Disseminated pseudallescheriosis in a dog.

A case of disseminated pseudallescheriasis in a German Shepherd bitch is presented. Bones (ilium, a rib and phalanges), joints (elbow and acetabulum) and the surrounding tissues were the principal organs affected. In addition, Pseudallescheria boydii was isolated, in lower numbers, from the eye, kidney, lymph nodes draining the affected regions and urine. The dog was euthanized. P. boydii was identified by morphologic characteristics and molecular techniques (beta tubulin sequence). In addition, an ITS nucleotide sequence analysis showed that this strain differed from another isolate identified as Scedosporium apiospermum that had caused a disseminated infection in another German Shepherd. The importance of the molecular characterization of fungi belonging to the Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium complex, isolated from animals is stressed in light of the ongoing attempts to recharacterize these fungi.

Mars Extant Life: What's Next? Conference Report.

On November 5-8, 2019, the "Mars Extant Life: What's Next?" conference was convened in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The conference gathered a community of actively publishing experts in disciplines related to habitability and astrobiology. Primary conclusions are as follows: A significant subset of conference attendees concluded that there is a realistic possibility that Mars hosts indigenous microbial life. A powerful theme that permeated the conference is that the key to the search for martian extant life lies in identifying and exploring refugia ("oases"), where conditions are either permanently or episodically significantly more hospitable than average. Based on our existing knowledge of Mars, conference participants highlighted four potential martian refugium (not listed in priority order): Caves, Deep Subsurface, Ices, and Salts. The conference group did not attempt to reach a consensus prioritization of these candidate environments, but instead felt that a defensible prioritization would require a future competitive process. Within the context of these candidate environments, we identified a variety of geological search strategies that could narrow the search space. Additionally, we summarized a number of measurement techniques that could be used to detect evidence of extant life (if present). Again, it was not within the scope of the conference to prioritize these measurement techniques-that is best left for the competitive process. We specifically note that the number and sensitivity of detection methods that could be implemented if samples were returned to Earth greatly exceed the methodologies that could be used at Mars. Finally, important lessons to guide extant life search processes can be derived both from experiments carried out in terrestrial laboratories and analog field sites and from theoretical modeling.

Effects of low power laser-irradiation on differential blood count and body temperature in endotoxin-preimmunized rabbits.

Low power laser irradiation has been shown to have various immune-modulatory effects under in vitro conditions but little is known about such effects in animal models. Escherichia coli endotoxin-preimmunized rabbits were used to determine the influence of transcutaneously applied low power laser light on differential blood count and rectal temperature. After three initial immunizations animals were either boostered with 5 ng/kg of endotoxin or injected with pyrogen-free saline and subsequently underwent irradiation using two different wavelengths of red laser light and sham irradiation, respectively. Differential blood count of laser-treated animals was characterized by significantly higher lymphocyte values and lower neutrophil values at twenty hours (boostered rabbits) and twenty-three hours (non-boostered rabbits) after irradiation. Differential blood cell counts returned to baseline values within 23 hours in the boostered animals, whereas in the non-boostered rabbits lymphocytes showed a trend to further increase. Recording of rectal temperature revealed a further rise after laser application, changes being of greater magnitude and longer duration in the non-boostered animals. These results seem to indicate that a single low power laser irradiation can modulate immune-responses depending on the immunological status of the organism.

Progression from Goodpasture's disease to membranous glomerulonephritis.

An unusual case of a patient with Goodpasture's disease presenting with hemoptysis, severe iron deficiency anemia and microscopic hematuria and proteinuria is described. Both circulating and tissue anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies were present, and renal function remained normal throughout. Immunosuppressive therapy was given for subclinical pulmonary hemorrhage with successful resolution of anemia and disappearance of the circulating anti-GBM antibody. Nine months after presentation he developed nephrotic range proteinuria and a repeat renal biopsy revealed membranous glomerulonephritis with no evidence of his original disease. Both the Goodpasture's associated HLA-DR2 and the membranous associated HLA-DR3 class II antigens were present. The association of antibody mediated and immune complex glomerulonephritis is discussed. The simultaneous presence of HLA-DR2 and HLA-DR3 may predispose to this association.

