Diagnostic value of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and therapeutic value of endoscopic sphincterotomy in dogs with suspected hepatobiliary disorders.

BACKGROUND: Conventional diagnostic methods have some limitations in diagnosing specific causes of canine hepatobiliary disorders. In the evaluation of the hepatobiliary system in dogs, ultrasonography (US) is the first imaging method of choice. Nonetheless, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has also been proven to be a practicable technique for evaluating canine hepatobiliary (endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, ERC) and pancreatic duct (endoscopic retrograde pancreatography, ERP) disorders, providing additional therapeutic options by sphincterotomy (EST). To date, the efficacy and safety of diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP has not been evaluated in veterinary medicine literature. The present study sought to report complications and outcomes of dogs undergoing ERCP and EST, and to assess the usefulness of diagnostic ERCP by comparing the findings of US, ERCP and histopathological findings in liver and pancreas. RESULTS: This retrospective case series comprises data collected from 15 dogs that underwent successful ERC/ERCP. Nine dogs underwent EST following ERC. US and ERC were best in agreement when assessing the common bile duct. In case of disagreement between the modalities, the ERC findings of the ductal structures were in line with the available pathology findings more often than the US findings, whereas the opposite was noted for the gallbladder. The technical success rates were 88.2% for ERC, 66.7% for ERP, and 81.8% for EST, with no major complications during or immediately after the procedure. Immediate bile flow after EST was recorded in 7/9 dogs but only four showed coinciding clinical and laboratory improvement and four dogs were euthanized within 1-6 days after EST. CONCLUSIONS: US remains a valuable initial diagnostic imaging method for hepatobiliary disorders and allows good assessment of the gallbladder. ERC can serve as a complementary procedure for diagnostic assessment of the hepatobiliary duct disorders. However, in order to improve the outcomes of EST, careful selection of patients for the procedure would require more advanced diagnostic imaging of the hepatobiliary area.

Anatomopathological lesions of infection caused by Platynosomum illiciens (Braun, 1901) in Neotropical primates kept in captivity.

This study described the hepatobiliary anatomopathological lesions associated with trematode Platynosomum illiciens parasitism in Neotropical primates kept in captivity. In the evaluated organs, we observed portal fibrosis, biliary epithelial hyperplasia, and inflammatory reaction with a predominance of lymphocytes and plasmocytes, and in some cases infiltration of eosinophils and neutrophils.

A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF POST-METAMORPHIC MOUNTAIN CHICKEN FROG (LEPTODACTYLUS FALLAX) NECROPSY FINDINGS FROM EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS, 1998 TO 2018.

The mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax) is the largest endemic amphibian species in the Western Hemisphere. Since 1998, this critically endangered species has been maintained as a European Endangered Species Programme, but low breeding success and a high mortality rate threaten the sustainability of the captive frog population. In the current study, we analyzed gross and histopathologic postmortem information from 212 mountain chicken frogs that died in European zoological collections from 1998 to 2018. Thin body condition was the most commonly reported finding across all submissions, observed in 125 frogs. The gastrointestinal and urinary systems were reported to have the highest prevalence of pathologic findings on gross and histopathologic examination. Inflammatory disease was the most frequent diagnosis after histopathologic examination of relevant tissues, with intestinal inflammatory disease (n = 76) followed by tubulointerstitial nephritis (n = 26) being the most commonly reported. Neoplasia was reported in 42 of 212 (19.8%) frogs, all of which were adults. A defined cause of death, or reason for euthanasia, was proposed for 164 of 212 (77.4%) frogs, with inflammatory diseases processes (74 of 212; 34.9%) most commonly implicated. Intestinal adenocarcinoma, seemingly restricted to the colon, caused the deaths of 31 adult frogs. Further investigations to determine factors contributing to the high incidence of inflammatory disease processes and neoplasia are advocated to improve the health and sustainability of the captive mountain chicken frog population.

Relations between Household Livestock Ownership, Livestock Disease, and Young Child Growth.

