Vulvar pythiosis in two captive camels (Camelus dromedarius).

Two camels (Camelus dromedarius), 3- and 4-years-old, respectively, from an eastern Tennessee wildlife farm presented with persistent weight loss and large vulvar masses. An initial biopsy of the vulvar mass of one of the camels performed by a local veterinarian showed eosinophilic dermatitis. An allergic or parasitic dermatitis was suspected. The two camels were treated with one dose of sodium iodide (66 mg/kg, in 1.0 L of normosolR, IV) and ivermectin 1% (200 ug/kg PO). Upon presentation at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Tennessee, additional biopsies of the masses again revealed eosinophilic dermatitis. Microscopic examination of a Gomori methenamine silver (GMS)-stained section prepared from the biopsy of one of the camels revealed the presence of fungal-like hyphae of a mold which was suspected to be Pythium insidiosum. The vulvar masses were surgically debulked in both animals and sodium iodide and Pythium-immunotherapy prescribed. Pythium insidiosum was isolated in culture and hyphae elements were detected in histological sections confirming the diagnosis of pythiosis in both animals. Despite signs of progressive healing of the vulvar surgical areas, postoperative persistent weight lost in one of the camels suggested the possibility of gastro intestinal (GI) tract pythiosis. This camel died 5 months after the first onset of clinical signs and unfortunately a necropsy was not performed. The other camel responded well to the combination of surgery, iodides, and immunotherapy and has currently rejoined the other members of the herd.

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in feline premalignant and invasive squamous cell carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common malignant cutaneous and oral neoplasm of cats. Papillomavirus (PV) DNA has been identified in a proportion of feline Bowenoid in situ carcinomas (BISCs), cutaneous SCCs and a single oral SCC, but its exact role in the pathogenesis remains unknown. In humans, it has been suggested that ultraviolet (UV) light and human PV (HPV) may act as cofactors in cutaneous SCC carcinogenesis. Little is known about the influence of UV light on PV prevalence in feline cutaneous lesions, including actinic keratosis (AK). Additionally, PV prevalence in noncutaneous feline lesions, including oral SCC, is largely not known. This study aimed to determine the presence of PV in 84 cats with premalignant and invasive SCC from cutaneous and noncutaneous sites using polymerase chain reaction and to investigate an association with UV light. Papillomaviral DNA was amplified from two of 12 cases of AK, seven of 22 BISCs, nine of 39 cutaneous SCCs and two of 35 non-cutaneous SCCs. Of the PV DNA sequenced, 50% was most similar to HPV of the genus Betapapillomavirus, while the other 50% was most similar to Felis domesticus PV type 2. Exposure to UV was not associated with an increase in PV for cutaneous SCC. The results of this study suggest that in the cat, HPV DNA may be detectible within a higher percentage of squamous lesions than previously demonstrated, UV exposure may not be a confounder for PV presence, and noncutaneous lesions may have a low prevalence of PV.

Effect of an anti-inflammatory dose of prednisone on thyroid hormone monitoring in hypothyroid dogs.

It is not uncommon for a hypothyroid dog to be receiving concurrent corticosteroids. As hypothyroid dogs receiving thyroid supplement need periodic monitoring, knowledge of whether prednisone alters thyroid hormone concentrations would be useful to determine whether testing can or should be done while the dog is receiving therapy and whether dose adjustments are appropriate. In this study, the effect of short-term anti-inflammatory prednisone was determined in dogs with naturally occurring hypothyroidism. Eight adult dogs were given prednisone (1.0 mg/kg, orally) daily for 7 days and then on alternate days for 14 days. Serum total thyroxine (T(4) ), free T(4) (fT(4) ), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured on days 7, 21 and 28 and compared with baseline data. Total T(4) concentrations were significantly decreased after 7 days of anti-inflammatory prednisone, but were not significantly altered from baseline on days 21 or 28. Free T(4) and TSH concentrations were not significantly altered from baseline at any point during the study. Two dogs had decreased total T(4) concentrations on day 7, which may have resulted in an alteration in thyroid supplementation. Results showed that administration of prednisone at a dosage of 1 mg/kg, orally, once daily for 7 days decreased total T(4) , while fT(4) was unchanged, suggesting that fT(4) may be less affected by daily prednisone administration. Anti-inflammatory doses of prednisone administered every other day did not interfere with thyroid hormone monitoring.

Molecular characterization of the L1 gene of papillomaviruses in epithelial lesions of cats and comparative analysis with corresponding gene sequences of human and feline papillomaviruses.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the L1 gene of papillomaviruses detected in epithelial lesions of cats and to determine the relationship between those L1 gene nucleotide sequences and known L1 gene sequences of human and feline papillomaviruses. SAMPLE POPULATION: 10 tissue samples of epithelial lesions from 8 cats. PROCEDURES: DNA was extracted from tissue samples. Primers were designed to amplify the L1 gene of papillomaviruses. Amplicons of DNA were sequenced; nucleotide sequences were compared with known L1 gene nucleotide sequences of papillomaviruses and used for phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: Tissue samples were obtained from lesions (diagnosed as dysplasia [n=1], squamous cell carcinoma in situ [3], or squamous cell carcinoma [6]) of the skin (9) and oral mucosa [1]. Two amplicons had 99% homology with the L1 gene nucleotide sequence of human papillomavirus type 38b subtype FA125. Another amplicon had 84% homology with the L1 gene nucleotide sequence of human papillomavirus type 80 and was considered to be a new type of papillomavirus. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that these 3 papillomaviruses were grouped into 2 clades that were not similar to the clades of Felis domesticus papillomavirus type 1 or F domesticus papillomavirus type 2 (FdPV2). The remaining 7 amplicons had 98% to 100% homology with the L1 gene nucleotide sequence of FdPV2. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that those 7 papillomaviruses were grouped nto a single clade with FdPV2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results support the likelihood of transmission of papillomaviruses between humans and cats.