Computed tomographic features of gastric and esophageal content in dogs undergoing CT myelography and factors influencing the presence of esophageal fluid

Background

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) has been reported to be a common finding in dogs under general anesthesia.

Objectives

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the esophageal and gastric contents in a population of dogs undergoing computed tomographic myelography (myelo-CT) examination and to evaluate the factors influencing the presence of esophageal fluid (gastric content, duration of anesthesia, body position, and intrinsic factors).

Methods

Esophageal and gastric contents of 83 non-brachycephalic dogs were retrospectively assessed based on plain and myelo-CT scans. Age, weight, breed, sex, and the time between the 2 computed tomography [CT] scans were included.

Results

Esophageal fluid was present in 19% (16/83) of the animals, and 14% (12/83) and 46% (37/83), respectively, had fluid or food material in their stomachs. The frequency of observing esophageal fluid on myelo-CT scans was significantly increased compared with plain CT scans (p = 0.006). The presence of gastric fluid was significantly associated with an increased frequency of observing esophageal fluid compared to other gastric contents (p = 0.049; odds ratio, 3.1). The presence of esophageal fluid was not correlated with alimentary gastric contents (p = 0.17). Increased body weight and duration of anesthesia were significantly associated with an increased frequency of observing esophageal fluid (p = 0.022, p = 0.021).

Conclusions

Unlike alimentary gastric contents, fluid gastric contents were correlated with the presence of esophageal fluid upon myelo-CT. The observation of fluid in the esophagus may be consistent with GER. This study provides data additional to pH monitoring studies of GER and may support previous studies recommending shorter pre-anesthetic fasting periods in dogs.

A MALDI-TOF MS database for fast identification of Vibrio spp. potentially pathogenic to marine mollusks

In mollusk aquaculture, a large number of Vibrio species are considered major pathogens. Conventional methods based on DNA amplification and sequencing used to accurately identify Vibrio species are unsuitable for monitoring programs because they are time-consuming and expensive. The aim of this study was, therefore, to develop the MALDI-TOF MS method in order to establish a rapid identification technique for a large panel of Vibrio species. We created the EnviBase containing 120 main spectra projections (MSP) of the Vibrio species that are potentially responsible for mollusk diseases, comprising 25 species: V. aestuarianus, V. cortegadensis, V. tapetis and species belonging to the Coralliilyticus, Harveyi, Mediterranei, and Orientalis clades. Each MSP was constructed by the merger of raw spectra obtained from three different media and generated by three collaborating laboratories to increase the diversity of the conditions and thus obtain a good technique robustness. Perfect discrimination was obtained with all of the MSP created for the Vibrio species and even for very closely related species as V. europaeus and V. bivalvicida. The new EnviBase library was validated through a blind test on 100 Vibrio strains performed by our three collaborators who used the direct transfer and protein extraction methods. The majority of the Vibrio strains were successfully identified with the newly created EnviBase by the three laboratories for both protocol methods. This study documents the first development of a freely accessible database exclusively devoted to Vibrio found in marine environments, taking into account the high diversity of this genus. KEY POINTS: • Development of a MALDI-TOF MS database to quickly affiliate Vibrio species. • Increase of the reactivity when faced with Vibrio associated with mollusk diseases. • Validation of MALDI-TOF MS as routine diagnostic tool.

Ultrasonographic findings associated with uterine migrating grass seeds in eleven dogs

Numerous locations have been reported for vegetal foreign body migration. However, urogenital migration has rarely been documented. In this retrospective study, the ultrasonographic features associated with intrauterine migrating vegetal foreign bodies (grass seeds) are described in one intact and ten ovariectomized bitches. The most common ultrasonographic finding was focal and mild ampullary dilation of the uterus, containing the foreign body outlined by scant intraluminal fluid. There were no changes seen to the uterine wall, except in one dog with uterine perforation, confirmed at surgery. The remainder of the uterus had a normal appearance in 8/11 dogs, while there was a small amount of intraluminal fluid in 2/11 cases. Mild, focal steatitis around the focal dilation of the uterus segment containing the foreign body was observed in one case. The subtlety of these findings suggests that the ultrasonographic diagnosis of uterine grass awns can be challenging. This underlines a discrepancy with other reported migration sites commonly associated with marked inflammation.

