Damage by fishing activities to the Gorgonian coral Paramuricea clavata in the Ligurian Sea

1. The analysis, by means of line transects, of a Paramuricea clavata (Anthozoa: Gorgonacea) population forming a facies of the Mediterranean coralligenous community along the Portofino Promontory (Ligurian Sea, Italy) evidenced a high per cent of lesions inflicted to the gorgonian coenenchyme by anchoring and fishing activities. 2. This damage favours the development of aggregates of epibionts (mainly hydroids and bryozoans) which leads to greater mechanical stress through increased resistance of the colonies to water movement; where polychaetes and nematodes colonize the denuded skeleton, their burrowing activity weakens the colony. 3. In situ tissue regeneration experiments suggested that aggregation of epibionts can develop only if the injuries result, from continuing abrasion. 4. Injuries caused by anchoring and fishing can therefore be considered the major cause of mortality of Paramuricea clavata in the Portofino Promontory. 5. Paramuricea clavata re-colonizes experimentally denuded areas slowly and colonies take many years to reach the size of existing individuals and can be damaged easily by fishing and anchoring. 6. Special protection is needed for this key species of Mediterranean coral at Portofino Promontory, which is proposed as a Natural Marine Park. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

INTERMITTENT CRANIAL LUNG HERNIATION IN TWO DOGS

Two aged dogs with chronic obstructive airway disease were evaluated because of intermittent swelling of the ventral cervical region. Radiographs made at expiration and caudal positioning of the forelimbs allowed identification of intermittent cervical lung herniation of the left and right cranial lung lobe in both dogs. Pulmonary hyperinflation, increased expiratory effort, and chronic coughing were considered responsible for the lung herniation. Cervical lung hernia should be included in the differential diagnoses of intermittent cervical swelling in dogs with chronic respiratory disorders associated with increased expiratory effort and chronic coughing.     

Putative Diethylcarbamazine-induced Urticaria with Eosinophilic Dermatitis in a Dog

Résumé— Une urtricaire due à la diethylcarbamazine associée à une dermite prurigineuse a été suspectée chez un chien mâle castré croisé Retriever. L'animal présentait des lésions d'urticaire multiples qui avaient tendance à fusionner au niveau des paupières, des lèvres, les conques auriculaires et du prépuce. Les biopsies cutanées ont révélé un infiltrat périvasculaire et périannexiel intense riche en polynucléaires éosinophiles. Parfois les polynuclaires éosinophiles étaient “dégranulés” ou présentaient des formes “en flamme”. La suppression de l'administration de diethylcarbamazine a été suivie d'une disparission rapide de toutes les lésions cutanées. L'hypothèse d'une réaction immune à la diethylcarbamazine est proposée. [Vitale, C. B., Ihrke, P. J., Gross, T. L. Putative diethylcarbamazine-induced uticaria with eosinophilic dermatitis in a dog. (Probable urticaire et dermite éosinophilique induites par la diethylcarbamazine chez un chien). Resumen— Se describe el caso de un perro macho castrado, cruzado de retriever que presentaba una dermatitis pruritica con urticaria supuestamente inducida por dietilcarbamacina. El perro mostraba multiples habones, principalmente alrededor de los ojos, la boca, los pabellones auriculares y el prepucio. El estudio histológico mostró un infiltrado perivascular y perianexal, con predominancia de eosinófilos. Ocasionalmente los eosinófilos degranulaban formando “figuras en llama”. La retirada de la terapia con dietilcarbamacina fue seguida por una mejoria rápida y espectacular de todas las lesiones cutáneas. Se postula una reacción adversa a la dietilcarbamacina mediada por factores inmunológicos. [Vitale, C. B., Ihrke, P. J. and Gross, T. L. Putative diethylcarbamazine-induced urticaria with eosinophilic dermatitis in a dog (Urticaria con dermatitis eosinofilica supuestamente inducida por dietilcarbamacina en un perro). Zusammenfassung— Es wird über eine vermutlich Diethylcarbamazin-verursachte Urtikaria mit Juckreiz bei einem männlich-kastrierten Retrievermischling berichtet. Der Hund wies generalisiert multifokale Striemen auf, die dazu tendierten um Augen, Mund, Ohrmuscheln und Präputium zusammenzulaufen. Die Hautbiopsie zeigte ein starkes perivaskuläres und periadenxales Infiltrat mit vorwiegend eosinophilen Granulozyten. Gelegentlich degranulierten die Eosinophilen zu “Flammenform”. Das Absetzen von Diethylcarbamazin führte zu einer dramatischen und raschen Abheilung aller Hautveranderungen. Es wird eine immunologischvermittelte Arzneimittelreaktion auf Diethylcarbamazin vermutet. [Putative diethylcarbamazine-induced utricaria with eosinophilic dermatitis in dogs (Vermutlich Diethylcarbamazin-verursachte Urtikaria mit eosinophiler Dermatitis beim Hund). Abstract— A suspected diethylcarbamazine-induced urticarial dermatitis with associated pruritus is reported in a castrated male mixed breed retriever. The dog had generalized multifocal wheals that tended to cluster around the eyes, mouth, pinnae, and prepuce. Skin biopsy revealed an intense perivascular and periadnexal infiltrate with eosinophils predominating. On occasion, eosinophils degranulated to form “flame figures”. Withdrawal of diethylcarbamazine resulted in dramatic and rapid resolution of all skin lesions. An immunologically mediated adverse drug reaction to diethylcarbamazine is proposed.     

