Invasive Colonic Entamoebiasis in Wild Cane Toads, Australia

We detected a disease syndrome in free-ranging Australian cane toads involving atypical behavior and emaciation that is associated with a previously undescribed Entamoeba sp. that infiltrates the colonic lining, causing it to slough. The organism may become seasonally pathogenic when toads are under hydric and nutritional stress.

Mineral density and biomechanical properties of bone tissue from male Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) exposed to organochlorine contaminants and emaciation

We investigated the impact from dietary OC (organochlorine) exposure and restricted feeding (emaciation) on bone mineral density (BMD; g hydroxy-apatite cm(-2)) in femoral, vertebrate, skull and baculum osteoid tissue from farmed Arctic blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus). For femur, also biomechanical properties during bending (displacement [mm], load [N], energy absorption [J] and stiffness [N/mm]) were measured. Sixteen foxes (EXP) were fed a wet food containing 7.7% OC-polluted minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) blubber in two periods of body fat deposition (Aug-Dec) and two periods of body fat mobilisation (Jan-July) in which the food contained less energy and only 2% blubber. SigmaOC food concentration in the food containing 7.7% whale blubber was 309 ng/g wet mass. This corresponded to a SigmaOC exposure of ca. 17 microg/kg body mass/d and a responding SigmaOC residue in subcutaneous adipose tissue of ca. 1700 ng/g live mass in the 8 EXP fat foxes euthanized after 16 months. A control group (CON) composed of 15 foxes were fed equal daily caloric amounts of clean pork (Sus scrofa) fat. After 16 months, 8 EXP and 7 CON foxes were euthanized (mean body mass=9.25 kg) while the remaining 8 EXP and 8 CON foxes were given restricted food rations for 6 months resulting in a body weight reduction (mean body mass=5.46 kg). The results showed that only BMD(skull) vs. BMD(vertebrae) were significantly correlated (R=0.68; p=0.03; n=10) probably due to a similar composition of trabecular and cortical osteoid tissue. No difference in any of the BMD measurements or femoral biomechanical properties was found between EXP and CON foxes although BMD baculum was 1.6-folds lower in the EXP group. However, lean summer foxes had significantly lower femoral biomechanical properties measured as displacement (mm), energy absorption (J) and time (s) biomechanical properties than fat winter foxes (all p<0.004). This indicates lower stiffness and softer bones from fasting which is in agreement with previous studies. Further, it should be kept in mind when studying bone tissues in Arctic mammals also in order to avoid confounding effects from body condition.

Disseminated pilocytic astrocytoma involving brain stem and diencephalon: a history of atypical eating disorder and diagnostic delay

The association of weight loss and pediatric brain tumors that affect the diencephalon or brain stem with weight loss is a recognized, but not fully understood phenomenon. Tumors located in the hypothalamic region may induce the diencephalic syndrome (DS), which is characterized by profound emaciation with almost complete loss of subcutaneous fatty tissue. Tumors that compress or infiltrate the brain stem rarely cause both psychological disturbance and emaciation. The clinical presentation may be different, depending on the location of the lesion and age of the patient. In this report we present an unusual case of severe emaciation in a 4(9)/(12)-year-old girl with a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma of the hypothalamic region and brain stem with neuroaxis dissemination. This case illustrates the importance of considering intracranial mass-lesions in the differential diagnosis of weight loss, psychological disturbance and atypical eating disorder. We discuss the importance of tumor multifocality and the role of patient age in the clinical presentation with reference to the literature.

The Shetland Islands scrapie monitoring and control programme: Analysis of the clinical data collected from 772 scrapie suspects 1985–1997

There were 574 scrapie positive suspects (histopathological scrapie lesions present) and 198 scrapie negative suspects (histopathological scrapie lesions absent). The greatest number of scrapie cases were recorded in sheep of 2, 3 and 4 years of age which represented 17%, 36% and 23% of the scrapie positive suspects, respectively. The sign sensitivities and specificities for the ten recorded signs were, respectively: pruritus (62%, 42%), ataxia (23%, 74%), hyperaesthesia (32%, 74%), wool loss (25%, 73%), fleece discolouration (29%, 85%), bruxism (23%, 69%), nibbling reflex (17%, 58%), head rubbing (47%, 78%), poll rubbing (25%, 83%). These single signs had poor discriminatory values with likelihood ratios close to one (range 0.89-1.21); combinations of the four signs, pruritus, wool loss, ataxia, hyperaesthesia and emaciation were more discriminatory (range 0.30-4.3). This study covered a time period when bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) might have been introduced into the sheep population on the Shetland Islands via contaminated feed. No temporal changes could be detected in the age structure of the affected animals.

