Comparison of 2D vena contracta area with 3D planimetric mitral valve area in rheumatoid mitral valve disease.

Rheumatoid valve disease is a general health problem of developing countries, and it mainly affects after the age of 40. Assessment of the correct mitral valve area (MVA) is important for the treatment of rheumatoid valve disease. However, there are contradictions between the three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) methods. A measurement with 3D echocardiography is a more accurate method to measure the MVA. However, in centers without 3D echocardiography, there are some difficulties in the accurate measurement of the MVA. The aim of this study was to assess the value of 2D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) mitral valve vena contracta area (VCA) in predicting the severity of rheumatoid mitral stenosis (RMS) by comparing 3D planimetry. A total of 24 patients (10 females and 14 males) who were diagnosed with mild/moderate/severe RMS with using pressure half time, mean transmitral gradient, and planimetry methods were included in this study. 3D images were acquired using the 3D zoom and full volume. 2D TEE VCA was measured at an angle of 140° and 60°, which was perpendicular to the former, with color Doppler and the VCA was measured with an ellipsoid area using mathematical formula. There was statistically significant relationship between the measurements of 2D VCA and 3D zoom mode MVA planimetry and MVA full measurements (MVA full volume) (p < 0.01). Calculation of the valvular area after measuring the mitral valve VCA with 2D TEE is a reliable method that is usable in centers without 3D echocardiography.

Correction to: Comparison of 2D vena contracta area with 3D planimetric mitral valve area in rheumatoid mitral valve disease.

In the original publication of the article one co-author, A. Zencirci, was listed by mistake. Dr. A. Zencirci has not contributed to this article and therefore, the author list has been updated. The author name A. Zencirci has been removed. All authors have agreed to the updated author list.

Immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical findings associated with Marek's disease virus in naturally infected laying hens.

We compared immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of tissue sections of liver, kidney, spleen, lung, proventriculus, sciatic nerve, bursa of Fabricius, brain, heart, intestine and skin; immunocytochemical (ICC) staining of peripheral blood samples and touch preparations of liver, spleen and kidney of laying hens naturally infected with Marek's disease (MD) virus. We used one hundred and fifty 5-17-week-old commercial hens. IHC and ICC staining were performed using polymer-based techniques. IHC staining exhibited mostly free immunopositive reactions in tumor cells and in the cytoplasm of the parenchymal cells of liver, kidney, spleen and bursa of Fabricius. In the sciatic nerve, severe reactions were observed in the cytoplasm of plasma and MD cells in the lymphoproliferative areas. Pronounced staining was found in the lymphoid cells in the medulla of intrafollicular regions in the bursa of Fabricius. Although immunostaining was observed in the liver and spleen touch preparations, there was no staining in the kidneys and peripheral blood cell samples. The presence of virus in the tissue and peripheral blood samples and in touch preparations was compared immunohistochemically and immunocytochemically. IHC and ICC techniques were helpful for diagnosis of MD. Peripheral blood samples are inappropriate for field conditions and natural infections.

[A case of an undifferentiated rhabdomyosarcoma in a hen]. / Ein Fall eines entdifferenzierten Rhabdomyosarkoms beim Huhn.

A more than hen's-egg-sized tumour was found in the breast muscle of a seven months old chicken. In liver, lungs and kidney metastases were seen. The light- and electronmicroscopic survey led to the diagnosis of an undifferentiated rhabdomyosarcoma.

[Liver cirrhosis in young calves]. / Leberzirrhosen bei jungen Kälbern.

Among the cattle admitted to the II. Medizinische Tierklinik of the University of Munich during the years 1982-86, 38 calves of up to 6 weeks of age had a dystrophy (n=5), pre-cirrhosis (n=21) or cirrhosis (n=12) of the liver. Similar hepatic lesions were found in three 1- to 7-day-old calves and in 1 foetus aborted in the 7th month of gestation which were submitted for necropsy. Of the 38 patients (74% male, 87% German Fleckvieh) 25 had been ill since the first seven days of life (mean age on admittance: x=14 days). These hepatopathies showed no significant preponderance in regard to breed, sex or season. The general condition of the calves was moderately to severely disturbed. Catarrhal enteritis resistant to treatment was the main clinical finding in 32 of the 38 patients. Nine calves developed central nervous symptoms (delayed reflexes, impaired coordination, convulsions, opisthotonus). Neurohistological examination of one of these calves revealed massive astrocytic oedema, shrinkage of individual nerve cells and formation of the so-called hepatic glia (hepatoencephalopathy). Even in the last days before death icterus of the sclera was noted in only 11 of the 38 patients; of these, nine also displayed icterus of the mucous membranes. The calves died between the third day to seventh week of life; mean age at death 18 days. Haematological examination: in 12 cases mild to marked anaemia (but without signs of haemolysis), marked granulocytosis with a shift to the left in 20 cases, sometimes additionally neutrocytes with nuclei resembling Pelger's nuclear anomaly (pseudo-Pelger), granulocytes with basophilic stippling as well as lymphoidocytes. The blood glucose levels were usually markedly reduced. 15 calves had a pronounced refractory hypoglycaemia with blood glucose levels under 1,66 mmol/l. Neither albumin concentration nor the specific serum globulin fractions showed significant differences when compared to an age matched control group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)