Regulation of uterine estrogen receptors (ER) by beta-adrenergic stimulation in immature rats

The effects of a 3-day intramuscular (i.m.) administration of clenbuterol (25 μ.g/ Kg), propranolol (12 mg/kg), clenbuterol (25 μg/kg) plus propranolol (12 mg/ Kg) and estradiol (0.5 μg) upon the female reproductive system were investigated in immature Sprague-Dawley rats. Clenbuterol and estradiol treatments induced a significant increase in uterus weight and in relative uterus weight, whereas in the groups treated with propranolol and clenbuterol plus propranolol no differences were detected versus controls. The uterine estrogen receptor levels were significantly increased by clenbuterol administration. In the rats dosed with propranolol and clenbuterol plus propranolol, no modifications occurred in estrogen receptor concentrations when compared with control values. Uterine progesterone receptors were never significantly affected by any of the considered treatments. Data obtained indicate that clenbuterol treatment induces an increase in uterus weight and in estrogen receptor levels and that these effects are regulated by acute beta-adrenergic stimulation, as the contemporaneous administration of high doses of a beta-blocker inhibit such effects.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY FEATURES OF MIDDLE EAR CHOLESTEATOMA IN DOGS

We describe the computed tomography (CT) findings in 11 dogs with middle ear cholesteatoma. The cholesteatoma appeared as an expansile tympanic cavity mass with a mean attenuation value of 55.8±4.2 Hounsfield units. There was no appreciable contrast enhancement of the tympanic bulla contense but ring enhancement was seen in four dogs. Due to the slow progressive growth, the lesion causes severe bone changes at the contour of the tympanic bulla, including osteolysis, osteoproliferation and osteosclerosis, expansion of the tympanic cavity, and sclerosis or osteoproliferation of the ipsilateral temporomandibular joint and paracondylar process. Cholesteatoma can cause lysis of the petrosal part of the temporal bone, leading to intracranial complications. Although not definitive, CT provides useful information for distinguishing a middle ear cholesteatoma from otitis media and neoplasia. In otitis media, enlargement of the tympanic cavity is not routinely observed. In tumors that primarily affect the middle or inner ear, the predominant signs are lysis of the contour of the tympanic bulla or the petrosal part of the temporal bone, soft tissue swelling around the middle ear and marked contrast enhancement. In tumors that arise from the external ear, a soft tissue mass is visible within the external acusticus meatus, and the middle ear is only involved secondarily.     

Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related Sphinx cats

Abstract A pruritic maculopapular eruption with clinical and histological features similar to urticaria pigmentosa of humans is reported in three related Sphinx cats. All cats shared the same grandsire, had a juvenile onset of disease, and demonstrated similar historical, clinical and histological findings. Physical examination revealed widespread bilaterally symmetrical, erythematous, partially coalescing, crusted macules and papules on the trunk, limbs, neck and head. A few macules exhibited a dark brown pigmentation. Dermatographism could not be elicited in any of the cats. Histological examination of papules revealed the présence of a perivascular to diffuse dermal and subcutaneous infiltrate of well-differentiated mast cells. In one cat where systemic involvement was pursued, evidence of internal disease was not found. Resumen Se describe en 3 gatos esfinge emparentados una erupción maculopapular pruritica con caracteristicas clinicas e histológicas similares a la urticaria pigmentosa en la especie humana. Todos los gatos compartian el mismo abuelo, desarrollaron la enfermedad en edad juvenil y mostraron hallazgos históricos, clinicos e histológicos similares. El examen fisico mostró pápulas y máculas costrosas, eritematosas, parcialmente unidas, generalizadas, bilaterales y simétricas localizadas en tronco, extremidades, cuello y cabeza. Algunas máculas mostraban una pigmentación marronácea oscura. No pudo provocarse dermatografismo en ninguno de los gatos. El examen histológico de las pápulas mostró la presencia de un infiltrado dérmico y subcutáneo perivascular a difuso compuesto por mastocitos bien diferenciados. No se encontró enfermedad sistémica en un animal en el que se evaluó esta posibilidad. [Vitale, C.B., Ihrke, P.J., Olivry, T., Stannard, A.A. Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related Sphinx cats. (Urticaria pigmentosa felina en 3 gatos esfinge emparentados.) Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7 : 227–233.] Résumé Les auteurs décrivent chez 3 chats Sphynx apparentés une eruption maculopapuleuse présentant des similitudes cliniques et histologiques avec l'urticaire pigmentaire humaine. Les 3 chats ont le même grandpère, présentent une apparition précoce des symptômes, et, une anamnèse, une clinique et une histologie similaires. L'examen clinique révèle des macules et des papules croûteuses à large distribution bilatérale et symétrique, érythèmateuses, partiellement coalescentes, sur le tronc, les membres, le cou et la tête. Quelques macules montrent une pigmentation brun foncé. La présence d'un dermographisme n'a pu être démontré chez aucun des chats. L'examen histologique des papules révèle la présence d'un infiltrat dermique et sous cutané périvasculaire à diffus de mastocytes bien différenciés. La recherche d'une atteinte systémique chez un des chats n'a pas montré d'atteinte interne. [Vitale, C.B., Ihrke, P.J., Olivry, T., Stannard, A.A. Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related Sphinx cats. (Urticaire pigmentaire féline chez 3 chats Sphynx apparentés.) Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7 : 227–233.] Zusammenfassung Es wird über eine juckende makulopapuläre Eruption mit klinischen und histologischen Befunden, die der Urticaria pigmentosa des Menschen ähneln, bei drei verwandten Sphinx-Katzen berichtet. Alle Katzen hatten den selben Großvater, zeigten einen Krankheitsbeginn im Jugendalter und wiesen ähnliche Befunde in der Vorgeschichte, Klinik und Histologie auf. Die klinische Untersuchung zeigte weit verteilte, bilateral symmetrische, erythematöse, teilweise koaleszierende verkrustete Maculae und Papeln am Rumpf, Gliedmaßen, Hais und Kopf. Einige maculae wiesen eine dunkelbraune Pigmentierung auf. Dermatographismus konnte bei keiner der Katzen ausgelöst werden. Die histologische Untersuchung der Papeln zeigte die Anwesenheit eines perivaskulären bis diffusen dermalen und subkutanen Infiltrates von gut differenzierten Mastzellen. Bei einer Katze mit systemischen Erscheinungen konnte die Ursache der inneren Erkrankung nicht gefunden werden. [Vitale, C.B., Ihrke, P.J., Olivry, T., Stannard, A.A. Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related Sphinx cats (Feline Urticaria pigmentosa bei drei verwandten Sphinx-Katzen). Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7 : 227–233.]     

DL 717-IT: a non-hormonal agent for the control of fertility in the bitch

The development of a new class of non-hormonal contragestational agents provided a derivative, 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-striazole|5,1-alisoquinoline (DL 717-IT or L 12717), with the qualities needed for application in the veterinary field as a post-coital pregnancy-terminating agent. Single intramuscular injections of this compound arrest pregnancy over a wide period of gestation in the bitch. A dose of 2.5 mg/kg was found to be very well tolerated and highly effective (100 per cent) when administered between the day of mating and the 15th day of pregnancy. The desired effect was not accompanied by uterine disorders or other unwanted effects. This non-hormonal agent appears to have several real advantages over the only other drugs (oestrogens) available in veterinary practice for the termination of unwanted pregnancies in bitches.