Clinical, histological and prognostic features of a novel nail-bed lesion of cats: 41 cases

There is a distinct subset of lesions arising on the digits of cats, located at or close to the nail-bed epithelium, which are typically composed of proliferative fibroblast-like cells, multinucleate giant cells and areas of osseous metaplasia, but currently there is no published literature detailing the clinical or histological features of these lesions. This study identified 41 such cases from two large commercial diagnostic laboratories and assessed various histological and clinical features; 22 cases had additional follow-up data available

The management of an oral anaplastic sarcoma in a pygmy hippopotamus (choeropsis liberiensis) using intralesional chemotherapy

An adult female captive pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) was diagnosed with an oral anaplastic sarcoma. The tumor was surgically debulked and intralesional chemotherapy with mitomycin C (0.4 mg/cm3 of tumor) and cisplatin (1 mg/cm3 of tumor) was administered. Chemotherapeutic treatment proved difficult due to the risks of repeated anesthetics and unknown drug efficacies. Marked proliferation of the mass was observed during estrus, and chemotherapy was repeated as an experimental treatment to slow tumor progression in order for the animal to remain in the species breeding program. Tumor proliferation was detected during the first trimester of pregnancy; however, in the lactation period, the mass became quiescent. No adverse reactions to chemotherapeutic drugs were observed and the animal continues to be monitored for tumor progression. This is the first report of an anaplastic sarcoma and of chemotherapy use in a pygmy hippopotamus and it highlights logistical considerations for treating neoplasia in this species

Ferlavirus-related deaths in a collection of viperid snakes

Between June and October 2013 26 snakes of six viperid species kept in two adjoining rooms died (n = 16) or were euthanized on medical (1) or welfare grounds (9). Two were from the main zoo collection, but the other 24 had been imported and quarantined for a minimum of six months. Four of those that died and the single snake euthanized on medical grounds showed minor signs of respiratory disease prior to death and five were weak, lethargic and/or poor feeders. Frequent post mortem findings among all snakes were poor body condition (18) and respiratory disease (13). Seventeen cases were examined histologically and pneumonia, sometimes with air sacculitis and/or tracheitis, was present in 15 individuals. Lung samples from 24 snakes were ferlavirus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive, and one of the two snakes for which only liver was available was also positive. The negative liver samples was from a snake that died of sepsis following anaesthesia for surgical removal of a spindle cell sarcoma. Correlation with ante mortem PCR testing of glottal and cloacal swabs in five cases was poor (sensitivity = 40%). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for ferlaviruses on the tissues of 13 PCR-positive cases showed positive labelling in seven only. Tissues samples from 22 ferlavirus PCR-positive snakes were examined for Chlamydia species by PCR and nine were positive, although DNA sequencing only confirmed two out of three tested as C.pneumoniae. Immunohistochemistry for C.pneumoniae of seven cases (two Chlamydiales PCR positive, one of which was sequenced as C.pneumoniae, plus five negative) confirmed the Chlamydia PCR results.These two Chlamydiales PCR and IHC positive snakes were ferlavirus PCR positive, but IHC negative suggesting that, even though a ferlavirus was the predominant cause of the outbreak, in a few cases death may have been due to chlamydiosis with ferlavirus present, but not acting as the primary pathogen

Chlamydiosis in British garden birds (2005–2011): retrospective diagnosis and chlamydia psittaci genotype determination

The significance of chlamydiosis as a cause of mortality in wild passerines, and the role of these birds as a potential source of zoonotic Chlamydia psittaci infection, is unknown. We reviewed wild bird mortality incidents (2005–2011). Where species composition or post mortem findings were indicative of chlamydiosis, we examined archived tissues for C. psittaci infection using PCR and ArrayTube Microarray assays. Twenty-one of 40 birds tested positive: 8 dunnocks (Prunella modularis), 7 great tits (Parus major), 3 blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus), 2 collared doves (Streptopelia decaocto) and 1 robin (Erithacus rubecula). Chlamydia psittaci genotype A was identified in all passerines tested and in a further three dunnocks and three robins diagnosed with chlamydiosis from a previous study. Two collared doves had genotype E. Ten of the 21 C. psittaci-positive birds identified in the current study had histological lesions consistent with chlamydiosis and were positive for Chlamydia spp. antigens by immunohistochemistry. Our results indicate that C. psittaci infection and chlamydiosis have been previously under diagnosed in passerines in Britain. Wild passerines may be a source of C. psittaci zoonotic infection, and people should be advised to take appropriate hygiene precautions when handling bird feeders or wild birds