Massive infection of Cystidicoloides ephemeridarum in brown trout Salmo trutta with skeletal deformities.

We investigated the cause of skeletal deformities found in brown trout from the Aspromonte mountain area in Reggio Calabria, Italy. Toxicological, histopathological and parasitological analyses were carried out on 14 fish with evident macro-morphological alterations from 2 different locations in the same river, and 4 control fish without morphological alterations from a different river (far from the first river but still within the area under study). Histopathological and radiological observations confirmed severe skeletal deformities in the specimens investigated. Parasitological examinations highlighted the presence of the nematode Cystidicoloides ephemeridarum, found only within the gastrointestinal tract of specimens showing deformities. Moreover, a direct correlation between parasite number and fish size was found. Given the low heavy metal levels and the presence of a massive parasitosis in teleosts showing deformities, we postulate a correlation between skeletal deformities and nematode infestation: the parasites caused a serious vitamin and mineral deficiency in the fish, which led to a dysplastic vertebral column. The low calcium levels found in malformed specimens compared with negative controls effectively confirm this hypothesis.

Gastric leiomyoma in a sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax broodfish.

This report describes a spontaneously arising non-infiltrative neoplasm of gastric tunica muscularis in a broodstock sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax from an Italian aquaculture farm. Microscopically, the mass was circumscribed and non-encapsulated and was composed of spindle cells arranged in parallel interlacing bundles or, occasionally, a whirling pattern. Cells had a small quantity of eosinophilic cytoplasm with distinct cell borders. Neoplastic cells were immuno-reactive with smooth muscle actin, vimentin and desmin; S100 was negative. The mucosal epithelium was intact with no neoplastic involvement. A gastric leiomyoma was diagnosed based on the findings. More efforts should be made to study the possible etiology of leiomyoma affecting fish from aquaculture.

Immunohistochemical Study of Four Fish Tumors.

The present study supports the usefulness of ancillary techniques, such as immunohistochemistry, as a valid diagnostic tool in the field of fish oncology. The immunohistochemical patterns observed in four neoplasms on four individual teleosts belonging to different species are described. Cytokeratin, vimentin, actin, S100, calretinin, and Melan-A antibodies were used. Diagnoses of papilloma in a Bream Abramis brama, fibroma in a Sand Steenbras Lithognathus mormyrus, schwannoma in a Crucian Carp Carassius carassius, and melanoma in a spontaneously inbred Xiphophorus hybrid were made. Diagnosis of tumors in fish is not always easy to carry out, and the tool provided by antibodies used on mammalian tissue is essential for obtaining definitive, unambiguous, and inexpensive identification.

Unusual Combination of Multiple Vascular Anomalies in a German Shepherd Puppy with Megaoesophagus.

A 2-months-old male German shepherd puppy was referred for regurgitation and delayed growth. Radiographic and endoscopic investigations revealed a precardiac megaoesophagus and oesophageal constriction at the level of the heart base. At post-mortem examination, a specific form of persistent right aortic arch characterized by an aberrant left subclavian artery in combination with a ligamentum arteriosum originating at the aberrant left subclavian artery (PRAA-SA-LA) was detected. A complete-type persistent left cranial vena cava (PLCVC) was also observed. This is the first report describing the association between PRAA-SA-LA and PLCVC in a dog with megaoesophagus.

A rare case of simple syndactyly in a puppy.

A case of non-syndromic, complete syndactyly involving all four limbs is described in a three-month-old male crossbreed dog for the first time. Syndactyly is a rare condition in most animal species, in dogs it has been infrequently reported. Findings of clinical, radiographic and cytogenetic analyses are described and demonstrate probably for the first time that numerical and structural chromosome aberrations are not involved in the pathogenesis of this case of syndactyly.

A rare case of deradelphus cephalo-thoracoomphalopagus in lamb.

Male cross-breed lamb conjoined twins were sent for examination. The twins came from a farm located in the outskirts of Palermo. The twins were spontaneously delivered and found dead by the farmer. X-ray examination and necropsy were performed. The deformity was identified as deradelphus cephalo-thoracoomphalopagus. This condition has never been reported in veterinary literature. Our case reports of male conjoined twins characterized by two separated hearts with their own pericardial sacs and two separated livers. These findings represent a rare condition in conjoined twinning.

Mast cells in canine mammary gland tumour: number, distribution and EPOR positivity.

Erythropoietin (EPO)-mediated mitogenic and anti-apoptotic effects involve all the cells expressing functional receptors for EPO (EPOR), as demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo studies. EPO shows pleiotropic effects and acts as an endogenous mediator of adaptive tissue response to metabolic stress protecting tissues from different injuries. Recently, the EPO/EPOR complex has been identified in several neoplastic cell lines and solid tumours. In this study, the authors investigated the mast cells (MCs) number, distribution and their immunoreactivity for EPOR in normal, dysplastic and neoplastic canine mammary gland. The results showed that MCs were more numerous in displastic glands compared with normal and neoplastic glands. As far as the EPOR immunoreactivity is concerned, we did not observe MCs reaction on cancer, in contrast with previously published data where epithelium of neoplastic gland showed an increase in EPOR expression along with the neoplastic progression. Overall, our results might be suggestive for MCs role in oncogenesis and offer new insight regarding to the expression of EPOR in mammary gland cancer in dog.

A case of unilateral pelvic limb adactyly in a puppy dog.

