Detection of arenavirus in a peripheral odontogenic fibromyxoma in a red tail boa (Boa constrictor constrictor) with inclusion body disease

A captive bred red tail boa (Boa constrictor constrictor) was presented with a large intraoral mass originating from the buccal gingiva, attached to the right dentary teeth row. Based on the clinical features and histological examination, the diagnosis of a peripheral odontogenic fibromyxoma was made. Sections of liver biopsies and circulating lymphocytes contained relatively few eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies, indistinguishable from those observed in inclusion body disease-affected snakes. Inclusion bodies were not observed in cells comprising the neoplastic mass. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), arenavirus was detected in the neoplastic tissue. Two years after surgical removal of the mass, recurrence of the neoplastic lesion was observed. Numerous large inclusion body disease inclusions were abundantly present in the neoplastic cells of the recurrent fibromyxoma. Sections of liver biopsies and circulating lymphocytes contained relatively few intracytoplasmic inclusions. The RT-PCR revealed the presence of arenavirus in blood, a liver biopsy, and neoplastic tissue. The present case describes the co-occurrence of an arenavirus infection and an odontogenic fibromyxoma in a red tail boa

Severe aortic regurgitation due to endocarditis in a horse

A 4-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare was presented because of fever, exercise intolerance, a loud diastolic cardiac murmur and a remarkable bounding pulsation that was palpable all over the body. This bounding pulsation appeared simultaneous with the cardiac contractions. Cardiac ultrasound revealed a vegetation on the aortic valve with severe aortic regurgitation and a second vegetation at the sinus of Valsalva. A reverse flow in the common carotid artery was present during diastole. Left heart catheterization showed left ventricular and aortic pressure curves characteristic of a rather acute development of the lesion. The strong bounding pulsation was caused by severe aortic regurgitation that resulted in a very wide pulse pressure with the occurrence of "Watson's water hammer pulse". Due to the grave prognosis, treatment was not attempted. Necropsy confirmed aortic valve endocarditis

First report of multinodular pulmonary fibrosis associated with equine herpesvirus 5 in Belgium

A 20-year-old horse was evaluated for symptoms of weight loss, anorexia, fever and lethargy. Clinical examination revealed tachypnea, poor body condition and increased breath sounds on auscultation. Ultrasound showed multiple consolidations on the lungs. Thoracic radiography revealed a severe nodular pattern. The horse was treated with antibiotics, corticoids and supportive medication. Since no improvement was observed, the horse was euthanized. At necropsy, numerous coalescing fibrous nodules were present in the lungs. Histology revealed diffuse interstitial fibrosis and macrophages containing abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and oval eosinophilic to amphophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies. Tissue samples tested positive for the presence of equine herpes virus 5 (EHV 5) on the basis of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. A diagnosis of equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) was made. This is the first report of EMPF in Belgium. EMPF can be suspected based on the ultrasonographic, radiographic and histological changes. EMPF is associated with EHV 5, but the etiological role of EHV 5 still remains to be proven

Transitional cell carcinoma of suspected ureteral origin, with intra-abdominal and distant metastases in two horses

The present paper describes two cases of suspected urothelial carcinomas with local lymphatic metastases, and distant metastases in the lungs. In one case, liver metastases were also present. Both cases are documented with an extensive clinical report, using bloodwork, rectal examination, ultrasonography, cytology of abdominal fluid and, in one case, also urine analysis, radiography and transrectal biopsy to come to a diagnosis of abdominal malignancy. Subsequently, the post-mortem exam, histopathology and immunohistochemistry are described and illustrated

Gelokaliseerde steatitis als complicatie na dystokie bij een merrie

In this article, a case of localized steatitis is reported at the level of the perivaginal adipose tissue after dystocia in a mare. Although the mare initially recovered well postpartum, she died a few days later. At the second consultation, a knobby bump was present at both sides of the vaginal wall on vaginal examination. The intravaginal opening of these bumps was associated with the outflow of pus containing yellow-brown pieces of necrotic adipose tissue. Later on, steatitis at the level of the ligamentae vesicae and a bladder rupture were also observed at necropsy. These disorders probably accelerated the clinical symptoms resulting in shock. Generally, two types of steatitis are differentiated: localized and generalized steatitis. While only one fat depot is affected in the localized form, the disease involves several fat depots in the generalized form. Localized steatitis at the level of the perivaginal adipose tissue has not yet been described in the horse

Biomechanical and biochemical properties of the thoracic aorta in warmblood horses, Friesian horses, and Friesians with aortic rupture

Background: Thoracic aortic rupture and aortopulmonary fistulation are rare conditions in horses. It mainly affects Friesian horses. Intrinsic differences in biomechanical properties of the aortic wall might predispose this breed. The biomechanical and biochemical properties of the thoracic aorta were characterized in warmblood horses, unaffected Friesian horses and Friesians with aortic rupture in an attempt to unravel the underlying pathogenesis of aortic rupture in Friesian horses. Samples of the thoracic aorta at the ligamentum arteriosum (LA), mid thoracic aorta (T1) and distal thoracic aorta (T2) were obtained from Friesian horses with aortic rupture (A), nonaffected Friesian (NA) and warmblood horses (WB). The biomechanical properties of these samples were determined using uniaxial tensile and rupture assays. The percentages of collagen and elastin (mg/mg dry weight) were quantified. Results: Data revealed no significant biomechanical nor biochemical differences among the different groups of horses. The distal thoracic aorta displayed an increased stiffness associated with a higher collagen percentage in this area and a higher load-bearing capacity compared to the more proximal segments. Conclusions: Our findings match reported findings in other animal species. Study results did not provide evidence that the predisposition of the Friesian horse breed for aortic rupture can be attributed to altered biomechanical properties of the aortic wall

Pseudomonasinfectie na keizersnede bij Belgisch witblauwe runderen = Pseudomonas infection after caesarian section in Belgian blue cattle

In this case report, botryomycosis of the uterus is described as the cause of fertility problems in cattle after caesarian section. Several cows of three Belgian Blue cattle herds failed to become pregnant after repeated artificial or natural insemination. On the uterus of some of the these cows, nodes of 1 cm in diameter were found on rectal examination. Anatomopathological and bacteriological examination of two affected uteri together with on-farm investigations indicated botryomycosis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa after caesarian section as the most probable cause of the infertility. Prevention was primarily based on improving the hygienic procedures at surgery