Free-ranging wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Switzerland: casual observations and model-based projections during open and closed season for hunting.

INTRODUCTION: Wild boar (i.e., Sus scrofa) are susceptible to a range of diseases that can be transmitted to domestic pigs. Assessing the potential risk of transmission-related events involves identifying where wild boar occur in Switzerland and where they still can colonize. It also involves identifying zones where piggeries are dense. In the work presented here, the distribution of wild boar in Switzerland was projected from grid data as probabilities of presence using an approach based on statistical modeling, separately for closed and open season for hunting. The predicted probabilities of wild boar presence were related to the density of piggeries in the six agricultural zones. The resulting maps show how the potential risk of transmission-related events, as a proxy for disease transmission, is distributed in Switzerland. Wild boar presence data consisted of hunting data and casual observations recorded from September 2011 to February 2018 at the coordinate level. They were obtained from all 16 Swiss cantons maintaining a license hunting system plus Solothurn (for 2017) and Zurich, as well as from info fauna. The probability of wild boar occurrence was high (> 0.7) in Jura, the valleys of the Southern Alps, the Rhone Valley down the river from Martigny, and the Rhine Valley down the river from Bündner Herrschaft; it was fair (0.5-0.7) in the Swiss Plateau. These regions broadly overlap agricultural zones with a high density of piggeries. Patches of perennially suitable, but currently not colonized habitat were found in the cantons of Berne, Obwalden, Uri, Schwyz, Glarus, and Grisons. The probability of wild boar occurrence across the entire study area, including the Alps, increased by 12% during closed season for hunting. The results were discussed with reference to similar studies.

INTRODUCTION: Le sanglier (Sus scrofa) est sensible à plusieurs maladies qui peuvent être transmises au cochon domestique. Afin d'estimer le risque potentiel de transmission, il est important d'identifier les zones occupées par le sanglier en Suisse ainsi que celles qu'il pourrait encore coloniser. De plus, cela implique également de pouvoir situer les secteurs où les élevages de cochons sont les plus abondant. Dans le présent travail, la distribution du sanglier a été projetée selon une grille à l'échelle de la Suisse à partir des présences confirmées en utilisant des méthodes statistiques, ceci en considérant la période d'ouverture de chasse d'une part et la période de fermeture d'autre part. Les probabilités de présence calculées ont été misent en relation avec la densité des porcheries dans les différentes zones agricoles. Les cartes résultant de cet exercice montrent comment le risque potentiel de transmission de maladies est distribué en Suisse. La base de données utilisée contenait des informations sur les sangliers tirés lors de la chasse, ainsi que des observations occasionnelles, rapportées à l'échelle de la coordonnée entre Septembre 2011 et Février 2018. Ces données ont étés obtenues de l'ensemble des 16 cantons maintenant un système de chasse à patente, plus Soleure (2017) et Zurich, et des données disponibles sur info fauna. La probabilité de trouver des sanglier est élevée (> 0.7) dans le Jura, les vallées du sud des Alpes, la vallée du Rhône en aval de Martigny et la vallée du Rhin en aval de Bündner Herrschaft. Elle est modérée (0.5­0.7) pour le Plateau Suisse. Ces régions correspondent à peu près aux zones agricoles possédant les plus grandes densités de porcheries. Des secteurs offrant des conditions favorables toute l'année, mais encore inoccupés par le sanglier ont été trouvés dans les cantons de Berne, Obwald, Uri, Schwyz, Glaris et les Grisons. Sur l'ensemble de la zone d'étude, la probabilité de présence des sangliers était supérieur de 12% en dehors de la période de chasse. Les résultats ont été discutés en les comparant à des études similaires.

Oral melphalan for the treatment of relapsed canine lymphoma.

