Glucocorticoid-deficient hypoadrenocorticism secondary to intravascular lymphoma in the adrenal glands of a dog.

CASE REPORT: A 2-year-old neutered male German Shepherd dog was presented with weakness, poor appetite and weight loss. Glucocorticoid-deficient hypoadrenocorticism was diagnosed with undetectable pre- and post-ACTH cortisol concentrations but normal sodium and potassium concentrations. Despite appropriate supplementation with glucocorticoids, the patient's weakness progressed and neurological deficits developed. The patient was euthanased. Histopathological analysis of multiple organs, including the adrenal glands, showed an accumulation of neoplastic lymphocytes within blood vessels, consistent with a diagnosis of intravascular lymphoma. Histologically, in both adrenal glands, the architecture of the zona fasciculata and reticularis was disrupted by blood vessels congested with a neoplastic population of T-lymphocytes; the zona glomerulosa remained intact. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of intravascular lymphoma causing glucocorticoid-deficient hypoadrenocorticism in a dog.

Spatial, demographic and clinical patterns of Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in the dog population of Southern England.

A retrospective study was carried out to provide updated knowledge of the spatial pattern of Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in Southern England and to investigate associations between selected host characteristics (age, breed, sex), risk of infection and clinical presentation (cardiorespiratory signs v haemorrhagic diathesis). One hundred and forty-one cases diagnosed between April 1999 and July 2012 were compared with a control population of dogs referred to the same hospital. A significant association was found between haemorrhagic diathesis and breed but not for other host characteristics and clinical presentations. Younger dogs and certain breeds of dog (Jack Russell terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, Cavalier King Charles spaniels and Staffordshire Bull Terriers) had significantly higher odds of angiostrongylosis than other breeds in the study. A significant cluster of cases was found in Southern England. Animals presenting with cardiorespiratory signs or haemorrhagic diathesis in Southern England, especially if they are young or of a breed associated with angiostrongylosis, should be given special consideration with regards to possible A. vasorum infestation. Our results should be interpreted bearing in mind that they are based on the retrospective exploration of dogs seen at a referral centre.

Beryllium and lung cancer: a weight of evidence evaluation of the toxicological and epidemiological literature.

The potential carcinogenicity of beryllium has been a topic of study since the mid-1940s. Since then, numerous scientific and regulatory bodies have assigned beryllium to various categories with respect to its carcinogenicity. Past epidemiologic and animal studies, however, have been marked with notable methodological shortcomings. Because it has been about 16 yr since IARC evaluated beryllium and approximately 50 relevant papers on the topic have been published since that time, we conducted a weight-of-evidence analysis of the historical as well as recent animal and human literature. We also assessed whether recently published studies improved upon methodological shortcomings or shed light upon uncertainties in prior studies. Thirty-three animal studies, principally designed to evaluate the cancer hazard or related mechanisms, and seventeen epidemiologic studies were considered in this assessment. Based on this analysis, the evidence for carcinogenicity of beryllium is not as clear as suggested by previous evaluations, because of the inadequacy of the available smoking history information, the lack of well-characterized historical occupational exposures and shortcomings in the animal studies. We concluded that the increase in potential risk of lung cancer was observed among those exposed to very high levels of beryllium and that beryllium's carcinogenic potential in humans at exposure levels that exist in modern industrial settings should be considered either inadequate or marginally suggestive.

Coxofemoral luxation in a border collie as a complication of a Clostridium tetani infection.

A four-month-old male, entire, border collie was presented to the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals with a two day history of muscular spasms and "Risus sardonicus". Tetanus was diagnosed, and the dog was treated with tetanus antitoxin, antibiotics and supportive therapy. Coxofemoral luxation resulted as a complication of the tetanus and was successfully managed by performing a femoral head and neck excision. This is the first report of joint luxation associated with Clostridium tetani infection in a dog.

Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in 23 dogs (1999-2002).