Change in signal intensity on MRI of fat in the head of markedly emaciated patients

The amount of fat in various parts of the body decreases in emaciated patients, but responds differently to disease processes. The order of disappearance of fat in various parts of the head has rarely been studied with MRI. We imaged ten patients with anorexia nervosa and one cachectic patient with a psychiatric disorder with a 1.5 T imager. Signal intensities of bone marrow of the skull, subcutaneous tissue, and orbits were assessed on T1- and T2-weighted images, and correlated with the body mass index (BMI) and haemoglobin concentration (Hb). On T1-weighted images, five patients (BMI 15.6-17.8 kg/m2, mean 16.6 kg/m2; Hb 10.1-14.2 g/dl, mean 13.8 g/dl) showed the normal pattern of fat. One (BMI 13.6 kg/m2, Hb 10.4 g/dl) lost the high signal of bone marrow, but high signal of subcutaneous tissue and the orbits was preserved. High signal from bone marrow and subcutaneous tissue disappeared in three patients (BMI 11.5-13.5 kg/m2, mean 12.5 kg/m2; Hb 7.9-9.7 g/dl, mean 8.7 g/dl), but orbital high signal was preserved. The remaining two patients (BMI 9.3 and 13.5 kg/m2, mean 11.5 kg/m2; Hb 7.6 and 8.9 g/dl, mean 8.3 g/dl) showed complete loss of high signal from fat in the head. The order of disappearance of fat (bone marrow, subcutaneous fat, then orbits) correlated with both BMI and Hb. Atrophy of bone marrow was demonstrated on T2-weighted images in five patients with BMI 13.5 kg/m2 or less, and Hb 9.7 g/dl or less.

Effect of emanciation on liver histology of alpine chamois during winter

With the aim of describing the effect of severe feed restriction on the liver histology, morphometrical analysis of liver sections of 10 alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) was performed. Five animals were found dead during the winter season 1995-96 and five were collected during the hunting season 1996. Hepatocyte nuclear size was measured in squared micrometers using Image-Pro Plus software. A significant decrease in the mean size of the nuclei of hepatocytes in emaciated chamois, as compared to harvested animals was observed. The reduction in cell nuclear size may be linked to the mobilization of body protein to prevent ketosis during severe food restriction, as hypothesized for other wild ungulates. The change in hepatocyte size may be the consequence of a strategy to minimize energy expenditure and may be proposed as an index of metabolic stress during winter undernutrition.

Mass stranding of wedge-tailed shearwater chicks in Hawaii

Unusual numbers of wedge-tailed shearwater (Puffinus pacificus) chicks stranded on Oahu (Hawaii, USA) in 1994. Compared to healthy wedge-tailed shearwater (WTSW) chicks, stranded chicks were underweight, dehydrated, leukopenic, lymphopenic, eosinopenic, and heterophilic; some birds were toxemic and septic. Stranded chicks also were hypoglycemic and had elevated aspartate amino transferase levels. Most chicks apparently died from emaciation, dehydration, or bacteremia. Because many birds with bacteremia also had severe necrosis of the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa associated with bacteria, we suspect the GI tract to be the source of disseminated bacterial infection. The identity of the bacteria was not confirmed. The daily number of chicks stranded was significantly related to average wind speeds, and the mortality coincided with the fledging period for WTSW. Strong southeasterly winds were a distinguishing meteorologic factor in 1994 and contributed to the distribution of stranded chicks on Oahu. More objective data on WTSW demographics would enhance future efforts to determine predisposing causes of WTSW wrecks and their effects on seabird colonies.

