Sarcocystis fayeri-Induced Granulomatous and Eosinophilic Myositis in 2 Related Horses.

This report describes 2 genetically related paint mares, case Nos. 1 and 2, presented to the Oklahoma State University Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for chronic weight loss and abnormal gait, respectively. Notable findings in both cases included marked persistent eosinophilia and multiple intramuscular lateral thoracic masses. Histologic examination of masses revealed eosinophilic, centrally necrotic granulomas and marked eosinophilic myositis. Granulomas in case No. 1 also contained intralesional Sarcocystis sp material, and adjacent muscle fibers contained intact protozoal cysts. Case No. 1 developed severe refractory muscle pain and recurrent esophageal dysphagia. At necropsy, disseminated, grossly visible granulomas were present throughout all examined striated muscles. Nested polymerase chain reaction of the 18S rRNA gene revealed >99% homology with Sarcocystis fayeri. Sarcocystis spp are apicomplexan protozoa that infect striated muscle of many omnivorous species, typically without inciting clinical disease. Sarcocystosis should be considered a rare cause of granulomatous eosinophilic myositis and choke in horses.

The relevance of threaded external skeletal fixation pin insertion speed in canine bone with and without predrilling.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of insertion speed in revolutions per minute (RPM) and pilot hole predrilling for placement of threaded external skeletal fixation pins on temperature and morphological damage in cortical bone were evaluated. The null hypothesis states that insertion speed and predrilling will have no significant effect on temperature and morphological damage. METHODS: Fixation pins were inserted into cadaveric canine femurs at speeds of 700 RPM and 150 RPM, with and without pre-drilling. Temperature was measured at each cortex 0.5 mm and 3.0 mm from each insertion site. Samples were examined grossly and by scanning electron microscopy for evidence of morphological damage. Data were analysed for maximum temperature, temperature increase, sites above thermal necrosis thresholds, microcracks, thread quality and gross damage. RESULTS: Predrilling had a significant effect on maximum temperature, temperature increase, sites exceeding necrosis thresholds, microcracks, thread quality and gross damage. Speed of insertion had no significant effect on any of the measured parameters following predrilling, but had a significant effect on thread quality without predrilling. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our results fail to reject the null hypothesis concerning insertion speed, which had no significant effect on thermal damage, and minimal effect on morphological damage, which was negated by predrilling. Our results reject the null hypothesis concerning predrilling and support the practice of predrilling fixation pin insertion sites.

Equine endometrial biopsy reviewed: observation, interpretation, and application of histopathologic data.

The equine endometrial biopsy, an important tool in equine reproduction science, has experienced a rich period of increasing knowledge, development, and application over the past 40 y. Much of the foundational work in this field was conducted by Dr. Robert M. Kenney. In view of his recent passing, this review is dedicated to our alumnus, Dr. Robert M. Kenney (OSU, 1954). In this manuscript, we pay tribute to Kenney-eponymous for the equine endometrial biopsy grading system-by reviewing the procedure. We present this review in three parts: 1) how observational data are acquired; 2) how these data are interpreted; and 3) how these data are applied in equine reproduction science and medicine.

Pulmonary histopathology of Cytauxzoon felis infections in the cat.

Cytauxzoonosis, caused by Cytauxzoon felis, is a regionally common, often fatal tick-borne disease primarily affecting the domestic cat. Retrospective analysis of case records from January 1995 to June 2005 identified 148 domestic cats diagnosed with cytauxzoonosis, having suitable archived lung sections. Lung sections were examined and graded on relevant parameters, the chief purpose of which was to characterize the pulmonary lesion of fatal feline cytauxzoonosis. Parameters were scored 0 to 3 for no lesion, mild, moderate, and severe, respectively. Evaluated parameters included the presence of interstitial pneumonia, increases in number of alveolar macrophages, degree of intra-alveolar hemorrhage, neutrophils infiltrating peribronchial and septal interstitium, and degree of vascular occlusion. Overall, interstitial pneumonia was moderate (1.72 +/- 0.65); alveolar macrophage numbers were mild (1.20 +/- 0.60); and intra-alveolar hemorrhage was mild (0.78 +/- 0.75). Neutrophil infiltrates were moderate (1.89 +/- 0.76), and vascular occlusion was moderate to severe (2.26 +/- 0.61). Pulmonary edema was common; its scoring was incorporated into the assessment for interstitial pneumonia. Interestingly, a thrombus was detected in the lung of 1 cat. The current understanding of the pathogenesis of cytauxzoonosis focuses on vascular occlusion by macrophages distended by megaschizont parasite stages within liver, spleen, and lung. These findings corroborate the current understanding yet shed light on the possibility that macrophage activation and inflammatory mediators lead to an interstitial pneumonic process characterized by neutrophilic infiltrates and pulmonary edema. These characterized lesions are likely correlative with the respiratory distress seen in affected cats.

Fatal systemic phaeohyphomycosis caused by Ochroconis gallopavum in a dog (Canis familaris).

A 5-year-old Shetland Sheepdog was presented with a history of weakness, ataxia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and occasional seizures. The dog had been treated for 6 months with prednisone for inflammatory bowel disease. A positive titer for Ehrlichia canis was detected 6 months before referral. The initial physical examination revealed a weak, laterally recumbent dog with pale mucous membranes. Neurologic examination revealed multiple neurologic deficits. A complete blood cell count (CBC) revealed normochromic, normocytic, nonregenerative anemia; lymphopenia; thrombocytopenia; and neutrophilic and monocytic leukocytosis. Urinalysis revealed proteinuria, with a specific gravity of 1.045. The dog was unresponsive to treatment and died. At necropsy, there was severe serofibrinous peritonitis and pleuritis, with randomly scattered dark brown necrotic foci present in multiple organs, including liver, spleen, kidney, and pancreatic lymph node. Histologically, there were extensive regions of parenchymal necrosis surrounded by neutrophils admixed with epithelioid macrophages, lymphocytes, and pigmented fungal organisms. Numerous brown, 2 to 6 microm in diameter, septate, branching hyphae, subsequently identified as Ochroconis gallopavum (formerly Dactylaria constricta var. gallopava), were observed.