FATAL ACUTE HEMOLYSIS FOLLOWING TRIAZOLE THERAPY IN AFRICAN PENGUINS (SPHENISCUS DEMERSUS).

Aspergillosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in penguins, with triazole antifungal drugs being commonly used for prophylaxis and treatment. This report describes 15 cases of fatal hemolysis associated with liquid itraconazole and voriconazole formulations administered to African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) from four institutions. All penguins underwent stressful events (e.g. relocation, induced molt) and were administered commercial liquid itraconazole formulations or compounded voriconazole liquid suspension. Observed clinical signs in affected penguins prior to death included hyporexia, weight loss, lethargy, dyspnea, red-tinged droppings, and obtunded mentation. Intra- and extravascular hemolysis and hemoglobinuric nephrosis were the primary pathologic manifestations on postmortem examination. The concentration-dependent hemolytic potentials of itraconazole, voriconazole, and commercial and compounded vehicle suspensions were evaluated in vitro by exposing chicken whole blood as a surrogate for penguin blood. Hemoglobin content in blood plasma was then measured by spectrophotometry. Neither itraconazole nor voriconazole alone induced hemolysis in vitro. The vehicle ingredients sorbitol and hydromellose induced hemolysis, but not at predicted plasma levels in chicken erythrocytes, suggesting neither the azole antifungals nor their major vehicles alone were likely to contribute to hemolysis in vivo in these penguins. Potential mechanisms of toxicosis include generation of an unmeasured reactive metabolite causing hemolysis, preexisting erythrocyte fragility, or species-specific differences in hemolytic thresholds that were not assessed in the chicken erythrocyte model. More research is needed on the potential for toxicosis of azole antifungal drugs and carrier molecules in this and other avian species.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infection in Brown Rats (Rattus norvegicus), Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 2019-2022.

Rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), a zoonotic parasite invasive to the United States, causes eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. A. cantonensis harbors in rat reservoir hosts and is transmitted through gastropods and other paratenic hosts. We discuss the public health relevance of autochthonous A. cantonensis cases in brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Disseminated neoplasia in cultured hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria).

Marine bivalves are commonly affected by disseminated neoplasia of presumed hemocytic origin (i.e., hemic neoplasia and hemocytic neoplasia). Histopathology of 520 cultured hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) from Florida was performed for health surveillance over a consecutive 13-month period. Disseminated neoplasia was identified in 9 of 520 animals (1.7%). The neoplasia was characterized by the presence of large, round to oval, anaplastic cells within hemolymphatic vessels and sinusoids with variable infiltration into adjacent connective tissues of the visceral mass, mantle, foot, and/or adductor muscles. Frequent involvement and/or infiltration of the gill was also identified (5/9). Disseminated neoplasia in other species of clams, mussels, and cockles is considered a transmissible disease. At this time, it is unknown if these hard clams represent de novo development of the disease or potential transmission; however, this report expands both the geographic and host range for this condition.

What Is Your Diagnosis?

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Radiology.

Adding Family Digital Supports to Classroom-Based Physical Activity Interventions to Target In- and Out-of-School Activity: An Evaluation of the Stay Active Intervention during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Remotely delivered interventions are promising for reaching large numbers of people, though few have targeted multiple levels of influence such as schools and families. This study evaluated two versions (arms) of a remotely delivered classroom-based physical activity (CBPA) intervention. One arm solely included remote CBPA; the other included remote CBPA and mobile health (mHealth) family supports. Six schools were randomized to CBPA or CBPA+Family. Both arms were remotely delivered for seven weeks. CBPA+Family added behavior change tools delivered via text messages and newsletters to caregiver/child dyads. Garmin devices measured moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA) in both arms and were used for goal setting/monitoring in the CBPA+Family arm (integrated with the text messages). Caregivers completed surveys evaluating intervention acceptability. 53 participants (CBPA n=35; CBPA+Family n=18; 9.7±0.7 years) were included. Increases in MVPA were similar between arms, showing a pre-post effect of the CBPA but no additional effect of family supports. MVPA was low at baseline and during the first 3 weeks (CBPA 7.5±3.1 minutes/day; CBPA+Family 7.9±2.7 minutes/day) and increased by Weeks 6-8 (CBPA 56.8±34.2 minutes/day; CBPA+Family 49.2±18.7 minutes/day). Approximately 90% of caregivers reported high satisfaction with the added family support content. CBPA+Family participants wore the Garmin later into the study period. Remote delivery of CBPA appears feasible and effective for supporting increases in children's MVPA. Adding family supports to school-based interventions appears acceptable and may support engagement, demonstrating promise for more multilevel/multi-setting interventions, though the multilevel intervention was not more effective than the single-level intervention in increasing children's MVPA.