Actinomycosis in a gray four-eyed opossum (Philander opossum) caused by a novel species of Schaalia.

BACKGROUND: Infective lesions of the jaws and adjacent tissues (lumpy jaw disease, LJD) have been recognized as one major cause of death of captive macropods. Fusobacterium necrophorum and Actinomyces species serve as the main source of LJD in kangaroos and wallabies. Currently, little is reported about LJD or similar diseases in opossums. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report a case of actinomycosis resembling the entity lumpy jaw disease in a gray four-eyed opossum, caused by a novel species of Schaalia. A 2.8 year old male Philander opossum was presented with unilateral swelling of the right mandible. After an initial treatment with marbofloxacin, the opossum was found dead the following day and the carcass was submitted for necropsy. Postmortem examination revealed severe mandibular skin and underlying soft tissue infection with subsequent septicemia as the cause of death. Histological examination demonstrated Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon, typically seen in classical cases of actinomycosis. Bacteriology of liver and mandibular mass yielded a previously undescribed species of Schaalia, whose 16 S rRNA gene sequence was 97.0 % identical to Schaalia canis. Whole genome sequencing of the opossum isolate and calculation of average nucleotide identity confirmed a novel species of Schaalia, for which no whole genome sequence is yet available. CONCLUSIONS: The herewith reported Schaalia infection in the gray four-eyed opossum resembling classical actinomycosis gives a novel insight into new exotic animal bacterial diseases. Schaalia species may belong to the normal oral microbiome, as in macropods, and may serve as a contributor to opportunistic infections. Due to the lack of current literature, more insights and improved knowledge about Schaalia spp. and their pathogenicity will be useful to choose appropriate therapy regimens and improve the treatment success rate and outcome in exotic and endangered species.

Dental pulp exposure, periapical inflammation and suppurative osteomyelitis of the jaws in juvenile Baltic grey seals (Halichoerus grypus grypus) from the late 19th century.

The systematic analysis of museum collections can provide important insights into the dental and skeletal pathology of wild mammals. Here we present a previously unreported type of dental defect and related skull pathology in five juvenile Baltic grey seals that had been collected in the course of a seal culling program along the Danish coast in 1889 and 1890. All five skulls exhibited openings into the pulp cavities at the crown tips of all (four animals) or two (one animal) canines as well as several incisors and (in one animal) also some anterior premolars. The affected teeth showed wide pulp cavities and thin dentin. Pulp exposure had caused infection, inflammation, and finally necrosis of the pulp. As was evidenced by the extensive radiolucency around the roots of the affected teeth, the inflammation had extended from the pulp into the periapical space, leading to apical periodontitis with extensive bone resorption. Further spreading of the inflammation into the surrounding bone regions had then caused suppurative osteomyelitis of the jaws. The postcanine teeth of the pathological individuals typically had dentin of normal thickness and, except for one specimen, did not exhibit pulp exposure. The condition may have been caused by a late onset of secondary and tertiary dentin formation that led to pulp exposure in anterior teeth exposed to intense wear. Future investigations could address a possible genetic causation of the condition in the studied grey seals.

Plasma endotoxin activity in Eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) with lumpy jaw disease.

Progressive pyogranulomatous osteomyelitis involving the mandible or maxilla of captive macropods, referred to as "Lumpy jaw disease (LJD)", is one of the most significant causes of illness and death in captive macropods. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the severity of LJD and plasma endotoxin activity in kangaroos. Plasma samples obtained from moderate (n=24) and severe LJD (n=12), and healthy kangaroos (n=46), were diluted 1:20 in endotoxin-free water and heated to 80°C for 10 min. Plasma endotoxin activity was measured using the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL)-kinetic turbidimetric (KT) assay. Plasma endotoxin activity was higher in kangaroos with severe LJD (0.199 ± 0.157 EU/ml) than in those with moderate LJD (0.051 ± 0.012 EU/ml, P<0.001) and healthy controls (0.057 ± 0.028 EU/ml, P<0.001). Our results suggest that the severity of LJD in captive macropods may be related to the plasma endotoxin activity.

Stress assessment using hair cortisol of kangaroos affected by the lumpy jaw disease.

