Canine distemper virus infection and encephalitis in javelinas (collared peccaries).

Canine distemper virus has been isolated in dog lymphocyte cultures from the brains of three javelinas that became moribund with signs of encephalitis. Canine distemper viral antigen was demonstrated predominantly in neurons and morbillivirus-like structures were seen by electron microscopy in brains of diseased animals. Serological studies suggest that CDV infection may be common in javelinas.

Ocular lesions associated with coccidioidomycosis in dogs: 35 cases (1980-1985).

Thirty-five dogs with ocular lesions associated with coccidioidomycosis were examined. Serologic and/or histologic evaluation confirmed the diagnoses of coccidioidomycosis. The disease most frequently associated with signs referable to the anterior segment of the eye, such as iritis and granulomatous uveitis. Histologic evaluation of the eye revealed a primary posterior segment disease, such as chorioretinitis or retinal separation, with an extension into the anterior segment of the eye.

Ocular coccidioidomycosis in a cat.

Enucleation of the right eye was performed on a 12-year-old male Persian cat when therapy for uveitis failed. Histologic examination of the anterior and posterior chambers and the vitreous led to a diagnosis of endophthalmitis caused by Coccidioides immitis infection. The primary focus of infection was not determined. Latex particle agglutination, agar gel immunodiffusion, and complement fixation gave negative results for Coccidioides immitis antibody.

Intracisternal virus-like particles in two guinea pig mammary adenocarcinomas.

Virus-like particles were found in spontaneously arising mammary adenocarcinomas from 2 male guinea pigs. The type-B particles were 100 nm in diameter and budded from the apex of stalks into cisternae. Examination of normal and neoplastic tissues from other guinea pigs failed to reveal similar particles. A review of the literature revealed that of the 16 known cases of mammary adenocarcinomas in guinea pigs, 5 have occurred in male animals. The apparent propensity for spontaneous mammary adenocarcinomas in males of this species is discussed in relation to the possible etiologic agents responsible for them.

Purification and characterization of equine infectious anemia virus.

EIA virus was purified from equine fetal kidney cell cultures by PEG-precipitation, two sucrose-gradient sedimentations (5-30 per cent) and (25 to 60 per cent) centrifugation, using the immunodiffusion test to follow the procedure. Purified EIA virus had a density (20 degrees C) of 1.162 and a sedimentation constant of S20w=656. electron microscopy revealed a particle of about 100 nm in diameter with a very flexible but usually spherical shape. The dense core may be at various locations inside the membrane bound particle.

Hereditary corneal dystrophy in the Manx cat: a preliminary report.

A progressive, apparently inherited corneal dystrophy is described in an inbred line of Manx cats. Initial changes in the cornea are seen at four months of age and characterized by anterior stromal edema. Progressive worsening of the condition produces severe bullous keratopathy with eventual breakdown of both epithelium and stroma. Light microscopic and ultrastructural studies in the advanced disease state revealed marked edema of the corneal stroma, disintegration of collagen material, and the formation of epithelial bullae. Ultrastructural evidence shows a normal endothelium to be present. The pathogenesis of this corneal dystrophy is not clear and further studies are underway.

Bovine venereal vibriosis. Ultrastructure of endometrial inflammatory lesions.

The inflammatory lesions in bovine venereal vibriosis have been examined by light and transmission electron microscopy in order to provide a better understanding of host defense of the uterus against bacterial invasion. Neutrophils and eosinophils were found mainly at the endometrial surface and in glandular lumina. Mononuclear cells within the endometrial tissue were identified ultrastructurally. Lymphocytes were most abundant, plasma cells were next in frequency, and mononuclear phagocytes were least often observed. An attempt was made to classify lymphocytes on the basis of presence or absence of a cytoplasmic network of filaments and other ultrastructural characteristics.

Adenoviral pneumonia in a foal.

A three-week-old Arabian filly was admitted to the Large Animal Hospital with a respiratory disorder and died despite symptomatic treatment. The necropsy lesions were suggestive of viral pneumonia. An equine adenovirus were isolated from nasal and pharyngeal swabs and from several tissues after death. Typical adenovirus virions were demonstrated by electron microscopy.

Neurofibrillary accumulation in a puppy.

A diffuse neuronal intracytoplasmic accumulation of a fibrillar material is described in a 12-week-old puppy with signs of progressive neurologic disease. Electron microscopic examination revealed fibrils about 120A in diameter aggregated in the perikaryon and processes of neurons primarily in the brain stem.

Hypercalcemia and calcinosis in Florida horses: implication of the shrub, Cestrum diurnum, as the causative agent.

A chronic debilitating disease is described in Florida horses. There is progress weight loss and lameness of increasing severity. Plasma calcium is elevated to moderate or severe degree. Anatomical changes include dystrophic calcinosis of elastic tissues, viz. major arteries, tendons and ligaments. A generalized osteopetrosis is present and may be related to hypoparathyroidsim and hypercalcitoninism. The presence of Cestrum diurnum (day-blooming jessamine, day cestrum, wild jasmin) in areas accessible to affected animals, the observation that leaves of the plant were stripped in these areas, and the finding of a potent, active vitamin D-like substance in this plant constitute strong evidence that Cestrum diurnum is the agent causing the abnormalities of mineral metabolism.

Lead inclusion bodies in osteoclasts.

Inclusion bodies occur frequently in the nuclei and rarely in the cytoplasm of osteoclasts in pigs with experimental lead poisoning. The light and electron microscope pictures of undemineralized sections are similar to those described for liver cord cells and renal tubular cells.