Chronic Inflammatory and Proliferative Lesions of the Gallbladder in Aged Pigs.

Primary epithelial tumors of the gallbladder are rarely reported in animals. In this study, 9 aged pigs (6-12 years old) were histopathologically examined for gallbladder proliferative lesions. At necropsy, a large gallstone occupied the lumen of the gallbladder of 3 pigs. Histopathological examination revealed chronic cholecystitis in all 9 pigs, mucosal hyperplasia in 2 pigs, adenoma in 1 pig, and adenocarcinoma in 2 pigs. Bacilli were detected in the gallbladder lumen of 6 pigs by Warthin-Starry stain. Mucosal hyperplasia, adenoma, and adenocarcinoma were characterized by papillary projections of the mucosa with occasional acinar structures. Tumor invasion of the surrounding tissue was observed in the cases of adenocarcinoma. On Alcian blue and periodic acid-Schiff double-stained sections, the acinar structure of gallbladder mucosa in chronic cholecystitis and mucosal hyperplasia was stained in a mosaic pattern, indicating pyloric gland metaplasia. The results of immunohistochemistry revealed a CD10-positive epithelial brush border and mucin (MUC) 2-positive goblet cells in chronic cholecystitis, adenoma, and adenocarcinomas, indicating intestinal metaplasia. Immunoreactivity of MUC5 AC and cytokeratin 19 was weaker in adenoma and adenocarcinomas compared with the normal and hyperplastic gallbladder mucosa. The number of p53-positive nuclei and the Ki-67 index were higher in adenocarcinomas compared with benign lesions. These results suggest that chronic cholecystitis associated with gallstones and/or bacterial infections may contribute to metaplastic changes and development of gallbladder tumors in aged pigs. Alteration of mucin, cytokeratin, and p53 profiles in gallbladder proliferative lesions in pigs were similar to that in humans, suggesting a common pathogenesis in tumor development.

SUCCESSFUL SURGICAL TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE LIVER DISEASE CAUSED BY A BILIARY CALCULUS IN A CAPTIVE CHIMPANZEE (PAN TROGLODYTES).

A 40-yr-old female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) presented with intermittent, short-duration episodes of nonspecific clinical signs that included lethargy and reduced responsiveness to external stimuli. Clinical examination and diagnostics suggested obstructive hepatic disease, which was confirmed by subsequent ultrasonographic examination. During routine laparotomy, a biliary calculus was removed from the distal common bile duct and the gallbladder was removed, which resulted in complete clinical recovery. The biliary calculus was analyzed as a mixed composition of predominantly cholesterol, bilirubin, and calcium.

Determination of neuroprotective oxysterols in Calculus bovis, human gallstones, and traditional Chinese medicine preparations by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry.

So far, the components responsible for the neuroprotective effects of Calculus bovis are unclear. Cholesterol, one of the major components in Calculus bovis, is easily oxidized into oxysterols, which possess direct or indirect neuroprotective effects proved by our and others' previous studies. Therefore, a liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry method coupled with ultrasonic extraction and solid-phase extraction was developed for the determination of neuroprotective oxysterols in Calculus bovis, human gallstones, and traditional Chinese medicine preparations. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column with isocratic elution at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The established method showed good linearity (R(2) > 0.998), sensitivity with low limits of detection (0.06-0.39 µg/g), acceptable precisions (relative standard deviations ≤ 7.4%), stability (relative standard deviations ≤ 5.9%), and satisfactory accuracy (92.4-102.9%) for all analytes identified by different retention times, which could be applied for the determination of oxysterols. Five kinds of oxysterols proved to function as neuroprotectants were detected at different concentrations. Among them, 7ß-hydroxycholesterol and cholestane-3ß,5α,6ß-triol were rather abundant in the samples. It could be concluded that the potential neuroprotective components in Calculus bovis may be these oxysterols.

Cholecystocutaneous fistula containing multiple gallstones in a dog.

A 7-year-old dog was presented with a history of an open lesion on the right thoracic wall, discharging honey-like fluid and small stones. Ultrasonography and computed tomographic fistulography identified a cholecystocutaneous fistula; cholecystectomy was curative. Veterinarians should consider this disease in patients with long-term discharging lesions on the right thoracic or abdominal wall.

Fistule cholécystocutanée contenant des cholélithes multiples chez un chien. Un chien âgé de 7 ans a été présenté avec une anamnèse de lésion ouverte sur la paroi thoracique droite, d'où s'écoulait un liquide ressemblant à du miel et de petits calculs. Une échographie et une fistulographie tomographique ont identifié une fistule cholécystocutanée et une cholécystectomie a guéri l'affection. Les vétérinaires devraient considérer cette maladie chez les patients ayant des lésions suppurantes de longue date sur la paroi thoracique ou abdominale droite.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Gallstones in slender lorises (Loris tardigradus).

A total of 32 slender lorises (Loris tardigradus) kept in captivity were investigated postmortem. In five adult lorises (4 females, 1 male), the gallbladder contained either one gallstone or multiple gallstones. Except for one 5-yr-old female, the affected individuals were between 11 and 13 yr of age. All of the gallstones consisted of 100% cholesterol. Besides other predisposing factors such as species, sex, increasing age, and diabetes mellitus, nutrition may play a major role in the occurrence of these gallstones.

