Regional patterns in prevalence of principal external diseases of dab Limanda limanda in the North Sea and adjacent areas 1992-1997

The prevalence and spatial distribution of major diseases of dab Limanda limanda in the North Sea and adjacent areas were studied in the summers 1992 to 1997. Areas covered were the North Sea, Irish Sea, northern and northeastern British Waters and the English Channel. The diseases studied were lymphocystis, epidermal hyperplasia/papilloma and skin ulceration. To standardise data, results were analysed for females >15 cm (>3 yr old). Data were subjected to median polish, and additive, extended and additive plus multiplicative models were applied to best account for effects of region and year. Annual differences in disease prevalence were low whilst differences between areas were pronounced. For lymphocystis higher prevalence was observed in the northwestern sector of the North Sea, at the northern tip of Scotland and in an area south of Iceland. Prevalence was low in the Irish Sea, the English Channel and the southern North Sea, and intermediate in the German Bight. For epidermal hyperplasia/papilloma, levels were low at Icelandic stations, in the northern Irish Sea, in the southern North Sea and the English Channel, whilst levels were high in the northwestern part of the North Sea and the German Bight. Elevated levels of skin ulceration were found on the Dogger, at 1 station in the Irish Sea (off Sellafield) and at 1 station to the south of Iceland. Lower levels were detected west of Iceland. Prevalence in all other areas was intermediate. It is concluded that a detailed analysis of available data on disease prevalence and putative causative factors is desirable and, given the good availability of data, would be a promising step forward toward elucidating possible cause and effect relationships between diseases and anthropogenic factors.

Prevalence of papillomatous digital dermatitis among culled adult cattle in the southeastern United States

OBJECTIVE

To determine prevalence of papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD) among culled adult dairy and beef cattle in the southeastern United States.

ANIMALS

815 cattle examined during 4 visits to a slaughterhouse.

PROCEDURE

The left hind foot of each animal was examined for gross lesions of PDD. Breed and sex of the animals were recorded. Lesions were examined histologically for pathologic changes and bacteria, especially spirochetes.

RESULTS

22 of 76 (29%) dairy cattle and 29 of 739 (4%) beef cattle had gross lesions of PDD. Detection of lesions was not associated with sex of dairy cattle, but male beef cattle were more likely to have lesions of PDD than were female beef cattle. Histologically, acute and chronic lesions were seen; the most severe changes were localized to the stratum corneum. Spirochetes were seen in lesions from 31 of 51 (61%) cattle.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggest that PDD is common among culled adult cattle. Prevalence was higher in culled adult dairy cattle than in culled adult beef cattle.

Sublingual squamous cell carcinoma in an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

A 22-yr-old captive-born Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) presented with a nonhealing sublingual mucosal ulcer that was diagnosed histologically as a squamous cell carcinoma, the first such report in a dolphin. The lesion was excised completely and has not recurred.

Ulceration and stricture of the right dorsal colon after phenylbutazone administration in four horses

Four cases of ulceration and stricture of the right dorsal colon were encountered. Ulceration of the right dorsal colon is generally associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) toxicosis but there are few reports of stricture following ulceration. All four horses had recent phenylbutazone use: three had been given doses well in excess of the recommended dose and in one the dose was marginally above those recommended but was combined with administration of other NSAIDs. All four horses presented with intermittent low-grade colic, weight loss and ventral oedema. Diarrhoea was also seen in three of them. All had hypoproteinaemia due to severe hypoalbuminaemia, and hyperfibrinogenaemia. Hypoalbuminaemia was less severe in one horse and this horse was successfully managed medically. Two cases were definitively diagnosed at exploratory celiotomy and two at necropsy. Exploratory celiotomy was performed in two horses: one was euthanased at surgery and one was managed successfully with medical treatment and remained normal 1 year after surgery. Medical management included feeding of a low-roughage pelleted ration, corn oil, psyllium mucilloid, and discontinuation of NSAID administration.

