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Enteritis in sheep, goats and pigs due to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection.

The features of naturally occurring Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serotype III infections in 16 sheep, one goat and 3 pigs, and Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype I infections in 3 goats, are described. Affected animals usually had diarrhoea and were in poor condition or emaciated. A number were moribund or dead when submitted for necropsy. Thickening of the caecal and colonic mucosa was the only gross lesion attributable to Y. pseudotuberculosis infection, with liver or other visceral abscesses not being seen. Characteristic microabscesses were demonstrated in the intestinal mucosa of 10 sheep, one goat and one pig infected with Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype III and one goat infected with Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype I. Sheep, goats and pigs dosed orally with Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype III, the serotype isolated most commonly from these species, developed intestinal infection. In sheep and pigs, infection was accompanied by diarrhoea. Haematological changes and specific antibodies were elicited in all 3 species in response to infection. Microabscesses were seen in the intestinal mucosa of all experimentally exposed animals. The occurrence of field cases and the results of experimental exposure confirm that Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype III is an enteropathogen of sheep, goats and pigs. The association of Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype I with lesions in a goat, indicates that this bacterium may also be a pathogen of this species. It is concluded that Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype III is an enteric pathogen of a wide range of ungulate species including cattle, buffalo, deer, antelopes, sheep, goats and pigs. Serotypes I and II, while having a more restricted host range, are probably also pathogens of ungulates and, in particular, deer, antelopes and goats.

Animals↗

Pyrrolizidine alkaloidosis of cattle associated with Senecio lautus.

Serious incidents of pyrrolizidine alkaloidosis of cattle in 10 herds exposed to the Australian native plant, Senecio lautus (Asteraceae), were seen in central Queensland during 1988-1992. The deaths of 226 cattle were recorded. A mean of 8% of cattle died in affected groups (range 2 to 58%). Sickness and deaths usually occurred some months after access to S lautus. Typically, affected cattle lost body condition to the point of emaciation before dying and had persistent diarrhoea. Some animals developed abnormal behaviour and died after a shorter illness. Liver specimens from affected cattle in all herds contained lesions consistent with pyrrolizidine alkaloidosis. Thin layer chromatography of extracts of blood and liver samples from cattle from 5 herds detected pyrrolic metabolites. The identity of these was confirmed by mass spectroscopy on samples from one herd. Unseasonal autumn and winter rain after a dry summer appeared to favour growth of S lautus at the expense of other pasture species. A subsequent dry period promoted consumption of S lautus and was followed by a cluster of poisoning incidents.

Animals↗

Oesophageal impaction in a Canada goose (Branta canadensis).

An oesophageal impaction, consisting of plant material and nylon fishing line, and alimentary parasitism were diagnosed and treated in a Canada goose. At presentation the bird was non-ambulatory with flaccid neck muscles, lethargic, emaciated, dehydrated and had watery brown to green faeces. Palpation of the neck revealed a solid tubular mass ventrally in the mid-cervical region with gritty material cranial to it. Radiographs disclosed an oesophageal mass containing seed or grit-like radio-opaque material, and dilated cranial oesophagus containing radio-opaque material. Laboratory investigations revealed non-regenerative anaemia, heterophilia, lymphopenia, hypoproteinaemia, and many strongyle eggs in faeces. Treatment included supportive therapy, oesophageal gavage, oesophagotomy and drug therapy. The bird recovered and was released 27 days after initial presentation.

Animal Feed↗

Spironucleosis in Australian king parrots (Alisterus scapularis).