Angiostrongylosis was diagnosed in 23 dogs presenting to the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals between June 1999 and August 2002. The animals' clinical records were reviewed retrospectively and certain risk factors were compared with a control population of 3407 dogs. Twenty-two of the 23 dogs were from south-east England and dogs from Surrey (n=8) were significantly overrepresented. There were also significantly more Cavalier King Charles spaniels (n=5) and Staffordshire bull terriers (n=5) among the affected dogs than in the control group. The median age of affected dogs was 10 months (range five to 90 months). The most common presenting signs were cough (65 per cent), dyspnoea (43 per cent), haemorrhagic diathesis (35 per cent) and collapse (26 per cent). Four dogs were thrombocytopenic and eight had significant prolongations in prothrombin time and/or activated partial thromboplastin time. Thoracic radiographs were abnormal in 18 of 19 dogs. A variety of changes were observed, the most typical being a patchy alveolar-interstitial pattern affecting the dorsocaudal lung fields. Angiostrongylus vasorum larvae were found in seven of 10 bronchoalveolar lavage specimens and 19 of 19 faecal samples. Three dogs died shortly after admission to the hospital. The remainder were successfully treated with fenbendazole at a dose of 50 mg/kg for five to 21 days. A vasorum should now be considered endemic to south-east England.

Adrenal necrosis in a dog receiving trilostane for the treatment of hyperadrenocorticism.

Clinical and biochemical changes suggestive of hypoadrenocorticism were observed in a 10-year-old male neutered Staffordshire bull terrier shortly after beginning therapy with trilostane for the treatment of hyperadrenocorticism. The dog's condition was stabilised with intravenous fluids, fludrocortisone and prednisolone. An exploratory laparotomy and excisional biopsy of the left adrenal gland were performed. Histopathological analysis showed adrenal cortical necrosis with reactive inflammation and fibrosis. Trilostane is a reversible inhibitor of steroid synthesis and this complication has not been reported previously. Clinicians should be aware that trilostane therapy may result in adrenal necrosis but that prompt treatment might correct a life-threatening situation.

Radiographic findings in 16 dogs infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum.

Thoracic radiographs of 16 dogs infected naturally with Angiostrongylus vasorum showed signs of bronchial thickening, an interstitial pattern and a multifocal and/or peripheral alveolar pattern. In dogs treated with fenbendazole, follow-up radiographs showed that the alveolar pattern had resolved and a mild, hazy interstitial pattern had developed. In contrast with dogs with heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), no pulmonary vascular lesions were identified.

Evaluation of the basal and post-adrenocorticotrophic hormone serum concentrations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone for the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism in dogs.

Serum concentrations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone and cortisol were measured before and after the administration of exogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) to three groups of dogs: 27 healthy dogs (group 1), 19 dogs with non-adrenal illness (group 2) and 46 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (group 3). The median (range) post-ACTH concentrations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone were 5.0 (22.2 to 16.8), 6.9 (2.0 to 36.2) and 14.4 (1.7 to 71) nmol/litre in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. There were no significant differences in the basal or post-ACTH concentrations of cortisol or 17-hydroxyprogesterone between groups 1 and 2. The post-ACTH concentrations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone in group 3 were significantly (P<0.001) greater than those in groups 1 and 2 combined. The area under the receiver operating curve (ROC) for the post-ACTH concentration of cortisol (0.94) was significantly greater than that for the post-ACTH concentration of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (0.76). Using a two-graph ROC analysis, a cut-off of 8.5 nmol/litre was found to maximise both the sensitivity and specificity of the post-ACTH concentration of 17-hydroxyprogesterone for the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism at 71 per cent. With a cut-off of 4.5 nmol/litre the sensitivity increased to 90 per cent but the specificity decreased to 40 per cent; with a cut-off of 16.7 nmol/litre the specificity increased to 90 per cent but the sensitivity decreased to 47 per cent.

Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome in a dog.

