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Biomedical subjects

A deLahunta

Publications and source records attributed to A deLahunta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Myelopathy caused by a histiocytic sarcoma in a cat.

An eight-year-old, female spayed, domestic shorthair cat presented with a three-week history of progressive general proprioceptive ataxia and upper motor neuron paresis of the hindlimbs. Computed tomography revealed a mediastinal mass invading the vertebral canal with the T1 spinal nerve and roots, causing extramedullary compression of the cranial thoracic spinal cord. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies of the mass during postmortem examination disclosed a neoplasm, later determined to be a poorly differentiated histiocytic sarcoma. Feline histiocytic tumours are rare, with only two prior reports existing in the veterinary literature. This report details a case work-up and reviews the literature on feline histiocytic diseases and tumours affecting the feline spinal

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Cerebellar cortical abiotrophy in a beagle.

A beagle puppy was presented with clinical signs indicative of a cerebellar disease. Histopathological evaluation of the cerebellum revealed a diffuse degenerative cortical lesion. The clinical history and the histopathological findings are consistent with a neonatal cerebellar abiotrophy. Furthermore, the breeding history supports the hypothesis of an inherited genetic disorder that is, most likely, an autosomal recessive trait.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Epidemiologic evidence for clustering of equine motor neuron disease in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the regional variations in the distribution of equine motor neuron disease (EMND) in the United States and the factors that might explain those variations. DESIGN: Cluster investigation and case-control study. SAMPLE POPULATION: The study population consisted of 97 horses with histopathologically confirmed EMND and 698 controls with diagnosis of other spinal cord disorders at 21 US veterinary teaching hospitals participating in the Veterinary Medical Data Base. PROCEDURE: The total horse population of the United States was divided into 21 regions, and the regional incidence rates of EMND from January 1985 through January 1995 were estimated. Moran's index of spatial autocorrelation was calculated to test for spatial clustering of the disease. The 21 regions were then joined in broader areas according to the similarity of their EMND rates by means of the cluster analysis statistical technique. Finally, the role of potential confounding factors (age at diagnosis, month of diagnosis, breed, and sex) in the present distribution of EMND was assessed, using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Differences in estimated rates across the 21 regions resulted in a strong pattern of spatial clustering of EMND in the United States. The geographic units were grouped into 5 risk regions, with the gradient of EMND incidence rates increasing from the western states (almost 0 cases/1,000,000 horse-years) toward New England (20.78 cases/1,000,000 horse-years). Reported risk factors of EMND (age, breed) and other extraneous factors (sex, month of diagnosis) could not explain the observed geographic variations of disease rates. Nevertheless, there is evidence of some confounding attributable to age and breed. CONCLUSIONS: Although the mechanism responsible for the clustering of EMND in northeastern states is still unexplained, it is not an epiphenomenon caused by regional differences in the distribution of the factors investigated.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Neurological manifestation of cholesterinic granulomas in three horses.

Cholesterinic granulomas have been previously reported as an incidental post mortem in horses. Three adult horses with diencephalic dysfunction due to cholesterinic granulomas are described. All the horses exhibited profound depression, somnolence and reluctance to move. One horse experienced generalised seizures. Cerebrosinal fluid was xanthochromic with an elevated total protein in two of the cases evaluated. The large cholesterinic granulomas caused expansion of the lateral ventricle and secondary hydrocephalus due to the build up of cerebrospinal fluid behind the mass. Cholesterinic granulomas are believed to result from choroid plexus congestion and haemorrhage.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Subclinical lumbar polyradiculopathy, polyneuritis and ganglionitis in aged wild and exotic mammalians.

Subclinical lumbar polyradiculopathy was present in the intradural dorsal and ventral nerve rootlets of 19 aged individuals of the following wild and exotic mammalian species: woodrat, raccoon, mink, lynx, reindeer, red deer, musk ox, scimitar-horned oryx, Arabian oryx, hybrid waterbuck, Persian onager, Przewalski's wild horse, Malayan sun bear, Asian elephant, East African river hippopotamus, vervet monkey and rhesus monkey. It was characterized by mild to severe multifocal ballooning of myelin sheaths. Occasionally, ballooned myelin sheaths contained thin strands of myelin and macrophages surrounding distorted axons. Additionally, a mild incidental lymphocytic polyneuritis was present in intradural nerve rootlets of the Malayan sun bear, and a moderate lymphocytic spinal ganglionitis in the East African river hippopotamus.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

Characterization of Sarcocystis neurona from a thoroughbred with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis.

