Environmental enrichment-related injury in a macaque (Macaca fascicularis): intestinal linear foreign body

A three-year old male cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) presented with clinical signs of anorexia and depression that decreased over a 48-hour period. Results of abdominal radiography abdominocentesis, blood biochemical analysis and CBC suggested septic peritonitis. Exploratory laparotomy revealed multiple perforations along the mesenteric border of the small intestine. Necropsy revealed masses of fibrous material in the stomach and cecum. Multiple mucosal ulcerations, as well as linear fibrous material, were found in the small intestine. The ulceration, perforations, and septic peritonitis were attributed to the ingestion of rope that had been attached to the animal's cage as an environmental-enrichment device.     

Intestinal canine pythiosis in Venezuela confirmed by serological and sequencing analysis

An 11-months-old mixed Terrier male originally from Venezuela, was referred to a Veterinary Hospital with signs of depression, anorexia, vomiting and diarrhea. The illness had begun 1 month earlier. Despite antibiotic chemotherapy and vitamins, the disease progressed. Radiological exams showed involvement of the small intestine. Histopathological studies of tissue samples taken during surgical intervention revealed eosinophilic areas in the center of which, abundant eosinophils, histiocytes and giant cells were observed. Silver stained cross-sections of the small intestine showed slender sparsely septate hyphae within the necrotic areas. Attempts to isolate the etiologic agent in pure culture were fruitless. The dog died without a definitive diagnosis. Fixed tissue samples of the small intestine were later investigated using specific fluorescent antibodies for pythiosis and molecular tools. These exams indicated that the hyphae in the infected tissues belong to the straminipilan pathogen Pythium insidiosum. This is the first confirmed case of dog pythiosis in Venezuela.     

Mortality of captive tortoises due to viviparous nematodes of the genus Proatractis (Family Atractidae)

Between September 1982 and January 1984, verminous colitis was diagnosed post mortem in eight red-footed tortoises (Geochelone carbonaria) and three leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis) from the reptile collection of the National Zoological Park. This represented 69% of 16 tortoise necropsy accessions for that period. Etiology was determined to be a viviparous pinworm-like nematode of the genus Proatractis (Family Atractidae). Clinical signs were either nonspecific, consisting of anorexia, lethargy, and depression, or were absent. Limited trials with piperazine citrate and fenbendazole appeared to be ineffectual against the parasite and supportive therapy was unsuccessful. Post mortem examination revealed roughening and thickening of the mucosa of the cecum and colon, and in severe cases myriads of tiny (0.5-1.0 cm) nematodes were evident on the mucosal surface. In six tortoises, worms were found also in the small intestine. Histopathologic features in severe cases included mucosal necrosis with parasites and mixed inflammatory cells extending into the tunica muscularis. Focal to diffuse lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates were present consistently in the submucosa of the cecum and colon, and similar but milder lesions occasionally occurred in the small intestine.     

First case of canine peritoneal larval cestodosis caused by Mesocestoides lineatus in Germany

A 13-year-old Dalmatian dog was presented with a history of abdominal enlargement and reduced appetite for several months. Acute clinical signs were anorexia, vomiting and diarrhoea. During exploratory laparotomy, acute intestinal perforation due to a foreign body and peritonitis was diagnosed. In addition, the abdominal cavity was filled with multiple small (0.5 cm), white, cyst-like structures. Histopathology revealed typical cestode structures of the cyst walls but no protoscolices were found. PCR was performed with cestode specific primers of the mitochondrial 12S rDNA. The sequence showed a 99.75% identity with a Mesocestoides lineatus isolate published in the NCBI GenBank®. This is the first case of canine peritoneal larval cestodosis (CPLC) in Germany and the first evidence of M. lineatus as causal agent for CPLC.     

Outbreak of avian polyomavirus infection with high mortality in recently captured Crimson's seedcrackers (Pyrenestes sanguineus)

Avian polyomavirus (APV) infection of recently imported Crimson's seedcrackers (Pyrenestes sanguineus) resulted in mortality in 56 of 70 (80%) birds in January 2000. Viral infection in these birds was characterized by diarrhea, anorexia, and lethargy, and death usually ensued within 48 to 72 hr of initial clinical signs. Bacteriologic testing resulted in consistently negative results. Histologic examination of tissues from dead birds revealed large intranuclear inclusion bodies, which at electron microscopy examination, contained 42- to 49-nm viral particles. The diagnosis of APV infection was based on immunohistochemistry and immunoelectronmicroscopy, using a monoclonal antibody specific for VP-1 major capsidic APV protein. This is the first report of an acute APV outbreak in wild, recently imported, Crimson's seedcrackers.     

