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Neupane S, Wellehan JFX, Childress AL, Snook ER, Porter BF. Meningoencephalitis caused by concurrent infection with canine distemper virus and a unique Sarcocystis sp. in a gray fox. J Vet Diagn Invest 2023; 35:443-447. [PMID: 37042064 PMCID: PMC10331395 DOI: 10.1177/10406387231169768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
A deceased 9-wk-old male gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) with a history of decreased ambulation and diarrhea was submitted to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. No significant gross findings were evident on postmortem examination. Histologically, the cerebrum and brainstem had mild necrotizing meningoencephalitis with protozoal schizonts and merozoites. Additionally, glial cells contained intracytoplasmic and intranuclear viral inclusion bodies. Sections of the cerebrum were positive for canine distemper virus (CDV) and negative for Sarcocystis neurona on immunohistochemistry. Bayesian analysis revealed that this Sarcocystis sp. clustered most closely with a clade of unnamed Sarcocystis sp. found in viperid snakes, with a posterior probability of 99%. CDV likely played a significant role in the expression of clinical sarcocystosis in this gray fox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarita Neupane
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - James F. X. Wellehan
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic & Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - April L. Childress
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic & Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Brian F. Porter
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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2
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Britton AP, Bidulka J, Scouras A, Schwantje H, Joseph T. Fatal hepatic sarcocystosis in a free-ranging grizzly bear cub associated with Sarcocystis canis-like infection. J Vet Diagn Invest 2019; 31:303-306. [PMID: 30698508 DOI: 10.1177/1040638719826627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe herein fatal hepatic sarcocystosis in a free-ranging grizzly bear ( Ursus arctos horribilis) cub with apicomplexan infection of the liver and brain, both demonstrating 100% homology for Sarcocystis canis and S. arctosi. Fatal hepatic sarcocystosis in dogs has been etiologically associated with intrahepatic schizonts of S. canis. In black and polar bears, a S. canis-like organism produces schizonts in the liver and massive hepatic necrosis. Although intramuscular sarcocysts, taxa S. arctosi and S. ursusi, have been described in healthy brown and black bears, respectively, they have not been detected in bears with hepatic sarcocystosis, to our knowledge, and it is currently unknown whether bears represent an aberrant or intermediate host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann P Britton
- Animal Health Centre, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada (Britton, Bidulka, Scouras, Joseph).,Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada (Schwantje)
| | - Julie Bidulka
- Animal Health Centre, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada (Britton, Bidulka, Scouras, Joseph).,Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada (Schwantje)
| | - Andrea Scouras
- Animal Health Centre, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada (Britton, Bidulka, Scouras, Joseph).,Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada (Schwantje)
| | - Helen Schwantje
- Animal Health Centre, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada (Britton, Bidulka, Scouras, Joseph).,Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada (Schwantje)
| | - Tomy Joseph
- Animal Health Centre, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada (Britton, Bidulka, Scouras, Joseph).,Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada (Schwantje)
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Abstract
A 1.5–year-old male Feist dog was presented to a veterinarian for reluctance to stand on the hind legs. Treatment included dexamethasone and resulted in a favorable initial response, but posterior paresis returned and progressed to recumbency, hyperesthesia, and attempts to bite the owner. The dog was euthanized. The brain was negative for rabies by fluorescent antibody analysis. Multiple foci of encephalitis were found in the cerebrum and particularly in the cerebellum. Protozoa morphologically consistent with Sarcocystis sp. were identified at sites of intense inflammation and malacia. Additionally, multiple schizonts were identified in areas without inflammation. Immunohistochemistry using both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies specific for Sarcocystis neurona was strongly positive. No reaction to polyclonal antisera for Toxoplasma gondii or Neospora caninum was found. Polymerase chain reaction confirmed that the protozoa were S. neurona. Additional aberrant hosts for S. neurona other than horses have been identified, but S. neurona encephalitis has not been documented previously in the dog.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. J. Cooley
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
| | - B. Barr
- California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory, University of California, Davis, CA
| | - D. Rejmanek
- Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA
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Dubey JP, Howe DK, Furr M, Saville WJ, Marsh AE, Reed SM, Grigg ME. An update on Sarcocystis neurona infections in animals and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Vet Parasitol 2015; 209:1-42. [PMID: 25737052 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious disease of horses, and its management continues to be a challenge for veterinarians. The protozoan Sarcocystis neurona is most commonly associated with EPM. S. neurona has emerged as a common cause of mortality in marine mammals, especially sea otters (Enhydra lutris). EPM-like illness has also been recorded in several other mammals, including domestic dogs and cats. This paper updates S. neurona and EPM information from the last 15 years on the advances regarding life cycle, molecular biology, epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA.
