Hepatic lesions associated with iron accumulation in captive kori bustards (Ardeotis kori).

There are anecdotal reports of iron storage disease in captive kori bustards (Ardeotis kori), but detailed descriptions of this disease have not been reported. The goals of this retrospective, multi-institutional study were to (1) describe microscopic findings associated with iron accumulation in postmortem tissues of kori bustards and (2) use an adapted grading scale to score iron accumulation and associated hepatic lesions. Tissue sections from 19 adult captive kori bustards (age range 3-28 years; 12 males and 7 females) were evaluated histologically with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and Prussian blue stains, and scored for iron accumulation. Hemochromatosis was diagnosed in cases with iron storage (in hepatocytes and/or Kupffer cells) and concurrent parenchymal damage (defined as having both necrosis and fibrosis). Hemosiderosis was diagnosed in animals with evidence of iron storage without necrosis or fibrosis. Ten of the 19 cases (age range 8-27 years; 7 males and 3 females) were diagnosed with hemochromatosis, including 6 with mild disease, 3 with moderate disease, and 1 with severe disease. Histologic evidence of iron accumulation was also identified in kidney, intestinal tract, adrenal gland, and spleen, but there were no associations between severity of iron accumulation in the liver and accumulation in other organs.

RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF OPHIDIOMYCOSIS (OPHIDIOMYCES OPHIODIICOLA) AT THE SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK (1983-2017).

A retrospective review of systemic or localized mycotic infections in captive snakes confirmed via biopsy or necropsy from 1983 to 2017 was performed at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) confirmed infection with Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola (Oo) in 36.8% (n = 14) of the 38 mycotic infections. Infections with Oo were evenly distributed over the 35-y period and lacked a sex predilection. There was a period prevalence of 4.5% of completed snake necropsy or biopsy cases that were Oo positive. Species affected included green anaconda (Eunectes murinus, n = 4), garden tree boa (Corallus hortulanus, n = 1), false water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas, n = 5), yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus, n = 1), eastern milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum, n = 1), Brazilian rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria cenchria, n = 1), and eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus, n = 1). Histopathology demonstrated one or more of the following: heterophilic to necrotizing epidermitis with or without granulomatous dermatitis (n = 12), granulomatous pneumonia (n = 5), granulomatous endophthalmitis (n = 1), and subcutaneous-intramuscular fungal granuloma (n = 1). This study documents the presence of ophidiomycosis in a captive collection for almost 40 years, despite current literature designating it a recently emerging pathogen.

Brain Lesions in Aging Zoo-Housed Naked Mole-Rats (Heterocephalus glaber).

Naked mole-rats (NMRs) are common in the managed care of zoos and valuable models for aging research. Limited information on NMR neuropathology is available despite many studies regarding their aging physiology. Histologic sections of brain from 27 adult (5-27 years old) NMRs from 2 zoos were reviewed to determine presence or absence of lesions associated with advanced age in humans and other mammals. A majority (23/27; 85%) of NMR brains had cerebral cortical neuronal changes with rounded or angular neurons, cytoplasmic vacuoles containing pale yellow pigment, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive granules and green autofluorescence, compatible with lipofuscinosis. Less severe lesions were present in cerebellar Purkinje cells, medulla, and hippocampal neurons. The hypothalamic neuropil of all NMRs had scattered variably sized PAS-positive granules and 10 (37%) had larger round bodies consistent with corpora amylacea. The youngest NMRs, 5 to 7 years old, generally had minimal or no cerebrocortical lesions. Further studies will help understand brain aging in this long-lived species.

Osteomalacia With Hyperostosis in Captive Lesser Hedgehog Tenrecs (Echinops telfairi).

