Hunting For Tularaemia – A Review of Cases in North Carolina

Human infections with Francisella tularensis can be acquired via numerous routes, including ingestion, inhalation, arthropod bite or direct contact with infected animals. Since 1991, there have been 25 reported cases of tularaemia in North Carolina, most of which were associated with rabbit hunting or cat bites. We present two adults cases of pulmonary and oropharyngeal tularaemia and review the reported cases since 1991–2013. We also present the fifth case of pulmonary empyema. While cavitary pneumonias are primarily treated with drainage, we illustrate a case of cavitary pneumonia associated with tularaemia successfully treated with oral ciprofloxacin after drainage. Tularaemia should be considered in patients with a perplexing radiographic image, animal exposure and lack of response to conventional empiric broad‐spectrum antibiotics. Even in serious cases of pneumonic tularaemia, fluoroquinolones may provide a suitable alternative to aminoglycosides.     

Pyothorax in nine dogs

Summary

The results of treatment of pyothorax using systemic antibiotics, drainage, and lavage of the pleural space, are reported for 9 dogs. All 9 dogs recovered completely. In 8 of the 9 dogs the follow‐up period was at least 6 months and in none was there a relapse. The results obtained with this treatment are excellent in comparison with the results that have been reported for treatment with systemic antibiotics and drainage of the pleural space but without lavage. Apart from the addition of pleural lavage to the treatment protocol, the better result might be because migrating plant related foreign bodies did not seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of pyothorax in this group of dogs.     

Magnetic resonance imaging features of spinal epidural empyema in five dogs.

Spinal epidural empyema is defined an accumulation of purulent material in the epidural space of the vertebral canal. Spinal epidural empyema should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs with pyrexia, spinal pain, and rapidly progressing myelopathy. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the imaging test of choice in humans. Here, we describe the MR imaging features of five dogs with confirmed spinal epidural empyema. The epidural lesions appeared as high or mixed signal masses in T2-weighted (T2W) images. Increased signal within the spinal cord gray matter at the site of the lesion was detected in T2W images in all dogs. Two patterns of enhancement were detected on postcontrast T1-weighted (T1W) images. Mild to moderate peripheral enhancement was seen in three dogs and a diffuse pattern of enhancement was seen in one. Discospondylitis was identified in three dogs on T1W postcontrast images. Decompressive spinal surgery was performed in all dogs. Bacteria isolated from the abnormal epidural tissue were Enterobacter cloacae, coagulase-positive Staphylococci, Pasteurella multocida, and Escherichia coli. In one dog bacteria were not isolated. These MR imaging features, along with appropriate clinical signs, can allow prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning.     

Spinal epidural empyema concurrent with sequestrum in a cat: a case report

A 5-month-old intact female mixed cat presented with repetitive paraplegia and drainage of pus from the back despite continuous antibiotic medication. Neurologic examination was consistent with below T3-L3 myelopathy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a contrast-enhanced mass in the L1-3 spinal canal, and bone fragments in the T13 and L1 spinal canal. Spinal epidural empyema was suspected, and hemilaminectomy was performed for T12-L2 on the right side and T11-12 on the left side. Bone fragments were diagnosed as sequestrum infected with Bacteroides sp. The cat recovered enough to ambulate next day. One month after surgery, there was no deficit in neurological function. This is the first report of spinal epidural empyema concurrent with sequestrum in a cat.     

The pathogenesis of paraesophageal empyema in dogs and constancy of radiographic and computed tomography signs are linked to involvement of the mediastinal serous cavity

The mediastinal serous cavity is a normal anatomic space in the caudal mediastinum. Aims of this anatomic and case series study were to describe the signs of pathologic expansion of the mediastinal serous cavity observed during computed tomography (CT), review the underlying anatomy, perform a literature review, and evaluate the medical records of several dogs with mediastinal serous cavity empyema (paraesophageal empyema). The mesothelial lined mediastinal serous cavity is a cranial extension of the omental bursa, separated from the peritoneal cavity by the diaphragm, in the dorsal part of the caudal mediastinum, to the right of the esophagus, between the heart base and diaphragm. In five adult, large‐breed dogs with surgically and histologically confirmed paraesophageal empyema, macroscopic plant material was found at surgery in two dogs, adherence to adjacent lung was present in three different dogs, accessory lobectomy was performed in two dogs with subacute‐chronic pyogranulomatous pneumonia, and one dog had concurrent pyothorax and mediastinitis, but none had esophageal abnormalities. This study expands our understanding of the pathogenesis and basis for the imaging appearance of paraesophageal empyema in dogs by clarifying the underlying anatomic structures that direct development of this condition. The term empyema accurately describes this condition because the purulent material accumulates within an existing body cavity. The study also provides initial evidence that the development of paraesophageal empyema might be due to local extension of lung disease, such as foreign body migration or pneumonia. Computed tomography was helpful for diagnosis, assessing size, and determining the spread of disease.     

