Arteriovenous malformation in a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)

A developmental arteriovenous malformation of the right arm was recognized in a 1-year-old rhesus monkey. The diagnosis was based on physical findings, ultrasound, and angiography. Treatment consisting of therapeutic transcatheter embolization using polyvinyl alcohol was performed with partial success. Necropsy revealed a lesion that was limited to the skin and subcutis. An abnormal vascular pattern was present leading to and within the lesion.     

Ependymal cyst in a cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis)

Background A focal hypointense intracranial lesion was detected by magnetic resonance imaging in the right caudal occipital lobe of the cerebrum in an asymptomatic cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis). Results Following euthanasia, gross evaluation of the lesion revealed a 1 cm diameter, wedge‐shaped intracranial cavitation without apparent communication with the ventricles. Histologically, the lesion was lined by ciliated cuboidal to low columnar epithelium that showed immunopositivity for cytokeratin, S‐100, and GFAP. Conclusion Based upon the gross, histologic, and immunohistochemical findings, this lesion was classified as an ependymal cyst. In the human patients, ependymal cysts are benign, non‐infectious, non‐inflammatory lesions of the central nervous system that are believed to originate from aberrant migration of ependymal cells during development. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an ependymal cyst in a non‐rodent veterinary species and the first report of a benign intracranial cyst of any classification in a non‐human primate.     

Chemistry of the alkali-labile lesion formed from iron(II) bleomycin and d(CGCTTTAAAGCG)

Two sets of products are formed from DNA upon treatment with Fe(II).bleomycin + O2. One set, which is believed to derive from a C-4' hydroperoxy derivative of the DNA deoxyribose moiety, includes the four possible base propenals, as well as DNA oligomers having deoxynucleoside 3'-(phosphoro-2"-O-glycolates) at their 3'-termini. The other set of products consists of free bases and alkali-labile lesions, the latter of which had not previously been characterized structurally. By use of the self-complementary dodecanucleotide d(CGCTTTAAAGCG) having a site modified by Fe-bleomycin three nucleotides from the 5'-end, it has been possible to characterize the alkali-labile product as a C-4' hydroxyapurinic acid. When the bleomycin-treated dodecanucleotide was treated with agents that effected decomposition of the alkali-labile lesion, products of the form CpGpx were obtained, and these proved useful for structural characterization of the alkali-labile lesion. Treatment with alkali produced CpGpx, where x was 2,4-dihydroxycyclopentenone. Alternatively, treatment with hydrazine provided a pyridazine derivative, and aqueous alkylamines led to formation of CpGp itself. The structures of all dinucleotides produced from the alkali-labile lesion were verified by direct comparison with authentic synthetic samples.     

Acute necrotic stomatitis (noma) associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in a newly acquired rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)

Backgroud A newly acquired rhesus macaque was suffering from rapid destruction of the left cheek caused by necrotizing stomatitis. Methods To restore reconstructive surgery and intensive care with antibiotics, wound protection, wound healing agents, and debridement were applied. Results Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis were isolated from the culture of the lesion, and the antibiotic susceptibility test revealed methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. Vancomycin and ampicillin‐sulbactam effectively treated the bacterial infections, and reconstructive surgery was performed once the infection was cleared. Topical application of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) was useful to treat exposed wound of the noma lesion. Conclusions Simian noma associated with methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) had not previously been reported in non‐human primates. Although noma associated with MRSA is hard to cure because of its rapid and destructive progress, the aggressive therapy used in this study led to the successful resolution of an acute necrotic stomatitis lesion in a rhesus macaque.     

Experimental infection with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis in the marmoset, Callithrix penicillata (Primates:Callithricidae)

