Intra-abdominal fungal pseudomycetoma in two cats.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomycetomas are deep cutaneous to subcutaneous lesions caused by Microsporum canis mainly described in Persian cats, with few reports of intra-abdominal location. This report describes the clinical signs and lesions of intra-abdominal pseudomycetomas caused by M. canis in two Persian cats. CASE REPORT: Two Persian cats with a history of previous laparotomy (ovariohysterectomy and nephrostomy) and fecal impaction were examined. Cat #1 was euthanized and subjected to necropsy, histopathology and mycological evaluation. Cat #2 presented with chronic dermatophytosis, and an intra-abdominal mass, that was subjected to histopathology evaluation. Cat #1 presented at necropsy a white-grayish, firm mass (6cm×3.5cm×2.8cm) in the uterine cervix. Cat #2 presented a firm whitish mass (6.5cm×1.5cm×0.5cm) located close to the left kidney. Histologically, both masses contained multifocal granules with hyphae and spores surrounded by Splendore-Hoeppli reaction, with a pyogranulomatous inflammatory infiltrate and fibrous connective tissue proliferation in the periphery. Hyphae and spores exhibited marked Grocott and periodic acid-Schiff staining. M. canis was identified by fungal isolation in cat #1. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudomycetoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cats, especially in Persian cats presenting with an intra-abdominal mass. Entrance of the agent into the cavity can occur during laparotomy.

Cervical wedge resection for treatment of pyometra secondary to transluminal cervical adhesions in six mares.

CASE DESCRIPTION: 6 mares with pyometra secondary to transluminal cervical adhesions were examined. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Reasons for hospital admission included infertility (5 mares) and acute colic (1 mare). In the 6 mares, palpation per rectum of the reproductive tract revealed uterine distention, and transrectal ultrasonography confirmed the presence of echogenic fluid accumulation within the uterus. Cervical palpation during vaginal speculum examination indicated transluminal cervical adhesions. Three mares had severe distortion of the cervix as a result of diverticula and fibrosis. All 6 mares had a diagnosis of pyometra secondary to transluminal cervical adhesions. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Initially, the cervical adhesions were manually broken down to establish a patent cervical lumen to accommodate a uterine lavage catheter. A sample of the uterine content was obtained for bacteriologic culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and the uterus was lavaged with 0.05% povidone-iodine solution to remove the mucopurulent exudate. Once the uterus was evacuated, cervical surgery was performed in standing mares following sedation and caudal epidural anesthesia. A full-thickness wedge-shaped defect was made in the dorsolateral aspect of the cervix that created a permanent opening to the uterus. Postoperative care included applying topical medication to the cervix to reduce the recurrence of adhesion formation. All 6 mares had patent cervices and resolution of pyometra following surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cervical wedge resection enabled treatment of pyometra in mares with transluminal cervical adhesions, without the need for ovariohysterectomy.

Congenital and acquired pathology of ovary and tubular genital organs in ewes: a review.

Advances in our understanding of ovarian cyclicity, pathogenesis of subfertility and/or infertility and reproductive pathology in food animals have frequently entailed examination of abattoir material. Despite the fact that most lesions in ewes are likely to be of relatively minor significance to fertility, results of previous studies suggest that lesions of the female reproductive system may represent a significant source of loss to sheep husbandry. The objective of this paper is to review the pathophysiology, the effects on reproductive efficiency and the key gross and histological diagnostic features of congenital and acquired pathology of ovary and tubular genital organs in ewes.

Endometrial and cervical polyps in 22 baboons (Papio sp.), 5 cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and one marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

BACKGROUND: Endometrial and cervical polyps are masses of endometrium or cervical epithelium that bulge into the uterine or cervical lumen. The physiopathology and contributing factors of endometrial polyps development are still unknown. METHODS: Clinical and pathology records of 28 non-human primates with histologically confirmed endometrial and cervical polyps were reviewed. Twenty-one baboons with endometrial polyps were evaluated for age at diagnosis, body weight, menstrual cycle length, presence of endometriosis and adenomyosis and number of offspring, cesarean sections, and stillbirths. RESULTS: Endometrial polyps in baboons were associated with increased age, decreased menstrual cycle lengths, endometriosis, and decreased parity. No differences were found for weight, adenomyosis, or number of cesarean sections or stillbirths. CONCLUSIONS: Baboons are a promising model for the study of endometrial polyps because of their similarity to humans in both the development of endometrial polyps and association of many of the same risk factors.