An epizootic of malignant catarrhal fever in a large captive herd of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

Over a 4-mo period 23 of 28 white-tailed deer kept at a small zoo in New Jersey (USA) died. Clinical signs prior to death were minimal and consisted of depression, central nervous system disorders, and watery diarrhea in a few animals only. Histopathology revealed widespread acute vascular lesions, ranging from modest accumulations of blast-like mononuclear cells and edema in the adventitia through to disruption of the tunica media and thrombosis. These vascular lesions were seen in a variety of organs but were most prominent in lung, heart, liver and intestine. Severe vascular changes were associated with necrosis. Lymphoreticular hyperplasia was evident in the lymphoid tissue of all animals.     

Cecal volvulus in two African green monkeys (Cercopithecus athiops sabeus)

Following short-term signs of weakness, depression, and/or anorexia of less than 24 h, two adult male African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops sabeus) of St. Kitts origin died from complications of cecal volvulus. Gaseous distention was radiologically apparent in one animal. Necropsy of both monkeys revealed cecal volvulus, one at the ileocecal junction and one involving a segment of the distal portion of the ileum and cecum. Congestion and hemorrhage were evident microscopically in the lamina propria of the affected intestine, with variable necrosis.     

Thyroid follicular carcinoma with pulmonary metastases in a beaver (Castor canadensis)

An 11-yr-old female beaver (Castor canadensis) died after a 3 1/2 mo course of intermittent diarrhea, lethargy and anorexia. A postmortem examination revealed both a necrotizing ulcerative colitis and bilaterally enlarged thyroid glands. Histologically, the necrotizing colitis was similar to that caused by canine or feline parvovirus. Thyroid glands were multilobulated. Lobules were composed of irregularly arranged, variably sized follicles, some of which contained colloid. Follicles were lined by a pleomorphic population of tall cuboidal to columnar epithelial cells. Capsular invasion was present. Similar cells, forming follicles were present within the pulmonary parenchyma. This is the first documented case of a thyroid follicular carcinoma with pulmonary metastases in a beaver.     

An outbreak of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in a small indoor breeding colony of red-bellied (Saguinus labiatus) tamarins

A spontaneous outbreak of yersiniosis caused by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serotype IIB occurred in a small indoor breeding colony of red-bellied tamarins (Saguinus labiatus) during the winter of 1981. Of 35 monkeys at risk 6 died of an acute or subacute infection over a period of 23 days. Clinical signs were anorexia, weakness, listlessness and depression. The disease was characterized by focal necrosis of the liver, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, ulcerative enteritis, and the presence of colonies of Gram-negative bacilli in the lesions. Y. pseudotuberculosis was isolated from the liver, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes and kidney but not from the blood, lung or intestine. Contaminated food was believed to be the source of infection.     

Human pentastomiasis in China: case report and literature review

A 13-yr-old boy was admitted because of persistent fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea for 3 mo. Abdomen CT revealed hepatomegaly and multiple nodular low-density pathological changes. At laparotomy considerable yellow and turbid ascites were seen in the abdominal cavity and miliary nodules were noted on the surface of the omentum majus, liver, and small intestine wall. Histological examination revealed parenchymal tubercles containing several worms. Pathological diagnosis was parasitic granuloma. These parasites were identified as Porocephalus taiwana sp.nov. The patient made an uneventful recovery after therapy and was discharged. Moreover, another 17 cases of human pentastomiasis reported from China were reviewed. Human pentastomiasis is an extremely rare disease and this is only the second case of human Porocephalus taiwana sp.nov infection. Pentastomiasis should be considered in differential diagnosis of patients with a history of abdominal symptoms and eating of poorly-cooked snakes.     

Mortality in captive elk from salmonellosis

Salmonella typhimurium DT104 infections of captive elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) calves resulted in mortality in eight of 13 affected calves. Salmonellosis in these elk calves was characterized by diarrhea, fever, lethargy, inappetence and depression, and death usually ensued within 72 hr of initial clinical signs. Affected calves did not respond to antibiotic and fluid therapy. The source of the bacteria likely was one or more of the calves when they were captured in the wild at less than 5 days of age. In our captive holding facility, the disease spread quickly and was difficult to control. Phage typing, pulsed field gel electrophoresis, antibiotic sensitivity testing, and plasmid profiles determined that this Salmonella sp. strain was the epidemic strain common to cattle, sheep and humans.     

