Cutaneous neoplasms in pet rabbits: a retrospective study.

Over a 16-year period, 190 tumors and tumorlike lesions from 179 pet rabbits were submitted for histopathologic examination. A total of 23 different tumor types and 1 tumorlike lesion were diagnosed. The most common diagnoses were trichoblastoma, collagenous hamartoma, and Shope fibroma. Viral-induced tumors were Shope fibroma (19) and Shope papilloma (2). Common nonviral epithelial tumors included trichoblastoma (59), squamous cell carcinoma (5), squamous papilloma (4), trichoepithelioma (3), and apocrine carcinoma (3). Common mesenchymal tumors were lipoma (10), liposarcoma (3), myxosarcoma (9), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (8), fibrosarcoma (7), and leiomyosarcoma (4). Malignant melanoma was diagnosed in 8 rabbits. Collagenous hamartomas were diagnosed in 26 rabbits. Mesenchymal proliferations occurred significantly more often in male rabbits than in females. Collagenous hamartomas and myxosarcomas occurred exclusively in male animals, and 3 rabbits had multiple collagenous hamartomas. Immunohistochemistry was applied in cases in which a definite diagnosis could not be reached on hematoxylin and eosin slides. Follow-up information was received in 19 cases. Carcinomas recurred (2 of 3) or metastasized (1 of 3), whereas sarcomas frequently recurred (7 of 12). One malignant melanoma (1 of 3) and one poorly differentiated round cell neoplasm recurred (1 of 1). This is the first comprehensive retrospective analysis on skin neoplasia in pet rabbits.

Assessment of stress response of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Different aspects of stress response of Lactobacillus acidophilus were investigated. First, the sublethal and lethal levels of bile, heat, and NaCl stresses were determined. They were 0.05% and 0.5% (bile), 53 degrees C and 60 degrees C (heat), and 2% and 18% (NaCl), respectively. To evaluate the effect of each stress at log phase, log-phase cultures were challenged directly with the lethal level of each stress (control) and were compared to log-phase cultures that were pre-exposed to the sublethal level prior to the exposure at the lethal level (test). Some, if not most, of the cells were killed in the control cultures against each of the three stresses. However, in the test cultures, the number of cells that had survived increased significantly. It appears that L. acidophilus is capable of displaying adaptive response to stress. The adaptive response to one stress was also shown to provide cross-protection against different stresses tested. The effect of each stress on stationary-phase cultures was also investigated. In contrast to log-phase culture, stationary-phase culture was inherently resistant to stress.

Lack of compliance with influenza immunization for caretakers of neonatal intensive care unit patients.

BACKGROUND: Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics have recommended influenza immunizations for neonatal intensive care unit staff. Compliance rates for influenza immunization among neonatal intensive care unit staff have not yet been reported. METHODS: To determine both the rates and the associated factors for compliance between 1990 and 1993 among neonatal intensive care unit nursing staff, interviews were conducted at three Hartford area hospitals by means of a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Compliance rates at the three hospitals were 15% in 1990 to 1991, 20% in 1991 to 1992, and 17% in 1992 to 1993 (89% sampling of all nurses with direct patient care). Sixty-three percent were not immunized between 1991 and 1993, 26% were vaccinated once, 9% were vaccinated twice, and 2% were vaccinated three times within the 3-year period. Convictions regarding vaccine safety and effectiveness, concern about getting influenza, and awareness of national recommendations for annual influenza immunization were shown to be associated with vaccination compliance. Concern over exposing neonates, peer influence, pain from injection, and previous adverse reaction were not statistically significant factors differentiating compliers from noncompliers. CONCLUSIONS: There is a poor acceptance of the influenza vaccine among our neonatal intensive care unit nursing staff. Educational and research efforts directed toward influenza risks among neonates and vaccine safety and effectiveness, along with incentives to comply, may improve compliance rates.

Surveillance for influenza in a newborn intensive care unit.

Although influenza may cause fatal neonatal infections, the current prevalence of disease in newborn intensive care units (NICU) is unknown. Furthermore, because compliance of NICU staff with annual influenza immunization is poor, absence of antibody may provide an indication of influenza susceptibility for neonatal patients and staff. We studied our NICU staff and patients during the winter of 1992-93 to determine seroprevalence of influenza antibody and attempted to document infection serologically or by culture in symptomatic staff and by culture in neonatal patients. Before the influenza season commenced or at birth (using cord blood), antibody to influenza A was absent in 9% (4/43) of the staff and 11% (9/83) of the neonatal patients. Antibody to influenza B was absent in 26% (11/43) of the staff and in 37% (31/83) of the neonates. We were able to document influenza serologically in only one nurse during the study. None of our staff or patients had positive cultures; however, we demonstrated a susceptible population of both staff and particularly neonates who need protection. There were study limitations of sampling and a low incidence of influenza in Connecticut for 1993. Nevertheless, continuing surveillance for influenza in NICUs could provide a more rational basis for immunization and prevention practices.

Sonographic evaluation of mesenteric and omental masses in children.

Masses in the mesenteries and omentum are often difficult to diagnose by conventional radiographic techniques. Gray scale sonography was a valuable adjunct to radiographic vector analysis in four children with such masses. Masses that are clearly separable from the liver and spleen and do not distort identifiable extraperitoneal structures are probably intraperitoneal. In children most cystic intraperitoneal masses are related to the mesenteries, omentum, ovary, or bile ducts. An anterior fluid collection with internal septa (which might be mistaken for loculated ascites) is the typical sonographic appearance of an omental cyst. Echogenic masses are more difficult to evaluate: careful study of the acoustical features yielded important information in cases of omental lipoma and rhabdomyosarcoma metastatic to the mesenteries and omentum.

Lung uptake of colloid during liver-spleen scanning: a normal finding in children.

Sixteen (44%) of 36 normal children were observed to have faint lung uptake during liver-spleen scanning with 99mTc sulfur colloid from a commercially available kit. Visible radioactivity in the lungs of children during liver-spleen scanning should not be considered an abnormal finding.