Dirofilaria hongkongensis infection presenting as recurrent shoulder mass.

In 2012, a novel canine Dirofilaria species, D. hongkongensis was identified in Hong Kong that caused human diseases and subsequently reported in an Austrian traveller returning from the Indian subcontinent. Here we present a case of human infection by D. hongkongensis manifested as recurrent shoulder mass. Diagnosis was achieved by cox1 gene sequencing of the excised specimen. The case illustrated that parasitic infection represents an important differential diagnosis for musculoskeletal lesions.

Toxoplasma gondii tissue cyst formation and density of tissue cysts in shoulders of pigs 7 and 14 days after feeding infected mice tissues.

Among the meat sources of Toxoplasma gondii, pork is considered important in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in the USA. How soon after infection T. gondii forms tissue cysts in pork is unknown. In the present study, eight serologically negative ˜3 months old pigs were fed mouse tissues infected with VEG (Type III) strain of T. gondii and euthanized 7 (4 pigs) and 14 days (4 pigs) post-inoculation (p.i.). Meat from the right shoulder of each pig was bioassayed in mice for T. gondii tissue cysts by peptic digestion. From each pig, the shoulder muscle was cut at random spots into 5 g, 10 g and 50 g portions. Extreme care was taken to use different scalpels and forceps to minimize cross contamination among 17 samples (6 replicates of each 5 g and 10 g portions and 5 replicates of 50 g). From the four pigs euthanized at 7 days p.i., a composite of ˜200 g of leftover meat from each shoulder was bioassayed in cats and their feces were tested for oocyst excretion. All eight pigs developed T. gondii antibodies (modified agglutination test, MAT, 1: 80 or higher) and viable T. gondii was isolated from shoulder meat of each pig. All four cats fed pork from excreted T. gondii oocysts. The density of T. gondii, based on mouse infectivity, varied within 5-50 g samples each pig, and between pigs within the same group, day 7 versus day 14 p.i. There were no significant differences in mouse bioassay results obtained with day 7 versus day 14 infected pigs. Overall, the rate of isolation of T. gondii increased with sample size of meat bioassayed. Results demonstrate that tissue cysts are formed early in infection and they are unevenly distributed.

Analysis of subscapularis integrity and function after lesser tuberosity osteotomy versus subscapularis tenotomy in total shoulder arthroplasty using ultrasound and validated clinical outcome measures.

BACKGROUND: The optimal method-subscapularis peel (SP) or lesser tuberosity osteotomy (LTO)-for takedown of the subscapularis during total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is controversial. This study compares the functional outcomes in a 2-surgeon cohort using the 2 techniques. METHODS: Patients who underwent TSA with a minimum 1 year of follow-up were evaluated. Physical and ultrasound examinations of the operative shoulder were performed. Radiographs were evaluated for osteotomy healing. Patients completed the Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) index, Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), and Constant Scores. RESULTS: Subscapularis tenotomy (n = 32) and LTO (n = 28) patients were similar in age, hand dominance, and sex. Follow-up duration for subscapularis tenotomy and LTO patients differed (31.7 vs 22.1 months, P = .003). SP patients demonstrated increased external rotation (69° ± 12° vs 60° ± 11°). Belly press and bear hug resistance were not significantly different. WOOS (P = .13), DASH (P = .71), and Constant Scores (P = .80) were not significantly different. After controlling for follow-up imbalance, the WOOS score difference was statistically significant (91.5 ± 10.2 for LTO vs 82.1 ± 18.9 for SP, P = .05) but not clinically significant. By ultrasonography assessment, 4 subscapularis tendons were abnormal in the SP group (3 attenuated, 1 ruptured), and all tendons were normal in the LTO group. Patients with an abnormal ultrasound result had significantly inferior WOOS (88 ± 15 vs 65 ± 18) and DASH (11.5 ± 11.4 vs 25.9 ± 11.2) scores. Belly press resistance was significantly decreased, bear hug resistance trended lower, and external rotation was increased in the abnormal ultrasound group. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal subscapularis tendons identified by ultrasonography only in the SP group correlate with clinically significant inferior functional outcome scores.

Fine needle aspiration cytologic diagnosis of toxoplasma lymphadenitis. A case report with detection of a Toxoplasma bradycyst in a Papanicolaou-stained smear.

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic diagnosis of toxoplasmic lymphadenitis with demonstration of a tissue cyst containing bradyzoites has been very rarely reported. CASE: A 17-year-old female presented with a mobile, painless, 2-cm-diameter swelling over the right suprascapular area. Clinical diagnosis was lipoma. FNA smears showed features of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, including tingible body macrophages and groups of epithelioid histiocytes. A Toxoplasma cyst with bradyzoites was also demonstrated in a Papanicolaou-stained smear. Following FNA cytodiagnosis, serologic tests revealed a high titer of IgG and the presence of IgM-specific antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, indicating active/recent disease. CONCLUSION: FNA cytology is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of toxoplasmic lymphadenitis. Papanicolaou stain is appropriate for demonstration of the parasite. Serology is an excellent adjunct in clinching the diagnosis.

Primary diagnosis of soft tissue echinococcosis by aspiration cytology.

A case of hydatid cyst of soft tissue diagnosed by Fine needle aspiration of a cyst is reported. The patient presented with gradually increasing swelling in the anterior-inferior aspect of shoulder. The provisional clinical diagnosis of cold-abscess shoulder was made, patient was referred for Fine needle aspiration cytology (F.N.A.C.). Swelling was aspirated by 23-gauge needle obtaining 1.5 ml of blood-mixed fluid. Smears of fluid showed protoscolices, fully developed scolices with rostellum and scattered hooklets, pathognomonic of Echinococcosis. Histopathologic examination of surgically removed cyst showed chronically inflamed echinococcal cyst. No complication was observed.

Sites of attachment of Karoo paralysis ticks (Ixodes rubicundus) on three cattle breeds.

The sites of attachment of female Karoo paralysis ticks (Ixodes rubicundus) were determined on Friesian, Bonsmara and Nguni cattle in the south-western Orange Free State. The largest proportion of the ticks (> 30%) attached to the forelegs and shoulders of the cattle. Contrary to the findings on small stock, no significant differences in the preferred sites of attachment were evident between the breeds of cattle.