Vein of Galen malformation with diencephalic syndrome: a clinical pathologic report

A vein of Galen malformation is a dural extracranial vascular anomaly resulting in direct arteriovenous fistulae between the choroid or quadrigeminal arteries and an overlying single venous sac. The disorder can be identified on prenatal ultrasound examination and presents with macrocrania, with or without congestive heart failure, or cranial bruit. Therapeutic measures have included surgical clipping of feeding arteries and transarterial placement of wire, coils, or "bird cages. "2 Recently, newer endovascular techniques involving both a transarterial and transvenous approach have been promising. Prognosis for infants with the disorder remains poor, although improved with new endovascular techniques. Morbidity and mortality have improved to approximately 40% with mild to severe neurologic deficits.3 One cause of significant pre- and posttreatment morbidity might be the presence of vascular steal leading to visual deterioration, seizures, and signs of parenchymal loss, at times with striking progression. 4 The diencephalic syndrome of emaciation or failure to gain weight in an infant with extreme irritability or euphoria has not been reported previously with the vein of Galen malformation and is usually associated with a hypothalamic or chiasmatic glioma.

Fine structure of rat liver, adrenal, testis and seminal vesicle in experimental emaciation

Experimentally emaciated male rats were produced by a bilateral electrical destruction of a part of hypothalamus. In a typical case, when the animals were fixed by perfusion, dissected, and organs weighted, the body weight became 1/2 of the control in 10 weeks. The weight of the viscera (including the subserous fat) was more decreased in comparison with the controls than the weight of the body wall (including extremities and the subcutaneous fat). The weight of the liver became 1/3, the adrenal 1/4, the testis 1/6 and the seminal vesicle 1/19 of the control. Light and electron microscopic examinations showed atrophy and fatty degeneration in the liver, atrophy of the zona reticularis in the adrenal, failure of spermatogenesis, especially at its spermiogenetic stage, in the testis, and an apoptosis in glandular epithelial cells of the seminal vesicle. Two weeks after partial hypothalamus destruction, the weight of the body wall was more decreased in comparison with the controls than the weight of the viscera. Possible pathophysiological mechanisms are discussed. An experimental model of electron microscopical research of apoptosis are presented.

Morphologic and histochemical evaluation of muscle in patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema manifesting generalized emaciation

Twelve severely emaciated patients with emphysema and 4 control patients with mild emaciation were studied. Arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function tests, and muscle biopsy were performed. According to the percentage of ideal body weight (%IBW), patients were divided into two groups of 6 patients each; one with %IBW values greater than 70.0 (group 1) and the other with %IBW values less than 70.0 (group 2), and 4 control patients with emphysema whose %IBW values were greater than 85.5. %FEV1.0, PaO2 and Hugh-Jones scores in group 2 patients were consistent with significantly greater deterioration as compared with those in group 1 patients and controls. In the muscle fibers of 11 patients and 4 controls, nicotinamide and adenosine dinucleotide tetrazolium reductase activity was studded with spots. Nemalin rods were detected in 3 specimens in group 2 and in 1 specimen each in both group 1 and controls. These changes probably result from chronic hypoxemia. Fiber type grouping accompanied by type II dominant fiber atrophy was demonstrated in 5 patients of group 2, whereas type II fiber atrophy was shown in 2 specimens from patients of group 1. Diameters of both types I and II fibers in group 2 were smaller than those in group 1 and controls. Significant correlations were observed between fiber diameters and %IBW, %FEV1.0 and %IBW, and PaO2 and %IBW. Neurogenic and disuse muscular atrophy due to both hypoxic axonal disorder and disuse is likely to be the cause of the emaciation, and a 'vicious circle' between muscular atrophy, respiratory function and hypoxemia probably exists in group 2. Since mild or moderate emaciation was observed in controls and group 1 in spite of the lack of fiber atrophy, involvement of fat and connective tissue should also be taken into consideration to determine the cause of emaciation.

Causes of owl mortality in Hawaii, 1992 to 1994

Eighty-one barn owls (Tyto alba) and five Hawaiian owls or pueo (Asio flammeus sandwichensis) from Kauai, Oahu, Lanai, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii (USA) were evaluated for cause of death, November 1992 through August 1994. The most common cause of death in barn owls was trauma (50%) followed by infectious disease (28%) and emaciation (22%). Most traumas apparently resulted from vehicular collisions. Trichomoniasis was the predominant infectious disease and appeared to be a significant cause of death in barn owls in Hawaii. Pasteurellosis and aspergillosis were encountered less commonly. No predisposing cause of emaciation was detected. Stomach contents from 28 barn owls contained mainly insects (64%) of the family Tetigoniidae and Gryllidae, and rodents (18%); the remainder had mixtures of rodents and insects or grass. Three pueo died from trauma and one each died from emaciation and pasteurellosis. We found no evidence of organochlorine, organophosphorus, or carbamate pesticides as causes of death in pueo or barn owls.

