

A 7-year-old Doberman was presented with a history of progressive neurological disease of 4 weeks duration. Initially there were episodes of aimless wandering and uncharacteristic aggression, however, the dog was obtunded at presentation. Serum biochemical analysis revealed profound hypernatraemia and moderate hyperproteinaemia. Despite correction of the hypernatraemia by the infusion of hypotonic fluids, the dog continued to periodically exhibit pacing and head pressing. A patchy, ill-defined contrast-enhancing area was evident in the ventral midbrain on computed tomography of the brain. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid revealed a mild increase in protein concentration, positive Pandy's test and mild pleocytosis. Because of the poor prognosis, euthanasia and necropsy were performed. Histopathological analysis of the brain revealed a severe focal meningoencephalitis affecting hypothalamic nuclei and mammillothalamic tracts. Destruction of osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus responsible for recognition of thirst is believed to have resulted in adipsia and subsequent hypernatraemia.     

Conventional and molecular diagnostic testing for the acute neurologic patient

Objective – The aim of this review is to describe and evaluate both conventional and molecular diagnostic testing utilized in dogs and cats with acute neurologic diseases. Various types of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are explored along with novel molecular diagnostic testing that ultimately may prove useful in the critical care setting. Data Sources – PUBMED was searched to obtain relevant references material using keywords: ‘canine OR feline meningitis AND meningoencephalitis,’‘feline infectious peritonitis,’‘canine distemper,’‘canine OR feline AND toxoplasma,’‘canine neospora,’‘canine OR feline AND rickettsia,’‘granulomatous meningoencephalitis,’‘steroid responsive meningitis arteritis,’‘necrotizing encephalitis,’‘novel neurodiagnostics,’‘canine OR feline AND CNS borrelia,’‘canine OR feline AND CNS bartonella,’‘canine OR feline AND CNS fungal,’‘nested OR multiplex OR degenerate OR consensus OR CODEHOP AND PCR.’ Research findings from the authors' laboratory and current veterinary textbooks also were utilized. Human Data Synthesis – Molecular diagnostic testing including conventional, real‐time, and consensus and degenerate PCR and microarray analysis are utilized routinely for the antemortem diagnosis of infectious meningoencephalitis (ME) in humans. Recently, PCR using consensus degenerate hybrid primers (CODEHOP) has been used to identify and characterize a number of novel human viruses. Veterinary Data Synthesis – Molecular diagnostic testing such as conventional and real‐time PCR aid in the diagnosis of several important central nervous system infectious agents including canine distemper virus, Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, rickettsial species, and others. Recently, broadly reactive consensus and degenerate PCR reactions have been applied to canine ME including assays for rickettsial organisms, Borrelia spp. and Bartonella spp., and various viral families. Conclusions – In the acute neurologic patient, there are several key infectious diseases that can be pursued by a combination of conventional and molecular diagnostic testing. It is important that the clinician understands the utility, as well as the limitations, of the various neurodiagnostic tests that are available.     

Pulmonary cryptococcosis and Capillaria aerophila infection in an FIV-positive cat

A 12-year-old, FIV-positive, domestic longhair cat was presented with a history of sneezing and coughing during the previous seven months. On thoracic radiographs, a prominent bronchial pattern and three focal, opacified nodules were seen. Cytology of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid demonstrated spherical, capsulate, narrow-necked, budding yeasts within macrophages. Culture of the fluid yielded a heavy growth of Cryptococcus neoformans var neoformans. The serum latex cryptococcal antigen agglutination test titre was 158. The cat was treated with itraconazole and the cough resolved over a 5-month period but then recurred. Repeat thoracic radiographs showed resolution of the pulmonary nodules but a persistent bronchial pattern. Adult nematodes and ova with morphology characteristic of Capillaria aerophila were seen in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and no yeasts were cultured from the fluid. The cryptococcal titre was zero. The lungworm infection was treated successfully with abamectin and the cough resolved. Immunosuppression related to FIV infection may have predisposed this cat to sequential respiratory tract infections.     

磁共振成像在犬脑膜脑炎中的诊断应用

通过介绍1例犬脑膜脑炎的磁共振成像(MRI)影像诊断,探讨MRI在临床上的应用.患犬2个月前出现后肢轻瘫症状,MRI扫描脊柱未见任何异常,当地兽医诊断为外周神经炎,按外周神经炎治疗2周出院.1个月后复发,遂转院.转院后第3天中午突发流涎、全身癫痫症状,使用多咪静注射液后抽搐症状未见好转.血常规、生化检查未见异常,神经学...