Aurelio Cagnasso

Serum Values of Cardiac Troponin-T in Normal and Cardiomyopathic Dogs

Together with tropomyosin, the troponin complex participates in the contraction of skeletal and cardiac muscles. Troponin is composed of three subunits, namely troponin C (TnC), troponin I (TnI), and troponin T (TnT), which binds tropomyosin. There are three different isoforms of TnT and TnI, two of which are specific for skeletal muscle, while the third is specific for the myocardium (cTnT and cTnI). As the homology between troponins is about 95% among mammals, commercial diagnostic kits designed for use in humans also provide excellent results in other animals. (O’Brien et al., 1997). In human medicine, the measurement of cTnT or cTnI levels is now used together with measurement of the levels of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and their isozymes for assessment of myocardial damage. For diagnostic purposes, one advantage is that these proteins are normally absent in blood in subjects without myocardial damage. Even minimal increases in the serum levels of these proteins are indicative of myocardial damage and, in the case of cTnT, it is detectable in serum from 2 h to 14 days following the onset of myocardial damage. Moreover, in contrast to the isozymes of CK and LDH, the results are not influenced by use of different clinical samples (hemolytic, lipemic, bile samples). The degree of increase in the level of cTnT is relatively proportional to the degree of myocardial damage, with prognostic implications as well. At the same time, the extreme sensitivity of this technique also allows for its use in other nonischemic pathologies including chronic cardiac insufficiency, pulmonary emboli, acute myocarditis, systemic hypertension, arrhythmias, and toxicity from doxorubicin (De Francesco, 2002). In veterinary medicine, O’Brien et al. (1997) have demonstrated the utility of measuring the levels of cTnT in the diagnosis of experimentally induced myocardial damage.

Neurological signs associated with aflatoxicosis in Piedmontese calves

MYCOTOXINS are secondary metabolites produced by fungi, which may be developed under particular storage and environmental conditions. The principal mycotoxins affecting agriculture and livestock are aflatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, zearalenone and fumonisins; these agents may significantly affect public health and economies worldwide (Moss 1991). The toxicity of mycotoxins varies according to the livestock species affected. Ruminants are among the most mycotoxin-tolerant species, as the agents are partly degraded by the rumen microbiota (Hussein and Jeffrey 2001, Yiannikouris and Jouany 2002). In bovids, natural intoxication by fumonisin is rare, and toxicological studies on this mycotoxin have been mostly experimental (Osweiler and others 1993, Mathur and others 2001). Aflatoxins are among the most widely diffuse mycotoxins in foods and feedstuffs. In bovids, the prolonged consumption of contaminated feed has a negative impact on both production and reproduction (Dekman and Green 1992, Pier 1992, Hussein and Jeffrey 2001). By binding to macromolecules such as nucleic acids and nucleoproteins, aflatoxins cause a number of toxic effects such as mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, teratogenesis, reduced protein synthesis and immunosuppression (Hussein and Jeffrey 2001). The liver is the principal target organ of aflatoxicosis, and chronic intoxication induces lesions that are characterised by proliferation and fibrosis of the bile ducts accompanied by hepatocyte megalocytosis (Marcato 2002). This short communication describes the clinical, laboratory, macroscopic and histopathological findings relating to an outbreak of hepatic encephalopathy consequent to accidental intoxication by aflatoxin in Piedmontese calves. The affected farm housed 75 Piedmontese cows that were kept for the production of beef calves. Animals kept for reproduction were fed hay, while the beef calves were fed home-produced cornmeal for approximately four months. A clinical examination carried out on site identified six calves, aged six to 15 months, showing varying degrees of clinical signs; neurological signs of varying intensity had appeared 36 to 48 hours previously. Two animals (calves 1 and 2) were in lateral recumbency; physical examination revealed hypothermia and weight loss. Neurological examination showed a comatose mental status, characterised by the absence of response to any stimulus, including pain sensation. Generalised spinal hyporeflexia was also present, as well as dilated pupils and the absence of direct and consensual pupillary light reflexes. One of these animals showed myoclonus in the right forelimb. Blood samples and cerebro spinal fluid were collected from these two animals, which were euthanased and underwent postmortem examination. The remaining four animals showed signs of weight loss, dysorexia, ruffled coats and reduced ruminal activity. Neurological examination of each animal revealed a depressed mental status and compulsive behaviour characterised by anteropulsion and circling in large circles (Fig 1); hyperexcitability was also observed on occasion. The gait was slightly ataxic in all four animals, while the postural reactions were altered in one calf and slightly diminished in the other three. Spinal reflexes were normal, and evaluation of the cranial nerve reflexes revealed the absence of or reduction in the menace response of all four animals. Both direct and consensual pupillary light reflexes were normal. All four animals had a tendency to walk into objects, suggesting amaurosis. A blood sample was taken from one calf (calf 3) for analysis. The clinical signs were compatible with an intracranial prosencephalic localisation. On the basis of the history and clinical signs, differential diagnoses included inflammatory, toxicometabolic or degenerative pathologies. Haematology, blood chemistry analysis and electrophoresis of serum proteins was performed on the blood samples, and while waiting for the results of the diagnostic tests, the animals were administered a high dose (10 mg/kg) of intravenous vitamin B1. However, all four calves deteriorated and died within 48 hours. Calf 3 underwent postmortem examination. As the animals affected were only those that had consumed cornmeal, feeding with the cornmeal was discontinued. Hepatic, renal, encephalic and cervical spinal cord samples were taken during the postmortem examinations and fixed in 10 per cent buffered formalin. After embedding in paraffin, standard histological sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The following areas of the central nervous system (CNS) were analysed: cervical spinal cord, medulla oblongata, pons, cerebellum, midbrain, thalamus, hippocampus, basal nuclei and cerebral cortex. Veterinary Record (2007) 160, 698-700