Mycoflora of cervicovaginal fluids in dairy cows with or without reproductive disorders.

Fungal infection of reproduction system of dairy cattle have not been received much more attention. The aim of this study was to determine the fungal infection of Holstein dairy cows with reproductive disorders or healthy. Fungal isolates of cervicovaginal fluids of 176 Holstein dairy cows were collected by using the double rod swabs for cervix and the sterilized cotton swabs for discharges of vagina. They were evaluated for fungal infections. The treatment group included 70 dairy cows with reproductive diseases, such as abortion, repeat breeder, endometritis, metritis, retention of fetal membrane, dystocia, cervicitis, and vaginitis. The control groups were included 42 healthy non-pregnant cows and 64 pregnant cows. Isolates of fungi were obtained from cervix and vagina of 27.1% and 28.6% of treatment group, 26.7% and 31.2% of pregnant cows, and 33.3% and 21.4% of healthy non-pregnant cows, respectively, indicating no significant differences. It is showed that the cervix and vagina of the treatment group have been infected by six different mycotic isolates. However, the cervix and vagina of pregnant and non-pregnant healthy cows in control group were infected with 5, 6 and 5, 4 different fungal agents, respectively. Penicillium and yeast were the most common isolated agents. Regarding to the result of this study, it is concluded that fungal infections can occur in cervicovaginal cavity of Holstein dairy cows with or without reproductive diseases.

Adenomyosis with severe inflammation in the uterine cervix in a dog.

A dog with purulent vulval discharge was found to have many cysts containing purulent mucus in the uterine cervix. The uterine horns did not contain any pus. Histological examination revealed a cervical adenomyosis infiltrated by many neutrophils. After an ovariohysterectomy including the whole cervix, the dog recovered well.

[The incidence of cervical dystocia and disorders of cervical involution in the post partum cow]. / Untersuchungen zum Auftreten zervikal bedingter Dystokien und Zervixinvolutionstörungen beim Rind post partum.

The aim of this study was to obtain information on the frequency of cervical dystocia and involution disorders of the canalis cervicalis after difficult dystocia and to characterise factors possibly influencing these pathological conditions. Therefore 317 difficult births in the cow (extraction: 123; foetotomy: 82; caesarean section: 112) and the involution of the cervical canal were documented during the first ten days post partum. In total a cervical dystocia could be diagnosed 53 times (16.7% related to the total number of births). This kind of birth disorder is regularly followed by a caesarean section (p < 0.001). Animals who show a narrowness in the cervix were older than the cows without cervical dystocia (p < 0.05). The same correlation could be detected for the number of births. Animals with delivery problems associated with the cervix had already given birth to more calves than cows who were not affected by cervical disorders (p < 0.01). 58 cows developed a disorder of the cervical involution (18.3% related to the total number of deliveries). This puerperal disorder can be frequently observed after foetotomy (p < 0.001). A correlation between the incidence of disorders of cervical involution and the age or the parity of the animals could not be detected. In the same way, cows with a diagnosis of a cervical dystocia did not develop more frequently disorders of cervical involution than animals who showed a physiological dilation of the cervical canal intra partum.

Chronic vaginocervical prolapse with visceral incarceration in a dog.

A bitch was presented for a vaginal prolapse of five years' duration. The prolapse was confirmed by physical examination and evaluated by contrast radiography. Herniation of the uterine body, urinary bladder, and distal aspect of the colon was identified within the prolapse. The prolapse was reduced surgically, and an ovariohysterectomy, cystopexy, and colopexy were performed. Compared to other vaginal disorders, vaginal prolapse is an uncommon condition in the bitch. The secondary involvement of abdominal viscera appears to be exceptionally rare.

Venereal infection of mares by equine arteritis virus and use of killed vaccine against the infection.

Venereal infection with equine arteritis virus (EAV) was established in each of seven mares by inoculation via the cervix with 20 ml of viral suspension (> or = 8 x 10(6) plaque-forming units; PFU), following treatment with prostaglandin and oestradiol. A dose of < or = 8 x 10(5) PFU produced infection in only five of eight mares. Serum neutralizing antibody developed in mares manifesting clinical signs of equine viral arteritis (EVA), and a weak antibody was detectable in one apparently healthy mare inoculated with 8 x 10(5) PFU. Virus isolation was demonstrated not only in the buffy coat but also in nasal swabs of infected mares. EAV was isolated frequently from the body tissues of the mares (killed 10 to 34 days post-inoculation) up to day 12, but rarely from the reproductive tissues later than day 12. The virus persisted longest in the splenic and deep inguinal lymph nodes, followed by the spleen and internal iliac lymph nodes. Four mares immunized with a killed vaccine for EVA showed no clinical disease after venereal challenge with EAV; the virus was recovered from the buffy coat of three mares and from the nasal swab of one of them, but not from the remaining animal.

