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Menegatt JCO, Rigo A, Mezaroba M, Ramos AT, Gamba CO, Reck C, Menin Á. Clinical, histopathological, and hematological changes due to isoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura in piglets. PESQUISA VETERINÁRIA BRASILEIRA 2023. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-7071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Isoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an immune-mediated disease that causes severe hemorrhagic lesions and high mortality in piglets. The disease can occur early in newborn piglets (EITP) or late in 2- to 3-week old piglets (LITP). In this study, we analysed the clinical, pathological, and hematological aspects of 391 ITP cases (312 with EITP and 79 with LITP). In LIPT cases, morbidity and mortality rates were higher, with rates of 60% (morbidity) and 53% (mortality). The main clinicopathological findings in ITP cases were different patterns of hemorrhages organs and tissues. In EITP, clinical signs were characterized by extensive subcutaneous hemorrhages and death occurred within a few days; however, in LITP, often sudden death occurred. In macroscopic analysis, hemorrhagic diathesis was observed in all affected animals. In EITP, the most severe hemorrhagic lesions were integumentary, mainly in the dermis and epidermis. In LITP, visceral lesions were predominant, mainly in the epicardium and intestines. Microscopic bone marrow analysis revealed mild cellular hyperplasia in EITP and bone marrow aplasia in LITP. hematological analyses revealed leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia in all ITP-affected animals. However, fostering by a different sow was only efficient in controlling EITP and had little effect in LITP-symptomatic piglets, due to more severe lesions. Further studies on the etiopathogenesis of LITP are required to improve our understanding of this disease form.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Carolina Reck
- Instituto de Pesquisa e diagnóstico veterinário, Brasil
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2
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Skydsgaard M, Dincer Z, Haschek WM, Helke K, Jacob B, Jacobsen B, Jeppesen G, Kato A, Kawaguchi H, McKeag S, Nelson K, Rittinghausen S, Schaudien D, Vemireddi V, Wojcinski ZW. International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria (INHAND): Nonproliferative and Proliferative Lesions of the Minipig. Toxicol Pathol 2021; 49:110-228. [PMID: 33393872 DOI: 10.1177/0192623320975373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The INHAND (International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria for Lesions) Project (www.toxpath.org/inhand.asp) is a joint initiative of the Societies of Toxicologic Pathology from Europe (ESTP), Great Britain (BSTP), Japan (JSTP), and North America (STP) to develop an internationally accepted nomenclature for proliferative and nonproliferative lesions in laboratory animals. The purpose of this publication is to provide a standardized nomenclature for classifying microscopic lesions observed in most tissues and organs from the minipig used in nonclinical safety studies. Some of the lesions are illustrated by color photomicrographs. The standardized nomenclature presented in this document is also available electronically on the internet (http://www.goreni.org/). Sources of material included histopathology databases from government, academia, and industrial laboratories throughout the world. Content includes spontaneous lesions as well as lesions induced by exposure to test materials. Relevant infectious and parasitic lesions are included as well. A widely accepted and utilized international harmonization of nomenclature for lesions in laboratory animals will provide a common language among regulatory and scientific research organizations in different countries and increase and enrich international exchanges of information among toxicologists and pathologists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zuhal Dincer
- Pathology Department, Covance Laboratories Limited, Harrogate, United Kingdom
| | - Wanda M Haschek
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Kris Helke
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | | | - Bjoern Jacobsen
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gitte Jeppesen
- Charles River Laboratories Copenhagen, Lille Skensved, Denmark
| | - Atsuhiko Kato
- Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd Research Division, Shizuoka, Japan
| | | | - Sean McKeag
- Pathology Department, Covance Laboratories Limited, Harrogate, United Kingdom
| | | | - Susanne Rittinghausen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Schaudien
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM, Hannover, Germany