Fourteen marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) were inoculated intradermally with promastigotes and/or amastigotes of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (L. (V) b.) strains MHOM/BR/83/LTB-300 MHOM/BR/85/LTB-12 MHOM/BR/81/LTB-179 and MHOM/BR/82/LTB-250. The evolution of subsequent lesions was studied for 15 to 75 weeks post-inoculation (PI). All but 3 of the L. (V) b. injected marmosets developed a cutaneous lesion at the point of inoculation after 3 to 9 weeks, characterized by the appearance of subcutaneous nodules containing parasites. Parasites were isolated by culture (Difco Blood Agar) from all 11 positive animals. The maximum size of the lesions was variable and ranged between 37 mm2 to 107 mm2. Ulceration of primary nodules became evident after 3 to 12 weeks in all infected marmosets, but was faster and larger in 5 of the 11 animals. The active lesions persisted in 9 out of 11 Callithrix until the end of the observation period, which varied from 15-75 weeks. In 3 animals spontaneous healing of their lesions (13 to 25 weeks, PI) was observed but with cryptic parasitism. In another 2 infected animals there was regression followed by reactivation of the cutaneous lesions. The appearance of smaller satellite lesions adjacent to primary ones, as well as metastatic lesions to the ear lobes, were documented in 2 animals. Promastigotes of L. (Leishmania) amazonensis (L. (L) a.) MHOM/BR/77/LTB-16 were inoculated in 1 marmoset. This animal remained chronically infected for 6 months and the lesion developed in a similar manner to L. (V) b. infected marmosets. No significant differences in clinical and parasitological behaviour were observed between promastigote or amastigote derived infections of the 2 species.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

神经生长因子在6－OHDA化学性去交感神经中的保护作用

本实验用６－ＯＨＤＡ造成成年小白鼠领下腺化学性去交感神经,观察了神经生长因子对该神经的保护作用。６－ＯＨＤＡ（１５ｍｇ／ｋｇｉｐ）处理后２４ｈ腺体内去甲肾上腺素（ＮＥ）含量降至正常水平的２％以下。若在６－ＯＨＤＡ处理同时开始多次给予神经生长因子（ＮＧＦ）,则ＮＥ残留量明显提高。减小６－ＯＨＤＡ剂量至１０ｍｇ／ｋｇ,ＮＥ残留量增加,同时ＮＧＦ的作用亦较用６－ＯＨＤＡ１５ｍｇ／ｋｇ时更为显著。若提前２４ｈ给予ＮＧＦ,尽管仍显著提高ＮＥ残留量,但程度却显然低于与６－ＯＨＤＡ同时给予者。以上结果表明外源性ＮＧＦ对６－ＯＨＤＡ造成交感神经化学性损毁有保护作用,此作用与神经受损的严重程度以及ＮＧＦ处理时间有关。     

Anisocoria and middle cerebral artery saccular (berry) aneurysm in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)

A 27-year-old female rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) developed anisocoria. The left pupil was dilated and unresponsive to light. The macaque was euthanized because of unrelated reasons and the body was submitted for necropsy. On gross examination, a berry aneurysm of the right middle cerebral artery causing marked compression of the right optic tract was found. Arteriosclerotic changes were observed microscopically in the right middle cerebral and in the internal carotid arteries. The left iris was markedly degenerated, with atrophy of the constrictor muscle. Compression of the right optic tract may cause homonimus hemianopsia. A dilated and unresponsive left pupil indicated a lesion in the ipsilateral parasympathetic efferent pathway. In the absence of appreciable lesions of the left oculomotor nerve, the most likely cause of mydriasis was the iridic lesion. Intracranial aneurysms are common in humans (2 to 5%), but not in other species. Only about 10% of unruptured aneurysms are associated with neurologic deficits related to mechanical compression, such as visual deficits or anisocoria. Meticulous investigation of the ocular vascular and neural pathways led us to conclude that the anisocoria was unrelated to the aneurysm. To our knowledge, this report represents the first documented case of a naturally occurring intracranial aneurysm in nonhuman primates.     

Massive Localized Lymphedema in an Unreported Location (Retroperitoneum)

Background

Massive localized lymphedema (MLL) is a non-neoplastic benign soft tissue lesion that may be confused with sarcomas or other neoplastic proliferations both clinically and morphologically. Most occur in morbidly obese adults on the lower extremities. The objective of this article is to document a case of MLL in the retroperitoneal cavity which is a previously unreported site for this lesion, and to highlight its unusual clinical features.

Case presentation

The patient was a non-obese male who had undergone major abdominal surgery due to bladder extrophy 17?years ago. Abdominal ultrasonography detected a large incidental mass in the right renal sinus during his investigation for nephrolithiasis. The lesion extending from renal pelvis down to pelvis was resected and its histopathological findings were compatible with massive localized lymphedema.

