Mary B. Mahaffey

Antibodies to surface antigens of pigmented cells in animals with vitiligo.

Abstract All of 24 animals (dogs, cats, and horses) with vitiligo were found to have antibodies to pigmented cells that could be detected by specific immunoprecipitation of radioiodinated, detergent-soluble surface macromolecules, and by indirect immunofluorescence on viable cells. These antibodies were not detected in 17 normal animals of the same species. The antibodies were directed to an 85-kDa surface antigen selectively expressed by pigmented cells that was not present on nonpigmented control cells. These observations suggest that vitiligo in animals is an autoimmune disease mediated to pigmented cells.

Gallbladder mucocele causing biliary obstruction in two dogs: ultrasonographic, scintigraphic, and pathological findings.

Two dogs were found to have intraluminal gallbladder masses which caused partial or complete extrahepatic biliary obstruction. On histological examination, the gallbladder masses were confirmed to be mucoceles. Gallbladder mucoceles are rare in humans and previously have been described only after gallbladder rupture in two dogs. In the dogs of this report, the biliary obstruction was relieved by cholecystectomy. Each dog also had histological evidence of chronic liver disease with intrahepatic cholestasis. The clinical diagnosis of biliary obstruction was based on scintigraphic and sonographic findings which will be discussed and compared with other hepatobiliary diseases.

Intravesical ureterocele with concurrent renal dysfunction in a dog: a case report and proposed classification system.

A unilateral intravesical ureterocele was diagnosed by ultrasonography in a 5-year-old female Pekingese that was referred for evaluation of increased hepatic enzymes. Ureteroceles are cystic dilatations of the submucosal portion of the distal ureter. They are frequently reported in humans but are uncommonly reported in dogs. This report describes surgical resection of the ureterocele and reduction of ipsilateral hydroureter in a dog that also had bilateral renal dysfunction and suffered progressive mild azotemia postoperatively. This report demonstrates that canine ureteroceles can occur concurrently with bilateral renal dysfunction and offers a classification system designed to encourage thorough urinary tract evaluation for determining prognosis.