[Ultrasonographic findings in a cow with extraskeletal chondroblastic osteosarcoma of the neck region].

This case report describes the clinical, ultrasonographic and pathological findings in a five-year-old Swiss Braunvieh cow with extraskeletal chondroblastic osteosarcoma of the neck region. The cow was referred because of a firm, non-painful swelling, approximately 25 cm in diameter, which was situated mainly on the lower left side of the neck but extended to the right. Ultrasonographic examination of the mass revealed a chambered structure containing echoic material that was separated by hyperechoic septa.

Distribution of Borna disease virus antigen and RNA in tissues of naturally infected bicolored white-toothed shrews, Crocidura leucodon, supporting their role as reservoir host species.

Borna disease is a severe viral-induced disorder of the central nervous system of horses, sheep, and a few other animal species, occurring in certain areas of central Europe. Pathogenesis and epidemiology of natural Borna disease virus (BDV) infections are still not fully understood; several unique epidemiologic features, however, point toward the existence of BDV reservoir populations other than the final hosts. In this study, 69 mice and 12 shrews were trapped and examined.

Seewis virus, a genetically distinct hantavirus in the Eurasian common shrew (Sorex araneus).

More than 20 years ago, hantaviral antigens were reported in tissues of the Eurasian common shrew (Sorex araneus), Eurasian water shrew (Neomys fodiens) and common mole (Talpa europea), suggesting that insectivores, or soricomorphs, might serve as reservoirs of unique hantaviruses. Using RT-PCR, sequences of a genetically distinct hantavirus, designated Seewis virus (SWSV), were amplified from lung tissue of a Eurasian common shrew, captured in October 2006 in Graubünden, Switzerland. Pair-wise analysis of the full-length S and partial M and L segments of SWSV indicated approximately 55%-72% similarity with hantaviruses harbored by Murinae, Arvicolinae, Neotominae and Sigmodontinae rodents.

Clinical findings in 28 cattle with traumatic pericarditis.

Traumatic pericarditis was confirmed postmortem in 28 cattle that had shown signs of a heart rate of more than 100 bpm, distended jugular veins and muffled heart sounds or abnormal pericardial sounds. The heart rate was higher than normal in 24 of them, and in 18 of these it ranged from 100 to 130 bpm. Twenty of the cattle had muffled heart sounds and 10 had pericardial sounds, such as splashing, rubbing or squeaking sounds.

Real-time PCR investigation of potential vectors, reservoirs, and shedding patterns of feline hemotropic mycoplasmas.

Three hemotropic mycoplasmas have been identified in pet cats: Mycoplasma haemofelis, "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum," and "Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis." The way in which these agents are transmitted is largely unknown. Thus, this study aimed to investigate fleas, ticks, and rodents as well as saliva and feces from infected cats for the presence of hemotropic mycoplasmas, to gain insight into potential transmission routes for these agents.