Four captive, lesser hedgehog tenrecs (Echinops telfairi) were euthanized for soft bones that prevented normal mastication and/or ambulation. Antemortem radiographs (available in 2 cases) revealed osteopenia. Antemortem bloodwork (available in 2 cases) revealed hypophosphatemia. Dietary history (available in 2 cases) indicated the animals were eating only insects. Histologically, all examined bones had wide osteoid seams that caused expansion of the cortices. Osteoid deposition was exuberant and it partially filled marrow cavities (hyperostosis). Nondecalcified sections of bone (available in 2 cases) revealed that osteoid was poorly mineralized, consistent with osteomalacia. Insects are poor dietary sources of vitamin D, and dietary vitamin D deficiency is considered the most likely cause for metabolic bone disease in these animals.

Odontomas in Frogs.

Odontomas are variably differentiated, hamartoma-like proliferations of odontogenic epithelium, pulp ectomesenchyme (odontoblasts), and dental matrix. Frogs are polyphyodont and homodont. Their teeth also differ from mammals in that they are restricted to the upper jaw in adults and lack a periodontal ligament and cementum, attaching directly to the underlying bone. Odontomas were identified in an African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), a false tomato frog (Dyscophus guineti), and a tomato frog of unknown species (Dyscophus sp.). All of the examined odontomas were composed of numerous tooth-like structures comprising an arc of dentinal matrix lined on the convex surface by ameloblasts and on the concave surface by odontoblasts. Masson's trichrome and immunohistochemistry with pan-cytokeratin supported these findings. The pathogenesis of these lesions may be displacement of the dental lamina, which has been shown in research studies to lead to de novo proliferation of dental elements in frogs.

Histologic Findings in Captive American Horseshoe Crabs (Limulus polyphemus).

Histopathology of 61 captive American horseshoe crabs (HSCs; Limulus polyphemus) is reviewed. HSC organs evaluated histologically included body wall (chitin, epidermis, dermis, and skeletal muscle), hepatopancreas, gut, gonads, book gills, eyes, heart, brain, and coxal gland. In descending order, lesions were most frequently identified in compound eye, body wall, book gills, hepatopancreas, chitinous gut, nonchitinous gut, heart, and brain; lesions were not observed in coxal gland or gonads. Hemocytes (also called amoebocytes) surrounded infectious agents and occluded ulcers. Large hemocyte aggregates had a central eosinophilic coagulum (ie, hemocyte coagulum). Cutaneous ulceration (34/60 cases), branchitis (29/48 cases), and ophthalmitis (17/20 cases) were common lesions and consistently associated with fungi, which were invasive into subjacent tissues, and/or bacteria, which were usually superficial. Fungal culture was performed in 3 cases and isolated Fusarium spp., although fungal morphology varied and multiple fungal species may have been present. Presumptive green algae were associated with ulceration in 1 case with minimal to no inflammation. Presumptive cyanobacteria were identified within a biofilm overlying the gills in 4 of 48 cases and were not invasive. Multifocal, random hepatopancreatitis was identified in 16 of 57 cases, 10 of which were associated with bacteria. Metacercarial cysts were identified in 25 of 61 cases and associated with minimal to no inflammation. Depleted eosinophilic globules in hepatopancreatic interstitial cells were interpreted as decreased nutritional status in 12 of 57 cases.

Hydrops associated with chondrodysplasia of the fetus in a miniature Scottish Highland cow.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 2-year-old primiparous miniature Scottish Highland cow with an unknown breeding date was evaluated for suspected hydrops. CLINICAL FINDINGS Transabdominal and transrectal ultrasonographic examination identified a large amount of hypoechoic fluid within an enlarged uterus; the fetus could not be identified. Presence of a severely distended uterus and concerns regarding associated health risks to the cow led to the decision to induce labor. Although fluids were expelled, parturition did not progress further over the following 48 hours. Vaginal examination revealed a partially dilated cervix and an abnormally shaped fetus that was too large to pass vaginally. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Supportive care was provided to the cow, and a stillborn bull calf was delivered by cesarean section. Grossly evident chondrodystrophic dwarfism with hydrocephalus, compatible with so-called bulldog calf malformations, was confirmed by diagnostic imaging and histopathologic evaluation. The cow recovered from surgery uneventfully and was discharged from the hospital the following day. Genetic analysis of DNA from hair roots collected from the sire and dam confirmed both were carriers of an aggrecan-1 gene mutation (bulldog dwarfism1) previously associated with dwarfism and bulldog calf malformations in Dexter cattle. CLINICAL RELEVANCE To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of bulldog calf malformations associated with an aggrecan-1 gene mutation in miniature Scottish Highland cattle, confirming that at least 1 genetic mutation associated with this condition is found in cattle breeds other than Dexter. The findings highlighted the clinical importance of testing for known genetic diseases in breeding cattle, particularly among miniature breeds.