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Joller S, Häfliger IM, Drögemüller C, Richard OK, Grahofer A. Thrombocytopenic purpura on an organic farm with pen mating: a case report on the re-emergence of an old disease. Porcine Health Manag 2020; 6:18. [PMID: 32774876 PMCID: PMC7401201 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-020-00157-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Thrombocytopenia is an immune-mediated disease, which affects suckling piglets. Piglets are pale and inactive, show multiple hemorrhages and often die within days. Pathological examination reveals severe haemorrhages and oedema in several organs. Severe thrombocytopenia and elongated bleeding time characterize the disease haematologically. The sow produces antibodies against the thrombocyte antigens of the boar, which are present in the blood of the piglets. These isoimmune antibodies attack the platelets and megakaryocytes of the piglets, causing thrombocytopenia in succeeding matings of the same boar and sow. There is no known therapy against this condition. In the last few decades, the disease has become rare due to the increase of artificial insemination. Case presentation On an organic breeding farm in Switzerland with a high percentage of natural pen matings, piglets of three litters showed haemorrhages on the skin, prolonged bleeding time and were generally in a reduced general state. A pathological examination revealed multifocal haemorrhages in the stomach, kidneys, dermis, mesenterium and spinal cord. Haematology showed a massive thrombocytopenia and regenerative anaemia. Due to these findings the diagnosis of thrombocytopenic purpura was established. To avoid further matings of the same boar and sow and thus more affected piglets, out of three possible boars the responsible sire had to be determined. This was achieved through array genotyping and subsequent computation of identity by descent and calculation of Mendelian errors for parentage verification. Thereby the responsible boar was identified and as a consequence removed from the farm. Further preventive measures, that had been established, included the recording of all matings and regular exchange of boars. Conclusion The decreased number of natural matings with the surge of artificial insemination has probably reduced the number of cases of thrombocytopenic purpura and thus the disease awareness of farmers and veterinarians. However, as consumers wish for better animal welfare and higher ecological standards we may see a rise in natural matings and thus a return of the disease. In case of affected litters, genetic testing was proven a valid method for investigation and prevention of more cases and may be used more in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Joller
- Clinic for Swine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.,Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Irene M Häfliger
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Cord Drögemüller
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Olivia K Richard
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Grahofer
- Clinic for Swine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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Andreasen LJ, Krog S, Ludvigsen TP, Nielsen OL, Møller JE, Christoffersen BØ, Pedersen HD, Olsen LH. Dietary normalization from a fat, fructose and cholesterol-rich diet to chow limits the amount of myocardial collagen in a Göttingen Minipig model of obesity. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2018; 15:64. [PMID: 30263039 PMCID: PMC6157063 DOI: 10.1186/s12986-018-0303-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Dietary interventions have been shown to attenuate some of the myocardial pathological alterations associated with obesity. This study evaluated the effect of dietary normalization from a fat/fructose/cholesterol-rich diet to chow on left ventricular (LV) myocardial fibrosis, fat infiltration and hypertrophy but also the specific influence of obesity, plasma lipids and glucose metabolism markers on heart morphology in a Göttingen Minipig model of obesity. Methods Forty castrated male Göttingen Minipigs were assigned to three groups fed either standard minipig chow (SD, n = 8) for 13 months, fat/fructose/cholesterol-rich diet (FFC, n = 16) for 13 months or fat/fructose/cholesterol-rich diet for 7 months and then changed to standard minipig chow for the remaining 6 months (FFC/SD, n = 16). Body weight, body fat percentage, plasma lipids and glucose metabolism markers were evaluated in all three groups after 6–7 months (prior to diet adjustment for FFC/SD) and again before termination. Further, biochemical quantification of myocardial collagen and triglyceride content, semi-quantitative histological evaluation of fibrosis and fat infiltration and quantitative histological analysis of collagen and cardiomyocyte diameter were performed and heart weight was obtained after termination. Group differences were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis test and Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to test for correlations between myocardial changes and selected explanatory variables. For non-parametric response variables, a Spearman correlation analysis was applied. Results Myocardial collagen content quantified biochemically was significantly lower in FFC/SD compared to FFC (P = 0.02). Furthermore, dietary normalization from a fat/fructose/cholesterol-rich diet to chow caused stagnation of body weight and body fat percentage, normalized intravenous glucose tolerance index (KG) and plasma lipid levels. Conclusion Dietary normalization led to lower LV collagen content in obese Göttingen Minipigs. Despite gross obesity and significant deteriorations in glucose and lipid metabolism, only mild myocardial changes were found in this model of obesity and therefore further model optimization is warranted in order to induce more severe myocardial changes before dietary or pharmacological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Jul Andreasen