BACKGROUND: In resource-limited settings in which child malnutrition is prevalent, humans live in close proximity to household livestock. However, the relation between household livestock and child nutrition represents a considerable knowledge gap. OBJECTIVE: We assessed whether household livestock ownership or livestock disease episodes were associated with growth in young children in western Kenya. METHODS: We incorporated monthly anthropometric measurements for children <5 y of age into an ongoing linked human and animal surveillance cohort in rural western Kenya. Using linear mixed models adjusted for age, sex, and household wealth, we tested whether baseline household livestock ownership was related to baseline child height for age or prospective growth rate. We also evaluated whether livestock disease episodes were associated with child growth rate over 11 mo of follow-up. RESULTS: We collected data on 925 children over the course of follow-up. Greater household livestock ownership at baseline was not related to baseline child height-for-age z score (adjusted ß: 0.01 SD; 95% CI: -0.02, 0.04 SD) or child growth rate (adjusted ß: 0.02 cm/y; 95% CI: -0.03, 0.07 cm/y). Livestock disease episodes were not significantly associated with child growth across the entire cohort (adjusted ß: -0.007 cm/mo; 95% CI: -0.02, 0.006 cm/mo). However, children in households with livestock digestive disease between June and November gained less height than did children in households that did not report livestock disease (ß: -0.063 cm/mo; 95% CI: -0.112, -0.016 cm/mo). Children <2 y of age in households with livestock digestive disease gained less weight than did those who did not report disease (ß: -0.033 kg/mo; 95% CI: -0.063, -0.003 kg/mo). CONCLUSION: In this cohort of young children in western Kenya, we did not find an association between ownership of livestock and child growth status. However, disease episodes in household livestock may be related to a lower child growth rate in some groups.

What's New in Old Horses? Postmortem Diagnoses in Mature and Aged Equids.

Postmortem findings in 241 equids admitted to a teaching hospital that were at least 15 years old at autopsy were reviewed (1) to determine disease prevalence, (2) to compare the cause of death (or euthanasia) in equids 15 to 19 years of age (n = 116) with that in equids ≥20 years of age (n = 125), and (3) to catalog coexisting lesions in equids with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Breed and sex were evenly distributed between the age groups. Death or euthanasia was attributed to disease of the digestive system (41.5%), pituitary gland (12.9%), locomotor system (10.0%), nervous system (7.9%), cardiovascular system (4.6%), urinary system (4.6%), reproductive system (4.2%), respiratory system (4.2%), integumentary system (4.2%), lymphoid system (2.5%), liver (2.5%), or systemic neoplasia (1.2%). Nervous system disease was more common in the 15- to 19-year group; urinary tract disease was more common in the ≥20-year group. Neoplastic disease, regardless of systemic location, was the basis for death or euthanasia in 18.7% of all equids. Squamous cell carcinoma, lymphoma, and melanoma were the most common malignant neoplasms. PPID was the most common specific diagnosis, based on the postmortem presence of hyperplasia or adenoma, and was the reason for euthanasia in 47.7% of 65 equids with PPID. The most common nonpituitary causes for death or euthanasia in equids with PPID were colic, lameness, cancer, and spinal cord disease. Coexisting conditions in equids with PPID that were not considered the basis for euthanasia included neoplasms, infections, lameness, and recurrent airway obstruction.

Causes of mortality and pathological lesions observed post-mortem in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Great Britain.