Conclusions

Retroperitoneum has to be added to the list of locations that MLL can be found. Liposarcoma will be a challenging differential diagnosis when the lesion is encountered in an unusual site.

     

Freeze-Induced Membrane Ultrastructural Alterations in Rye (Secale cereale) Leaves

Freezing injury in protoplasts isolated from leaves of nonaccli-mated rye (Secale cereale cv Puma) is associated with the formation of the inverted hexagonal (HII) phase. However, in protoplasts from cold-acclimated rye, injury is associated with the occurrence of localized deviations in the fracture plane, a lesion referred to as the "fracture-jump lesion." To establish that these ultrastructural consequences of freezing are not unique to protoplasts, we have examined the manifestations of freezing injury in leaves of non-acclimated and cold-acclimated rye by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. At -10[deg]C, injury in nonacclimated leaves was manifested by the appearance of aparticulate domains in the plasma membrane, aparticulate lamellae subtending the plasma membrane, and by the frequent occurrence of the HII phase. The HII phase was not observed in leaves of cold-acclimated rye frozen to -35[deg]C. Rather, injury was associated with the occurrence of the fracture-jump lesion between the plasma membrane and closely appressed cytoplasmic membranes. Studies of the time dependence of HII phase formation in nonacclimated leaves indicated that freeze-induced dehydration requires longer times in leaves than in isolated protoplasts. These results demonstrate that the freeze-induced formation of the HII phase in nonacclimated rye and the fracture-jump lesion in cold-acclimated rye are not unique to protoplasts but also occur in the leaves from which the protoplasts are isolated.     

Leishmania (Leishmania) major-infected rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) develop varying levels of resistance against homologous re-infections

Seven rhesus macaques were infected intradermally with 10(7) promastigotes of Leishmania (Leishmania) major. All monkeys developed a localized, ulcerative, self-healing nodular skin lesion at the site of inoculation of the parasite. Non-specific chronic inflammation and/or tuberculoid-type granulomatous reaction were the main histopathological manifestations of the disease. Serum Leishmania-specific antibodies (IgG and IgG1) were detected by ELISA in all infected animals; immunoblot analyses indicated that numerous antigens were recognized. A very high degree of variability was observed in the parasite-specific cell-mediated immune responses [as detected by measuring delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction, in vitro lymphocyte proliferation, and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production] for individuals over time post challenge. From all the recovered monkeys (which showed resolution of the lesions after 11 weeks of infection), 57.2% (4/7) and 28.6% (2/7) animals remained susceptible to secondary and tertiary infections, respectively, but the disease severity was altered (i.e. lesion size was smaller and healed faster than in the primary infection). The remaining monkeys exhibited complete resistance (i.e. no lesion) to each rechallenge. Despite the inability to consistently detect correlates of cell-mediated immunity to Leishmania or correlation between resistance to challenge and DTH, lymphocyte transformation or IFN-gamma production, partial or complete acquired resistance was conferred by experimental infection. This primate model should be useful for measuring vaccine effectiveness against the human disease.     

A trichoepithelioma in a wild eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

The gross and microscopic pathology of a neoplastic skin lesion from the chest of a wild adult eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) was consistent with the diagnosis of a trichoepithelioma. This was a benign lesion of the epithelial cells of the hair follicle and is the second type of skin neoplasm reported from macropodids.     

Mechanism of frameshift (deletion) generated by acetylaminofluorene-derived DNA adducts in vitro

We have investigated the mechanism of frameshift (deletion) mutagenesis induced by acetylaminofluorene- (AAF-) derived DNA adducts. dG-AAF-modified oligodeoxynucleotides, with different bases positioned 5' to the lesion, were annealed to (32)P-labeled 13-mer primers and then used in primer extension reactions catalyzed by the 3'-->5' exonuclease-free Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I. When the dNMP positioned opposite dG-AAF could pair with its complementary base at the 5' flanking position, single-base deletions were produced at high frequency. Similarly, when the complementary base was two positions 5' to the dG-AAF, two-base deletions occurred. The relative frequency of base insertions opposite dG-AAF followed the order dCMP > dAMP > dGMP > dTMP; the frequency of dNTP insertion opposite the lesion paralleled the formation of frameshift deletions. When a template designed to induce three-base deletions was used for translesion synthesis catalyzed by the exo(-) Klenow fragment, the expected three-base deletion was formed. When dG-AAF-modified templates containing iterated bases 5' to the lesion were annealed to primers with the complementary dNMP positioned opposite the lesion, the dNMP inserted opposite the dG-AAF tended to pair with the complementary base 5' to the lesion, thereby forming shorter deletions. Taken together, these results support the molecular mechanism for frameshift deletion proposed earlier by Shibutani and Grollman in which direct base insertion precedes misalignment [(1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 11703].     

