Fulminant Pneumonia Due to Reactivation of Latent Toxoplasmosis in a Cat-A Case Report.

Toxoplasma (T.) gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite with felids, including domestic cats, as definitive hosts. In immunocompetent individuals, T. gondii infection is usually asymptomatic. However, under immunosuppression, it may have severe pathological impacts, which often result from the reactivation of a chronic infection. In this case study, a 21-month-old female domestic shorthair cat-diagnosed with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia three months prior and treated with cyclosporine and prednisolone-presented with acute tachypnea, dyspnea, diarrhea, and anorexia. Thoracic radiography suggested severe pneumonia. Testing for Mycoplasma spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and lungworm infection was negative. Serology for T. gondii revealed seroconversion of IgG, but not of IgM, indicating previous exposure to T. gondii. The cat remained stable but tachypneic for three days, followed by an acute onset of dyspnea and clinical deterioration, after which euthanasia was elected. Numerous protozoa were present in a postmortem transtracheal bronchoalveolar lavage and fine-needle aspiration of the lung. Microsatellite typing classified the extracted DNA as T. gondii type II variant TgM-A. This case demonstrates that T. gondii reactivation, leading to fulminant pneumonia, can be a sequela of immunosuppressive treatment in cats and should, therefore, be considered as a differential diagnosis in immunosuppressed cats with acute-onset respiratory signs. Rapid diagnosis may prevent fatal consequences.

Brachycephaly in French bulldogs and pugs is associated with narrow ear canals.

BACKGROUND: Brachycephalic dog breeds have multiple skull malformations which may lead to anatomical changes in the external auditory canal. It is our frequent observation that in the otoscopic examination of the external ear in these breeds we are unable to visualise the tympanic membrane as a consequence of extreme narrowing of the proximal ear canal. Additionally brachycephalic dogs reportedly are predisposed to otitis externa (OE) and otitis media. OBJECTIVES: To characterizse the transition of the cartilaginous ear canal to the bony meatus acusticus externus using computed tomography (CT) and to investigate a possible association with OE in brachycephalic dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-five client-owned dogs [pugs (n = 20), French bulldogs (n = 55)] were included and assessed for OE using an owner questionnaire and otoscopic and cytological examinations. In dorsal plane CT scans, the diameter of the porus acusticus externus was measured using novel methodology. The results were compared with a normocephalic control group without preexisting otological disorders. RESULTS: Brachycephalic dogs had a significantly smaller porus acusticus externus diameter (2.6 mm) than normocephalic dogs (5.0 mm). Of the brachycephalic dogs, 32% had OE yet this was not statistically significantly related to the diameter of the porus acusticus externus. Middle ear effusion (44%) and narrowing of the external ear canal (82.6%) were significantly more frequent in brachycephalic dogs. Only five of 150 eardrums could be visualised otoscopically. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Malformation of the porus acusticus externus causes severe stenosis of the proximal ear canal in brachycephalic dogs. A connection between stenosis of the external auditory canal and OE could not be confirmed.

Contexte - Les races de chiens brachycéphales présentent de multiples malformations crâniennes qui peuvent entraîner des modifications anatomiques du conduit auditif externe. Nous observons fréquemment que lors de l'examen otoscopique de l'oreille externe chez ces races, nous sommes incapables de visualiser la membrane tympanique en raison d'un rétrécissement extrême du conduit auditif proximal. De plus, les chiens brachycéphales seraient prédisposés à l'otite externe (OE) et à l'otite moyenne. Objectifs - Caractériser la transition du conduit auditif cartilagineux au méat osseux externe par tomodensitométrie (TDM) et étudier une éventuelle association avec l'OE chez les chiens brachycéphales. Matériels et méthodes - Soixante-quinze chiens de propriétaires [carlins (n = 20), bouledogues français (n = 55)] ont été inclus et évalués pour l'OE à l'aide d'un questionnaire du propriétaire et d'examens otoscopiques et cytologiques. Dans les tomodensitogrammes du plan dorsal, le diamètre du porus acusticus externus a été mesuré à l'aide d'une nouvelle méthodologie. Les résultats ont été comparés à un groupe témoin normocéphale sans trouble otologique préexistant. Résultats - Les chiens brachycéphales avaient un diamètre de porus acusticus externus significativement plus petit (2,6 mm) que les chiens normocéphales (5,0 mm). Parmi les chiens brachycéphales, 32 % avaient une OE, mais cela n'était pas statistiquement lié de manière significative au diamètre du porus acusticus externus. L'épanchement de l'oreille moyenne (44 %) et le rétrécissement du conduit auditif externe (82,6 %) étaient significativement plus fréquents chez les chiens brachycéphales. Seuls cinq des 150 tympans ont pu être visualisés par otoscopie. Conclusions et pertinence clinique - La malformation du porus acusticus externus provoque une sténose sévère du conduit auditif proximal chez le chien brachycéphale. Un lien entre la sténose du conduit auditif externe et l'OE n'a pas pu être confirmé.

