Meningioma and associated cerebral infarction in three dogs

Background

In dogs, meningiomas mostly cause chronic progressive clinical signs due to slow tumor growth.

Case presentation

In contrast, three dogs were presented with the history of chronic generalized tonic-clonic seizures and peracute deterioration with sudden onset of neurological deficits in accordance with an extensive unilateral forebrain lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging examinations of the dogs revealed a well-delineated extraaxial T2W hyperintense mass in the rostral forebrain with homogeneous contrast enhancement. Additionally, an intraaxial, well-demarcated, unilateral lesion was apparent in the parenchyma supplied by the middle cerebral artery. In two cases, necropsy revealed meningothelial meningioma in the rostral fossa and marked eosinophilic neuronal necrosis, a sign of ischemia, focal malacia, edema and gliosis in the temporal lobe and hippocampus because of a focal thrombosis of the middle cerebral artery. In the third case symptomatic treatment resulted in improvement of clinical signs enabling a good quality of life for the patient.

Conclusions

In dogs with structural epilepsy caused by meningioma, acute deterioration of clinical signs can be associated with ischemic infarctions as a potential complication.

Pathological Findings in White-Beaked Dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) and Atlantic White-Sided Dolphins (Lagenorhynchus acutus) From the South-Eastern North Sea

In the North Sea, white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) occur regularly and are the second most common cetacean in the area, while their close relative, the Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), prefers the deeper waters of the northern North Sea and adjacent Atlantic Ocean. Though strandings of both species have occurred regularly in the past three decades, they have decreased in the southern North Sea during the last years. Studies describing necropsy findings in stranded Lagenorhynchus spp. are, to date, still scarce, while information gained through post-mortem examinations may reveal valuable information about underlying causes of this decline, including age structure and the reproduction status. Therefore, we retrospectively assessed and compared the necropsy results from fresh Lagenorhynchus spp. stranded along the southeastern North Sea between 1990 and 2019. A full necropsy was performed on 24 white-beaked dolphins and three Atlantic white-sided dolphins from the German and Dutch coast. Samples of selected organs were taken for histopathological, bacteriological, mycological, parasitological and virological examinations. The most common post-mortem findings were emaciation, gastritis and pneumonia. Gastritis and ulceration of the stomach was often associated with an anisakid nematode infection. Pneumonia was most likely caused by bacterial infections. Encephalitis was observed in three animals and morbillivirus antigen was detected immunohistochemically in one case. Although the animal also showed pneumonic lesions, virus antigen was only found in the brain. Parasitic infections mainly affected the gastro-intestinal tract. Lungworm infections were only detected in two cases and no associations with pathological alterations were observed. Stenurus spp. were identified in two of three cases of parasitic infections of the ears. Twelve of the 26 white-beaked dolphins stranded in Germany were found between 1993 and 1994, but there was no evidence of epizootic disease events or mass strandings during the monitored period.

Meningoencephalomyelitis of Unknown Origin in Cats: A Case Series Describing Clinical and Pathological Findings

Meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin (MUO) is an umbrella term describing inflammatory changes of the central nervous system (CNS) with suspected non-infectious etiology. Diagnosis of MUO mostly remains presumed in a clinical setting. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of CNS tissue represent additional tools for detection of inflammation and the exclusion of specific infectious agents. While MUO is well-described in canine patients, only little is known about MUO in cats. Previous reports of feline MUO involve either clinical findings or histopathological examination but not both. The present case series is the first report describing both clinical and histopathological findings of feline MUO: Four cats (age: 1.7–17.8 years) showed acute to chronic progressive neurological signs of encephalopathy or myelopathy. Three cats had extraneural signs (hyperthermia, weight loss, hyporexia, leukocytosis). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multifocal intraparenchymal lesions in forebrain, brainstem or spinal cord with homogenous contrast enhancement (2/2). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination was normal or displayed albuminocytologic dissociation. Histopathology revealed a multifocal, lympho-histiocytic meningoencephalitis in three cases and a lympho-histiocytic myelitis in one case. Immunohistochemistry for feline parvovirus, feline coronavirus, feline herpesvirus, tick borne encephalitis virus, Borna disease virus, morbillivirus, rabies virus, suid herpesvirus-1, and Toxoplasma gondii were negative in all cases.