| | - D K Howe
- M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0099, USA
| | - M Furr
- Marion du Pont Scott Equine Medical Center, Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, 17690 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg, VA 20176, USA
| | - W J Saville
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - A E Marsh
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - S M Reed
- Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY 40511, USA
| | - M E Grigg
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Allergy, and Infectious Diseases, 4 Center Drive, Room B1-06, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Sykes JE, Dubey JP, Lindsay LL, Prato P, Lappin MR, Guo LT, Mizisin AP, Shelton GD. Severe myositis associated with Sarcocystis spp. infection in 2 dogs. J Vet Intern Med 2011; 25:1277-83. [PMID: 22092617 DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.00828.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2011] [Revised: 09/02/2011] [Accepted: 09/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dogs are definitive hosts for numerous species of the intracellular protozoan parasite Sarcocystis. Reports of sarcocysts in muscles of dogs most often represent incidental findings. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES To report the clinicopathologic, ultrastructural, and molecular findings in 2 dogs with myositis associated with Sarcocystis spp. infection, as well as the response to treatment with antiprotozoal drugs. ANIMALS Two dogs with severe myositis in association with massive sarcocystosis. METHODS Retrospective case review. Affected dogs were identified by a diagnostic laboratory. Attending clinicians were contacted, and the medical records reviewed. Immunostaining and electron microscopy were performed on muscle biopsies. Biopsies also were subjected to 18S rRNA gene PCR. RESULTS Both dogs had fever, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity when first evaluated. One dog developed hyperbilirubinemia. Subsequently, both dogs had increased serum creatine kinase activity and clinical signs of myositis, with reluctance to move, generalized pain, and muscle wasting. Histopathology of muscle biopsies showed severe inflammatory and necrotizing myopathy with numerous sarcocysts. Ultrastructural studies and 18S rRNA gene sequence results were consistent with infection with a Sarcocystis spp. other than Sarcocystis neurona. Both dogs initially were treated unsuccessfully with clindamycin and anti-inflammatory drugs. One dog died. The other dog subsequently responded to treatment with decoquinate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Sarcocystis spp. infection should be included in the differential diagnosis for dogs that develop fever, thrombocytopenia, increased liver enzyme activities, and clinical and biochemical evidence of myositis. Although additional studies are required, decoquinate holds promise as an effective treatment for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Sykes
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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Davies JL, Haldorson GJ, Bradway DS, Britton AP. Fatal hepatic sarcocystosis in a captive black bear (Ursus americanus) associated with Sarcocystis canis-like infection. J Vet Diagn Invest 2011; 23:379-83. [PMID: 21398469 DOI: 10.1177/104063871102300234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatal hepatic sarcocystosis was diagnosed in a 13-year-old captive black bear (Ursus americanus) with a history of acute onset of vomiting, polyuria, polydipsia, and bilirubinuria. Gross lesions included severe icterus, multisystemic hemorrhage, and gall bladder edema. The most significant microscopic lesion was severe necrotizing hepatitis with intralesional protozoa that reproduced by endopolygeny consistent with a Sarcocystis spp. Infrequent microglial nodules were randomly scattered within the white matter of the cerebral cortices, thalamus, and brainstem, but intralesional protozoal schizonts were not observed. In the liver, immunohistochemistry was positive for Sarcocystis spp. and negative for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. Positive staining was not observed in the brain. Genus-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of liver and brain; in both tissues, PCR was positive for Sarcocystis spp. Sequence analysis of the PCR amplicons revealed 100% identity to the published sequences of Sarcocystis canis and Sarcocystis arctosi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Davies
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada.