An 11-year-old female German Shepherd dog presented with lethargy and anorexia, which progressed to haemorrhagic vomiting, diarrhoea and seizures. Serum biochemistry and haematology results showed azotaemia and mild thrombocytopaenia. Euthanasia was elected and the dog was submitted for necropsy examination. There were widespread serosal and mucosal petechial and ecchymotic haemorrhages within the abdomen, with ascites and multiple renal infarcts. The renal infarcts were associated with fibrinoid necrosis and thrombosis of inter-lobular arteries and arterioles. These arterial lesions and clinical signs are consistent with haemolytic-uraemic syndrome, which has not previously been reported in dogs in Europe.

Retrospective study of the relationships between age, inflammation and the isolation of bacteria from the lower respiratory tract of thoroughbred horses.

A total of 1235 tracheal aspirates taken from 724 thoroughbreds in race training, aged from two to 10 years, were examined cytologically and bacteriologically. An inflammation scoring system on a scale of 0 to 9 was devised to allow the severity of lower airway disease to be assessed from the cytological results. The inflammation scores were closely related to the isolation of bacteria (P<0.001), and the most common bacterial isolates were Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pasteurella/Actinobacillus-like species. Lower airway disease was less common in older horses (P = 0.031), and the groups at highest risk were the two- and four-year-olds. Lower airway inflammation was more common in the four-year-olds at National Hunt yards than in the four-year-olds at flat racing yards (P = 0.040, odds ratio = 3.80).

Efficacy of nonpheromone communication disruptants of codling moth (Cydia pomonella): Effect of pheromone isomers and of distance between calling females and dispensers.

Field tests comparing the ability of codlemone, (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol, and isomers of codlemone to disrupt pheromonal communication of codling moth were carried out. In a pear orchard, four nonisomerizing, gray septa dispensers were placed in the upper canopy of each tree containing a trap baited with 10 virgin female codling moths. The dispensers were at trap height and 70 cm from the edge of each trap. Trap catches of released male codling moths in three test areas were compared simultaneously when trees in each of the test areas contained unbaited dispensers, dispensers with 1 mg of codlemone containing 1% isomers, and dispensers with 1 mg of a test communication disruptant. When the test disruptant was an equilibrium mixture of codlemone and its isomers (61% codlemone, 39% isomers), the percent communication disruption was 86.8% compared to 68.7% for codlemone (P < 0.001). When the disruptant was (E,Z)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol (94%EZ, 3%EE), the percentage disruption was 86.4% compared to 62.7% for codlemone (P < 0.002). These results show that the previously reported superior disruptant potency (relative to codlemone) of compositions containing codlemone with a high percentage of isomers was not a result of the proximity of the dispensers to the traps. The percent disruption of compositions of codlemone with 10 and 20% isomers was also determined. A plot of percentage disruption versus logarithm of percentage of nonpheromone isomers in the mixture from 1% to 97% gave a straight line withR (2)=0.93.

Codling moth,Cydia pomonella, (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): Is its sex pheromone multicomponent?

When the nine identified components in the effluvium of calling female codling moths were compared to pure synthetic (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol in flight-tunnel tests, equal responses were obtained over a concentration range of 300-fold. When synthetic (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol was compared to extract of female sex pheromone glands by a male wing-flutter bioassay, or in flight-tunnel tests, equal responses were obtained over a concentration range of 1000-fold. The sum total of these and previous studies indicate that the codling moth sex pheromone consists of only one component.

Codling moth (Cydia pomonella): Disruptants of sex pheromonal communication.