Intestinal displacements in older harbour and grey seals

Intestinal displacements including volvulus, torsion and invagination have been reported in various terrestrial and marine mammals. We conducted pathological investigations on 157 seals that had either stranded on the coasts of the North or Baltic Sea between 1996 and 2015 (115 harbour seals, >19 mo old; 21 grey seals, >13 mo old) or died while in human care (18 harbour seals, >19 mo old; 3 grey seals, >13 mo old). Intestinal displacements were found in 23% of the examined free-living harbour seals, in 5% of the stranded grey seals and in 17% of the harbour seals in human care. Intestinal volvulus, found in 24 cases, was characterized by twisting of the intestine along the mesenteric axis (180-540°) resulting in vascular obstruction and haemorrhagic infarction. In harbour seals, the sex ratio of individuals suffering from volvulus tended to be biased towards females during April to June, suggesting an elevated risk for pregnant females around birth time. Invagination was detected in 11 cases, 5 of which suffered from additional volvulus. Pathological findings associated with intestinal volvulus and invagination were sero-haemorrhagic effusions in the abdominal cavity. Enteritis, parasitic infection with gastric nematodes and intestinal acanthocephalans and bacterial infection with predominantly Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli were observed in most of the affected animals. In total, 30 investigated harbour and grey seals suffered from intestinal displacements. Pregnant females seemed to be more vulnerable around birth time. Causes of intestinal displacements remain undetermined, but are likely multifactorial.

Pathological findings in North Sea and Baltic grey seal and harbour seal intestines associated with acanthocephalan infections

Grey seals Halichoerus grypus and harbour seals Phoca vitulina are common seal species in the North and Baltic seas and final hosts of Corynosoma acanthocephalans. C. strumosum and C. magdaleni infect the small intestines of both seal species. In contrast to harbour seals, Baltic grey seals in the past have regularly displayed severe C. semerme infections in the caecum and colon, with associated tunica muscularis hypertrophy, inflammation and ulcerations as part of the Baltic seal disease complex (BSDC). Pathogenesis and correlation of acanthocephalan infections with these lesions are still unknown. This study describes the intestinal pathology and parasitic distribution in each seal species. Grey seal (n = 83) and harbour seal (n = 1156) intestines of all age groups and sexes, collected in Poland, Germany and Estonia from 1998 to 2017, were investigated. Most harbour seals came from the North Sea, whereas grey seals were predominantly derived from the Baltic Sea. Both species featured mild to moderate small intestinal infections. Grey seals showed colonic infections not found in harbour seals and featured a chronic erosive to ulcerative, eosinophilic or lympho-plasmacytic colitis with tunica muscularis hypertrophy, indicating still prevailing clinical signs of the BSDC. Harbour seals displayed granulomatous, eosinophilic, lympho-plasmacytic or catarrhal enteritis. The prevalence of acanthocephalan infections in harbour seals increased from 2012 onwards. Furthermore, significant associations between acanthocephalan infection and the presence of intestinal inflammation were found for both seal species. This study suggests that the level of acanthocephalan infection and associated lesions are suitable seal population health indicators, with the colon being a specific target organ for Baltic grey seal health monitoring.

Ependymoma in a dwarf goat

Ependymomas are relatively rare neuroglial tumours that derive from ependymal cells, lining the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. They occur particularly in dogs, while reports in goats are extremely scarce. A 15-year-old female dwarf goat was found in lateral recumbency, developed opisthotonus and was killed humanely. Necropsy revealed a well-demarcated, non-encapsulated mass in the diencephalon at the level of the interthalamic adhesion. Histologically, the neoplasm showed highly cellular sheets of tumour cells with occasional perivascular pseudorosettes and true rosettes. Immunohistochemistry revealed an extensive and perivascularly accentuated expression of S100 protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein, while vimentin expression was observed to a minor extent. Tumour cells were negative for cytokeratin and CNPase. Ultrastructurally, intercellular junctions were present, but cilia and blepharoblasts were lacking. The presented findings are consistent with a cellular subtype of an ependymoma. Ependymomas should be regarded as a rare cause of central nervous signs in goats.

