Immunohistochemical Expression of Keratins in Normal Ovine Skin and in Chronic Dermatitis due to Sarcoptes scabiei.

Hyperproliferation of epidermal keratinocytes is a major histopathological feature of chronic Sarcoptes scabiei dermatitis. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of several keratins in scabietic dermatitis in sheep and in the skin of healthy sheep, using a panel of commercially available anti-human antibodies for keratins. Keratins AE1/AE3 and 34BE12 were expressed in all epithelial structures in healthy skin. Keratin MNF116 was expressed in the stratum basale and in the three lowest layers of the stratum spinosum, in follicular epithelium and in apocrine glands. Keratin K5/6 expression was seen in the stratum basale, in the two lowest cell layers of the stratum spinosum, in the outer root sheath of hair follicles and in myoepithelial cells of apocrine glands. K14 expression was observed in the stratum basale, in locally extensive regions of the two lowest cell layers of the stratum spinosum, in the outer root sheath of hair follicles and in sebaceous glands. Immunolabelling of K19 antigen was confined to apocrine glands. In scabietic skin, immunolabelling of keratin 34BE12 was seen in all layers of hyperplastic stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum but was restricted to some locally extensive regions in hyperkeratotic and parakeratotic stratum corneum. Keratin MNF116 was widely labelled in all layers of hyperplastic stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum. There was expansive labelling of K5/6 keratin in all layers of hyperplastic stratum spinosum and in locally extensive regions of stratum granulosum, as well as in hyperkeratotic or parakeratotic stratum corneum. Expansive labelling of K14 keratin was detected in all layers of hyperplastic stratum spinosum and in the layers of the hyperplastic stratum granulosum. K5/6 and K14 keratins were also labelled in the inner root sheath of occasional hair follicles.

High-frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy of the normal canine haired skin.

BACKGROUND: The ultrasonographic appearance of the normal canine haired skin examined using high-frequency ultrasonography has not been described. HYPOSTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To describe the echogenicity of normal canine haired skin using high-frequency (50 MHz) ultrasonography and to compare ultrasonographic with histological measurements of skin thickness using snap-frozen tissue biopsy samples. ANIMALS: Ten normal healthy beagle dogs. METHODS: Ultrasonographic examination was performed on eight cutaneous sites by use of a 50 MHz polyvinylidene difluoride transducer. The skin echogenicity was evaluated, and the mean of 10 skin thickness measurements was calculated. Ultrasonography results were compared with histological findings of skin cryosections stained with haematoxylin and eosin, as well as with histometric measurements of skin thickness. Differences in the ultrasonographic and histological measurements among biopsy sites, age and sex of the animals were also examined. RESULTS: The skin layers and hair follicles could be identified with high-frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy in all eight examination sites of all 10 dogs. There was a highly significant, positive association between the ultrasonographic and histological measurements (P < 0.001) of skin thickness. For both ultrasonographic and histological skin thickness measurements, there were no statistically significant differences between sex, age or among the different examination sites. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Cutaneous ultrasound biomicroscopy using a 50 MHz transducer is a useful tool for the following applications: (i) to identify the skin layers (including the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous fat); (ii) to demonstrate the hair follicles in various areas of the haired skin; and (iii) to measure the thickness of normal canine skin accurately.

West Nile virus state of the art report of MALWEST Project.

During the last three years Greece is experiencing the emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) epidemics. Within this framework, an integrated surveillance and control programme (MALWEST project) with thirteen associate partners was launched aiming to investigate the disease and suggest appropriate interventions. One out of seven work packages of the project is dedicated to the State of the Art report for WNV. Three expert working groups on humans, animals and mosquitoes were established. Medical databases (PubMed, Scopus) were searched together with websites: e.g., WHO, CDC, ECDC. In total, 1,092 relevant articles were initially identified and 258 of them were finally included as references regarding the current knowledge about WNV, along with 36 additional sources (conference papers, reports, book chapters). The review is divided in three sections according to the fields of interest: (1) WNV in humans (epidemiology, molecular characteristics, transmission, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, surveillance); (2) WNV in animals (epidemiological and transmission characteristics concerning birds, horses, reptiles and other animal species) and (3) WNV in mosquitoes (control, surveillance). Finally, some examples of integrated surveillance programmes are presented. The introduction and establishment of the disease in Greece and other European countries further emphasizes the need for thorough research and broadening of our knowledge on this viral pathogen.

European brown hare syndrome in wild European brown hares from Greece.

From 1999 to mid-2003, 97 European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) found dead throughout Greece were examined by necropsy, histopathology, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the presence of European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) and EBHS virus (EBHSV), respectively. Hare losses were sporadic, starting in the cold season and lasting for many months (December to May). The most prominent gross lesions were observed in the liver and included swelling and discoloration; congestion and hemorrhages were present mainly in lungs and tracheal mucosa. Necropsy findings were suggestive of EBHS, which was confirmed by histopathology and RT-PCR. This study documents, for the first time, EBHS in Greece.