RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Few studies have measured the impact of dementia-related fear on daily functioning, despite its clinical relevance. Our aim was to determine the relationship between fear-avoidance of memory loss, perceived memory failures and self-reported quality of life in a community based sample of older adults using a novel fear of memory loss (FAM) scale. METHODS: Sixty-seven older adults (59-81 years) completed a 23-item self-report scale designed to capture multi-faceted components of fear of memory loss, known as the FAM scale. Perceived memory failures were measured using the Memory Failures Scale (MFS) and quality of life was assessed using the Older Person's Quality of Life scale (OPQOL-35). Participants also completed the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-IV) as a measure of objective memory performance and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) as measures of general anxiety. RESULTS: The FAM scale demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .82) and concurrent validity with the GAI (r = .47). Three latent factors were observed: (1) fear-avoidance, (2) problematic beliefs and (3) affective resilience. After adjusting for objective memory performance and general anxiety, higher fear-avoidance significantly predicted increased perceived memory failures (p = .014) and reduced quality of life (p = .033). CONCLUSIONS: Fear of memory loss predicts increased perceived memory failures and lower self-reported quality of life in a community sample of older adults. Based on these findings, we propose a preliminary fear-avoidance model that explains the development and maintenance of dementia-related functional disability in terms of psychological processes.
Assuntos
Demência , Qualidade de Vida , Idoso , Amnésia , Ansiedade/psicologia , Medo/psicologia , Humanos , Transtornos da Memória , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
PURPOSE: We evaluated and identified baseline factors associated with change in health related quality of life among patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 191 men and 233 women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome or chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (collectively referred to as urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome) were followed for 12 months with bimonthly completion of the Short Form 12 to assess general mental and physical health related quality of life, and with biweekly assessment of condition specific health related quality of life using the Genitourinary Pain Index. A functional clustering algorithm was used to classify participants as improved, stable or worsened for each health related quality of life measure. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine baseline factors associated with change. RESULTS: Physical health related quality of life improved in 22% of the participants, mental health related quality of life improved in 25% and condition specific health related quality of life improved in 47%. Better baseline physical health related quality of life, older age and the presence of nonurological symptoms were associated with lower likelihood of improvement in physical health related quality of life. Better baseline mental health related quality of life, female sex, and greater baseline depression and stress were associated with a lower likelihood of improvement in mental health related quality of life. Better baseline condition specific health related quality of life and more severe baseline urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome pain symptoms were associated with a lower likelihood of improvement in condition specific health related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: While several nonurologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome factors influenced the trajectory of general health related quality of life over time, only condition specific baseline health related quality of life and urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms were associated with urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome specific health related quality of life change. Significant differences in how urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome impacts various aspects of health related quality of life suggest a multidisciplinary approach to assessment and treatment of these patients.
Assuntos
Cistite Intersticial , Prostatite , Qualidade de Vida , Pesquisa Biomédica , Correlação de Dados , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Estudos Prospectivos , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Spontaneous age-related lesions of laboratory rabbits are not well documented in the contemporary scientific literature. A retrospective study of diagnostic necropsies of 36 rabbits >2 years of age found a number of common lung lesions. Fibromuscular intimal hyperplasia affected medium and to a lesser extent large pulmonary arteries and was present to a variable extent in all 36 rabbits >2 years of age. The lesions were characterized by fragmentation and/or reduplication of the internal elastic lamina (IEL), proliferation of smoothelin+/alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)+/vimentin- smooth muscle cells and fewer smoothelin-/α-SMA+/vimentin+ myofibroblasts, and intimal deposition of collagen without thrombosis, embolism, or evidence of pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary emphysema, present in 30/36 rabbits, was characterized by the loss of alveolar septa; most affected rabbits did not have clinical signs of respiratory disease. In 8/13 rabbits of the inbred EIII/JC audiogenic strain, we identified a unique syndrome of granulomatous pneumonia containing hyaline brown to gray, globular to ring-like acellular material that was Alcian blue and periodic acid-Schiff positive. The material was immunoreactive for surfactant protein-A and had the ultrastructural appearance of multilamellar vesicles, suggesting a genetic defect in surfactant metabolism. Additionally, we found small benign primary lung tumors (fibropapillomas, 5 rabbits) not previously described. Other findings included heterotopic bone (5 rabbits), subacute to chronic suppurative bronchopneumonia, pyogranulomatous pneumonia with plant material, and pulmonary artifacts from barbiturate euthanasia solution.