Oral melphalan has been included in multi-agent rescue protocols for canine lymphoma but its activity as a single-agent for this purpose has not been established. Inexpensive cost, ease of administration and tolerability make oral melphalan an attractive candidate for single-agent rescue therapy of canine lymphoma. Retrospective evaluation of 19 cases of relapsed canine lymphoma treated with oral melphalan was performed. Melphalan was primarily administered (n = 16) via a high dose protocol (HDM) with a median dosage of 19.4 mg m-2 . Fifteen dogs (78.9%) were treated concurrently with corticosteroids. Response evaluation was possible for all dogs with a calculated overall clinical benefit (partial response [PR] + stable disease [SD]) of 31.6% (PR 3/19; SD 3/19). Times to progression following melphalan (TTP-M) were 14, 24 and 34 days for responders and 20, 28 and 103 days for dogs experiencing SD. Twelve of 17 dogs evaluable for toxicity experienced an adverse event (AE) with only 3 dogs experiencing a grade III or higher AE. Haematologic toxicity was common (11/17) while gastrointestinal toxicity was rare (1/17). Although treatment resulted in limited clinical benefit and non-durable responses, oral melphalan was well-tolerated and may be a reasonable rescue option in cases where minimal effective agents remain.

Canine acute leukaemia: 50 cases (1989-2014).

Acute leukaemia (AL) is a bone marrow malignancy of hematopoietic progenitors that historically is poorly responsive to treatment. With the widespread adoption of dose-intense chemotherapy, more human patients attain long-term survivals, but whether comparable progress has been made in canine AL is unknown. To investigate this question, medical records from three academic veterinary hospitals were reviewed. Fifty dogs met the criteria for AL, having excess circulating or marrow blasts, a major cytopenia(s), and no substantial lymphadenopathy. Thirty-six dogs received cytotoxic chemotherapy; 23 achieved a complete or partial response for a median of 56 days (range, 9-218). With failure or relapse, 14 dogs were rescued. Median survival with treatment was poor at 55 days (range, 1-300). Untreated (n = 6) and palliatively-treated (n = 8) dogs lived a median of 7.5 days. Most dogs developed chemoresistance within weeks of initiating treatment, and consequently, survival times for AL remain disappointingly short.

[Epidural anesthesia for fetoscopy : Retrospective analysis of a one-year cohort]. / Peridurale Anästhesie zur Fetoskopie : Retrospektive Analyse einer Einjahreskohorte.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of routine prenatal screening using ultrasound has led to a substantial increase in diagnoses of fetal disorders that are amenable to intrauterine treatment. While an ultrasound guided insertion of small bore cannulas can be performed under local anesthesia, insertion of a fetoscope usually requires anesthetic management for the mother and the fetus. Additionally, the fetus' intrauterine position may have to be manipulated in order to enable access. Such manoeuvres depend on relaxation of the mother's abdominal wall. General anesthesia has been the preferred method, but it involves substantial risks both to the mother and possibly the fetus, especially when combined with aggressive uterine relaxation. Epidural anesthesia (EA) may provide an alternative. Only little systematic data on the efficacy, requirements or untoward effects of epidural anesthesia for fetoscopy exists in the literature, yet a high rate of arterial hypotension following EA has been reported. We therefore aimed to assess the hemodynamic reaction to EA in a mixed population of pregnant women undergoing fetoscopy for a variety of fetal conditions and performed a retrospective analysis of a one-year cohort in a single university hospital. METHODS: The local ethics committee approved this retrospective analysis and waived patient consent (local study identifier 304/14). We extracted anesthesiologic and hemodynamic data from the anesthesia charts of 23 consecutive cases of elective fetoscopic procedures requiring anesthesia between May 2011 and 2012 at a German university medical centre. RESULTS: Twenty-three cases of fetoscopy were included in this study. Indications for fetoscopy were congenital diaphragmatic hernia (n = 9), aortic valve stenosis (n = 8), and feto-fetal transfusion syndrome (n = 6). Median gestational age was 26 (8, interquartile range) weeks. Lumbar epidural catheters were injected with a median dose of 0.09 (0.02, interquartile range) ml ropivacaine 0.75% per cm maternal height. In 11 patients, EA was titrated to a sufficient height whereas 12 patients received a single dose with a median volume of 0.08 (0.02) ml/cm maternal height. After injection, systolic arterial pressure did not change significantly, mean arterial pressure dropped from 93 (14) mm Hg to 88 (15) mm Hg (p = 0.03). Heart rate fell from 96 (29) to 89 (20) beats per minute (p = 0.02). At incision, neither blood pressure nor heart rate changed significantly. For hemodynamic support during the procedure, cafedrine/theodrenaline (Akrinor™) was injected in five patients (median dose in these patients 0.5 (1.5) ml). One patient carrying a fetus with a poor prognosis and who underwent two separate procedures demanded additional sedation, for which we chose remifentanil. Another patient was hypotensive after intravenous administration of the tocolytic drug atosiban. A stable hemodynamic condition was quickly restored in this patient with administration of cafedrine/theodrenaline and i. v. fluids. All procedures were performed without conversion to general anaesthesia. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study demonstrates that fetoscopic procedures under EA in the range of indications treated in our institution can be performed safely. EA was associated with stable hemodynamic conditions in this mixed cohort of pregnant women. EA appears thus to be a suitable technique for fetoscopy, avoiding the risks inherent to general anesthesia in pregnant women.

