Robert D. Murnane

Paratuberculosis in a Mandrill (Papio Sphinx)

A 2.5-year-old captive female mandrill (Papio sphinx) died following a protracted course of intermittent abdominal bloat, diarrhea, and severe weight loss. Necropsy revealed emaciation and marked gastrointestinal distention with gas and ingesta. Histologic evaluation revealed severe diffuse granulomatous enterocolitis and mesenteric lymphadenitis with massive numbers of 1–2-μm acid-fast bacilli within macrophages. Additionally, there was moderate to severe multifocal myocardial and vascular amyloidosis, moderate multifocal pyogranulomatous interstitial pneumonia with no acid-fast bacteria, and moderate multifocal glossal candidiasis. Samples of feces, ileum, and colon were positive for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis by radiometric culture and a polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA probe specific for the insertion sequence IS900 of this organism.

VENTRICULAR PHYTOBEZOAR IMPACTION IN THREE MICRONESIAN KINGFISHERS (HALCYON CINNAMOMINA CINNAMOMINA)

Abstract Three juvenile male Micronesian kingfishers (Halcyon cinnamomina cinnamomina) housed in the same enclosure presented with rapid weight gain and coelomic distension. Physical examination and radiography revealed marked enlargement of the ventriculus and a single, large foreign body within the ventriculus in each individual. Surgical removal by ventriculotomy was attempted in one individual, which died during the procedure. A second individual was treated with natural peanut butter 0.5 ml p.o. b.i.d. for 14 days and recovered, casting the foreign material. The third bird was similarly treated without success and subsequently died during attempts at endoscopic removal of the foreign body. In all three birds, the foreign bodies proved to be phytobezoars. The birds had been observed stripping leaf fragments from live corn plants (Dracaena fragrans) used in the enclosure. Plant fibers from the phytobezoars were compared with D. fragrans leaves and were considered identical. Medical treatment of phytobezoars with peanut butter or similar oil-containing substances in birds should be considered as an alternative to surgical extraction.

DISSEMINATED BLASTOMYCOSIS IN TWO CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS (ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS)

Abstract Two captive California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) from different facilities were diagnosed with disseminated blastomycosis. The first, a 12-yr-old male, died after a 3-wk history of progressive anorexia and lethargy. Gross examination revealed acute jejunitis with focal perforation and associated peritonitis, along with severe purulent bronchopneumonia. The second, a 15-yr-old female, was euthanized after a 2-wk history of severe cutaneous ulceration and declining clinical condition. Gross examination revealed severe pyogranulomatous bronchopneumonia and ulcerative dermatitis. Histopathologic examination in both individuals revealed severe multifocal subacute to chronic pyogranulomatous pneumonia associated with massive numbers of fungal organisms morphologically compatible with Blastomyces sp. Fungal organisms were 8–20-µm-diameter broad-based budding yeasts with thick, refractile, double-contoured walls. The male sea lion had multifocal transmural Blastomyces-induced enteritis with subsequent rupture and peritonitis. The organism was also present in the liver, with minimal associated inflammation. The female had severe multifocal pyogranulomatous ulcerative dermatitis associated with large numbers of intralesional fungal organisms. Dissemination to the spleen had occurred in both animals. A serologic immunodiffusion test for Blastomyces dermatitidis was positive in the male. The presumptive primary pathogen in both cases was Blastomyces dermatitidis.

GASTRIC SPIRAL BACTERIA AND INTRAMUSCULAR SARCOCYSTS IN AFRICAN LIONS FROM NAMIBIA

Six juvenile male, one adult male, and three adult female African lions (Panthera leo) from Etosha National Park, Republic of Namibia were presented for necropsy. Two of four adults and one of six juveniles had moderate numbers of gastric spiral bacteria. Additionally, four of four adults had sarcocysts. All juveniles had enteric Sarcocystis sp. oocysts, but no sarcocysts. The gastric spiral bacteria were located extracellularly in fundic and pyloric glands, and also apparently intracellularly within parietal cells in the fundic region. The organisms were 4 to 8 μm long, 0.63 μm wide, with a periodicity of 0.60 μm. The bacteria had blunted ends with multiple flagella. No periplasmic fibrils were observed. The histologic and ultrastructural characteristics of the bacteria were considered most consistent with species in the genus Helicobacter or incompletely identified Helicobacter-like organisms. Gastric inflammation did not differ significantly between infected and uninfected individuals. The bacteria may be commensals, or an opportunistic pathogen. The sarcocysts were observed in hindlimb skeletal muscle of four individuals, with one individual also containing a single sarcocyst within glossal musculature. All observed cysts were mature, and were contained within individual myocytes. The cyst wall consisted of a 44 to 66 nm, granular, electron dense parasitophorous membrane with subjacent, 0.8 to 1.3 μm thick, granular and fibrillar ground substance which also extended into the cyst interior as thin septa. The membrane was folded and lined irregularly spaced, 0.8 to 1.3 μm tall villi centrally containing ground substance. The membrane was continuous in the villar projections, but divided into discrete aggregations of the electron dense material between the villi. Bradyzoites within the interior of the cyst were 3 by 12 μm. The sarcocysts were determined to be Sarcocystis felis based on the characteristic ultrastructural appearance of the cyst wall.

Ovine GM1 gangliosidosis

Abstract Ovine GM1 gangliosidosis is a newly described neuronal lysosomal storage disease first observed in Suffolk sheep. Affected sheep are clinically normal at birth and exhibit ataxia at 4 to 6 months of age which rapidly progresses to prostration. Affected sheep exhibit a profound deficiency of lysosomal β-galactosidase in fibroblasts and tissues, and a partial deficiency of α-neuraminidase. Abnormal accumulation of GM1 ganglioside, asialo-GM1 and neutral long chain oligosaccharides is present in the cerebrum with excretion of neutral long chain oligosaccharides in the urine. Genetic studies indicate the disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive. Pathologic lesions consist of marked distension and vacuolation of the cytoplasm in virtually all neurons (central and peripheral nervous system) and of periportal hepatocytes and renal epithelial cells. Preliminary ultrastructural studies disclosed numerous membranous whorls and lamellar stacks within membrane-bound vacuoles in neurons. Golgi staining of cerebrum discloses formation of spiny meganeurities and secondary neurite formation in pyramidal neurons. Lectin histochemistry indicates stored material has terminal saccharide moieties consisting of β-galactose, N-acetylneuraminic acid, and N-acetylgalactosamine. No consistent clinicopathologic and no musculoskeletal abnormalities have been identified. The prevalence and economic significance of ovine GM1 gangliosidosis is unknown. Most neonatal deaths and abortions of small ruminants remain undiagnosed, and possibly many have an undetermined genetic basis. The described disease emphasizes the importance of clinical and pathologic evaluation of neonatal deaths as the economic and research importance of genetic diseases are unrealized.

Visceral gout in a rough legged hawk (Buteo lagopus).

Visceral gout is reported for the first time in a rough legged hawk (Buteo lagopus). Urate crystals were present on the pericardium, thoracic and abdominal air sacs, and the ventral surface of the liver. The liver and spleen also had urate crystals throughout the parenchyma. There was no indication of articular or renal involvement. The immediate cause of death in this hawk was not identified, but appeared to result from multiple factors, including the visceral gout.