OBJECTIVE: To describe a syndrome of wasting, diarrhoea and mortality in Australian king parrots (Alisterus scapularis). DESIGN: Field observations and laboratory examinations. Procedure Pathological examinations were performed on 50 Australian king parrots with wasting and diarrhoea. Wet preparations of intestinal contents were examined by light microscopy. Tannins were extracted from acorns (Quercus sp) and tested for toxicity in mice. CLINICAL SIGNS AND EPIDEMIOLOGY: A syndrome of wasting, diarrhoea and mortality was observed in wild juvenile Australian king parrots in eastern Australia from 1984 to 2000. Sporadic cases and outbreaks of disease occurred from May to September in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. Outbreaks in the Australian Capital Territory in 1990 and 1991 were associated with parrots congregating to feed on acorns. Most affected birds failed to respond to treatment with dimetridazole and died 1 to 14 days after hospitalisation. Selected cases recovered following treatment with metronidazole. PATHOLOGY: Affected birds were emaciated, with faecal matting of feathers around the cloaca and yellow-green fluid, foamy intestinal contents. Abundant motile Spironucleus trophozoites were observed in wet preparations of faeces of clinically affected birds and intestinal contents of birds examined within 1 h of death. Protozoa were detected histologically in crypts of Lieberkühn in the intestine in association with exudation of mucus (catarrhal enteritis) or lymphoplasmacytic enteritis. Toxicology Tannin extracts from acorns induced periacinar hepatic necrosis in mice. CONCLUSION: Wasting, diarrhoea and mortality in wild juvenile Australian king parrots were associated with Spironucleus-like protozoa in the intestine. Acorns were not considered to be the cause of the syndrome.

Animals↗

Toxoplasmosis in Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins (Sousa chinensis), from Queensland.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical signs, gross pathology, serology, bacteriology, histopathology, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry findings associated with toxoplasmosis in four Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins (Sousa chinensis) that stranded in Queensland in 2000 and 2001. DESIGN: Clinical assessment, gross necropsy, and laboratory examinations. PROCEDURE: Necropsies were performed on four S. chinensis to determine cause of death. Laboratory tests including serology, bacteriology, histopathology and transmission electron microscopy were done on the four dolphins. Immunohistochemistry was done on the brain, heart, liver, lung, spleen and adrenal gland from various dolphins to detect Toxoplasma gondii antigens. RESULTS: Necropsies showed all of four S. chinensis that stranded in Queensland in 2000 and 2001 had evidence of predatory shark attack and three were extremely emaciated. Histopathological examinations showed all four dolphins had toxoplasmosis with tissue cysts resembling T. gondii in the brain. Tachyzoite stages of T. gondii were detected in the lungs, heart, liver, spleen and adrenal gland, variously of all four dolphins. Electron microscopy studies and immunohistochemistry confirmed the tissues cysts were those of T. gondii. All four dolphins also had intercurrent disease including pneumonia, three had peritonitis and one had pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: Four S. chinensis necropsied in Queensland in 2000 and 2001 were found to be infected with toxoplasmosis. It is uncertain how these dolphins became infected and further studies are needed to determine how S. chinensis acquire toxoplasmosis. All four dolphins stranded after periods of heavy rainfall, and coastal freshwater runoff may be a risk factor for T. gondii infection in S. chinensis. This disease should be of concern to wildlife managers since S. chinensis is a rare species and its numbers appear to be declining.

Animals↗

Chronic shoulder osteoarthritis in a loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta).

This report describes the lesions seen in an extremely weak and emaciated adult male loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) found stranded near Perth, Western Australia. Blood collected from a dorsal cervical sinus immediately prior to euthanasia demonstrated severe anaemia, markedly elevated plasma concentrations of creatinine kinase (2263 U/L), alkaline phosphatase (58 U/L), urea (18.1 mmol/L) and hypoglycaemia (glucose 0.7 mmol/L). Necropsy examination demonstrated a severe chronic osteoarthritis of the right shoulder joint with marked remodelling of the glenoid fossa, coracoid, scapula and humerus. There was marked synovial effusion and periarticular fibrosis. Cytological examination and culture of synovial fluid failed to demonstrate an infectious agent. Other findings were low numbers of trypanorhynch cysts present on the surface of the liver and numerous spirorchid eggs in the attached mesentery. Several large and small spirorchid flukes were present in the heart and there was a localised endarteritis in the left aortic arch associated with this infection. Numerous nematode eggs and at least three species of spirorchid eggs were seen microscopically in faeces collected from the terminal colon. The pathogenesis and significance of these lesions is discussed.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Lymphosarcoma in 10 New World Camelids.