Hind limb skeletal lesions in 12-month-old bulls of beef breeds

In the present study, right hind limb bones from 46 12-month-old bulls with no clinical signs were examined to identify and describe lesions that could predispose the stifle and tarsal joints to osteoarthritis. The bulls came from a performance testing station and were slaughtered due to a low index at the end of the testing period 1996-97. Differences in frequency of lesions among breeds as well as the relationship between lesions and growth rate were evaluated. Forty-five (97.8%) of the 46 bulls had lesions in the joints and/or growth plates. Prevalence of lesions was 100% in the Charolais (22/22), the Hereford (8/8), and the Limousin (4/4) breeds, and 85.7% (6/7) in the Simmental breed. The stifle was affected in 37, the tarsus in 33, and the growth plates in 34, of the 46 bulls. Lesions found in the stifle joint were: osteochondrosis of the articular-epiphysical cartilage complex (AECC) (25), subchondral bone cyst of the distal femur (1), fragmentation of the medial intercondylar eminence of the tibia (20), cleft in the distal part of the patellar groove (28), and an avulsion fracture of the lateral condyle together with a partial tear of the cranial cruciate ligament (1). Lesions found in the tarsal joint were: osteochondrosis of the AECC (23), ulcerative lesions of the articular cartilage of the talus (25), and fracture of the medial malleolus (4). Twenty-eight bulls had lesions of osteochondrosis at the AECC and 37 at the growth plates. When osteochondrosis at the AECC and thickening of the growth plates were combined, 44 of the 46 bulls had at least one lesion at the AECC and/or the growth plate. Prevalence of bulls with at least one lesion was similar between breeds, but the number of lesions per bull was significantly higher in Charolais followed by Simmental, Hereford, and Limousin. Number of lesions per bull was significantly correlated with daily weight gain, carcase weight, and the width of the proximal tibial epiphysis. Lesions were statistically independent, indicating that local biomechanical factors within the joints are important in the pathogenesis. In conclusion, we suggest that the high incidence of hind limb osteoarthritis reported in the Swedish beef bull population can be explained by the high prevalence of skeletal lesions found in the present material. The lesions appeared to be related to high growth rate and to the breed.

Nine cases of idiopathic toxic epidermal necrolysis in cattle in Israel

Nine sporadic cases of apparent toxic epidermal necrolysis in nine cattle herds in Israel are presented. The clinical symptoms were characterized by full-thickness epidermal exfoliation. No underlying disease or drug administration could be detected in the affected animals, and so all cases were classified as idiopathic. Recovery was noted in all affected animals. The clinical and histological findings are discussed in the light of the pertinent literature.

An epidemic of parapoxvirus infection among cattle: isolation and antibody survey

A disease characterized by papules, nodules, vesicles and, rarely, pustules and ulcers on teats was seen among cattle on a farm in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. A virus was isolated by inoculation of fetal bovine lung cell cultures from a vesicle on a teat of an infected cow. The virus was subsequently passaged in fetal bovine lung and muscle cells in which it produced complete cytopathic changes. The virus was identified by physicochemical examinations and electromicroscopic observation as a parapoxvirus. A seroepidemiological survey was performed on antibody to the isolated virus by the agar gel immunodiffusion test. The isolated virus formed a precipitation line which cross reacted with other parapoxviruses isolated previously in Japan. The positive rate was more than 50% among cattle in the Kanto district. The positive rate increased with age. It was suggested that parapoxvirus infection might have already been prevalent among cattle in Japan.

Leishmania amazonensis infection in nude mice

Leishmania amazonensis is an intracellular protozoan parasite of macrophages. Cutaneous leishmaniasis in an immunocompetent host begins as papules or nodules followed by ulceration at the site of promastigote inoculation. In this study, the pathological changes of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions in T cell deficient nude mice were examined. When infected with L. amazonensis promastigotes, nude mice developed non-ulcerative cutaneous nodules. By histological examination of cutaneous lesions, massive accumulation of vacuolated histiocytes containing amastigotes was observed in all the nude mice. Although infiltration of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells was seen in the lesions of immunocompetent mice, few such cells were observed in the lesions of nude mice. These results indicate the importance of T cells on the ulcer formation in cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Clinical study of toe ulcer and necrosis of the apex of the distal phalanx in 53 cattle

