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Biomedical subjects

A N Hamir

Publications and source records attributed to A N Hamir.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Congenital cystic disease of the liver, pancreas, and kidney in a nubian goat (Capra hircus).

A congenital cystic disease of the liver, pancreas, and kidney was diagnosed in a 3-week-old female Nubian goat (Capra hircus). Gross and histologic features were similar to autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease in humans and to previous reports of juvenile polycystic disorders in several animal species. Grossly, the lesions were confined to the liver and pancreas. The liver was severely enlarged and contained multiple fluid-filled cysts of various sizes. There was tortuous ectasia of the extrahepatic bile ducts. In the pancreas, multiple small cysts were disseminated throughout the parenchyma. Histologically, there was cavernous ectasia of the intra- and extrahepatic biliary system. Dilated intrahepatic biliary channels formed a branching and anastomosing pattern throughout the hepatic parenchyma and were often bordered by fibrous connective tissue. The pancreas had dilation of intra- and interlobular ducts. Renal cortical tubules and collecting ducts were ectatic. Congenital polycystic disorder has not been documented previously in the goat.

Animals↗

Clinicopathologic variation in raccoons infected with different street rabies virus isolates.

Ten raccoons were divided into two random groups (groups 1 and 2) of five animals each. Group 1 raccoons were inoculated intramuscularly in the masseter muscle with a raccoon rabies virus isolate obtained from a natural case of raccoon rabies from the northeastern USA. Group 2 raccoons were infected by a similar route with a Latin American canine isolate of rabies virus. Raccoons either died suddenly or developed neurologic signs compatible with rabies. Clinical signs of rabies in group 1 raccoons were more severe than in group 2. Raccoons in group 1 either died acutely or were euthanized within 25 days (mean +/- SD = 20.6 +/- 2.7 days) postinfection, whereas all group 2 raccoons showed neurologic signs and were euthanized within 17 days (14.2 +/- 2.2 days) postinfection. Light microscopic findings revealed extensive nonsuppurative encephalitis predominantly located in the cerebrum and brain stem of raccoons in group 1, whereas in group 2 raccoons the lesions were confined to the brain stem regions. In group 1 raccoons, Negri bodies were commonly seen on hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections of brain and in ganglion cells of 5 other tissues (trigeminal nerve, salivary glands, duodenum, pancreas, adrenal gland). Negri bodies, however, were either absent or were only occasionally observed in corresponding tissues of raccoons infected with the canine strain (group 2). Paraffin-embedded tissue sections were also examined for Negri bodies by an immunoperoxidase test, which revealed results similar to the HE findings. Results of this study are compared with histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings in raccoons naturally infected with rabies.

Animals↗

Pyogranulomatous peritonitis associated with Nocardia sp.-like organisms in a raccoon (Procyon lotor).

During 1992 raccoons (Procyon lotor) were live-trapped in northeastern Pennsylvania (USA). In one of these animals a localized pyogranulomatous peritonitis was seen. Grossly a large mass with a central area of liquifactive necrosis was present in the anterior abdomen. Microscopically the lesion contained multiple colonies of filamentous organisms with histomorphologic and histochemical charcteristics resembling Nocardia sp. This appears to be the first report of Nocardia infection in the raccoon.

Animals↗

Lymphosarcoma in a raccoon (Procyon lotor).

A case of lymphosarcoma in a captive adult female raccoon (Procyon lotor) from northeastern Pennsylvania (USA) was observed in 1991. Prior to its death the raccoon had lost weight. At necropsy the carcass was in poor body condition and had pale mucous membranes. The thoracic and abdominal lymph nodes were enlarged, soft, and pale tan. Microscopically, there was effacement of normal lymph node architecture by sheets of mononuclear cells. These were well-differentiated small lymphocytes with distinct cell borders. Nuclei of these cells were darkly stained and mitotic figures were frequently seen. Similar but lesser numbers of neoplastic cells were seen in the parenchyma of liver, spleen, and the pancreas. Since the neoplasm involved several organs, we propose that the condition was of multicentric origin. Gross lesions, histopathologic findings and the organs involved differed from a previously described case of lymphosarcoma in a raccoon.

Animals↗

Polycystic kidney disease in a raccoon (Procyon lotor).

During March 1988, a case of bilateral polycystic kidney disease (PKD) occurred in an aged raccoon (Procyon lotor) at a zoo in Wilmington, Delaware (USA). Prior to its death, the raccoon had no clinical signs. On necropsy there was bilateral enlargement of kidneys which, on cut sections, had many variable sized fluid-filled cystic cavities. Endometrial hyperplasia with presence of multiple variable-sized cysts were also seen in the uterus of this raccoon. Microscopical examinations were characteristic of an end-stage renal failure due to PKD. Neither PKD nor cystic endometerial hyperplasia appears to have been previously described in this species.

Animals↗

Herpesvirus-like infection in a raccoon (Procyon lotor).

During March 1990, a subadult raccoon found dead in northeastern Pennsylvania (USA) had gross lesions of multifocal hepatitis. Microscopically, multifocal randomly distributed areas of acute necrosis with intranuclear viral inclusions were seen in liver, spleen, adrenal glands, and tongue. Ultrastructural and immunoperoxidase results of formalin fixed liver were compatible with herpesvirus infection. This virus could be unique to the raccoon or may have been acquired from another species.

Animals↗

Immunoperoxidase test for rabies: utility as a diagnostic test.

Although a fast and reliable fluorescent antibody (FA) test for rabies diagnosis is available, ideally the diagnostic procedure requires fresh or frozen brain tissues. In some instances (and particularly for retrospective studies), fresh or frozen tissues may not be available. In such cases, immunohistochemical tests may be utilized. Because such tests have been used only in a limited number of cases, their diagnostic reliability has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study documents the results of a streptavidin-biotin complex (ABC) immunoperoxidase test on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brain tissues of domestic and wild animals that were positive on FA test for rabies prior to fixation. Thirty-nine of 40 rabies cases were positive with the ABC technique. Based on these preliminary results, the ABC technique appears reliable. However, more corroborative test results are needed before the ABC method can be used as a routine diagnostic procedure, especially with field samples and negative controls.

Animals↗

Blood lead levels of wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) from the eastern United States.

We analyzed 161 raccoon (Procyon lotor) blood samples obtained from New Jersey (n = 109), rural Pennsylvania (n = 29) and laboratory confined animals (n = 23) in the USA for lead content; we found significantly higher levels in the New Jersey raccoons (mean = 4.4 micrograms/dl, SE = 2.9). There was no difference between the lead levels of raccoons from the other two groups (mean = 2.6, SE = 0.5 and mean = 2.5, SE = 0, respectively).

Animals↗

Ischemic encephalopathy in raccoons (Procyon lotor).

An acute and chronic case of cerebral infarction syndrome in two raccoons (Procyon lotor) respectively is described. The raccoon with an acute form of the condition had clinical neurologic signs whereas the raccoon with a chronic form of the condition had no evident clinical signs. In neither raccoon were significant vascular lesions seen. This is the first report of cerebral infarctions in raccoons.

Acute Disease↗