Characterisation of a refined rat model of respiratory infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the effect of ciprofloxacin.

BACKGROUND: We sought to characterise a refined rat model of respiratory infection with P. aeruginosa over an acute time course and test the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. METHODS: Agar beads were prepared ± SPAN(®)80. Rats were inoculated with sterile agar beads or those containing 10(5) colony forming units (cfu) P. aeruginosa via intra-tracheal dosing. Bacterial load and inflammatory parameters were measured. RESULTS: Differing concentrations of SPAN(®) 80 modified median agar bead diameter and reduced particle size distribution. Beads prepared with 0.01% v/v SPAN(®)80 were evaluated in vivo. A stable lung infection up to 7 days post infection was achieved and induced BALF neutrophilia 2 and 5 days post infection. Ciprofloxacin (50mg/kg) significantly attenuated infection without affecting the inflammatory parameters measured. CONCLUSION: SPAN(®) 80 can control the particle size and lung distribution of agar beads and P. aeruginosa-embedded beads prepared with 0.01%v/v SPAN(®)80 can induce infection and inflammation over 7 days.

Leucoencephalopathy with cerebral calcinosis in a young chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) - a case report.

CASE HISTORY: A 4-year-old chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) had a clinical history of a 2-year progressive central nervous dysfunction including convulsions and severe paralysis. RESULTS: Gross pathology revealed cerebral atrophy, ventricular enlargement and a severe encephalomalacia with extensive calcifications. Histologically, the white matter showed diffuse demyelination as well as vascular and perivascular calcifications which also involved the basal ganglia. Blood vessels with less distinctive calcium deposits exhibited periodic acid Schiff positive hyalinosis. Large areas of necrosis, hemorrhage and intense gliosis were also present. Activation of astrocytes and macrophages was confirmed by immunohistochemical methods. CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of the leucoencepalopathy could not be ascertained by macroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical examinations. Potential differential diagnoses include the rarely occurring Fahr's disease in humans, arteriosclerosis, storage disease and the Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Based on the results of the postmortal examinations Fahr's disease is regarded as the most likely diagnosis in the present case of the chimpanzee.

Leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum in a FIV and FelV positive cat with a squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed with histological, serological and isoenzymatic methods.

Leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is an endemic zoonosis present in the Mediterranean area. Canidae (dog and fox) constitute the main reservoir hosts for the parasite, whilst wild rodents or the cat can be carriers of the protozoan and are considered as secondary potential reservoirs. This paper describes a case of disseminated feline leishmaniosis with cutaneous (ulcerative), visceral (spleen and lymph nodes) and blood involvement in a FIV-FelV positive cat. The microscopic identification of the Leishmania infection was initially made on a skin biopsy of the temporal area, where a squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed. The diagnosis of the disease was achieved by several serological techniques (ELISA, IFAT and Western-blot). The strain was obtained by blood culture, characterized by electrophoresis of isoenzymes and identified as Leishmania infantum zymodeme MON-1. Since the infection due to L. infantum is a zoonosis, the potential feline reservoir should be more investigated. Serological analysis by Western blot on domestic cats provides a useful tool. In veterinary practice, feline leishmaniosis should be systematically included in the differential diagnosis when compatible cutaneous lesions are present, especially in the endemic areas of canine leishmaniosis.