Tumor crescents from intraglomerular metastases.

A patient who died of bronchopneumonia complicating metastatic carcinoma of the larynx was found to have crescentic glomerulonephritis at autopsy. Further examination revealed the crescents to be tumor deposits in Bowman's space of most glomeruli, while no tumor was found elsewhere in the kidneys. The relevance of this observation to the possible mechanism of crescent formation is discussed.

Cutaneous neosporosis in a dog in Israel.

Cutaneous neosporosis manifested by pyogranulomatous ulcerative dermatitis was diagnosed in an 11-year-old male Boxer. Histology revealed numerous intralesional protozoal tachysoites within macrophages and neutrophils. Occasionally, tachysoites were observed within endothelial and epithelial cells. Infection with Neospora caninum was confirmed by avidin biotin complex immunohistochemistry using a Neospora-specific monoclonal antibody. Cutaneous neosporosis is rare and has only been previously described in three cases. This report represents the first case of canine neosporosis in Israel and the Middle East.

Causes of losses including a Borna disease paralytic syndrome affecting young ostriches of one breeding organization over a five-year period (1989-1993).

Necropsy records and causes of mortality of ostriches up to 3 months old over a 5-year period (1989-1993) are presented. The data relate to one ostrich enterprise that comprises 10 breeding flocks, five rearing farms, and one hatchery. Causes of mortality are classified into nine major categories. The annual mortality percentages of all hatched ostriches over the 5-year period were 61%, 58%, 30%, 29%, and 16.6%, and the most significant cause of death was a paresis syndrome that accounted for 20%, 11%, 16%, 10.1%, and 2% mortality, respectively. Limb deformities and gastroenteritis were the other principal specific causes of mortality. The paresis syndrome was caused by an agent serologically related to Borna disease virus. Brain extracts from paralyzed ostriches, when given orally or intramuscularly to 5-week-old birds, reproduced the clinical signs and microscopic lesions. The mean time to death was less than 3 weeks for the intramuscularly infected group and was almost twice as long for the orally infected group.

Identification of a novel nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus in Israel.

A novel infectious bronchitis variant, designated as IS/885/00, associated with nephritis, was isolated from outbreaks in 23 broiler farms in Israel. The virus was first identified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and showed a distinct restriction fragment length polymorphism pattern from previously described Israeli isolates. Sequence analysis of the S1 gene and the deduced amino acid sequence revealed 97.2% protein similarity to genotype IS/ 720/99 and 71.6% similarity to the vaccine strain H120, the only strain permitted for use in this country. A database search in GenBank revealed a closely related isolate from Egypt, Egypt/Beni-Seug/01, with 96.6% similarity. Other published nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus strains/isolates shared less than 77% similarity with IS/885/00. A vaccine protection test in specific-pathogen-free chicks indicated 91% protection to the trachea and only 25% protection to the kidneys in vaccinated birds challenged with IS/885/00.

Red drum Sciaenops ocellatus mortalities associated with Streptococcus iniae infection.

We isolated for the first time Streptococcus iniae strains associated with diseased marine fish. Diseased red drum Sciaenops ocellatus were lethargic, and presented external signs (exophthalmia and loss of orientation) resembling those of freshwater fish infected by S. iniae. Skin lesions, extending to a necrotizing myositis, were typical of S. iniae infection of red drum. Histopathological findings indicate that S. iniae infection in red drum produces a chronic disease with systemic involvement characterized by multiple necrotic foci. Molecular epidemiology (RFLP [restriction fragment length polymorphism] ribotyping) revealed that 2 different ribotypes were involved in a single outbreak. The first is the EcoRI 'Israeli' trout and tilapine ribotype (Hind III type a strains), while the second is the EcoRI 'American' ribotype (Hind III type b strains), typical of tilapines farmed in Texas and Idaho.

Susceptibility of Psammomys obesus and Meriones tristrami to tachyzoites of Neospora caninum.

