Association of a Pasteurella haemolytica-like organism with enteritis in swine.

A Pasteurella haemolytica-like organism was isolated from the intestines of 28 swine with clinical, gross, or microscopic evidence of enteritis. In 15 cases, other known enteric pathogens were also demonstrated, and in 13 cases, no other pathogens were detected. The mean age of affected animals was 44 days. Most of the animals had clinical evidence of diarrhea. Gross enteric lesions were present in 17 of 21 cases. Microscopic lesions were present in 24 of 26 cases. A diffuse or segmental moderate to severe necrotizing enteritis was the most common lesion in cases in which only the Pasteurella haemolytica-like organism was isolated. Biochemical tests gave results consistent with Pasteurella haemolytica, and 5 of 15 isolates met criteria for biotype A. Negative results were found with an indirect haemagglutination procedure for P. haemolytica.

An Eperythrozoon-like parasite in llamas.

An Eperythrozoon-like RBC parasite was found in a herd of llamas in western Kentucky. The light microscopic and electron microscopic features of the organism were similar to those of E suis. Results of an indirect hemagglutination test for E suis were positive with sera from some parasitemic and nonparasitemic llamas. Parasitemic llamas were usually less than 1 year old and had more severe clinical signs of disease than did older llamas. Poor weight gain and growth, anorexia, and prolonged recumbency were the principal signs of disease. Anemia was usually mild and not accompanied by icterus. Hypoglycemia was associated with parasitemia. Some response to oral or parenteral treatment with tetracycline was noticed, but recrudescence of the infection in some treated llamas was observed. Llamas in nearly every region of the United States have had titers in approximately 12% of samples tested, suggesting that infection with the organism may be widespread. Parasitemic llamas have been recognized in at least 8 states.

Equine vitreous humor chemical concentrations: correlation with serum concentrations, and postmortem changes with time and temperature.

Samples of equine vitreous humor were analyzed for urea nitrogen, creatinine, sodium, chloride, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and magnesium concentrations. Fresh vitreous chemical concentrations were compared to corresponding serum concentrations and expressed as a vitreous to serum ratio. The effects of postmortem time and temperature on the stability of the chemical concentrations were determined by incubation of the samples at 4 degrees C, and 20 degrees C and 37 degrees C for 6, 12, 24, or 48 h. Chemical concentrations were generally more stable at lower temperatures and shorter incubation times.

Chemical analysis of bovine and porcine vitreous humors: correlation of normal values with serum chemical values and changes with time and temperature.

Vitreous humors collected from cattle and swine at time of death were compared with serum samples collected before these animals were slaughtered to determine whether vitreous chemical constituents were stable after death occurred. Vitreous humor from 1 eye and serum were obtained from each of 120 cattle and 120 swine at slaughter. The second eye from each animal was enucleated and incubated at 4 C, 20 C, and 37 C for 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours, and then vitreous humor was obtained from the incubated eye. Serum and the fresh and incubated vitreous samples were analyzed for urea nitrogen, creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and phosphorus concentrations. In the incubated vitreous sample, stability varied for urea nitrogen, creatinine, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride concentrations, but the values were generally more stable with samples incubated at lower temperatures and for shorter incubation periods. Potassium and phosphorus concentrations increased with time and temperature of incubation of the samples.

Thyroid hormone levels in foals with congenital musculoskeletal lesions.

Fourteen foals with congenital or neonatal musculoskeletal abnormalities are described. Ten of the fourteen foals had abnormally low total serum T(3) and/or T(4) concentrations suggesting hypothyroidism. Response to thyroid-stimulating hormone was determined in two foals and found to be poor. Seven of the foals were necropsied and six of these had histological evidence of thyroid hyperplasia. These findings suggest hypothyroidism as a cause of congenital musculoskeletal lesions.