Contexto - Raças de cães braquicefálicos apresentam múltiplas malformações cranianas que podem levar a alterações anatômicas no conduto auditivo externo. Frequentemente, observamos que na avaliação otoscópica da orelha externa destas raças não conseguimos visualizar a membrana timpânica como uma consequência do estreitamento extremo do conduto auditivo proximal. Além disso, cães braquicefálicos são sabidamente predispostos à otite externa (OE) e otite média. Objetivos - Caracterizar a transição do conduto auditivo cartilaginoso para o meato acústico ósseo externo utilizando tomografia computadorizada (TC) e investigar uma possível associação com OE em cães braquicefálicos. Materiais e métodos - Setenta cães de clientes [pugs (n=20), buldogues franceses (n = 55)] foram inclusos e avaliados para OE utilizando um questionário para os proprietários, citologia e otoscopia. Nas TCs em plano dorsal, o diâmetro do poro acústico externo foi mensurado utilizando uma metodologia nova. Os resultados foram comparados com um grupo de cães normocefálicos controle sem alterações otológicas pré-existentes. Resultados - Os cães braquicefálicos apresentaram o diâmetro do poro acústico externo (2,6mm) significativamente menor que os cães normocefálicos (5,0mm). Dos cães braquicefálicos, 32% apresentavam OE, mas não houve relação significativa com o diâmetro do poro acústico externo. Presença de efusão na orelha média (44%) e estreitamento do conduto auditivo externo (82,6%) foram significativamente mais frequentes em cães braquicefálicos. Apenas cinco de 150 tímpanos puderam ser visualizados por otoscopia. Conclusões e relevância clínica - Malformações do poro acústico externo causa estenose grave do conduto auditivo proximal em cães braquicefálicos. Não foi possível comprovar a conexão entre a estenose do conduto auditivo externo e OE.

Introducción- las razas de perros braquicéfalos tienen múltiples malformaciones craneales que pueden provocar cambios anatómicos en el conducto auditivo externo. Con frecuencia observamos que en el examen otoscópico del oído externo en estas razas no podemos visualizar la membrana timpánica como consecuencia del estrechamiento extremo del conducto auditivo proximal. Además, según la literatura al respecto, los perros braquicéfalos están predispuestos a padecer otitis externa (OE) y otitis media. Objetivos - Caracterizar la transición del canal auditivo cartilaginoso al meato acusticus externus óseo mediante tomografía computerizada (CT) e investigar una posible asociación con OE en perros braquicefálicos. Materiales y métodos- setenta y cinco perros de propietarios particulares [carlinos (n = 20), bulldogs franceses (n = 55)] fueron incluidos y evaluados por posible OE mediante un cuestionario para propietarios y exámenes otoscópicos y citológicos. En tomografías computerizadas del plano dorsal, el diámetro del porus acusticus externus se midió utilizando una metodología novedosa. Los resultados se compararon con un grupo control normocefálico sin trastornos otológicos preexistentes. Resultados- los perros braquicefálicos tenían un diámetro del porus acusticus externus significativamente más pequeño (2,6 mm) que los perros normocefálicos (5,0 mm). De los perros braquicefálicos, el 32 % tenía OE, pero esto no se relacionó estadísticamente de manera significativa con el diámetro del porus acusticus externus. La efusión del oído medio (44 %) y el estrechamiento del conducto auditivo externo (82,6 %) fueron significativamente más frecuentes en perros braquicefálicos. Solo cinco de 150 tímpanos pudieron visualizarse por otoscopia. Conclusiones y relevancia clínica - La malformación del porus acusticus externus causa estenosis severa del canal auditivo proximal en perros braquicefálicos. No se pudo confirmar una conexión entre la estenosis del conducto auditivo externo y la OE.

Genome-wide transcriptional profiling of the steady-state response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to hydrogen peroxide.

The steady-state response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the oxidative-stress-generating agent hydrogen peroxide was analyzed by PAO1 transcriptome profiling. In total, 694, 411, and 237 genes were upregulated and 668, 576, and 468 genes were downregulated in P. aeruginosa strains TB, 892, and PAO1, respectively. The expression profiles of the two variants of the TB clone were significantly more related to each other than the expression profile of either strain was to that of PAO1. Exposure to H(2)O(2) activated by more than 10-fold the expression of the cyoABCD operon, which is key for aerobic respiration, and of oxidative-stress response elements such as the catalase KatB, the alkyl hydroperoxide reductase AhpF, and the thioredoxin reductase 2 operon. Genes for iron and sulfur homeostasis were upregulated. Most enzymes necessary for the conversion of amino acids into the citric acid cycle were globally downregulated at the transcriptional level. Nitrate respiration and arginine fermentation were shut off in the clone TB strains and attenuated in the PAO strain. The transcriptional profiles indicate that the two clone TB strains are more proficient in coping with H(2)O(2)-mediated oxidative stress than the reference strain PAO. According to this data, we recommend study of the transcriptome of strain PAO1 in parallel with those of at least two strains of another clone in order to differentiate common responses from clone- and strain-specific responses and to minimize overinterpretations of microarray data.