Expression of Apoptosis-regulating Proteins Bcl-2 and Bax in Lymph Node Aspirates from Dogs with Lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Dysregulated apoptosis is a hallmark of tumorigenesis, and is also involved in resistance to cytotoxic treatment, and might be relevant in lymphoma in dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: That Bcl-2/Bax expression patterns differ between lymphoma immunophenotypes, and that Bcl-2/Bax ratio is correlated with prognosis. ANIMALS: Fifty-five client-owned dogs with multicentric lymphoma and 5 healthy dogs. METHODS: Prospective, case-control study. We compared 3 methods (flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, Western blot) for Bcl-2 and Bax quantification in a subset of dogs. The effect of time on Bcl-2/Bax ratios measured by flow cytometry was assessed in lymphoma cell lines. Immunophenotype and Bcl-2/Bax expression by flow cytometry were determined in LN aspirates from all dogs with multicentric lymphoma compared to healthy dogs. Progression-free survival (PFS) was retrospectively evaluated in a group of dogs all receiving similar treatment. RESULTS: Bcl-2/Bax ratios remain consistent for at least 5 days after sample collection. Bcl-2/Bax ratio was higher in dogs with T-cell lymphoma (TCL; median 0.97, range 0.37-1.36) compared to B-cell lymphoma (BCL; median 0.36, range 0.07-1.45) (P < .0001) and normal dogs (median 0.36, range 0.21-0.48) (P = .0006), respectively. Dogs with Bcl-2/Bax ratios higher than the median of the group experienced a median PFS of 101 days and dogs with ratios equal and lower than the median had PFS of 130 days (P = .19). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Higher intrinsic resistance to apoptosis following cytotoxic treatment might contribute to the less favorable prognosis associated with multicentric TCL in dogs. Whether Bcl-2/Bax will be helpful to identify canine BCL and TCL with more aggressive and more indolent behavior, respectively, should be evaluated in larger prospective clinical studies.

CD45+ and CD45- lymphocyte populations identified by flow cytometry from dogs with lymphoma exhibit similar morphology and the same clonal (B cell or T cell) lineage.

Flow cytometric analysis of canine lymphoma sometimes demonstrates a mixed population of CD45+ and CD45- lymphocytes. Recently, indolent forms of canine lymphoma have been described which are associated with the loss of CD45 expression, warranting further investigation of the role of CD45 in canine lymphoma. The purpose of this study was to compare morphology and assess clonal origin between CD45+ and CD45- lymphocyte populations identified by flow cytometry in confirmed cases of canine B- and T-cell lymphoma. Our hypothesis was that the CD45- population of lymphocytes represented a phenotypic variant of the CD45+ population. Fifteen client-owned dogs with lymphoma and distinct CD45+ and CD45- lymphocyte populations identified by flow cytometry were identified for a blinded, prospective assessment of morphology and clonal origin (B cell or T cell) between populations of sorted CD45+ and CD45- cells. Lymphocytes were isolated from 11 dogs for paired cytologic evaluation. In 10/11 dogs, the CD45+ and CD45- samples were similar (95% C.I., 0.301-1.00). DNA was harvested from sorted populations of CD45+ and CD45- cells from 12/15 dogs and PARR analysis produced amplicons of identical size from both populations, indicating that 100% (12/12) were of the same lineage, B cell or T cell (95% C.I., 0.757-1.00). Collectively, our data suggests that the CD45- population identified in dogs with lymphoma represents a phenotypic variant of the CD45+ population.

Autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic cell transplantation in dogs with T-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral blood hematopoietic cell transplantation (PBHCT) is a feasible treatment option for dogs with B-cell lymphoma. OBJECTIVE: To examine apheresis and PBHCT outcomes in dogs diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma (TCL). ANIMALS: Fifteen client-owned dogs diagnosed with high-grade TCL. METHODS: After high-dose cyclophosphamide and rhG-colony-stimulating (rhG-CSF) factor treatment, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected using cell separators. The harvested cells then were infused after varying doses of total body irradiation (TBI). Postirradiation adverse effects were managed symptomatically and dogs were discharged upon evidence of hematopoietic engraftment. RESULTS: More than 2 × 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg were harvested from 15/15 dogs. Thirteen of 15 (87%) dogs engrafted appropriately, whereas 2 (13%) of the dogs died in the hospital. One dog developed cutaneous B-cell lymphoma 120 days post-PBHCT. The median disease-free interval and overall survival (OS) of the 13 dogs transplanted in first remission from the time of PBHCT were 184 and 240 days, respectively. Stage and substage of disease at diagnosis had no effect on OS. Two of 13 (15%) dogs were alive 741 and 772 days post-PBHCT. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: PBHCT may be considered as a treatment option for dogs with TCL.

Lymphoma immunophenotype of dogs determined by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and polymerase chain reaction for antigen receptor rearrangements.

BACKGROUND: Immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry (FC), and PCR for antigen receptor rearrangements (PARR) are 3 widely utilized tests to determine immunophenotype in dogs with lymphoma (LSA). OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the ability of FC and PARR to correctly predict immunophenotype as defined by IHC and to determine the level of agreement among the 3 tests. ANIMALS: Sixty-two dogs with lymphoma. METHODS: Retrospective study. Medical records were searched to identify dogs with LSA that had concurrent IHC, FC, and PARR performed. Immunophenotype results were categorized as B-cell, T-cell, dual immunophenotype (B- and T-cell), or indeterminate. The results of FC and PARR were evaluated for correctly classifying B- and T-cell LSA as compared with IHC. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were evaluated in addition to concordance between each test. RESULTS: The sensitivity of FC was significantly higher than PARR for both B-cell (91% versus 67%; P < 0.0072) and T-cell (100% versus 75%; P < 0.0312) LSA. The percent agreement between FC and IHC was 94%, between PARR and IHC was 69%, between FC and PARR was 63%, and among all 3 tests was 63%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Flow cytometry is superior to PARR in correctly predicting immunophenotype when evaluating lymph nodes from dogs already diagnosed with B- or T-cell LSA. If fresh samples are not available for FC, PARR is an acceptable assay for determination of immunophenotype given its high specificity.

Increasing prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistance in extended-spectrum-ß-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli urinary isolates.

PURPOSE: To describe the incidence and drug susceptibility profiles of uropathogenic extended-spectrum-ß-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) during a 10-year period and to identify differences in resistance patterns between urological and non-urological ESBL-EC isolates. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 191,564 urine samples obtained during 2001 to 2010 at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland. The computerized database of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory and the Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology was used to identify ESBL-EC positive urine samples. ESBL-EC isolates were stratified according their origin into two groups: Urology and non-Urology isolates. RESULTS: The rate of ESBL-EC positive urine samples increased significantly during the study period (3 in 2001 compared to 55 in 2010, p < 0.05). The most active agents were imipenem, meropenem, and fosfomycin (100%), followed by amikacin (99.1%) and nitrofurantoin (84%). The least active substances were ampicillin-clavulanate (20%), sulfamethoxazole (28%), and ciprofloxacin (29.6%). ESBL-EC isolates from urological and non-urological patients showed similar susceptibility profiles. However, ESBL-EC isolates from urological patients were significantly less susceptible to ciprofloxacin compared to non-urological isolates (14.7 vs. 32.7%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of urinary ESBL-EC isolates is increasing. Their susceptibility to nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, and carbapenems is excellent, whereas ampicillin-clavulanate, sulfamethoxazole, and ciprofloxacin demonstrate only low susceptibility. In particular, the use of ciprofloxacin should be strictly avoided in urologic patients with suspicion for an ESBL-EC urinary tract infection as well as routine antibiotic prophylaxis prior to urological interventions if not explicit indicated by current international guidelines or local resistance patterns.

Reading between the lines: molecular characterization of five widely used canine lymphoid tumour cell lines.

