First isolation of Vibrio tapetis and an atypical strain of Aeromonas salmonicida from skin ulcerations in common dab (Limanda limanda) in the North Sea.

Skin ulcerations rank amongst the most prevalent lesions affecting wild common dab (Limanda limanda) with an increase in prevalence of up to 3.5% in the Belgian part of the North Sea. A complex aetiology of these ulcerations is suspected, and many questions remain on the exact factors contributing to these lesions. To construct the aetiological spectrum of skin ulcerations in flatfish, a one-day monitoring campaign was undertaken in the North Sea. Fifteen fish presented with one or more ulcerations on the pigmented and/or non-pigmented side. Pathological features revealed various stages of ulcerations with loss of epidermal and dermal tissue, inflammatory infiltrates and degeneration of the myofibers bordering the ulceration, albeit in varying degrees. Upon bacteriological examination, pure cultures of Vibrio tapetis were retrieved in high numbers from five fish and of Aeromonas salmonicida in one fish. The V. tapetis isolates showed cross-reactivity with the sera against the representative strain of serotype O2 originating form a carpet-shell clam (Ruditapes descussatus). Moreover, the A. salmonicida isolates displayed a previously undescribed vapA gene sequence (A-layer type) with possible specificity towards common dab. Further research is necessary to pinpoint the exact role of these agents in the development of skin ulcerations in common dab.

Adenoviral Gizzard Erosions in Two Belgian Broiler Farms.

Fowl adenovirus infections are widely prevalent in poultry. Many of the viruses can infect chickens without resulting in overt disease. Nevertheless, some fowl adenoviruses can cause important disease complexes in chickens such as inclusion body hepatitis, hydropericardium syndrome, necrotic pancreatitis, and gizzard erosion. Adenoviral gizzard erosions have been regularly reported from Japan, but detailed reports from Europe are scarce and available only from Italy, Poland, Hungary, and Germany. This case report describes two concurrent outbreaks of gizzard erosions caused by fowl adenovirus A in two Belgian broiler farms. Clinical signs observed were signs of depression, reduced feed intake, reduced weight gain, and lack of uniformity of the flocks. At necropsy, typically multiple erosions within the koilin layer of the gizzard were observed. Histopathological examination showed a multifocal, erosive ventriculitis with basophilic intranuclear inclusions in the epithelium. PCR analysis confirmed the diagnosis of fowl adenovirus. These findings suggest that outbreaks of adenoviral gizzard erosion can also lead to significant economic losses in Belgium.

Persistent Goose Hemorrhagic Polyomavirus Infection on a Belgian Goose Farm.

Goose hemorrhagic polyomavirus (GHPV) is the causative agent of hemorrhagic nephritis enteritis of geese (HNEG), one of the major diseases of domestic geese in Europe. This case report describes a persistent outbreak of a GHPV infection on a Belgian goose farm. Clinical symptoms, necropsy lesions, and histopathologic lesions observed were compatible with previous reports of HNEG outbreaks. PCR analysis confirmed the diagnosis of GHPV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an outbreak of a GHPV infection on a Belgian goose farm. This is evidence that GHPV is not only present in countries known for extensive waterfowl production, but disease outbreaks also occur in countries with less extensive goose production.

Development of a new laparoscopic Foramen Epiploicum Mesh Closure (FEMC) technique in 6 horses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE) is, based on the number of reports in the literature, a relatively important life-threatening cause of colic in horses that could be prevented by closing the epiploic foramen (EF) in horses at risk of developing EFE. OBJECTIVES: To describe the laparoscopic foramen epiploicum mesh closure (FEMC) technique and its outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive experimental study. METHODS: The EF of 6 horses was closed with the FEMC technique. A diabolo-shaped constructed mesh was introduced into the omental vestibule through the EF under laparoscopic visualisation in the standing sedated horse. Clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded during the post operative period. Four weeks after the intervention, repeat laparoscopy was performed in all horses. Three horses were subjected to euthanasia one, 2 and 3 months after the intervention, and were examined on necropsy and histopathology. The remaining 3 horses were followed clinically for 6 months. RESULTS: The 6 FEMC procedures were performed successfully in a median surgery time of 22 min (range 18-27 min). One horse was treated for large colon impaction in the immediate post operative period. On repeat laparoscopy at 4 weeks all 6 EFs were closed and no undesired adhesions were identified. This was confirmed on gross and histopathological examination of the 3 horses that were subjected to euthanasia. The 3 remaining horses were clinically normal in the 6-month post operative observation period. CONCLUSIONS: This FEMC technique provides a fast, simple, reliable and safe procedure to obliterate the EF and may be useful in horses at risk for EFE.

