SONOGRAPHIC APPLICATION IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PYELONEPHRITIS IN CATTLE

Nineteen cattle with pyelonephritis were examined sonographically. A 3.5- and 5.0-MHz convex transducer was used for percutaneous and a 5.5-MHz linear scanner for transrectal examination. Ultrasonographic changes included enlarged kidneys, echogenic material, and flocculent fluid within a dilated and deformed renal sinus and a poor cortical medullary differentiation. Azotemia was detected in 10 and hematuria and proteinuria in all animals. Microbial culture revealed Corynebacterium renale in eight and Escherichia coli in five cattle. Sonography supplemented the clinical examination and clinicopathological analysis by providing additional information on renal disease in these patients.     

PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROPYELOCENTESIS AND ANTEGRADE URETEROGRAPHY: A FLUOROSCOPICALLY ASSISTED DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIC IN CANINE UROLOGY

Fluoroscopically assisted percutaneous nephropyelocentesis and/or antegrade ureterography was performed on six dogs. These technics were useful for obtaining renal pelvic urine specimens for culture. Percutaneous nephropyelocentesis confirmed diagnoses of pyelonephritis. Injection of a radiopaque contrast medium into the ureter or renal pelvis was useful in evaluating the ureter in those dogs in which excretory urography provided insufficient detail. No complication was associated with the technics.     

健脾益肾清热利湿方辅助治疗急性肾盂肾炎的疗效观察

目的 观察健脾益肾清热利湿方辅助治疗急性肾盂肾炎的临床疗效。方法 将52例急性肾盂肾炎患者随机分为治疗组和对照组各26例。对照组给予抗生素治疗,治疗组在对照组的基础上给予健脾益肾清热利湿方辅助治疗,两组疗程均为2周。观察两组治疗前后主要临床症状、体征的变化。结果 在疗效方面,治疗组总有效率为96.2%,对照组总有效率为80.8%,治疗组疗效优于对照组（P<0.05）;在发热、腰痛、尿路刺激征消除时间方面治疗组明显快于对照组（P<0.01）。结论 健脾益肾清热利湿方辅助治疗急性肾盂肾炎效果显著,可明显改善患者的临床症状,并可缩短临床症状的消除时间,能提高治疗的有效率。     

Secondary renal tubular acidosis in a Hereford calf

A 3-month-old Hereford heifer calf was presented for lethargy. Blood gas analysis and plasma biochemical testing revealed severe metabolic acidosis, azotemia, hyponatremia, hyperchloremia, and normal anion gap. Results of a urinalysis were consistent with acute tubular necrosis with inadequate acidification of urine based on the degree of acidemia. Salmonella enterica serovar agona was cultured from both urine and feces. The calf was treated with intravenous polyionic fluids, bicarbonate, and antimicrobials. Acidosis and azotemia resolved, and 4 months following initial presentation the heifer was clinically normal.     

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF INDIUM-111 LEUKOCYTES AND NEPHROSONOGRAPHY FOR DETECTION OF EXPERIMENTAL PYELONEPHRITIS IN DOGS

Nephrosonography was compared to In-111 WBC for detection of experimentally induced pyelonephritis in 12 dogs. Nephrosonography was performed during the acute and chronic phase of pyelonephritis in all dogs. Sonographic abnormalities were found in all infected kidneys imaged early after infection. In the chronic phase of pyelonephritis, the sonographic abnormalities had decreased in severity in 9 kidneys, increased in severity in 2 kidneys, and had resolved in 2 kidneys. After histopathologic evaluation, eleven of fifteen kidneys (73%) with pyelonephritis had been identified by sonography. The In-111 WBC scan was performed during the acute phase of pyelonephritis in 9 dogs and during the chronic phase in all dogs. During the acute phase of pyelonephritis, the WBC scan was positive in 8 of the 9 dogs (89%) on images acquired 24 and 48 hr after injection of the labelled WBC. During the chronic phase of pyelonephritis, the WBC scan was negative in all 12 dogs. The sensitivity of the In-111 WBC scan was poor compared to nephrosonography for detection of chronic pyelonephritis. In this study, optimal detection of renal infection/pyelonephritis by In-111 WBC may be dependent on the presence of clinical signs and leukocytosis in dogs. Even when leukocytosis is present, the In-111 WBC may fail to accumulate in the kidney in dogs with pyelonephritis, particularly if no clinical signs (fever, depression, inappetence) are present.     

