Feline ocular toxoplasmosis

Ocular infection with Toxoplasma gondii is a well-recognized and important clinical entity in many animal species. In the cat, ocular toxoplasmosis is commonly associated with systemic infection, yet its role in causing anterior uveitis in an otherwise healthy cat is unclear. The purpose of this article is to review the salient epidemiological, clinical, and histopathologic features of systemic and ocular toxoplasmosis in the cat. Additionally, pathogenesis and possible immunopathogenic mechanisms of ocular toxoplasmosis, which may account for the higher prevalence of anterior uveitis in cats seropositive for T. gondii , are discussed. Finally, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of feline toxoplasmosis are reviewed.     

Uveodermatological syndrome (Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome) with generalized depigmentation in a Dachshund

A 3-year-old, female, black and tan Dachshund was referred with visual impairment, bilateral anterior and posterior uveitis, poliosis, and generalized dermal depigmentation. Complete blood counts and biochemical parameters, including T₃ and T₄, were normal. The skin biopsy showed lichenoid dermatoses with dermal infiltration of histiocytes and lymphocytes suggesting uveodermatological syndrome. Medical treatment was initiated with oral prednisone and azathioprine, and topical prednisolone and atropine. The clinical signs improved, vision was retained, and the skin began to repigment 2 months following the initiation of therapy.     

Properties of cod metallothionein,its presence in different tissues and effects of Cd and Zn treatment

One isoform of the low-molecular-weight metal-binding protein metallothionein (MT) has been isolated from the liver of Atlantic cod by size-exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography. Cod MT contained 33% cysteine, no aromatic amino acids or arginine. As is the case for other piscine MTs, the N-terminus of cod MT lacked the asparagine in position 4 which is present in mammalian MTs. In addition, cod MT differed from all other vertebrate MTs described in that the N-terminal methionine was not acetylated. Antibodies were raised in rabbits against hepatic MT from cod by repeated injections of native protein mixed with adjuvant. Anti-cod MT antisera cross reacted with similarly-sized proteins in liver, brain, anterior kidney, posterior kidney, spleen, intestine, gills and ovaries. The putative MT in cod brain migrated differently to that of the other tissues in native gel electrophoresis. Intraperitoneally injected Cd (1 mg/kg) was nearly entirely associated with the MT-peak in hepatic and renal cytosols, whereas a single injection of Zn (10 mg/kg) resulted in increases in all cytosolic Zn pools of the liver and no apparent change in cytosolic Zn, Cu, Ni or Cd in kidney.     

Canine Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like Syndrome in Two Siberian Husky Dogs

Abstract— A syndrome of uveitis, associated with depigmentation and erosion of areas of skin and mucous membrane on the head and, in one dog, on the scrotum, was observed by the authors in two male Siberian Huskies. These clinical signs are similar to the Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in man. Histological examination of the affected skin revealed a lichenoid dermatitis of the upper dermis. Intensive topical therapy with mydriatic and cycloplegic drugs and corticosteroids coupled with systemic prednisolone and azathioprine were used to control the disease. Both subjects were monitored for 10 months and retained useful vision. The skin and oral lesions resolved. Résumé— Un syndrome d'uvéite idiopathique, non traumatique, associée à une dépigmentation et une érosion de zones cutanée et muqueuse sur la tête et, chez un chien, sur le scrotum, a été observé par les auteurs sur deux mâles Siberian Huskies. Ces signes cliniques évoquent le syndrome de Vogt—Koyanagi—Harada de l'homme. Un examen histologique de la peau atteinte a montré l'existence d'une dermatite lichénoide du derme superficiel. Un traitement topique intensif par des médicaments mydriatiques et cyclopégiques, ausociéà l'administration systémique de prednisolone et d'azathioprine a été utilisé pour controler la maladie. Les 2 sujets ont été observés pendant 10 mois et ont retrouvé une vision utile. Les lésions cutanées et orales ont guéri. Zusammenfassung— Bei zwei Husky-Rüden wurden von dem Autoren ein Krankheitssyndrom aus idiopathischer, nicht-traumatisch bedingter Uveitis, Depigmentierung einzelner Haut- und Schleimhautbezirke am Kopf und—bei einem Hund—am Skrotum festgestellt. Diese Symptome ähneln dem Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-Syndrom beim Menschen. Bei der histologischen Untersuchung von Biopsien der erkrankten Hautbezirke wurde eine lichénoide Dermatitis der oberen Dermisschichten diagnostiziert. Durch eine intensive örtliche Behandlung mit Mydriatica, Cycloplegica und Corticosteroiden in Kombination mit systemischer Prednisolon- und Azathioptringabe konnte die Erkrankung unter Kontrolle gehalten werden. Beide Patienten wurden 10 Monate überwacht und sahen zufriedenstellend aus. Die Veränderungen an Haut und Mundhöhle bildeten sich zurück. Resumen Los autores describen un síndrome de uveitis no traúmatica idiopática asociada a una despigmentación y erosión de áreas de la piel y de las membranas cutáneas de la cabeza, en un perro y del escroto en otro perro. Ambos animales pertenecían a la raza Siberian Husky. Estos signos clínicos se asemejan en los descritos en la síndrome de Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada de las personas. El examen histológico mostró la presencia de un infiltrado inflamatorio liquenoide en la dermis superficial. Para el tratamiento a la enfermedad se aplicaron corticosteroides y fármacos midriáticos y ciclopéjicos de forma tópica y prednisona de forma sistémica. Ambos animales fueron controlados durante diez meses y mantuvieron la visión. Las lesiones orales y cutáneas se resolvieron por completo.     

