Eisenmenger ventricular septal defect in a Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti).

The Eisenmenger ventricular septal defect is an uncommon type of ventricular septal defect characterised in humans by a traditionally perimembranous ventricular septal defect, anterior deviation (cranioventral deviation in small animal patients) of the muscular outlet septum causing malalignment relative to the remainder of the muscular septum, and overriding of the aortic valve. This anomaly is reported infrequently in human patients and was identified in a 45-day-old Humboldt Penguin, Spheniscus humboldti, with signs of poor growth and a cardiac murmur. This case report describes the findings in this penguin and summarises the anatomy and classification of this cardiac anomaly. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report of an Eisenmenger ventricular septal defect in a veterinary patient.

Acute, fatal Sarcocystis calchasi-associated hepatitis in Roller pigeons (Columba livia f. dom.) at Philadelphia Zoo.

Four Roller pigeons (Columba livia f. dom.) at the Philadelphia Zoo died suddenly. Necropsy examination revealed macroscopic hepatitis. Microscopically, the predominant lesions were in liver, characterized with necrosis and mixed cell inflammatory response. Sarcocystis calchasi-like schizonts and free merozoites were identified in liver. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed that schizonts were in hepatocytes. A few schizonts were in spleen. PCR using S. calchasi-specific primers confirmed the diagnosis. Neither lesions nor protozoa were found in brain and muscles. This is the first report of acute visceral S. calchasi-associated sarcocystosis in naturally infected avian hosts.

Fístula arteriovenosa vertebral. Diagnóstico por auscultación / A vertebral arteriovenous fistula diagnosed by auscultation

Las fístulas arteriovenosas (FAV) vertebrales son lesiones raras. La etiología de las FAV vertebrales puede ser traumática o espontánea. Suelen cursar de forma asintomática o refiriendo «ruidos», o palpándose una vibración en la región cervical. El diagnóstico definitivo serealiza mediante arteriografía, siendo la embolización de la fístula el tratamiento de elección. Comentamos el caso de un varón de 2 años en el que la madre aprecia«como una lavadora en la cabeza». Al explorarle se palpa una vibración y se ausculta un soplo continuo en la región cervical izquierda, siendo el resto normal. Con la sospecha clínica de malformación vascular en la región vertebral se solicita una angio-RNM y una posterior arteriografía que confirma el diagnóstico. Las FAV son raras en la infancia. Es necesario sospecharlas ante la presencia de ruidos, palpación o vibración continua en la región cervical. El diagnóstico precoz puede evitar complicaciones

Cervical artery fistulas are rare arteriovenous malformations. The etiology of the vertebral arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) can be traumatic or spontaneous. They tend to be asymptomatic or palpation or continuous vibration in the cervical region. An arteriography is necessary for a definitive diagnosis. The treatment is complete embolization of the fistula. We present the case of a two year-old male, where the mother described it «like a washing machine in his head». On palpation during the physical examination, there was a continuous vibration, and a continuous murmur in left cervical region. A vascular malformation in vertebral region was clinically suspected, and confirmed with angio-MRI and arteriography AVF are rare in childhood. They should be suspected in the presence of noises, palpation or continuous vibration in the cervical region. Early diagnosis can prevent severe complications in asymptomatic children

Fístula arteriovenosa vertebral. Diagnóstico por auscultación / A vertebral arteriovenous fistula diagnosed by auscultation

Las fístulas arteriovenosas (FAV) vertebrales son lesiones raras. La etiología de las FAV vertebrales puede ser traumática o espontánea. Suelen cursar de forma asintomática o refiriendo «ruidos», o palpándose una vibración en la región cervical. El diagnóstico definitivo se realiza mediante arteriografía, siendo la embolización de la fístula el tratamiento de elección. Comentamos el caso de un varón de 2 años en el que la madre aprecia «como una lavadora en la cabeza». Al explorarle se palpa una vibración y se ausculta un soplo continuo en la región cervical izquierda, siendo el resto normal. Con la sospecha clínica de malformación vascular en la región vertebral se solicita una angio-RNM y una posterior arteriografía que confirma el diagnóstico. Las FAV son raras en la infancia. Es necesario sospecharlas ante la presencia de ruidos, palpación o vibración continua en la región cervical. El diagnóstico precoz puede evitar complicaciones

Cervical artery fistulas are rare arteriovenous malformations. The etiology of the vertebral arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) can be traumatic or spontaneous. They tend to be asymptomatic or palpation or continuous vibration in the cervical region. An arteriography is necessary for a definitive diagnosis. The treatment is complete embolization of the fistula. We present the case of a two year-old male, where the mother described it «like a washing machine in his head». On palpation during the physical examination, there was a continuous vibration, and a continuous murmur in left cervical region. A vascular malformation in vertebral region was clinically suspected, and confirmed with angio-MRI and arteriography. AVF are rare in childhood. They should be suspected in the presence of noises, palpation or continuous vibration in the cervical region. Early diagnosis can prevent severe complications in asymptomatic children

[A vertebral arteriovenous fistula diagnosed by auscultation]. / Fístula arteriovenosa vertebral. Diagnóstico por auscultación.

Cervical artery fistulas are rare arteriovenous malformations. The etiology of the vertebral arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) can be traumatic or spontaneous. They tend to be asymptomatic or palpation or continuous vibration in the cervical region. An arteriography is necessary for a definitive diagnosis. The treatment is complete embolization of the fistula. We present the case of a two year-old male, where the mother described it «like a washing machine in his head¼. On palpation during the physical examination, there was a continuous vibration, and a continuous murmur in left cervical region. A vascular malformation in vertebral region was clinically suspected, and confirmed with angio-MRI and arteriography. AVF are rare in childhood. They should be suspected in the presence of noises, palpation or continuous vibration in the cervical region. Early diagnosis can prevent severe complications in asymptomatic children.

Subclinical avian malaria infections in African black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and induction of parasite recrudescence.

The subclinical and clinical Plasmodium elongatum and Plasmodium relictum infections of captive-reared African black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus) were evaluated in nine adult and 29 juvenile penguins in the Baltimore Zoo (Maryland, USA) during summer 1988 and winter 1989. Two diagnostic methods were used: Giemsa-stained thin blood films, and subinoculation of penguin blood into 1-day-old Peking ducklings. Chloroquine and primaquine treatment was applied to all parasitemic juvenile penguins. Twenty-nine parasite-free, juvenile penguins were monitored for parasitemia by Giemsa-stained thin blood films every two weeks for 26 weeks of their first outdoor exposure. Eighteen of 29 penguins experienced naturally acquired malaria; 14 were infected with P. elongatum, three with P. relictum, and one bird had a mixed P. relictum and P. elongatum infection. Eleven of 18 juveniles became parasitemic again after chloroquine and primaquine treatments. Based on Giemsa-stained thin blood smears and subinoculation of penguin blood into 1-day-old ducklings, performed in a mosquito-free environment in winter, nine adult penguins had no evidence of Plasmodium spp. infection. After dexmethasone-induced immunosuppression, four of six of these nonparasitemic adult penguins were found to be infected with P. relictum by the blood inoculation method.