Molecular characterization of tumour cell lines is increasingly regarded as a prerequisite for defining their validity as models of in vivo neoplasia. We present the first comprehensive catalogue of genomic and transcriptional characteristics of five widely used canine lymphoid tumour cell lines. High-resolution microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization defined their unique profiles of genomic DNA copy number imbalance. Multicolour fluorescence in situ hybridization identified aberrant gains of MYC, KIT and FLT3 and deletions of PTEN and CDKN2 in individual cell lines, and also revealed examples of extensive structural chromosome reorganization. Gene expression profiling and RT-PCR analyses defined the relationship between genomic imbalance and transcriptional dysregulation in each cell line, clarifying their relevance as models of discrete functional pathways with biological and therapeutic significance. In combination, these data provide an extensive resource of molecular data for directing the appropriate use of these cell lines as tools for studying canine lymphoid neoplasia.

Autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic cell transplantation in dogs with B-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral blood CD34+ hematopoietic cell transplantation (PBHCT) is commonly used to treat human patients with relapsed non-Hodgkin diffuse, large B-cell lymphoma with cure rates approaching 50%. OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and feasibility of performing PBHCT to treat canine B-cell lymphoma (LSA) patients in a clinical academic setting. ANIMALS: Twenty-four client-owned dogs diagnosed with B-cell LSA. METHODS: After high-dose cyclophosphamide and rhG-colony-stimulating factor treatment, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected using cell separator machines. The harvested cells then were infused after a 10 Gy dose of total body irradiation (TBI). Post-irradiation adverse effects were managed symptomatically and dogs were discharged upon evidence of engraftment. RESULTS: More than 2 × 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg were harvested in 23/24 dogs. Preapheresis peripheral blood monocyte count was correlated with the number of CD34+ cells/kg harvested. Twenty-one of 24 (87.5%) dogs engrafted appropriately, whereas 2 dogs (8.3%) died in the hospital. One (5%) dog exhibited delayed engraftment and died 45 days after PBHCT. One dog developed presumed TBI-induced pulmonary fibrosis approximately 8 months after PBHCT. The median disease-free interval and overall survival (OS) of all dogs from the time of PBHCT was 271 and 463 days, respectively. Five of 15 (33%) dogs transplanted before they relapsed remain in clinical remission for their disease at a median OS of 524 days (range, 361-665 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: In most cases, PBHCT led to complete hematologic reconstitution. Therefore, PBHCT may be considered as a treatment option for dogs with B-cell lymphoma.

Hematologic changes after total body irradiation and autologous transplantation of hematopoietic peripheral blood progenitor cells in dogs with lymphoma.

Dogs with and without lymphoma have undergone hematopoietic cell transplantation in a research setting for decades. North Carolina State University is currently treating dogs with B- and T-cell lymphoma in a clinical setting with autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell transplants, using peripheral blood CD34+ progenitor cells harvested using an apheresis machine. Complete blood counts were performed daily for 15 to 19 days posttransplantation to monitor peripheral blood cell nadirs and subsequent CD34+ cell engraftment. This study documents the hematologic toxicities of total body irradiation in 10 dogs and the subsequent recovery of the affected cell lines after peripheral blood progenitor cell transplant, indicating successful CD34+ engraftment. All peripheral blood cell lines, excluding red blood cells, experienced grade 4 toxicities. All dogs had ≥ 500 neutrophils/µl by day 12, while thrombocytopenia persisted for many weeks. All dogs were clinically normal at discharge.

Collection of peripheral blood CD34+ progenitor cells from healthy dogs and dogs diagnosed with lymphoproliferative diseases using a Baxter-Fenwal CS-3000 Plus blood cell separator.