Thoracolumbar meningeal fibrosis in pugs

Background

Thoracolumbar myelopathies associated with spinal cord and vertebral column lesions, with a similar clinical phenotype, but different underlying etiologies, occur in pugs.

Objectives

To further characterize the clinical and neuropathological characteristics of pugs with longstanding thoracolumbar myelopathy.

Animals

Thirty client‐owned pure‐bred pugs with a history of more than a month of ataxia and paresis of the pelvic limbs, suggesting a myelopathy localized to the thoracolumbar spinal cord, were included in the study.

Methods

Prospective clinicopathological study. Included pugs underwent a complete neurological examination and gross and histopathologic postmortem studies with focus on the spinal cord. Computed tomography (n = 18), magnetic resonance imaging (n = 17), and cerebrospinal fluid analysis (n = 27) were performed before or immediately after death.

Results

Twenty male and 10 female pugs had a median age at clinical onset of 84 months (interquartile range, 66‐96). Affected pugs presented with a progressive clinical course and 80% were incontinent. There was circumferential meningeal fibrosis with concomitant focal, malacic, destruction of the neuroparenchyma in the thoracolumbar spinal cord in 24/30 pugs. Vertebral lesions accompanied the focal spinal cord lesion, and there was lympho‐histiocytic inflammation associated or not to the parenchymal lesion in 43% of the pugs.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Meningeal fibrosis with associated focal spinal cord destruction and neighboring vertebral column lesions were common findings in pugs with long‐standing thoracolumbar myelopathy.

[Adenomatous hyperplasia of equine allantoic epithelium - a warning sign? - A case report]

Adenomatous hyperplasia of the equine allantoic epithelium (EAAH) is an infrequently observed nodular or plaque-like change in the placenta of the mare which is presented as a case description. EAAH is most frequently diagnosed in cases of aborted fetuses and is associated with inflammatory changes of the placenta. Histologically, different degrees of EAAH may be distinguished; however, these are not associated with specific clinical signs, degree of inflammation, a particular pathogen, or the frequency of abortions. It is assumed that EAAH represents a secondary, reactive change and has per se no influence on the vitality of the fetus itself. The lesion, however, should be taken seriously and considered as a warning sign for possible previous subclinical infections, even in clinically normal foals. This in turn should prompt more detailed clinical examination and monitoring of the mare and foal.

Persistent Bilateral Mydriasis Associated With a Pituitary Adenoma in a Horse

Severe bilateral mydriasis and bilaterally decreased vision were observed in a 23-year-old crossbred warmblood gelding with a history of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Ten years after the onset of clinical signs, it was killed humanely because of worsening of clinical signs and loss of therapeutic responsiveness. Postmortem examination of the head was performed to confirm the suspected pituitary neoplasm and to investigate secondary oculomotor lesions. Pathomorphologic examination revealed an expansile space-occupying pituitary adenoma and degenerative changes in the preganglionic oculomotor nerve, ciliary ganglion, and optic chiasm. The ocular clinical findings share features of a cavernous sinus syndrome.

Predominance of Granular Cell Tumours among Testicular Tumours of Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi f. dom.)

Testicular neoplasms are reported rarely in pet and laboratory rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi f. dom.), with interstitial cell tumours being the most commonly described testicular neoplasm. In this retrospective study, paraffin wax-embedded testicles with neoplastic changes from 52 rabbits were investigated. Five out of 52 animals exhibited more than one tumour type, resulting in a total of 57 tumours. Granular cell tumours were the most prevalent neoplasm with 36 examples (63%) out of the 57 testicular tumours. Interstitial cell tumours, Sertoli cell tumours and seminomas occurred less frequently. Granular cell tumours of the testis are rare in rabbits. Histological similarities between granular cell and interstitial cell (Leydig cell) tumours in haematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue sections may lead to misdiagnoses. The periodic acid-Schiff reaction or immunohistochemistry for periaxin and S100 protein, as well as ultrastructural analysis, are useful methods to confirm the diagnosis.

