Malignant Mesothelioma of the Vaginal Tunic and Peritoneum in a Young Stallion.

Mesothelioma is a rare malignancy in horses. This report describes a case in which marked hemoperitoneum, moderate anemia, and moderate dependent edema were the presenting clinical signs in a 2-year-old Standardbred stallion with mesothelioma of the vaginal tunic. On necropsy, approximately 40 L of dark red fluid distended the abdomen. A dark red mass infiltrated and effaced the right pampiniform plexus, and red nodular masses were present multifocally on the parietal and visceral peritoneal surfaces. Histopathologically, the masses were composed of malignant spindle cells with a sarcomatoid appearance. Using immunohistochemistry, tumor cells were cytokeratin and vimentin positive and factor VIII-related antigen negative: compatible with a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This is the first report of mesothelioma arising from the vaginal tunic of a horse with subsequent spread to the peritoneum. This case adds additional information regarding the clinical presentation and behavior of mesothelioma originating from the vaginal tunic in horses.

Detection of endotoxin in plasma of hospitalized diarrheic calves.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is present in plasma of calves with naturally occurring diarrhea. The second objective was to determine whether plasma [LPS] correlates with clinical, hematological, biochemical, and acid-base variables, and whether [LPS] differs between surviving and nonsurviving diarrheic calves. DESIGN: Prospective observational study (January 2012-May 2014). SETTING: Veterinary teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Thirty-four calves <28 days old admitted for diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea and 30 healthy control calves. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Admission demographics, physical examination, blood gas, biochemistry analysis, and outcome data were recorded. Plasma concentration of LPS was determined using a bovine LPS ELISA assay. Plasma [LPS] was detected in both healthy and diarrheic calves. Plasma [LPS] was significantly higher in diarrheic than healthy calves (median: 0.99 ng/mL; Interquartile range (IQR): 0.068, vs 0.88 ng/mL; 0.065 ng/mL, respectively; P < 0.001). Plasma [LPS] was higher in nonsurviving (1.04 ng/mL; 0.07 ng/mL) than in surviving calves (0.98 ng/mL; 0.022 ng/mL; P < 0.001). Plasma [LPS] was higher in beef (1.07 ng/mL; 0.182 ng/mL) than in dairy diarrheic calves (0.99 ng/mL; 0.022 ng/mL; P < 0.001). In diarrheic calves, plasma [LPS] correlated with [l-lactate] (r2 = 0.496; P = 0.002); hypoglycemia (r2 = -0.453; P = 0.007); increased unmeasured strong ions (r2 = 0.332; P = 0.050), [Mg2+ ] (r2 = 0.475; P = 0.004), and [phosphate] (r2 = 0.468; P = 0.005), and increased aspartate aminotransferase activity (r2 = 0.348; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights a potential role of LPS in the pathogenesis of metabolic derangements such as hyperlactatemia, hypoglycemia, and increased concentration of unmeasured strong anions in diarrheic calves. Further investigation evaluating the effect of LPS on l-lactate and glucose metabolism in diarrheic calves is warranted.

Association of unmeasured strong ions with outcome of hospitalized beef and dairy diarrheic calves.

Increased systemic concentrations of L-lactate and unmeasured strong ions (USI) are associated with an increased risk of mortality in human neonates and adults suffering from various diseases. This exploratory study aimed to investigate if values of certain acid-base parameters, especially L-lactate and USI, on admission to hospital are associated with mortality in diarrheic calves. Fifty-five calves < 28 days old admitted to 2 teaching hospitals for diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea were included. Admission demographic, physical examination, blood gas and biochemistry analysis, and outcome data were recorded. Admission acid-base values associated with outcome were assessed using multivariable regression modeling. Calves with elevated plasma L-lactate (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.55; P = 0.005) and USI (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.74; P = 0.003) at admission were more likely to die or to be euthanized. This study revealed that elevated concentrations of L-lactate and USI at admission were positively associated with mortality.

