Detection of skunk adenovirus-1 in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius)

We describe gross pathology, histopathology, ultrastructure, and molecular characterization of skunk adenovirus 1 (SkAdV-1) in 3 ferrets (Mustela putorius) submitted to the Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Zoo and Exotic Animal Pathology Service at the University of Georgia. Case 1 came from a cohort with a 6-week history of multiple ferrets with respiratory disease and mortality. Cases 2 and 3 were submitted 19 days later; they died 3 days after arrival at the vendor's facility. Histopathological evaluation found evidence of suppurative bronchopneumonia, with intralesional gram-positive cocci in case 1. The others had evidence of subacute multifocal histiocytic and lymphoplasmacytic interstitial pneumonia. Viral isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and DNA sequencing identified SkAdV-1 in lung tissue. In situ hybridization confirmed adenovirus within the lung lesion, and adenovirus particles were visible under an electron microscope. This is the seventh species in which SkAdV-1 has been identified. Cross-species transmission events have important implications for wildlife management and multispecies facilities.

Surveillance for Avian Bornavirus in Colorado and Wyoming, USA, Raptor Populations

Avian bornavirus (ABV) is known to infect at least 80 avian species and is associated with avian bornaviral ganglioneuritis (ABG). Avian bornaviral ganglioneuritis is characterized by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the nervous tissue, mainly affecting the nerves that supply the gastrointestinal tract of birds. This disease is diagnosed commonly in psittacines under human care and has been demonstrated in wild bird species; however, its occurrence in raptors is largely unknown. Because of the commonality of ABV in the pet bird population, there is concern about the spread of this virus to other companion avian species, such as falconry birds, as well as wildlife. This prospective study used reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to survey free-ranging Colorado and Wyoming, US, raptor populations for ABV. Quantitative PCR was performed on mixed conjunctival-choanal-cloacal swabs collected from live birds (n=139). In dead birds, a combination of mixed swabs (n=265) and tissue samples of the brain (n=258), heart (n=162), adrenal glands (n=162), liver (n=162), kidney (n=139), spinal cord (n=139), and brachial plexus (n=139) were evaluated. All 1,565 swab and tissue samples RT-qPCR results from the 404 birds evaluated were negative. Based on these results and a lack of clinical signs suggestive of ABG, ABV is likely not a prevalent pathogen in Colorado and Wyoming raptor populations at this time.

Naturally occurring psittacid alphaherpesvirus 3 and probable adenovirus coinfection in an Indian ringneck parakeet in the United States

Psittacid alphaherpesvirus 3 (PsAHV-3) is a rarely reported virus that has been associated with pneumonia in psittacine birds. A 5-mo-old Indian ringneck parakeet (syn. rose-ringed parakeet; Psittacula krameri) was euthanized after developing torticollis and lethargy. Postmortem examination of the parakeet revealed severe pneumonia with syncytial cells containing eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies (INIBs) in the respiratory epithelium. Gene sequencing of total DNA extraction detected PsAHV-3 in the frozen lung. The pancreas had severe lytic necrosis, with the remaining parenchymal cells expanded by large basophilic INIBs. Electron microscopy of the pancreas revealed intranuclear paracrystalline arrays of viral particles morphologically resembling adenovirus. Although we found 3 PsAHV-3 cases in birds in a literature search, we found no cases with adenoviral coinfection.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infection in Brown Rats (Rattus norvegicus), Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 2019-2022

Rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), a zoonotic parasite invasive to the United States, causes eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. A. cantonensis harbors in rat reservoir hosts and is transmitted through gastropods and other paratenic hosts. We discuss the public health relevance of autochthonous A. cantonensis cases in brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Application of environmental sampling to investigate a case of avian chlamydiosis in a pet store and breeding facility leading to mass bird exposures

