Infectious canine hepatitis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in wildlife rescue centres in the UK.

Outbreaks of infectious canine hepatitis are described in red foxes ( ITALIC! Vulpes vulpes) at two wildlife rescue centres in the UK. Disease occurred in two-month-old to four-month-old juvenile foxes, which were held in small enclosures in groups of three to eight animals. The foxes died or were euthanased after a short clinical course, sometimes including neurological signs and jaundice, with a high case fatality rate. Four red foxes submitted for postmortem examination had enlarged, congested livers, with rounded borders and mild accentuation of the lobular pattern. On histological examination, there was random, multifocal to massive hepatic necrosis, along with multifocal vasculitis in the central nervous system (CNS) and mild, multifocal glomerulonephritis. Intranuclear inclusion bodies, typical of canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) infection, were present in hepatocytes, vascular endothelial cells in the CNS, renal glomeruli and renal tubular epithelial cells. CAV-1 was detected in tissues from affected foxes by PCR and sequencing. Congregation of juvenile foxes in wildlife rescue centres is likely to be a risk factor for transmission of CAV-1. Preventive measures in wildlife centres should be implemented to prevent the spread of the virus among conspecifics and to other susceptible species.

El inexorable avance de la Leishmaniasis: Comunicación del primer caso autóctono en la Provincia de Córdoba / O Avanço Inexorável Da Leishmaniose: Comunicação Do Primeiro Caso Autóctone Na Província De Córdoba / The Relentless Progress Of Leishmaniasis: Report Of The First Autochthonous Case In The Province Of Cordoba

El objetivo del presente trabajo es la comunicación del primer caso de leishmaniasis cutánea (LC) en laprovincia de Córdoba, en el mes de Noviembre del año 2014. No existen reportes anteriores de casosautóctonos en el territorio provincial. El equipo de trabajo de la Cátedra de Parasitología y MicologíaMédicas, FCM, UNC, viene advirtiendo sobre los efectos del calentamiento global para la saludpública, hecho que favorece el avance de la frontera epidemiológica de enfermedades transmitidas porvectores - la leishmaniasis es un ejemplo de estaafirmación-. La zoonosis se ha diagnosticado en unpaciente de Unquillo, localidad serrana, distante pocomás de 20 km de la capital de Córdoba, Argentina. Eldiagnóstico ha sido corroborado mediante biopsias detejido, de manera indubitable a través de la observacióndel parásito. La deforestación para las explotaciones agrícolas, producción de madera, la generaciónde barrios cerrados en la periferia de las ciudades, las migraciones humanas provenientesde áreas endémicas y el aumento global de la temperatura son los factores que favorecenlas nuevas radicaciones de esta patología.8 Esta enfermedad tiene alto impacto sanitarioy su vector debe ser combatida a través de programas sanitarios permanentes. La LC estáampliamente distribuida en América y hay representaciones desde la época precolombinaen cerámicas y huacos antropomórfi cos con lesiones propias de esta patología.1, 7, 8 Elagente etiológico es un parásito transmitido por un pequeño insecto –Lutzomya.- produceúlceras crónicas y mutilaciones por destrucción de cartílagos nasales y laríngeos. Entendemosprioritario informar la emergencia de de la enfermedad, generar las conductaspreventivas, de promoción de salud y poner al corriente a todo el equipo de salud de supresencia en nuestro medio...

The objective of this work is to report the fi rst case of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in theprovince of Cordoba, in the month of November, 2014. There are no previous reports ofautochthonous cases in the province. The work team from the Chair of Medical Parasitologyand Mycology. School of Medicine, National University of Cordoba, has been raisingwarning fl ags regarding the effects of global warming on public health, since it stimulatesthe advance of the epidemiologic boundary of vector transmitted diseases; leishmaniasisis an example of this statement. This zoonosis has been diagnosed in a patient from Unquillo,a mountainous region, little more than 20 km away from the capital of Cordoba,Argentina. The diagnosis has been checked with tissue biopsies, undoubtedly throughparasite observation.Deforestation for agriculture and wood production, the generation of closed neighborhoodsin the surroundings of cities, the migration of people coming from endemic areasand the global increase of temperatures are the factors which favor the new settlements ofthis pathology.8 This disease has a great impact on health and its vector has to be foughtagainst through permanent health programs. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is greatly spread inAmerica and representations can be found since pre-Columbian times in pottery and anthropomorphichuacos showing lesions corresponding to this pathology.1, 7, 8 The etiologicagent is a parasite transmitted by a small insect, Lutzomyia; it produces chronic ulcers andmutilation due to the destruction of nose and larynx cartilages. It is a priority to informabout the emergency of the disease, generate preventive actions of health promotion andlet all the health team know about the existence of the disease in our setting...