Clinical signs, causative factors, radiographic findings, type and duration of treatment or reason for killing were evaluated in 53 cattle (mean age: 5.3 years) suffering from toe ulcer and/or apical pedal bone necrosis. A total of 78 claws were affected. Four cattle suffered from a toe ulcer in one claw, 35 cattle showed osteolysis of the apex of the distal phalanx in a single claw and 14 cattle in two or three claws per cow. Overtrimming by means of a grinding disc and/or perforation of the sole was diagnosed as the major cause in 27 cattle (49%), laminitis in 30.2% and traumatic injuries in 11.3%. Radiography revealed a varying degree of osteolysis involving up to two-thirds of the pedal bone. Twenty-one cattle (39.6%) showing multiple toe disorders or involvement of one single claw with concurrent internal diseases were destroyed. In 23 cattle, the osteolytic bone was resected using a bone curette or hammer and chisel. Of these, the treatment was successful in 20 animals. The healing period ranged from 16-60 days when one claw was affected and from 43-53 days when two claws were affected. In five cattle, the digit was amputated.

Health condition of the Baltic grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) during two decades. Gynaecological health improvement but increased prevalence of colonic ulcers

Results obtained at postmortem examinations of 159 Baltic grey seals during the 20-year period 1977-1996 are presented. The investigation was initiated due to a serious reduction of the Baltic grey and ringed seal populations. Earlier, reduced reproductive ability with occlusions and stenoses of the uterus, as well as a disease complex in adult individuals of both sexes, was reported. The disease complex comprised lesions of claws, skull bone, intestine (colonic ulcers), kidneys (glomerulopathy, tubular cell proliferations), arteries (sclerosis) and adrenals (cortical hyperplasia, cortical adenomas). Besides occlusions and stenoses, tumours (leiomyomas) were common in the uterus. This report focuses on the results of a time-trend study covering the two decades 1977-1986 and 1987-1996. The prevalences (%) in the two decades of moderate to severe lesions of claws, intestine, arteries and adrenals are compared, as well as the prevalences of lesions of the female reproductive organs and rate of pregnancy. A similar comparison was made of animals born before 1980 and those born after 1979, in order to investigate a possible relation between the evident decrease in PCB and DDT pollution of the Baltic which occurred in the 1970s and seal health. A positive time trend respecting gynaecological health was confirmed, with a decreased prevalence of uterine obstructions, from 42 to 11%, and an increased prevalence of pregnancies, from 9 to 60%. The high incidence of uterine tumours (leiomyomas) seems to have decreased slowly (from 53 to 43%). Of special interest is the increased prevalence of colonic ulcers in young animals. The findings indicate that the food consumed by the Baltic seals may contain "new" or increased amounts of hitherto unidentified toxic factors which affect their immune system.

Probable toxicosis in cattle in Israel caused by the oak Quercus calliprinos

A probable outbreak of oak (Quercus calliprinos) toxicosis in a herd of beef cattle--heifers and first-calving cows--grazing in the Judean foothills of Israel is described. Toxicosis probably occurred because of the consumption of oak leaves and buds during a period of pasture scarcity without any feed supplementation. A progressive syndrome of wasting, dullness, anorexia, polyuria, nephrosis, constipation and recumbency, culminating in death, was seen. A high mortality rate of 83% (38/46 animals) was noted. The clinical-pathological findings revealed increases in blood urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and inorganic phosphorus. Decreases were found in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total serum protein, albumin (ALB), triglyceride (TG), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and chloride (CI). The main pathological findings were severe nephrosis, chronic interstitial nephritis, and occasional intestinal ulceration. On the basis of epidemiology, clinical signs, clinical-pathological and pathological findings and renal histology, a tentative diagnosis of oak toxicosis was made.

Lymphangioma in the metacarpal pad of a dog

A five-year-old English springer spaniel was presented with a three year history of metacarpal ulceration causing lameness. The lesion was initially thought to be caused by a foreign body, but subsequently diagnosed as lymphangioma. The dog was surgically treated with resection of the metacarpal pad and transposition of the second digital pad. A severe infection developed 11 days postoperatively but was managed with antibiotics and intensive wound therapy. The surgical technique was successful, considerable adaptation of the transposed pad occurred and the dog returned to full weightbearing on the leg. However, one year later another area of new ulceration developed on the dorsomedial aspect of the paw. This, too, was resected but recurred after a short time and the owner elected for euthanasia of the dog.