Assuntos
Pulmão/patologia , Coelhos/fisiologia , Envelhecimento/patologia , Animais , Feminino , Masculino , Pneumonia/patologia , Pneumonia/veterinária , Artéria Pulmonar/patologia , Coelhos/anatomia & histologia , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
STUDY DESIGN: Comparison of diagnostic tests; methodological validation. OBJECTIVES: Primary: to investigate the precision and reliability of a knee bone mineral density (BMD) assessment protocol that uses an existing dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) forearm acquisition algorithm in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Secondary: to correlate DXA-based knee areal BMD with volumetric BMD assessments derived from quantitative computed tomography (QCT). SETTING: Academic medical center, Chicago, IL, USA. PARTICIPANTS: a convenience sample of 12 individuals with acute SCI recruited for an observational study of bone loss and 34 individuals with chronic SCI who were screened for a longitudinal study evaluating interventions to increase BMD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Root-mean-square standard deviation (RMS-SD) and intra/inter-rater reliability of areal BMD acquired at three knee regions using an existing DXA forearm acquisition algorithm; correlation of DXA-based areal BMD with QCT-derived volumetric BMD. RESULTS: The RMS-SD of areal BMD at the distal femoral epiphysis, distal femoral metaphysis and proximal tibial epiphysis averaged 0.021, 0.012 and 0.016 g cm(-2), respectively, in acute SCI and 0.018, 0.02 and 0.016 g cm(-2) in chronic SCI. All estimates of intra/inter-rater reliability exceeded 97% and DXA-based areal BMD was significantly correlated with QCT-derived volumetric BMD at all knee regions analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Existing DXA forearm acquisition algorithms are sufficiently precise and reliable for short-term assessments of knee BMD in individuals with SCI. Future work is necessary to quantify the reliability of this approach in longitudinal investigations and to determine its ability to predict fractures and recovery potential. SPONSORSHIP: This work was funded by the Department of Defense, grant number DOD W81XWH-10-1-0951, with partial support from Merck & Co, Inc.
Assuntos
Absorciometria de Fóton , Doenças Ósseas/etiologia , Joelho/diagnóstico por imagem , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/complicações , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/patologia , Tomógrafos Computadorizados , Adolescente , Adulto , Doenças Ósseas/diagnóstico , Estudos de Coortes , Feminino , Antebraço/diagnóstico por imagem , Antebraço/patologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Several theories have posited a common internalizing factor to help account for the relationship between mood and anxiety disorders. These disorders are often co-morbid and strongly covary. Other theories and data suggest that personality traits may account, at least in part, for co-morbidity between depression and anxiety. The present study examined the relationship between neuroticism and an internalizing dimension common to mood and anxiety disorders. METHOD: A sample of ethnically diverse adolescents (n=621) completed self-report and peer-report measures of neuroticism. Participants also completed the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). RESULTS: Structural equation modeling showed that a single internalizing factor was common to lifetime diagnosis of mood and anxiety disorders, and this internalizing factor was strongly correlated with neuroticism. Neuroticism had a stronger correlation with an internalizing factor (r=0.98) than with a substance use factor (r=0.29). Therefore, neuroticism showed both convergent and discriminant validity. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide further evidence that neuroticism is a necessary factor in structural theories of mood and anxiety disorders. In this study, the correlation between internalizing psychopathology and neuroticism approached 1.0, suggesting that neuroticism may be the core of internalizing psychopathology. Future studies are needed to examine this possibility in other populations, and to replicate our findings.