BACKGROUND: The red squirrel population in Great Britain has declined dramatically in recent decades, principally due to squirrelpox. Concern exists that red squirrels may become extinct nationally and, as there has been limited research in to diseases other than squirrelpox, this study aimed to identify additional causes of mortality. RESULTS: Post-mortem examinations on 163 red squirrels found dead on Isle of Wight (IoW) England, in Scotland and at other locations in Great Britain showed that 41.7% (n = 68) were killed by road traffic and 9.2% (n = 15) by predators, principally domestic cats and dogs. The overall male/female ratio was 1.08/1. Fleas were recorded on 34.9% of IoW squirrels and on 43.8% of Scottish squirrels but sucking lice and ixodid ticks were only seen on Scottish squirrels. Bacterial infections were significant, particularly in association with respiratory disease (n = 16); two squirrels died of Bordetella bronchiseptica bronchopneumonia. Cases of fatal exudative dermatitis (n = 5) associated with a lukM-positive clone of Staphylococcus aureus occurred only on the IoW. Toxoplasmosis (n = 12) was also confined to IoW where it was responsible for almost one tenth (9.5%) of all deaths. Hepatozoonosis was common, especially in IoW squirrels, but was not considered a primary cause of mortality. Hepatic capillariasis affected four IoW squirrels and one from Scotland. Fungal infections included oral candidiasis, adiaspiromycosis and pulmonary phaeohyphomycosis. Neoplastic conditions diagnosed were: pulmonary carcinoma, gastric spindle cell tumour, renal papillary adenoma and trichoepithelioma. Epidermal hyperplasia of unknown aetiology was seen in squirrels showing crusty lesions of the ear pinnae on IoW (n = 3) and Brownsea Island (n = 1), associated in two cases with cutaneous wart-like growths. Miscellaneous diagnoses included chylothorax, electrocution, intussusception, suspected cholecalciferol rodenticide poisoning and foetal death and mummification. No cases of squirrelpox were diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Red squirrels in Britain suffer premature or unnatural mortality due to a number of conditions in addition to squirrelpox, many of which result, directly or indirectly, from human activities: road traffic trauma, pet predation, toxoplasmosis, trap injuries, rodenticide poisoning and electrocution accounted for 61% of all recorded mortality in this study. Red squirrels are also affected by several diseases of unknown aetiology which merit further research.

Microbiome analysis of bile from apparently healthy cats and cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial infection of bile is a common cause of hepatobiliary disease in cats. Whether bile harbors a core microbiota in health or in cases of suspected hepatobiliary disease in cats is unknown. OBJECTIVES: Establish if gallbladder bile in apparently healthy cats harbors a core microbiota composed of bacterial taxa common to many individuals. Compare results of bile cytology, bile culture, and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing in apparently healthy cats and cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease. ANIMALS: Forty-three client-owned cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease and 17 control cats. METHODS: Bile was collected by ultrasound guided cholecystocentesis (cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease) or laparotomy after euthanasia (controls). Bile samples underwent cytologic examination, aerobic and anaerobic culture, and DNA was extracted for 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. RESULTS: Microbiome sequencing did not identify a core microbiota in control cats or cats having bile sampled because of clinical suspicion for hepatobiliary disease. Microbiome profiles from control cats were indistinguishable from profiles obtained from sampling instruments and reagents that were not exposed to bile (technical controls). Bacterial taxa that could not be explained by contamination or off-target amplification were identified only in samples from cats with bactibilia and positive bile culture results for Escherichia coli. In several E. coli positive samples, microbiome sequencing also identified a small number of potentially co-infecting bacterial genera not identified by culture. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Cat bile does not harbor a core microbiota. Uncultured bacteria may contribute to pathogenesis of hepatobiliary disease in cats with bile E. coli infection.

Hepatic copper accumulates in ferrets with and without hepatobiliary disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine hepatic copper concentrations and zonal distribution in ferrets with and without hepatobiliary disease, validate rhodanine-based qualitative copper scoring and digital copper quantification in ferret hepatic samples, and ascertain whether clinical features predicted copper accumulation. ANIMALS: 34 ferrets, including 7 with necroinflammatory disease, 5 with hepatocellular carcinoma, 13 with non-necroinflammatory disease, and 9 with no hepatobiliary disease. PROCEDURES: Rhodanine-based digital copper quantification was validated by use of liver dually measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy and digital scanning (R2 = 0.98). Clinical features and hepatic copper scores and concentrations (dry weight liver) were compared between groups. Zonal copper distribution was determined. RESULTS: Hepatic copper concentration was strongly correlated with copper scores (ρ = 0.88). Ferrets with hepatobiliary disease were significantly older and had significantly higher serum alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyltransferase activities and creatinine concentrations. Centrilobular copper accumulated in 23 of 34 (64%) ferrets with (n = 15) and without (8) hepatobiliary disease. Median copper concentrations were not significantly different between ferrets with and without hepatobiliary disease but were significantly higher within neoplastic hepatic tissue in ferrets with hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatic copper concentrations exceeded feline (> 180 µg/g) and canine (> 400 µg/g) reference limits in 19 and 9 ferrets, respectively. Hepatic copper > 1,000 µg/g occurred in 5 ferrets with and 2 without hepatobiliary disease. Clinical features did not predict copper accumulation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Rhodanine-based digital copper quantification and qualitative copper scoring discerned liver copper accumulation in ferrets. Ferrets with and without hepatobiliary disease displayed a propensity for centrilobular hepatic copper accumulation of uncertain clinical importance. Clinical and clinicopathologic features could not exclusively implicate pathologic copper accumulation.