Gram-negative septicemia in American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis)

Six species of bacteria (family Enterobacteriaceae) not commonly reported as associated with disease in American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) were documented, suggesting that Aeromonas is not the only bacterium responsible for septicemia in crocodilians. These included Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter agglomerans, Proteus sp., Morganella morganii, Serratia marcescens, and Klebsiella oxytoca. Clinical signs of disease included intensive basking, anorexia, lethargy, flaccid limb paralysis, stomatitis, and dermatitis. Our data indicated that early treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics was preferable to waiting for sensitivity results.     

Effect of intravascular laser irradiation of blood on the status of the adrenergic and cholinergic structures of the small intestine in experimental peritonitis

In the experiment performed on 60 mongrel dogs the effect of intravascular laser radiation of blood (ILRB) to adrenergic and cholinergic fibers of the small intestine has been studied at treatment of experimental generalized suppurative peritonitis. At treatment of the experimental peritonitis by means of traditional method only one month after its termination a positive reaction to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is noted, structural organization of cholinergic fibers corresponds to the norm, and density of their plexuses increases. Application of ILRB at treatment of the experimental peritonitis facilitates to increasing density of the cholinergic fibers already on the 21st day after termination of the treatment; their AChE increases essentially, their structural organization corresponds to the norm. In cytoplasm of neurons of the muscular-intestinal plexus a positive reaction to AChE is revealed; this demonstrates their increased functional activity. The small intestine adrenergic apparatus at peritonitis undergoes less manifested structural-chemical alterations. After termination of treatment by means of traditional methods it corresponds to the norm on the 7th day, and after ILBR treatment----on the 3d day. Thus, application of ILBR in treatment of the experimental peritonitis enhances the development of regenerative processes in adrenal and cholinergic structures of the small intestine, facilitates a more manifested demonstration of compensatory-reparative possibilities of the organism.     

An outbreak of a herpesvirus infection in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina)

During an outbreak of a herpesvirus infection in juvenile harbor seals, 11 out of 23 seals died. The duration of the disease in these 11 animals varied from 1-6 days. Nasal discharge, inflammation of the oral mucosa, vomiting, diarrhea and fever up to 40 degrees C were observed in the first days of the disease. In later stages coughing, anorexia and lethargy occurred. Severe necrosis of the liver and interstitial pneumonia were the most striking histopathological findings.     

Studies on coccidiosis in guinea pigs. 1. Clinico-pathological observation

Clinico-pathological and parasitological studies have been performed on spontaneous and experimental coccidiosis in guinea pigs. Among 11,244 Hartley guinea pigs purchased from suppliers during 1968, 410 (3.6%) of the animals had diarrhea due to coccidiosis. The incidence rate was high in the spring and fall with a mortality rate of 14.4 per cent. A particularly high number of fatal cases were found in the spring. In experimentally induced coccidiosis, clinical signs observed were diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss and death. The diarrhea developed in all animals on the eleventh day after infection and continued for one to five days. Food and water intakes were markedly reduced after the appearance of diarrhea, followed by anorexia and dehydration. Correlating with the appearance of diarrhea was a striking drop in body weight of the guinea pigs. Death usually occurred on the third to fifth day after the onset of diarrhea. The mortality rate was 30 per cent. The major macroscopic findings were characterized by a markedly thickened wall from the ascending to the descending colon and gelatinous edema of the mesenterium of the spiral of the ascending colon. Histologically, there was marked hyperplasia of the mucosal epithelium in the colon and numerous coccidia at different stages of development within the mucus membrane. In the advanced stages of the disease, there was degeneration and desquamation of the epithelia, marked edematous change and infiltration of neutrophil leukocytes and lymphocytes into the lamina propria and submucosa, many oocysts in the lumen of the intestine and in the intestinal glands.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

气管插管法接种H5N1病毒感染恒河猴及系统组织病毒检测

目的测试气管插管法接种高致病性禽流感病毒H5N1感染恒河猴的优势效果及疾病分析,为有效感染恒河猴、制备H5N1疾病模型提供实验依据。方法使用人源H5N1病毒液经气管插管滴入恒河猴上呼吸道进行感染,观察感染恒河猴的临床表现,每天采集咽拭子、鼻灌洗液,在感染前2d感染后第3、5、7天采血,感染后第3和7天分别解剖1只恒河猴,取支气管淋巴结、肠淋巴结、鼻甲、心、肝、脾、肺、肾、肠、气管、脑及血液进行病毒分离、核酸载量检测和血常规测定。结果感染后第2天恒河猴出现食欲下降,活动减少,并伴有一过性体温升高,白细胞数和淋巴细胞数下降。咽拭子、鼻灌洗液、肺、心、气管、脑、肝、肾、肠和血液中都能分离到H5N1病毒。结论气管插管法接种H5N1病毒能有效感染恒河猴,并在猴体内多组织中分离、检测到病毒,为制备完善的H5N1模型和检测指标确定、进一步研究H5N1病毒的致病机制等奠定了基础。     

