Pietro Riccaboni

Spinal epidural abscess in two calves.

OBJECTIVE To report clinical signs, diagnostic and surgical or necropsy findings, and outcome in 2 calves with spinal epidural abscess (SEA). STUDY DESIGN Clinical report. ANIMALS Calves (n=2). METHODS Calves had neurologic examination, analysis and antimicrobial culture of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), vertebral column radiographs, myelography, and in 1 calf, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A definitive diagnosis of SEA was confirmed by necropsy in 1 calf and during surgery and histologic examination of vertebral canal tissue in 1 calf. RESULTS Clinical signs were difficulty in rising, ataxia, fever, apparent spinal pain, hypoesthesia, and paresis/plegia which appeared 15 days before admission. Calf 1 had pelvic limb weakness and difficulty standing and calf 2 had severe ataxia involving both thoracic and pelvic limbs. Extradural spinal cord compression was identified by myelography. SEA suspected in calf 1 with discospondylitis was confirmed at necropsy whereas calf 2 had MRI identification of the lesion and was successfully decompressed by laminectomy and SEA excision. Both calves had peripheral neutrophilia and calf 2 had neutrophilic pleocytosis in CSF. Bacteria were not isolated from CSF, from the surgical site or during necropsy. Calf 2 improved neurologically and had a good long-term outcome. CONCLUSION Good outcome in a calf with SEA was obtained after adequate surgical decompression and antibiotic administration. CLINICAL RELEVANCE SEA should be included in the list of possible causes of fever, apparent spinal pain, and signs of myelopathy in calves.

Pathologic and Immunohistochemical Findings in a Feline Aortic Body Tumor

The presence of a heart-base tumor was diagnosed by ultrasound imaging in a 10-year-old, female, domestic shorthaired cat presenting with dyspnea and pleural effusion because of the presence of a modified transudate. Hematology and clinical chemistry were unremarkable. The owner elected euthanasia. At necropsy, a locally extensive, firm, multilobulated nodule surrounded the pulmonary vein. The tumor was composed of lobules of large polygonal cells separated by a fine fibrovascular stroma. Tumor cells infiltrated the myocardium, and neoplastic emboli were present, but no metastases were macroscopically detectable. Tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for chromogranin A, for synaptophysin and, faintly, for neuron-specific enolase and negative for vimentin, cytokeratin, a smooth muscle actin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, thyreoglobulin, and calcitonin. Based on histologic and immunohistochemical findings, the diagnosis of chemodectoma was made.

Perineal Choristoma and Atresia Ani in 2 Female Holstein Friesian Calves

Atresia ani, a congenital anomaly of the anus, can be associated with other types of malformation. Two female Holstein Friesian calves had imperforate anus, rectovaginal fistula, and perineal choristomas. In one case, the choristoma was composed of mature adipose and fibrous tissue with nephrogenic rests. In the other calf, the choristoma consisted of fragments of trabecular bone coated by cartilage and containing marrow, mixed with mature adipose and fibrous tissue, striated muscle fibers, nerves, and vessels. This combination of malformations resembles the association of anorectal malformations and perineal masses in children.

A case of umbilical cord teratoma in an aborted foal

A 16-year-old primiparous mare aborted an apparently normal fetus at 240 days of gestation. A large, oval mass, measuring approximately 20 cm × 30 cm × 20 cm, was detected attached to the umbilical cord of the fetus. On the cut surface, the mass showed multifocal cystic structures, foci of mineralization, and diffuse hemorrhages. Histological examination of the mass revealed haphazardly arranged cartilage, bone, mesenchymal stroma, adipose tissue, vascular structures, smooth muscle, ciliated epithelium, squamous cornifying epithelium, and undifferentiated germ cells with areas of necrosis and mineralization. The mass was diagnosed as an umbilical cord teratoma, which is an extremely rare tumor in human beings and, to the authors’ knowledge, has only described in the veterinary literature on one occasion.

Contracted Foal Syndrome Associated with Multiple Malformations in Two Foals

Congenital anomalies in horses are very rare, and contracted foal syndrome is one of the most commonly reported. This malformation is characterized by contraction of the joints of the forelimbs and/or hindlimbs. In addition, the syndrome can be characterized by vertebral column malformations, such as scoliosis or torticollis, and cranial deformity. The present report describes the radiological and necroscopical findings of multiple rare malformations in two foals. Both foals showed skeletal abnormalities and fenestration of the abdominal cavity. Other pathological findings include a interventricular septal defect in one and a unilateral hydronephrosis and partial hydroureter in the other foal. Although in this report a specific aetiology could not be provided, insecticides treatment provided during the second month of pregnancy might play a role in the pathogenesis of these malformations.