Morphological and Pathological Findings in the Middle and Inner Ears of Harbour Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena)

Hearing represents the major sense in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and impairment of hearing has a great impact on the survival of these animals. In this communication, some anatomical and histological aspects of the tympanoperiotic complex of harbour porpoises are presented. In addition, the ears of 21 incidentally bycaught or stranded freshly dead harbour porpoises of different age groups and sex were investigated histologically. At the entrance to the middle ear cavity, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue was present that was often hyperplastic in juvenile (9/10) and adult individuals (7/8). Solitary lymphoid follicles were additionally found in the corpus cavernosum and adjacent to the stapedius muscle in single porpoises. The nematode Stenurus minor represented the most common pathogen observed in the middle ear cavity of juvenile and adult harbour porpoises and the parasite was associated with chronic inflammation with metaplastic and hyperplastic epithelial changes. An unusual bone formation at the attachment of the corpus cavernosum to the perioticum was a common finding, even in young individuals. Whether this represents a normal structure or a metaplastic change remains undetermined. Acute haemorrhages in the cochlea and/or the tympanic cavity occurred in all animals and were most likely agonal changes. Single porpoises suffered from purulent otitis media, mycotic otitis media with osteolysis or chronically fractured tympanic bones, likely causing impairment of hearing that may have contributed to by-catch. There was no evidence that stranding in five porpoises was associated with the aural changes. Histological examination of the ears in harbour porpoises is a valuable part of the assessment of their health status. Damage to hearing structures may explain starvation due to impaired ability to catch prey or unusual behaviour such as stranding or entanglement in nets.

Characterization of abortion, stillbirth and non-viable foals homozygous for the Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome

Warmblood fragile foal syndrome (WFFS) is a monogenetic defect with autosomal recessive inheritance. The WFFS homozygosity is non-compatible with extra-uterine life. Although as many as 15% of Warmblood horses are WFFS carriers, there has been little veterinary focus on this condition. The aim of this study was to determine outcomes and symptoms of clinical signs and pathological abnormalities during pregnancies when there were WFFS homozygous foetuses. Diagnostic material of 15 abortion or stillbirth cases with suspected diagnosis of WFFS was available for this study. Additionally, there were examinations in 37 cases where there were no indications of WFFS when submitted for routine diagnostic procedures. Foals in all cases were genotyped and external morphological defects were recorded. Amongst the 15 cases in which WFSS was suspected, there were 14 homozygous foetuses with the WFFS allele (WFFS/WFFS). Three heterozygous WFFS foetuses (N/WFFS) were detected in the cases submitted for routine diagnostic procedures. Of the 14 WFFS homozygous foetuses, 11 of mares had a gestation length of at least 320 days. Nine foals were born alive but died within a short time. Skin defects were obvious in 12 WFFS homozygous foals, and there was abnormal flexibility in the digital joints, flexed forelegs and incomplete closure of the abdominal wall in five, four, and one of the foals, respectively. In conclusion, the predominant manifestation of WFFS are death during the latter stages of gestation or live births with foals being non-viable. Losses in Warmblood horse breeding caused by WFFS are greater than previously assumed.

Expression of Neuroectodermal Markers in Atypical Fibromas in Two Dwarf Hamsters (Phodopus spp.)

A 2-year-old male Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) and a 1-year-old male Roborovski hamster (Phodopus roborovskii) were presented with expansile subcutaneous masses. The well-demarcated, firm, grey, multilobulated nodules displayed an homogeneous, white-grey cut surface. Histological examination revealed a neoplasm of variable cellularity consisting of spindle-shaped to polygonal 'ganglion cell-like' cells with abundant, amphophilic, vacuolated cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells were labelled intensely for vimentin and nestin, moderately for neuron specific enolase and weakly for melan-A. The histological and immunohistochemical findings were suggestive of an atypical fibroma with evidence of a neuroectodermal phenotype.