Haemangiosarcoma in a captive Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica).

A 2.7-year-old male captive Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) died unexpectedly without preceding symptoms. Gross necropsy revealed liver and lung tumours, which proved to be haemangiosarcomas by histopathology. Some of the liver tumours were ruptured, leading to massive intra-abdominal haemorrhage and death. Haemangiosarcomas are rare in domestic and exotic felids, occurring in skin, thoracic-abdominal cavity and bones. Although these tumours mainly appear to be occurring in older cats, they are sometimes observed in younger animals, as in the present case. This is the first description of haemangiosarcoma in a young Asiatic lion.

Congenital ascites due to hepatoblastoma with extensive peritoneal implantation metastases in a premature equine fetus.

A premature dead equine fetus with excessive fluctuating distension of the abdomen was delivered by extraction. Post-mortem examination revealed ascites and a solitary, irregular, bulging, multinodular, firm, yellow mass of 25 cm in diameter in the right liver lobe. Extensive peritoneal implantation metastases were present. The masses were composed of polygonal embryonal cells arranged in sheets and nests. Based on the immunohistochemical expression of Ki67, low molecular weight cytokeratin and alpha-1 fetoprotein, a diagnosis of hepatoblastoma with peritoneal implantation metastases was made.

Equine multisystemic eosinophilic epitheliotropic disease: a case report and review of literature.

CASE HISTORY: A 2-year-old Standardbred gelding presented with a history of fever over 1 week, anorexia and skin lesions on all four legs. The lesions were associated with severe pruritus and oedema, and there was no response to therapy. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The horse was in poor body condition, was lethargic and severely pruritic. Skin lesions consisted of diffuse alopecia and crusting of the distal extremities. Initially it was slightly febrile, but subsequently its temperature increased up to 40°C. Ten days after admission it developed profuse watery diarrhoea and the skin lesions progressed. Skin biopsies revealed superficial and deep perivascular dermatitis with lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic predominance. Based on the poor prognosis the horse was subject to euthanasia. PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: The most notable lesions included ulcerative gastritis, typhlitis and colitis with prominent oedema of the intestines, marked subcutaneous oedema and severe thickening of the large bile ducts. Histopathology showed marked eosinophilic and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of various tissues including the skin, gastrointestinal tract, mesenteric lymph nodes, large bile ducts, pancreatic duct and kidney. Immunohistochemistry revealed a clear predominance of CD3-positive cells in the lymphocytic infiltrations. DIAGNOSIS: Based on the clinical findings and histopathology a diagnosis of multisystemic eosinophilic epitheliotropic disease (MEED) was made. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Multisystemic eosinophilic epitheliotropic disease is rare in horses, and usually chronic. In the current case the horse showed an apparently acute onset with high fever and rapid clinical deterioration. A diagnosis of MEED should be considered in horses presenting with weight loss and skin lesions with or without fever. A final diagnosis is based on histological results of biopsy specimens from affected organs.

Anatomical description and morphometry of the skeleton of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

Callithrix jacchus (common marmoset) is regularly used in biomedical research, including for studies involving the skeleton. To support these studies, skeletons of healthy animals that had been euthanized for reasons not interfering with skeletal anatomy were prepared. The marmoset dental formula 2I-1C-3P-2M of each oral quadrant is atypical for New World monkeys which commonly possess a third molar. Seven cervical, 12-13 thoracic, 7-6 lumbar, 2-3 sacral and 26-29 caudal vertebrae are present, the thoracolumbar region always comprising 19 vertebrae. A sigmoid clavicle connects the scapula with the manubrium of the sternum. Depending on the number of thoracic vertebrae, 4-5 sternebrae are located between the manubrium and xiphoid process. Wide interosseous spaces separate the radius from the ulna, and the tibia from the fibula. A small sesamoid bone is inserted in the m. abductor digiti primi longus at the medial border of the carpus, a pair of ovoid sesamoid bones is located at the palmar/plantar sides of the trochleae of each metapodial bone, and round fabellae articulate with the proximal surfaces of the femoral condyles. Male marmosets possess a small penile bone. Both the front and hind feet have five digits. The hallux possesses a flat nail, whereas all other digits present curved claws. Interestingly, a central bone is present in both the carpus and tarsus. This study provides a description and detailed illustrations of the skeleton of the common marmoset as an anatomical guide for further biomedical research.