PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Carol B Grindem

Publications and source records attributed to Carol B Grindem.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Gallbladder aspirate from a dog.

A 7-year-old, male, castrated, Labrador Retriever with a history of pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease presented for vomiting and anorexia. Serum biochemistry findings were indicative of cholestasis, hepatocellular insult, and decreased hepatic function. Ultrasound examination showed sediment and gas within the gallbladder, and a diagnosis of emphysematous cholecystitis was made. Emergency gallbladder resection was performed. Cytologic examination of bile fluid collected at surgery showed a mixed population of bacteria (bactibilia) together with fungal organisms consistent with Cyniclomyces guttulatus (previously known as Saccharomycopsis guttulatus). Similar fungal organisms were seen on a fecal smear. Bacteria cultured were normal gastrointestinal flora, supporting ascending infection; the fungal organisms were interpreted as incidental. Histopathology of the gallbladder indicated active (suppurative) and chronic (lymphocytic) cholecystitis and sections of liver tissue had evidence of chronic liver disease. A positive liver culture indicated concurrent bacterial hepatitis or cholangiohepatitis. Despite supportive care, the dog continued to decline and was euthanized 30 days later. Necropsy results confirmed end stage liver disease, but an initiating cause was not found. This case highlights the role of bactibilia in the development of acute cholecystitis and the unique cytologic appearance of C guttulatus as an incidental finding in bile fluid.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Cellular composition of bronchial brushings obtained from healthy dogs and dogs with chronic cough and cytologic composition of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from dogs with chronic cough.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether bronchial brushings from dogs with chronic cough have increased numbers of goblet cells and WBCs, compared with numbers for healthy dogs, or have differing WBC populations, compared with populations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid obtained from dogs with chronic cough. ANIMALS: 9 healthy dogs and 10 dogs with chronic cough. PROCEDURE: Specimens were collected by use of bronchoscopy. Cellular composition was determined for brushings, and results from dogs with chronic cough were compared with those from healthy dogs. Cellular composition of brushings was compared with composition of BAL obtained from dogs with chronic cough. RESULTS: Brushings from healthy dogs contained a median of 2.9 x 10(6) epithelial cells, comprising 100% epithelial cells (96% ciliated, 3% goblet, and 1% other) and no WBCs. Brushings from dogs with chronic cough had 4.5 x 10(6) epithelial cells, comprising 93% epithelial cells (86% ciliated, 2% goblet, and 12% other). Dogs with chronic cough had significantly greater percentages of WBCs (7%) and neutrophils (6%), compared with values for healthy dogs. Five dogs with chronic cough had no neutrophilic inflammation evident in BAL, but 4 of these had evidence of neutrophilic inflammation in brushings. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Neutrophils, but not goblet cells, were increased in brushings from dogs with chronic cough. Analysis of bronchial brushings provides information about airway inflammation that differs from that found by examination of BAL in some dogs with chronic cough and is a more sensitive indicator of airway inflammation than cytologic examination of BAL in these dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Molecular identification of Ehrlichia ewingii infection in dogs: 15 cases (1997-2001).

OBJECTIVE: To determine historical, physical examination, hematologic, and serologic findings in dogs with Ehrlichia ewingii infection. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 15 dogs. PROCEDURE: In all dogs, infection with E ewingii was confirmed with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Follow-up information and clarification of information recorded in the medical records was obtained by telephone interviews and facsimile correspondence with referring veterinarians and owners. RESULTS: Fever and lameness were the most common findings with each occurring in 8 dogs. Five dogs had neurologic abnormalities including ataxia, paresis, proprioceptive deficits, anisocoria, intention tremor, and head tilt. Neutrophilic polyarthritis was identified in 4 dogs. No clinical signs were reported in 3 dogs. The predominant hematologic abnormality was thrombocytopenia, which was identified in all 12 dogs for which a platelet count was available. Reactive lymphocytes were seen in 5 of 13 dogs. Concurrent infection with another rickettsial organism was identified in 4 dogs. Of the 13 dogs tested, 7 were seroreactive to E canis antigens. Morulae consistent with E ewingii infection were identified in neutrophils in 8 dogs. Treatment with doxycycline, with or without prednisone, resulted in a rapid, favorable clinical response in the 9 dogs for which follow-up information was available. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that PCR testing for E ewingii infection should be considered in dogs with fever, neutrophilic polyarthritis, unexplained ataxia or paresis, thrombocytopenia, or unexplained reactive lymphocytes, and in dogs with clinical signs suggestive of ehrlichiosis that are seronegative for E canis. Following treatment with doxycycline, the prognosis for recovery is good.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Clinical application of reticulocyte counts in dogs and cats.

