Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever in Dogs.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF) in dogs is caused by the spirochete bacteria Borrelia turicatae and Borrelia hermsii, transmitted by Ornithodoros spp. ticks. The hallmark diagnostic feature of this infection is the visualization of numerous spirochetes during standard blood smear examination. Although the course of spirochetemia has not been fully characterized in dogs, in humans infected with TBRF the episodes of spirochetemia and fever are intermittent. OBJECTIVES: To describe TBRF in dogs by providing additional case reports and reviewing the disease in veterinary and human medicine. ANIMALS: Five cases of privately-owned dogs naturally infected with TBRF in Texas are reviewed. METHODS: Case series and literature review. RESULTS: All dogs were examined because of lethargy, inappetence, and pyrexia. Two dogs also had signs of neurologic disease. All dogs had thrombocytopenia and spirochetemia. All cases were administered tetracyclines orally. Platelet numbers improved and spirochetemia and pyrexia resolved in 4 out of 5 dogs, where follow-up information was available. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: TBRF is likely underdiagnosed in veterinary medicine. In areas endemic to Ornithodoros spp. ticks, TBRF should be considered in dogs with thrombocytopenia. Examination of standard blood smears can provide a rapid and specific diagnosis of TBRF when spirochetes are observed.

[Preoperative cardiovascular assessment of patients with vascular diseases]. / Präoperative kardiovaskuläre Abklärung von Gefässpatienten.

Pathologic cardiovascular symptoms and signs were assessed preoperatively in 72 consecutive patients scheduled for vascular surgery. All postoperative cardiovascular complications were monitored and statistical relation to the preoperative pathology was tested using the X2-method. The following preoperative cardiovascular symptoms are associated with a significant incidence of postoperative complications: Angina pectoris (p < 0.05); congestive heart failure (p < 0.025); ventricular and/or supraventricular arrhythmias (p < 0.01); pathologic ECG (p < 0.01); ejection fraction < 50% in echocardiography (p < 0.05); myocardial hypokinesias in echocardiography (p < 0.025). The use of preoperative echocardiography as a reliable and accurate method is emphasized.

[Permanent arterial approach to the lower extremity using a totally implantable reservoir system]. / Permanenter arterieller Zugang zur unteren Extremität mittels total implantierbarem Reservoirsystem.

In 10 patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease intraarterial infusions were performed using a totally implantable port system. The port is fixed to the gluteal fascia on the outside of the iliac wing. The inferior epigastric artery is dissected through an additional incision above the inguinal ligament. A 2 mm catheter is connected to the port and inserted through the epigastric artery into the external iliac artery. Using this new suprainguinal technique the groin remains intact permitting surgical and interventional procedures. In one case a dislocation of the catheter occurred. The reason for this complication was an unsafe surgical fixation. The totally implantable port system is an alternative to conventional intraarterial infusions. There are several advantages using the suprainguinal technique as described above.