Tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis in pet cats associated with feeding a commercial raw food diet.

OBJECTIVES: Mycobacterium bovis, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, can infect cats and has proven zoonotic risks for owners. Infected cats typically present with a history of outdoor lifestyle and hunting behaviour, and cutaneous granulomas are most commonly observed. The aim of this study is to describe an outbreak of tuberculous disease commencing with six young cats, living exclusively indoors in five different households across England, being presented to separate veterinarians across the UK with a variety of clinical signs. METHODS: Investigations into the pyogranulomatous lesions, lymphadenopathy and/or pulmonary disease of these cases consistently identified infection with M bovis. Infection was confirmed by PCR, where possible, or was indicated with a positive interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), where material for PCR was unavailable. In-contact, cohabiting cats were screened by IGRA and follow-up testing was undertaken/advised where results were positive. A lifestyle investigation was undertaken to identify the source of infection. RESULTS: Six clinically sick cats and seven in-contact cats were identified with evidence of M bovis infection. Five clinical cases were either too sick to treat or deteriorated despite therapy, giving a mortality rate of 83%. Lifestyle investigations revealed the common factors between clusters to be that affected cats had mycobacterial infections speciated to M bovis, were exclusively indoor cats and were fed a commercially available raw food product produced by a single manufacturer. The Food Standards Agency, Animal & Plant Health Agency, Public Health England and the food manufacturer concerned have been notified/informed. Other possible sources of exposure for these cats to M bovis were explored and were excluded, including wildlife contact, access to raw milk, the presence of rodent populations inside the buildings in which the cats lived and exposure to known infectious humans. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Upon investigations, our results provide compelling, if circumstantial, evidence of an association between the commercial raw diet of these cats and their M bovis infections.

Megninia ginglymura feather mite infestation in a Hamburg poultry flock in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: A flock of rare breed poultry was heavily infested with small white mites. Although apparently not harming the birds, the mites were identified in order to access data on veterinary/medical significance and to decide upon appropriate treatment. OBJECTIVES: To determine the identity of the mites, assess their potential impact on the host birds and to apply a chemical treatment regime. ANIMALS: Twelve, 5-month-old Hamburg large fowl kept on a UK farm owned by the second author. They were housed together on shavings in an indoor pen with a grass outdoor run. All were hatched on the farm and never left it. METHODS: Mites were identified using taxonomic identification keys and morphological descriptions. Nine birds were treated topically with 0.25% fipronil at 8 mL/kg on one occasion, while three birds were separated and left untreated as a control. RESULTS: The infesting species was the feather mite Megninia ginglymura. Treated birds were mite-free after three weeks, whereas untreated ones were still heavily infested. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This is the first published report of such a heavy infestation of M. ginglymura in poultry in the UK and the first time topical fipronil has been used to eradicate these mites. The case is highlighted because, although asymptomatic in this instance, such infestations may be injurious to birds in different rearing regimes.

Stability of immunophenotypic lymphoid markers in fixed canine peripheral blood for flow cytometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: Flow cytometric analysis of blood samples for immunophenotyping lymphoproliferative diseases has become popular in veterinary medicine. Unfortunately, the use of this technique has been limited by the necessity to test samples within a short time frame after blood collection. A possible solution to this problem is the use of fixative products to preserve the stability of lymphoid antigens. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of 5 lymphoid surface markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD21, and CD45) in blood samples collected in K3-EDTA and Cyto-Chex BCT tubes from healthy dogs. METHODS: Blood from 8 dogs was collected in K3-EDTA and Cyto-Chex BCT tubes and analyzed by flow cytometry at 6 hours, one day, 3 days, and 7 days after collection. Lymphocyte percentage, lymphocyte mor-phology, expression of lymphoid surface markers and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) were recorded at each time point and compared. RESULTS: Lymphocyte percentage and morphology were preserved up to 3 days in samples collected in Cyto-Chex BCT, and lymphocyte percentage was mildly decreased on day 7. CD4, CD8, and CD21 were stable in Cyto-Chex BCT up to 7 days, whereas CD3 and CD45 showed a significant decrease in expression from day 3, with a decrease on average of 21% and 2.4%, respectively, on day 7. MFI was significantly decreased on day 7 for all markers except CD21. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that storage of samples in Cyto-Chex BCT affects lymphoid marker expression and caution should be exercised when interpreting data produced on such samples.