We evaluated the medical information from 10 New World Camelids with lymphosarcoma. Additionally, tumor tissue from 5 animals was examined by electron microscopy for evidence of retroviral particles. Lymphosarcoma was the most common neoplasm of New World Camelids in our hospital. Both llamas and alpacas, from 4 months to 15 years of age, were affected. Emaciation (7 of 8) and palpable masses (9 of 10) were the most common physical examination abnormalities, and a left-shifted leukogram (7 of 7) and hypoalbuminemia (6 of 7) were the most characteristic clinicopathologic findings. Lymphosarcoma was diagnosed by lymph node aspirate (n = 2), biopsy (n = 2), peritoneal fluid analysis (n = 2), or necropsy (n = 4). The clinical course after recognition of the disease was usually short, with a median survival of 1 month (1 week to 3 months). Organs with neoplastic infiltrates commonly included lymph nodes (n = 8), liver (n = 8), kidneys (n = 6), and lungs (n = 5). No retroviral particles were detected ultrastructurally.

Animals↗

Retrospective case-control study of hepatozoonosis in dogs in Israel.

Signalment, clinical signs, and physical examination and clinicopathologic findings in dogs diagnosed with Hepatozoon canis parasitemia (n = 100) were compared with those in Hepatozoon-negative dogs (n = 180). A subset (n = 15) of Hepatozoon-positive dogs with unusually high (> 800 H canis gametocytes/microL of whole blood) parasitemia was compared with dogs that had low parasitemia (n = 85) and with Hepatozoon-negative dogs (n = 180). Hepatozoon-positive dogs significantly differed from Hepatozoon-negative dogs in body temperature, total red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and platelet count. Dogs with high H canis parasitemia significantly differed from those with low parasitemia in hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and total neutrophil count. Clinical findings from dogs with high H canis parasitemia included emaciation, lethargy, hyperglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and increased serum alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase activities. Findings at necropsy included hepatitis, pneumonia, and glomerulonephritis associated with H canis schizonts and extensive parasitism of bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes. Low hemoglobin concentration, low platelet count, and concurrent parvovirus infection together represented the best predictor variables for Hepatozoon positivity in dogs presenting to the hospital.

Age Factors↗

Exuberant granulation tissue in the stomach of a horse.

A 4-year-old stallion was examined because of a 2-month history of inappetance and weight loss. Diarrhoea had also developed a month before presentation. Abnormal clinical findings were emaciation, diarrhoea, ventral oedema, palpable mesenteric lymph node enlargement and a large mass in the left cranial portion of the abdomen. Significant laboratory findings were anaemia (packed cell volume 0.21 litres/litre), hypoalbuminaemia (16 g/litre) and xylose malabsorption. The horse was euthanased and at necropsy a 10.5 kg pendunculated mass composed of granulation tissue was found within and attached to the stomach. There was villous atrophy diffusely throughout the small intestine. The inciting cause of the gastric mass was not determined.

Animals↗

Six cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach of the horse.

Six cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach in horses seen at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine are compared with 15 similar cases reported previously. Clinical signs included anorexia in all cases, emaciation, fever, anaemia and/or palpable abdominal masses in 3, colic in 2 and dysphagia in one case. Haematological studies revealed normochromic, normocytic anaemia in 3 and absolute neutrophilia in 5 cases. Peritoneal fluid analysis was performed in 4 cases and revealed slightly to moderately elevated total protein concentrations in 3 and a markedly elevated number of white blood cells in 2 cases. Exploratory laparotomy, performed in 3 cases, was essential for a definitive diagnosis. The data presented here suggest that squamous cell carcinoma of the equine stomach may be increasing in frequency and demonstrate the need for prospective epidemiological studies.

Animals↗

Larval cyathostomiasis (immature trichonema-induced enteropathy): a report of 15 clinical cases.

Clinical and laboratory findings are recorded from a series of 15 cases (aged one to 16 years) of sudden-onset chronic diarrhoea with weight loss, progressing in many cases to emaciation and death, associated with the emergence of fourth stage cyathostome (trichoneme) larvae in large numbers through the colonic and caecal mucosae. Apart from a single incident in mid-October, disease only occurred in winter and spring (January to May). Characteristic features included hypoalbuminaemia, increased alpha and beta plasma globulin levels and neutrophilia without left shift. Faecal egg counts were frequently negative and eosinophilia and anaemia were not features. Horses treated in the early stages responded well to larvicidal doses of fenbendazole (60 mg/kg bodyweight) but in cases where this therapy was delayed for weeks or months the prognosis was poor.

