Successful Treatment of Fungal Dermatitis in a Bottlenose Dolphin ().

In recent decades, many fungi have emerged as major causes of disease in marine mammals. This study reports on the detection of filamentous fungi in the subcutaneous tissue and wound surface on the tail fin of a managed bottlenose dolphin () emaciated due to severe digestive problems. Immunosuppression by chronic diseases and starvation decreased resistance against opportunistic infections.

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid is superior to blow samples for the identification of fungi in the lower respiratory tract of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas).

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) can be used to identify pathogens in the lower respiratory tract. To assess the utility of cetacean BALF in pathogen identification, we obtained 36 sets of fungal isolates from paired BALF and blow samples collected from six managed beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas). In 13 sets, Candida tropicalis was isolated from BALF, whereas Candida spp.

Bronchial Tree System Analysis of Live Beluga Whale () Using Bronchoscopy.

Cetaceans, including beluga whales (), have high morbidity and mortality rates due to bacterial or fungal lower respiratory infections. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collection by bronchoscopy is beneficial for detecting pathogenic microorganisms in the lower respiratory tract. Efficient and safe bronchoscopy requires characterizing the bronchial tree systems of beluga whales, as no reports exist on bronchial length and bifurcation.

Midazolam and butorphanol combination for sedating beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas).

Safe sedation doses for performing minor procedures such as bronchoscopy, endoscopy, and tooth extraction for beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) require elucidation. This study aimed to provide suggestions for determining appropriate midazolam and butorphanol doses to adequately sedate beluga whales to complete procedures and minimize the risk of side effects. We administered midazolam and butorphanol to six captive beluga whales (9-44 years old).

Hierarchical signaling thresholds determine the fates of naíve T cells: partial priming leads nai;ve T cells to unresponsiveness.

Differing conditions of antigen priming varying either the concentration or affinity of T cell receptor (TCR) ligands greatly alter T cell responses. Here, we demonstrate that antigen-specific CD4(+) nai;ve T cells primed with either altered peptide ligands (APLs) or a minimal concentration of antigen peptide become anergic without observable cell divisions. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) expression was induced 24h following in these stimulation conditions producing anergic cells.

[Adult case of isolated noncompaction of left ventricular myocardium revealed at hospitalization for tuberculous pleuritis].

A 48-year-old man was diagnosed with isolated noncompaction of the left ventricular myocardium. He had been suffering from dyspnea during light exercise since early February 1997, which worsened with time. Eventually, he visited our hospital on February 14.

[Influence of wall thickness on asynergy during exercise two-dimensional echocardiography in patients with old myocardial infarction].

The relationship between left ventricular wall motion worsening (new asynergy; newly developed or worsened asynergy) in the affected part of old myocardial infarction during exercise two-dimensional echocardiography and the wall thickness at diastole was evaluated in 20 patients with more than 51% diameter stenosis in only the infarcted related artery using symptom-limited graded supine bicycle exercise test and two-dimensional echocardiography. End-diastolic wall thickness at normal part of the wall (WtdN) and infarcted parts (WtdI) on the parasternal short-axis view at the papillary muscle level at rest were measured and the wall thickness ratio, WtdI/WtdN x 100(%), was calculated. The rate pressure product at the time when new asynergy appeared and the appearance time of new asynergy after starting exercise were measured in seconds.

A case of bilateral reversible thalamic lesions.

We describe a case of bilateral reversible thalamic lesions with no neurological deficits and a good prognosis. The lesions appeared as low-density areas on CT and high-intensity areas on T2-weighted MR imaging, and resolved within 1 month, suggesting that the cause was edema.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. CT findings with pathologic correlation in 6 cases.

Purpose: To characterize the CT findings of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

Material And Methods: CT and pathologic specimens of 6 patients with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (5 in the trunk and 1 in the leg) were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: CT clearly defined the tumors in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue with a characteristic, if not pathognomonic, protrusion.