Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in dogs in Alabama, USA

A random sample of private small-animal practices in Alabama submitted sera from dogs with known tick contact. A total of 579 samples from the three geographic regions of the state were collected (58% of the targeted sample size). Sera were screened for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi using an indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test which had a sensitivity and specificity of greater than 90%. Anti-B burgdorferi titers of > or = 1:64 were considered to be positive, based on results from B. burgdorferi-inoculated dogs. Ten of the 579 samples (1.7%) were positive, and titers ranged from 1:64 to 1:512. Seropositive dogs were found throughbout the state, and there was no significant difference in seroprevalence by region (Mantel-Haenszel chi 2, P = 0.85). These results indicate that the seroprevalence for canine Lyme disease in Alabama is low and that use of the canine Lyme disease vaccine is not justified.

Severe idiopathic thymic hemorrhage in two littermate dogs

Two 6-month-old littermate Shetland Sheepdogs were found to have severe thymic hemorrhage unassociated with trauma or poisoning. One dog survived the insult with supportive care, and the other died and was necropsied. Antemortem laboratory data and radiographic findings for both dogs were consistent with acute blood loss into the mediastinum. Hemorrhage was restricted to the thymus and mediastinum in both dogs.

Interpreting the pathologist's report

It is imperative that the clinician/practitioner and diagnostic pathologist communicate. Both individuals practice their profession with innate professional biases based on training and experience. Like clinical medicine, pathology is a professional art and is subject to interpretative variance. When the clinician receives a pathological report that does not agree with the clinical presentation, there is an obligation to communicate the concern to the pathologist and request a second opinion or agree on the need for submission of additional biopsy material.

Human effects of veterinary biological products

A 14-year-old male drank two glasses of milk from a gallon inoculated with 21 vials of live virus vaccine intended to immunize 1000 baby chicks against Newcastle Disease. The patient was managed with catharsis and careful observation, and remained completely asymptomatic in the following 28 days. Newcastle Disease virus (NDV) may cause paralytic neurotropic, viscerotropic, or pneumonotropic disease in chickens, but has limited effects on humans. Systemic exposure to this vaccine has not previously been reported in humans, although an aerosol NDV vaccine has caused self-limited conjunctivitis following ocular exposure. The human effects of veterinary biologicals remain poorly defined. The limited literature existing in regards to the human experience with common veterinary vaccines is reviewed.