ABSTRACT
This article is intended to serve as a reference for clinical pathology in the equine with algorithms and tables provided for anemia diagnosis and leukogram alterations associated with both acute and chronic inflammation. A table of reference is provided for fluid evaluations including joint fluid and effusions into body cavities. Evaluation of newer serum markers, such as cardiac troponin, and a table highlighting test procedures for the evaluation of endocrine disease in the horse are included. A brief overview of quality assurance in the laboratory is provided to stimulate interest in this important aspect of laboratory diagnosis of disease.
Subject(s)
Horse Diseases/blood , Horse Diseases/pathology , Horses/blood , Animals , Blood Cell Count/veterinary , Blood Chemical Analysis/veterinarySubject(s)
Cat Diseases/microbiology , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/veterinary , Cryptococcosis/veterinary , Global Health , Animals , Cats , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/microbiology , Cryptococcosis/classification , Cryptococcus/classification , Cryptococcus gattii/pathogenicity , Veterinary MedicineABSTRACT
Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease that occurs throughout the world. Recent reclassification of Cryptococcus species along with a change in the distribution pattern has prompted reevaluation of the organism and the diseases caused by this pathogen. This review highlights the emergence of Cryptococcus gattii as a primary pathogen in North America and summarizes our current understanding of the disease in mammals and birds.
Subject(s)
Communicable Diseases, Emerging/veterinary , Cryptococcosis/veterinary , Cryptococcus gattii , Animals , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Antigens, Fungal/blood , Cat Diseases/diagnosis , Cat Diseases/drug therapy , Cat Diseases/microbiology , Cats , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/epidemiology , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/microbiology , Cryptococcosis/diagnosis , Cryptococcosis/drug therapy , Cryptococcosis/epidemiology , Cryptococcosis/microbiology , Cryptococcus gattii/pathogenicity , Cryptococcus gattii/physiology , Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Dog Diseases/drug therapy , Dog Diseases/microbiology , Dogs , North America/epidemiology , PrognosisABSTRACT
Previously, we reported the isolation of Bartonella henselae from the blood of harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from the North Carolina coast. Hematologic, pathologic, and microbiologic findings surrounding the death of a juvenile captive beluga in Vancouver initiated an outbreak investigation designed to define the molecular prevalence of Bartonella infection in belugas. Using polymerase chain reaction analyses targeting the intergenic spacer region (ITS), two B. henselae ITS strains were identified in 78% of captive and free-ranging hunter-harvested belugas. These findings may have public health implications and may influence aquarium management procedures for captive marine mammals.
Subject(s)
Angiomatosis, Bacillary/veterinary , Bartonella henselae/isolation & purification , Beluga Whale/microbiology , Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary , Angiomatosis, Bacillary/epidemiology , Angiomatosis, Bacillary/microbiology , Angiomatosis, Bacillary/transmission , Animals , Animals, Wild/virology , Animals, Zoo/virology , Bartonella henselae/classification , DNA, Bacterial/chemistry , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , DNA, Intergenic/chemistry , DNA, Intergenic/genetics , Male , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Spleen/virologyABSTRACT
A 7-year-old Labrador retriever had nonspecific clinical signs that included lethargy, malaise, and difficult ambulation. The dog was native to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and had never left this area. Morulae were identified in polymorphonuclear cells. Serologic studies and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing confirmed canine anaplasmosis caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The dog recovered after treatment with tetracycline.
Subject(s)
Anaplasma phagocytophilum/isolation & purification , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Ehrlichiosis/veterinary , Tetracycline/therapeutic use , Anaplasma phagocytophilum/immunology , Animals , British Columbia , Dog Diseases/blood , Dog Diseases/drug therapy , Dogs , Ehrlichiosis/blood , Ehrlichiosis/diagnosis , Ehrlichiosis/drug therapy , Male , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical and pathologic findings associated with an outbreak of cryptococcosis in an unusual geographic location (British Columbia, Canada). DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 1 pink-fronted cockatoo, 2 ferrets, 20 cats, and 15 dogs. PROCEDURE: A presumptive diagnosis of cryptococcosis was made on the basis of serologic, histopathologic, or cytologic findings, and a definitive diagnosis was made on the basis of culture or immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: No breed or sex predilections were detected in affected dogs or cats. Eleven cats had neurologic signs, 7 had skin lesions, and 5 had respiratory tract signs. None of 17 cats tested serologically for FeLV yielded positive results; 1 of 17 cats yielded positive results for FIV (western blot). Nine of 15 dogs had neurologic signs, 2 had periorbital swellings, and only 3 had respiratory tract signs initially. Microbiologic culture in 15 cases yielded 2 isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans var grubii (serotype A) and 13 isolates of C. neoformans var gattii (serotype B); all organisms were susceptible to amphotericin B and ketoconazole. Serologic testing had sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 98%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Serologic titers were beneficial in identifying infection in animals with nonspecific signs, but routine serum biochemical or hematologic parameters were of little value in diagnosis. Most animals had nonspecific CNS signs and represented a diagnostic challenge. Animals that travel to or live in this region and have nonspecific malaise or unusual neurologic signs should be evaluated for cryptococcosis.
