[Massive perivillous fibrin deposition, chronic histiocytic intervillositis and villitis of unknown etiology: Lesions of the placenta at the fetomaternal interface with risk of recurrence]. / Massive perivillöse Fibrinabscheidungen, chronisch-histiozytäre Intervillositis, Villitis unbekannter Ätiologie : Plazentaläsionen bei Störungen der fetomaternalen Einheit mit Rezidivrisiko.

BACKGROUND: Maternal floor infarction/massive perivillous fibrin deposition (MFI/MFD), chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHIV) and villitis of unknown etiology (VUE) are lesions of the placenta which are characterized morphologically. The cause is thought to be pathological immunotolerance/rejection reaction at the fetomaternal interface. The risk of recurrence is elevated and the lesions can lead to severe pediatric diseases. AIM: This article provides an overview of the pathological and anatomical characteristics of each of these lesions, including diagnostic criteria, suspected etiology, clinical relevance and suggested therapy options. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A selective search of the literature was carried out and experiences from own diagnostic clientele are presented. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: While MFI/MFD and CHIV occur more rarely, VUE is relatively common occurring in up to 15 % of placentas at term. Both MFI/MFD and CHIV can occur in the first and second trimester, while VUE typically manifests in the third trimester. All lesions can lead to intrauterine growth retardation or abortion and have a tendency towards disease recurrence. Furthermore, VUE and MFI/MFD can be associated with an adverse neurodevelopmental outcome in the children. For all these entities potential therapy strategies have been reported, which are mainly based on anticoagulation and immunosuppression in subsequent pregnancies.

The feline glaucomas: 82 cases (1995-1999).

OBJECTIVE: To describe signalment, ophthalmic abnormalities, and response to treatment in cats with glaucoma. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Eighty-two cats with 93 glaucomatous eyes. CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION: Medical records of all cats with glaucoma presented to the ophthalmology services at two referral specialty hospitals between 1995 and 1999 were reviewed. Cats were included if intraocular pressure (IOP) > 25 mmHg, if buphthalmos was present, or if a shallow anterior chamber was present and IOP > or = 5 mm Hg higher than the contralateral normal eye. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD age was 9.2 +/- 4.4 years. Thirty-one cats were female; 51 were male. Breeds included 69 domestic and 13 pure-bred cats. One eye was affected in 71 cats; both eyes in 11 cats. The most common presenting complaints and ophthalmic abnormalities were cataract, corneal edema, mydriasis, buphthalmos, cloudy eye, and blindness. Mean intraocular pressure in the affected eye was 36.4 +/- 14.7 mmHg. The glaucomas were believed to be secondary in 81 eyes, primary in five eyes, and undetermined in seven eyes. The goal of medical therapy was to maintain IOP in a comfortable range we presumed to be < 30 mm Hg in blind eyes, and to maintain IOP below 25 mmHg to preserve vision in visual eyes. Intraocular pressure was maintained in a comfortable range or normal range in 58% of all eyes using medical therapy alone. Surgery was performed in nine eyes after medical management failed. Sixty-seven eyes were blind, 21 were visual, and five had decreased vision at initial presentation. With treatment, vision was retained in nine eyes, deteriorated in five eyes, and was lost in three eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The glaucomas were most frequently secondary in cats and resulted in blindness prior to presentation in the majority of eyes in our study. Medical management controlled IOP in more than half of the eyes, and maintained vision in almost half of visual eyes.

A comparison of corneal sensitivity between brachycephalic and Domestic Short-haired cats.

OBJECTIVE: To compare sensitivity of the central and peripheral cornea of brachycephalic and Domestic Short-haired (DSH) cats. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: Fifty DSH, thirteen Persian, and seven Himalayan cats. CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION: Healthy DSH, Persian, or Himalayan cats older than 6 months, with a normal ophthalmic examination and Sno-strip values greater than or equal to 5 mm wetting/60 s. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Corneal sensitivity was measured using a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. The cornea was touched using the tip of the monofilament, decreasing the fiber length in 5 mm increments until a blink reflex occurred. Corneal touch threshold was defined as the stimulus that elicited a corneal blink reflex greater than 50% of the time. RESULTS: Mean central and peripheral corneal touch threshold (CTT, +/- SD in gm/mm2) for the DSH cats were 1.79 +/- 2.33 and 5.01 +/- 5.07 in the right eye (OD), and 1.74 +/- 1.65 and 5.02 +/- 4.55 in the left eye (OS). Mean central and peripheral CTT +/- SD (gm/mm2) for the brachycephalic cats were 4.09 +/- 5.29 and 6.18 +/- 5.65 OD, and 3.18 +/- 3.75 and 7.66 +/- 6.24 OS. Statistical analysis of the data revealed a significantly higher CTT in the central (P = 0.019) and peripheral (P = 0.003) cornea of brachycephalic than DSH cats. When evaluated for gender, this difference persisted in female cats, but did not hold true for male cats. A significant difference in CTT was found between central and peripheral cornea within both groups of cats. CONCLUSIONS: The central cornea is less sensitive in brachycephalic than DSH cats. The central cornea is more sensitive than the peripheral cornea in both brachycephalic and DSH cats.

Acute tracheal obstruction associated with anticoagulant rodenticide intoxication in a dog.

An adult female neutered crossbred dog was referred in respiratory distress. Thoracic radiographs revealed tracheal narrowing with a soft tissue opacity dorsal to the trachea, near the thoracic inlet, and a patchy interstitial pulmonary infiltrate. The tracheal narrowing was thought to be due to a combination of intraluminal haemorrhage and mediastinal haemorrhage resulting from a coagulopathy caused by anticoagulant rodenticide intoxication. Treatment included supportive care and administration of vitamin K1, and the dog showed a complete resolution of the clinical signs.

Maternal employment and adolescent sexual behavior.

PIP: Investigated whether maternal employment would be associated with teenage sexual attitudes and behaviors likely to increase the probability of teenage pregnancy. Female subjects whose mothers were employed outside the home during the high school years had a greater tendency to begin sexual relation before age 19, expressed less concern regarding the risk of unintended pregnancy, and scored lower on an objective test of their practical knowledge about contraception.^ieng

Anaphylaxis to protamine sulfate mediated by a complement-dependent IgG antibody.

Anaphylactoid reactions to protamine sulfate have been attributed to its capacity for nonimmunologic mast cell degranulation and/or complement consumption. In the current study, evidence is presented for the occurrence of an immunologic anaphylactic reaction mediated by a complement-dependent IgG skin-sensitizing antibody. A retrospective study of blood component donors given protamine for heparin neutralization revealed that prior exposure to protamine is associated with increased risk of adverse reaction to the drug.