Caprine nodular thelitis due to Mycobacterium uberis: A series of 26 cases in 11 dairy goat farms in Western France.

Bovine Nodular Thelitis (BNT) is a granulomatous dermatitis of teat skin associated with acid-fast bacilli. A similar condition has been recorded in a dairy goat flock in France recently. The causative agent was shown to be related to the leprosy-causing bacilli Mycobacterium leprae and M. lepromatosis, then sequenced and named M. uberis. Following the initial report in goats, the aim of this study was to investigate new cases of Caprine Nodular Thelitis (CNT) in the same area to confirm the presence of M. uberis by molecular techniques and to get a better description of the clinical signs and of the affected flocks. Twenty-six animals (25 females and 1 male) from 11 flocks were included in the study. Lesions were located on the udder/teat skin (24/25), on the body skin (6/25) or on the scrotum skin (1/1). Udder skin lesions were circular, nodular and/or ulcerate covered with a crust and associated with supramammary lymph node enlargement. Body skin lesions were located at different parts of the body, showed large necrotizing ulcers with undetermined edges and were associated with regional lymph node enlargement. Histopathological results indicated granulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis of varying intensity with no acid-fast bacilli seen after Fite-Faraco staining. M. uberis DNA was amplified from 26 samples out of 47 (udder: 11/22; lymph node: 11/20; body: 4/5). The female goats were mostly older than 4 year of age and originated from breeding units characterized by large flock size and high proportion of goat in continuous lactation.

Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis in a Captive Black and White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata variegata) Caused by Acanthamoeba T4 Genotype.

A mature male, black and white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata variegata) died in a zoological garden after a 4-day history of lethargy and non-responsive convulsions. Necropsy and histopathological examinations revealed acute necrotizing and haemorrhagic meningoencephalitis with intralesional amoebas confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Acanthamoeba T4 genotype was identified as the causative agent of the brain lesion, based on amplification and sequencing of 18S ribosomal RNA genes. The presence of free-living amoebas in water and mud from the lemur's environment was investigated by morphological and molecular analyses. The two predominant genera, representing 80% of isolated amoebas, were Naegleria spp. and Acanthamoeba spp. All Acanthamoeba isolates belonged to the T4 genotype. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of a meningoencephalitis due to Acanthamoeba T4 genotype in Lemuridae with concurrent analysis of pathological tissues and environment.

Retrospective study of Mycoplasma gallisepticum meningoencephalitis in six turkey flocks in western France.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) meningoencephalitis was diagnosed in six turkey flocks, from 1998 to 2005, in the western part of France. Affected birds were 8-11 weeks old and all displayed neurological signs, especially torticollis, with more than half having concomitant respiratory signs. Microscopical examination of brain samples from birds in all six flocks revealed similar lesions of acute to subacute multifocal parenchymal necrosis, perivascular cuffing, leptomeningitis and vasculitis. Birds from four of the six affected flocks were seropositive for MG and in birds from four flocks MG DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction performed on tracheal swabs or on samples of formalin-fixed and paraffin wax-embedded brain. To our knowledge, this is the first pathological description of naturally occurring cases of turkey MG meningoencephalitis in Europe.

Histologically-validated footpad dermatitis scoring system for use in chicken processing plants.

1. Footpad dermatitis (FPD) is a recognised welfare problem in broiler chickens. Broiler feet (n = 54) were examined macroscopically and microscopically to determine a reliable correspondence between macroscopic and histological features, and to devise a scoring system that was relevant to bird welfare and easy to use at processing plants. 2. Three types of footpad lesion were defined based on their severity. Type I were mild lesions, visually characterised by scale enlargement and erythema, and histologically by hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis of the epidermis, superficial dermal congestion and oedema. Type II were moderate, superficial lesions, visually characterised by hypertrophic and hyperkeratotic scales covered with yellowish to brownish exudate, and histologically by a prominent pustular and crust-forming dermatitis. Type III lesions were the most pronounced, visually characterised by a thick dark adherent crust, and histologically by extensive ulceration. 3. On the basis of the severity and extent of these three types of lesions, a 5-point scale was devised, i.e. no or type I lesion (score 1), type II lesion (<50% or >50% of footpad, scores 2 and 3 respectively) and type III lesion (<50% or >50% of footpad, scores 4 and 5 respectively). 4. The scoring system has the advantage of making sense in terms of welfare compared with previous schemes. Furthermore, it is histologically validated and easy to use for the routine assessment of broiler welfare in processing plants.

Cholesterol granuloma as long-term complication of total ear canal ablation in a dog.

A 13-year-old cocker spaniel presented with pain on opening the mouth. History of a previous left total ear canal ablation with lateral bulla osteotomy, left intermittent facial palsy and left intermittent head tilt suggested progression of a total ear canal ablation with lateral bulla osteotomy complication. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large mass arising from the tympanic bulla. Cytology of aspirates revealed a chronic suppurative inflammatory reaction and numerous cholesterol crystals. The mass was removed by surgical excision and an active drainage system was placed for a few days. The head tilt, facial palsy and apparent pain were resolved by the surgery. Physical examination was unremarkable nine months postoperatively. Bacterial cultures of the collected fluid were negative and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a cholesterol granuloma.

