Serum fructosamine: a reference interval for a heterogeneous canine population.

Eighty-nine healthy dogs (44 males, 45 females) of different breeds, 1-12 years of age, living under varied feeding and environmental conditions, were sampled to evaluate a reference interval for serum fructosamine using a nitroblue tetrazolium photocolorimetric method. The analytical assay was evaluated by calculation of within-run and between-day variations. The results were approximately normally distributed and the calculated reference interval was 192.6-357.4 mumol/L (mean 275.0 mumol/ L, standard deviation 41.2 mumol/L). No significant differences attributable to sex or age were observed. This reference interval is wider than those previously reported in less heterogeneous groups of dogs and in those from other geographical zones. The fructosamine values in serum from 3 diabetic dogs all exceeded the upper limit of the reference interval.

Exfoliative colpocytology: a method for the diagnosis of Capuchin monkey filariasis?

During vaginal fluid examinations (Papanicolaou) to study the physiological sexual cycle of Cebus sp., abundant Dipetalonema gracile microfilariae (110-160 microns x 4-5 microns, without a sheath) were encountered in the genital fluid, but not in peripheral blood. Considering the great difficulty in diagnosing this obscure parasitosis, exfoliative colpocytology was found to be an efficient diagnostic.

[Microfilariae in vaginal exudates from Argentinian apes]. / Microfilarias en el exudado vaginal de monos argentinos.

The finding of Dipetalonema gracile larves in vaginal content of capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) was reported. The sizes of microfilarias, which did not present capsule, were 110-160 microns long and 4-5 microns wide. Microfilarias did not find in peripheral blood. Assuming that the cycle of this worm is not yet elucidated, the authors postulate that the presence of larves in the female genital tract could relate with venereal transmission.