The aim of this study was to objectively assess stress of kangaroos affected by lumpy jaw disease (LJD) using plasma and hair cortisol concentrations. The plasma and hair samples were collected from kangaroos with LJD and healthy controls. Collected hair samples were extracted with methanol after washing with isopropanol, following which they were processed with the cortisol enzyme immunoassay kit. The plasma cortisol concentration of LJD animals tended to be higher than that of the control. Ventral hair cortisol, but not dorsal hair, of LJD animals was significantly higher than that of the control. In conclusion, stress in kangaroos infected with LJD could be assessed by measuring ventral hair cortisol.

Eosinophilic granuloma with Splendore-Hoeppli material caused by Mannheimia granulomatis in a calf.

A large subcutaneous mass, formed on the left lower jaw of a 4-month-old Japanese Black male calf, was partially excised for histological and bacteriological examinations. Antibiotic treatment resulted in a good prognosis. Bacteria isolated from the excised material were characterized by weak hemolysis and positive reactions for catalase and oxidase, and were 99% identical to Mannheimia granulomatis strains. The presence of the leukotoxin gene product was demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction amplification. Histological examination showed that the excised material was composed of dense fibrous connective tissue with sparsely distributed eosinophilic granulomas or abscesses. These foci frequently contained Splendore-Hoeppli material with rod-shaped Gram-negative bacteria. Except for the absence of lymphangitis and the presence of basophils and mast cells, the histology of this lesion resembled that of lechiguana associated with coinfection of M. granulomatis and Dermatobia hominis. Leukotoxin was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry within Splendore-Hoeppli material and was judged to be responsible for its formation.

Plasma endotoxin activity in kangaroos with oral necrobacillosis (lumpy jaw disease) using an automated handheld testing system.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reliability and effectiveness of directly determining endotoxin activity in plasma samples from kangaroos with lumpy jaw disease (LJD, n=15) and healthy controls (n=12). Prior to the present study, the ability of the commercially available automated handheld portable test system (PTS(TM)) to detect endotoxin activity in kangaroo plasma was compared with that of the traditional LAL-kinetic turbidimetric (KT) assay. Plasma samples, which were obtained from endotoxin-challenged cattle, were diluted 1:20 in endotoxin-free water and heated to 80°C for 10 min. The performance of the PTS(TM) was not significantly different from that of the traditional LAL-based assay. The data obtained using PTS(TM) correlated with those using KT (r(2)=0.963, P<0.001). These findings indicated that the PTS(TM) is applicable as a simplified system to assess endotoxin activity in macropods. In the present study, we demonstrated the diagnostic value of plasma endotoxin activity in kangaroos with systemic inflammation caused by oral necrobacillosis and identified plasma endotoxin activity as a sensitive marker of systemic inflammation in kangaroos with LJD. Based on ROC curves, we proposed a diagnostic cut-off point for endotoxin activity of >0.22 EU/ml for the identification of LJD. Our results indicate that the assessment of plasma endotoxin activity is a promising diagnostic tool for determining the outcome of LJD in captive macropods.

Histologic, Clinical, and Radiologic Findings of Alveolar Bone Expansion and Osteomyelitis of the Jaws in Cats.

The objective of this study was to characterize clinical, radiologic, and histologic patterns of alveolar bone expansion and osteomyelitis in cats. Based on case materials submitted as surgical biopsy specimens, alveolar bone pathology was diagnosed in 28 cats. These cats had a total of 37 oral lesions with clinical and radiologic changes that involved bone and/or teeth, including periodontitis, bone expansion, tooth resorption, and/or chronic osteomyelitis; 32 lesions were evaluated by histopathology. Canine teeth were affected in 19 cats (27 affected teeth), with bilateral lesions in 5 (26.3%) cats. The caudal premolar and/or molar regions were affected in 10 cats (10 affected sites). All biopsy sites evaluated by a review of clinical images and/or radiographs had evidence of periodontitis. Clinical photographs showed expansion of alveolar bone in 13 of 16 (81%) biopsy sites evaluated. Radiologically, rarifying osseous proliferation of alveolar bone was seen at 26 of 27 (96%) biopsy sites, and tooth resorption occurred at 15 of 18 (83%) sites. Histologically, the tissue samples from canine sites had compressed trabeculae of mature remodeled bone, loose fibrous stroma with paucicellular inflammation, and mild proliferation of woven bone. Tissue samples from the premolar/molar biopsy sites were often highly cellular with mixed lymphoplasmacytic and chronic suppurative inflammation, ulceration with granulation tissue, and robust proliferation of woven bone. Alveolar bone expansion and osteomyelitis in cats occurs in conjunction with periodontal inflammation and frequently with tooth resorption.

