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An experimental model for post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in growing piglets.

Post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is a comparatively new disease of swine, and known to occur in France since 1996. A porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is found in the lesions of affected piglets. Six piglets aged 10-13 weeks were obtained from a French PMWS-affected farm. Two showing characteristic signs of PMWS (palor, weakness and emaciation) remained in poor condition and were finally killed 6 and 9 days after their arrival in the experimental unit. Tissue homogenates from these two piglets were used to reproduce mild PMWS in specific pathogen-free (SPF) piglets. This mild PMWS consisted of pyrexia (up to 41.7 degrees C) and growth retardation (up to 30% of weight reduction compared with controls) commencing 1 week after infection and lasting 3 weeks. In seven additional trials, pyrexia, growth retardation and lesions characteristic of PMWS were consistently produced in SPF and conventional piglets. However, only four of 55 inoculated SPF piglets (7.2%) showed severe wasting disease. One died and the others had to be killed 3 to 4 weeks after inoculation. None of the inoculated animals developed antibodies to any common swine viruses or bacteria, but clear evidence of PCV2 seroconversion was obtained. Our results therefore strongly suggest that PCV2 is the primary aetiological agent of PMWS.

Animals↗

Post-mortem findings and causes of death of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded from 1990 to 2000 along the coastlines of Belgium and Northern France.

Between the years 1990 and 2000, an attempt was made to determine the causes of death of 55 harbour porpoises stranded along the Belgian and northern French coasts. From 1990 to 1996, only five carcasses were collected as against seven in 1997, eight in 1998, 27 in 1999 and eight in 2000. The sex ratio was normal and most of the animals were juvenile. The most common findings were emaciation, severe parasitosis and pneumonia. A few cases of fishing net entanglement were observed. The main microscopical lesions were acute pneumonia, massive lung oedema, enteritis, hepatitis and gastritis. Encephalitis was observed in six cases. No evidence of morbillivirus infection was detected. Pneumonia was associated with bacteria or parasites, or both. The causes of death and the lesions were similar to those previously reported in other countries bordering the North Sea. The cause of the increased numbers of carcasses in 1999 was unclear but did not include viral epizootics or net entanglement. A temporary increase in the porpoise population in the southern North Sea may have been responsible.

Animals↗

Craniopharyngioma in a female adolescent presenting with symptoms of anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Tumours of the central nervous system mostly present with neurological symptoms and signs of intracranial hypertension. Several reports of cerebral tumors in adolescents outline initial symptoms of anorexia and emaciation, leading to the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. PATIENT: We report on a 15.5-year-old girl with a craniopharyngioma. The girl had a 2 year history of weight loss, dystrophy, no onset of puberty, and a 6 year history of headache. These symptoms had led initially to the clinical diagnoses of migraine and anorexia nervosa, since unenhanced computed tomography of the brain was normal. At presentation, physical examination showed short stature (height SDS - 3.6) and Tanner stage I. Bone age delay was about four years. Laboratory analyses showed hypopituitarism. The diagnosis of craniopharyngioma was made by repeated imaging, depicting an intrasellar and parasellar mass, which was totally removed by neurosurgery. Hormonal substitution with hGH, L-thyroxine, hydrocortisone, and estrogens led to normal physiological development and final height within upper target height. CONCLUSIONS: The reported case illustrates that the diagnosis of craniopharyngioma is often delayed due to unspecific clinical symptoms. Careful evaluation of anthropometrics, ophthalmologic, and endocrine data in patients with suspected eating disorders may give additional clues to the diagnosis of a craniopharyngioma.

Adolescent↗

Angiotensin-converting enzyme and anorexia nervosa.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity was measured in 10 patients with anorexia nervosa, 6 with hyperthyroid Graves' disease, and 7 with primary hypothyroidism. Patients with anorexia nervosa had a low serum ACE activity (9.8 +/- 2.2 IU/l), as compared to findings in normal subjects (13.4 +/- 3.5 IU/l) (P less than 0.05). Patients with hyperthyroid Graves' disease had high serum ACE activity (23.7 +/- 5.8 IU/l), as compared to levels in normal subjects (P less than 0.01), and patients with primary hypothyroidism tended to have low serum ACE activity (10.1 +/- 1.8 IU/l), compared to the normal subjects (P less than 0.1). Following weight gain (before; 71.3 +/- 10.2% of ideal body weight, after; 88.7 +/- 5.6% of ideal body weight), serum ACE activity in patients with anorexia nervosa reverted to within the normal range (13.8 +/- 3.5 IU/l), and serum T3 concentration was restored to the normal range (before; 0.7 +/- 0.2 ng/ml, after; 1.1 +/- 0.3 ng/ml). In these patients, ACE activity correlated with the per cent of ideal body weight (P less than 0.05). These data suggest that, in underweight subjects with anorexia nervosa, decreased serum ACE activities may relate to emaciation.