Assuntos
Transtornos Neuróticos/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Transtornos de Ansiedade/diagnóstico , Transtornos de Ansiedade/psicologia , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais , Etnicidade/estatística & dados numéricos , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Transtornos do Humor/diagnóstico , Transtornos do Humor/psicologia , Transtornos Neuróticos/psicologia , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk) are essential for promoting the initiation of DNA replication, presumably by phosphorylating key regulatory proteins that are involved in triggering the G1/S transition. Human Cdc6 (HsCdc6), a protein required for initiation of DNA replication, is phosphorylated by Cdk in vitro and in vivo. Here we report that HsCdc6 with mutations at potential Cdk phosphorylation sites was poorly phosphorylated in vitro by Cdk, but retained all other biochemical activities of the wild-type protein tested. Microinjection of mutant HsCdc6 proteins into human cells blocked initiation of DNA replication or slowed S phase progression. The inhibitory effect of mutant HsCdc6 was lost at the G1/S transition, indicating that phosphorylation of HsCdc6 by Cdk is critical for a late step in initiation of DNA replication in human cells.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/genética , Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/fisiologia , Quinases Ciclina-Dependentes/metabolismo , Replicação do DNA , Proteínas Nucleares/genética , Proteínas Nucleares/fisiologia , Substituição de Aminoácidos , Ciclo Celular , Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/metabolismo , Cromossomos , Células HeLa , Humanos , Mutação , Proteínas Nucleares/metabolismo , FosforilaçãoRESUMO
Transgenic rabbits carrying the EJras oncogene have been established in our laboratory (Am. J. Pathol. 155 (1999) 315). The expression of the ras gene is targeted to the epidermal keratinocytes using the upstream regulatory region (URR) of the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV). All of the transgenic rabbits develop keratoacanthomas at multiple sites in the skin at 2-3 days after birth, and the tumors spontaneously regress in 1.5-2 months. With regression of the keratoacanthomas, the rabbits appear normal and EJras expression is undetectable in their skin. To determine if CRPV infection would reinitiate the expression of the EJras transgene and make the rabbits more sensitive to tumorigenesis, the rabbits were infected with CRPV at 2 months of age when the keratoacanthomas had regressed. This study shows that CRPV infection of the transgenic rabbit skin could shorten the latency required for CRPV papilloma initiation, and significantly increase the tumor growth and persistence rate compared with non-transgenic rabbits. Furthermore, EJras expression became detectable in the CRPV induced papillomas in transgenic rabbits, but not in the papillomas of non-transgenic rabbits. These results indicate that CRPV infection is able to reinitiate the expression of the CRPV URR controlled EJras oncogene carried by the transgenic rabbits and that the expression of EJras can enhance the tumorigenesis of CRPV infection.
Assuntos
Papillomavirus de Coelho Cottontail , Epiderme/fisiologia , Proteínas Oncogênicas/genética , Infecções por Papillomavirus/genética , Neoplasias Cutâneas/genética , Neoplasias Cutâneas/virologia , Animais , Animais Geneticamente Modificados , Cocarcinogênese , Feminino , Regulação Viral da Expressão Gênica/genética , Genes ras/genética , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Ceratoacantoma/genética , Ceratoacantoma/virologia , Proteínas Oncogênicas/biossíntese , Infecções por Papillomavirus/virologia , CoelhosRESUMO
To determine whether alteration of PKC alpha expression would affect the metastatic potential of human melanoma cells, replicate cultures of C8161 cells were treated in vitro with a phosphorothioate antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) that specifically inhibits PKC alpha expression (ISIS-3521). Control C8161 cultures were treated with a scrambled sequence ODN, cationic liposomes or were left untreated. Northern blots demonstrated 70% inhibition of PKC alpha mRNA in ISIS-3521-treated cells compared to controls. Metastasis was suppressed by 75% when ISIS-3521-treated cells were injected intravenously into athymic mice. These results show that PKC alpha expression is important in the regulation of human melanoma metastasis.