Characteristics of transport of fluoresceinated methotrexate in rat small intestine

The small intestinal damage induced by the methotrexate (MTX) treatment results in malabsorption and diarrhea. The fluoresceinated methotrexate (F-MTX) may possibly be useful to study such effects of MTX on the small intestine. The purpose of this study is to characterize the transport of F-MTX in the small intestine in order to use it as a membrane transport and cellular marker of MTX. The transport of F-MTX in the rat small intestine (jejunum) was examined in the in vitro everted segments of the intestine. The uptake was pH-dependent and showed a maximal effect at pH 6.0, which was the same as the results of MTX previously reported. Further, it was temperature-dependent and was inhibited by metabolic inhibitors, dinitrophenol and sodium azide, and by MTX. The transport kinetics at pH 6.0 in the mucosal solution and at pH 7.4 in the serosal solution was saturable with Km of 0.48 +/- 0.23 microM and Vmax of 0.66 +/- 0.24 pmol/cm/min and in addition, the passive diffusion was observed there. These results suggested that the transport of F-MTX was energy-dependent and was mediated by the same transporter as that of MTX, although, in addition to it, other transport mechanism might contribute to the F-MTX transport. Therefore F-MTX will be of great use to investigate the MTX transport system in the normal and diseased states of small intestine, using various fluorescence techniques like visualization of membrane-associated transport proteins.     

Infectivity, growth, development and pathology of Echinostoma caproni (Trematoda) in the golden hamster

Laboratory hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were experimentally infected with 75 ± 15 metacercarial cysts of Echinostoma caproni. Worms were recovered from days 7 to 89 post-infection with eight to 90 (average 37) parasites in the small intestine. Worm wet weights averaged 0.85 mg at 10 days, 1.8 mg at 17 days, 3.4 mg at 45 days, and 7.7 mg at 89 days; average dry weights for the identical days were, 0.15, 0.30, 0.70 and 2.2 mg, respectively. The average body area of worms fixed in hot (80°C) alcohol-formalin-acetic acid was 0.21 mm² on day 3, 4.9 mm² on day 10, and 17.7 mm² on day 42. Clinical signs in some hamsters included progressive unthriftiness and watery diarrhea. Gross examination revealed enlarged lymphatic nodules along the length of the small intestine. The histopathological responses of hamsters to the parasite showed erosion of the intestinal villi with lymphocytic infiltration being the primary response; hemorrhagic areas were also observed in the villi.     

Tick-transmitted diseases in dogs: clinicopathological findings

In this article we describe the main clinicopathological findings of some tick-transmitted diseases observed in Italy, due to Ehrlichia canis and Babesia canis, and most rarely Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys. Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is a multisystemic disorder that is characterized by various clinical signs. Acutely-infected dogs show various clinical and haematological abnormalities including fever, lymphadenopathy, anorexia, lethargy, depression and thrombocytopenia. Many dogs with CME evolve in to an asymptomatic or chronically symptomatic carrier states. In Italy there are very few cases of Canine Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (CGE) and all are attributed to A. phagocytophilum. The early manifestations of CGE are usually mild and consist in acute onset of fever and depression with or without thrombocytopenia. Lameness due to polyarthritys is also possible. Other clinical manifestations most rarely described are very similar to those reported in chronic form of E. canis infections. There are very few studies about clinicopathological findings of canine babesiosis in Italy. In our country this infection is caused by Babesia canis (large form of parasite) subspecies B. canis canis and B. canis vogeli. These two subspecies are morphologically indistinguishable. Clinical signs reflect the intravascular and extravascular haemolysis due to the life cycle of the parasite. The most common haematological abnormalities found in canine babesiosis are anaemia and thrombocytopenia. It is important to point out that co-infection between two or more agents is possible. In this case it is very difficult to attribute the clinical signs and haematological and/or biochemical abnormalities to a single specific agent.     

First Clinical Cases of Spirometrosis in Two Cats in Korea

This study reports the first two clinical cases of spirometrosis caused by Spirometra sp. in cats in Korea. In these two cases, the cats vomited, and long proglottids of tapeworm were recovered. The sick cats presented with anorexia and lethargy. However, they unexpectedly showed no diarrhea, which is the main symptom of spirometrosis. Based on a fecal floatation test as well as morphological and molecular analyses, the parasite was diagnosed as Spirometra sp. The 2 cases were treated with praziquantel. This study suggests regular monitoring of health and deworming in companion animals, even when animals are well cared for, with regular preventive medication. Additionally, spirometrosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of gastrointestinal symptoms in Spirometra endemic areas.