Adolescent↗

Angiosarcoma of the chest wall with a gastric metastasis.

A rare case of chest-wall angiosarcoma with high tendency of local recurrence and with a solitary gastric metastasis is reported. The patient was an 84-year-old man who had a left lateral thoracic mass with a colic pain. The histological diagnosis of a biopsied specimen suggested an angiosarcoma. The first resection was performed, the resected specimen consisted of the 8th, 9th and 10th ribs including the tumor. However the tumor recurred around the primary site and the second resection was undertaken eight months after the first resection. Only three months after the second resection a second chest-wall recurrence together with a solitary gastric metastasis was found. Progressive emaciation, anemia and thrombocytopenia became evident, and the patient died the 40th day after the gastrectomy. Primarily a wide resection of the chest wall beyond the pathologically negative region around the tumor is thought to be necessary.

Aged↗

[The fluoroscopy-guided implantation of subcutaneous venous ports: the complications and long-term results].

PURPOSE: Evaluation of technical success rate, long-term outcome and initial complication rate in patients with fluoroscopically guided port implantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 1994 and April 1997 124 ports were implanted under fluoroscopic guidance in 120 patients. Indications for port implantation were anti-cancer chemotherapy, antibiotic and supportive therapy in patients with tumours or cachexia. RESULTS: Implantation was technically successful in 98.4% of the patients. We had a 3.2% minor complication rate that did not necessitate further treatment. One pneumothorax required a chest tube (0.8%). During a total of 17,534 days, complications occurred in 10.8% of all ports, 6.9% of the ports had to be explanted because of these complications. CONCLUSIONS: Insertion of ports under fluoroscopic guidance has a low complication rate and good long-term results. The rate of 93.1% of functioning ports is superior to that reported in other studies. It is less costly and has a lower complication rate than surgical implantation. Therefore it seems to be the method of choice for patients requiring long-term subcutaneous venous access for chemotherapy or supportive therapy in malignant tumours or other emaciating diseases.

Adult↗

Influence of long-term simmondsin administration on thyroid hormone levels in adult rats.

Treatment of adult rats for 28 days with 0.50% of simmondsin induced a reduction of food intake of about 40%. The degree of emaciation was the same in simmondsin treated rats (SM) and pair-fed controls (PF). Diurnal variation of plasma thyroid hormone concentrations was determined. The reduction in food intake induced a decrease of mean 24 h plasma T3, T4 and TSH concentrations. Plasma T4 concentrations were decreased more in SM than in PF at almost all times of the day. No difference was seen between SM and PF for plasma T3 and TSH concentrations. Liver outer ring deiodinating activity (type I) remained unchanged compared to controls in PF and SM, but liver inner ring deiodinating activity (type III) was increased 4 fold in both SM and PF. It was concluded that the food intake reduction induced by simmondsin produced a decrease in plasma TSH concentrations which in turn reduced plasma T4 concentrations. Decreased plasma T4 concentrations together with an increased degradation of plasma T3 resulted in lower plasma T3 concentrations.

Acetonitriles↗

[Involvement of the lungs in neurofibromatosis].

Two patients, a 66-year-old man (case 1) and a 55-year-old woman (case 2), had been known (for 40 and 35 years, respectively) to have type 1 neurofibromatosis. Dyspnoea, recently even at rest, had developed in both over the past few years. Both were emaciated (weight 62 kg, height 180 cm; 42 kg, 166 cm, respectively). In both the chest radiography had net-like increased interstitial markings. Computed tomography in case 1 showed largely subpleural small-blister-like changes bilaterally (honeycomb lung), while there were large apical cysts bilaterally in case 2. Lung function tests demonstrated restrictive changes in case 1 (vital capacity 48% of norm, relative one-second capacity 88%) and severe ventilation abnormality in case 2 (vital capacity 42% of norm, relative one-second capacity 47%). Both had marked hypoxaemia even at rest and the walking limit was 200 m in case 1, 40 m in case 2. The pulmonary changes were most likely manifestations of the neurofibromatosis. Symptomatic treatment consisted of long-term oxygen therapy with a portable liquid oxygen system (flow rate: 1-2 l/min at rest and 3-5 l/min on exercise; duration: 24 h/d). This achieved a walking distance without hypoxaemia of 500 and 200 m, respectively, with marked improvement in the patients' condition.

