1/136. Canine calcium oxalate urolithiasis. Case-based applications of therapeutic principles. The case study presented here illustrates the diagnosis and management of calcium oxalate urolithiasis in a Bichon Frise, a breed at increased risk for this type of stone. If the Bichon Frise had persistent hypercalcemia, we would have evaluated serum concentrations of ionized calcium, parathyroid hormone, and vitamin d to identify an underlying cause. Because his urine was alkaline, additional potassium citrate was not provided. Likewise, as a fortified diet was fed to him, vitamin B6 therapy was not considered. This case study illustrates the benefits of radiographic evaluation immediately following surgery and during follow-up examinations. If we had postponed radiographs until the patient developed clinical signs, additional surgical procedures may have been required. ( info) |
2/136. Characterization of a canine long-term T cell line (DLC 01) established from a dog with sezary syndrome and producing retroviral particles. The canine DLC 01 cell line derives from a lymph node of a dog with sezary syndrome. The DLC 01 cell phenotype is CD4-, CD8 , CD45 , DQ , similar to that of original cells after treatment with dimethylsulfoxide or phorbol myristate. Canine cutaneous T cell lymphoma are usually CD4-, CD8 in contrast to their human counterparts which are CD4 , CD8-. Therefore, the DLC 01 cell line appears to be a unique model to study the mechanism of all surface molecule expression in vitro. Viral particles with retrovirus type-C morphology were found in ultrathin sections of DLC 01 cell pellets. Retroviral particles are spontaneously produced after the 50th cell passage or after induction with 0.5% dimethylsulfoxide. This is the first description of a dog lymphoid cell line spontaneously growing and producing a retrovirus. It was found to share several features in common with feline and murine leukemia viruses. ( info) |
3/136. A case of a dog with thickened calvaria with neurologic symptoms: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. A 6-year-old female mongrel dog weighing 9.0 kg was presented ananastatic, with clouding of consciousness, bilateral loss of hearing and depressed reactivity of the eyes to light. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination showed that the calvaria was markedly thickened with compression to the cerebrum and cerebellum. The case of a dog with thickened calvaria with compression of the cerebrum and cerebellum which could not be diagnosed by conventional measures was amenable to diagnosis by MRI. With increased application of MRI examination, such canine cases might increase in number. ( info) |
4/136. Tyrosinase gene expression in clear cell sarcoma indicates a melanocytic origin: insight from the first reported canine case. The aim of this study was to characterize a metastasizing soft tissue tumor in a dog, which clinically, grossly and histologically showed a close resemblance to human clear cell sarcoma, a soft tissue variant of malignant melanoma. Ultrastructurally, melanosomes were found, indicating a melanocytic origin of the tumor. Using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, expression of the gene encoding tyrosinase was determined in tumor cells. With this first case of canine clear cell sarcoma, as well as the earlier report from our laboratory on amelanotic melanomas in the cat, we demonstrate that expression of the tyrosinase gene may occur in a broader range of less differentiated melanocytic tumors in different species, including man. ( info) |
5/136. Molecular identification and epidemiological tracing of pasteurella multocida meningitis in a baby. We report a case of pasteurella multocida meningitis in a 1-month-old baby exposed to close contact with two dogs and a cat but without any known history of injury by these animals. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the isolate from the baby allowed identification at the subspecies level and pointed to the cat as a possible source of infection. molecular typing of Pasteurella isolates from the animals, from the baby, and from unrelated animals clearly confirmed that the cat harbored the same P. multocida subsp. septica strain on its tonsils as the one isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of the baby. This case stresses the necessity of informing susceptible hosts at risk of contracting zoonotic agents about some basic hygiene rules when keeping pets. In addition, this study illustrates the usefulness of molecular methods for identification and epidemiological tracing of Pasteurella isolates. ( info) |