BACKGROUND: Canine peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) apheresis using a Baxter-Fenwal CS-3000 Plus automated blood cell separator has not been reported. OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and safety of using a CS-3000 Plus blood cell separator with a small volume separation container holder (SVSCH) and small volume collection chamber (SVCC) to harvest canine PBMCs from dogs weighing <50 kg. ANIMALS: Eight healthy mongrel dogs and 11 client-owned dogs in clinical remission for lymphoproliferative diseases (LPD). METHODS: In this prospective study, aphereses were performed using a Baxter-Fenwal CS-3000 Plus blood cell separator, with or without recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) treatment. RESULTS: Aphereses from 6 healthy dogs given rhG-CSF yielded an average of 1.1 × 10(7) ± 8.2 × 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg. Aphereses from LPD dogs given rhG-CSF yielded an average of 5.4 × 10(6) ± 3.25 × 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg (P = .17). Higher hematocrit in both groups of dogs receiving rhG-CSF correlated with an increased number of CD34+ cells/kg harvested (healthy, P = .04; LPD, P = .05). Apheresis was well tolerated by all dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Canine PBMC apheresis using the Baxter-Fenwal CS-3000 Plus cell separator with an SVSCH and SVCC is a feasible and safe option for harvesting an adequate number of CD34+ peripheral blood progenitor cells from dogs weighing ≥17 kg for hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Device use, locomotor training and the presence of arm swing during treadmill walking after spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional study from a convenience sample with pretest/posttest data from a sample subset. OBJECTIVES: Determine the presence of walking-related arm swing after spinal cord injury (SCI), its associated factors and whether arm swing may change after locomotor training (LT). SETTING: Malcom Randall VAMC and University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. METHODS: Arm movement was assessed during treadmill stepping, pre-LT, in 30 individuals with motor incomplete SCI (iSCI, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade C/D, as defined by the International Standards for Neurological Classifications of SCI, with neurological level of impairment at or below C4). Partial body weight support and manual-trainer assistance were provided, as needed, to achieve stepping and allow arm swing. Arm swing presence was compared on the basis of cervical versus thoracic neurological levels of impairment and device type. Leg and arm strength and walking independence were compared between individuals with and without arm swing. Arm swing was reevaluated post-LT in the 21 out of 30 individuals who underwent LT. RESULTS: Of 30 individuals with iSCI, 12 demonstrated arm swing during treadmill stepping, pre-LT. Arm movement was associated with device type, lower extremity motor scores and walking independence. Among the 21 individuals who received LT, only 5 demonstrated arm swing pre-LT. Of the 16 individuals lacking arm swing pre-LT, 8 integrated arm swing post-LT. CONCLUSION: Devices routinely used for walking post-iSCI appeared associated with arm swing. Post-LT, arm swing presence increased. Therefore, arm swing may be experience dependent. Daily neuromuscular experiences provided to the arms may produce training effects, thereby altering arm swing expression.

Sequential low-dose rate half-body irradiation and chemotherapy for the treatment of canine multicentric lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Sequential half-body irradiation (HBI) combined with chemotherapy is feasible in treating canine lymphoma, but prolonged interradiation intervals may affect efficacy. A 2-week interradiation interval is possible in most dogs receiving low-dose rate irradiation (LDRI) protocols at 6 Gy dose levels. HYPOTHESIS: LDRI incorporated into a cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincritine, and prednisone (CHOP)-based chemotherapy protocol is effective for the treatment of lymphoma in dogs. ANIMALS: Thirty-eight client-owned animals diagnosed with multicentric lymphoma. METHODS: Retrospective study evaluating the efficacy and prognostic factors for the treatment of canine lymphoma with sequential HBI and chemotherapy. RESULTS: The median 1st remission was 410 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 241-803 days). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year 1st remission rates were 54, 42, and 31%. The median overall survival was 684 days (95% CI 334-1,223 days). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 66, 47, and 44%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of this study suggest that treatment intensification by a 2-week interradiation treatment interval coupled with interradiation chemotherapy is an effective treatment for dogs with lymphoma.

[Therapeutic education in the field of infection diseases: the example of HIV infection]. / Education thérapeutique en maladie infectieuse: l'exemple de l'infection à VIH.

The advent of antiretroviral therapies represent a major therapeutic progress which dramatically modifies HIV seropositive people's life during the past fifteen years. After the violence of a formerly rapidly fatal disease comes nowadays the heaviness of a chronic disease. If some problems are new for the patients, it also represents new challenges for the caregivers. Due to the lack of access to medications in certain context or because of nonadherence to treatment, the full potential of these therapies is difficult to reach. We present here the experience of a therapeutic patient educational program for HIV seropositive persons. This program aimed not only to develop patient's skills to elicit them to find a balance between their life and their disease, but also to improve the skills of the caregivers to face the problem of chronicity.

