Equine biochemical multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) as a cause of rhabdomyolysis.

Two horses (a 7-year-old Groninger warmblood gelding and a six-month-old Trakehner mare) with pathologically confirmed rhabdomyolysis were diagnosed as suffering from multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD). This disorder has not been recognised in animals before. Clinical signs of both horses were a stiff, insecure gait, myoglobinuria, and finally recumbency. Urine, plasma, and muscle tissues were investigated. Analysis of plasma showed hyperglycemia, lactic acidemia, increased activity of muscle enzymes (ASAT, LDH, CK), and impaired kidney function (increased urea and creatinine). The most remarkable findings of organic acids in urine of both horses were increased lactic acid, ethylmalonic acid (EMA), 2-methylsuccinic acid, butyrylglycine (iso)valerylglycine, and hexanoylglycine. EMA was also increased in plasma of both animals. Furthermore, the profile of acylcarnitines in plasma from both animals showed a substantial elevation of C4-, C5-, C6-, C8-, and C5-DC-carnitine. Concentrations of acylcarnitines in urine of both animals revealed increased excretions of C2-, C3-, C4-, C5-, C6-, C5-OH-, C8-, C10:1-, C10-, and C5-DC-carnitine. In addition, concentrations of free carnitine were also increased. Quantitative biochemical measurement of enzyme activities in muscle tissue showed deficiencies of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD), medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD), and isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (IVD) also indicating MADD. Histology revealed extensive rhabdomyolysis with microvesicular lipidosis predominantly in type 1 muscle fibers and mitochondrial damage. However, the ETF and ETF-QO activities were within normal limits indicating the metabolic disorder to be acquired rather than inherited. To our knowledge, these are the first cases of biochemical MADD reported in equine medicine.

Dry gangrene of the extremities in calves associated with Salmonella dublin infection; a possible immune-mediated reaction.

Dry gangrene of the extremities in calves is a circulatory error that may occur after infection with Salmonella dublin. This report describes an examination of three affected, 12 in-contact and five control calves, a main objective being to investigate the possible role of cold agglutination in pathogenesis. The lesions included dry gangrene of the hind legs, ears and tail. A cold agglutination test gave positive results in all animals examined except the controls. The three affected calves had high titres of S. dublin antibodies, as also did four of the in-contact animals. The results suggested a relationship between cold agglutination and the occurrence of the disease.

The Fell pony immunodeficiency syndrome also occurs in the Netherlands: a review and six cases.

Over the last ten years a fatal syndrome associated with immunodeficiency and severe anaemia has been reported in young Fell pony foals in the UK. Affected foals are usually normal at birth but from the age of 2-4 weeks they progressively lose condition and become severely anaemic. Signs of immunodeficiency become apparent at around 3-4 weeks of age. Morbidity is low but mortality is 100% despite intensive treatment. Affected foals die or are euthanized usually before they reach the age of 3 months. A single autosomal recessive gene is suggested to be on the basis of the syndrome. Recently, affected Fell pony foals have been identified in the Netherlands and between June 2003 and August 2005, six affected Fell pony foals were referred to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for investigation.

Mast cells and eosinophils in feline allergic dermatitis: a qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Mast cells (MCs) and eosinophils are prominent in the perivascular infiltrate of cats with allergic dermatitis. In the skin of allergic cats MCs were mainly observed diffusely in the superficial dermis, while eosinophils were found mainly in the deep dermis in a perivascular pattern. MC counts were significantly higher in cats with allergic dermatitis (P < 0.05) than in healthy control cats, but the number varied widely. Moreover, the numbers of eosinophils in the skin of allergic and control cats differed significantly (P < 0.05) none being found in the latter. There was no significant correlation between numbers of mast cells and eosinophils in the same biopsy sample. In the allergic cats, a significantly lower number of MCs was detected by staining for tryptase than by staining for chymase or by Astra blue staining. Additionally, the chymase: tryptase ratio in healthy cats was reversed in cats with allergic dermatitis. These changes were observed in lesional and nonlesional skin of cats with allergic dermatitis. The findings indicate a generalized effect on MCs in allergic dermatitis. In addition, eosinophils are an important indicator of allergic dermatitis.