Immunoblotting for the serodiagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis in alive and dead Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber).

A novel species-specific anti-beaver-IgG-alkaline-phosphatase conjugate was synthesized for the development of a new serological test for echinococcosis in beavers. Two different ELISAs conventionally used for human Echinococcus multilocularis serology (Em18-ELISA and Em2-ELISA) yielded diagnostic sensitivities of 0% and 46%, respectively. In contrast, the subsequently developed immunoblotting assay gave an 85% diagnostic sensitivity (11 out of 13 beavers with alveolar echinococcosis were immunoblotting-positive, i.e. showed reactivity with a specific 21 Mr band), and maximal specificity. In conclusion, this immunoblotting assay should be the method of choice for use in serological studies on E. multilocularis in Eurasian beavers, and the test proved suitable to investigate both animals alive and post-mortem.

Determinación de anticuerpos IGG anti-toxocara canis en estudiantes de Medicina / Determination of igg antibodies anti-toxocara canis in medical students

La Toxocariasis en una infección causada por el estadio larval de un nematodo del género Toxocara (con más frecuencia T. canis y rara vez T. cati), y es adquirida por ingestión de tierra y alimentos contaminados con huevos embrionados de dicho parásito provenientes de materia fecal animal. El objetivo fue determinar si la presencia del perro y el contacto frecuente con él representa un riesgo mayor para la infección en poblaciones sanas sin manifestaciones de síntomas clínicos de la enfermedad. Método: mediante el método de ELISA se determinaron los niveles de anticuerpos contra Toxocara canis, en dos poblaciones, una poseedora de perro (183 alumnos del tercer año de la carrera de medicina, de entre 21 y 23 años de edad, provenientes de todo el país, presentados voluntariamente para el estudio, con perro como mascota) y otra testigo (30 individuos aspirantes a policías, de entre 20 a 25 años de edad, que no poseen perro como mascota). Resultados: de las 183 muestras analizadas de la primera población (estudiantes de medicina), 25 resultaron positivas, lo que demuestra una prevalencia del 13,67 %. En los no poseedores de perro la prevalencia fue del 3,33 %. Conclusiones: si bien el porcentaje de positividad en ambas poblaciones fue bajo, se puede apreciar una mayor prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Toxocara canis en los alumnos de medicina, lo que sugiere que el contacto permanente con el animal favorece la infección parasitaria. Por lo tanto, es de suma importancia educar a la población en cuanto al cuidado y control veterinario de su mascota, y extremar las medidas de higiene para evitar la propagación de ésta y otras parasitosis.

Toxocariasis in an infection caused by the larval stage of a nematode parasite, the Toxocara (T. canis more often and T. cati ,rarely), and it is acquired by ingestion of contaminated dirt or food by embryonated eggs of the parasite coming from animal feces. The aim was to determine whether the presence of a dog and frequent contact with it imply a greater risk for infection in healthy populations without evidence of clinical symptoms of the disease. Method: Using ELISA method, the levels of antibodies against Toxocara canis were determined in two populations: a group of dog owners (183 students in the third year of medical school, between 21 and 23 years old, from different areas of the country who voluntarily submitted for the study, with a dog as a pet) and a control group (30 would-be policemen, aged 20-25, who do not own a pet dog). Results: Out of the 183 samples analyzed from the first population (medical students), 25 were positive, showing a prevalence of 13.67%. In the population with no dogs, the prevalence was 3.33%. Conclusions: Although the percentage of positivity in both populations was low, a higher prevalence of Toxocara canis antibodies can be seen in the medical students, suggesting that contact with the animal favors parasitic infection. Therefore, it is extremely important to educate the population as regards care and veterinary control of pets, and to maximize hygiene measures to prevent the spread of this and other parasites.

Determinación de anticuerpos IGG anti-toxocara canis en estudiantes de Medicina / Determination of igg antibodies anti-toxocara canis in medical students

