Disseminated protothecosis with central nervous system involvement in a dog in New Zealand.

CASE HISTORY: A 1-year-old Border Terrier presented with acute onset of neurological signs and neck pain. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Severe generalised ataxia, muscle tremors and cranial nerve deficits were noted. Multifocal brain lesions were suspected based on neurological examination. Computed tomography revealed an abdominal mass and cerebellar herniation through the foramen magnum. LABORATORY AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Cytological and histopathological analysis of the abdominal mass revealed necrotising and granulomatous lymphadenitis with intralesional algal elements most consistent with Prototheca spp.. Culture of a sample from the mesenteric lymph node confirmed the presence of Prototheca spp. which was identified as P. bovis based on sequencing of a DNA fragment amplified by PCR. Following inadequate response to symptomatic therapy and poor prognosis, the dog was subjected to euthanasia. Histopathological evaluation of the central nervous system lesions, identified granulomatous meningitis and ventriculitis with the presence of intralesional algae. DIAGNOSIS: Disseminated protothecosis with granulomatous meningitis and ventriculitis caused by Prototheca bovis (formerly P. zopfii gen. 2). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first case report of disseminated protothecosis with central nervous system involvement in a dog in New Zealand.

The Effect of Urine Concentration and pH on the Growth of Escherichia Coli in Canine Urine In Vitro.

BACKGROUND: Lower urinary tract infections are common in dogs, and Escherichia coli is the most common bacterial pathogen isolated. The literature has conflicting evidence regarding the inhibitory effects of urine concentration and pH on E. coli growth. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of different pH and urine concentrations on E. coli growth in vitro. ANIMALS: Voided urine samples from 10 apparently healthy spayed female dogs were used. METHODS: A matrix of 9 urine specific gravity (USG; 1.010, 1.020, and 1.030) and pH (5.5, 7.0, and 8.5) combinations was prepared by diluting and titrating filtered voided urine samples. Three E. coli isolates were obtained from urine of female dogs with signs of lower urinary tract infection and cultured at different urine pH and USG combinations in wells of a microtiter plate. The number of E. coli colony-forming units (CFU) per mL of urine was calculated after aerobic incubation of the urine at 37°C for 18 hours, and statistically compared. RESULTS: Significant differences were identified in the mean log CFU/mL among different combinations of pH and USG. The lowest log CFU/mL were observed in alkaline concentrated urine (pH 8.5 and USG 1.030). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Escherichia coli in vitro growth was higher in neutral to acidic and diluted urine compared to alkaline and concentrated urine. The impact of non-alkalizing diluting diets on the incidence of E. coli lower urinary tract infections should be further explored.

A randomized controlled trial of motivational enhancement therapy (MET) for mild to moderate alcohol dependence.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to conduct a randomized controlled trial of motivational enhancement therapy (MET) with two control conditions: nondirective reflective listening (NDRL) and no further counseling (NFC); and to conduct this study in a sample of patients with a primary diagnosis of mild to moderate alcohol dependence, in a "real-life" clinical setting. METHOD: Patients with mild to moderate alcohol dependence were recruited, assessed and treated at the Community Alcohol and Drug Service of Christchurch, New Zealand. All patients received a feedback/education session before randomization to either four sessions of MET, four sessions of NDRL, or NFC. Outcome data on 122 subjects (57.4% men) were obtained 6 months following the end of treatment, by an interviewer who was blind to the treatment condition. The primary drinking outcome was unequivocal heavy drinking, defined as drinking 10 or more standard drinks six or more times in the follow-up period. Global assessment scale (GAS) measured general personal/social functioning. RESULTS: Of patients treated with MET, 42.9% showed unequivocal heavy drinking compared with 62.5% of the NDRL and 65.0% of the NFC groups (p = .04). No significant differences were found for GAS score according to treatment condition. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with mild to moderate alcohol dependence, MET is more effective for reducing unequivocal heavy drinking than either a feedback/education session alone or four sessions of NDRL. MET can be considered an effective "value added" counseling intervention in a real-life clinical setting. In patients with mild to moderate alcohol dependence, nondirective reflective listening provides no additional advantage over a feedback/education session alone.

Differences in assessment and treatment approaches for homosexual clients.

This study was undertaken to discover the similarities and the differences in assessment and treatment approaches for heterosexual and for homosexual clients. The purpose of the study was to investigate to what extent sexual orientation is incorporated into treatment plans and what effect this had for treatment outcomes. Responses to nine questions were obtained from 50 self-reporting heterosexual and 50 self-reporting homosexual clients of a range of treatment providers. Differences were found at each stage of the assessment and treatment process. There was evidence of sexual orientation not being utilized as a treatment factor. For both groups there was evidence of inadequate significant-other involvement in treatment and post-treatment planning.