Lung lobe torsion in 15 dogs: Peripheral band sign on ultrasound

The diagnosis of lung lobe torsion in dogs is usually based on radiological, endoscopic, and CT features. Few ultrasonographic descriptions have been published. The purpose of this multicenter, retrospective, and prospective observational study was to investigate the presence of a hypoechoic area forming a pulmonary band or line at the periphery of the twisted lobe on ultrasonography and assess its significance by comparing it to CT and histological findings. Fifteen dogs with lung lobe torsion confirmed surgically or postmortem were included. All had received ultrasonography and CT examinations; 13 had additional histopathological examination performed. In 14 cases, thoracic ultrasonography revealed a peripheral hypoechoic band, overlying areas of scattered, hyperreflecting interfaces in the affected lobe. On CT, central emphysema was surrounded by a peripheral, soft tissue attenuation band, affecting the periphery in 14 cases. No band was observed in one case, in which the lobe was entirely consolidated. Histological examination yielded a comparable peripheral band, consisting of a thickened visceral pleura with or without hemorrhagic necrosis of the underlying pulmonary parenchyma. This peripheral band may be related to the specific fractal organization of airways and vessels, which plays an important role in lung perfusion and ventilation and makes the lung periphery more prone to ischemia. Our findings suggest that the presence of a peripheral hypoechoic band, associated with central emphysema in a noncollapsed lung lobe on ultrasonography, is suggestive of compromised blood supply and air flow, and lung lobe torsion should therefore be suspected.

Intermittent urethral obstruction secondary to caudal sliding of a pelvic bladder in 3 dogs

Three Yorkshire terrier dogs (2 males and 1 female) were presented for investigation of chronic dysuria and stranguria. Physical examination was unremarkable except for a poorly filled bladder. Biological tests, urinalysis, ultrasound, and routine radiography detected no significant abnormality, except for intermittent displacement of the bladder in the pelvis. Manual voiding cysto-urethrography showed marked caudal displacement of the bladder without perineal hernia and revealed intermittent, dynamic urethral obstruction. Obstructive kinking of the membranous urethra was observed in male dogs, and the marked caudal displacement of the bladder in the female dog was suspected to induce similar urethral obstruction, although this was not clearly visualized because of the absence of contrast filling of the obstructed urethra. All dogs showed resolution of the clinical signs following cystopexy. Key clinical message: This report documents the diagnostic value of manual voiding cysto-urethrography for the investigation of dynamic voiding disorders, especially in dogs with a pelvic bladder.

Medical management of Echinococcus multilocularis infection mimicking a locally aggressive cavitary tumor with pulmonary metastases in a dog

A two-year-old Labrador retriever living in the French Alps was presented with abdominal distension, lethargy and weight loss but no other specific clinical signs. CT examination revealed a large, cavitary liver mass invading the caudal vena cava, associated with multiple hepatic lesions of similar appearance, lymphadenopathy and pulmonary nodules. The condition was initially mistaken for a malignant neoplasm. However, cytologic and histologic examinations of the largest liver mass were consistent with cestodiasis and PCR testing confirmed infection with Echinococcus multilocularis. Medical treatment with albendazole was initiated. The dog remained clinically well for ten months following the diagnosis, but had to be euthanized because the owners had to return to Great-Britain and the dog could not be legally imported. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report, in which long-term follow-up of Echinococcus sp. infection in a dog, managed medically, is described. This case also shows that medical management may be a viable option in case surgery is not feasible.

Comparison of efficacy and safety of single versus repeated intra-articular injection of allogeneic neonatal mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of osteoarthritis of the metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joint in horses: A clinical pilot study

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of single and repeated intra-articular administration of allogeneic, umbilical cord-derived, neonatal mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in horses with lameness due to osteoarthritis (OA) of a metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ).