La Toxocariasis en una infección causada por el estadio larval de un nematodo del género Toxocara (con más frecuencia T. canis y rara vez T. cati), y es adquirida por ingestión de tierra y alimentos contaminados con huevos embrionados de dicho parásito provenientes de materia fecal animal. El objetivo fue determinar si la presencia del perro y el contacto frecuente con él representa un riesgo mayor para la infección en poblaciones sanas sin manifestaciones de síntomas clínicos de la enfermedad. Método: mediante el método de ELISA se determinaron los niveles de anticuerpos contra Toxocara canis, en dos poblaciones, una poseedora de perro (183 alumnos del tercer año de la carrera de medicina, de entre 21 y 23 años de edad, provenientes de todo el país, presentados voluntariamente para el estudio, con perro como mascota) y otra testigo (30 individuos aspirantes a policías, de entre 20 a 25 años de edad, que no poseen perro como mascota). Resultados: de las 183 muestras analizadas de la primera población (estudiantes de medicina), 25 resultaron positivas, lo que demuestra una prevalencia del 13,67 %. En los no poseedores de perro la prevalencia fue del 3,33 %. Conclusiones: si bien el porcentaje de positividad en ambas poblaciones fue bajo, se puede apreciar una mayor prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Toxocara canis en los alumnos de medicina, lo que sugiere que el contacto permanente con el animal favorece la infección parasitaria. Por lo tanto, es de suma importancia educar a la población en cuanto al cuidado y control veterinario de su mascota, y extremar las medidas de higiene para evitar la propagación de ésta y otras parasitosis.(AU)

Toxocariasis in an infection caused by the larval stage of a nematode parasite, the Toxocara (T. canis more often and T. cati ,rarely), and it is acquired by ingestion of contaminated dirt or food by embryonated eggs of the parasite coming from animal feces. The aim was to determine whether the presence of a dog and frequent contact with it imply a greater risk for infection in healthy populations without evidence of clinical symptoms of the disease. Method: Using ELISA method, the levels of antibodies against Toxocara canis were determined in two populations: a group of dog owners (183 students in the third year of medical school, between 21 and 23 years old, from different areas of the country who voluntarily submitted for the study, with a dog as a pet) and a control group (30 would-be policemen, aged 20-25, who do not own a pet dog). Results: Out of the 183 samples analyzed from the first population (medical students), 25 were positive, showing a prevalence of 13.67%. In the population with no dogs, the prevalence was 3.33%. Conclusions: Although the percentage of positivity in both populations was low, a higher prevalence of Toxocara canis antibodies can be seen in the medical students, suggesting that contact with the animal favors parasitic infection. Therefore, it is extremely important to educate the population as regards care and veterinary control of pets, and to maximize hygiene measures to prevent the spread of this and other parasites.(AU)

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy under field conditions in Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) rescued from illegal bile farming in Vietnam.

Nine adult Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) previously rescued from illegal bile farming in Vietnam were examined via abdominal ultrasound and exploratory laparoscopy for liver and gall bladder pathology. Three bears demonstrated notable gall bladder pathology, and minimally invasive cholecystectomies were performed using an open laparoscopic access approach, standard 10 to 12 mmHg carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum and a four-port technique. A single bear required insertion of an additional 5 mm port and use of a flexible liver retractor due to the presence of extensive adhesions between the gall bladder and quadrate and left and right medial liver lobes. The cystic duct was dissected free and this and the cystic artery were ligated by means of extracorporeal tied Meltzer knot sutures. The gall bladder was dissected free of the liver by blunt and sharp dissection, aided by 3.8 MHz monopolar radiosurgery. Bears that have had open abdominal cholecystectomies are reported as taking four to six weeks before a return to normal activity postoperatively. In contrast, these bears demonstrated rapid unremarkable healing, and were allowed unrestricted access to outside enclosures to climb trees, swim and interact normally with other bears within seven days of surgery.

Severe necrotizing myocarditis caused by serratia marcescens infection in an axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum).

This report provides the first account of the pathological changes associated with infection by Serratia marcescens in an adult male axolotl. The infection resulted in septicaemia with severe multifocal necrotizing myocarditis. The latter lesion evolved to cardiac rupture, haemopericardium and death resulting from cardiac tamponade. This animal was exposed to higher than usual temperatures (24-25 °C) 2 weeks before the onset of disease and this may have resulted in immunocompromise and opportunistic bacterial infection. S. marcescens was isolated from the coelomic and pericardial cavity. Both isolates were identical and were resistant to ß-lactam antibiotics, but not to aminoglycosides or fluoroquinolones. The production of red prodigiosin pigment by the bacterium suggested an environmental origin. Overall, the clinical and histopathological presentation suggests that S. marcescens should be included in the list of aetiological agents of the 'red-leg'/bacterial dermatosepticaemia syndrome of amphibians.

Postmortem Evaluation of Left Flank Laparoscopic Access in an Adult Female Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis).

There are still few reports of laparoscopy in megavertebrates. The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is the tallest land mammal, and the largest ruminant species. An 18-year-old multiparous female hybrid giraffe, weighing 650 kg, was euthanized for chronic health problems, and left flank laparoscopy was performed less than 30 minutes after death. Safe primary access was achieved under visualisation using an optical bladed trocar (Visiport Plus, Tyco healthcare UK Ltd) without prior abdominal insufflation. A left paralumbar fossa approach allowed access to the spleen, rumen, left kidney, and intestines, but did not allow access to the reproductive tract which in nongravid females is intrapelvic in nature.

