Reliability of using results of abdominal fluid analysis to determine treatment and predict lesion type and outcome for horses with colic: 218 cases (1991-1994).

OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical utility of abdominal fluid analysis in predicting outcome, lesion type, and whether medical or surgical treatment is indicated for horses with colic. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 218 horses > 1 year old. PROCEDURE: Horses were classified on the basis of age, site of lesion, lesion type (nonstrangulating vs strangulating), type of treatment (medical vs surgical), and outcome (survival vs nonsurvival). Sensitivity and specificity of using age and results of abdominal fluid analysis, individually and in combination, to predict lesion type, type of treatment, and outcome were determined. RESULTS: Most single variables evaluated were found to have low sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value for determining lesion type, whether medical or surgical treatment was indicated, and outcome. When evaluated in series, abdominal fluid color and specific gravity had a high positive predictive value for lesion type, and patient age and abdominal fluid color had a high positive predictive value for outcome. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Results of abdominal fluid analysis cannot be used alone to accurately predict lesion type, whether medical or surgical treatment is needed, or outcome for horses with colic.

Adult-onset lysosomal storage disease in a Schipperke dog: clinical, morphological and biochemical studies.

An adult-onset lysosomal storage disorder was diagnosed in a 5-year-old Schipperke dog with progressive cerebellar and central vestibular signs. It was characterized by cerebellar atrophy with extensive loss of Purkinje and granular cells, and hydrocephalus. Enlarged and vacuolated neurons were observed in spinal cord and brain; pancreatic centrolobular and islet cells were also vacuolated. Ultrastructurally, enlarged secondary lysosomes laden with lamellated membrane structures were present in neurons and empty enlarged vacuoles were found in pancreatic centroacinar, ductal, and islet cells. On frozen sections neurons stained with Ricinus communis agglutinin-I and wheat germ agglutinin. On paraffin sections neurons stained with luxol fast blue, periodic acid-Schiff, Concanavalia ensiformis agglutinin, and were autofluorescent. These findings indicate an accumulation of glycolipids containing terminal beta-galactosyl and alpha-sialyl residues, and N-linked oligosaccharides. Tissue activity of lysosomal beta-galactosidase was 50% of normal and the activity of beta-hexosaminidase was elevated. Brain lipid-bound sialic acid was twice normal, with a small increase of GM1-ganglioside, but there was a significant elevation of GM2 (GD2) and GM3 (GD3). In addition, significant elevations of sialylated and non-sialylated oligosaccharides were noted. These clinical, biochemical and pathological findings are similar to those observed in human patients with adult-onset galactosialidosis.

Morphology of leukocytes from cats affected with alpha-mannosidosis and mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI).

The morphology and ultrastructure of circulating white blood cells from six Persian and from five Russian Blue/Siamese cats deficient in lysosomal activity of alpha-mannosidase and arylsulfatase B, respectively, were studied and compared to cells from corresponding normal and carrier cats. In cats with mannosidosis, light microscopic examination revealed vacuoles in lymphocytes and monocytes, whereas electron microscopic studies demonstrated additional vacuoles in neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. In cats with mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI), vacuoles containing metachromatic granules were observed in lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes. Ultrastructural studies of these cells identified the accumulation of fibrillar material, which often was associated with lamellated membrane structures.

Effects of gastric distention-volvulus on coronary blood flow and myocardial oxygen consumption in the dog.

Gastric distention-volvulus (GDV; at 50 mm of Hg gastric inflation pressure) was experimentally induced in 8 dogs anesthetized using pentobarbital. Hemodynamic indices including heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, and coronary blood flow (4 dogs) were measured during a 20-minute period of GDV and for 10 minutes after decompression. Arterial and coronary venous oxygen tensions were also measured for calculation of myocardial oxygen extraction (7 dogs) and myocardial oxygen consumption (4 dogs). Dogs were monitored for 72 hours postoperatively for the occurrence of arrhythmias, then were euthanatized for gross and histologic examination of the heart. Experimental GDV resulted in significant (P less than 0.05) decreases in cardiac output (89%), mean arterial pressure (45%), and coronary blood flow (50%) compared with control values. Myocardial oxygen extraction increased (30%) and overall myocardial oxygen consumption decreased (50%), compared with control values. Evidence of subendocardial necrosis was seen in 6 dogs, 4 of which had developed ventricular arrhythmias 8 to 24 hours postoperatively.