Equine giant cell tumor of soft parts: a series of 21 cases (2000-2007).

In horses, giant-cell tumors of soft parts are rare neoplasms, with the majority of reported cases occurring within the hind limb muscles and soft tissues in older horses. The following article documents 21 cases of equine giant-cell tumors of soft parts clinically examined within the state of Colorado from 2000 to 2007. The majority of cases occurred in male horses aged 10 years or older. Nine (43%) arose within the hind limbs. Key histologic features included numerous multinucleated giant cells and hemosiderin-laden macrophages admixed with a spindle-cell proliferation. The majority demonstrated liposarcomatous change, variable areas of necrosis and hemorrhage, and an intermediate number of mitotic figures. Immunohistochemical results demonstrated 2 distinct cell populations: vimentin-expressing neoplastic mesenchymal cells and CD18 (histiocytic marker) expressing multinucleated giant cells. These results suggest a mesenchymal origin of the neoplasm with possible recruitment of the secondary histiocytic population. Surgical excision was attempted in the majority of horses and was considered clinically complete. A recurrence of the neoplasm was documented in 1 horse and 1 mule. In 18 horses, surgical excision, regardless of margin integrity, appeared successful with no recurrence of disease documented. Unfortunately, 10 of 21 horses were lost to follow-up within approximately 3 months of surgery. Of the 11 remaining horses that were available for follow-up evaluation, there has been no evidence of metastasis. A larger case series with more controlled follow-up is necessary to evaluate malignant potential and the importance of complete surgical excision.

Isolation of Vibrio cholerae from the brain of a feedlot heifer with meningoencephalitis.

A 700-pound, 9-month-old Angus heifer from a feedlot presented with acute neurologic signs, characterized by circling, posterior weakness, and nonresponsiveness, followed by death. Histologically, the frontal lobe and the thalamus contained multiple foci of liquefaction that contained numerous degenerative neutrophils and foamy macrophages. Some of these foci were centered on blood vessels that contained fibrin thrombi and exhibited varying degrees of fibrinoid necrosis of the vessel wall. There was adjacent axonal degeneration and neuronal necrosis characterized by pronounced cytoplasmic eosinophilia, peripheralization of the nuclei, and loss of Nissl substance. Aerobic culture of the brain yielded moderate growth of Vibrio species, which was determined to be Vibrio cholerae by polymerase chain reaction analysis of a 438-base pair fragment of the 16 S ribosomal RNA gene. V. cholerae are motile, gram-negative, curved rod-shaped bacteria. Some strains of V. cholerae are important food- and water-borne bacterial pathogens that produce an often fatal diarrhea in humans. This is the first known case report of V. cholerae meningoencephalitis and cerebral abscessation in a bovine.

Strain background determines lymphoma incidence in Atm knockout mice.

About 10% to 30% of patients with ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) develop leukemias or lymphomas. There is considerable interpatient variation in the age of onset and leukemia/lymphoma type. The incomplete penetrance and variable age of onset may be attributable to several factors. These include competing mortality from other A-T-associated pathologies, particularly neurodegeneration and interstitial lung disease, allele-specific effects of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene mutations. There is also limited evidence from clinical observations and studies using Atm knockout mice that modifier genes may account for some variation in leukemia/lymphoma susceptibility. We have introgressed the Atm(tm1Awb) knockout allele (Atm(-)) onto several inbred murine strains and observed differences in thymic lymphoma incidence and latency between Atm(-/-) mice on the different strain backgrounds and between their F1 hybrids. The lymphomas that arose in these mice had a pattern of sequence gains and losses that were similar to those previously described by others. These results provide further evidence for the existence of modifier genes controlling lymphomagenesis in individuals carrying defective copies of Atm, at least in mice, the characterized Atm(-) congenic strain set provides a resource with which to identify these genes. In addition, we found that fewer than expected Atm(-/-) pups were weaned on two strain backgrounds and that there was no correlation between body weight of young Atm-/- mice and lymphoma incidence or latency.

Disease transmission from companion parrots to dogs and cats: what is the real risk?

A number of common misconceptions exist regarding the degree of transmission from companion parrots to dogs and cats. Concern regarding bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic transmission is generally unfounded, because disease transmission between companion parrots and dogs and cats is not well-documented. Infections with Mycobacterium spp, Aspergillus spp, Giardia spp, Chlamydophila psittaci, Salmonella spp, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Cryptosporidium spp, and avian influenza are often considered possible transmissible diseases, causing pet caregivers unwarranted concerns.

Comparison of a caprolactone/lactide film (mesofol) to two polylactide film products as a barrier to postoperative peridural adhesion in an ovine dorsal laminectomy model.

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the performances of 2 bioresorbable products, Mesofol (a caprolactone/lactide film) and Lactosorb (a polylactide film), as barriers to postoperative peridural adhesions and fibrosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Postoperative peridural adhesions from scar tissue may be an inciting cause of chronic pain and dysfunction in "failed back" syndrome. Many biocompatible products and drugs, as well as autografts have been tested as antiadhesion barriers with varying success. METHODS: The bioresorbable film products were used to cover large laminectomy defects in 11 sheep. Three laminectomy defects were created, with 2 randomly assigned treatment sites and 1 control site in each animal. A tear was created in the dura allowing cerebrospinal fluid leakage to assess for impaired dural healing. Performance of the film barriers was assessed at 10 weeks postoperative by gross scar and tenacity scoring by 3 blinded, independent observers in 7 animals. Histology was performed in 4 animals. New Methylene blue dye myelography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed to assess for cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Magnetic resonance imaging was also used to evaluate the imaging characteristics of adhesions. RESULTS: All 3 products evaluated showed a benefit to prevention of postoperative peridural adhesion; the performance of Mesofol was deemed superior to either of the 2 Lactosorb products. The handling characteristics of all products were compatible with clinical usage. Impairment to healing of dural tears or active inflammation was not identified with any product. CONCLUSION: The results of this investigation support previous studies on the benefit of polylactide film barriers, like Lactosorb, for reducing peridural adhesion following spinal surgery. The performance of Mesofol in this investigation suggests that it may provide improved antiadhesion properties in comparison to the polylactide products. Safety issues related to impaired dural healing was not identified in either product.