- 1Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 9, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Simone Krog
- 1Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 9, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Trine Pagh Ludvigsen
- Global Drug Discovery, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Måløv, Denmark
| | - Ole Lerberg Nielsen
- 1Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 9, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jacob Eifer Møller
- 3Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | | | - Henrik Duelund Pedersen
- 1Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 9, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark.,Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs, Soroe Landevej 302, 4261 Dalmose, Denmark
| | - Lisbeth Høier Olsen
- 1Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 9, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Dincer Z, Piccicuto V, Walker UJ, Mahl A, McKeag S. Spontaneous and Drug-induced Arteritis/Polyarteritis in the Göttingen Minipig—Review. Toxicol Pathol 2018; 46:121-130. [DOI: 10.1177/0192623318754791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Arteritis/polyarteritis occurs spontaneously in many species used in preclinical toxicology studies. In Göttingen minipigs, arteritis/polyarteritis is an occasionally observed background change. In the minipig, this finding differs in frequency and nature from age-related polyarteritis nodosa in rats or monkeys, and Beagle pain syndrome in dogs. In minipigs, it can be present in a single small- or medium-sized artery of an organ or a few organs and is most commonly recorded in the cardiac and extracardiac blood vessels, vagina, oviduct, rectum, epididymis, spinal cord, pancreas, urinary bladder, kidneys, and stomach. The etiology is unknown although it has been considered in minipigs as well as in rats, dogs, and monkeys to be possibly immune mediated. This background change is important with respect to its nature and distribution in the minipig in order to distinguish it from drug-induced vascular changes, which might occur in similar locations and have similar morphologic features. This review summarizes the morphology, incidence, and predilection sites of arteritis as a spontaneously occurring background change and as a drug-induced vasculopathy in the minipig, and also describes the main aspects to consider when evaluating vascular changes in Göttingen minipig toxicity studies and their human relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuhal Dincer
- Pathology Department, Covance Laboratories Limited, Harrogate, United Kingdom
| | - Virginie Piccicuto
- Pathology Department, Covance Laboratories Limited, Harrogate, United Kingdom
| | - Ursula Junker Walker
- Preclinical Safety, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Mahl
- Preclinical Safety, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sean McKeag
- Pathology Department, Covance Laboratories Limited, Harrogate, United Kingdom
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7
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Maratea KA, Snyder PW, Stevenson GW. Vascular Lesions in Nine Göttingen Minipigs with Thrombocytopenic Purpura Syndrome. Vet Pathol 2016; 43:447-54. [PMID: 16846986 DOI: 10.1354/vp.43-4-447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Tissues from 9 Göttingen minipigs, aged 7 weeks to 1 year, with clinically diagnosed thrombocytopenic purpura syndrome were examined microscopically. All pigs had a history of spontaneous cutaneous purpura that was generally accompanied by disseminated visceral hemorrhages. Hematologic abnormalities included anemia (8 out of 9 pigs) and thrombocytopenia (7 out of 9 pigs), with platelet counts consistently below 20,000/μ. Microscopically, degenerative vascular lesions with morphologic features of arteriosclerosis were present in all 9 pigs. Vascular lesions affected small- to medium-sized muscular arteries and arterioles in various organs and extraparenchymal tissues; vessels of the renal pelvis and coronary arteries were consistently involved. Microscopic lesions in small- to medium-sized muscular arteries consisted of neointimal proliferation, medial thickening, luminal stenosis, thrombosis, disruption and fragmentation of the internal elastic lamina, necrosis of the tunica media, and medial deposits of myxoid matrix material. Microscopic lesions in arterioles included concentric laminar thickening of vessel walls (onion-skin pattern), endothelial cell hypertrophy, smooth muscle cell vacuolation, necrosis of the tunica media, thrombosis, and partial to complete luminal stenosis. Arteritis and/or periarteritis were also noted in 4 out of 9 pigs. Additional microscopic lesions included membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (3 out of 9), myocardial microinfarcts (4 out of 7), renal interstitial fibrosis (2 out of 9), extramedullary hematopoiesis (6 out of 9), and intracapillary hyaline thrombi (2 out of 9). Degenerative vascular lesions have not been previously described in Göttingen minipigs with thrombocytopenic purpura syndrome. The etiopathogenesis of both the vascular lesions and thrombocytopenic purpura syndrome is currently unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Maratea
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Purdue University, 406 South University Street, West Lafayette, IN 49707 (USA).