Brain abscesses as a metastatic manifestation of strangles: symptomatology and the use of magnetic resonance imaging as a diagnostic aid.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: The occurrence of unexpectedly high numbers of horses with neurological signs during two outbreaks of strangles required prompt in-depth researching of these cases, including the exploration of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a possible diagnostic technique. OBJECTIVES: To describe the case series and assess the usefulness of MRI as an imaging modality for cases suspected of space-occupying lesions in the cerebral cavity. METHODS: Four cases suspected of suffering from cerebral damage due to Streptococcus equi subsp. equi infection were examined clinically, pathologically, bacteriologically, by clinical chemistry (3 cases) and MRI (2 cases). In one case, MRI findings were compared to images acquired using computer tomography (CT). RESULTS: In all cases, cerebral abscesses positive for Streptococcus equi subsp. equi were found, which explained the clinical signs. Although the lesions could be visualised with CT, MRI images were superior in representing the exact anatomic reality of the soft tissue lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of bastard strangles characterised by metastatic brain abscesses was confirmed. MRI appeared to be an excellent tool for the imaging of cerebral lesions in the horse. POTENTIAL CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The high incidence of neurological complications could not be explained but possibly indicated a change in virulence of certain strains of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. MRI images were very detailed, permitting visualisation of much smaller lesions than demonstrated in this study and this could allow prompt clinical intervention in less advanced cases with a better prognosis. Further, MRI could assist in the surgical treatment of brain abscesses, as has been described earlier for CT.

Increased numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in lesional skin of cats with allergic dermatitis.

The aim of this study was to characterize T cells in the skin of cats with an allergic dermatitis histologically compatible with atopic dermatitis, since T cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis in humans. We observed a significantly greater number of T cells in lesional skin of domestic short-haired cats with allergic dermatitis (n = 10; median age 5.8 years) than in the skin of healthy control animals (n = 10; median age 5.0 years). In the skin of the healthy control animals, one or two CD4+ cells and no CD8+ cells were found. A predominant increase of CD4+ T cells and a CD4+/CD8+ ratio (mean +/- SD: 3.9 +/- 2.0) was found in the lesional skin of 10 cats with allergic dermatitis. The CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio in the skin of healthy control animals could not be determined because of the absence of CD8+ cells. The CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio in the peripheral blood of 10 cats with allergic dermatitis (mean +/- SD: 1.9 +/- 0.4) did not differ significantly from that in 10 healthy control animals (2.2 +/- 0.4). The CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio and predominance of CD4+ T cells in the lesional skin of cats with allergic dermatitis is comparable to that found in atopic dermatitis in humans. In addition, the observed increase of CD4+ T cells in the nonlesional skin of cats with allergic dermatitis compared to the skin of healthy cats is similar to what is seen in humans. Cytokines produced by T cells and antigen-specific T cells are important mediators in the inflammatory cascade resulting in atopic dermatitis in humans. This study is a first step to investigate their role in feline allergic dermatitis.

Comparison of two suture materials for intradermal skin closure in dogs.

The macroscopic and histological appearance of cutaneous incisions closed with polyglecaprone 25 (Monocryl) and polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) suture materials were compared in four dogs. Polyglecaprone 25 compared favourably to polyglactin 910 suture material for closure of canine skin incisions, and was associated with significantly less tissue reaction in the early phases of the healing process than was polyglactin 910 suture material. This difference was not present at later evaluation times.

A retrospective evaluation of adverse reactions to trimethoprim-sulphonamide combinations in dogs and cats.

Adverse reactions to various trimethoprim-sulphonamide (T-S) combinations were studied retrospectively in dogs and cats referred to the Utrecht University Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals during the period 1985-1994. Dermatological and systemic reactions were observed in 19 dogs and 2 cats. Specific histological reaction patterns were seen in 3 dogs with toxic epidermal necrolysis, in 1 dog and 1 cat with erythema multiforme, and in 1 dog with pemphigus foliaceus. Diagnostic criteria used in humans proved to be reliable in dogs and cats as well. Adverse reactions were observed within 7-14 days after administration and were most often due to sulphadiazine (76%) and sulphatroxazole (14%). The incidence of adverse reactions to T-S was 0.25%.

A macaque model for hantavirus infection.

Cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) were experimentally infected with Puumala virus (strain Hällnäs), which causes nephropathia epidemica in humans in western Europe. During the first week after intratracheal inoculation, the monkeys exhibited signs of lethargy followed by mild proteinuria and microhematuria. Histopathologic changes during the first 7 weeks after infection were largely confined to abnormalities in medullary tubular cells of the kidneys, which coincided with the demonstration of viral antigen and viral RNA. The development of different classes of virus-specific plasma antibodies to the respective viral antigens were similar to those observed in humans with nephropathia epidemica. This first description of a nonhuman primate model for hantavirus infection shows that the cynomolgus macaque provides a suitable model with which to study the pathogenesis of Puumala virus infections and to evaluate new diagnostic methods, immunization strategies, and therapies.

Hyperlipoproteinaemia associated with atherosclerosis and cutaneous xanthomatosis in a cat.

Bilateral uveitis and multiple xanthomas (fat deposits in the skin) are described in a 3.5-year-old ovariohysterectomized female Persian cat. The cat had been treated for 2 years with corticosteroids. Examinations included a routine blood chemistry profile, radiographic examination of the thorax and abdomen, histopathological examination of multiple skin punch biopsies, and analysis of blood lipid components by cellulose-acetate electrophoresis and by preparative ultracentrifugation studies. Total lipid values were 23 g/l. Ultracentrifugation studies indicated strongly elevated VLDL and LDL fractions and a decreased concentration of the HDL fraction. Because of sudden blindness the cat was euthanized at the request of the owner. Autopsy revealed massive atherosclerotic changes in the large abdominal vessels, the wall of the aorta, and the coronary vessels. Although the exact pathogenesis remains uncertain, these unusual findings might be explained by a primary hyperlipoproteinaemia, complicated by long-term use of corticosteroids.

[Neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system in horses]. / Neurodegeneratieve aandoeningen van het centrale zenuwstelsel bij het paard.

The most important neurodegenerative diseases of the horse are reviewed. In addition to the literature, neurodegenerative diseases occurring in patients (horses, Mongolian Przewalski-horses, and two zebras) referred to the Utrecht Veterinary Faculty are mentioned. Neurodegenerative diseases described are: I. ataxia associated with: A/ static stenosis, B/ dynamic stenosis, C/ lesions at various locations in the central nervous system, D/ equine herpesvirus infections, E/ equine degenerative myelo-encephalopathy, or F/ cerebellar abiotrophy; II. equine motor neuron disease; III. grass sickness or equine dysautonomia; IV. postanaesthetic myelomalacia; and V. equine leuko-encephalomalacia. The patient descriptions show, that mixed forms of some of the differentiated diseases can be diagnosed. Little is known with certainty about the aetiology of the neurodegenerative lesions found. In some patients vitamin E may play a role, possibly in combination with other factors. A mycotoxin known to interfere with myelin metabolism is involved in leuko-encephalomalacia.

[A calf with a mesothelioma]. / Een kalf met een mesothelioom.

A 35-year-old Holstein-Friesian calf had shown progressive abdominal distension for two weeks. On admission, the calf showed signs of abdominal discomfort. Haemorrhagic fluid was obtained by paracentesis and contained 2.8 G.L-1. leucocytes. At both laparotomy and autopsy (after euthanasia) a mesothelioma was found.

Concentrations of serum amyloid-A (SAA) and haptoglobin (HP) as parameters of inflammatory diseases in cattle.

The concentrations of the acute-phase proteins, serum amyloid-A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp), were determined in the plasma of healthy cows (n = 25) and cows with spontaneous acute (n = 6), subacute (n = 37), or chronic (n = 7) inflammatory diseases. The plasma concentration of SAA alone, Hp alone, and the Hp/SAA ratio, differed significantly (p < 0.001) between healthy animals and animals with inflammatory diseases. Plasma Hp concentrations in the group of cows with acute inflammatory diseases were significantly (p < 0.01) different from those in the group with chronic inflammatory diseases. Moreover, the Hp/SAA ratio in chronic inflammatory diseases was significantly different from this ratio in acute (p < 0.01) and subacute (p < 0.05) inflammatory diseases. It is therefore concluded that the plasma concentrations of SAA and Hp and the Hp/SAA ratio are useful parameters to distinguish healthy animals from animals with inflammation and can be helpful in distinguishing between acute and chronic of inflammatory diseases.

Proteinuria associated with glomerulosclerosis and glomerular collagen formation in three Newfoundland dog littermates.