Animals↗

Mycotoxicity of Aspergillus ochraceus to chicks.

Five isolates of Aspergillus ochraceus, obtained from peanuts, were grown separately on sterile, moist corn for 14 days and fed to 1-day-old Babcock B-300 cockerels to evaluate their toxic effects. Two isolates were highly toxic, causing death of all birds during the 1st week of the experiment. Two isolates were moderately toxic, causing severe growth suppression with some deaths occurring throughout the 3-week test period. One isolate had no apparent effect. When the two most toxic isolates (diets) were diluted, survival time increased but severe growth suppression was evident. Postmortem examinations revealed a few small hemorrhages in the proventriculi of birds which died between the 2nd and 5th days. Emaciation, dehydration, and dry, firm gizzard linings were observed throughout the experiment. Extensive hepatic injury consisting of either fatty changes or necrotic foci was the principal microscopic finding. Suppression of bone marrow activity and depletion of lymphoid elements in the spleen and bursa of Fabricius were also found. The severity of the histopathological changes was directly related to the concentration of ochratoxin A in the diets.

Animals↗

Alterations of pulmonary defense mechanisms by protein depletion diet.

Pulmonary defense mechanisms were quantitated in mice that were fed a protein-free diet (PFD) for periods of 2 and 3 weeks. Despite the severe weight loss and emaciation induced by the diet, the bactericidal mechanisms in their lungs were preserved against aerogenic challenges with staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, and Listeria monocytogenes. Phagocytic assays of alveolar macrophages that were retrieved by pulmonary lavage from PFD-fed animals showed a decrease in Fc receptor-mediated binding activity but no alteration in the ingestion of sensitized erythrocytes. In contrast, the PFD induced defects in both the attachment phase and the engulfment phase of the phagocytic process when the challenge organism was Candida krusei. The PFD suppressed the pulmonary inflammatory response after mice were infected with influenza virus strain PR8; such mice also failed to eliminate infectious virus from their lungs. Virus infection in control mice suppressed pulmonary antibacterial defenses against challenges with S. aureus and P. mirabilis, and defect that was ameliorated in the lungs of PFD-fed mice with viral pneumonia. The data demonstrated that pulmonary defense mechanisms were modulated by a PFD but that the observed effect was dependent on the agent used to test host defenses.

Animals↗

A rabbit model for study of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis infection.

Of 21 newborn rabbits inoculated orally with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis ATCC 19698, 13 (62%) became infected, as determined by histopathology and culture. Of the 21 inoculated rabbits, 14 (67%) experienced episodes of intermittent diarrhea, sometimes as early as 5 months after inoculation. Feces varied in consistency from soft-semisolid to watery. The organism was isolated from the sacculus rotundus, vermiform appendix of the cecum, ileum, mesenteric lymph node, and feces of 9 of 21 (43%) M. paratuberculosis-inoculated rabbits 8 to 10 months after inoculation. One infected rabbit gradually became severely emaciated; advanced paratuberculosis was confirmed by culture and histopathology. Of 21 rabbits, 9 (43%) developed multifocal, well-demarcated granulomatous enteritis in the sacculus rotundus and the vermiform appendix of the cecum. There was no significant difference in the rate of infection when the organisms were administered daily for 5 or 10 days in cow milk or broth. There was no discernible effect of pregnancy, parturition, or lactation on the severity of intestinal lesions, clinical signs, or the number of rabbits infected. Complement fixation and delayed-type hypersensitivity skin tests failed to detect infection. The results of this study suggest that newborn rabbits inoculated orally with M. paratuberculosis constitute a useful animal model for the study of paratuberculosis infection.

Animals↗

Mycobacteriosis caused by Mycobacterium genavense in birds kept in a zoo: 11-year survey.