The oral microbial community of gingivitis and lumpy jaw in captive macropods.

Gingivitis and lumpy jaw are diseases of polymicrobial aetiology. Although Fusobacterium necrophorum has been associated with these diseases in macropods, little is known about other organisms associated with these diseases in this animal species. PCR-DGGE analysis revealed the potential pathogens associated with gingivitis and lumpy jaw in macropods. PCR-DGGE profile comparison between the healthy and disease groups indicated a shift in the oral bacterial community structures with similarity coefficients of 48% and 35% for gingivitis and lumpy jaw respectively. Moreover, gingivitis was associated with increase in bacterial diversity (Shannon index = 2.87; PL curve = 45%) while lumpy jaw resulted in a decline in bacterial diversity (Shannon index = 2.47; PL curve = 74%). This study suggest that the establishment of gingivitis and lumpy jaw diseases follows the ecological plaque hypothesis. This forms the basis for an expanded investigation in an epidemiological scale and suggests the need for the appropriate choice of antimicrobial agent(s) and for the effective management and control of polymicrobial diseases.

Rubber jaw in a Weimaraner dog due to juvenile nephropathy. A case without evidence for genetic involvement.

The case of a 5-month-old male Weimaraner dog with severe osteodystrophia fibrosa (rubber jaw) and renal insufficiency is presented. Kidneys were smaller than normal with a granular cortical surface and a histopathological end-stage diagnosis consistent with juvenile nephropathy. Analysis of four described genetic mutations associated with Alport syndrome in dogs revealed no evidence for familiar inheritance in this dog.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery in dogs and cats.

Advancements in diagnostic and treatment modalities for oral and maxillofacial surgery have allowed veterinarians to offer clients a range of alternatives for their pets. Categories of oral and maxillofacial surgery reviewed in this article include jaw fracture management, management of palatal/oronasal defects, recognition and treatment of oral masses, and management of several miscellaneous pathologic conditions. Miscellaneous oral lesions discussed in this article include odontogenic cysts, osteonecrosis and osteomyelitis, and lesions of the tongue and lips.

[Investigation of the age-dependent development of brachygnathia inferior in the East Friesian milk sheep]. / Untersuchungen zur altersabhängigen Entwicklung der Unterkieferverkürzung (Brachygnathia inferior) anhand eines Zuchtversuches beim Ostfriesischen Milchschaf.

Shortness of the lower jaw (brachygnathia inferior, underbite) is a common anomaly in sheep. In order to study the age-dependent development of brachygnathia inferior, data of 73 East Friesian milk sheep from a breeding experiment over six generations were analysed. Data were recorded in regular intervals of four weeks from birth up to an age of at least 25 weeks. Brachygnathia inferior was determined by the distance between the edge of the central incisor of the lower jaw and the anterior surrounding of the upper jaw (DIFF-UK) using a measuring tape. Four main types of brachygnathia inferior were distinguished using means, standard deviations and maximum values of the individual animals.The thresholds were a maximum and mean DIFF-UK of 0.5 cm and a standard deviation of 0.266 cm. A total of 14 sheep (main types 3 and 4) showed an obvious brachygnathia inferior with mean DIFF-UK larger than 0.5 cm whereof ten animals showed a large variation of DIFF-UK values (standard deviation > 0.226 cm). Mean DIFF-UK values of 59 sheep were smaller than 0.5 cm (main types 1 and 2). One of these 59 animals had during the first four weeks of life DIFF-UK values of 1 cm and than decreasing values reaching zero within the next nine months (main type 2). Five of the 58 animals with main type 1 had a perfect occlusion of jaws, all with DIFF-UK values at zero during the whole recording period. Parents with severe or mild brachygnathia inferior had severely affected progeny. Selection of sheep for breeding with a perfect occlusion of jaws decreases the risk to pass on the hereditary disposition for brachygnathia inferior. An early inspection of potential breeding animals is advisable to detect all cases of brachygnathia inferior even if the underbite decreases in the first year of life.