The susceptibility of Psammomys obesus (sand rat) and Meriones tristrami (Tristram's jird) to Neospora caninum was investigated by subcutaneous (s.c.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) inoculation of 10-fold doses of culture-derived tachyzoites. Groups of 5 animals were inoculated with doses of 10-10(7) parasites via each route of inoculation. All but 2 of the sand rats inoculated with doses of 10-10(4) parasites succumbed to the infection by 7-18 days postinfection. All jirds inoculated with 10(7) tachyzoites succumbed by 5-16 days postinfection and those inoculated with 10(6) tachyzoites by 9-25 days. A considerable proportion of the jirds inoculated with 10-10(5) tachyzoites survived. Fibrinous peritonitis with ascites containing numerous tachyzoites was observed in the i.p.-inoculated sand rats and jirds that succumbed to the infection. In the jirds, tachyzoites were also found in pleural exudate. A considerable number (42.8%) of the jirds inoculated s.c. or i.p. exhibited neuromuscular symptoms, expressed in ataxia, head tilt, circling movement, and posterior paralysis. Seven successive passage of tachyzoites were achieved in sand rats with doses of 10(5) parasites and in jirds with doses of 10(7) parasites. All surviving jirds became seroconverted and were immune to lethal challenge.

Skin tumours in cattle and sheep after freeze- or heat-branding.

This article describes the occurrence of carcinogenic epidermal neoplasia (papillomas and squamous cell carcinoma) at the sites of tattooing with liquid nitrogen in dairy cattle, and squamous cell carcinoma at the sites of freeze- or heat-branding in beef cattle and sheep.

Infertility in a cryptorchid bull: a case report.

A unilateral cryptorchid bull stationed in an AI center for 3.5 yr was studied to determine if maintaining such a bull could be justified. The following parameters were determined: quantity and quality of the ejaculates, basal and stimulated plasma testosterone concentrations, and the histology and testosterone concentrations of the testicles. The bull produced 232 ejaculates of which 125 (53.8%) were immediately discarded; the rest (107 ejaculations) were processed into pellets. Two of the 107 frozen ejaculates (2%) were found to be of excellent quality, 37 were (34.5%) of good quality, 45 were (42%) of satisfactory quality and 23 were (21.5%) of poor quality. Treatment of the calf with GnRH and hCG at 4 and 5 mo of age did not initiate the descent of the retained testicle. Testosterone concentrations measured at 14 mo, after hCG stimulus, indicated that the bull had impaired steroidogenesis when compared with 2 control bull calves. Post mortem examination revealed a small left testicle in the inguinal canal and a normal right testicle as well as normal secondary sex glands. During the breeding period at the AI center, the bull's peripheral testosterone concentrations decreased from 2.2 to 0.95 ng/ml Testosterone concentrations in the parenchymal tissue of the scrotal testicle were higher than in the parenchyma of the retained testicle (98.2 vs 53.9 ng/g). In contrast, the epididymis of the scrotal testicle had a lower testosterone concentration than the epididymis of the retained testicle (10.8 vs 33. 0 ng/g). On histological examination no spermatozoa were found in the retained testicle, the Sertoli cells showed fat degeneration, and fibrotic tissue surrounded the tubuli seminiferi. No pathological changes were found in the normal scrotal testicle. In conclusion, no justification was found for maintaining such a bull in the AI center for breeding purposes.

Oral rabies vaccination of red foxes and golden jackals in Israel: preliminary bait evaluation.

Field trials were conducted in late April to early May of 1995 and 1996 in central Israel to assess the potential for controlling rabies in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and golden jackals (Canis aureus) by using vaccine-laden baits. Of the bait types which were field tested, polymer fish meal baits were selected as the most suitable for both species. Fish meal baits containing tetracycline hydrochloride, an oral biomarker, were distributed by four-wheel-drive vehicle at a density of approximately 30 baits/km2 in two test areas of 35 km2. Of the animals which were trapped and euthanized seven to ten days after treatment, 65% of foxes and 56% of jackals gave positive results when tested for the biomarker. These results indicate the potential effectiveness of oral rabies vaccination of these species in Israel and possibly elsewhere in the Middle East, where rabies is a problem in wild canids.

MR vs CT in progressive supranuclear palsy.