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Inflammation in the Central Nervous System. JUBB, KENNEDY & PALMER'S PATHOLOGY OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS 2007. [PMCID: PMC7155485 DOI: 10.1016/b978-070202823-6.50051-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Dubey JP, Chapman JL, Rosenthal BM, Mense M, Schueler RL. Clinical Sarcocystis neurona, Sarcocystis canis, Toxoplasma gondii, and Neospora caninum infections in dogs. Vet Parasitol 2006; 137:36-49. [PMID: 16458431 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2005] [Revised: 11/29/2005] [Accepted: 12/01/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Sarcocystis neurona, Sarcocystis canis, Toxoplasma gondii, and Neospora caninum are related apicomplexans that can cause systemic illness in many species of animals, including dogs. We investigated one breeder's 25 Basset Hounds for these infections. In addition, tissues from dogs and other non-canine hosts previously reported as S. canis infections were studied retrospectively. Schizonts resembling those of S. neurona, and recognized by polyclonal rabbit anti-S. neurona antibodies, were found in six of eight retrospective cases, as well as in two additional dogs (one Basset Hound, one Springer Spaniel) not previously reported. S. neurona schizonts were found in several tissues including the central nervous system, lungs, and kidneys. Fatal toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in an adult dog, and neosporosis was diagnosed in an adult and a pup related to the one diagnosed with S. neurona. No serological reactivity to S. neurona antibodies occurred when S. canis-like liver schizonts were retrospectively assayed from two dogs, a dolphin, a sea lion, a horse, a chinchilla, a black or either of two polar bears. Sequencing conserved (18S) and variable (ITS-1) portions of nuclear ribosomal DNA isolated from the schizont-laden liver of a polar bear distinguished it from all previously characterized species of Sarcocystis. We take this genetic signature as provisionally representative of S. canis, an assumption that should be tested with future sequencing of similar liver infections in other mammalian hosts. These findings further extend the uncharacteristically broad intermediate host range for S. neurona, which also causes a neurologic disease in cats, mink, raccoons, skunks, Pacific harbor seals, ponies, zebras, lynxes, and sea otters. Further work is necessary to delineate the causative agent(s) of other cases of canine sarcocystosis, and in particular to specify the attributes of S. canis, which corresponds morphologically to infections reported from wide range of terrestrial and marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal and Natural Resources Institute, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA.
