A modified tibial compression test for the detection of meniscal injury in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess diagnostic efficacy of a modified tibial compression test in predicting medial meniscal injury in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament failure. METHODS: Dogs admitted for surgical stabilisation of stifles with cranial cruciate ligament failure were examined by five preoperative physical tests to assess medial meniscal injury. Results of each physical test were compared with findings at arthrotomy and used to calculate sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS: None of the physical tests were accurate in reflecting meniscal integrity for dogs with cranial cruciate failure. Out of the five tests, the modified tibial compression test exhibited the highest concordance and sensitivity for the detection of medial meniscal tears. A palpable click during the modified tibial compression test had a sensitivity and specificity up to 63 and 77%, respectively, for the detection of medial meniscal lesions. Concordance values were up to 40% for the modified tibial compression test, followed by the range of motion test (up to 25%), while all other physical tests had concordance values below 10%. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Physical tests are highly available, affordable and can be easily performed, but their efficacy in diagnosing medical meniscal injury is low. Meniscal clicks associated with meniscal tears were more frequently elicited during the modified tibial compression test when compared with other traditional tests.

Effect of signalment on the presentation of canine patients suffering from cranial cruciate ligament disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of signalment on the incidence and presentation of patients suffering from cranial cruciate ligament disease. METHODS: Data relating to 426 dogs (44 breeds) that met specific selection criteria were obtained from the hospital archive (2002 to 2008). Cases were followed up for 2 years. RESULTS: The breeds most commonly presented with cranial cruciate ligament disease were Labrador retriever (16%), Rottweiler (15%), golden retriever (12%) and boxer (9%). Rottweilers were significantly more likely (69%; P=0·05) to develop and present with (50%; P=0·03) bilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease. Rottweilers presenting with cranial cruciate ligament disease were significantly younger (median 977 days; P<0·0001) than other breeds; golden retrievers being significantly older at presentation (median 1994 days; P=0·004). Neither sex nor neutered status significantly affected the incidence of developing (P=0·77 and P=0·30, respectively) or presenting with (P=0·62 and P=0·35, respectively) bilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease. Entire dogs were significantly younger than neutered dogs at presentation (P=0·0004). Entire female dogs presented significantly younger than neutered females (P=0·0002), entire males (P=0·01) and neutered males (P=0·0001). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Breed affects the incidence of developing and presenting with bilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease. Breed and sex both affect the age that patients present with cranial cruciate ligament disease.

Rapid stereospecific stimulation of lymphocytic metabolism by interleukin 2.

IL 2 maintains the viability of IL 2-dependent CTLL-2 cells. IL 2, a lymphocytotrophic factor, stimulates the cellular metabolism of IL 2 receptor-bearing CTLL-2 murine cytolytic T cells. Both aerobic (oxygen consumption) and anaerobic (lactic acid production) metabolism of CTLL-2 cell are stimulated by rIL 2. The effects of IL 2 upon murine T cells is blocked by an anti-IL 2 receptor monoclonal antibody but not by other monoclonal antibodies that bind to other proteins upon CTLL-2 cells. Changes in aerobic and anaerobic cellular metabolism occur rapidly after interaction with IL 2, whereas the effects on the cell cycle are relatively slow and may be dependent upon antecedent metabolic stimulation by IL 2. This effect of IL 2 on cell viability appears to be mediated by a direct effect on important aerobic and anaerobic metabolic pathways.