Chlamydia psittaci is a bacterium that causes chlamydiosis in birds and can cause zoonotic psittacosis in people. In November 2017, we received notification of a suspected case of avian chlamydiosis in a captive cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) that was sold by an online pet bird retail and breeding facility in Washington State. We describe the investigation with emphasis on how environmental sampling was used to guide veterinary and public health interventions. Bird samples were collected either from pooled droppings, pooled plumage or individual nasal and choanal swabs. Environmental samples were obtained by swabbing cleaning mops, tables and cage structures. All samples were tested by polymerase chain reaction and positive samples underwent genotyping. Approximately 1000 birds representing four taxonomic orders were kept within an open-space warehouse. Eight of 14 environmental samples and one of two pooled faecal samples were positive for Chlamydia spp. The contaminating strain of Chlamydia spp. was identified as genotype A. The facility was closed for environmental disinfection, and all psittacines were treated with oral doxycycline for 45 days. Ten of 10 environmental and two of two pooled faecal samples were negative for C. psittaci 11 months after the completion of environmental disinfection and antimicrobial treatment. This investigation highlights the importance of preventing and mitigating pathogen incursion in an online pet retail and breeding facility. Environmental sampling is valuable to guide animal and public health interventions for control of C. psittaci, particularly when large numbers of birds are exposed to the pathogen.

MANAGEMENT OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION, VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIA, LEFT VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION, AND SUBSEQUENT CARDIOPATHOLOGIC EVALUATION IN AN ORANGUTAN (PONGO PYGMAEUS × ABELII)

A 37-yr-old male vasectomized hybrid orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus × abelii) was diagnosed with left ventricular dysfunction during a preventative health care examination. Treatment was initiated with carvedilol. The following year, this orangutan was evaluated for intermittent lethargy. Following observation of an irregular cardiac rhythm during an echocardiogram, a lead II electrocardiogram revealed atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmia. Additional treatment included amiodarone, furosemide, spironolactone, clopidogrel, and aspirin. An improved activity level was noted, and follow-up testing showed restoration of a sinus rhythm, reduced frequency of ventricular arrhythmia, and improved left ventricular function. The orangutan died 27 mon after initial diagnosis of heart disease, and a complete necropsy was performed. This article describes successful diagnosis and management of structural and arrhythmic heart disease in an orangutan, emphasizing the role of cardiac disease screening and behavioral training in apes, as well as the value of matching thorough antemortem and postmortem cardiac evaluation.

Effect of Meperidine on Equine Blood Histamine, Tryptase, and Immunoglobulin-E Concentrations

Objectives: To evaluate changes in immunological parameters following subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM) administration of meperidine in horses through quantitative analysis of plasma tryptase, histamine, and IgE levels.

Methods: Six adult horses were enrolled in a prospective randomized crossover design. Horses were administered one treatment per day, with a seven day washout period: (a) meperidine 1 mg/kg IM, saline 6 mL SC; (b) saline 6 mL IM, meperidine 1 mg/kg SC; (c) saline 6 mL SC, saline 6 mL IM. Blood samples were obtained for plasmatic histamine (baseline, 5, 10, 15, 30, and 60 min) via LC-MS/MS and plasmatic tryptase (baseline, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min) quantification with enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assays. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentrations prior to any meperidine treatment and 7–14 days following the first meperidine treatment were evaluated with enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assays. Histamine and tryptase concentrations were evaluated with a mixed-effect analysis of variance. The levels of IgE at baseline (before the administration of the first dose of meperidine) were compared with the IgE values at 60 min following the second meperidine administration with the Paired t test. Biopsies of localized injection site reactions from subcutaneous meperidine administration were collected from two horses.

Results: No statistically significant elevations from baseline in histamine (p = 0.595), tryptase (p = 0.836), or IgE (p = 0.844) were found in any of the horses in this study. There were no differences between treatment groups. Administration of SC meperidine caused a localized vasculitis and thrombosis with regional edema and hemorrhage.

Conclusion: No evidence of anaphylactoid or anaphylactic type reactions occurred following IM or SC meperidine administration.