6/136. Molecular phylogenetic evidence for noninvasive zoonotic transmission of staphylococcus intermedius from a canine pet to a human. rRNA-based molecular phylogenetic techniques were used to identify the bacterial species present in the ear fluid from a female patient with otitis externa. We report the identification of staphylococcus intermedius from the patient and a possible route of transmission. Analysis of 16S ribosomal dna restriction fragment length polymorphisms indicated that the dominant species present was S. intermedius. A pet dog owned by the patient also was tested and found to harbor S. intermedius. In humans, the disease is rare and considered a zoonosis. Previously, S. intermedius has been associated with dog bite wounds, catheter-related injuries, and surgery. This study represents the first reported case of a noninvasive infection with S. intermedius. ( info) |
7/136. Apparent pokeweed mitogen cure of metastatic gum melanoma in an older dog. immunotherapy with plant mitogens has been of increasing interest to both authors, although their mutual attraction to these substances over the past two decades occurred independently and has taken divergent pathways from the start. Because of their clinical unavailability, Wimer's efforts have been confined to writing theoretical concepts on potential applications of the mitogens focusing on the L4 isolectin of PHA. Alternatively, Mann has worked actively with laboratory and experimental research involving PWM that he has extracted himself. As a sequel to a pilot study of PWM cancer treatment in pets whereby he supplies the mitogen, protocol, and data sheets and veterinarians supervise the administration, Mann acquiesced to widespread requests for inclusion in an extended investigation. Unfortunately, this arrangement has left Mann with little control over data submission, and until recently, only verbal reports have been received. The recent documentation of a three-year remission and apparent cure of gum melanoma metastatic to regional and hilar lymph nodes and to the lungs in an aged dog following PWM therapy has prompted this case report. The incredible response has inspired more aggressive attempts to obtain information from other recipients of the mitogen. The small total dose of 300 micrograms inducing a remission does speak for the remarkable potency of PWM that may be 500 or more times that of PHA. However, the possibility that melanoma is a uniquely responsive tumor is suggested by a 1971 article indicating complete remission of metastatic melanoma in an 18-year-old lad to an unexpectedly low total dose of 50 mg PHA. Preliminary reports on other tumors treated with PWM indicate some impressive responses have occurred, although they also suggest that Mann's regimen may sometimes require adjustments in dosages and other variables previously reviewed in theoretical PHA-L4 models, to which this case report now contributes validity. ( info) |
8/136. Photodynamic therapy as a treatment for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a dog. Intrathoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed by endoscopy in an 11-year-old, castrated male Labrador retriever with signs of regurgitation and weight loss. Photodynamic therapy with photofrin was administered three times under endoscopic guidance over a two-month period. A partial response to photodynamic therapy was supported by a reduction in tumor size (noted on serial endoscopic examinations) and by a return to oral alimentation. The dog was euthanized due to recurrent regurgitation and aspiration pneumonia nine months after the onset of therapy. Necropsy revealed marked local invasiveness and regional lymph node metastasis of the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in addition to pneumonia. The application of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of canine esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is discussed and compared with the human literature. ( info) |
| A 4-month-old male infant manifested diarrhea and salmonella Virchow was isolated from his stool. The pathogen was repeatedly isolated from the infant over one month despite three regimens of treatment with antibiotics, to which the isolate was sensitive. Three household dogs were kept in his home and S. Virchow was isolated from two of them. The infant was admitted to hospital and was treated with antibiotic, then the pathogen was finally eliminated. Antibiotic sensitivity pattern and PFGE pattern produced by restriction enzyme Xba I of the isolate from the infant was completely similar to those of the isolates from the dogs. The above findings indicated that the present S. Virchow infection in the infant was transmitted by the household dogs. ( info) |
10/136. Transvenous coil embolization of an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt in a dog: a naturally occurring model of portosystemic malformations in humans. Congenital patent ductus venosus (PDV) occurs far more commonly in dogs than in people; consequently, the natural course of the disease in dogs was studied as a model to understand the pathophysiology behind the vascular anomaly and its response to therapy better. In this report, the authors describe the results of percutaneous coil embolization as a single procedure in a dog with a single congenital extrahepatic portocaval shunt and compare portosystemic vascular anomalies (PSVA) seen in dogs with those seen in children. ( info) |