Chronic severe pyloric lesions in horses: 47 cases

BACKGROUND

The clinical findings and outcome associated with chronic severe equine pyloric lesions have not been well described previously.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the history, clinical signs, endoscopic and ultrasound results, laboratory data, treatment, pathological findings and survival of horses with chronic severe pyloric lesions.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Medical records from horses treated at clinics in Czech Republic and Germany in which chronic severe pyloric lesions were confirmed endoscopically and/or on post-mortem examination were reviewed.

RESULTS

Forty-seven horses were identified, median age 3 years (range 0.8-16 years). There were 3 geldings, 23 mares and 19 stallions and the majority were Warmbloods (60%). The most common presenting signs were poor body condition (40; 87%), slow eating (39; 83%), recurrent colic (35; 74%) and selective appetite (30; 64%). The most consistent laboratory abnormality was hypoalbuminaemia (10; 36%). Slow gastric emptying was confirmed in 29 individuals during gastroscopy and/or ultrasonography. Endoscopy revealed distal oesophagitis in 9 of 47 horses, and severe equine squamous gastric disease in all cases. Pyloric lesions were depressed, flat or raised fibrinosuppurative pyloric ulcers and were seen in 45 (2 pylori were not seen endoscopically). Thirty-two cases were treated, with 28 responding well initially. All treated cases received anti-ulcer medication and four underwent gastrojejunostomy. Clinical signs recurred after medical treatment in at least 11 cases. Only 18 of 44 cases (41%) survived long term (3 were lost to follow-up). Horses diagnosed at 3 years of age or younger were significantly less likely to survive more than 6 months than older horses (27.8% vs. 72.2%, P<0.001).

MAIN LIMITATIONS

The study is retrospective, some records were incomplete and case identification was subjective.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic severe pyloric lesions can be associated with delayed gastric emptying identified with ultrasonography and/or endoscopy. The prognosis is poor in young horses.

Combination drug treatment prolongs survival of experimentally infected mice with silver-haired bat rabies virus

Rabies is a lethal disease in humans and animals, killing approximately 60,000 people every year. Currently, there is no treatment available, except post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) that can be administered whenever exposure to a rabid animal took place. Here we describe the beneficial effects of a combination treatment initiated at day 4 post infection, containing anti-viral drugs and immune modulators in infected mice. Combination therapy resulted in significant increase in survival time (P < 0.05) and significantly lowers viral RNA in the brain and spinal cord (P < 0.05). Furthermore, treatment influenced markers of pyroptosis and apoptosis and early inflammatory response as measured by the levels of TNF-α. Morphological lesions were absent in rabies virus infected mice with few signs of inflammation. However, these were not significant between the different groups.

Equine odontogenic tumors: Clinical presentation, CT findings, and outcome in 11 horses

Odontogenic tumors present as locally invasive, slow growing, firm swellings on the face. They are rare in all species and are characterized histologically by the degree of differentiation and dental tissue of origin. Radiographic appearance is not pathognomonic for these lesions. Computed tomographic (CT) examination allows exact determination of tumor extension and aggressiveness. The objectives of this retrospective, case series study were to describe the clinical presentation, CT characteristics, and outcome in horses with histologically confirmed odontogenic tumors, and to identify imaging features suggestive of individual types of tumors. Four ameloblastomas, two ameloblastic carcinomas, three ameloblastic fibromas, and two complex odontomas were included. All but one complex odontoma presented as a single mass. All tumors were associated with maxillary or mandibular bone expansion, alveolar and cortical bone lysis, and cortical bone thinning. The majority also had cortical bone thickening and periosteal proliferation. All tumors contained some degree of mineral attenuation, although only the complex odontomas contained enamel attenuation allowing differentiation from other types of odontogenic tumors in this study. Ameloblastomas were found to have variable CT characteristics likely due to the sub-groups of ameloblastomas. Both ameloblastic carcinomas contained a mixture of mineralized and soft tissue attenuating material whereas ameloblastic fibromas were mainly composed of soft tissue attenuating material. Computed tomographic characteristics of odontogenic tumors generally indicate that they are expansile, aggressive tumors and can occur in a wide range of ages. Further investigation is needed to elucidate differences between each type of equine odontogenic tumor.