We report on a disease in 27 birds (1 bird belonging to the order Coraciiformes, 3 to Piciformes, 4 to Galliformes, 7 to Psittaciformes, and 12 to Passeriformes) caused by fastidious mycobacteria. All birds were caged at the Antwerp Zoo and died suddenly between 1983 and 1994. Seventeen birds had no previous signs of disease, and 10 birds showed emaciation. Gross necropsy findings were generally nonspecific, but all the birds were smear positive for acid-fast bacilli (AFB). Histopathologic evaluation performed on 14 birds revealed predominantly intracellular AFB. Extracellular AFB were more abundant in advanced lesions, especially in necrotic areas. In the intestine the mucosal area was generally heavily infiltrated, suggesting an intestinal origin of the infection. There was extensive invasion of the lungs in most birds. In 11 birds sparse growth was obtained after at least 6 months of incubation on Löwenstein-Jensen medium or on Ogawa medium supplemented with mycobactin. Subculture was unsuccessful in all instances. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the cultured organisms or tissues from seven birds revealed the characteristic signature sequence for Mycobacterium genavense. Direct bird-to-bird transmission in the zoo was unlikely, and the pathogenicity of M. genavense in birds seems to be limited. The source of M. genavense in nature and the epidemiology of the disease in birds remain obscure. As suspected for human cases of M. genavense infection, an oral route of infection has been suggested, and contaminated local water distribution systems may have been the source of the infection. Our study confirms that infections caused by M. genavense should be suspected in birds (especially in Passeriformes and Psittaciformes orders) that die suddenly without previous symptoms and that have AFB in tissues that are difficult to grow on conventional media.

Animals↗

Definitive differentiation between single and mixed mycobacterial infections in red deer (Cervus elaphus) by a combination of duplex amplification of p34 and f57 sequences and Hpy188I enzymatic restriction of duplex amplicons.

Severe emaciation and mortalities suggestive of mycobacterial infections were recently reported for both adult and young wild red deer (Cervus elaphus) in the southeastern part of Belgium. In deer, tuberculous lesions are not pathognomonic of Mycobacterium bovis infection due to gross and microscopic similarities with lesions caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis or M. avium subsp. avium. The aim of this study was to improve molecular methods for the species-specific identification of M. bovis, M. avium subsp. avium, and M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in mycobacterial infections of deer. DNA banding patterns were assessed prior to and after Hpy188I restriction of f57-upstream (us)-p34 duplex amplicons. The duplex f57-us-p34 PCR differentiated M. bovis from M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis and M. avium subsp. avium infections, whereas the restriction step differentiated single M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis or M. avium subsp. avium infections from mixed M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis/M. avium subsp. avium infections. The endonuclease Hpy188I cleaves DNA between nucleotides N and G in the unique TCNGA sequence. This restriction site was found at position 168 upstream of the us-p34 initiation codon in all M. avium subsp. avium strains tested, regardless of their origin and the results of IS901 PCR. In contrast, the restriction site was abrogated in all M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis strains tested, independent of their origin, Mycobactin J dependency, and IS900 PCR results. Consequently, a two-step strategy, i.e., duplex us-p34-f57 PCR and Hpy188I restriction, allowed us to exclude M. bovis infection and to identify single (M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis or M. avium subsp. avium) or mixed (M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis/M. avium subsp. avium) infections in wild red deer in Belgium. Accordingly, we propose to integrate, in a functional molecular definition of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis, the absence of the Hpy188I restriction site from the us-p34 amplicon.

Animals↗

Growth study of cri du chat syndrome.

We compared the growth of children with cri du chat (5p-) syndrome with the 1990 UK growth curves. Most subjects had impaired growth, particularly of head circumference. The more emaciated the child the more pronounced the microcephaly, showing the need for growth and nutrition monitoring.

Adolescent↗

Primary anorexia nervosa or weight phobia in the male: report on 13 cases.

The cases of 13 men with anorexia nervosa are reported. While the disorder as seen in the clinic is much less common in males than females this may not be a true reflection of the differential sex or overall prevalence rates. The disorder is found to have the same basic characteristics in the male as in the female: namely, a phobic avoidance of normal weight associated with elective carbohydrate starvation and emaciation. As in the female the mechanism appears to develop out of normal adolescent dieting behaviour and to arise as a means of avoiding overwhelming psychosocial maturational demands of adolescence. Premorbid and family features include a state of overnutrition and a high degree of family psychopathology reflected in high rates of parental psychiatric morbidity and marital difficulty.

Adolescent↗