Assuntos
Isoenzimas/metabolismo , Melanoma/enzimologia , Oligonucleotídeos Antissenso/farmacologia , Proteína Quinase C/metabolismo , Animais , Humanos , Isoenzimas/genética , Neoplasias Pulmonares/secundário , Camundongos , Camundongos Nus , Metástase Neoplásica , Proteína Quinase C/genética , Proteína Quinase C-alfa , RNA/análise , Tionucleotídeos , Células Tumorais CultivadasRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Modified cineradiographic systems have been used clinically to detect partially broken outlet struts in normally functioning Björk-Shiley convexo-concave heart valves. Almost all such valves were explanted, presuming that full failure would likely follow. Inasmuch as the clinical setting only rarely permits examination of normally rated valves, the accuracy of radiographic detection cannot be clinically defined. This study uses the clinical radiographic technique in sheep implanted with known-status convexo-concave valves, comparing its accuracy and that of a newly developed, geometric image magnification radiography system. METHODS: Twenty-one sheep with mitral convexo-concave valves were studied on both systems. Five were used for extensive training. When operators were expert with both systems, images of four intact valves and 12 valves with outlet strut single leg separations, along with a seventeenth single leg separation valve used for calibration, were integrated into 112 image sets organized into a balanced incomplete block design for evaluation by eight trained, blinded reviewers. RESULTS: Cineradiography sensitivity was 24% versus 31% for direct image magnification. The odds ratio for detection of single leg separation by direct image magnification versus cineradiography was 2.0 (95% confidence interval, 0.76 to 5.9; p = 0.13). Cineradiography specificity was 93% versus 90% for direct image magnification. Sensitivity and specificity varied markedly by reviewer, with sensitivity ranging from 8% to 55% and specificity from 51% to 100% for the combined technologies. CONCLUSIONS: The data support the need for more intensive training for convexo-concave valve imaging and further investigation of unconventional radiographic technologies. Clinical cineradiography of convexo-concave valves may detect as little as 25% of valves having a single leg separation, underestimating the prevalence of single leg separations and thereby implying more rapid progression to full fracture than is actually the case.
Assuntos
Cinerradiografia/métodos , Próteses Valvulares Cardíacas , Interpretação de Imagem Radiográfica Assistida por Computador , Animais , Estudos de Avaliação como Assunto , Razão de Chances , Desenho de Prótese , Falha de Prótese , Curva ROC , Distribuição Aleatória , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , OvinosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: In isolated hearts, the potassium-channel opener pinacidil is an effective cardioplegic agent. This study tested the hypothesis that pinacidil is superior to St. Thomas' solution in the more clinically relevant intact animal. METHODS: Sixteen pigs were placed on full cardiopulmonary bypass. Hearts underwent 2 hours of global ischemia (10 degrees to 15 degrees C). Either St. Thomas' or 100 micromol/L pinacidil was administered every 20 minutes (10 mL/kg). Preischemic and postreperfusion slopes of the preload-recruitable stroke work relationship were determined. Changes in myocardial adenine nucleotide levels and cellular ultrastructure were analyzed. RESULTS: Pinacidil cardioplegia resulted in an insignificant change in the slope of the preload-recruitable stroke work relationship (40.6+/-2.1 mm Hg/mm before ischemia and 36.5+/-3.7 mm Hg/mm after ischemia; p = 0.466). In contrast, St. Thomas' solution resulted in a significant decrease in the slope after reperfusion (34.3+/-5.5 mm Hg/mm and 13.5+/-2.3 mm Hg/mm; p = 0.003). Adenine nucleotide levels, myocardial tissue water, and ultrastructural changes were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pinacidil ameliorated myocardial stunning associated with traditional hyperkalemic cardioplegia without causing significant differences in cellular metabolism.