In a small section of an apple orchard, six traps were placed each in control and test areas and baited with live virgin female codling moths. Gray elastomer septa were used to dispense communication disruptants around the traps. Dyed male codling moths were released in control and test areas, and the numbers of males captured in control and test traps were compared. In 1991, linear regression curves of percent communication disruption versus logarithm of dose were obtained for three compositions: (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol, codlemone (1); codlemone + dodecan-1-ol + tetradecan-1-ol (2); and an equilibrium mixture of the four isomers of 8,10-dodecadien-1-ol (30, (61%EE, 14%ZE, 20%EZ, and 5%ZZ). All three regressions gaver (2) values greater than 0.90. At the 95% confidence limits, slopes and intercepts of compositions 1 and 2 were equivalent, and different from that of composition 3, which produced the greatest percentages of disruption at all doses. In 1992, five treatments were compared at a single dose: 1, 3, none (4), (Z,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol (5), (E,Z)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol (6). Compositions 5 and 6 gave the greatest and similar percentages of disruption and were different from codlemone (1) and 4 (95% confidence), but not from composition 3. Communication disruption produced by composition 3 was greater than (codlemone), which was greater than 4.

Sex pheromone of cranberry fruitworm,Acrobasis vaccinii riley (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

The following compounds and (approximate ratios) were identified in sex pheromone gland extracts of femaleAcrobasis vaccinii Riley by comparison of gas chromatography-mass spectrometric traces with those of synthetic standards: (E,Z)-, (Z,E)-, (Z,Z), and (E,E)-8, 10-pentadecadien-l-ol acetates (100:1:2:12), a dodecen-l-ol acetate (8), (Z)-8-, (Z)-9-, and (E)-9-pentadecen-l-ol acetates (3:23:4), two heptadecen-l-ol acetates (4:4), tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, and heptadecyl acetates (3:15:10:8), dodecan-l-ol (6), tetradecan-l-ol (5), and hexadecan-l-ol (23). The amount of (E,Z)-8, 10-pentadecadien-l-ol acetate (E8,Z10-15:Ac) in the extract was about 0.5 ng/female. Electroantennographic analysis of gas chromatographic fractions of female sex pheromone gland extract showed that the fraction containingE8,Z10-15:Ac elicited the greatest response. Alone,E8,Z10-15:Ac failed to elicit upwind flight of males in flight-tunnel tests, and traps baited with it did not catch males in field experiments. WhenE8,Z10-15:Ac was combined with (E)-9-pentadecen-l-ol acetate (100:4), male upwind flight response in flight-tunnel tests was equivalent to those obtained with extract of female sex pheromone glands (synthetic, 62%; natural, 51%), but the percent of males flying upwind that contacted the source was lower (synthetic, 47%; natural, 88%). The lower percent of source contact elicited by the synthetic pheromone could be a result of the difference in isomer ratios of 8,10-15:Ac in the natural and synthetic pheromone or could indicate that the synthetic pheromone is incomplete. Traps baited with the 100:4 combination caught large numbers of males in field experiments.

Sugar beet crown borer,Hulstia undulatella (Clemens) 1: Identification and field tests of female sex pheromone gland components.

Electroantennogram profiles of saturated and monounsaturated 12-, 14-, and 16-carbon acetates, and 12- and 14-carbon alcohols implicated (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol acetate (Z9-14: Ac) as a component of the female sex pheromone ofHulstia undulatella (Clemens). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of extract of the female sex pheromone glands showed the presence of Z9-14:Ac (8.5 ng/female), (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol (Z9-14:OH), and (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol acetate (Z11-16:Ac) in a ratio of 100∶4∶21, respectively. In tests in sugar beet fields, Z9-14:Ac alone produced some trap catch. Addition of Z9-14: OH did not increase catch while addition of Z11-16:Ac eliminated catch, but addition of both Z9-14:OH and Z11-16: Ac increased catch sevenfold. A combination of Z9-14: OH and Z11-16: Ac without Z9-14: Ac did not produce trap catch. A lure of 200 µg Z9-14:Ac+16 µg Z9-14:OH+42 µg Z11-16:Ac is suggested for use in monitoring traps.

Response of male codling moths (Cydia pomonella) to components of conspecific female sex pheromone glands in flight tunnel tests.