There and back again - The return of the nasal mite Halarachne halichoeri to seals in German waters

The nasal mite Halarachne halichoeri (Acari; Halarachnidae) is adapted to live in the marine environment with pinnipeds as its primary host and can cause different levels of upper respiratory disease in both harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). Historical reports of H. halichoeri occurring in seals from German waters date back to the end of the 19th century. However, with the disappearance of the grey seal from German waters as a consequence of human over-exploitation, the mite vanished from the records and the fauna found in Germany for more than a century. Although a stranding network has been monitoring marine mammal health along the German coasts since the mid 1980s with extensive post-mortem investigations, this study reports the first and subsequent findings of H. halichoeri in grey and harbour seals from the North and Baltic Sea from 2014 onwards. The re-emergence of this endoparasitic mite in North and Baltic Sea habitats seems to have occurred simultaneously with the recolonisation of its primary host, the grey seal. During the course of its recolonisation, it was probably transmitted to harbour seals sharing the same haul-out sites. Molecular analyses showed a high similarity of rDNA sequences with H. halichoeri collected from sea otters (Enhydra lutris) in the USA. However, more thorough analyses of additional gene loci are required to fully assess the exchange and diversity of this parasite between geographically isolated regions and species.

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First finding of endoparasitic seal mite H. halichoeri in Germany after >100 years.

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Recolonisation of North and Baltic Sea in unison with primary host grey seal.

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Morphological comparison with century-old museum specimens.

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Minor histopathological alterations in upper respiratory tract associated.

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High genetic similarity of ITS-2 with H. halichoeri from sea otters in the USA.

Cutaneous Pigmented Neurofibroma in a Pig - Morphology and Immunohistochemical Profile

Peripheral nerve sheath tumours are rare in pigs. In the present case, a juvenile female hybrid pig showed a solitary, pigmented, cutaneous mass. Histologically, it consisted of clustered melanin-laden, epithelioid cells as well as spindle cells forming bundles and nodules. The latter were surrounded by perineurial-like cells. Single Wagner-Meissner-like corpuscles were present. Immunohistochemically, the epithelioid cells expressed S100 protein, melan A and the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75^NTR). The spindle cells expressed S100, sex determining region Y-box 2, p75^NTR, Krox20, growth associated protein 43 and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Perineurial-like cells were positive for p75^NTR, α-smooth muscle actin and cytokeratin. Taken together, the histological und immunohistochemical findings support the diagnosis of a cutaneous pigmented neurofibroma.

Use of Next Generation Sequencing to study two cowpox virus outbreaks

Background

Between 2008 and 2011 about 40 cases of human cowpox were reported from Germany and France. Infections had been acquired via close contact to infected, young pet rats. An identical and unique sequence of the hemagglutinin gene was found in various cowpox virus (CPXV) isolates pointing to a common source of infection. In a second CPXV outbreak in cats in a small animal clinic in Germany in 2015, four out of five hospitalized cats showed identical hemagglutinin sequences and thus, a hospital-acquired transmission had been assumed. Next-Generation Sequencing was performed in order to re-investigate the outbreaks, as epidemiological data could not confirm all cases.

Methods

Homogenates of lesion material from rats, cats and humans were cultivated in cell culture. The genomes of four virus isolates, nine CPXVs from our strain collections and from DNA of three paraffin-embedded lesion materials were determined by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). For phylogenetic analyses a MAFFT-alignment was generated. A distance matrix based on concatenated SNPs was calculated and plotted as dendrogram using Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean (UPGMA) for visualization.

Results

Aligning of about 200.000 nucleotides of 8 virus isolates associated with the pet rat outbreak revealed complete identity of six genomes, the remainder two genomes differed in as little as 3 SNPs. When comparing this dataset with four already published CPXV genomes also associated with the pet rat outbreak, again a maximum difference of 3 SNPs was found. The outbreak which lasted from 2008 till 2011 was indeed caused by a single strain which has maintained an extremely high level of clonality over 4 years. Aligning genomic sequences from four cases of feline cowpox revealed 3 identical sequences and one sequence which differed in 65 nucleotides. Although identical hemagglutinin sequences had been obtained from four hospitalized cats, genomic sequencing proved that a hospital-acquired transmission had occurred in only three cats.