Assessment of emaciation in relation to threat to life in anorexia nervosa

Twenty patients with anorexia nervosa and a body weight below 60% of the standard weight were studied. One died of starvation; the others survived. Four patients, including the deceased, had such severe weakness that they could not sit up without support, and another five could sit up only from a lateral position. Serum albumin or hemoglobin levels at the beginning of therapy could not be used for nutritional assessment because of dehydration, while increased blood urea nitrogen was associated with acute illness. The present results together with data from previous studies of fatal anorexia indicate that the risk of mortality may be quite low when body weight is above 60% of the standard. We suggest that gross muscle weakness in addition to body weight for height can be a valuable indicator to assess the criticalness in anorexia nervosa.

Pathological findings in the Hawaiian monk seal

Postmortem examinations were performed on 45 Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) collected during field research on the beaches of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (USA) from 1981 to 1985. Both males and females of all age groups, perinatal through adult, were examined. Frequent findings included parasites, trauma, cardiovascular disease (congenital and acquired), and respiratory infections. Emaciation was a common condition. All animals except neonates were infected with parasites; infection was severe in several cases. Splenic hematopoiesis was a universal histopathologic finding. Some cases exhibited lesions consistent with renal, gastrointestinal, and toxic disorders; ectopic tissue calcification; gallstones; and ophthalmologic and dental problems.

Gelatinous transformation of bone marrow

Gelatinous transformation of bone marrow is usually encountered in patients of anorexia nervosa. We report two cases of gelatinous transformation of the marrow, one without any detectable cause and the other associated with visceral leishmaniasis.

Accidental selenium poisoning of growing pigs

Chronic selenium (Se) toxicosis was diagnosed in two groups of growing pigs. Emaciation, loss of hair, necrotic areas in the skin, lesions of the coronary band and hooves, postnecrotic atrophic cirrhosis of liver, and lumbal poliomyelomalacia were the principal findings. High Se concentrations were detected in blood plasma. Addition of the calculated amounts of sodium selenite directly to the feedstuff instead to mineral premix was the cause of this intoxication.

Hexamitiasis and an emaciation syndrome in pheasant poults: clinical aspects and differential diagnosis

Clinical hexamitiasis was recorded in pheasant poults between six and 12 weeks old, after placing the birds into release pens, and was characterised by reduced appetite, lethargy and emaciation. Post mortem the carcases were dehydrated. The presence in the lumen of the gut of characteristic motile organisms which could often be found several hours after death, provided a good clinical diagnosis. An emaciation syndrome, clinically similar but not associated with hexamitiasis or other pathogens also occurs in poults. It is characterised by extreme emaciation, largely confined to the pectoral muscles, and dehydration although the birds continue to eat and drink; the cause is unknown. Both hexamitiasis and the emaciation syndrome can cause high morbidity and mortality.

A syndrome with nodular erythema, elongated and thickened fingers, and emaciation

A 5-year-old boy had a nodular erythema, elongated and thickened fingers, and emaciation. His condition was a rare congenital disease inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Eleven cases have been previously reported in the Japanese literature. The onset is early in childhood, and nodular erythema is an essential and initial finding. Growth retardation and emaciation progress slowly with age. The characteristic clinical features include large eyes, nose, lips, and ears, disproportionately long and thick fingers, and the loss of adipose tissue from the upper half of the body. Cardiomegaly and hypertrophy of the periosteum of the phalanges have been described in some cases.

Infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy: perinatal onset with symptoms of diencephalic syndrome

In a neonatal case of infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy, there was emaciation, nystagmus, and endocrinologic disorder suggesting the diencephalic syndrome. At autopsy, spheroid bodies were widely disseminated, particularly in the hypothalamus, infundibulum, and neurohypophysis. The pathologic process may have started in utero.

[Emaciation syndrome (wasting syndrome) in a myasthenia patient]

Immunomorphological manifestations of the wasting syndrome in a patient with myasthenia: thymus atrophy, reduction of the spleen lymphoid tissue, sclerosis of the lymph nodes, hyperplasia of the bone marrow, a decrease in the absolute number of T- and B-lymphocytes of the peripheral blood, intestinal necrosis, and cachexia, are first described. The condition developed along with exacerbation of the main pathological process and immunosuppressive therapy (roentgen irradiation of the thymus, cyclophosphan, hydrocortisone).