Aged↗

Congenital short small bowel with malrotation in a neonate.

A 1-day-old male infant with congenital short small bowel was transferred to our hospital because of bilious vomiting and abdominal distension. An exploratory laparotomy performed at the age of 8 days revealed malrotation without any volvulus or stenosis of the small intestine, which was 45 cm long. There were no other anomalies except absence of the appendix. Postoperative nutritional support was by intravenous hyperalimentation and administration of elemental diet. However, parenteral nutrition was discontinued because of hyperbilirubinaemia. The patient died from marked emaciation at 2 months of age despite the administration of elemental diet. Therefore, careful total parenteral nutrition is the only management for successful therapy until the child's intestinal absorptive function develops.

Cecal Diseases↗

Mice with a targeted disruption of the AE2 Cl-/HCO3- exchanger are achlorhydric.

The AE2 Cl-/HCO3- exchanger is expressed in numerous cell types, including epithelial cells of the kidney, respiratory tract, and alimentary tract. In gastric epithelia, AE2 is particularly abundant in parietal cells, where it may be the predominant mechanism for HCO3- efflux and Cl- influx across the basolateral membrane that is needed for acid secretion. To investigate the hypothesis that AE2 is critical for parietal cell function and to assess its importance in other tissues, homozygous null mutant (AE2(-/-)) mice were prepared by targeted disruption of the AE2 (Slc4a2) gene. AE2(-/-) mice were emaciated, edentulous (toothless), and exhibited severe growth retardation, and most of them died around the time of weaning. AE2(-/-) mice exhibited achlorhydria, and histological studies revealed abnormalities of the gastric epithelium, including moderate dilation of the gastric gland lumens and a reduction in the number of parietal cells. There was little evidence, however, that parietal cell viability was impaired. Ultrastructural analysis of AE2(-/-) gastric mucosa revealed abnormal parietal cell structure, with severely impaired development of secretory canaliculi and few tubulovesicles but normal apical microvilli. These results demonstrate that AE2 is essential for gastric acid secretion and for normal development of secretory canalicular and tubulovesicular membranes in mouse parietal cells.

Achlorhydria↗

The dietary management of diabetes in adults.

The ultimate object of all types of dietary management before the introduction of insulin was to prevent emaciation and death: the consequences of metabolic derangements due to lack of insulin. Now, while dietary therapy continues to be important in minimizing the requirement for endogenous insulin or in balancing administered insulin, the major objects are changing to prevention of large vessel and microvascular disease. The next decade will probably see a more widespread introduction of diets containing a lower proportion of energy derived from fat. The increased carbohydrate intake will almost inevitably result in increased dietary fibre intake. Whether David Jenkins' Lente carbohydrate foods (those containing viscous unabsorbable polysaccharides) will prove to be of lasting value is not yet known. Since galactomannans occur in legumes perhaps we should consider the possibility of diets containing large proportions of legumes: a twentieth century 'Legume cure'? If this should prove of value it would not have excited ancient Indian physicians who wrote (in the Caraka-Samita) of their use of legumes in the treatment of glycosuria, at least as early as the first century AD, before Aretaeus had applied the term diabetes.

Adult↗

The isolation and identification of leishmanial parasites from domestic dogs in the Machakos District of Kenya, and the possible role of dogs as reservoirs of kala-azar in East Africa.

Two out of 288 sick and emaciated dogs from homesteads in the Machakos District of Kenya, where human kala-azar cases existed, were found to be infected with leishmaniasis. The leishmanial strain isolated from one of the dogs was characterized enzymologically and serologically and found to be identical with strains isolated from human kala-azar cases and Phlebotomus martini. The significance of these findings is discussed in terms of the general epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in Kenya.

Animals↗

Granulomatous enteritis in a thoroughbred horse.

A case of granulomatous enteritis in a three-year-old thoroughbred horse is described. Onset of clinical signs succeeded pyrexia of unknown aetiology. The horse was emaciated, depressed and inappetent but diarrhoea was not a feature of the condition. There was hypoproteinaemia, anaemia, leucopaenia and abnormal small-intestinal carbohydrate absorption. Rectal biopsy revealed granulomatous changes in the rectal mucosa. As a result of these findings, euthanasia was performed and an autopsy was carried out. Histopathology showed marked villous atrophy in the small intestine with a diffuse mononuclear cellular infiltration involving mainly the submucosa and lamina propria. There were occasional granulomatous foci. The mononuclear cells consisted mainly of lymphocytes and histiocytes. No aetiological agent was isolated.