Nine progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients were studied with computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) in order to determine the efficacy of each in detecting atrophy of the brainstem. Three additional PSP patients were evaluated with MRI for quantitative (electronic) measurements of the colliculi, pons and midbrain tegmentum. Both CT and MRI were equally effective in demonstrating midbrain atrophy. The MR was able to utilize the sagittal view to visualize thinning of the collicular (quadrigeminal) plate, a useful sign in PSP. Atrophy of the thinned collicular plate is more pronounced in the superior colliculus, one of the most common sites of pathology in PSP. The MR is able to make quantitative measurements of the degree of atrophy of the colliculi, pons and midbrain tegmentum.

Enzootic nasal tumour of sheep.

This is the first report of Enzootic Nasal Tumours (ENT) of sheep in Israel. The report includes a detailed clinical, pathological and histopathological description of the syndrome. All 7 affected sheep suffered clinically from serous to muco-purulent nasal discharge and respiratory distress due to obstruction of the upper airway by a neoplastic process. Three of the tumours were histopathologically identified as tubular adenomas, 3 were mucoid adenomas and one was a papillary adenoma. The tumours caused destruction of the turbinate bones and nasal septum.

Economic aspects of outbreaks of dermatophilosis in first-calving cows in nine herds of dairy cattle in Israel.

Outbreaks of dermatophilosis in nine herds of dairy cattle in Israel were studied retrospectively. The outbreaks might have been associated with the exposure of the animals to intense showering during the spring and summer months of May to October, in addition to calving and postcalving stress. The acute exudative form of dermatophilosis occurred in the first-calving cows during the six weeks after they calved. The morbidity rate ranged from 10.0 to 66.6 per cent and the period of morbidity ranged from eight to 19 days. Mortality or culling occurred in four of the herds and ranged from 1.6 to 17.1 per cent. The disease also resulted in a gradual loss of condition, a decrease in milk production and marked increases in the somatic cell counts in milk.

Study of apparent hypersensitivity to Culicoides species in sheep in Israel.

Between 1983 and 1997, a low incidence of seasonal allergic dermatitis was diagnosed in sheep in Israel aged eight months to eight years, in 10 flocks of a variety of breeds, but not the local Awassi breed. The 40 affected animals reacted with scratching, biting and vigorous stamping of the feet from April to November each year. The principal skin lesions were hyperkeratosis, spongiosis and infiltrations of eosinophils and mononuclear cells, typical of an allergic dermatitis which was probably a hypersensitivity reaction to biting insects. The epidemiological findings in relation to the area of Israel affected, the breeds of sheep and the distribution of the lesions suggested that the sheep's hypersensitivity was due to the bites of several species of Culicoides.

Disseminated eosinophilic disease resembling idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome in a dog.

True idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome has been described in human beings and cats, but not in dogs. The syndrome is characterised by prolonged unexplained peripheral mature eosinophilia, the infiltration of many organs by eosinophils, organ dysfunction and a fatal outcome. This paper describes an idiopathic disseminated eosinophilic disease in a dog involving various organs, manly the heart and the lungs, accompanied by a leukemoid eosinophilic response, and a fatal outcome. The histopathological findings included the infiltration of the myocardium, lung parenchyma, liver, spleen, lymph nodes and skeletal muscles with eosiniphils.

Adverse reactions in cattle to a capripox vaccine.

Capripox vaccine (strain 0240) caused severe generalised skin reactions in vaccinated dairy cattle in two herds, whereas beef cattle did not develop reactions. All the reacting animals developed lumpy skin disease-like lesions. The incidence of skin lesions in first-lactation cows in herd A was 22.9 per cent and in herd B 29.3 per cent, mainly in the post-calving period. In older cows, the incidence was 10 per cent in herd A and 12.4 per cent in herd B. In herd B the high-yielding lactating cows were the most severely affected. There was a decrease of 3.5 per cent in milk production in each herd over a period of 12 days, and six first calving animals (3.5 per cent) and six cows (1.5 per cent) were slaughtered. A capripox virus was isolated from the animals with severe lesions, and was also demonstrated by electron microscopy. The histopathological lesions were similar to those of lumpy skin disease. The extent of the lesions appeared to be stress-related and, to a lesser degree, correlated with age and breed.