Anatomical and radiographic distribution of hepatic artery and biliary duct system applied to biochemical parameters indicative to hepatobiliary disease in Egyptian donkey (Equus asinus).

The current study was performed on ten adult Egyptian donkeys of both sexes for anatomical and radiographic studies in addition to six other donkeys for enzymatic, biochemical and statistical analysis. The aim was to illustrate the normal hepatic arterial and biliary distribution using different anatomic techniques and radiographic imaging besides, establishing an accurate laboratory profile specific for donkeys that used as standard indicators for hepatobiliary dysfunction. The right branch of the hepatic artery in donkey forms a curved arch erupting five branches, unlike the left branch that erupts six branches, being the direct continuation of the main hepatic artery. The caudate lobe artery either originated from the hepatic artery or its right division. The common hepatic duct represented a very clear enlargement called 'gall tank' at its terminal pouring intestinal end and compensating absence of gall bladder, cystic and common bile ducts. The intrahepatic biliary distribution is characterized by a segmental ramification into dorsal, intermediate, and ventral branches of bile ductules especially noticed in the undivided right lobe and left lateral lobe. The quadrate lobe is divided according to its biliary drainage into right and left parts where the former is drained by the left hepatic duct while the latter is drained through a branch from R. lobi medialis sinistri. The serum enzymatic activity was slightly similar to that of the horse while some biochemical parameters differentiating the donkey from the horse such as lowered total bilirubin, serum bile acids, and higher triglycerides, blood urea and prolonged prothrombin time.

Diagnostic imaging of migrating kebab (sosatie) sticks--a review of 8 cases.

Complications related to extraluminal migration of ingested kebab (sosatie) sticks are infrequently diagnosed in small animals. A total of 8 cases diagnosed with extragastric migration of ingested kebab sticks were retrospectively evaluated. No significant breed or sex predilection was found but there was a tendency for animals to present at a younger age (less than 3 years). Clinical signs (of variable duration) were non-specific and included haemoptysis, abdominal pain, regurgitation, subcutaneous abscessation and chronic draining sinus tracts, making a clinical diagnosis difficult. Ultrasonography proved invaluable in facilitating the diagnosis of kebab stick migration in 6 of the cases and computed tomography unexpectedly identified a kebab stick that had migrated into the thorax in 1 patient. Survey radiography was generally found to be insensitive in identifying the kebab sticks. The aim of this article is to alert veterinarians to a clinical syndrome that may not be considered a differential diagnosis in patients with non-specific inflammatory disease of the thorax, abdomen or pelvic regions and to illustrate the usefulness of the various diagnostic imaging modalities in facilitating a diagnosis of kebab stick ingestion and its possible secondary complications.

Bile composition of healthy cats and cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease using point-of-care analyzers: A prospective preliminary study.

Although hepatobiliary disease is common in cats, little is known about the bile composition in either these diseased states or in healthy cats. The objectives of this study were to evaluate several analytes from the bile of healthy cats and to investigate the usefulness of measuring these variables to predict bacterial cholangitis. Cats were prospectively enrolled and divided into 3 groups: 21 healthy cats (group 1) and 14 cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease: 9 without bacterial biliary infection (group 2) and 5 with bacterial biliary infection (group 3). Percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis was conducted on each cat. Bile cytology and culture were carried out and bile was analyzed for pH, lactate, and glucose levels using several point-of-care (POC) devices. Reference values for several bile analytes in healthy cats were calculated and are presented in this study. Neither the pH (P = 0.88) nor the lactate concentration (P = 0.85) was significantly different among the 3 groups. Sodium concentration was significantly higher in group 3 than in group 2 (P < 0.05). Bile pH, lactate, and glucose levels were unable to predict the presence of a bacterial infection in the bile.