Role of iron and iron chelation therapy in oxygen free radical mediated tissue injury in an ascending mouse model of chronic pyelonephritis

The contribution of iron towards the free radical generation leading to renal tissue damage was assessed using a non-obstructive ascending mouse model for chronic pyelonephritis. The parameters studied include luminol dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL), histopathology and some biochemical investigations. We found that iron enhanced the renal tissue damage and led to renal scarring, an end point in chronic renal inflammation, irrespective of the bacterial strain studied. In addition a role of iron chelation therapy as a treatment for chronic renal inflammation is also suggested.     

Haemagglutinating and hydrophobic properties of Corynebacterium (Eubacterium) suis

Corynebacterium (Eubacterium) suis strains from boars and sows haemagglutinated erythrocytes of different animal species (calf, guinea pig, poultry, pig, and human).The haemaigglutination was man nose resistant (MR) and was neither inhibited by L-fucose nor D-galactose. The hydrophobicity measured by salt aggregation test (0.1–0.9 mol/1 (NH₄)₂SO₄) and the hydrophobic interaction chromatography test (90 % retention in octyl sepharose) together with the haemagglutinating activity, indicated the presence of fimbriae on the bacteria. The haemagglutinating and hydrophobic properties were heat-sensitive (60°C for 10 min) suggestive of the presence of a protein structure. Two types of fimbria-tion were demonstrated by electron microscopy. Fetuin and glyco^ protein inhibited the haemagglutination, whereas porcine mucin was without any effect. These results indicate that branched glycoproteins might be important receptors for these fimbriae.The pathogenic aspects of C. suis are discussed, based on recent acquired knowledge of the effect of other pyelonephritogenic bacteria.     

Acute suprarenal occlusion in an American Miniature Horse

A 7-month-old Miniature filly was examined because of a 4-day history of abnormal posture, lethargy and weakness. On initial evaluation, the filly presented with an abnormal stiff gait in her hindlimbs associated with hindlimb ataxia and lumbar kyphosis. She showed hindlimb discomfort by weight shifting from one hindlimb to the other. A complete blood count revealed an acute inflammatory leukogram associated with hyperfibrinogenaemia. The measurement of the serum amyloid A concentration indicated anactive inflammatory process. Biochemistry and urinalysis results revealed a severe azotaemia associated with diluted urine despite clinical dehydration, consistent with acute renal failure. Medical treatment was initiated with fluid therapy and antimicrobials. The pain was managed with morphine sulphate only, to avoid further kidney damage. The filly maintained an abnormal gait during this time, became progressively more ataxic and uncomfortable, and developed colic episodes. Because the horse was unresponsive to pain management, euthanasia was elected by the client. Post-mortem examination revealed an occlusive thrombus within the abdominal aorta, firmly attached to the intima, partially recanalised and extending from the aorta 1 cm along the right renal artery. In the left and right kidneys, severe subacute neutrophilic pyelonephritis, with lymphoplasmacytic interstitial nephritis was noted. In the hindlimb muscles, multifocal myocyte necrosis and evidence of regeneration was present. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case of acute suprarenal occlusion to be described in a horse.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF PYONEPHROSIS IN DOGS

Pyonephrosis refers an infected hydronephrotic kidney which arise from pyelonephritis followed by exudate accumulation in a dilated renal pelvis or hydronephrosis followed by ascending infection. Pyonephrosis may cause serious systemic complications, making prompt and reliable diagnosis critical. Clinical and ultrasonographic findings are used for the diagnosis of pyonephrosis in humans, but these findings have not been investigated in dogs. We reviewed ultrasonographic features in pyonephrosis in 18 dogs. Ten dogs with hydronephrosis were also evaluated to compare with the pyonephrosis patients. In most dogs with pyonephrosis, hyperechoic contents completely filled the dilated renal pelvis (n=8) or a fluid‐debris level was observed (n=8). Hyperechoic contents were dispersed in renal pelvis in only two of the 18 dogs. Hyperechoic, edematous mesentery, and peritoneal and retroperitoneal effusion, which represented peritoneal and retroperitoneal inflammation, were observed in the perinephric region in 11 dogs. Compared with pyonephrosis, and as expected, hydronephrosis was characterized by anechoic contents within the urine‐filled collecting system and there were no definitive findings to suspect peritonitis. Thus, there is a distinct difference in the sonographic appearance of pyonephrosis vs. hydronephrosis in dogs.