Development of a diagnostic diagram for rapid field assessment of acidosis severity in diarrheic calves.

OBJECTIVE To develop a diagnostic diagram for rapid field assessment of acidosis severity in diarrheic calves. DESIGN Prospective cross-sectional study. ANIMALS 148 Piedmontese calves (38 calves in preliminary experiments; 83 diarrheic calves and 27 healthy control calves in the primary experiment). PROCEDURES Physical examination was performed and a standard data collection form was completed for each calf. Blood samples were obtained and submitted for evaluation of acid-base balance, performance of a CBC, and measurement of electrolyte and total protein concentrations. RESULTS Severe metabolic acidosis (extracellular base excess more negative than -10 mmol/L) was associated with abnormal mental status, delayed or absent suckle reflex, abnormal posture or gait, enophthalmos, and cold oral mucosal membranes. Clinical signs associated with severe metabolic acidosis were arranged into a grid to create a diagnostic diagram. Sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic diagram for the prediction of severe metabolic acidosis were 88% and 79%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Use of the diagnostic diagram may aid differentiation between severe and nonsevere acidosis patterns as determined on the basis of clinical signs.

Helcococcus kunzii Isolated from a Sow with Purulent Urocystitis

ABSTRACT Helcococcus kunzii has never been reported in veterinary medicine. The isolation of H. kunzii from a sow with purulent urocystitis is described, suggesting this organisms potential pathogenic role in swine.

Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid from 20 calves after storage for 24 hours

Samples of CSF collected from 20 normal healthy calves were analysed either immediately or after having been stored for 24 hours at 4°C in the presence of 11 per cent autologous serum. There were no significant differences between the total and differential cells counts of the fresh and stored samples, but there was a positive linear correlation between them. There were some morphological changes to the nuclei of the mononuclear cells in the stored samples.

Effects of Interferon Alpha (INF-α) Therapy on Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte Subsets from FIV and FeLV Naturally Infected Cats

Lymphocyte depletion is assessed as a central event in the pathogenesis of FIV infection, whereas the data regarding FeLV infection are insufficient and sometimes conflicting (Novotney et al., 1990; Tompkins et al., 1991; Hoffmann-Fezer et al., 1996). The therapy is basically symptomatic and an effective specific therapeutic protocol has not yet been determined. On the basis of results from various studies (Cummins et al., 1988; Zeidner et al., 1990; Weiss et al., 1991), INF-a could have a role in such a protocol. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of INF-a on peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and clinical signs in naturally FIVor FeLV-infected cats, pointing out possible correlations between the two aspects.

