Primary isolated osteoma cutis causing eyelid deformation and strabismus in a dog.

Osteoma cutis describes bone formation in skin and is well documented in the medical literature, but veterinary reports are few. We report a single case of a juvenile samoyed that was referred for assessment of a superior eyelid anomaly. Exploratory surgery and histopathology revealed the presence of mature, lamellar bone within the superior eyelid. The histologic appearance was consistent with primary osteoma cutis. The presence of the ossification within the deep dermis of the eyelid was associated with an abnormal conformation causing trichiasis, keratitis and dorsal strabismus. Identification of the osseous lesion during surgery and its removal was curative with no recurrence of disease during the 32 month follow-up period.

Multicentre evaluation of the Check-Direct CPE® assay for direct screening of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae from rectal swabs.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate in a multicentre survey the analytical performance of the Check-Direct CPE® assay (CDCPE), a multiplex PCR assay for the detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE), directly from rectal swabs. METHODS: Adult patients admitted to a high-risk unit in four participating centres were prospectively screened for CPE carriage by rectal swabbing. Samples were cultured on chromogenic CPE-selective media in the local laboratories. All growing Enterobacteriaceae strains were transferred for confirmation of carbapenemase production by multiplex PCR, together with the faecal swabs for CDCPE, to the coordinating laboratory. RESULTS: Overall, 38 of the 394 samples analysed (9.6%; range 3%-20% per centre) yielded a positive signal for a carbapenemase gene with CDCPE, including 17 samples (4.3%; range 0%-15% per centre) that grew a total of 25 CPE-confirmed isolates (all OXA-48-like producers, including one isolate that simultaneously harboured a VIM-type carbapenemase). No CPE culture-positive samples were missed by CDCPE. Among the 21 samples that were CPE-positive with CDCPE but negative on culture, five were collected from previously known CPE carriers and 6/9 OXA-48-positive signals were detected at one participating centre that was undergoing a hospital-wide outbreak of OXA-48 CPE. When compared with the selective culture, the sensitivity and specificity of CDCPE were 100% and 94%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the value of CDCPE as a tool for screening CPE carriage in an epidemiological setting with a high prevalence of OXA-48 CPE. However, the potential added value for infection control management remains to be demonstrated.

Assessment of ultrasonography and computed tomography for the evaluation of unilateral orbital disease in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical, ultrasonographic, and computed tomographic (CT) features of confirmed neoplastic and nonneoplastic disease in dogs with unilateral orbital diseases, determine criteria to differentiate between the 2 conditions, and assess the relative value of ultrasonography and CT for the differential diagnosis of these 2 conditions. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 29 dogs with unilateral neoplastic orbital disease and 16 dogs with unilateral nonneoplastic orbital disease. PROCEDURES: Clinical history and results of physical and ophthalmologic examinations were recorded. Ultrasonographic and CT images were evaluated, and discriminating factors were identified to differentiate neoplastic from nonneoplastic diseases. Diagnostic value of ultrasonography and CT was assessed. RESULTS: Dogs with neoplastic disease were significantly older; had clinical signs for a longer time before initial examination; had more progressive onset of clinical signs; and more frequently had protrusion of the nictitating membrane, fever, and anorexia. The most discriminating factor for both imaging modalities was delineation of the margins (odds ratio was 41.7 for ultrasonography and 45 for CT), with neoplastic lesions clearly delineated more often. Ultrasonographically, neoplastic lesions were more frequently hypoechoic and homogeneous, with indentation of the globe and bone involvement evident more frequently than for nonneoplastic lesions. Mineralization was detected only with neoplasia. Fluctuant fluid was seen more frequently in dogs with nonneoplastic disease. Computed tomography more frequently revealed extraorbital involvement. Diagnostic value was similar for both imaging modalities. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ultrasonography and CT are valuable imaging modalities to assist in differentiating neoplastic from nonneoplastic unilateral orbital disease in dogs.

Intraobserver and interobserver repeatability of ocular biometric measurements obtained by means of B-mode ultrasonography in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess intra- and interobserver repeatability of ocular biometric measurements obtained by means of high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography in dogs. Animals-6 Beagles without ocular abnormalities. PROCEDURES: B-mode ultrasonography was performed bilaterally with a 10.5-MHz broadband compact linear array transducer. All measurements were made on 2 different occasions by 2 observers. The Bland-Altman method was used to assess agreement between measurements obtained by the 2 observers and between the 2 sets of measurements obtained by each observer. RESULTS: Intra- and interobserver repeatability was highest for larger measurements, such as depth of the eye and depth of the anterior chamber. When repeatability was examined, bias was significantly different from 0 for only a few measurements, but the percentage difference between observations was as high as 180% for some measurements. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that most measurements of intraocular distances and structures obtained by means of high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography have acceptable intra- and interobserver repeatability. However, the percentage difference between observations can be high for smaller measurements.

Rapid emergence and spread of OXA-48-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates in Belgian hospitals.

During a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based surveillance study of ß-lactam resistance, 19 OXA-48-positive enterobacterial isolates were detected at nine Belgian hospitals from January 2010 to April 2011. Most cases were presumed to have been locally acquired and were detected in patients who had not travelled abroad. Clonally related outbreaks occurred in two different cities. The majority of isolates co-produced several ß-lactamases as well as non-ß-lactam resistance genes. This report highlights the rapid emergence and spread of OXA-48-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Belgium.