Sparganosis due to Spirometra sp. (cestoda; Diphyllobothriidae) in captive meerkats (Suricata suricatta)

We report three cases of sparganosis due to plerocercoids of the tapeworm Spirometra sp. in captive meerkats (Suricata suricatta) from a zoo exhibit in the southeastern United States. Two meerkats were euthanized, one due to an uncontrollable seizure and the other due to trauma, and at necropsy cysts containing cestode larvae were observed. A third meerkat had a subcutaneous nodule surgically removed, which contained similar larvae. The third animal died years later, and had numerous cestode larvae in the pleural and peritoneal cavities. The larvae were morphologically identified as plerocercoids of diphyllobothriidean cestodes. On necropsy, multiple nodules, ranging in size from 2.5 to 3.0 cm, were observed in the subcutaneous tissue and muscles. Multifocally, separating skeletal muscle fibers were longitudinal and transversal sections of cestode larva. Histologically, parasitic cysts contained large numbers of neutrophils and macrophages, admixed with proteinaceous material. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that specimens from one of the meerkats belonged to the genus Spirometra and was closely related to Spirometra plerocercoids isolated from a snake from the United States and wild felids from South America. Meerkats likely became infected by ingesting infected second intermediate hosts, such as amphibians and reptiles that may have entered the exhibit. Management practices that minimize access of meerkats and other susceptible hosts to intermediate hosts should be implemented.

Embryonal central nervous system tumor in the brain of a goose

Embryonal central nervous system (CNS) tumor is a rare malignant neoplasm that arises from the neural crest. Herein we describe an embryonal tumor in the brain of an adult male domestic goose ( Anser anser) that was euthanized after a short history of wandering and lethargy. Grossly, a focal, bright-red, soft plaque was present on the ventral aspect of the brain, extending from the optic chiasm to the midbrain, as well as into the dorsal neuroparenchyma. Histologically, the nodule consisted of a poorly demarcated population of neoplastic cells arranged in streams and bundles, and occasionally palisading around small capillaries (pseudorosettes). Neoplastic cells were elongate and had scant, finely granular, eosinophilic cytoplasm, and elongate nuclei with dense chromatin. Mitoses were uncommon. Scattered foci of intratumoral necrosis and microvascular proliferation were present. Neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for doublecortin and neuronal nuclei. Ultrastructurally, neoplastic cells had elongated-to-polyhedral cytoplasm with short processes, scarce intermediate filaments, and small round mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The cell membrane had varied numbers of intercellular anchoring-like junctions, and nuclei were round-to-elongate and had marginal aggregates of heterochromatin. Morphologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural findings in our case are consistent with a poorly differentiated embryonal tumor.

A divergent pseudoglandular configuration of cutaneous plasmacytoma in dogs

Cutaneous and mucocutaneous plasmacytoma (PCT) is a common neoplasm of dogs. Tumors can be single or multiple and occur predominantly in the oral cavity, lip, ears, digits, and trunk. Although these tumors typically offer no diagnostic challenge for the pathologist, subsets of PCTs with atypical morphologic configurations may make differentiation from other neoplasms difficult. We describe 6 cases of canine cutaneous and mucocutaneous PCT with pseudoglandular arrangement of neoplastic cells. The mean age of affected dogs was 11.3 y, and multiple breeds and sites were affected. Histologically, neoplastic cells were arranged in sheets, packets, and pseudoglandular structures containing central accumulations of blood or eosinophilic material admixed with neoplastic cells and hemosiderin-laden macrophages. Given the presence of pseudoglandular structures resembling neoplastic acini, epithelial neoplasia was occasionally included in the differential diagnosis. Neoplastic cells were strongly immunopositive for multiple myeloma oncogene 1 ( MUM-1) and immunonegative for pancytokeratin AE1/AE3. Canine cutaneous and mucocutaneous PCTs with pseudoglandular morphology may resemble epithelial neoplasia and raise questions about tumor histogenesis.

Demonstration of ignition radiation temperatures in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion hohlraums

We demonstrate the hohlraum radiation temperature and symmetry required for ignition-scale inertial confinement fusion capsule implosions. Cryogenic gas-filled hohlraums with 2.2 mm-diameter capsules are heated with unprecedented laser energies of 1.2 MJ delivered by 192 ultraviolet laser beams on the National Ignition Facility. Laser backscatter measurements show that these hohlraums absorb 87% to 91% of the incident laser power resulting in peak radiation temperatures of T(RAD)=300 eV and a symmetric implosion to a 100 μm diameter hot core.