A cultured human neural network operates a robotic actuator.

The development of bio-electronic prostheses, hybrid human-electronics devices and bionic robots has been the aim of many researchers. Although neurophysiologic processes have been widely investigated and bio-electronics has developed rapidly, the dynamics of a biological neuronal network that receive sensory inputs, store and control information is not yet understood. Toward this end, we have taken an interdisciplinary approach to study the learning and response of biological neural networks to complex stimulation patterns. This paper describes the design, execution, and results of several experiments performed in order to investigate the behavior of complex interconnected structures found in biological neural networks. The experimental design consisted of biological human neurons stimulated by parallel signal patterns intended to simulate complex perceptions. The response patterns were analyzed with an innovative artificial neural network (ANN), called ITSOM (Inductive Tracing Self Organizing Map). This system allowed us to decode the complex neural responses from a mixture of different stimulations and learned memory patterns inherent in the cell colonies. In the experiment described in this work, neurons derived from human neural stem cells were connected to a robotic actuator through the ANN analyzer to demonstrate our ability to produce useful control from simulated perceptions stimulating the cells. Preliminary results showed that in vitro human neuron colonies can learn to reply selectively to different stimulation patterns and that response signals can effectively be decoded to operate a minirobot. Lastly the fascinating performance of the hybrid system is evaluated quantitatively and potential future work is discussed.

Learning in human neural networks on microelectrode arrays.

This paper describes experiments involving the growth of human neural networks of stem cells on a MEA (microelectrode array) support. The microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are constituted by a glass support in which a set of tungsten electrodes are inserted. The artificial neural network (ANN) paradigm was used by stimulating the neurons in parallel with digital patterns distributed on eight channels, then by analyzing a parallel multichannel output. In particular, the microelectrodes were connected following two different architectures, one inspired by the Kohonen's SOM, the other by the Hopfield network. The output signals have been analyzed in order to evaluate the possibility of organized reactions by the natural neurons.f The results show that the network of human neurons reacts selectively to the subministered digital signals, i.e., it produces similar output signals referred to identical or similar patterns, and clearly differentiates the outputs coming from different stimulations. Analyses performed with a special artificial neural network called ITSOM show the possibility to codify the neural responses to different patterns, thus to interpret the signals coming from the network of biological neurons, assigning a code to each output. It is straightforward to verify that identical codes are generated by the neural reactions to similar patterns. Further experiments are to be designed that improve the hybrid neural networks' capabilities and to test the possibility of utilizing the organized answers of the neurons in several ways.

In-vitro study of the synergy between beta-lactam antibiotics and glycopeptides against enterococci.

The synergy between glycopeptides and beta-lactams was studied using different techniques such as broth macrodilution, killing curves and agar dilution combined with agar diffusion. Two glycopeptide-resistant enterococci isolated from different clinical samples were used. Results showed different effects with significant changes in MICs. Antibacterial activity was related to the concentration of glycopeptide and beta-lactam for Enterococcus faecalis 8253, while for Enterococcus faecium 8072 a paradoxical effect was observed. With this strain, the best synergic effect was detected at teicoplanin concentrations of 1-4 mg/L, but antibacterial activity was reduced at concentrations of 8, 16 and 32 mg/L. No synergic effect was observed with vancomycin. The combination of agar dilution with agar diffusion techniques may constitute a simple method for routine detection of synergic effects between glycopeptides and beta-lactams.

Clinical applications of an ATM/Ethernet network in departments of neuroradiology and radiotherapy.

An integrated system for the multimedia management of images and clinical information has been developed at the Isituto Nazionale Neurologico C. Besta in Milan. The Institute physicians have the daily need of consulting images coming from various modalities. The high volume of archived material and the need of retrieving and displaying new and past images and clinical information has motivated the development of a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) for the automatic management of images and clinical data, related not only to the Radiology Department, but also to the Radiotherapy Department for 3D virtual simulation, to remote teleconsulting, and in the following to all the wards, ambulatories and labs.

Monoclonal antibodies against antigens exposed on the surface of vegetative forms and spores of Myxococcus virescens.

Twelve monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against cell-surface antigens of Myxococcus virescens cells were developed and partially characterized. All of them recognized multiple, diffuse proteic bands in Western blot and four were also reactive to living bacteria, as assessed by flow cytometry. The four latter mAbs recognized antigens common to a number of vegetative forms and spores. The selective expression of proteins recognized by mAbs on the microorganisms and the possible applications of mAbs to the study of myxobacterial cell interaction are discussed.