Hematologic and serum biochemistry reference values in wild-caught white-footed tamarins (Saguinus leucopus) housed in captivity.

The white-footed tamarin (Saguinus leucopus) is an endangered primate that lives in a small forest corridor in northern Colombia, South America. Hematologic and serum biochemistry reference values are important tools in evaluating the health of the white-footed tamarin and serve to promote the survival of this species. The purpose of this study was to establish diagnostically important hematologic and serum biochemistry reference values for healthy white-footed tamarins and to determine whether there was significant variation with respect to age class (juveniles, adults), gender, and housing facility. Blood samples were collected for hematologic and serum biochemistry measurements from 29 wild-caught captive tamarins during February and April 2005, housed at three different facilities in central Colombia. Hematology and serum biochemistry values were similar in adults and juveniles. Female white-footed tamarins had absolute reticulocyte counts that were lower than those of male tamarins and males had lower serum chloride concentrations than female tamarins. Mean values for hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin, serum total protein, albumin, glucose, and alkaline phosphatase varied among the three housing facilities. Twenty-two of the 29 tamarins sampled were microfilaria-positive and had significantly higher mean serum alkaline phosphatase concentrations. Among the 29 tamarins sampled in this study, serum values for mean alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase concentrations were higher than reported values for other mammals. The reference intervals determined in this study were comparable to normal ranges reported for other members of the family Callitrichidae.

Use of lime sulphur and itraconazole to treat shelter cats naturally infected with Microsporum canis in an annex facility: an open field trial.

Dermatophytosis is the most common contagious and infectious skin disease of cats. It is of particular importance in animal shelters because it is a known zoonosis, highly contagious, and easily transmitted. In this open clinical trial, 58 cats with confirmed Microsporum canis dermatophytosis and 32 uninfected bonded pairs or littermates were treated with a combination of 21 days of oral itraconazole (10 mg kg(-1)) and twice weekly lime sulphur rinses until cured. Cats were not clipped in this treatment programme. Fungal cultures were obtained once weekly on all cats, and cats were considered cured when they had two consecutive negative weekly fungal cultures. Cats were held in the facility and received continued topical treatment until the fungal cultures were finalized. None of the cats developed oral ulcerations as a result of grooming the lime sulphur rinses. Oral ulcerations only developed in cats with clinical signs associated with upper respiratory disease. None of the uninfected cats living in contact with infected cats became culture positive or developed skin lesions. When data were examined retrospectively and the number of days to finalize the cultures was subtracted (21 days) from the total number of days the cats were housed in the annex, the mean number of days of treatment required for cure was 18.4 +/- 9.5 SEM (range 10-49 days). Cats with more severe infections required longer therapy. In this shelter, the combination of oral itraconazole and topical lime sulphur rinses for the treatment of dermatophytosis was effective and safe.

Canine conjunctival hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma: a retrospective evaluation of 108 cases (1989-2004).

Canine conjunctival tumors of vascular endothelial origin are common, although under-reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of and potential risk factors for these tumors. This study evaluated 108 cases (70 hemangiomas, 38 hemangiosarcomas) from 8300 canine submissions between 1989 and 2004. Signalment, location, pigmentation, size, duration, diagnosis, margins, ancillary therapy, and geographic location were recorded. Follow-up information was available for 49 cases. Each case was matched with two unaffected controls and compared using logistic regression analysis. Average age upon presentation was 8.6 years; there was no sex predilection. Risk of conjunctival tumors was statistically different among breed groups (P = 0.0010), demonstrating a propensity to occur in groups likely to have increased outdoor activity. Primary involvement occurred within nonpigmented epithelium along the leading edge of the nictitating membrane (41/108) and temporal bulbar conjunctiva (33/108). The etiology remains unknown; however, the strong site predilection, involvement of nonpigmented epithelium, and development within specific breed classes strongly suggest ultraviolet (UV) light as a significant risk factor. In a full-logistic model including breed, gender, age, and UV exposure, UV was not a statistically significant variable (P = 0.1215). In a reduced-model including UV only, significance was approached (P = 0.0696) and posthoc contrast demonstrated a significant linear trend with increasing UV exposure (P = 0.0147). In separate analysis of risks associated with hemangiosarcoma, compared with hemangioma, breed was not significant while increasing UV exposure was significant (P = 0.0381). Early surgical therapy is recommended and may be curative; however, recurrence is possible and more likely with hemangiosarcomas (11/20).