La composition de la bile est méconnue tant chez les chats sains que chez les chats atteints de maladies hépatobiliaires bien que ces maladies soient fréquentes. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient d'évaluer plusieurs paramètres dans la bile de chats sains et d'investiguer l'utilité de ces derniers comme marqueurs prédictifs de cholangite bactérienne. Les chats ont été recrutés prospectivement et répartis en trois groupes : 21 chats sains (groupe 1); et 14 chats avec maladie hépatobiliaire suspectée : 9 sans infection biliaire (groupe 2) et 5 avec infection bactérienne biliaire (groupe 3). Une cholécystocentèse a été réalisée sur chaque chat. La bile a été utilisée pour cytologie, culture et analyses biochimiques incluant le pH, le lactate et le glucose avec des appareils au chevet du patient. Les valeurs de référence de plusieurs paramètres biliaires chez les chats sains ont été calculées et sont présentées dans cette étude. Le pH (P = 0,88) et la concentration en lactate (P = 0,85) n'étaient pas significativement différents entre les 3 groupes. La concentration en sodium était significativement plus élevée dans le groupe 3 comparée aux groupe 2 (P < 0,05). Les concentrations en lactate et glucose ainsi que le pH ne permettaient pas de prédire une infection bactérienne dans la bile.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Alimentary and respiratory disease trends for calves, 2011 to 2016.

This focus article has been prepared by Arthur Otter and members of the Cattle Expert Group at the APHA.

Signalment factors, comorbidity, and trends in behavior diagnoses in cats: 736 cases (1991-2001).

OBJECTIVE: To describe trends in behavior diagnoses from 1991 to 2001; assess the relationship between diagnoses and age, sex, reproductive status, and breed; and evaluate associations between diagnoses within the same cat (comorbidity). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 736 cats. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed for species, breed, sex, reproductive status, consultation year, birth date, and diagnoses. RESULTS: The caseload decreased over the course of the study. Aggression toward people increased, and spraying decreased. Cases involving Siamese cats decreased over time. Siamese cats were evaluated more often than expected in general and specifically for aggression and ingestive behavior problems, whereas Persian cats were evaluated more often than expected for elimination outside of the litter box. Domestic shorthair cats were evaluated less often than expected in general and specifically for aggression, ingestive behavior problems, and house soiling. Male cats were overrepresented. Cats with ingestive behavior problems were evaluated at a median age of 1.5 years, compared with cats with other problems (median age, 5.5 years). Certain diagnoses were clustered, with a mean of 1.2 diagnoses/cat. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that in cats, behavior problems changed over the course of the study, age and breed distributions varied among diagnoses, and certain diagnoses were likely to occur together.

Health and growth of veal calves fed milk replacers with or without probiotics.

Four experiments with 1-wk-old veal calves were conducted to assess the influence of probiotics on growth and health indicators. In experiments 1 and 2, the liquid probiotic supplements were administered daily from experimental d 1 to 15. The treatment period in experiments 3 and 4 was extended to 56 d. The probiotics used were a multispecies probiotic (MSPB) containing different probiotic species of human origin, or a calf-specific probiotic (CSPB) containing 6 Lactobacillus species isolated from calf feces and selected on the basis of a combination of characteristics. When the data for the 4 experiments were pooled, the probiotics enhanced growth rate during the first 2 wk. During the 8-wk experimental period, average daily gain and feed efficiency were significantly improved in the probiotic-treated groups. The MSPB-induced increase in weight gain was greater when the control calves were considered less healthy based on a health score (an index of diarrhea and therapeutic treatments). Probiotic treatment tended to diminish mortality. The CSPB treatment reduced the incidence of diarrhea and the fecal counts of coliforms. When therapeutic treatment was intensive in the control calves, the ingestion of probiotics reduced the percentage of calves that required therapy and the amount of treatments needed against digestive or respiratory diseases. There was no clear difference in the efficiency of the MSPB and CSPB preparations. Further research is necessary to identify underlying mechanisms and to evaluate the potential of probiotics to improve respiratory health in veal calf production.