α糜蛋白酶治疗胸膜腔感染所致胸膜肥厚的研究

目的观察仅糜蛋白酶局部用药对胸膜腔感染所致胸膜肥厚的治疗效果．方法选择40例胸膜肥厚患者,随机分为治疗组和对照组（各20例）,两组均行胸腔微管引流术．治疗组给予仅糜蛋白酶4000U加入生理盐水20mL注入胸膜腔,对照组仅予微管引流治疗．测量并记录治疗前及治疗后胸膜厚度、残腔大小及带管时间．结果治疗组应用仅糜蛋白酶胸膜腔内注射后胸膜厚度显著减低,与对照组相比差异有统计学意义（t=3.071,P＜0．01）;治疗组治疗后胸膜残腔大小与对照组相比差异有统计学意义（t=-8．82,P＜0．05）;治疗组平均带管时间为（7．25±2．53）d,比对照组（5．90±2．07）d延长,两组对比差异有统计学意义（t=2．339,P＜0．05）．结论经胸腔微管引流注入α糜蛋白酶治疗胸膜腔感染所致胸膜肥厚疗效显著,方法简便,安全高效,费用低廉,值得临床推广．     

Strangles and its complications

Strangles, caused by the Gram‐positive bacteria Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi), is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection in horses. The infection is transmitted by inhalation or direct contact with mucopurulent discharge from an infected animal, resulting in fever, depression, and submandibular and retropharyngeal lymph node enlargement that can lead to respiratory distress. Complications include secondary cellulitis at external abscessation sites, guttural pouch empyema and its persistence into the carrier state, purpura haemorrhagica, metastatic abscessation, emergency tracheostomies and rarely secondary S. equi pneumonia or myositis. Control of outbreaks requires strict isolation protocols and hygiene measures. Detection methods of the index case and carrier state are constantly being refined to assist in the identification and prevention of disease perpetuation.     

胸膜纤维层剥除术治疗小儿亚急性与慢性脓胸（附29例分析）

１９８５年７月至１９９４年６月，共行胸纤维层剥除术治疗小儿亚急性和慢性脓胸２９例，均痊愈出院，无手术死亡，无并发症，并随访１－８年生长发育良好，效果满意，对手术适应症，手术切口选择手术方式等作了讨论。     

Suspected Spinal Epidural Empyema and Associated Vertebral Osteomyelitis (Physitis)in a Dog

A 1 year old female Aurstralian Heeler dog was presented for fever and paraplegia of recent onset. Radiography and myelography revealed osteolysis of the first lumber (L₁) vertebra and extensive epidural spinal cord compression from the level of the thirteenth thoracic (T₁₃) to the fourth lumbar (L4) vertebra. A decompressive hemilaminectomy was performed; purulent-appearing fluid and inflamed epidural fat were present in the vertebral canal. The neurologic recovery of the dog was satisfactory 6 months following surgery.     

Extensive and invasive guttural pouch granuloma in a 2-year-old gelding

This report describes a case of an unusually extensive and invasive fungal granuloma within the right guttural pouch and its surrounding area of a 2-year-old Noriker gelding, causing diverse neurogenic deficits and tissue destruction. The gelding was initially presented with cachexia, unilateral nasal discharge, intermittent fever, swelling of the right side of the head, facial nerve paralysis and dysphagia. The right guttural pouch was not accessible to endoscopic examination initially, but after anti-inflammatory medical management, empyema and an extensive, solid mass appeared within the guttural pouch. Surgical exploration and excision were attempted but were unsuccessful. Histopathological examination identified Aspergillus fumigatus as the causative infective agent of the extensive fungal granuloma, and the consequent invasion and destruction of surrounding bone and soft tissue structures.