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8
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Helke KL, Nelson KN, Sargeant AM, Jacob B, McKeag S, Haruna J, Vemireddi V, Greeley M, Brocksmith D, Navratil N, Stricker-Krongrad A, Hollinger C. Background Pathological Changes in Minipigs. Toxicol Pathol 2015; 44:325-37. [DOI: 10.1177/0192623315611762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Swine, especially the miniature swine or minipigs, are increasingly being used in preclinical safety assessment of small molecules, biopharmaceutical agents, and medical devices as an alternate nonrodent species. Although swine have been used extensively in biomedical research, there is a paucity of information in the current literature detailing the incidence of background lesions and differences in incidence between commonly used breeds. This article is a collaborative effort between multiple organizations to define and document lesions found in the common breeds of minipigs used for toxicological risk assessment in North America (NA) and the European Union (EU). We retrospectively assessed 10 years of historical control data from several institutions located in NA and EU, covering the period of 2004–2015. Here we report the background lesions with consideration of breed and geographical location. To our knowledge, this is the first report documenting spontaneous background lesions in commonly used breeds of swine in both NA and EU. This report serves as a resource to pathologists and will aid in interpretation of findings and differentiation of background from test article–related changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi L. Helke
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | | | | | - Binod Jacob
- Charles River Laboratories, Spencerville, Ohio, USA
| | - Sean McKeag
- Covance Laboratories Limited, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK
| | | | | | | | - Derek Brocksmith
- Sinclair Research Center and Sinclair Bio Resources, Auxvasse, Missouri, USA
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9
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Abstract
Swine are used in biomedical research as models for biomedical research and for teaching. This chapter covers normative biology and behavior along with common and emerging swine diseases. Xenotransplantation is discussed along with similarities and differences of swine immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi L. Helke
- Departments of Comparative Medicine and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | | | - Raimon Duran-Struuck
- Columbia Center of Translational Immunology, Department of Surgery; Institute of Comparative Medicine; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - M. Michael Swindle
- Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Comparative Medicine and Department of Surgery, Charleston, SC, USA
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10
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Abstract
The Göttingen minipig is gaining increasing popularity as a nonrodent species in nonclinical testing. The Göttingen minipig is easy to handle; has many anatomical and physiological similarities to man; and causes fewer ethical concerns than usage of the traditional nonrodent species, nonhuman primates, and dogs. The increasing usage of the Göttingen minipig has raised the need of appropriate background data. This article summarizes the background pathology of 835 untreated control Göttingen minipigs of both sexes used at CiToxLAB Scantox A/S during the period of 1995 to 2007.
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11
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Swindle MM, Makin A, Herron AJ, Clubb FJ, Frazier KS. Swine as models in biomedical research and toxicology testing. Vet Pathol 2011; 49:344-56. [PMID: 21441112 DOI: 10.1177/0300985811402846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 891] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Swine are considered to be one of the major animal species used in translational research, surgical models, and procedural training and are increasingly being used as an alternative to the dog or monkey as the choice of nonrodent species in preclinical toxicologic testing of pharmaceuticals. There are unique advantages to the use of swine in this setting given that they share with humans similar anatomic and physiologic characteristics involving the cardiovascular, urinary, integumentary, and digestive systems. However, the investigator needs to be familiar with important anatomic, histopathologic, and clinicopathologic features of the laboratory pig and minipig in order to put background lesions or xenobiotically induced toxicologic changes in their proper perspective and also needs to consider specific anatomic differences when using the pig as a surgical model. Ethical considerations, as well as the existence of significant amounts of background data, from a regulatory perspective, provide further support for the use of this species in experimental or pharmaceutical research studies. It is likely that pigs and minipigs will become an increasingly important animal model for research and pharmaceutical development applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Swindle
- Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Comparative Medicine, MSC 777, 114 Doughty St, Charleston, SC 29425-7770, USA.