A case of unilateral hindlimb adactyly is described in a 3-month-old female Pointer dog. Clinical and radiographic findings are described. Adactyly or transverse hemimelia is a rare condition in most animal species. In dogs, this condition has been reported only three times as a deformity of the forelimb. To the authors' knowledge, the congenital pelvic limb deformity described here is the first case documented in a dog.

Neurofibroma in a striped mullet: histochemical and immunohistochemical study.

A case of neurofibroma is reported in a wild striped mullet Mugil cephalus. Macro- and microscopic features are described. The tumor arose on the head as a white-grayish, firm mass protruding outwards but covered by the epidermis. The neoplastic tissue showed well-defined borders and was encapsulated; it was predominantly composed of elongated cells with ellipsoid, hyperchromatic nuclei and pale cytoplasm. The cells were irregularly arranged; in the context of the neoplastic proliferation, these cells were usually densely packed, sometimes forming parallel arrays, but without distinctive nuclear palisades. The diagnosis of neurofibroma is also supported by the positive immunostaining for S-100 and vimentin as well as by the negative calretinin reaction.

Acquired melanosis caused by acorn ingestion in the Nero Siciliano pig.

In this study, an acquired pigmentation in Nero Siciliano pigs is reported and evaluated by a multidisciplinary approach to support the hypothesis it is caused by an ingested material. A total of 18 pigs were studied. Fourteen conventionally slaughtered animals showed black discoloration of lymph nodes. The lymph nodes were normal in size and shape but showed diffuse black discoloration of the cortex and medulla. Melanosis of fat was observed in 2 animals and was limited to the back. Histochemical tests performed on tissues enabled identification and differentiation of the pigment. Immunohistochemical staining for macrophage markers showed macrophages containing a variable amount of melanin-like granules. Stains for human melanoma, as well as S-100 protein, did not show any reaction. Histochemical methods for tyrosinase showed colorimetric patterns that confirmed the presence of the enzyme in acorns. The activity was mostly latent. A high tannin content was demonstrated, reaching about 76% of the total phenolic compounds. Our data, and the well-known steps on melanin formation, permit us to hypothesize that swine tyrosinase could act on phenolic substances found in acorns. Tyrosinase activation could take place in genetically predisposed swine after acorns are eaten, and this event could increase the biosynthesis and the anomalous storage of melanin.

Primary pleomorphic liposarcoma of the liver in a dog.

A rare case of primary pleomorphic liposarcoma of the liver in an 8-year-old female German shepherd dog is described. The liver tumour, measuring 10x12x5 cm, was located in the right hepatic lobe. The diagnosis of pleomorphic liposarcoma was based on the morphological and immunohistochemical features of the tumour cells. To our knowledge, this is the second case of primary liposarcoma of the liver in the dog found in the veterinary literature.

Italian BiodivYsio open registry (BiodivYsio PC-coated stent): study of clinical outcomes of the implant of a PC-coated coronary stent.

UNLABELLED: Rapid technological developments have made new materials available for percutaneous coronary intervention procedures. The coronary stent in particular has undergone progressive structural improvements leading to the recent availability of a third generation of stents, namely, coated stents. The rapid evolution of the stent has often made its evaluation problematical, since trials are frequently confined to small groups of patients in single centers. The purpose of this registry was to verify the safety and efficacy of the BiodivYsio stent (a stent coated with phosphorylcholine polymer) in a broad population of patients who reflect the daily reality of coronary intervention in a cardiac catheterization laboratory. METHODS AND RESULTS: The registry was designed to collect the principal angiographic and clinical data of a consecutive series of Oreal worldO patients. Patients were treated with a BiodivYsio stent (Biocompatibles, Galway, United Kingdom) in 12 centers (11 Italian and 1 Swiss) between January 1998 and January 1999. Procedural, in-hospital, 30-day and six-month follow-up data were collected. The monitoring, data entry and statistical analyses were carried out by an independent center. During the study, 218 patients were enrolled; 165 (76%) male and 53 (24%) female, with an average age of 61.6 +/- 9.4 years (range, 36Eth 84 years). A total of 258 stents were implanted in 233 lesions (1.1 stents per lesion), of which 233 (90%) were the BiodivYsio PC coated stent, the remaining 25 implants were of other stent types. The percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stenting procedure were carried out in 109 (50%) patients with unstable angina, 65 (30%) with stable angina, 29 (13%) with acute myocardial infarction, and 15 (7%) patients with silent ischemia. Procedural success was achieved in 217/218 (99.5%) patients. Optimal results were achieved in 212 (97.7%) patients. In 34 (15.6%) cases, patients were treated with periprocedural abciximab. During the hospitalization period, one (0.4%) death occurred on day 7 due to subacute occlusion of the stent, and 3 (1.4%) myocardial infarctions were reported. At 30-day follow-up, 211 (97.2%) patients were asymptomatic, as were 189 (87%) patients at clinical follow-up at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a third-generation stent. The results demonstrate a high procedural success rate and a low incidence of major adverse cardiac events at short- and medium-term follow-up. It appears that the BiodivYsio stent should be considered safe in clinical and/or anatomical situations with a high risk of complications, confirming the hypothesis that PC may have non-thrombogenic properties. To corroborate these results, an appropriately designed study would be required to measure the stentOs efficacy in the most suitable clinical context, i.e., clinical situations that are at the highest risk of ischemic relapse.