Association des ions forts non mesurés avec les résultats des veaux de boucherie et laitiers diarrhéiques hospitalisés. Des concentrations systémiques accrues de L-lactate et des ions forts non mesurés (IFN) sont associées à un risque accru de mortalité chez les nouveau-nés humains et les adultes souffrant de diverses affections. Cette étude exploratoire visait à vérifier si les valeurs de certains paramètres acides, particulièrement L-lactate et IFN, à l'admission à l'hôpital sont associées à la mortalité chez les veaux diarrhéiques. Cinquante-cinq veaux âgés de < 28 jours admis à deux hôpitaux d'enseignement pour le diagnostic et le traitement ont été inclus. Les données démographiques, l'examen physique, les valeurs des gaz sanguins et de l'analyse biochimique du sang ainsi que l'issu des animaux ont été consignés. Les valeurs de l'équilibre acide-base à l'admission associées à l'issu des animaux ont été évaluées en utilisant une modélisation de régression multi-variable. Il était plus probable que les veaux avec du L-lactate plasmatique élevé (RC : 1,30, IC 95 %, 1,08 à 1,55; P = 0,005) et IFN (RC : 1,40, IC de 95 %, 1,12 à 1,74; P = 0,003), à l'admission meurent ou soient euthanasiés. Cette étude a révélé que des concentrations élevées de L-lactate et d'IFN à l'admission étaient positivement associées à la mortalité.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Acquired multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency and marked selenium deficiency causing severe rhabdomyolysis in a horse.

This report describes a case of severe rhabdomyolysis in a pregnant mare associated with histopathologic and biochemical features of both selenium deficiency and acquired multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) due to seasonal pasture myopathy (SPM). This case highlights the importance of assessing plasma selenium levels in horses with clinical signs of pasture myopathy as this deficiency may be a contributing or exacerbating factor.

Déficience multiple acquise de déshydrogénase acyl-CoA et carence en sélénium marquée causant une rhabdomyolyse grave chez un cheval. Ce rapport décrit le cas d'une rhabdomyolyse grave chez une jument gravide associée à des caractéristiques histopathologiques et biochimiques de la carence en sélénium et d'une carence multiple acquise de déhydrogénase acyl-CoA (MADD) causées par la myopathie saisonnière des pâturages (SPM). Ce cas souligne l'importance d'évaluer les niveaux de sélénium dans le plasma des chevaux manifestant des signes cliniques de myopathie du pâturage car cette carence peut être un facteur contributif ou aggravant.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Granulocytic anaplasmosis in a horse from Nova Scotia caused by infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

A 16-year-old Paint stallion was presented with intermittent fever, inappetance, lethargy, icterus, distal limb edema, and submandibular lymphadenopathy. The horse was native to Nova Scotia and had never left that province. Morulae were detected in granulocytes. Ananaplasma phagocytophilum infection was confirmed by serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The horse responded to treatment with oxytetracycline.

Septic peritonitis and uroperitoneum secondary to subclinical omphalitis and concurrent necrotizing cystitis in a colt.

A 15-day-old American Quarter horse colt was presented for depression and pyrexia. Peritonitis was diagnosed following peritoneal fluid analysis. Exploratory laparotomy revealed an area of focal necrosis over the dorsal wall of the urinary bladder leading to peritonitis and uroperitoneum. The affected area of the urinary bladder was resected and the peritonitis resolved with medical treatment.

Treatment of inflammatory airway disease in young standardbreds with interferon alpha.

The effect of oral treatment with natural or recombinant human interferon alpha (HIA) on inflammatory airway disease in young standardbreds was assessed in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. A total of 34 horses with nasal discharge, excess mucus in the trachea, and a persistent cough of at least 2 weeks' duration that interfered with training completed the trial. Horses were rested for 1 week and received oral treatment with either a saline placebo, recombinant human interferon alpha (rHIA; 90 U/horse/day), or natural human interferon alpha (nHIA: 50 U/horse/day) for 5 days. There was a significant decline in nasal discharge and cough scores in all groups and the apparent response rate was similar. However, significantly fewer horses relapsed within 2 weeks once treatment was ceased when interferon rather than placebo was used (P = 0.012). Seventeen of 22 horses treated with rHIA or nHIA were cough-free 4 weeks after treatment, compared with only 4 of 12 after treatment with the placebo. Treatment with oral interferon is a useful adjunct to rest in standardbreds with inflammatory airway disease.

Peritoneal fluid values and collection technique in young, normal calves.

Peritoneal fluid from 10 healthy young male Holstein calves was analyzed three times (2 to 3 days, 12 to 15 days and 27 to 30 days) during the first month of life. A new technique for collection of peritoneal fluid from calves positioned in left lateral recumbency was developed. The technique was found to be reliable and without noticeable complications. Mean peritoneal fluid nucleated cell counts, red blood cell counts, and absolute counts for mononuclear cells, lymphocytes and eosinophils did not change significantly (P