Doenças do sistema digestório de pequenos ruminantes no norte do Paraná / Digestive disorders of small ruminants in northern Paraná

As doenças do sistema digestório de ovinos e caprinos no norte do Paraná foram avaliadas por meio de um estudo retrospectivo de 427 pequenos ruminantes atendidos no Ambulatório de Grandes Animais, do Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Estadual de Londrina, no período de janeiro de 2006 a dezembro de 2015. Para isso, foi realizada revisão das fichas clínicas dos pequenos ruminantes com afecções do sistema digestório, determinando a ocorrência, principais características clínicas, tratamentos instituídos e evolução dos casos. Os dados foram tabulados e submetidos a um estudo descritivo das variáveis, observando a distribuição das frequências (%) das condições analisadas. As afecções do sistema digestório foram diagnosticadas em 38,64% (165/427) dos atendimentos realizados. Vinte e seis animais apresentaram duas afecções no momento do atendimento, totalizando 191 enfermidades diagnosticadas. Dentre essas enfermidades, as mais comumente diagnosticadas foram: hemoncose (27,7%; 53/191), acidose láctica ruminal aguda (18,8%; 36/191), eimeriose (13,6%; 26/191) e indigestão simples (6,8%; 13/191). O aumento da criação de ovinos e caprinos no estado do Paraná reitera a importância do desenvolvimento de estudos como o presente trabalho, a fim de identificar as enfermidades mais frequentes e preparar o médico veterinário para o diagnóstico e tratamento correto.

Sheep and Goat's digestive disorders in northern Paraná were evaluated by a retrospective study of 427 small ruminants treated at the State University of Londrina's Veterinary Hospital (HV-UEL), from January 2006 to December 2015. Analysis of medical records of small ruminants with digestive disorder were performed, determining the occurrence, main clinical signs, established treatments and outcome of cases. Data were tabulated and submitted to a descriptive study of variables, observing frequency distribution (%) of analyzed conditions. Digestive disorders occurs in 38,6% (165/427) of cases in small ruminants at the studied period. Among these diseases, the most common were: hemoncose (27.7%; 53/191), acute rumen lactic acidosis (18.8%; 36/191), eimeriosis (13.6%; 26/191) and simple indigestion (6.8%; 13/191). The increase in sheep and goats' flock in the state of Paraná reiterates the importance of developing studies such as the present study, in order to identify the most frequent diseases and prepare the veterinarian for the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Performance and mortality of farmed hares.

Performance and mortality of hares were evaluated for 2 consecutive years in a large farm in Veneto Region (Northern Italy). On average, fertile reproductive pairs (n=318) gave birth 4.8 times and produced 11.4 live leverets, weaned 8.4 leverets and produced 7.0 growing hares (60 days) every year. Mean mortality was 3.6%, 22.9%, 9.7% and 2.5% in newborn (0 to 2 days of age), suckling (3 to 25 days), growing (26 to 60 days) and sub-adult (61 days until sale) hares, respectively. The main causes of mortality were enteric diseases (75.5%, 75.9% and 12.1% in suckling, growing and sub-adult hares, respectively), followed by respiratory diseases (3.4%, 8.0% and 36.2% in suckling, growing and sub-adult hares, respectively), starvation (11.3% and 8.8% in suckling and growing hares, respectively) and trauma (7.1%, 2.3% and 30.2% in suckling, growing and sub-adult hares, respectively). In reproducing hares, mortality was 24.7% and 15.4% in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Respiratory diseases (34.8%) and ulcerative pododermatitis (18.9%) were the most common pathological changes detected in reproducing hares. Farmed hares seem to be affected by diseases resembling those of rabbits reared under intensive conditions. It seems necessary to improve the husbandry of hares to reach satisfactory technical standards and to preserve their health.

Pathology in Captive Wild Felids at German Zoological Gardens.

