A rapid LC-MS/MS method for the determination of moniliformin and occurrence of this mycotoxin in maize products from the Bavarian market.

A simple LC-MS/MS method was developed for the determination of moniliformin (MON) in maize and applied for the analysis of samples within the official food surveillance. The homogenized samples were extracted with acetonitrile/water 50/50 (v/v) which proved to have the highest extraction efficiency compared to other tested solvents. The centrifuged extracts were diluted with acetonitrile and were measured after chromatographic separation by HILIC (hydrophobic interaction liquid chromatography)-HPLC without any cleanup (dilute and shoot approach). The LOD and LOQ achieved by this procedure were 2.6 and 8.8 µg/kg, respectively. Thirty-nine samples of popcorn, maize meal, and semolina were collected in 2014 and 2015 at mills, cinemas, wholesale, and retail from the Bavarian market (Germany). The rate of contamination with MON was very high (97%) with levels ranging between the LOD and 847 µg/kg. The mean level was 118 µg/kg and the median, 39 µg/kg. The maximum value was detected in maize meal. The results are discussed with respect to possible health implications for the consumer.

Postoperative computed tomography and low-field magnetic resonance imaging findings in dogs with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis treated by dorsal laminectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To describe postoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in dogs with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS) treated by dorsal laminectomy and partial discectomy. METHODS: Prospective clinical case study of dogs diagnosed with and treated for DLSS. Surgical and clinical findings were described. Computed tomography and low field MRI findings pre- and postoperatively were described and graded. Clinical, CT and MRI examinations were performed four to 18 months after surgery. RESULTS: Eleven of 13 dogs were clinically improved and two dogs had unchanged clinical status postoperatively despite imaging signs of neural compression. Vacuum phenomenon, spondylosis, sclerosis of the seventh lumbar (L7) and first sacral (S1) vertebrae endplates and lumbosacral intervertebral joint osteoarthritis became more frequent in postoperative CT images. Postoperative MRI showed mild disc extrusions in five cases, and in all cases contrast enhancing non-discal tissue was present. All cases showed contrast enhancement of the L7 spinal nerves both pre- and postoperatively and seven had contrast enhancement of the lumbosacral intervertebral joints and paraspinal tissue postoperatively. Articular process fractures or fissures were noted in four dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The study indicates that imaging signs of neural compression are common after DLSS surgery, even in dogs that have clinical improvement. Contrast enhancement of spinal nerves and soft tissues around the region of disc herniation is common both pre- and postoperatively and thus are unreliable criteria for identifying complications of the DLSS surgery.

Lameness caused by an extradural lumbosacral foraminal synovial cyst in three German Shepherd Dogs.

Three German Shepherd Dogs that were presented for investigation of chronic unilateral hindlimb lameness and pain in the lumbosacral region were diagnosed with an intraspinal, extradural synovial cyst and reactive fibrosis protruding into the foramen of the lumbosacral articulation using magnetic resonance imaging and histology. This extradural mass compressed the nerve root in the foramen and the cauda equina. During a dorsal laminectomy and unilateral partial foraminotomy, the cyst and the fibrotic tissue were removed with the aid of a 2.4 mm 30° arthroscope for visualization of the foramen. The fibrotic tissue surrounding the cysts was in all cases confluent with the annulus of the intervertebral disc. The histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a synovial cyst in all three cases by finding inflamed synovial membrane in the samples from the wall of the cyst as well as reactive fibrosis and cartilaginous metaplasia in the surrounding tissue. The three patients improved after the surgery and were pain free during the follow-up evaluations.

Scapular osteomyelitis in an immature domestic shorthair cat.

CASE SUMMARY: A 12-week-old, male, domestic shorthair cat was presented with severe left thoracic limb lameness. Investigation included physical examination, diagnostic imaging with radiography and CT, histopathology and microbiological culture. Physical examination revealed a large, firm mass on the left scapula. Radiography and CT showed a monostotic spherical expansile bone lesion in the infraspinatus fossa of the left scapula. The histopathological description was a central acute suppurative osteomyelitis with reactive fibrosis and new bone formation at the periphery. Aerobic and anaerobic cultures were negative and the underlying cause of the osteomyelitis could not be identified. The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for 8 weeks proved effective with full clinical recovery and no signs of relapse during the follow-up time of 8 months. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: This report describes the management and outcome of a rare case of osteomyelitis with severe deformation of scapular bone morphology in an immature cat that was treated successfully with full recovery of limb function and restored integrity of the scapula.

Occurrence of type A, B and D trichothecenes in barley and barley products from the Bavarian market.

Fifty-nine samples of barley and barley products were analysed for 18 trichothecene mycotoxins by a sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method (detection limits 0.062-0.70 µg/kg) after sample extract clean-up on MycoSep®-226 columns. The samples were collected in 2009 from barley processing facilities (mills and malt houses) and at wholesale and retail stage from the Bavarian market. The predominant toxins were T-2 toxin (T-2), HT-2 toxin (HT-2) and deoxynivalenol (DON). For all samples, the mean levels of T-2 and HT-2 were 3.0 µg/kg and 6.8 µg/kg with rates of contamination of 63% and 71%, respectively. The maximum values were 40 µg/kg for T-2 and 47 µg/kg for HT-2. The rate of contamination with DON was high (95%) with a low mean level of 23 µg/kg. The DON levels ranged between 3.4 to 420 µg/kg. For T-2 tetraol, a mean level of 9.2 µg/kg and a maximum level of 51 µg/kg with a rate of contamination of 71% were determined. NIV was detected in 69% of the samples with a mean level of 11 µg/kg and a maximum level of 72 µg/kg. Other type A and B trichothecenes were detected only in traces. Type D trichothecenes, fusarenon-X, verrucarol and 4,15-diacetylverrucarol were not detected in any sample. Winter barley and malting barley were the most contaminated groups of all samples in this study. In malting barley, the highest levels of contamination with type A trichothecenes were found. In contrast, winter barley showed the highest contamination with type B trichothecenes. The lowest mycotoxin concentrations were found in de-hulled and naked barley and in pearl barley.