Reticulocytes are anucleate immature red blood cells that contain a network of RNA, organelles, and mitochondria, which stain with supravital dyes. Both aggregate and punctate reticulocytes are present in domestic cats, and aggregate reticulocytes are used to assess the degree of regeneration in anemic dogs and cats. Multiple factors influence the degree of regenerative response to anemia. These factors include time of reticulocyte measurement, concurrent diseases, species, and ongoing therapy. Although many automated systems for reticulocyte enumeration exist, manual counts remain the gold standard in veterinary medicine.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Extensive cutaneous metastases in a dog with duodenal adenocarcinoma.

A 6-year-old Rottweiler was presented to the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine for evaluation of multiple cutaneous nodules. The dog had a history of anorexia, vomiting, and hind-limb paraplegia. Results of cytologic examination of the cutaneous nodules were consistent with a round cell tumor. At necropsy, primary tumors were found coalescing in the duodenum and the pancreas and extending into the associated mesentery. Numerous masses also were found throughout the skin, abdominal and thoracic viscera, and lumbar spinal cord. Histologically, the duodenal tumor had variable morphology, with some areas resembling adenocarcinoma and others resembling anaplastic round cell neoplasia; the skin and other metastatic lesions resembled round cell neoplasia. Immunohistochemistry of the cutaneous, duodenal, and pancreatic masses showed the neoplastic cells were positive for pancytokeratin, supporting an epithelial origin. In addition, low numbers of neoplastic cells were positive for periodic acid-Schiff and Alcian blue, consistent with acid mucin production by duodenal epithelium. These findings confirmed that the cutaneous nodules were metastatic lesions originating from the duodenal adenocarcinoma. Cutaneous metastasis of intestinal carcinoma is rare in domestic animals. This case demonstrates the potential difficulty in diagnosing metastatic lesions based on cytologic and histologic morphology alone, because the cutaneous metastases may not resemble the primary neoplasm morphologically.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2002

Cytology of bone marrow.

Cytologic examination of bone marrow aspirates can provide a wealth of diagnostic information. Practitioners should not hesitate to perform bone marrow aspirates when indicated. This article is designed to assist the practitioner in the evaluation of bone marrow aspiration biopsies. The indications for marrow evaluation, methods of sample collection, sample preparation, and cytologic examination of bone marrow are discussed. Cases are provided to demonstrate accurate interpretation of bone marrow aspirates.

Anemia, Hemolytic↗
PubMed2002

Blood values of juvenile northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) obtained using a portable clinical analyzer.

BACKGROUND: Sick, injured, or orphaned juvenile northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustisrostris) treated at rehabilitation centers frequently present with abnormalities in blood sodium, potassium, chloride, BUN, and glucose concentrations, and HCT. These abnormalities could be detected rapidly using a portable blood analyzer, but results with this analysis method do not necessarily equate with those obtained using other techniques. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to better assess the clinical relevance of values obtained from a portable analyzer and to compare the results with values obtained using more common methods of analysis. METHODS: Heparinized whole blood samples were collected from 20 rehabilitated juvenile northern elephant seals. A portable clinical analyzer (i-STAT, i-STAT Corp, East Windsor, NJ, USA) was used to establish baseline values. Serum biochemical values were obtained using an automated chemical analyzer (Olympus AU5200, Olympus America, Melville, NY, USA). HCT was determined using EDTA whole blood and a cell counter. RESULTS: Using the portable analyzer, mean (minimum-maximum) values were obtained for sodium, 143 (132-146) mmol/L; potassium, 4.4 (3.9-5.8) mmol/L; chloride, 106 (101-109) mmol/L; BUN, 1.8 (1.1-2.4) mmol/L; glucose, 7.55 (5.99-8.49) mmol/L; and HCT, 0.55 (0.52-0.61) L/L. Average differences between methods were small for potassium (-0.45 mmol/L), BUN (0.1 mmol/L), and HCT (0.037 L/L) but were large for sodium (-6.8 mmol/L), chloride (-6.4 mmol/L), and glucose (-0.56 mmol/L). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the i-STAT portable analyzer could be useful for clinically assessing juvenile elephant seals. However, when making medical decisions, the clinician should be aware of differences associated with various analyzers and sample types.

Animals↗