Elective cesarean section in mares: eight cases (1980-1989).

From 1980 to 1989, 8 cesarean sections were performed on an elective basis in 5 mares. Four mares had partially obstructed pelvic canals; 2 of these mares had previously lost foals because of dystocia. Cervical adhesions that might obstruct passage of the fetus through the pelvic canal was suspected in the fifth mare. Cesarean section was performed prior to mares entering the first stage of labor. Readiness for birth was estimated by development of the mare's mammary gland and the presence of colostrum in the udder. A ventral midline celiotomy provided excellent exposure and healed without complications in all instances. Eight viable foals were produced. One foal developed bacterial pneumonia and septicemia after surgery and died. Follow-up evaluation of the 7 foals discharged from the hospital failed to reveal complications associated with elective cesarean section. All mares survived the procedure. Fetal membranes were retained for up to 72 hours following surgery; however, systemic complications secondary to retained placenta did not develop. Three mares were bred subsequent to elective cesarean sections, with each mare conceiving the year following surgery. Three foals were produced by 1 mare and 2 foals have been produced by another mare by elective cesarean sections.

Induced Tritrichomonas foetus infection in beef heifers.

Four virgin beef heifers were inoculated intravaginally with 7 x 10(6) Tritrichomonas foetus organisms. Protozoal colonization of the vagina, cervix, and uterus developed within the first week after inoculation. Protozoa were no longer detected in secretions from these regions at approximately the same time in each heifer. Trichomonads were detected in reproductive tract secretions for 13 to 28 weeks. Eight weeks after clearance of trichomonads from the reproductive tract, a second infection was established in 2 of the 4 heifers by intravaginal inoculation of T foetus. The second infections were maintained for up to 4 weeks. The diagnostic sensitivity of wet-mount examination of the reproductive tract secretions was 30%, compared with 78% for culture of trichomonads in secretions. Collection and culturing of specimens of cervical and vaginal mucus provided the most reliable method for diagnosis of trichomoniasis during induced infection of heifers.

[Abscess of the cervix uteri and uterine wall in a cow of German red-spotted breed]. / Zervix- und Uteruswandabszess bei einer Kuh der Rasse "Deutsche Rotbunte".

This report concerns a 5-year-old "Deutsche Rotbunte" cow, which was brought into the clinic because of fertility problems 5 months after its fourth calving. A medicine-ball-sized abscess extending from cervix and corpus uteri into the abdominal cavity was diagnosed. A presumable cause of the abscess could have been an uterine treatment carried out prior to insemination.

Limited survey of genital infection by guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis agent.

Cervical or urethral scrapings were collected from 245 guinea pigs that had clinical signs of guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis (GPIC) or were parents of newborn young having clinical signs of GPIC. Giemsa-stained smears were examined for cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, and samples were passaged in 6-day-old embryonating eggs. Complement-fixation tests were performed on 44 samples passaged through eggs in an effort to detect the presence of GPIC antigen. Unequivocal evidence of chlamydial infection of the genital tract was not found.

A pathological and bacteriological abattoir survey of the reproductive tracts of merino ewes in Western Australia.

Macroscopic examination of 487 ewe reproductive tracts from 18 different sources was made at Perth abattoirs. Of these, 194 were examined microscopically and 217 bacteriologically. Observations were made during March to May, when ewes were not grazing oestrogenic pasture. Significant lesions in ovaries or oviducts were rare. Macroscopic cysts were found in the uterus or cervix of 159 ewes (32.7%). Microscopic lesions, including uterine or cervical cysts and squamous metaplasia or goblet cell hyperplasia of the epithelium, were observed in 76% of ewes studied. Bacteria were isolated from 59 ewes, the most common genera being Corynebacterium, Escherichia, Streptococcus and Bacillus. Escherichia coli and streptococci appeared to be the most commonly associated with endometritis. Presence of bacteria was closely associated with endometritis and with cysts in the cervix. Endometritis was observed microscopically in 48 ewes (24%) and was significantly associated with the presence of cysts in the uterus or cervix. These results suggest that there is a high incidence of clover disease lesions in West Australian ewes, and that under commercial conditions clover disease may cause functional damage to the cervix, allowing passage of bacteria and resulting in endometritis.