Morphological information is presented for syntype material of the etiologic agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, Sarcocystis neurona. A clinical description of the horse from which the organism was isolated and the methodology used to immunosuppress the horse in an attempt to increase parasite numbers are also given. The description includes microscopic details observed both with light and transmission electron microscopy. Mainly stages from tissue are illustrated, but information is also presented on the development of the organism after inoculation onto monolayers of bovine monocytes. It is believed that the large numbers of organisms observed in this horse were due to its having not received prior treatment with trimethoprimsulphonamide and the large amounts of corticosteroids that were administered in order to facilitate isolation of the pathogen.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Pulmonary hamartoma and multiple cardiac anomalies in a Finn-Dorset cross lamb.

A case of pulmonary hamartoma was diagnosed in a neonatal, male, Finn-Dorset cross lamb with concurrent cardiac anomalies and palatoschisis. On gross examination, the lungs were markedly enlarged and spongy. Histologically, pulmonary lobules were composed of severely dilated and hyperplastic terminal bronchioles, separated by an abundant connective tissue stroma. Alveoli were generally absent. Other bronchi were hypoplastic and lacked both cartilage and smooth muscle. Both the cranial and caudal vena cavae and the pulmonary veins entered the right atrium. This anomaly has not been previously reported in lambs.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1990

Factors associated with the development of equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy.

A case-control study was done to identify factors associated with the development of equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM). Questionnaires were mailed to the owners of 146 horses admitted to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine between November 1978 and June 1987 and diagnosed as having EDM by histologic examination. Questionnaires also were sent to owners of 402 clinically normal horses admitted to the college during the same period. Data were compared between the EDM-affected and control groups (56 and 179 questionnaires returned, respectively). Risk factors identified included the use of insecticide applied to foals, exposure of foals to wood preservatives, and foals frequently spending time on dirt lots while outside. Foals spending time outside on green pastures was a protective factor. Foals from dams that had had an EDM-affected foal were at higher risk of developing EDM than were foals from other dams.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Porcine focal symmetrical poliomyelomalacia: test for an interaction between dietary selenium and niacin.

Experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with nicotinamide would retard or eliminate the signs of selenium induced porcine focal symmetrical poliomyelomalacia (PFSP). Mixed-sex feeder pigs, approximately five weeks old, were divided into four groups and daily received, by oral capsule, the following treatments: no supplementation (control); 2.86 mg sodium selenite per kg body wt (selenium only); 44 mg nicotinamide per kg body wt (niacin only); or both the niacin and selenium (niacin + selenium). Over the ten day treatment body weights and behavior scores were recorded, as well as collection of fluid (blood, serum, urine) samples. Upon death, tissue samples (kidney, liver, brain, spinal cord and muscle) were obtained. All of these samples were analyzed for total selenium and bioactive niacin compounds. After gross pathological analysis, 11 samples from specific brain and spinal cord regions were taken for fixation and processing for histological analysis by light microscopy. The selenium only group showed behavior signs related to PFSP after two days of treatment with the average time of death at 6.5 days. Tissue levels of selenium were elevated and histological analyses established the expected lesions of PFSP. No disorders were noted in the control and niacin only groups. The niacin + selenium groups had slightly retarded changes in behavior scores (first differences from controls on day 4) but their mean day of death (7.5 days of treatment) did not differ from that of the selenium only groups. Histological analyses of these tissues revealed similar lesions to the selenium only group, but they may have been of lesser magnitude. The data were consistent with, but only partially supportive of, the above hypothesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Plasma and liver copper values in horses with equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy.

Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM) is a common spinal cord disease in the horse. The etiology of EDM currently is unknown. In other species, there are similarities in the clinical signs and neuropathological changes observed in EDM and in copper deficiency. The objective of this study was to determine if horses affected with EDM had low levels of plasma or liver copper. Plasma copper values were determined in 25 EDM affected horses and 35 normal horses. Liver copper levels were determined on 13 EDM affected horses and 22 normal horses. Plasma and liver copper values were not significantly lower in EDM affected horses than in control horses.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Serum vitamin E and blood glutathione peroxidase values of horses with degenerative myeloencephalopathy.

Serum vitamin E and blood glutathione peroxidase values were determined in 40 horses with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of degenerative myeloencephalopathy and in 49 age-matched control horses with normal neurologic function. Significant differences were not detected in serum vitamin E or blood glutathione peroxidase values between horses affected with degenerative myeloencephalopathy and control horses. These findings fail to support a reported role of vitamin E deficiency as a cause of equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

A novel intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumor in young dogs.