Solitary intracerebral plasmacytoma in a dog: microscopic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features.

A primary intracerebral plasmacytoma was identified in a 7-year-old spayed female Boston Terrier. Grossly, a well-demarcated, 2 cm in diameter, roughly spherical tumor was in the rostral aspect of the left cerebral hemisphere. Histologically, the neoplasm was composed of sheets of round cells with distinct plasmacytoid features and marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis. Cells were positive for vimentin, CD18, CD79a, and lambda light-chain, and negative for kappa light chain, cytokeratin, lysozyme, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and S100 protein. Clonally rearranged B-cell antigen receptor genes were detected by PARR (polymerase chain reaction for antigen receptor rearrangements), confirming clonal proliferation of B lymphocytes. Although primary solitary intracerebral plasmacytoma is rare in dogs and other species, it should be included in the differential diagnosis for central nervous system round-cell neoplasms. Clonality testing can be utilized to support the histological diagnosis of this neoplasm type.

Erythrophagocytic low-grade extranodal T-cell lymphoma in a cat.

A 13-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat was presented to the referring veterinarian with a 2-month history of weight loss and lethargy. Splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, nonregenerative anemia, neutropenia, and hyperbilirubinemia were noted. Results of testing for feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, Toxoplasma gondii, and Mycoplasma sp. were negative. On cytologic examination of aspirates from the enlarged spleen and liver, a population of erythrophagocytic round cells was observed. Splenectomy and a liver biopsy were done which revealed a population of CD3+/CD79a- erythrophagocytic mononuclear round cells localized in the hepatic and splenic sinusoids. T-cell PARR (PCR for antigen receptor gene rearrangements) analysis of bone marrow and spleen demonstrated a single band indicative of a clonal proliferation of T cells. Based on the marked splenomegaly, sinusoidal infiltration, lack of lymphadenopathy, and results of cytology, PARR, and immunophenotyping, a diagnosis of low-grade extranodal T-cell lymphoma was made. The cat was treated with chlorambucil and prednisolone; clinical and laboratory abnormalities resolved and the cat has remained clinically normal for 2.5 years. To our knowledge, this report documents the first case of an erythrophagocytic T-cell lymphoma in a cat. The clinicopathologic findings were suggestive of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma, a neoplasm described previously only in humans and dogs.

Technical note: standardized and semiautomated Harris lines detection.

Arrest in long bone growth and the subsequent resumption of growth may be visible as radiopaque transverse lines in radiographs (Harris lines, HL; Harris, HA. 1933. Bone growth in health and disease. London: Oxford University Press). The assessment of individual age at occurrence of such lines, as part of paleopathological skeletal studies, is time-consuming and shows large intra- and interobserver variability. Thus, a standardized, automated detection algorithm would help to increase the validity of such paleopathological research. We present an image analysis application facilitating automatic detection of HL. On the basis of established age calculation methods, the individual age-at-formation can be automatically assessed with the tool presented. Additional user input to confirm the automatic result is possible via an intuitive graphical user interface. Automated detection of HL from digital radiographs of a sample of late Medieval Swiss tibiae was compared to the consensus of manual assessment by two blinded expert observers. The intra- and interobserver variability was high. The quality of the observer result improved when standardized detection criteria were defined and applied. The newly developed algorithm detected two-thirds of the HL that were identified as consensus lines between the observers. It was, however, necessary to validate the last one-third by manual editing. The lack of a large test series must be noted. The application is freely available for further testing by any interested researcher.

[123I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine- (MIBG-) scintigraphy: paradoxical positivity in an oncocytic adrenocortical carcinoma]. / 123I-Methyljodbenzylguanidin- (MIBG-) Szintigraphie: Paradoxe Nuklidspeicherung eines onkozytären Nebennierenrindenkarzinoms.

(123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG), a radio-labeled catecholamine analogue, is used for the imaging of pheochromocytoma based on the selective uptake of MIBG by chromaffin tissues. MIBG scintigraphy displays high sensitivity (90%) and specificity (close to 100%). In contrast, the false-positive uptake of MIBG by adrenal cortical carcinoma is rare. Here, we report a metastatic oncocytic adrenal cortical carcinoma with MIBG uptake used for therapeutic purposes.