Clinical and histopathologic characterization of a central and peripheral axonopathy in Rouge-des-prés (Maine Anjou) calves.

BACKGROUND: Recently, a progressive pelvic limb ataxia and paraparesis leading invariably to recumbency has been reported in Rouge-des-prés calves. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the clinical and pathological findings of this newly reported disease and to investigate its potential causes. ANIMALS: Nine calves from 7 different farms were prospectively studied from initial diagnosis through postmortem examination. METHODS: Physical and neurological examinations, blood tests, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and myelographic examinations were performed. Neuropathology was carried out on both central and peripheral nervous systems. Copper deficiency and organophosphate intoxication also were investigated. Pedigrees were analyzed. RESULTS: Age of onset varied from 2 to 6 weeks. Initial signs included pelvic limb ataxia and paraparesis. The neurological signs systematically progressed, over a 1-3-month period, to severe pelvic limb and truncal ataxia along with moderate paraparesis, leading to permanent recumbency. Animals remained alert. Cranial nerve function was normal. Muscle atrophy was not observed and spinal reflexes were normal. Blood tests, CSF analysis, and myelographic examination did not identify any abnormality. Neuropathology indicated neuronal fiber degeneration particularly in the dorsolateral and ventromedial funiculi of the spinal cord and in the peripheral nerves. Degenerative lesions also were observed in lateral vestibular and thoracic nuclei. No environmental factors such as copper deficiency or organophosphate intoxication could be incriminated as the cause of this axonopathy. Pedigree analysis suggested an inherited defect. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The first description of a central and peripheral axonopathy is reported in Rouge-des-prés calves. An inherited defect is highly suspected.

Colorectal hamartomatous polyposis and ganglioneuromatosis in a dog.

A 5-month-old female Great Dane puppy was treated for hematochezia, tenesmus, and rectal prolapse by resection of a 10-cm-long segment of colon and rectum. Grossly, the colorectal segment had diffuse mucosal and submucosal thickening with multiple polypoid nodules. The histologic diagnosis was colorectal hamartomatous polyps with ganglioneuromatosis. Duplication of PTEN was detected by quantitative multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing. The presence of 2 hamartomatous colorectal lesions with PTEN mutation is similar to human Cowden syndrome.

Cyst of the common bile duct in a cat.

A cyst of the common bile duct (CBD) is reported in a 9-year-old cat that presented with a 1-week history of anorexia, weight loss and vomiting. Diagnosis was established by ultrasound examination and laparotomy, and was ultimately confirmed by histological analysis. Chronic cholangitis and an Escherichia coli species were detected concurrently according to the histopathological findings and bile culture, respectively. The case was managed by suturing the borders of the ostium of the cyst over a stent, using a temporary cholecystostomy tube and antibiotic therapy. At 7 months following the surgery, the cat was in excellent physical condition with no clinical evidence of recurrence of cholangitis or of the cyst after ultrasonographic evaluation. According to the human literature, cysts of the CBD require treatment because of their common association with cholangitis, pancreatitis, and cystic rupture. We were unable to confirm a link between the cyst and cholangitis in this case. It is possible that detection of this anomaly was an incidental finding unrelated to bacterbilia. Histological examination of cyst tissue is mandatory for a definitive diagnosis and to differentiate it from neoplasia. This is the first description of a cyst of the CBD in the cat.

Ureteral sarcoma in a dog.

A ureteral sarcoma was diagnosed in a nine-year-old Weimaraner dog with gross haematuria, severe unilateral hydronephrosis, and hydroureter. Treatment consisted of unilateral nephrectomy and ureterectomy. This case was compared with 14 other ureteral tumours reported in the veterinary literature. Only three previous reports concerned a malignant ureteral tumour. Urinary tract neoplasms mainly involve the bladder and the kidney, and more rarely the urethra. The purpose of this paper is to report a rare case of malignant ureteral tumour in a dog.

Systemic xanthomatosis associated with hyperchylomicronaemia in a cat.

We report a case of systemic xanthomatosis in a 4-month-old domestic cat. The kitten presented with multiple cutaneous lesions and 'cream tomato soup' coloured blood. Necropsy revealed multiple, whitish, nodular lesions, compatible with xanthomas, on most of the abdominal organs (liver, spleen, kidney, adrenal glands, mesentery and colon). The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination. This is the first report of granulomatous colitis associated with feline xanthomatosis.

Immunohistochemical expression of p53 in animal tumors: a methodological study using four anti-human p53 antibodies.

Mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene are the most common genetic alterations in human cancers. These mutations usually lead to strongly enhanced protein stabilization and allow detection by immunohistochemistry. Two monoclonal (DO-7 and PAb-240) and two polyclonal (Ab-7 and CM-1) antibodies were evaluated by standard immunoperoxidase method in domestic animal tumors, chiefly squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), and osteosarcomas as positive controls. Immunoreactivity was detected in SCC of cattle, sheep, horse and cat as well as in feline actinic keratosis, with PAb-240 and CM-1 antibodies. One polyclonal antibody (Ab-7) did not give positive result at all, whereas DO-7 monoclonal antibody did not react in dogs and cats. Immunodetection of p53 protein is thus possible in all domestic species tested, especially with CM-1 and PAb-240 antibodies, and p53 alterations seem to occur early in carcinogenesis of feline SCC as in comparable human lesions.