Twenty-eight horses were included. Horses were divided into two groups. Horses in group MSC1 received an MSC injection at M0 and a placebo injection at M1 (1 month after M0). Horses in group MSC2 received MSC injections at M0 and at M1. Joint injections were performed with a blinded syringe. Clinical assessment was performed by the treating veterinarian at M1, M2 and M6 (2 and 6 months after M0), including lameness evaluation, palpation and flexion of the joint. Radiographic examination of the treated joints was performed at inclusion and repeated at M6. Radiographs were anonymized and assessed by 2 ECVDI LA associate members. Short term safety assessment was performed by owner survey. A 2-month rehabilitation program was recommended to veterinarians. There was a significant improvement of the total clinical score for horses in both groups. There was no significant difference in the total clinical score between groups MSC1 and MSC2 at any time point in the study. There was no significant difference in the total radiographic OA score, osteophyte score, joint space width score and subchondral bone score between inclusion and M6. Owner-detected adverse effects to MSC injection were recorded in 18% of the horses. Lameness caused by OA improved significantly over the 6-month duration of the study after treatment with allogeneic neonatal umbilical cord-derived MSCs combined with 8 weeks rest and rehabilitation. There is no apparent clinical benefit of repeated intra-articular administration of MSCs at a 1-month interval in horses with MPJ OA when compared to the effect of a single injection.

Computed tomographic characteristics of pneumolabyrinth in a French bulldog with otitis media and externa

A four-year-old female French bulldog was presented for evaluation of acute, left-sided peripheral vestibular syndrome. Computed tomographic (CT) examination of the head revealed the presence of air within the left cochlea and vestibule, consistent with pneumolabyrinth. This was concurrent with ipsilateral otitis media and externa. Pneumolabyrinth is an uncommon finding in humans and is most frequently due to head trauma and temporal bone fracture. This is the first report describing pneumolabyrinth in a dog, apparently of nontraumatic origin in this case.

Nervous system lymphoma with sciatic nerve involvement in two cats diagnosed using computed tomography and ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration

Two cats were presented with a recent history of difficulty in walking and jumping. Neurological examination was consistent with a lumbosacral or a sciatic nerve lesion in both cases with an additional C6-T2 spinal cord segment lesion in case 2. Differential diagnosis included neoplastic, inflammatory/infectious (neuritis, meningomyelitis, discospondylitis) and compressive disc disease. Computed tomography (CT) revealed an enlarged, contrast enhancing sciatic nerve from the L7-S1 intervertebral foramen, to the distal third portion of the femoral shaft. In case 2, CT also revealed an enlarged femoral nerve and an extradural mass causing mild compression of the spinal cord at T1-2 and T3-4. Ultrasonography allowed to perform fine needle aspiration of the affected sciatic nerve. Cytology was highly suggestive of indolent, small cell lymphoma in case 1, and confirmed a high-grade lymphoma in case 2, both belonging to the large granular lymphoma subtype.

Ultrasonographic characteristics of the abdominal esophagus and cardia in dogs

Differential diagnoses for regurgitation and vomiting in dogs include diseases of the gastroesophageal junction. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to describe ultrasonographic characteristics of the abdominal esophagus and gastric cardia in normal dogs and dogs with clinical disease involving this region. A total of 126 dogs with no clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease and six dogs with clinical diseases involving the gastroesophageal junction were included. For seven euthanized dogs, ultrasonographic features were also compared with gross pathology and histopathology. Cardial and abdominal esophageal wall thicknesses were measured ultrasonographically for all normal dogs and effects of weight, sex, age, and stomach filling were tested. Five layers could be identified in normal esophageal and cardial walls. The inner esophageal layer was echogenic, corresponding to the cornified mucosa and glandular portion of the submucosa. The cardia was characterized by a thick muscularis, and a transitional zone between echogenic esophageal and hypoechoic gastric mucosal layers. Mean (±SD) cardial wall thicknesses for normal dogs were 7.6 mm (±1.6), 9.7 mm (±1.8), 10.8 mm (±1.6), 13.3 mm (±2.5) for dogs in the <10 kg, 10-19.9 kg, 20-29.9 kg and ≥30 kg weight groups, respectively. Mean (±SD) esophageal wall thicknesses were: 4.1 mm (±0.6), 5.1 mm (±1.3), 5.6 mm (±1), and 6.4 mm (±1.1) for the same weight groups, respectively. Measurements of wall thickness were significantly correlated with dog weight group. Ultrasonography assisted diagnosis in all six clinically affected dogs. Findings supported the use of transabdominal ultrasonography as a diagnostic test for dogs with suspected gastroesophageal disease.

