Diagnosis and Treatment of Plasmodium Infection in Captive Black and White Tegus.

Malarial protozoa commonly infect both wild and captive lizards but the effects on the general health of these animals are not fully understood. We describe four clinical cases of Plasmodium infection in captive black and white tegus (Salvator merianae). The animals presented with lethargy, anorexia, dehydration and stomatitis.

Touchdown polymerase chain reaction detection of polycystic kidney disease and laboratory findings in different cat populations.

Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most prevalent inherited genetic disease of cats, predominantly affecting Persian and Persian-related cats. A point mutation (C→A transversion) in exon 29 of the PKD1 gene causes ADPKD, and is the specific molecular target for genetic diagnosis in cats. The current study describes a newly developed touchdown polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect this single point mutation, using 2 primers specific for the mutant allele, adapted from an existing multiplex amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS PCR).