Three dogs out of a litter of eight Newfoundland dogs developed a progressive fatal glomerulopathy. The affected dogs were a 2-month-old male, a 2.5-month-old female, and a 1-year-old male. The disease in all three animals was characterized by growth retardation, anorexia, proteinuria (14-16 g/liter), hypoalbuminemia (15-21 g/liter, elevated plasma urea (13-28 mmol/liter), and creatinine (83-296 mumol/liter) concentrations. Because of a bad prognosis the dogs were euthanatized. On postmortem examination, the animals had enlarged, slightly pale kidneys, which revealed glomerulosclerosis and glomerulofibrosis on histologic and electron microscopic examination. The lesions consisted of subendothelial and mesangial collagen fibrils and an increase of mesangial matrix. The fibrosis may result from endothelial or mesangial collagen formation as the manifestation of a metabolic disease.

Phaeohyphomycosis in a cat caused by Alternaria infectoria E. G. Simmons.

The first case of phaeohyphomycosis in a cat caused by Alternaria infectoria E. G. Simmons is reported. A. infectoria was isolated from several cutaneous nodules. Treatment of the cat with itraconazole is described.

Leukocyte mobilization to skin lesions in dogs.

A suction blister technique was used in 10 healthy dogs to remove the epidermis from the dermis in a standardized way. Collection chambers were attached to these skin windows and filled with autologous serum to attract exudative neutrophils. The chambers were emptied by fine-needle aspiration at 4-hour intervals and were refilled with serum for 24 hours after the last aspiration. The collected cells were counted, differentiated, and stained, using the trypan blue dye-exclusion method to determine cell viability. Multiple skin biopsy specimens obtained during the procedure were examined histologically. The chamber fluid collected after 24 hours was cultured for bacteria. Increasing numbers of viable neutrophils were collected during the 24-hour period from the induced skin windows. In all but 1 dog, sufficient viable neutrophils could be collected to perform further functional tests in vitro. Our conclusion is that this technique might be useful to study chemotaxis in vivo and to perform functional tests on exudative neutrophils.

[Neospora abortion in cattle in The Netherlands]. / Neospora abortus bij het rund in Nederland.

Three cases of bovine protozoal abortion at three different dairy farms are reported. Multiple abortions had occurred, on two farms, and a sporadic abortion on the third farm. Histopathological examination of foetal tissues revealed a distinctive multifocal necrotising encephalitis as well as focal inflammatory lesions in the myocardium, liver, kidney and lung. In one foetus protozoal tissue cysts were found in the brain and individual and clustered tachyzoites were seen in brain, and lung. In another foetus a cluster of tachyzoites was seen in a section of a placentoma. Immunohistochemically, tissue cysts as well as tachyzoites reacted with Neospora caninum antiserum. Tachyzoites were also detected in the brain lesions of the other two foetuses. The preliminary results of a histopathological survey of aborted bovine foetuses indicate that this protozoal infection may be an important cause of bovine abortion in The Netherlands.

Haemorrhagic claw lesions in newborn piglets due to selenium toxicosis during pregnancy.

In a sow herd piglets were born with haemorrhagic lesions on the proximal wall and sole of the claws of all their feet due to abnormal horn formation. High concentrations of selenium were detected in the liver and kidney of the piglets and appeared to be associated with these lesions. A selenium rich premix added to the rations of the sows in the second half of gestation was the origin of this selenium intoxication.

Investigations on the role of flea antigen in the pathogenesis of German shepherd dog pyoderma (GSP).

Skin reaction patterns to the intradermal injection of a whole-body flea extract were examined in five physically healthy dogs and in 24 dogs with German Shepherd dog Pyoderma (GSP) at 15 and 30 minutes and at 1, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the injection. In 10 out of 24 GSP dogs a positive skin reaction was observed macroscopically after 15 minutes. Delayed reactions at 24 or 48 hours were not observed. In the control group neither immediate nor delayed reactions were observed. The histopathologic skin changes were basically the same in both groups: an initial polymorphonuclear reaction followed by a mononuclear cell reaction. In the GSP dogs, however, these changes occurred earlier and were more prolonged than in the normal dogs. No flea-antigen-specific IgGd antibodies could be demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It is concluded that delayed type hypersensitivity to flea antigen does not play a role in the pathogenesis of GSP. Immediate type hypersensitivity may contribute to the disease in some cases.