This retrospective study provides an overview on spontaneous diseases occurring in 38 captive wild felids submitted for necropsy by German zoological gardens between 2004 and 2013. Species included 18 tigers, 8 leopards, 7 lions, 3 cheetahs and 2 cougars with an age ranging from 0.5 to 22 years. Renal lesions, predominantly tubular alterations (intra-tubular concrements, tubular degeneration, necrosis, intra-tubular cellular debris, proteinaceous casts, dilated tubuli) followed by interstitial (lympho-plasmacytic inflammation, fibrosis, metastatic-suppurative inflammation, eosinophilic inflammation) and glomerular lesions (glomerulonephritis, glomerulosclerosis, amyloidosis) were detected in 33 out of 38 animals (87%). Tumors were found in 19 of 38 felids (50%) with 12 animals showing more than one neoplasm. The tumor prevalence increased with age. Neoplasms originated from endocrine (11), genital (8), lympho-hematopoietic (5) and alimentary organs (4) as well as the mesothelium (3). Most common neoplasms comprised uterine/ovarian leiomyomas (5/2), thyroid adenomas/adenocarcinoma (5/1), pleural mesotheliomas (3), hemangiosarcomas (2) and glossal papillomas (2). Inflammatory changes were frequently encountered in the intestine and the lung. Two young animals displayed metastatic mineralization suggestive of a vitamin D- or calcium intoxication. One tiger exhibited degenerative white matter changes consistent with an entity termed large felid leukoencephalomyelopathy. Various hyperplastic, degenerative and inflammatory changes with minor clinical significance were found in several organs. Summarized, renal lesions followed by neoplastic changes as well as inflammatory changes in lung and gastrointestinal tract represent the most frequent findings in captive wild felids living in German zoological gardens.

Characterization of the mesenteronal infection with Western equine encephalomyelitis virus in an incompetent strain of Culex tarsalis.

Interactions of western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus are compared with mesenterons of 2 genetically selected susceptible (WS) and refractory (WR) lines of Culex tarsalis. Both WS and WR females had similar susceptibility when parenterally inoculated with virus, thus it was initially thought that resistance in WR Cx. tarsalis was associated with a mesenteronal infection barrier. Present data on viral growth in mesenterons dissected from females fed on virus-soaked pledgets suggest that virus infected and multiplied in some WR mesenterons, but to significantly lower titers than in WS mesenterons. The proportion of WR females with infected mesenterons varied depending on the time after feeding, incubation temperature, and whether mesenterons were incubated with WEE viral antibody before viral assay. The percentage of WR mesenterons infected did not increase significantly when diethylaminoethyl dextran was added to the infectious bloodmeal, the pH of the infectious bloodmeal was altered, or virus was introduced by intrathoracic inoculation into the hemocoel. It was concluded that the low titers of virus detected in both WR mesenterons and whole mosquitoes were influenced by the genetic ability of WR Cx. tarsalis to modulate WEE viral titers to low or undetectable levels after peroral or parenteral infection. These findings make it difficult to determine what proportion of the WR mesenterons are resistant to infection with WEE virus. WS and WR Cx. tarsalis were equally susceptible to peroral infection with the flavivirus St. Louis encephalitis and the bunyavirus Turlock.

Health problems of Callithrix jacchus in captivity.

A 20-year retrospective study was carried out to determine the prevalence of diseases occurring in 265 (155 males and 110 females) common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), kept at the São Paulo Zoo. A total of 564 clinical disorders were detected: digestive problems, 50.2% (protozoa, 44.3%; helminths, 26.3%; bacteria, 7.0%; non-especific causes, 22.4%); respiratory problems (pneumonia), 16.3%; injuries, 13.8%; nutritional deficiency, 4.4%; reproductive problems (obstetrical) 2.5%; septicemia, 1.6%; circulatory problems, 1.6%; sporadic cases, 4.0%; inconclusive cases, 5.5%. Little attention has been paid to the sanitary care of marmosets in Brazil. Since most of the available information comes from the international literature, the occurrence of major diseases and their etiological agents in Brazil are relevant data.