In flight tunnel tests, the percentages of oriented upwind flights of male codling moths culminating in contacting a source of different compositions of female sex pheromone gland components were determined over a dosage range of 0.1-100,000Μg. The following compositions were tested: (1) (E,E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol of 99.7% isomeric purity; (2) 1 + dodecanl-ol + tetradecan-1-ol; (3) 2 + decan-1-ol + (E)-9-dodecen-1-ol; and (4) an equilibrium mixture of 8,10-dodecadien-1-ol isomers (61%EE, 5%ZZ, 14%ZE, and 20%EZ). The ratios of the components in compositions 2 and 3 were chosen to produce vapor ratios equal to the natural ratios found in the female effluvium by Arn and coworkers. As the dose of composition 1 was increased from 0.1 to 10Μg, response increased from 0 to about 80% and then was approximately constant from 10 to 300Μg. Over the range 0.1-300Μg, the percentage of males contacting the septum was virtually the same as the percentage flying upwind. From 300 to 100,000Μg, the percentage of males flying upwind and contacting the source steadily decreased from about 80 to 0%. The male responses to compositions 2 and 3 were virtually identical to the response to 1. These results indicate, contrary to published reports, that dodecan-1-ol and tetradecan-1-ol in combination with 1 do not increase the responses of the behavioral modes determining degree of attractancy and disruption of sexual communication over that of 1 alone. These results also show that decan-1-ol and (E)-9-dodecen-1-ol do not enhance response in the five-component mixture. The response to composition 4 increased from 0% at a dose of 0.3Μg to 26% at a dose of 30Μg and then decreased to 0% at a dose of 3000Μg. Thus, the inhibiting effect of the isomers on response was greater at the higher doses.

Mint root borer,Fumibotys fumalis (Guenee): Identification and field tests of female sex pheromone gland components.

Compounds identified in sex pheromone gland extracts of femaleFumibotys fumalis (Guenee) consisted of (E,E)-10,12-tetradecadienyi acetate, (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate in a ratio of 100:18: 8:4, respectively. The compounds were identified by electroantennographic, gas Chromatographic, mass spectrometric, and chemical derivatization procedures. In mint fields synthetic components in gray elastomeric septa at ratios found in the sex pheromone gland and at doses of 3 or 10 mg of the diene produced trap catch comparable to traps baited with three females.

Apple ermine moth,Yponomeuta malinellus Zeller Two components of female sex pheromone gland highly effective in field trapping tests.

When electroantennographic responses of maleYponomeuta malinellus Zeller to model compounds were determined at dosages of 0.3-30 ng, the strongest responses were obtained from (Z)-9-dodecen-1-ol acetate (Z9-12∶Ac). Also, strong responses were obtained from (Z)-11-tetradecenal (Z11-14∶A1) and (Z)-11-tetradecen-1-ol (Zl1-14∶OH). At a dosage of 0.3 ng,Z11-14∶A1 produced a stronger response thanZ11-14∶OH, while at a dosage of 30 ng,Z11-14∶OH andZ11-14∶A1 produced equal responses. Gas chromatographic and mass spectral analysis of extracts of female sex pheromone glands showed the presence ofZ9-12∶Ac, tetradecan-1-ol (14∶OH), (E)-11-tetradecen-1-ol (E11-14∶OH),Z11-14∶OH, hexadecan-1-ol, and hexadecan-1-ol acetate in a ratio of 0.6∶200∶37∶100∶140∶35. In field tests,Z9-12∶Ac andZ11-14∶OH together were required for trap catch, and addition ofZ11-14∶A1,E11-14∶OH, 14∶OH, or (Z)-11-tetradecen-1-ol acetate did not increase catch. Ratios in rubber septa of 0.5∶99.5 to 1.5∶98.5 (Z9-12∶ Ac/Z11-14∶OH) captured the most males and captures were statistically equivalent for dosages of 10-1000 µg/rubber septum. Traps baited with the synthetic lure produced better catches than those baited with females.