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12
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Breshears MA, Johnson BJ. Systemic reactive angioendotheliomatosis-like syndrome in a steer presumed to be persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus. Vet Pathol 2008; 45:645-9. [PMID: 18725468 DOI: 10.1354/vp.45-5-645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Unusual proliferative intravascular lesions were seen in multiple organs of a 2-year-old Corriente steer presumed to be persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), based on widespread immunohistochemical detection of BVDV antigen. Proliferations of spindle cells, which were immunohistochemically positive for von Willebrand factor-related antigen, partially-to-completely occluded vessel lumens and were supported by cells that were immunohistochemically positive for smooth muscle actin. Distribution and character of the intraluminal proliferations are strikingly similar to those described in feline systemic reactive angioendotheliomatosis, a rare entity of unknown cause. The presence of occasional intravascular thrombi suggests that the proliferative vasculopathy was associated with an underlying thrombotic process with immunohistochemical similarities to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura of humans. Death of the steer was due to hemorrhage from a castration wound, which may indicate thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction. The role of persistent BVDV infection in the formation of the intravascular lesions is unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Breshears
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, 250 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078 (USA).
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Sipos W, Schmoll F, Stumpf I. Minipigs and potbellied pigs as pets in the veterinary practice--a retrospective study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 54:504-11. [PMID: 17931226 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.2007.00968.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Minipigs have become popular pets in recent years. Therefore, an increasing number of veterinarians are being challenged by specific problems of these animals. This retrospective study gives an overview on the diagnoses and therapeutic interventions of the patients submitted to the clinic for swine at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna during the last 6 years (n=48). Most frequently, colic symptoms of the gastro-intestinal tract (n=12) and orthopaedic locomotion disorders (n=10), mainly due to accidents or long claws, could be observed, followed by urogenital tract and skin disorders (n=4 each). Therapeutic interventions are discussed with regard to medical aspects as well as statutory provisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Sipos
- Clinical Department for Farm Animals and Herd Management, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
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14
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Abstract
The use of pigs (Sus scrofa) in biomedical research is well established in particular in surgical and physiological research. For years both pigs and minipigs have been used in pharmacology and toxicology to answer specific questions when the more conventional species have been found unsuitable. The development of minipigs has resulted in strains of more manageable size than the domestic pig. Because of their well-accepted physiological and other similarities to humans, minipigs are becoming increasingly attractive toxicological and pharmacological models. There are several strains of minipigs (Göttingen, Yucatan, Sinclair, Hanford and other). This presentation is based on experience primarily with the Göttingen minipigs. In toxicology in Europe minipigs have become very popular for pharmaceutical studies in place of dogs and primates. Minipigs have been shown to be sensitive to a wide variety of drugs and chemicals. It has become obvious that minipigs can be used for all routes of administration, and in many cases are preferable to dogs or primates for metabolic or pharmacological reasons. There are advantages over the traditional non-rodent species in relation to specific responses to particular drug classes. Their use in general toxicology testing employing the continuous intravenous infusion, dermal or inhalation route has been described in detail in the literature. Background data on toxicological endpoints (ophthalmology, clinical pathology, ECG, organ weight, histopathology and reproduction parameters) have been well-established allowing studies to be interpreted. In the context of this conference, histopathology and toxicopathology data of spontaneous or drug-induced origin are available in the scientific literature. Now there is good supply of high-quality minipigs of known disease status. There are advantages over the traditional non-rodent species in relation to the ethical difficulties of use of animals in biomedical research. Consequently, there are scientific, economic and sociological reasons that make minipigs good toxicological and pharmacological models. The principal disadvantage is that toxicity testing in minipigs may require more test compound than the traditional species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ove Svendsen
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Ridebanevej 9, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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