Interleukin-8 expression by mammary gland endothelial and epithelial cells following experimental mastitis infection with E. coli.

Epithelial and endothelial cells play a pivotal role in initiating and controlling the movement of leukocytes into tissues during inflammation through the production of cytokines and chemokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8). In situ hybridization with an IL-8 riboprobe was used to determine IL-8 mRNA expression by mammary gland epithelial and endothelial cells in cows with experimental Escherichia coli mastitis. Epithelial cells of the gland, especially surrounding the alveoli, had increased IL-8 mRNA levels at all time points at which tissue samples were collected (8, 12, and 24h) after E. coli challenge. Levels of IL-8 expression in the epithelial cells decreased at 24h post-infection. IL-8 expression by mammary gland endothelial cells was low, but did increase slightly at 24h post-infection. Both epithelial and endothelial cells of the mammary gland can contribute to the production of IL-8 that is typically seen in coliform mastitis.

Pneumothorax in dairy cattle: 30 cases (1990-2003).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the features, underlying causes, results of diagnostic testing, and treatment of pneumothorax in dairy cattle. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 30 dairy cattle. PROCEDURE: Medical records of all cattle with a diagnosis of pneumonia were reviewed. For cattle with pneumothorax, information was obtained pertaining to signalment, anamnesis, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. Survival data were compared between cattle with pneumonia with or without pneumothorax. RESULTS: Pneumothorax was associated with bronchopneumonia in 18 cattle, interstitial pneumonia in 7 cattle, pharyngeal or laryngeal trauma in 3 cattle, and neonatal respiratory distress in 2 calves. Bovine respiratory syncytial virus was the most commonly detected infectious agent. Eighteen of 30 (60%) cattle survived; 8 were euthanatized and 4 died. Survival rate was 81% for cattle with pneumonia without pneumothorax during the same time period. Pneumothorax was a significant risk factor for failure to survive to discharge from the hospital for cattle with underlying chronic bronchopneumonia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pneumothorax in dairy cattle appears to occur most commonly in association with chronic bronchopneumonia. Cattle of both sexes and all ages can be affected.

Isolation of Salmonella spp from the environment of dairies without any history of clinical salmonellosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Salmonella spp could be isolated from the environment of free stall dairies in Wisconsin without any history of clinical salmonellosis and determine the serotype and antimicrobial susceptibility of any Salmonella isolates recovered from the environment. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. STUDY POPULATION: 20 free stall dairies with no history of clinical salmonellosis. PROCEDURES: Dairy owners completed a questionnaire regarding management and production practices. Multiple swab samples were obtained from throughout the free stall facilities and submitted for bacterial culture for Salmonella spp. Odds ratios were calculated to compare herd-level risk factors between dairies from which Salmonella organisms were isolated and herds from which Salmonella organisms were not isolated. RESULTS: Salmonella organisms were isolated from 9 of the 20 (45%) dairies. Salmonella serotype Meleagridis was isolated from 4 dairies, S. Meleagridis and S. Kentucky were isolated from 2 dairies, S. Meleagridis and S. Cyprus were isolated from 1 dairy, S. Cerro was isolated from 1 dairy, and S. Corvallis was isolated from 1 dairy. All isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobial agents tested. None of the potential risk factors analyzed demonstrated a significant association with an increased likelihood of isolating Salmonella spp. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Environmental Salmonella contamination was demonstrated on free stall dairies with no history of clinical salmonellosis.

Maternal serum interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma in preterm labor.

BACKGROUND: To find out whether preterm labor is associated with raised maternal serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and whether the measurement of these cytokines can be used to detect early intrauterine infection in preterm labor. METHODS: Cross-sectional study: 77 women in preterm labor, 47 controls of healthy preterm women not in labor and 19 women in term labor. The serum cytokines levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The newborns of women who were in labor were followed up for evidence of infection. Differences between groups were tested using analysis of variance, Student's t-test and chi2-test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the concentration of all the cytokines measured between the different groups. No statistical difference was found in the concentration of the cytokines between women in preterm labor with ruptured membranes and those with intact membranes. There was also no difference found in the concentration of cytokines between women whose newborns had positive bacterial culture and those with negative culture. There was a positive correlation between the concentrations of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha. CONCLUSION: Serum levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were not increased in preterm labor compared to normal control women. There is doubt regarding the usefulness of maternal serum measurement of these cytokines for the detection of early fetal infection in preterm labor, but this needs further evaluation.