Evaluation of a targeted anti-αβ integrin near-infrared fluorescent dye for fluorescence-guided resection of naturally occurring soft tissue sarcomas in dogs.

Purpose: Complete resection is a key prognostic factor for survival in patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS), in humas and companion animals alike. Fluorescence-guided surgery could improve resection accuracy. As dogs are frequently affected by STS, they serve as a model to test an anti-αβ integrin targeting near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) dye (Angiostamp800) for fluorescence-guided surgery in STS to evaluate its safety and feasibility in dogs, and if it translates into a clinically relevant benefit compared to the standard of care with regards to completeness of surgery and local recurrence.

Eosinophils Play a Surprising Leading Role in Recurrent Urticaria in Horses.

Urticaria, independent of or associated with allergies, is commonly seen in horses and often shows a high reoccurrence rate. Managing these horses is discouraging, and efficient treatment options are lacking. Due to an incidental finding in a study on horses affected by insect bite hypersensitivity using the eosinophil-targeting eIL-5-CuMV-TT vaccine, we observed the prevention of reoccurring seasonal urticaria in four subsequent years with re-vaccination.

Fatal tick-borne encephalitis virus infection in Dalmatian puppy-dogs after putative vector independent transmission.

In a retrospective metatranscriptomics study, we identified tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) to be the causative agent for a fatal non-suppurative meningoencephalitis in a three-week-old Dalmatian puppy in Switzerland. Further investigations showed that the two other littermates with similar signs and pathological lesions were also positive for TBEV. By using an unbiased approach of combining high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and bioinformatics we were able to solve the etiology and discover an unusual case of TBEV in three young puppies.

[Five case reports on granulosa cell tumors in cattle with practical information on diagnosis and possible progression].

Five cases of ovarian tumors (granulosa cell tumors) in cattle are presented from the patient load of the Vetsuisse University of Zurich and Bern. The aim of this work was to demonstrate the variable development of the illness and to indicate diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities to the practicing veterinarians. Case 1 shows bilateral appearance and the development of malignancy and metastases.

Malignant catarrhal fever in a goat: manifestation of virus-induced erythema multiforme.

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), caused by ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV2; , ), has sheep as natural hosts. OvHV2 is an important macavirus globally that induces fatal disease in dead-end hosts. Goats, which can be infected subclinically with OvHV2, rarely develop MCF.

Independent Variants in Cats with Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB), characterized by defective adhesion of the epidermis to the dermis, is a heterogeneous disease with many subtypes in human patients and domestic animals. We investigated two unrelated cats with recurring erosions and ulcers on ear pinnae, oral mucosa, and paw pads that were suggestive of EB. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of EB in both cats.

Virus discovery in dogs with non-suppurative encephalitis reveals a high incidence of tick-borne encephalitis virus infections in Switzerland.

Viral infections are a frequent cause of disseminated non-suppurative encephalitis in dogs. However, using routine diagnostic methods, the specific virus may remain unknown due to extensive or complete viral clearance or because the virus is unexpected or new. A metatranscriptomics-based approach of combining high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and bioinformatics analysis was used to investigate the viral etiology in archival cases of dogs with non-suppurative encephalitis.

Cross-species evaluation of fibroblast activation protein alpha as potential imaging target for soft tissue sarcoma: a comparative immunohistochemical study in humans, dogs, and cats.

Introduction: Complete surgical tumor resection is paramount in the management of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) in humans, dogs, and cats alike. Near-infrared targeted tracers for fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) could facilitate intraoperative visualization of the tumor and improve resection accuracy. Target identification is complicated in STS due to the rarity and heterogeneity of the disease.

Establishment of a Three-Dimensional In Vitro Model of Equine Papillomavirus Type 2 Infection.

There is growing evidence that equine papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) infection is etiologically associated with the development of genital squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and precursor lesions in equids. However, the precise mechanisms underlying neoplastic progression remain unknown. To allow the study of EcPV2-induced carcinogenesis, we aimed to establish a primary equine cell culture model of EcPV2 infection.

Murine tissue factor disulfide mutation causes a bleeding phenotype with sex specific organ pathology and lethality.

Tissue factor is highly expressed in sub-endothelial tissue. The extracellular allosteric disulfide bond Cys186-Cys209 of human tissue factor shows high evolutionary conservation and in vitro evidence suggests that it significantly contributes to tissue factor procoagulant activity. To investigate the role of this allosteric disulfide bond in vivo, we generated a C213G mutant tissue factor mouse by replacing Cys213 of the corresponding disulfide Cys190-Cys213 in murine tissue factor.

Impact of high tidal volume ventilation on surfactant metabolism and lung injury in infant rats.

The poorly understood tolerance toward high tidal volume (V) ventilation observed in critically ill children and age-equivalent animal models may be explained by surfactant homeostasis. The aim of our prospective animal study was to test whether high V with adequate positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is associated with surfactant de novo synthesis and secretion, leading to improved lung function, and whether extreme mechanical ventilation affects intracellular lamellar body formation and exocytosis. Rats (14 days old) were allocated to five groups: nonventilated controls, PEEP 5 cmHO with V of 8, 16, and 24 mL/kg, and PEEP 1 cmHO with V 24 mL/kg.

Paving the way for more precise diagnosis of EcPV2-associated equine penile lesions.