Seizure disorders in 43 cattle.

Background Large animals have a relatively high seizure threshold, and in most cases seizures are acquired. No published case series have described this syndrome in cattle. Objectives To describe clinical findings and outcomes in cattle referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Turin (Italy) because of seizures. Animals Client‐owned cattle with documented evidence of seizures. Methods Medical records of cattle with episodes of seizures reported between January 2002 and February 2014 were reviewed. Evidence of seizures was identified based on the evaluation of seizure episodes by the referring veterinarian or 1 of the authors. Animals were recruited if physical and neurologic examinations were performed and if diagnostic laboratory test results were available. Results Forty‐three of 49 cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 8 months. Thirty‐one animals were male and 12 were female. Piedmontese breed accounted for 39/43 (91%) animals. Seizures were etiologically classified as reactive in 30 patients (70%) and secondary or structural in 13 (30%). Thirty‐six animals survived, 2 died naturally, and 5 were euthanized for reasons of animal welfare. The definitive cause of reactive seizures was diagnosed as hypomagnesemia (n = 2), hypocalcemia (n = 12), and hypomagnesemia‐hypocalcemia (n = 16). The cause of structural seizures was diagnosed as cerebrocortical necrosis (n = 8), inflammatory diseases (n = 4), and lead (Pb) intoxication (n = 1). Conclusion and Clinical Importance The study results indicate that seizures largely are reported in beef cattle and that the cause can be identified and successfully treated in most cases.

Validation of Thromboelastometry in Cattle

Thromboelastometry (TEM) and thromboelastography are useful tools for the evaluation of the entire clotting process from the activation of plasmatic factors until fibrinolysis. TEM has been validated in several domestic species but not in cattle. In this study, we defined normal TEM values in adult cattle and in veal calves; we then compared rates of coagulation in these two groups. Furthermore, the precision of the instruments was evaluated. Finally, we studied the correlation between the hematological and TEM results. In calves, we identified a faster activation of plasmatic factors (shorter clotting times) and lower fibrinogenemia. The precision of TEM on the bovine blood samples was good. Additionally, hematocrit was positively linked to clotting time of the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, whereas fibrinogenemia was strongly associated with fib-TEM® tracing.

Effect of Storage and Cryopreservation on the Lymphocyte Responses to Polyclonal Mitogens in Cattle

Lymphocyte proliferation assay is an important diagnostic tool in laboratory testing of immunological competence. In human medicine samples stored overnight and cryopreserved are used for in-vitro lymphocyte transformation to ensure the correct performance of multicentre clinical trials with collection of samples over many months and from multiple locations (Weinberg et al., 1998, 2000; Reimann et al., 2000). Also in veterinary medicine, because of the difficulty of performing this test in real time on fresh specimens efficiently and reproducibly, the effect of different types of storage on lymphocyte proliferation has been studied (Truax et al., 1990, 1993; Koch et al., 1991; Raj et al., 1997). The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of whole blood storage and mononuclear cells (PBMC) cryopreservation on lymphoproliferative response in cattle, in order to increase the use of functional assays.

Asymptomatic Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Great Danes: Clinical, Electrocardiographic, Echocardiographic and Echo-Doppler Features

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a frequent cardiac disease in Great Danes, characterized by chronic and progressive primary systolic dysfunction. The disease produces a progressive ventricular dilation (usually on the left side) and eventually atrial dilation over time. These morphological and haemodynamic alterations are followed by the appearance of clinical cardiac insufficiency. In Newfoundlands and Irish Wolfhounds (Koch et al., 1996), as well as in Dobermans (Calvert et al., 1997; O’Grady and Horne, 1992), clinical manifestations of the disease may be preceded by a prolonged asymptomatic period. This phase may last for years, during which time normal haemodynamics are observed, at least during resting. However the preclinical DCM produces activation of mechanisms which compensate for systolic disfunction. Specific events (e.g., anaesthesia) may provoke a rapid worsening of the disease (Calvert et al., 1996).