Journal Article↗

Pericardial ectopic liver in a cat.

An aged domestic short-haired cat was presented for examination because of a six week history of weight loss, diarrhoea, and increased appetite. Clinical examination revealed the cat to be emaciated, icteric and the liver was enlarged. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of hepatic disease and radiographic examination showed hepatomegaly and ascites together with an enlarged globular heart. Ultrasonography showed a heart of normal size surrounded by tissue and/or fluid within the pericardial sac. Following euthanasia, necropsy revealed the presence of ectopic hepatic tissue within the pericardial sac. Both normally positioned liver and the intrapericardial hepatic tissue showed chronic active pericholangitis and nodular hyperplasia. There was no evidence of a diaphragmatic peritoneal-pericardial hernia, but the intrapericardial mass was connected to the liver by a thin cord of tissue ventral to the caudal vena cava.

Journal Article↗

Fly ash, basic slag and Glenbrook slag toxicity in cattle.

In case studies of two herds of dairy cattle, a herd of 270 Friesian cows and heifers and a herd of 256 Jersey cows and heifers experienced high death rates and a protracted course of illness when fly ash was broadcast as a fertiliser over the farms at a rate of about 1 tonne per hectare. The onset of weakness, lassitude and diarrhoea in the cattle first appeared within 4-5 days and both fertility and milk fat production fell off dramatically. In the following 7 months, 51 animals died in the Friesian herd and a similar death rate and performance losses occurred in the Jersey herd. Emaciation and hepatic fibrosis were consistently reported from autopsies. Heavy metal poisoning was eliminated from the possible diagnosis. The slags and fly ash used as fertiliser had several features in common. They contained 29-40% calcium as calcium oxide, 15-35 grams of iron per kg, they were all extremely alkaline and concentrations of lead and arsenic were low. The effect of adding fly ash to rumen contents in vitro was to raise the pH to greater than 7.2, at which point fermentation was markedly-reduced.

Journal Article↗

The paradoxical nature of sexuality in anorexia nervosa.

Psychosexual dysfunctioning is often put forward as an etiological factor in anorexia nervosa. In contrast, we hypothesize that anorexia nervosa patients were in general psychosexually normal before their illness, and that the problems in their sexual life arise only after the emergence of hypogonadism, as a consequence of emaciation. Our study shows that patients, before they became anorectic, were indeed rather similar to normal subjects with respect to sexual attitude. Moreover, patients reported a considerably decreased sexual interest during their anorectic period when compared with normal controls. We conclude that these results corroborate our hypotheses. In the discussion we sketch a theoretical account of the origin and course of anorexia nervosa, according to which the hormonal and associated psychosexual changes are central to its pathogenesis.

Adolescent↗

A case of chronic zinc poisoning in calves fed with zinc-contaminated roughage.

A case of zinc intoxication in young female cattle is described. The clinical signs consisted of reduced appetite, emaciation, submandibular oedema and diarrhoea. The source of zinc proved to be roughage harvested in the vicinity of a factory galvanizing steel tubes. In this roughage zinc levels between 3000 and 7300 mg/kg dry weight were found. In the liver of four animals zinc levels varied between 420 and 1600 mg/kg, and between 910 and 1680 mg/kg dry weight in the kidneys.

Animals↗

Pathogenicity of two strains of Newcastle disease virus in the grey-breasted helmet guinea fowl.

Thirty-five 6-week-old guinea fowl keets, seronegative for maternal antibodies to Newcastle disease virus, were infected with Herts strain (33/56) and Kumarov strain of Newcastle disease virus intramucularly (IM) or intranasally (IN). Clinical signs were first noticed four days post infection (PI) in the group infected IM but five days PI in the group infected IN with Herts strain of Newcastle disease virus. These clinical signs were similar in both groups and included anorexia, droopiness, huddling together, greenish diarrhoea and marked cachexia. Prominent nervous signs, including spasms of the head and neck, were observed in groups infected with Herts strain. The major gross lesions observed were emaciation with prominent keel bone, empty intestinal tract and distended gall bladder in most keets. The histological lesions were characterised by meningoencephalitis, necrosis and loss of lymphocytes from splenic and lymphoid aggregates. There was muscular degeneration and necrosis in the gizzard and mild pulmonary congestion and oedema in some keets. Neither gross or microscopic lesions were observed in keets that had received the Kumarov strain.

Animals↗