Conclusion

Analyzing the rather short sequence of the hemagglutinin gene is not sufficient to conduct molecular trace back analyses. Instead, whole genome sequencing is the method of choice which can even be applied to paraffin-embedded specimens.

Bilateral femoral capital physeal fractures in an adult cat with suspected congenital primary hypothyroidism

A 4-year-old, neutered male European shorthair was presented for evaluation of right hind limb lameness. Radiographs revealed bilateral femoral capital physeal fractures, widened vertebral growth plates and constipation. Physical findings included lethargy, mental dullness, mild hypothermia, retarded growth, pharyngeal stridor, moderate muscle atrophy of pelvic limbs, hair coat abnormalities, and lack of defecation and urination. A thyroid panel revealed thyroid hormone values below detection limits and high thyroid stimulation hormone values. A presumptive diagnosis of congenital primary hypothyroidism was made, however also an early onset acquired primary hypothyroidism could not be ruled out. Results of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and the parathyroid hormone as well as an adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulating test were normal. A bilateral femoral head and neck excision was performed. Levothyroxine supplementation was started at a dosage of 50 µg (11 µg/kg) BID and later adjusted to 100 µg (22 µg/kg) BID based on total thyroxine concentrations. The tomcat showed full clinical recovery and normal clinical behaviour. The case shows that primary hypothyroidism may be considered in cats presented with femoral capital physeal fractures.

Histomorphometric evaluation of MMP-9 and CD31 expression during healing under Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in dogs

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to evaluate the molecular and histological effects of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on vascularisation in clinical cases of open wound treatment in dogs. Open wounds (n=10) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: NPWT treatment (n=5) or foam treatment (polyurethane-foam dressing, n=5). Wounds were matched based on age and underlying cause and analysed with respect to neovascularisation (CD31) and matrix proteinase changes (MMP-9). Histological slides were blinded and analysis was performed using automated histomorphometric software. Values determined at day zero after debridement were used as a reference and wound development at day six was evaluated using linear mixed models. Signalment, pre-treatment time and underlying cause were similar between groups. NPWT resulted in a highly significant increase of vascularisation (p.

Investigation into diseases in free-ranging ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in northwestern Germany during population decline with special reference to infectious pathogens

The population of ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) is decreasing all over Germany since the years 2008/2009. Besides impacts of habitat changes caused by current rates of land conversion, climatic influences or predators, a contribution of infectious pathogens needs also to be considered. Infectious and non-infectious diseases in free-living populations of ring-necked pheasants have been scarcely investigated so far. In the present study, carcasses of 258 deceased free-ranging pheasants of different age groups, predominantly adult pheasants, collected over a period of 4 years in the states of Lower Saxony, North Rhine–Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein, were examined pathomorphologically, parasitologically, virologically and bacteriologically, with a focus set on infectious pathogens. A periocular and perinasal dermatitis of unknown origin was present in 62.3% of the pheasants. Additional alterations included protozoal cysts in the skeletal musculature (19.0%), hepatitis (21.7%), enteritis (18.7%), gastritis (12.6%), and pneumonia (11.7%). In single cases, neoplasms (2.6%) and mycobacteriosis (1.7%) occurred. Further findings included identification of coronaviral DNA from trachea or caecal tonsils (16.8%), siadenoviral DNA (7.6%), avian metapneumoviral RNA (6.6%), and infectious bursal disease viral RNA (3.7%). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on herpesvirus, avian influenza virus (AIV), paramyxovirus type 1 (PMV-1), avian encephalomyelitis virus (AEV), and chlamydia were negative. Based on the present results, there is no indication of a specific pathogen as a sole cause for population decline in adult pheasants. However, an infectious disease can still not be completely excluded as it may only affect reproduction effectivity or a certain age group of pheasants (e.g., chicks) which were not presented in the study.