Anthrax in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) in Namibia

Bacillus anthracis caused the death of five cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) on a farm in the Gobabis district in Namibia. The mode of infection was believed to be a freshly shot baboon (Papio ursinus) with a cutaneous anthrax lesion.     

Visual-only assessments of skin lesions on free-ranging common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): Reliability and utility of quantitative tools

Photo analysis offers a simple, noninvasive approach to characterizing and quantifying skin lesions in cetaceans; however, this process involves methodological considerations that have often gone unaddressed or have varied in approach among investigators. Subjectivity associated with classifying skin lesion types of unknown etiology and quantifying measures of skin lesion prevalence and extent from photo data raises questions about observer bias and agreement (i.e., interrater reliability), which are often ignored. The purpose of the present study was to improve upon data quality control and assessment practices when studying skin lesions using only photo data. Specifically, we tested interrater reliability of a skin lesion classification system, compared methods of quantifying skin lesion extent, and determined the validity of the dorsal fin as a proxy for skin lesions on the entire body. Acceptable levels of interrater reliability were achieved for only 7 of 17 defined lesion types, but reliability was high for the two tested measures of lesion extent. Skin lesion extent measured from the dorsal fin alone was not a decent proxy for the whole visible surface; disparities between measures were as high as 43%. We discuss the potential pitfalls discovered and provide recommendations for others attempting similar approaches.     

Genetic Analysis of Orbiviruses by Using RNase T(1) Oligonucleotide Fingerprints

Corresponding double-stranded RNA segments of the related orbiviruses Wallal and Mudjinbarry produced distinctly different RNase T₁ fingerprint patterns. No extensive sequence reiteration was observed between segments of Mudjinbarry virus. Fingerprint analysis of the genome of recombinant orbiviruses confirmed segment reassortment as a mechanism of interchange of genetic information. When temperature-sensitive mutants of each virus were crossed in mixed infection, a consistent pattern of segment reassortment was correlated with generation of the wild-type phenotype. Thus, the temperature-sensitive lesion of group II Wallal serogroup mutants was mapped to segment 1. The group I mutant lesion appears to be located in segment 2.     

NMR studies of exocyclic 1,N2-propanodeoxyguanosine adducts (X) opposite purines in DNA duplexes: protonated X(syn).A(anti) pairing (acidic pH) and X(syn).G(anti) pairing (neutral pH) at the lesion site

Proton and phosphorus two-dimensional NMR studies are reported for the complementary d(C1-A2-T3-G4-X5-G6-T7-A8-C9).d(G10-T11-A12-C13-A14-C15-A 16-T17-G18) nonanucleotide duplex (designated X.A 9-mer) that contains a 1,N2-propanodeoxyguanosine exocyclic adduct, X5, opposite deoxyadenosine A14 in the center of the helix. The NMR studies detect a pH-dependent conformational transition; this paper focuses on the structure present at pH 5.8. The two-dimensional NOESY studies of the X.A 9-mer duplex in H2O and D2O solution establish that X5 adopts a syn orientation while A14 adopts an anti orientation about the glycosidic bond at the lesion site. The large downfield shift of the amino protons of A14 demonstrates protonation of the deoxyadenosine base at pH 5.8 such that the protonated X5(syn).A14(anti) pair is stabilized by two hydrogen bonds at low pH. At pH 5.8, the observed NOE between the H8 proton of X5 and the H2 proton of A14 in the X.A 9-mer duplex demonstrates unequivocally the formation of the protonated X5(syn).A14(anti) pair. The 1,N2-propano bridge of X5(syn) is located in the major groove. Selective NOEs from the exocyclic methylene protons of X5 to the major groove H8 proton of flanking G4 but not G6 of the G4-X5-G6 segment provide additional structural constraints on the local conformation at the lesion site. A perturbation in the phosphodiester backbone is detected at the C13-A14 phosphorus located at the lesion site by 31P NMR spectroscopy. The two-dimensional NMR studies have been extended to the related complementary X.G 9-mer duplex that contains a central X5.G14 lesion in a sequence that is otherwise identical with the X.A 9-mer duplex. The NMR experimental parameters are consistent with formation of a pH-independent X5(syn).G14(anti) pair stabilized by two hydrogen bonds with the 1,N2-propano exocyclic adduct of X5(syn) located in the major groove.     