Analysis of the sheep MUC1 gene: structure of the repetitive region and polymorphism

An investigation was undertaken with the aim of studying the repetitive region of the MUC1 gene and analyzing its polymorphisms in some Italian sheep breeds. Two primers previously used for the goat MUC1 gene analyses allowed for the amplification of 4 different alleles. The sequence analysis showed that the repetitive region of the sheep MUC1 gene is an array of 60-bp repeats, in accordance with the information reported in humans, cattle, and goats. The polypeptide sequence encoded by the consensus repeat was very similar to the corresponding sequences of goats and cattle. The average homology of all repeated units was 82%; when the repeats were compared with the derived consensus repeat, homology dropped to 78%. The repeats were not all perfectly conserved, but the sequence homology was nevertheless clearly sufficient to preserve the mechanism giving rise to the variable-number tandem-repeat polymorphism. In spite of their reduced sequence homology, the sheep repeats shared a high number of potential glycosylation sites. The conservation of the exact number and position of glycosylation sites did not seem to be very important for the purpose of functional integrity, but glycosylation appeared to be conserved as a bulk property. Analysis of the polymorphism in 6 Italian breeds showed that the sheep repetitive region seemed to be less variable and smaller in size than the repetitive region of the goat. The findings of this study suggest that ruminants can be a useful model to study the mechanisms by which the variation in the repeat number and the extracellular domain size can modulate the effectiveness of MUC1 as a cell-surface shield.

Casein Haplotype Structure in Five Italian Goat Breeds

The aim of this work was to investigate the genetic structure of the casein gene cluster in 5 Italian goat breeds and to evaluate the haplotype variability within and among populations. A total of 430 goats from Vallesana, Roccaverano, Jonica, Garganica, and Maltese breeds were genotyped at alphas1-casein (CSN1S1), alphas2-casein, (CSN1S2), beta-casein (CSN2), and kappa-casein (CSN3) loci using several genomic techniques and milk protein analysis. Casein haplotype frequencies were estimated for each breed. Principal component analysis was carried out to highlight the relationship among breeds. Allele and haplotype distributions indicated considerable differences among breeds. The haplotype CSN1S1*F- CSN1S2*F-CSN3*D occurred in all breeds with frequencies >0.100 and was the most common haplotype in the Southern breeds. A high frequency of CSN1S1*0-CSN1S2*C-CSN3*A haplotype was found in Vallesana population (0.162). Principal component analysis clearly separated the Northern and Southern breeds by the first component. The variability of the caprine casein loci and variety of resulting haplotypes should be exploited in the future using specific breeding programs aiming to preserve biodiversity and to select goat genetic lines for specific protein production.

Analysis of the MUC1 Gene and its Polymorphism in Capra hircus

The objective of our study was to demonstrate the existence of a repetitive region in the goat MUC1 gene and to develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol to analyze its polymorphism in different breeds. Using 2 primers derived from the bovine MUC1 sequence, a PCR fragment was obtained and cloned. The sequence analysis shows that the repetitive region of goat MUC1 is an array of 60 bp repeats in accordance with the data reported for other species. The polypeptide sequences encoded by the consensus repeats of goat and bovine were exactly alike. A PCR protocol to improve the detection of goat MUC1 polymorphism was developed, and a total of 178 animals from 6 Italian breeds were analyzed. Fifteen different alleles, ranging in size from 1500 to 3000 bp, were found. The high number of alleles observed shows that the goat MUC1 is a hypervariable gene. These results are the basis for further investigations on the possible role of MUC1 polymorphism in the genetic control of disease susceptibility and production traits in the goat species.

Surgical treatment of a comminuted articular fracture of the accessory carpal bone in a thoroughbred horse

The clinical, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings in a case of a comminuted articular fracture of the accessory carpal bone of a thoroughbred chaser are described, and its surgical treatment and aftercare are detailed. The horse made an uneventful recovery and successfully returned to racing.

Acetylcholinesterase. II. Crystallization, absorption spectra, isoionic point

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