Background: There is growing evidence that equine papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) infection is causally associated with the development of equine genital squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Early stages of disease present clinically as plaques or wart-like lesions which can gradually progress to tumoural lesions. Histologically these lesions are inconsistently described as benign hyperplasia, papilloma, penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), carcinoma in situ (CIS) or SCC.

Cardiac-gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography is a reliable and reproducible technique for quantifying blood flow in canine major cranial abdominal vessels.

Blood flow changes in cranial abdominal vessels are important contributing factors for canine hepatic disease. This prospective, experimental, pilot study aimed to evaluate cardiac-gated, phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography (PCMRA) as a method for characterizing blood flow in canine major cranial abdominal vessels. Eleven, healthy, adult beagle dogs were sampled.

Non-invasive quantification of hepatic fat content in healthy dogs by using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and dual gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging.

The objective of the present study was to describe two non-invasive methods for fat quantification in normal canine liver by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy. Eleven adult beagle dogs were anesthetized and underwent magnetic resonance examination of the cranial abdomen by performing morphologic, modified Dixon (mDixon) dual gradient echo sequence, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H MRS) imaging. In addition, ultrasonographic liver examination was performed, fine-needle liver aspirates and liver biopsies were obtained, and hepatic triglyceride content was assayed.

Concurrent endocrine neoplasias in dogs and cats: a retrospective study (2004-2014).

Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) is a well-known syndrome in human medicine, whereas only a few cases of concurrent endocrine neoplasias have been reported in dogs and cats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of concurrent endocrine neoplasias in dogs and cats at our clinic, identify possible breed and sex predispositions and investigate similarities with MEN syndromes in humans. Postmortem reports of 951 dogs and 1155 cats that died or were euthanased at the Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Zurich, between 2004 and 2014 were reviewed, and animals with at least two concurrent endocrine neoplasias and/or hyperplasias were included.

Extension of the Avian Host Range of Collyriclosis in Europe.

We describe cases of collyriclosis in apodiform and passeriform birds in Portugal, Switzerland, and Germany. We extend the host range of Collyriculm faba to include apodiform birds ( Apus apus , Apus melba , and Apus pallidus ) and the passerine Sitta europaea (Eurasian Nuthatch). Infections varied in severity from an incidental finding to severe debilitation and death.

Perfusion- and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the liver of healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVE To describe the perfusion and diffusion characteristics of the liver in healthy dogs as determined by morphological, perfusion-weighted, and diffusion-weighted MRI. ANIMALS 11 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURES Each dog was anesthetized and underwent morphological, perfusion-weighted, and diffusion-weighted MRI of the cranial aspect of the abdomen.

37,X/38,XY Mosaicism in a Cryptorchid Bengal Cat with Müllerian Duct Remnants.

A 23-month-old tomcat was referred to our clinic because of male behavioral problems, cryptorchidism, and an undefined intra-abdominal organ resembling a uterus. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed 2 fluid-filled tubular structures dorsolaterally to the bladder and connected to the pelvic urethra. The cat was castrated, and the tubular structures were surgically removed.

Retroviral DNA--the silent winner: blood transfusion containing latent feline leukemia provirus causes infection and disease in naïve recipient cats.

Background: The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a gamma-retrovirus of domestic cats that was discovered half a century ago. Cats that are infected with FeLV may develop a progressive infection resulting in persistent viremia, immunodeficiency, tumors, anemia and death. A significant number of cats mount a protective immune response that suppresses viremia; these cats develop a regressive infection characterized by the absence of viral replication and the presence of low levels of proviral DNA.

Medial humeral epicondylitis in clinically affected cats.

Objective: To describe the clinical signs and histologic changes in cats clinically affected with medial humeral epicondylitis (MHE) and evaluate long-term outcome after either conservative or surgical treatment.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Animals: Client-owned cats (n = 17) with MHE.

No benefit of therapeutic vaccination in clinically healthy cats persistently infected with feline leukemia virus.

Therapeutic vaccinations have a potential application in infections where no curative treatment is available. In contrast to HIV, efficacious vaccines for a cat retrovirus, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), are commercially available. However, the infection is still prevalent, and no effective treatment of the infection is known.

Long-term follow up of feline leukemia virus infection and characterization of viral RNA loads using molecular methods in tissues of cats with different infection outcomes.

It is a remarkable feature for a retrovirus that an infection with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) can result in various outcomes. Whereas some cats contain the infection and show a regressive course, others stay viremic and succumb to the infection within a few years. We hypothesized, that differences in the infection outcome might be causally linked to the viral RNA and provirus loads within the host and these loads therefore may give additional insight into the pathogenesis of the virus.

Vascular hamartoma in the central nervous system of a foal.

Vascular hamartomas are non-neoplastic developmental anomalies of vessels. Cases of cerebral vascular hamartomas have been previously reported in dogs and cats. A 4-week-old Freiberger foal had shown persistent problems with breathing and swallowing since birth, and bilateral laryngeal paralysis was diagnosed.

Patent ductus arteriosus in an adult cat with pulmonary hypertension and right-sided congestive heart failure: hemodynamic evaluation and clinical outcome following ductal closure.

Right-sided congestive heart failure (CHF) developed secondary to severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) in an 8-year-old cat with a left-to-right shunting patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Vascular reactivity was tested prior to shunt ligation by treatment with oxygen and sildenafil. This treatment was associated with a significant decrease in pulmonary artery pressure as assessed by echocardiography.