Phoma (Peyronellaea) as zoopathogen.

Two case reports add to the rare recorded instances of infection of man and other animals by Phoma or Phoma-like molds. Phoma cava was consistently cultured from aural dermatitis of a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and tissue sections of the ear revealed fragments of apparent pycnidial walls, as well as many septate hyphae. In the second instance, numerous Phoma-like pycnidia occurred in and upon the hairs of a young child, in a lesion initiated by Trichophyton infection.     

Pathogenesis associated with philornid myiasis (Diptera: Muscidae) on nestling pearly-eyed thrashers (Aves: Mimidae) in the Luquillo Rain Forest, Puerto Rico

Pathogenesis of myiasis due to the muscid fly Philornis deceptivus in nestling pearly-eyed thrashers (Margarops fuscatus) in the Luquillo Rain Forest, Puerto Rico was investigated. Philornid larvae penetrated the host integument, underwent a period of development and growth, and established, as third instar larvae, between the dermis and the body musculature. Movement into this location plus growth and development of the fly larva appeared to be linked to the ingestion of host tissues including red blood cells, mononuclear cells which infiltrated from focal accumulations adjacent to the lesion, and necrotic cellular debris which accumulated in the lesion. The resultant increase in size of the larvae greatly displaced the host integument. Following the evacuation of the larvae for the purpose of pupation, repair of the cavernous lesion was initiated with the production of an intense organized fibrinous exudate. Macrophages and plasma cells predominated with vascular congestion in surrounding tissues. Over the 21-day nest period, nestlings were subject to successive infestations of large numbers of larvae and host responses to these appeared to significantly debit an energy budget responsible for nestling development and growth. Nestling mortality and post fledging survivorship appeared linked to the impact of these energy demands.     

Modulation of MutS ATP-dependent functional activities by DNA containing a cisplatin compound lesion (base damage and mismatch)

DNA damage-dependent signaling by the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system is thought to mediate cytotoxicity of the anti-tumor drug cisplatin through molecular mechanisms that could differ from those required for normal mismatch repair. The present study investigated whether ATP-dependent biochemical properties of Escherichia coli MutS protein differ when the protein interacts with a DNA oligonucleotide containing a GT mismatch versus a unique site specifically placed cisplatin compound lesion, a cisplatin 1,2-d(GpG) intrastrand cross-link with a mispaired thymine opposite the 3' platinated guanine. MutS exhibited substantial affinity for this compound lesion in hydrolytic and in non-hydrolytic conditions of ATP, contrasting with the normal nucleotide inhibition effect of mispair binding. The cisplatin compound lesion was also shown to stimulate poorly MutS ATPase activity to approach the hydrolysis rate induced by nonspecific DNA. Moreover, MutS undergoes distinct conformation changes in the presence of the compound lesion and ATP under hydrolytic conditions as shown by limited proteolysis. In the absence of MutS, the cisplatin compound lesion was shown to induce a 39 degrees rigid bending of the DNA double helix contrasting with an unbent state for DNA containing a GT mispair. Furthermore, an unbent DNA substrate containing a monofunctional adduct mimicking a cisplatin residue failed to form a persistent nucleoprotein complex with MutS in the presence of adenine nucleotide. We propose that DNA bending could play a role in MutS biochemical modulations induced by a compound lesion and that cisplatin DNA damage signaling by the MMR system could be modulated in a direct mode.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma in a squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

Abstract: A well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver was diagnosed in a female squirrel monkey. The lesion showed trabecular, solid and glandular features that are characteristics of malignant liver tumours.