A case of unilateral periorbital cellulitis and mandibular osteomyelitis in a turkey flock.

A farm of meat turkeys was affected by a condition, clinically characterized by unilateral inflammation of the orbital region and progressive crossing of the beak, observed in three successive flocks in 2010. While no toxic, genetic, technical, or diet causes could be found, pathologic and bacteriologic analyses were conducted to investigate the case. Pathologic analyses of the heads of affected birds showed blepharitis and exudative sinusitis as well as severe chronic osteomyelitis of all skull bones and mandibula. Staphylococcus aureus was consistently isolated from these lesions. It is supposed that the severe bacterial osteomyelitis induced deviation of some bones, thereby leading to deviation of the beak. Further investigations remain to be carried out to explain these successive outbreaks of staphylococcal osteomyelitis in skull bones.

Facial swelling and discharging lesions associated with abnormalities of the mandible in kunekune pigs.

CASE HISTORIES: Four adult kunekune pigs developed facial swelling at the base of the right ear that ruptured and discharged food material. A further six pigs that had similar clinical signs were reported by members of the New Zealand Kunekune Association who responded to an email survey, one of which was confirmed by post-mortem examination. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Inside the mouth of each pig there was an opening at the junction of the body and ramus of the mandible just lateral to the most caudal visible molar that was impacted with masticated feed. The food packed into the mandible resulted in infection and progressive erosion of the medullary cavity of the bone until it reached the ramus where it eroded through the lateral cortex. The feed material then tracked through the soft tissues to form a subcutaneous abscess, which eventually ruptured resulting in a draining lesion. In Case 2, which had had the lesion for 2 years, the cavity in the mandible was lined with mucosa that had healed to the skin to produce a fistula. In all four pigs there was also a lesion in the left side of the mandible that was not as developed as that on the right side. DIAGNOSIS: The facial swellings were produced by feed material that had impacted into the mandible through an opening immediately caudal to the cheek teeth and then emerged through one or more lesions in the lateral aspect of the ramus of the mandible. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although it has not been previously reported, anecdotal reports and our survey suggest that this condition may occur relatively frequently in kunekune pigs. It should be considered as a differential diagnosis for facial swellings and discharging lesions in these animals.

Bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaws: a review.

Bisphosphonate use has increased in veterinary medicine over the last decade. During this time, bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) in human patients has been identified. Only recently was a dog model for BRONJ developed for human oral surgery and medicine. Veterinary patients treated with bisphosphonates may be at an increased risk for BRONJ There has been little, to no, investigation of potential long term side-effects of bisphosphonate use in veterinary patients; potential sequelae are unknown. The history of bisphosphonates, their use, and BRONJ in veterinary patients are discussed.

Oral examination and radiographic evaluation of the dentition in wild cats from Namibia.

Feline tooth resorption has been widely reported in domestic cats and sporadically described in other felidae. The goal of the present study was to determine the prevalence of tooth resorption and to report other dental problems in a population of wild felidae. Observations of dental disorders and anomalies were made in skulls from 73 wild felidae (cheetahs, leopards, caracals, African wildcats, and lions) originating from Namibia. In addition, radiographs were taken in 43 cases to determine signs of bone and root pathology. Radiographs showed varying stages of tooth resorption in 16.0% of the specimens. Other dental anomalies found included fused teeth, supernumerary roots, or missing teeth. The prevalence of dental resorption in wild felidae was lower than reported in the domestic cat.