Gastrointestinal ulceration and pulmonary aspergillosis in a llama treated for parelaphostrongylosis

A 9-year-old llama examined because of hind limb paresis was found to have parelaphostrongylosis. Despite treatment with ivermectin, fenbendazole, cimetidine, and ceftiofur, the llama developed gastrointestinal ulceration and pulmonary aspergillosis and was euthanatized. Parelaphostrongylus tenuis is a parasite of white-tailed deer, but ruminants can serve as aberrant or dead-end hosts after accidentally ingesting snails or slugs carrying third-stage larvae of the parasite. Gastrointestinal ulceration and pulmonary aspergillosis can develop secondarily in llamas with chronic disease. Treatment of gastrointestinal ulceration in llamas is difficult, because efficacy of commonly used antiulcer drugs in llamas has not been established.

Ablation of the cranial portion of the preputial cavity in a pig

A technique for surgical ablation of the cranial portion of the preputial cavity including the preputial diverticulum in pigs is described. The technique was performed on a 5-month-old 83.2-kg (183-lb) Hampshire barrow that had ulceration and fibrosis of the preputial cavity secondary to chronic preputial diverticulitis. The pig recovered without difficulties and was able to urinate normally after surgery.

Development and evaluation of an endoscopic technique permitting rapid visualization of the cardiac region of the porcine stomach

Our study was designed to ascertain whether a flexible videoscope could be used to efficiently monitor ulcers of the pars esophagea in a large group of grower-finisher swine. Gastroscopy was performed on 2 separate occasions in 32 pigs following anesthesia with intravenous pentobarbital, and ulcers of the pars esophagea were subjectively graded. The pigs were then necropsied. Grades from the second endoscopic examination were compared for agreement with grades derived from gross inspection of the pars esophagea at necropsy, and with grades derived from histopathologic examination of sections of the same region. The pars esophagea was adequately visualized in all endoscopic examinations. The average duration of each examination, from anesthetic induction, was approximately 8 min. Gastroscopy permitted appreciation of a wide range of focal and diffuse superficial and deep ulcerative lesions of the pars esophagea, but failed to unequivocally identify parakeratosis of the pars esophagea. Agreement between endoscopic and subsequent necroscopic and histopathologic gradings of ulcerations was poor. We concluded that the use of a flexible videoscope permitted rapid inspection of the pars esophagea, and was therefore a practical method of experimentally monitoring the progression of spontaneous gastric ulcers in pigs. We also postulated that the poor agreement between endoscopic and postmortem findings occurred because endoscopy was possibly more sensitive at detecting small and superficial ulcerations. However, further studies are needed to verify the accuracy of endoscopic diagnosis of gastric ulcers in the live pig.

Keratin pattern in hyperkeratotic and ulcerated gastric pars oesophagea in pigs

Ulceration of the gastric pars oesophagea is a serious problem in the pig industry, and in spite of numerous studies the underlying mechanisms of the development of such ulcers remains largely unknown. The present study was designed first to test the hypothesis that the epithelium of the pars oesophagea of affected pigs would be more susceptible to the irritating action of acidic gastric content owing to a change in the pattern of expression of keratin, and second to look for a member of the keratin family that could be a suitable indicator of early lesions. Samples were collected from the gastric pars oesophagea of slaughter pigs with and without grossly visible mucosal changes, and the keratin patterns of normal and hyperkeratotic and ulcerated epithelium were compared immunohistochemically. The keratin pairs K 4/K 13, and K 5/K 14 were present in both normal and affected epithelia, and had a similar pattern of expression in both conditions. K 4 and K 13 were expressed in all the suprabasal layers, and K 5 and K 14 were expressed only in the basal and epibasal cells. Immunological reactivity with the monoclonal antibodies LL020 and LHK6-markers for hyperproliferative conditions-was present in the suprabasal layers of the epithelium of the hyperkeratotic and the ulcerated pars oesophagea but not in the normal epithelium. These results indicate that K 6 is expressed in association with the mucosal changes. The pattern of the intermediate filaments of keratin suggests that in basic to gastric ulcers in pigs there is an epithelial proliferation leading to visible hyperkeratosis.