A survey on prevalence and pathological findings of gallstones in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep in Iran.

In a survey of 430 Lori-Bakhtiari sheep at a slaughterhouse in Iran, gallstones were found in the gallbladder of 7 sheep (1.6%). Biliary calculi were more frequent in adult and female sheep (P < 0.05). Chemical analysis of the gallstones revealed 6 sheep with pigment (bilirubin) stones and 1 sheep with cholesterol stones. Chemical composition of bile in these sheep was evaluated. Bacteriologic analysis of the bile in the affected sheep revealed bacteria (Streptococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp.) in 5 sheep. Microscopic examination of gallbladders revealed focal calcification, cystic glands, necrosis and atrophy of mucosal layer, edema, diffuse and focal infiltration of lymphocytes in submucosal layer, and hypertrophy of smooth muscles in sheep with gallstones. It was concluded that the prevalence of both types of gallstones in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep is low. Cholelithiasis can cause chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, but it is not likely to become clinically significant.

Ultrasonographic findings in cattle and buffaloes with chronic hepatic fascioliosis.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the ultrasonographic findings in cattle and buffaloes with chronic hepatic fascioliosis. To the best of the author's knowledge, this report is the first to document ultrasonographic findings in buffaloes with chronic hepatic fascioliosis. Ultrasonographic findings included distended gallbladders with either homogenous or heterogeneous contents, edema of the gallbladder walls, which ranged from mild or moderate to severe and bile duct mineralization. In 78% of the buffaloes, there was an ultrasonographic picture of hepatic fibrosis in which heterogeneous and hyperechogenic hepatic parenchymas with multiple echogenic foci were imaged. Other ultrasonographic findings included peritoneal, pleural and pericardial effusions. Two cows and one buffalo were slaughtered and examined postmortem. Hence, it was possible to verify distended gallbladders, edema of the gallbladder wall, calcified bile ducts, cholestasis and hepatic fibrosis by using ultrasonography in the cows and buffaloes with chronic hepatic fascioliosis. The procedure offers a useful supplement to clinical, hematological and biochemical examinations on the diagnosis of this condition.

Lith6: a new QTL for cholesterol gallstones from an intercross of CAST/Ei and DBA/2J inbred mouse strains.

A complex genetic basis determines the individual predisposition to develop cholesterol gallstones in response to environmental factors. We employed quantitative trait locus/loci (QTL) analyses of an intercross between inbred strains CAST/Ei (susceptible) and DBA/2J (resistant) to determine the subset of gallstone susceptibility (Lith) genes these strains possess. Parental and first filial generation mice of both genders and male intercross offspring were evaluated for gallstone formation after feeding a lithogenic diet. Linkage analysis was performed using a form of multiple interval mapping. One significant QTL colocalized with Lith1 [chromosome (chr) 2, 50 cM], a locus identified previously. Significantly, new QTL were detected and named Lith10 (chr 6, 4 cM), Lith6 (chr 6, 54 cM), and Lith11 (chr 8, 58 cM). Statistical and genetic analyses suggest that Lith6 comprises two QTL in close proximity. Our molecular and genetic data support the candidacy of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (Pparg) and Slc21a1, encoding Pparg, and the basolateral bile acid transporter SLC21A1 (Slc21a1/Oatp1), respectively, as genes underlying Lith6.

Choledocholithiasis attributable to a foreign body in a horse.

Cholelithiasis is the most common cause of biliary obstruction in horses. Proposed mechanisms include ascariasis, biliary stasis, ascending biliary infection, and changes in bile composition. In this horse, a foreign body acted as the nidus for bile-salt deposition and ascending cholangitis. Clinical signs (intermittent abdominal pain, icterus, and pyrexia) in conjunction with high serum activity of enzymes indicative of obstructive biliary disease led to a tentative diagnosis of cholelithiasis. Ultrasonography was used to confirm the diagnosis. Postmortem examination revealed a 7-cm wooden stick to be the core of a cholelith found in the common bile duct.

Choledocholithotripsy in a mare.

Obstructive choledocholithiasis in a 12-year-old mare was corrected surgically by choledocholithotripsy. The mare had a history of chronic weight loss, intermittent fever, partial anorexia, jaundice, recurrent abdominal pain, and an abdominal mass palpable per rectum. Values for alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, gamma-glutamyl transferase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, and bromsulpthalein half-life were increased and bilirubinuria was evident before surgery. Two liver biopsies revealed periportal and portal fibrosis, bile duct proliferation, cholestasis, and variable amounts of hepatocellular necrosis, with infiltration by polymorphonuclear cells. Immediate clinical improvement was seen after surgery, and results of selected liver function tests gradually returned to normal. Since surgery, the mare has returned to her normal weight, has remained clinically normal for liver disease for 28 months, and has been useful as a broodmare.

Choledocholithiasis in a horse.

Choledocholithiasis was diagnosed in a five-year-old gelding on the basis of laboratory results and histopathology. Surgery was performed to relieve the obstruction. The horse responded favorably and at 39 days postoperatively was clinically and clinicopathologically normal.