Multi-modality imaging of aggressive submural neoplasia of the hoof in two horses.

This case series presents a 20-year-old Quarter horse gelding and a 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with a histologic diagnosis of aggressive submural neoplasia, including an anaplastic sarcoma and a squamous cell carcinoma respectively. The current case series describes these neoplasias with radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology with immunohistochemistry. The purpose of this case series is to identify the clinical pattern of chronic reoccurring lameness in these cases and highlight the appearance of expansile osteolytic pathology of the distal phalanx with adjacent hoof wall abnormalities. Advanced imaging has the potential to assist with a differential diagnosis list and surgical planning in patients such as these however obtaining a cellular sample for histopathological examination remains necessary for definitive diagnosis.

Antifungal non-invasive soak under general anaesthetic to treat fungal rhinitis in an Australian Quarter Horse gelding at pasture.

BACKGROUND: Mycotic rhinitis is a rare disease in horses, with few cases reported worldwide and none reported in Australia. Fungal infection of the upper respiratory tract can occur in all species, but its prevalence in horses is considerably lower than in canines or humans. The disease is linked to a variety of pathogens and the clinical signs are associated with subsequent upper respiratory tract damage. CASE REPORT: A 6-year-old Quarter Horse gelding in Queensland, Australia, was presented with chronic nasal discharge and dyspnoea following previous unsuccessful medical treatment of 9 months' duration. Culture yielded a mixed growth of Cryptococcus and Rhodotorula, as well as secondary bacterial species. The horse was anaesthetised and positioned in sternal recumbency. The nasal passages and sinuses were bathed with fluconazole and dimethylsulfoxide for 1 h on two separate occasions 4 weeks apart. Systemic antimicrobials and corticosteroids were also administered for brief courses. Endoscopic examination 4 months after treatment demonstrated clinical resolution of the rhinitis with residual scar tissue. Owners reported resolution of clinical signs and following the treatment the gelding was able to perform athletically. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mycotic rhinitis is an unusual disease that can be difficult to treat successfully. This report describes a technique for topical sinonasal bathing under general anaesthetic that was well tolerated, easy to perform and resulted in a successful clinical outcome.

Comparison of conventional radiography and computed tomography as aids in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in 11 foals.

BACKGROUND: Conventional radiography is currently the most common imaging modality used by veterinarians investigating foals with suspected osteomyelitis. Emerging evidence in adult horses and humans suggests computed tomography (CT) is a superior modality for evaluation of osseous changes in general. This study aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of CT versus conventional radiography in cases of osteomyelitis in foals. METHODS: Cases of osteomyelitis in foals under 6 months of age admitted over a 6-year period at a single referral hospital that had both CT and conventional radiography images were retrieved. Case details and measurements of the largest area of bone lysis identified in two planes (lateromedial/sagittal and dorsopalmar/dorsal) were evaluated by three veterinarians with a range of experience. RESULTS: A significant difference regarding lesion size was seen on the lateromedial (LM) radiographic projections compared with the equivalent sagittal plane CT image. The LM radiographic evaluation resulted in a 37% underestimation of the area of the lesion. Additionally, use of the LM radiographic projections were 2.5-fold more variable in the measurement area compared with CT. In general, regardless of projection, CT produced more information regarding lesion area and, in some cases, detected osseous changes that were not evident on the radiographs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: LM radiographic projections are less reliable and commonly result in an under-appreciation of lesion size and extent. CT detected lesions that were difficult or impossible to identify on radiographs and may allow improved treatment planning.

Identification of the rumen fluke, Calicophoron daubneyi, in GB livestock: possible implications for liver fluke diagnosis.

The liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, is common in many parts of Great Britain. To detect liver fluke infection and to assess whether fasciolicide treatment has been successful, the faecal egg count (FEC) and faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) are widely used. Rumen fluke is also increasingly reported from Great Britain, but its species identity is yet to be determined. Liver fluke and rumen fluke eggs are morphologically similar, which may lead to erroneous diagnoses of liver fluke infection or treatment failure. As an alternative to FEC, a coproantigen ELISA (cELISA) can be used. The potential for this test to cross-react with rumen fluke species from Great Britain has not been evaluated. Rumen fluke specimens from cattle and sheep in Scotland were identified to species level using DNA sequencing of the ITS-2 region. Subsequently, rumen and liver fluke obtained from naturally co-infected sheep were subjected to immunohistochemistry using antibodies from a commercially available cELISA kit for F. hepatica. Finally, faecal samples from naturally co-infected sheep flocks were examined by FEC and cELISA. Rumen fluke from imported and home-bred cattle and sheep in Scotland belonged to the species Calicophoron daubneyi, rather than Paramphistomum cervi, the species presumed to be most common in Great Britain. Intense staining of the gastrodermis was observed in F. hepatica but cross-reactivity with C. daubneyi was not seen. Faecal samples that contained rumen fluke eggs but not liver fluke eggs were all negative by cELISA. We conclude that C. daubneyi is the most common rumen fluke of domestic ruminants in Scotland and that cELISA reduction testing may be a valuable alternative to FECRT in herds or flocks that are co-infected with liver and rumen fluke.

Analysis of factors that determine the compliance of rat jejunum to distension in vivo.

Distension of the intestine is commonly used to elicit reflex responses at other sites in the gastrointestinal tract, and also to evaluate pain of intestinal origin. The sensory neurones, that initiate the reflexes or pain responses, react to the forces generated in the wall of the intestine. Thus, the responses of the intestine at the site of distension, particularly changes in contractile activity, influence the signals from the gut. In the present work we have analysed the relationship between distension and pressure changes in the jejunum of the rat, in vivo. Isovolumic distension for 5 min caused an initial pressure increase which declined quickly in the first 30 s, and then declined more slowly. Phasic pressure increases were superimposed on the baseline pressure change. Hexamethonium blocked the phasic pressure increases, whereas the initial rapid and subsequent slower pressure decline during distension persisted. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) increased intraluminal pressure and caused increased frequency and irregularity of phasic pressure increases. However, the decline in jejunal pressure during distension was not changed by inhibition of NOS. The pressure decline during isovolumic distension was similar whether saline or paraffin oil were used to distend the intestine, indicating that the decline was not due to increased hydrostatic pressure causing water and electrolyte to cross the mucosal epithelium from the lumen to the intestinal interstitium. Hyoscine had no significant effect on the pressure profile when the intestine was distended. However, when the systemic or the local circulation of the jejunum was infused with nicardipine, the pressure that was achieved during isovolumic distension was less, although the rate of change in pressure during the slow decline was similar. It is concluded that distension evokes phasic pressure increases in the jejunum, that are nerve-mediated, and increases the tension in the wall through a stretch-activated increase in contractile force generated by the circular muscle. The decline in pressure during maintained distension is primarily a consequence of visco-elastic properties of the wall of the intestine.

[Winuron - alternative single-dose therapy of gonorrhea]. / Winuron - Alternative Einmaltherapie der Gonorrhoe.

152 ambulatory patients suffering from gonorrhoea were treated with Winuron in an open clinical trial. A single oral dose of rosoxacin 300 mg proved to be sufficient to cure 97.4% of the patients. Follow-up examination revealed only 4 cases of Neisseria gonorrhoea left. Already 3 days after therapy, the clinical symptoms had subsided in 84.1% of the patients. The substance was well-tolerated. Side effects were observed in 14.5% of the cases, being mild and transitory, though. Good and antibacterial efficacy of rosoxacin in vitro as well as the high healing quotient in combination with the shortest possible duration of therapy make Winuron a valuable alternative to penicillin.