Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria can Cause Disseminated Mycobacteriosis in Cats

Mycobacteriosis caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a rising concern in human medicine both in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. In cats, mycobacteriosis caused by NTM is considered mostly to be a focal or dermal infection, with disseminated disease mostly caused by Mycobacterium avium. We describe three cases of disseminated mycobacteriosis in cats, caused by Mycobacterium malmoense, Mycobacterium branderi/shimoidei and M. avium, with no identified underlying immunosuppression. In all cases, extracellular mycobacteria were seen in the pulmonary epithelium, intestinal lumen and glomerular tufts, which could affect the shedding of the organism. The present study highlights the importance of mycobacteriosis as a differential even in immunocompetent animals. Considering the close relationship of owners and pets and the potential presence of free mycobacteria in secretions, cats should be considered as a possible environmental reservoir for mycobacteria.

Long-term outcome and use of 6-minute walk test in West Highland White Terriers with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an incurable interstitial lung disease occurring mainly in West Highland White Terriers (WHWTs). The effects of IPF on survival and on exercise tolerance in WHWTs are unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate survival, prognostic factors, and exercise tolerance in WHWTs with IPF.

ANIMALS

Privately owned WHWTs; 15 with IPF and 11 healthy controls.

METHODS

Prospective case-control study conducted in 2007-2012. For survival, descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curves with Cox proportional hazard ratios were performed. For the prognostic factor study, KM curves, Cox regression analysis, and logistic regression models were used. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) was used for measurement of exercise tolerance.

RESULTS

The median IPF-specific survival of deceased WHWTs (7/15) with IPF was 32 (range 2-51) months from onset of clinical signs. The risk of death from birth in WHWTs with IPF in age-adjusted Cox model was significantly higher (hazard ratio 4.6; 95% confidence interval 1.05-19.74, P = .04) than in control WHWTs. No significant prognostic factors were identified. In 6MWT, WHWTs with IPF walked a shorter distance, median 398 m (range 273-519 m), than healthy controls, median 492 m (420-568 m), P = .05, and the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood in diseased dogs had a moderate positive correlation with walking distance (Kendall's tau-b = 0.69, P = .06).

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

IPF had a negative impact on life expectancy, but individual survival varied considerably. 6MWT proved to be a well-tolerated, noninvasive test to evaluate exercise tolerance.

Pathologic findings and toxin identification in cyanobacterial (Nodularia spumigena) intoxication in a dog

A 3-year-old Cairn Terrier dog that had been in contact with sea water containing cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) was euthanized because of acute hepatic failure and anuria after a 5-day illness. Histologic findings included lytic and hemorrhagic centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis and renal tubular necrosis. The cyanotoxin nodularin was detected in liver and kidney by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Nodularin is a potent hepatotoxin produced by the algal species Nodularia spumigena. The intensity of algal blooms has increased during the past decades in the Baltic Sea region, thus increasing the risk for intoxications in domestic and wild animals. The authors describe the pathologic findings of cyanobacterial toxicosis in a dog with direct identification of the toxin from organ samples.

Cerebellar cortical abiotrophy in Lagotto Romagnolo dogs

This case report documents two pathological variations of potentially inherited, cerebellar cortical abiotrophy in two unrelated Lagotto Romagnolo breed dogs. The first dog had an atypical lesion in the cerebellar cortex with depletion of cerebellar granular cell layer and sparing of the Purkinje cell layer. The second case had degenerative changes in both Purkinje and granular cell layers. The clinical picture was similar in both cases presented, although the severity of the signs of cerebellar dysfunction varied.

Benign familial juvenile epilepsy in Lagotto Romagnolo dogs

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic childhood epilepsies with benign outcomes are well recognized in human medicine, but are not reported in veterinary literature. We recognized such a neurologic syndrome in Lagotto Romagnolo dogs.

ANIMALS

Twenty-five Lagotto Romagnolo puppies from 9 different litters examined because of simple or complex focal seizures and 3 adult Lagotto Romagnolo dogs exhibiting similar clinical signs were used.

METHODS

Clinical and diagnostic evaluations of affected dogs were conducted, including electromyography, electroencephalography, and other testing.

RESULTS

Seizures in puppies began at 5 to 9 weeks of age and usually resolved spontaneously by 8 to 13 weeks. Those with the most severe seizures also had signs of neurologic disease between these seizures, including generalized ataxia and hypermetria. There were no abnormalities in routine laboratory screenings of blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid. Electromyography, brainstem auditory-evoked potentials, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed no specific and consistent abnormalities. Fourteen of 16 (87.5%) affected puppies and 2 of 3 (67%) adult dogs revealed epileptiform activity in the electroencephalogram. Histopathologic examination in 1 puppy and 1 adult dog revealed lesions of Purkinje cell inclusions and vacuolation of their axons restricted to the cerebellum. Pedigree analysis suggests an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

This disorder, with simple or complex focal seizures and cerebellar lesions, represents a newly recognized epileptic syndrome in dogs.

Performance affect in soccer players: an application of the IZOF model

Individual patterns of positive-negative affect (PNA) were studied in 25 Olympic level soccer players (age 17-21). Recall idiographic scaling following the methodology of the individual Zones of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) model was used to identify PNA items related to each player's effective and ineffective game performance. Individual zones for each item were then estimated on the Borg's Category Ratio (CR-10) scale. Optimal and non-optimal PNA patterns were revealed in the selection of idiosyncratic items, their intensity ranges and functions. All PNA items were functionally either facilitating (23.1%), debilitating (42.3%), or both (34.6%). Significant differences in PNA content and intensity (zones) were revealed only at intra- and inter-individual but not at the group level. Pre-game negative ineffective affect in successful players anticipated two days before the important tournament deviated more from non-optimal zones than in less successful players. The data support the findings obtained in ice-hockey and extend Hanin's IZOF model to performance PNA in soccer. Implications for idiographic assessments and application of the IZOF model in team sports are suggested.