Segmental Spinal Cord Hypoplasia in a Holstein Friesian Calf

An 8‐day‐old female Holstein Friesian calf was examined because of congenital spastic paresis of the hind limbs. Myelography revealed deviation and thinning of subarachnoid contrast medium columns in the lumbar segment. Upon magnetic resonance imaging, the ‘hour‐glass’ subdural compression appeared as a T1‐hypointense, T2‐hyperintense ovoidal area suggestive of cerebral spinal fluid collection, compatible with hydrosyringomyelia. The calf was euthanized and the necropsy confirmed the diagnosis of segmental spinal cord hypoplasia of the lumbar tract associated to hydromyelic and syringomyelic cavities.

Genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in hypothalamus and ovary of Capra hircus

BackgroundDNA methylation is a frequently studied epigenetic modification due to its role in regulating gene expression and hence in biological processes and in determining phenotypic plasticity in organisms. Rudimentary DNA methylation patterns for some livestock species are publically available: among these, goat methylome deserves to be further explored.ResultsGenome-wide DNA methylation maps of the hypothalamus and ovary from Saanen goats were generated using Methyl-CpG binding domain protein sequencing (MBD-seq). Analysis of DNA methylation patterns indicate that the majority of methylation peaks found within genes are located gene body regions, for both organs. Analysis of the distribution of methylated sites per chromosome showed that chromosome X had the lowest number of methylation peaks. The X chromosome has one of the highest percentages of methylated CpG islands in both organs, and approximately 50% of the CpG islands in the goat epigenome are methylated in hypothalamus and ovary. Organ-specific Differentially Methylated Genes (DMGs) were correlated with the expression levels.ConclusionsThe comparison between transcriptome and methylome in hypothalamus and ovary showed that a higher level of methylation is not accompanied by a higher gene suppression. The genome-wide DNA methylation map for two goat organs produced here is a valuable starting point for studying the involvement of epigenetic modifications in regulating goat reproduction performance.

Severe thymic hyperplasia in a newborn calf associated with impaired T-cell differentiation

A 1-day-old female Holstein–Friesian calf was presented for severe dyspnea. Physical examination revealed respiratory distress, moderate edema of the ventral neck, and swollen jugular veins. The calf died and was submitted for necropsy. A severely enlarged thymus (40 cm × 20 cm × 10 cm) weighing 1.37 kg was detected on gross examination. Histomorphology was normal but no tingible body macrophages were observed in the medullary areas. Immunohistochemistry was characterized by the lack of thymic cluster of differentiation 3 and major histocompatibility complex class II expression compared to age-matched controls. The findings were consistent with severe thymic hyperplasia, a rare congenital condition that is also described in children. Immunohistochemical findings were suggestive of impaired T-cell development and selection associated with lack of apoptosis of thymic cells (lack of tingible body macrophages). Thymic hyperplasia in juvenile animals should be considered among the differential diagnoses of mediastinal masses as a rare cause of respiratory distress in newborn calves.

Activated protein C protection from lung inflammation in endotoxin-induced injury.

We studied the protection of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) in endotoxin-induced lung inflammation and injury and whether this effect is correlated with modulation of lung matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. We randomly assigned 12 Large White pigs to receive intravenous Escher-ichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 40 μ g/kg/hr), rhAPC (24 μ g/ kg/hr), or both. We monitored respiratory mechanics and function, cell counts, and cytokine concentrations in bron-choalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Lung samples were collected for the zymography of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities and for histology. In septic pigs, rhAPC decreased proMMP-9 release as well as MMP-9 activation, and increased proMMP-2 presence without any evident activation compared with specimens that were given LPS alone. In addition, lung injury in rhAPC-treated animals was significantly attenuated, as shown by higher respiratory compliance, delayed increase in tumor necrosis alfa and interleukin-1β as well as neutrophil recruitment in the BALF, reduced lung edema, and histologic changes. In conclusion, rhAPC is beneficial in acute lung injury, and the protection may depend, at least in part, on modulation of MMP-2/9 activity.

Aneurysm of the ductus arteriosus in a heifer.