Assuntos
Soluções Cardioplégicas , Pinacidil , Canais de Potássio/efeitos dos fármacos , Nucleotídeos de Adenina/metabolismo , Animais , Bicarbonatos , Cloreto de Cálcio , Ponte Cardiopulmonar , Magnésio , Contração Miocárdica , Reperfusão Miocárdica , Miocárdio Atordoado/metabolismo , Miocárdio Atordoado/patologia , Miocárdio/metabolismo , Miocárdio/ultraestrutura , Cloreto de Potássio , Cloreto de Sódio , Volume Sistólico , SuínosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Chronically implanted catheters often become covered with a thin, white adherent covering of tissue that has been referred to as a fibrin sheath. This tissue often interferes with catheter function. METHODS: To chronicle the development of this sheath, rats were implanted with silicone rubber central venous catheters. Five rats were euthanized at 3,7, and 60 days postimplantation so that gross necropsy and histology could be performed on the catheterized vessels. RESULTS: The coating that developed around the external portion of the catheter started as a dark red thrombus containing fibrin and progressed into vascularized, fibrous connective tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The translucent to white sheath that forms around chronically implanted catheters is not composed of fibrin and is therefore not likely to be dissolved by fibrinolytic agents such as urokinase, streptokinase, or tissue plasminogen activator.
Assuntos
Cateterismo Venoso Central/efeitos adversos , Veias Jugulares/patologia , Trombose/patologia , Animais , Colágeno/análise , Corantes , Feminino , Fibrina/análise , Hematoxilina , Histocitoquímica , Veias Jugulares/química , Masculino , Ácido Fosfotúngstico , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-DawleyRESUMO
A case of synovial sarcoma of the jaw with pulmonary metastasis is described in a dog. It appears to be a rare or underdiagnosed neoplasm in animals and not previously reported in the jaw. Its diagnostic microscopic features are the biphasic cellular pattern and cleft formations. It may otherwise resemble haemangiopericytoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, reticulum cell sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, or giant-cell tumour of soft tissue.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão , Neoplasias Maxilomandibulares/veterinária , Sarcoma Sinovial/veterinária , Animais , Cães , Feminino , Neoplasias Maxilomandibulares/patologia , Neoplasias Pulmonares/secundário , Neoplasias Pulmonares/veterinária , Sarcoma Sinovial/patologiaRESUMO
A case of cleft palate, brachygnathia inferior and mandibular oligodontia is described in a calf. Otitis media may be a complication of cleft palate in the calf as it is in man. Cleft palate in the calf may be further classified into at least 4 major groups and some of the cases might be suitable models for a study of cleft palate in man.
Assuntos
Anormalidades Múltiplas/veterinária , Doenças dos Bovinos/patologia , Fissura Palatina/veterinária , Mandíbula/anormalidades , Anormalidades Dentárias/patologia , Anormalidades Múltiplas/patologia , Animais , Bovinos , Fissura Palatina/complicações , Fissura Palatina/patologia , MasculinoRESUMO
Seven of 83 female guinea-pigs were found to have reproductive tract leiomyomas at necropsy. Sixty-three of these guinea-pigs also had cystic rete ovarii. Eleven separate leiomyomas were identified, the most common site of formation being the uterine body or horn. The tumours contained histological evidence of smooth muscle, abundant fibrous connective tissue and occasional foci of fibrocartilage and bone. Mitotic figures were identified in only one tumour. The mean age of guinea-pigs with leiomyomas was 47.6 months, and the mean age of the study population was 33.1 months. Two other reproductive tract tumours identified in the 83 guinea-pigs were an ovarian teratoma and a cavernous haemangioma. These data indicate that leiomyomas are the most common reproductive tract tumour in this colony of aged female guinea-pigs and that they are frequently seen in conjunction with cystic rete ovarii.