Pharmacokinetics of a single intramuscular injection of ceftiofur crystalline-free acid in red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pharmacokinetics and adverse effects at the injection site of ceftiofur crystalline-free acid (CCFA) following IM administration of 1 dose to red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis). ANIMALS: 7 adult nonreleasable healthy red-tailed hawks. PROCEDURES: In a randomized crossover study, CCFA (10 or 20 mg/kg) was administered IM to each hawk and blood samples were obtained. After a 2-month washout period, administration was repeated with the opposite dose. Muscle biopsy specimens were collected from the injection site 10 days after each sample collection period. Pharmacokinetic data were calculated. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of ceftiofur for various bacterial isolates were assessed. RESULTS: Mean peak plasma concentrations of ceftiofur-free acid equivalent were 6.8 and 15.1 µg/mL for the 10 and 20 mg/kg doses, respectively. Mean times to maximum plasma concentration were 6.4 and 6.7 hours, and mean terminal half-lives were 29 and 50 hours, respectively. Little to no muscle inflammation was identified. On the basis of a target MIC of 1 µg/mL and target plasma ceftiofur concentration of 4 µg/mL, dose administration frequencies for infections with gram-negative and gram-positive organisms were estimated as every 36 and 45 hours for the 10 mg/kg dose and every 96 and 120 hours for the 20 mg/kg dose, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Study results suggested that CCFA could be administered IM to red-tailed hawks at 10 or 20 mg/kg to treat infections with ceftiofur-susceptible bacteria. Administration resulted in little to no inflammation at the injection site. Additional studies are needed to evaluate effects of repeated CCFA administration.

Avian oncogenesis induced by lymphoproliferative disease virus: a neglected or emerging retroviral pathogen?

Lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) is an exogenous oncogenic retrovirus that induces lymphoid tumors in some galliform species of birds. Historically, outbreaks of LPDV have been reported from Europe and Israel. Although the virus has previously never been detected in North America, herein we describe the widespread distribution, genetic diversity, pathogenesis, and evolution of LPDV in the United States. Characterization of the provirus genome of the index LPDV case from North America demonstrated an 88% nucleotide identity to the Israeli prototype strain. Although phylogenetic analysis indicated that the majority of viruses fell into a single North American lineage, a small subset of viruses from South Carolina were most closely related to the Israeli prototype. These results suggest that LPDV was transferred between continents to initiate outbreaks of disease. However, the direction (New World to Old World or vice versa), mechanism, and time frame of the transcontinental spread currently remain unknown.

Surveys for disease agents in introduced elk in Arkansas and Kentucky.

Surveys for disease agents were conducted in introduced free-ranging elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) in Arkansas and Kentucky. Elk had been captured in Colorado and Nebraska and released in Arkansas during 1981-1985. From 1997 through 2002 elk were captured in Arizona, Kansas, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oregon, and Utah and released in southeastern Kentucky. Specimens were collected from 170 hunter-killed elk in Arkansas during 1998-2006, and 44 elk in Kentucky during 2001-2004. Significant findings included isolation of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis from one elk in Kentucky and evidence of previous or current infections by Parelaphostrongylus tenuis in several animals in Arkansas. Serological tests provided evidence of previous infection by epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, bluetongue virus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, parainfluenza-3 virus, and multiple serovars of Leptospira interrogans. Mycobacterium bovis, Brucella abortus, chronic wasting disease (CWD), and hemoparasites such as Anaplasma spp. were not detected. Results from elk obtained through these surveys were consistent with exposure to disease agents endemic in livestock and wildlife in Arkansas and Kentucky.