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Vashisht K, Lichtensteiger CA, Miller LA, Gondim LFP, McAllister MM. Naturally occurring Sarcocystis neurona-like infection in a dog with myositis. Vet Parasitol 2005; 133:19-25. [PMID: 16005151 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2005] [Accepted: 04/26/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Tissue stages similar to those of Sarcocystis neurona, the causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, were identified in skeletal muscles of a dog. The dog, a 6-year-old Labrador retriever, was seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii infection and euthanized due to a history of polymyositis and progressive muscular atrophy. Histologically, 30, variably sized, microscopic, intracellular sarcocysts were observed in 60 sections of skeletal muscles taken from the neck, fore limbs and hind limbs. The cysts were only observed in inflamed skeletal muscles, but were mostly in myocytes at the periphery of areas infiltrated with leukocytes. Ultrastructurally, the cyst wall had villar protrusions consistent with sarcocysts. Immunohistochemistry with monoclonal S. neurona antibodies demonstrated positive labeling of zoites in merozoites or schizonts in the skeletal muscle interstitium, but no labeling of the sarcocysts. Initial PCR analysis with primers amplifying a genetic sequence encoding Apicomplexan 18s rRNA, and subsequent PCR analysis with differentiating primers indicated that the genetic sequences had 100% identity with sequences reported for S. neurona.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kapil Vashisht
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, 2001 S. Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
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Elsinghorst TAM. New findings on animal diseases published since 2003. 1. Dogs. Vet Q 2004; 26:18-24. [PMID: 15072138 DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2004.9695165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This is the first article of a series of papers reviewing "new findings" on animal diseases. The articles are arranged in order of animal species. This article reviews seven publications on new findings on or directly related to dog diseases. The following seven cases are discussed: Canine sarcocystosis in Central America. Copper accumulation in a Skye terrier: Antemortem diagnosis and cytoprotective bile acid therapy. Keratinocyte culture and use of a cultured epidermal autograft. Line 1 insertion mutation in Factor IX of dogs with hemophilia B. Not previously described localization of the lesions in stifle osteochondritis dissecans. Panniculitis associated with pancreatitis: Antemortem diagnosis. Primary polydipsia associated with (and induced by?) gastrointestinal disease. After a short introduction, the bibliographical data, the abstract of the author(s) and some additional information derived from the article are given.
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Berrocal A, López A. Pulmonary sarcocystosis in a puppy with canine distemper in Costa Rica. J Vet Diagn Invest 2003; 15:292-4. [PMID: 12735355 DOI: 10.1177/104063870301500314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine distemper and pulmonary sarcocystosis were diagnosed in a 10-week-old Rottweiler with 4-day history of diarrhea, vomiting, and weakness. Microscopic examination of the lung revealed bronchointerstitial pneumonia typical of morbillivirus infection. Also, numerous apicomplexan parasites were scattered in the alveolar walls. This protozoan infection was first thought to be toxoplasmosis but immunoperoxidase staining revealed large numbers of Sarcocystis canis. This is the first case of canine sarcocystosis reported from Latin America that further emphasizes the importance of immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnoses of apicomplexan infections in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Berrocal
- Departamento de Patología, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
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Resendes AR, Juan-Sallés C, Almeria S, Majó N, Domingo M, Dubey JP. Hepatic sarcocystosis in a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Spanish Mediterranean coast. J Parasitol 2002; 88:206-9. [PMID: 12053971 DOI: 10.1645/0022-3395(2002)088[0206:hsiasd]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatal hepatic sarcocystosis was diagnosed in a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) from the northeastern Spanish Mediterranean coast based on pathologic findings and the microscopic and ultrastructural characteristics of the intralesional parasite. Main gross lesions were icterus, subcutaneous hemorrhages, and hepatic congestion. The most prominent microscopic lesions consisted of severe acute multifocal to coalescing necrotizing hepatitis with cholestasis and intralesional protozoa. There was severe chronic pancreatitis with generalized distension of pancreatic ducts by hyaline plugs and adult trematodes. Only asexual stages of the protozoa were found. The parasite in the liver divided by endopolygeny. Schizonts varied in shape and size. Mature schizonts had merozoites randomly arranged or budding peripherally around a central residual body. Schizonts were up to 22 microm long, and merozoites were up to 6 microm long. Ultrastructurally, merozoites lacked rhoptries. This parasite failed to react by immunohistochemistry with anti-Toxoplasma gondii, anti-Neospora caninum and anti-Sarcocystis neurona antibodies. The microscopic and ultrastructural morphologies of the parasite were consistent with Sarcocystis canis, so far described only from animals in the Unites States. The life cycle and source of S. canis are unknown. The present report of S. canis-like infection in a sea mammal from Spain indicates that the definitive host for this parasite also exists outside of the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Resendes
- U.D. Histologia i Anatomia Patològica, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
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