Diagnosis and treatment of dynamic closed-mouth jaw locking in a dog.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 5-year-old neutered male English Bulldog was evaluated for intermittent closed-mouth jaw locking of approximately 1 week's duration. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Initial physical examination revealed a nonpainful inability to open the jaw with and without manual assistance; however, manipulation of the jaw after the dog was sedated for diagnostic imaging restored jaw function. Anesthesia was subsequently induced, and computed tomography was performed with the jaw open and closed; contrast agent-enhanced images of the closed jaw were also obtained. No abnormalities of the temporomandibular joints or retrobulbar space were detected. Fluoroscopic examination of movement of the temporomandibular joints revealed a dynamic interference of the rostrodorsal aspect of the coronoid process of the left mandibular ramus with the medial surface of the frontal process of the left zygomatic bone or the left orbital ligament. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Partial excision of the coronoid process of the left mandibular ramus was performed. The dog recovered without complication and was able to open and close its jaw and eat within 6 hours after surgery. No additional episodes of jaw locking were detected during the 6 months after surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To the authors' knowledge, closed-mouth jaw locking in animals attributable to dynamic interference of the rostrodorsal aspect of the coronoid process of a mandibular ramus with the medial surface of the frontal process of a zygomatic bone or an orbital ligament has not been described. Surgical excision of the coronoid process of the mandibular ramus appeared to provide a successful outcome in the dog of this report.

Survey on 'lumpy jaw' on deer farms in western Canada: prevalence and distribution, and identification of associated factors.

AIM: To investigate the prevalence and geographical distribution of 'lumpy jaw' (LJ) in a population of white-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (MD; Odocoileus hemionus) farms from the western Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta, and to identify factors associated with its occurrence. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, in which the target population was all farmers of WTD and MD registered in Saskatchewan and Alberta, was conducted between July 2004 and January 2005. A questionnaire was mailed to all farmers requesting information about the presence of LJ and other necrobacillosis- related syndromes (footrot and fawn death syndrome), and various farm characteristics, during 2002, 2003 and 2004. Herd and within-herd incidences of disease were estimated. Global and local spatial analyses were performed to identify possible clusters of occurrence of LJ in the region. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with the occurrence of LJ. RESULTS: A total of 139/268 (52%) deer farmers responded to the survey. Over the entire study period, 108/139 (78%) of farmers reported having cases of LJ in their herds, and in any given year the incidence amongst herds was about 40%. The presence of footrot was not associated with the presence of LJ. The proportion of fawns dying suddenly in 2004 was higher on farms affected by LJ than in those considered LJ-free (median of 11.1% and 0%, respectively; p<0.001). Two areas in Saskatchewan were identified as having a higher herd prevalence of LJ (clusters) than all other areas. Density of animals, moving and handling animals, lack of basic hygiene measures, and bottle- feeding of fawns increased the odds of a herd being affected by LJ. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: LJ should be considered a common disease in farmed deer in western Canada. The observed relationship between the occurrence of LJ and acute mortality of fawns emphasises the potential of this infection to result in significant economic loss. Intensive management of deer, characterised by high densities and frequent moving and handling of animals, may contribute significantly to the occurrence of LJ. Observed geographical clusters may reflect areas where management of deer was more intensive or the trading of deer more common.

"Lumpy jaw" in exotic hoof stock: a histopathologic interpretation with a treatment proposal.

"Lumpy jaw" of artiodactyls and macropods, although often considered a manifestation of actinomycosis, is actually an osteomyelitis, perhaps commencing with a dental root abscess or trauma to the jaw. Anaerobes may be cultured from the lesions, and vegetable matter may be impacted in them. It is a chronic disease and difficult to treat. Successful treatment may include draining the abscess, cleaning the cavity with saline and antibiotics, flushing with a combination of hydrogen peroxide-sodium hypochlorite and Betadine, and apicoectomy and endodontic filling when active inflammation has subsided.

Maxillofacial surgery.

Maxillofacial surgery in dogs includes the management of jaw fractures various palatal surgical procedures, the management of oral tumors, and the surgical management of miscellaneous maxillofacial problems. Miscellaneous maxillofacial problems that may require surgical intervention include dentigenous cysts, bone sequestra or osteomyelitis, and an inability to open or close the month. Careful perioperative planning of maxillofacial surgical procedures will help ensure a successful outcome.