Electron microscopic characteristics of actinomycetic agents having aetiological association with human leprosy and epizootic ulcerative syndrome of fish

The transmission electron microscopic (TEM) studies of the human leprosy derived chemoautotrophic nocardio-form (CAN) bacteria and EUS derived CAN bacteria showed presence of double contoured cell-walls consisting of an electron transparent and a dense layer. The fibrillar structures on the surface of these CAN bacterial cells also suggested their similarity to the human tissue derived Mycobacterium leprae cells. These EM studies further revealed mycelial and coccoid bodies in all these bacteria as was observed originally.

Histopathological findings on ulcerative lesions of carpal and tarsal joints in Japanese black cattle

In order to determine the pathogenesis of ulcerative lesions of the articular cartilages in Japanese Black cattle, tissue samples of the ulcerative lesion, marginal portion of the ulcer, macroscopically normal portions and synovial membranes were histopathologically examined by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and contact microradiography. The results are summarized as follows: (1) In the ulcerative lesions, degeneration and complete destruction of articular cartilage and its replacement with a proliferation of myelogenic connective tissue were observed. (2) In macroscopically normal portions, fissures of the articular surface and changes of the trabecular pattern in subchondral bone were present. (3) In the marginal portions of the ulcerative lesions, evidences of the repair process such as connective tissue growth from subchondral bones and articular cartilages were seen. (4) In synovial membranes, no pathological findings were observed. And (5) among the above mentioned changes, no inflammatory findings were seen. In conclusion, the ulcerative lesions of bovine articular cartilage may be regarded as the early stage of osteochondrosis to osteoarthrosis since the findings such as noninflammatory destruction or degeneration and remodeling of the joints are characteristics of the latter.

Copper sulfate toxicosis in commercial laying hens

A flock of 51-week-old leghorn hens experienced a 16% drop in egg production in a single week. The layer ration contained 1477 ppm copper from the addition of copper sulfate. Severe oral ulcers were present in the pharynx. Oral ulcers, reduced feed intake, and a drop in egg production occurred when a ration containing 1437 ppm copper was evaluated experimentally.

Effect of hammer mill screen size and addition of fibre or S-methylmethionine-sulphonium chloride to the diet on the occurrence of oesophagogastric lesions in fattening pigs

Four groups of about 86 pigs from a common source were fed a grower diet from 25 kg to 45 kg liveweight, and then from 45 to 107 kg liveweight they were offered one of four diets ad libitum: A) normal commercial feed, ground through a 3 mm screen (the control diet), B) the same diet ground through a 6 mm screen, C) the control diet to which lucerne meal was added before the diet was ground to increase its crude fibre content, and D) the control diet to which was added 400 ppm S-methylmethionine-sulphonium chloride (MMSC). All the diets were pelleted. Approximately 21 per cent of the animals fed the control diet had severe oesophagogastric erosions and/or ulcers after slaughter. The addition of 400 ppm MMSC decreased (P = 0.066) the proportion of severe oesophagogastric erosions and/or ulcers by about 50 per cent compared with the control diet. The diet with the higher crude fibre content (but finely ground) did not have a significant effect on the proportion of severe oesophagogastric erosions and/or ulcers. There was a tendency for the pigs fed the diet ground through a 6 mm screen instead of a 3 mm screen, to have fewer severe oesophagogastric erosions and/or ulcers. However, there were only small differences between the particle size distribution obtained from the wet sieve analysis of the two diets. As a result, the observed tendency for a decrease in the proportion of severe oesophagogastric erosions and/or ulcers in pigs fed the diet milled through the larger screen size was of questionable significance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Growth and oesophagogastric lesions in finishing pigs offered pelleted feed ad libitum

The growth rates of 458 finishing pigs between 25 kg and 107 kg liveweight, which were offered finely ground pelleted feed ad libitum, were determined and their stomachs were examined at slaughter. Two herds were involved and a macroscopical examination of the mucosal lesions in the pars oesophagea revealed a prevalence of 75 per cent of the 274 pigs in herd A and 89 per cent of the 184 pigs in herd B with hyperkeratosis of the pars oesophagea, and approximately 11 per cent of the pigs in both herds with extensive erosions and/or ulceration; on average the pigs with extensive lesions gained 50 to 75 g/day less weight than the pigs with no lesions in the pars oesophagea. There was no difference between the prevalence of the oesophagogastric lesions of different severity between barrows and gilts, but there was evidence for differences between litters.