正中神经与尺神经在前臂的吻合及其临床意义

在５９例成人上肢标本上解剖观测了正中神经与尺神经在前臂的吻合及分布。正中神经或骨间前神经与尺神经吻合的出现率为３３．９％，它们发出吻合支的部位分别是内、外上髁连线远侧平均２７ｍｍ和９８ｍｍ处，吻合支平均长７６ｍｍ；骨间前神经和尺神经发出支配指深屈肌肌支的部位分别在内、外上髁连线远侧平均８４ｍｍ和３５ｍｍ处，分别支配第二、三、四、五指深屈肌和第五、四、三指深屈肌；拇长屈肌或指深屈肌的副头有４０例。用组织学方法，另观测了３例新鲜标本的吻合支，它为混合性纤维，运动纤维平均有２４７根（２２０～２６３）。     

Ocular signs of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis: a retrospective study in dogs from Barcelona, Spain

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is a tick-borne disease caused by the rickettsia Ehrlichia canis. Ocular lesions are a common feature of the disease and can be present in all stages. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence, type and response to treatment of ocular lesions associated with monocytic ehrlichiosis in 46 affected dogs presented to the Autonomous University of Barcelona-Veterinary Teaching Hospital (UAB-VTH) from January 2000 to December 2002. Dogs were included in the study only if they had a positive serologic test for E. canis and information about the clinical outcome was available. Eighteen breeds were represented, with the German Shepherd dog (n = 6) being the most common. There were 25 intact and three castrated males, and 16 intact and two neutered females. Twenty dogs (43.4%) were between 5 and 10 years old. Seventeen dogs (37% of all cases of monocytic ehrlichiosis diagnosed during the study period) had ocular signs, and 11 dogs (64.7% of the ocular cases) had only ocular lesions without apparent systemic signs. Exudative retinal detachment was the most common ocular manifestation; other prevalent findings included anterior exudative uveitis and optic neuritis. Five of the 17 cases with ocular lesions (29.4%) had ocular bleeding disorders (hyphema or retinal hemorrhages). All the dogs with ocular disease presented with bilateral signs. Dogs with posterior segment disease had titers against E. canis that were > or = 1 : 320, while lower titers were noted in dogs with anterior exudative uveitis. Two dogs presented with chronic autoimmune panuveitis after ehrlichiosis treatment. Canine ehrlichiosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of exudative retinal detachment and anterior uveal inflammatory lesions.     

Therapy of ocular and visceral leishmaniasis in a cat

An 8-year-old, spayed female Domestic Short-haired cat was referred for further evaluation of chronic lymphocytic-plasmacytic stomatitis and bilateral ocular disease. The cat had been treated with systemic glucocorticoids for several months. Initial ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral deep stromal corneal ulcers, exudative panuveitis and secondary glaucoma. Mature mild neutrophilia and monocytosis were detected on complete blood cell count. Abnormalities in the serum profile were hyperglycemia, mild azotemia, hyperglobulinemia and moderate polyclonal gammapathy. Urinalysis revealed glucosuria without ketonuria. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed and treatment with long-acting insulin was started. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was highly positive for leishmaniasis, and treatment with allopurinol was started. Although specific topical treatment was applied, melting ulcers progressed to corneal perforation and both eyes were enucleated. Ocular histology showed large numbers of intracellular organisms compatible with amastigotes of the genus Leishmania located in the uveal tract, cornea, sclera and retina. Results of inmunohistochemistry staining on ocular samples were positive for Leishmania. Bone marrow cytology demonstrated numerous macrophages with intracytoplasmatic Leishmania. Polymerase chain reaction results on bone marrow for Leishmania were positive. Three weeks later, hypoglycemic episodes permitted withdrawal of the insulin therapy. To the authors' knowledge this is the first case of ocular and visceral leishmaniasis diagnosed in vivo and under systemic treatment in a cat.