A DUCTUS arteriosus aneurysm was first described in human beings by Martin Saint-Ange (1827), and has since been found in infants, children and adults (Falcone and others 1972). To the authors’ knowledge it has not been reported in cattle. In human beings, a delayed closure of the ductus arteriosus can be caused by neonatal hypoxaemia in premature babies, and by genetics that determine a lack of sufficient smooth muscle cells and an increased content of elastic tissue in full-term babies (Gersony 1986). It has been speculated that the cause of a ductus arteriosus aneurysm is a closure of the pulmonary end of the ductus arteriosus with a patent aortic end, which results in exposure of the vessel to systemic pressure (Bosman and Leoncini 1967, Falcone and others 1972, Lund and others 1992, Zilinskas and others 2000), but the pathogenesis remains unclear (Hornberger 2002). In adults, another hypothesis for a ductus arteriosus aneurysm is that focal degeneration and weakening of the aortic wall adjacent to the ductus arteriosus promotes the formation of an aneurysm (Falcone and others 1972, Lund and others 1992, Hirose and others 1999). Although the lesion can be asymptomatic, patients may have a history of dyspnoea or tachypnoea (Falcone and others 1972, Laurin and others 1992, Lund and others 1992). The aneurysm is often discovered accidentally on chest radiographs or after death from other causes (Lund and others 1991, Zilinskas and others 2000). A ductus arteriosus aneurysm may get bigger or rupture, causing death; progressive enlargement may cause heart failure, tachypnoea or dyspnoea (especially when drinking), sinus tachycardia and hoarseness from recurrent laryngeal nerve compression (Laurin and others 1992, Slovis and others 1992, Sattar and others 1996, d’Udekem and others 1997, Hirose and others 1999, Zilinskas and others 2000, Day and Walesby 2001). This short communication describes a case of ductus arteriosus aneurysm in a heifer. An eight-month-old female Brown Swiss heifer belonging to a dairy herd was admitted to the authors’ clinic for evaluation of a severe swelling of the head and anterior regions of the body that had appeared suddenly five days previously. On clinical examination, the heifer was in a poor physical condition; its body temperature was 39°C, its breathing was abdominal (36 breaths per minute), its pulse rate was regular (94 bpm), the mucous membranes were pale and the lymph nodes were normal in size. The animal presented with dyspnoea, severe ruminal tympany, and was affected by oedema that involved the head, neck, brisket, anterior limbs and extended as far as the umbilical region. Acoustic percussion of the thorax revealed enlargement of the area of cardiac dullness and caudoventral displacement of the lung limits. Auscultation of the thoracic wall revealed amplified heart sounds, increased bronchial tones and pathological lung sounds (wheezes and crackles). Radiographs were taken with the animal positioned in right lateral recumbency, and they showed a loss of the radiolucent space cranial to the heart. The cardiac silhouette could not be seen because an extensive zone of dense soft tissue was superimposed in the cranioventral field of the thorax. The dorsal displacement of the trachea strongly suggested a mediastinal mass (Fig 1). Perihilar distribution of an increased pulmonary radiodensity due to a mixed interstitial-alveolar pattern was also observed, and was consistent with cardiogenic alveolar oedema. Compensatory hyperinflation of the caudal lung lobes was also noticed. Ultrasound examination of the thorax, performed using a 3·5 MHz probe, identified a small degree of pericardial effusion and the presence of a mass adhered to the left thoracic wall; the mass had a wall 2·5 cm thick and an echogenic content. The clinical, radiological and ultrasonographic findings permitted the generic diagnosis of a major neoformation in the cranioventral mediastinum that extended to the left thoracic wall and involved the base of the heart, the trunk of the great arteries and the mediastinum. Because the wall of the neoformation was so thick, a mediastinal abscess or tumour was suspected. Considering the poor prognosis and the extent of the mass, the heifer was euthanased in agreement with the owner. At postmortem examination, the animal’s jugular veins were turgid and there was severe oedema of the cranioventral regions of its body, particularly in the subcutis of the head, neck and brisket. A large whitish mass was detected in the thorax; it measured 20 x 20 x 34 cm, and originated from a cranially displaced aortic arch and ended in the pulmonary artery at the normal insertion point of the ligamentum arteriosus (Fig 2). The mass adhered to the parietal pleura of the left side of the chest and to the apical and medial compressed Veterinary Record (2005) 156, 783-785