Assuntos
Cobaias , Leiomioma/veterinária , Neoplasias Uterinas/veterinária , Envelhecimento/patologia , Animais , Feminino , Leiomioma/patologia , Neoplasias Uterinas/patologiaRESUMO
Nineteen cases of cystitis were diagnosed at necropsy and/or by histology in a group of 170 (96 females, 74 males) guineapigs (11.2%). Seventeen of the 19 cases (89.4%) were females. The mean age of guineapigs with cystitis was 34.7 months, which was higher than the mean age of 24 months of the 170 members of the study group. In addition, 6 cases of urolithiasis and cystic calculi in 5 females and one male were also found in the 170 guineapigs (3.5%). The mean age of the 6 cases was 30 months, which was also higher than the mean age of the 170 animals. The study suggests that aged female guineapigs were much more predisposed to cystitis and urolithiasis or cystic calculi than male and young guineapigs. The cause may be related to infection with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus sp, cystic calculi, diabetes mellitus and female guineapig urogenital anatomy and function.
Assuntos
Envelhecimento , Cálculos/veterinária , Cistite/veterinária , Doenças dos Roedores/patologia , Cálculos Urinários/veterinária , Animais , Cálculos/complicações , Cálculos/patologia , Cistite/complicações , Cistite/patologia , Complicações do Diabetes , Diabetes Mellitus/patologia , Diabetes Mellitus/veterinária , Infecções por Escherichia coli/complicações , Infecções por Escherichia coli/patologia , Infecções por Escherichia coli/veterinária , Feminino , Cobaias , Incidência , Masculino , Estudos Retrospectivos , Infecções Estafilocócicas/complicações , Infecções Estafilocócicas/patologia , Infecções Estafilocócicas/veterinária , Cálculos Urinários/complicações , Cálculos Urinários/patologiaRESUMO
Guineapigs that were intranasally inoculated with pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) seroconverted to PVM by 11 days post-infection. During the course of study (2-60 days post-infection) no gross or histologic lesions were identified within the lungs that could be attributed to PVM infection. Mild rhinitis and tracheitis were found in most animals and acute purulent bronchopneumonia in two animals, which may have resulted from spontaneous subclinical Bordetella bronchiseptica infection. Viral and bacterial respiratory diseases of the guineapig are briefly reviewed.
Assuntos
Bordetella bronchiseptica/fisiologia , Infecção Laboratorial/veterinária , Pneumonia Bacteriana/microbiologia , Pneumonia Viral/fisiopatologia , Infecções por Pneumovirus/veterinária , Pneumovirus , Animais , Feminino , Cobaias , Infecção Laboratorial/microbiologia , Infecção Laboratorial/virologiaRESUMO
The nursing instructor who assumes a colleagial or facilitator role in the student-instructor helping relationship assists students to learn and develop both personal and professional competence. In an attempt to attain power, female faculty members may exert power over students, causing students to feel threatened, powerless, and incompetent. Research studies indicate that there is a direct correlation between a student's self-concept and academic performance. When an instructor manifests open communication with students and demonstrates an interest in their learning, the instructor may facilitate a positive self-concept in students and enhance their cognitive abilities. Nursing practice is based on utilizing therapeutic communication, which is authentic, open, and personal. Students may acquire these skills and simultaneously increase their competence in nursing practice more readily when faculty members serve as role models in a helping relationship through sharing and developing trust. By applying the principles of the helping relationship, nursing instructors may facilitate students' personal and professional growth.
Assuntos
Docentes de Enfermagem , Relações Interpessoais , Estudantes de Enfermagem/psicologia , Bacharelado em Enfermagem , Humanos , Aprendizagem , Ensino/métodosRESUMO
A female Dorset-cross sheep developed labored respirations and was anorexic, weak, ataxic and febrile (42.0 degrees C) 15 days after implantation of a cardiac device. Clinical pathologic evaluation identified a mild leukocytosis (11,800 cells/microl), neutrophilia (8,969 cells/microl), and hypokalemia (2.9 mmol/L). Despite intensive therapy, the animal was euthanized 7 days later. Necropsy of the sheep revealed meningitis and vegetative endocarditis associated with the cardiac device. Blood cultures collected antemortem and tissue cultures collected at necropsy yielded Streptococcus suis. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of bacterial valvular endocarditis and meningoencephalitis. A variety of environmental and host factors are proposed as contributing to the infection, and the zoonotic potential of S. suis is discussed.