Circulating siderophagocytes and erythrophagocytes in a corn snake (Elaphe guttata) after coelomic surgery.

Leukocytes containing nonheme iron and phagocytosed fragments of erythrocytes were found in blood smears from a corn snake (Elaphe guttata) collected 20 and 79 days after coelomic surgery (ovariosalpingectomy). Numerous immature and mitotic erythrocytes also were seen in the sample taken 20 days postsurgically. Siderophagocytes and erythrophagocytes had not been observed before surgery and were not found in multiple subsequent blood samples collected 112-602 days after surgery. Other than these hematologic abnormalities, laboratory findings were unremarkable and the snake recovered uneventfully. Based on examination of sequential blood smears, the circulating siderophagocytes were interpreted as recirculating macrophages involved in the removal of blood from the coelomic cavity after mild postsurgical hemorrhage.

Neospora caninum associated with septic peritonitis in an adult dog.

A 7-year-old, male neutered Rhodesian Ridgeback dog was referred to the University of California-Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital with a 4-month history of peritonitis and episodic abdominal discomfort, lethargy, and weakness. Marked abdominal distension with a prominent fluid wave was noted on physical examination. Cytologic analysis of the abdominal fluid indicated a septic exudate with mixed bacteria and many protozoal zoites. Differentials for the identity of the protozoal zoites included Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis neurona, and Neospora caninum. Indirect latex agglutination antigen testing, standard indirect fluorescent antibody testing, and PCR analysis were performed to identify the zoites. The dog's serum antibody titer for N caninum tachyzoites was 1:20,480, known polysera to N caninum reacted against zoites in the abdominal fluid, and PCR analysis of the abdominal fluid was positive for the presence of a known gene of N caninum. Based on the morphologic, immunologic, and molecular findings, the zoites were identified as N caninum. It remains unclear how the tachyzoites gained access to the peritoneal cavity. To the authors' knowledge, there are no reports of free N caninum in abdominal fluid of any species.

Acremonium strictum pulmonary infection in a horse.

A 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was admitted to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of California-Davis with a 2-week history of intermittent fever and acute onset of lethargy, anorexia, and ataxia. Although the clinical signs were nonspecific, the results of initial hematologic and biochemical analysis were consistent with a chronic inflammatory process. Thoracic radiographs revealed an increased fine reticulonodular interstitial opacity throughout the dorsal caudal lung fields. Cytologic examination of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid showed mixed inflammation with many mononuclear phagocytes containing single, spherical, intracytoplasmic fungal organisms. Four mold species were cultured in low numbers from the BAL fluid. One of the fungal elements observed on the culture plates was identified as Acremonium strictum by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A diagnosis of fungal pneumonia due to A strictum was made based on the results of thoracic imaging, cytologic evaluation, culture, and PCR testing. The horse made an uneventful recovery with supportive treatment and was disease-free based on normal physical, radiographic, and cytologic findings at 21 days after presentation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation of A strictum from the BAL fluid of a horse with interstitial pneumonia.