We have studied an unusual, spontaneous, intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumor in 12 dogs. Animals presented with paraparesis and ataxia early in life (11/12 ranged from 6 to 38 months of age) suggesting that these tumors may be congenital. Various breeds of dogs were represented with four cases in German Shepherds and three in retrievers; there was no sex predisposition. Post-mortem examinations revealed a single intradural mass consistently located between T10 and L2, which produced extensive compression of the spinal cord. Metastasis was never observed and significant pathological changes in other organs were lacking. Microscopic examination revealed solid sheets of ovoid to fusiform cells interspersed with areas of acinar and tubular differentiation. Some areas were rarified and focal squamous metaplasia was observed. Ultrastructural features included the presence of a continuous basal lamina, junctional complexes, microvilli and occasional cilia at the apices of acinar complexes. Immunocytochemical studies did not support a neurectodermal origin. At least 13 case reports of this entity have been previously published and have been designated ependymomas, medulloepitheliomas and neuroepitheliomas. A recent case was diagnosed as a nephroblastoma and we feel that this is an interesting and provocative diagnosis. These tumors could result from remnants of renal primordium which becomes trapped between the dura and the developing spinal cord. However, firm evidence of such a histogenesis is not yet at hand.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1988

Porcine focal symmetrical poliomyelomalacia: experimental reproduction with oral doses of encapsulated sodium selenite.

Sodium selenite (encapsulated as doses of 1.4 mg, 2.6 mg and 4.2 mg per kilogram of body weight) was given orally on a daily basis to male weaner pigs, and features of these animals were compared to a control group. Porcine focal symmetrical poliomyelomalacia was produced in all experimental groups between 3 and 20 days after initiation of the treatment. Analysis of blood and several tissues revealed an elevated selenium content for all pigs. Histological lesions in the brain and the cervical lumbar/sacral spinal cord enlargements included endothelial proliferation, neuronal degeneration, microcavitation and glial cell reaction.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1986

Progressive muscular dystrophy in a golden retriever dog: light microscope and ultrastructural features at 4 and 8 months.

The clinical and morphological features of a congenital myopathy in a young male golden retriever dog were studied. Muscle biopsies at 4 and 8 months of age were examined with light and electron microscopy. Clinical features included early onset of generalized muscle weakness with selective muscle atrophy and hypertrophy, splaying of the limbs, stiff gait, and marked elevation of serum creatine kinase (CK). An electromyograph revealed spontaneous electrical activity characterized by sustained high-frequency activity, which was not abolished by neuromuscular blockade. Morphologically there was marked hypercontraction and segmental necrosis of muscle fibers with phagocytosis and regeneration. Ultrastructurally, dilatation of sarcoplasmic reticulum was the most consistent feature associated with early fiber degeneration. No abnormalities were noted in the central or peripheral nervous system. Progression of the disease was evident at 8 months. It was concluded that the findings are consistent with a dystrophic process of primary muscle origin. The probable genetics and comparison to other animal models of muscular dystrophy and to Duchenne dystrophy are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Cerebral angioendotheliomatosis in a dog.

A 6-year-old dog which presented with weakness of the hind limbs progressed to a cerebral disorder with altered sensorium. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein was elevated, but no cells were found. Autopsy revealed severe hemorrhages in the basal nuclei and diencephalon. Histology of the lesions showed many meningeal and parenchymal blood vessels filled with neoplastic mononuclear cells. Electron microscopy of the tumor cells demonstrated ribosomes, granular endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and a few lysosomes. Immunocytochemical procedures to demonstrate Factor VIII-related antigen were negative. This appears to be the first recorded case of cerebral angioendotheliomatosis in domestic animals and closely resembles the syndrome in man.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Presumptive organophosphate-induced delayed neurotoxicity in a paralyzed bull.

A case of presumptive organophosphate-induced delayed neurotoxicity in a bull is described. All signs were referable to a focal cervical or diffuse spinal cord lesion. These included recumbency with severe symmetrical paresis of all 4 limbs, the hind limb involvement being greater than the forelimbs. CSF analysis was normal. The bull was killed and necropsied. There were no gross CNS lesions. Histopathologic finds are characterized and their resemblance to lesions observed in delayed neurotoxicity caused by organophosphate compounds is discussed. The bull had been treated with organophosphate insecticide (famphur) 43 days prior to the onset of signs.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Canine inherited hypertrophic neuropathy: clinical and electrodiagnostic studies.

Clinical and electrodiagnostic features of acute and chronic canine-inherited hypertrophic neuropathy were studied in 20 affected dogs. The age of onset was consistently between 7.5 and 10 weeks of age. Affected pups had rapidly developing limb weakness accompanied by muscle hypotonia and hyporeflexia. There was no clinical evidence of cranial nerve dysfunction. Pups that did not develop limb contractures later regained some strength and became clinically stable for long periods, although they always remained weak. Progressive slowing of nerve conduction velocities occurred during the development of clinical signs of limb weakness. Temporal dispersion of evoked muscle action potentials was present in more chronically affected dogs. Transient spontaneous activity was present in muscles of affected dogs examined by electromyography. An autosomal recessive mode of inheritance was supported by the results of breeding studies.

Animals↗