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Biomedical subjects

F Del Piero

Publications and source records attributed to F Del Piero.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Clinical, haematological and biochemical findings in foals with neonatal Equine herpesvirus-1 infection compared with septic and premature foals.

A retrospective multicentre study comparing historical, clinical, haematological, acid-base and biochemical findings of foals with Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection, septicaemia or prematurity was performed to determine if early diagnosis of EHV-1 foals was possible. Fifty-three foals were studied and were assigned to one of 2 groups: herpes positive (n = 14) or herpes negative (n = 39). The latter group included 20 septic, 11 premature, and 8 premature and septic foals. The presence of herpes antigen was confirmed by immunoperoxidase histochemical staining of tissues from necropsied foals. A nonparametric statistical analysis followed by a backwards elimination logistic regression was performed to establish a model at a P value of <0.05. All herpes positive foals died, while 47% (9/19) of the septic foals survived. Based upon our analysis, herpes positive foals were more likely to have total white blood cell counts less than 3 x 10(9)/l and to be icteric as compared to the septic and premature foals. Despite profound hepatic necrosis in the herpes positive foals, liver enzymes were not elevated and were not significantly different from the controls.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1999

Intramuscular desmoid tumor (musculoaponeurotic fibromatosis) in two horses.

Intramuscular desmoid tumors (musculoaponeurotic fibromatosis) were discovered in two young adult horses. The tumor in one horse was in the lateral cervical musculature, and that in the second horse occurred in the pectoral musculature. Histopathologic features were similar in both horses and included proliferation of fibroblasts and cells expressing muscle actin (myofibroblasts), with extensive dissecting fibrosis within muscle. These features are similar to those of desmoid tumors in humans, particularly those also known as musculoaponeurotic fibromatosis. Dissection of these lesions revealed a single central (horse No. 1) or multiple central (horse No. 2) fluid-filled cavities with associated sterile inflammation. The presence of these cavities supports the hypothesis that equine desmoid tumors are traumatic in origin, possibly occurring at sites of injections or bursal rupture. Surgical excision of the tumor in horse No. 1 was apparently curative, but the extent of the tumor in horse No. 2 precluded surgical excision.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Experimental infection of the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent in horses.

Human blood collected from two patients from Westchester County, New York with human granulocytic ehrlichia (HGE) infection was inoculated into two ponies. Inoculated ponies developed clinical signs similar to a previous report (Madigan et al., 1995). Histopathological changes involved follicular hyperplasia of lymphoid tissues. HGE DNA was detected by PCR in muscle, fascia, peritoneum, and adrenal gland after the ponies produced a high level of antibodies to HGE. We suggest that HGE may reside in poorly vascularized connective tissues, where the antibodies may have some difficulties to penetrate, resulting in persistent infection. Since HGE and E. equi cause very similar diseases in both humans and horses, they may be the same organism with minor genetic differences.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1998

Ocular lesions in horses with lymphosarcoma: 21 cases (1977-1997).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the most common ocular lesions in horses with lymphosarcoma. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 79 horses histologically confirmed to have lymphosarcoma. PROCEDURE: Ophthalmic examinations were performed by a single individual. RESULTS: 21 of 79 horses had lesions involving the eye or ocular adnexa. Infiltration of the palpebral conjunctiva and eyelids was the most common lesion (n = 11). Other lesions included uveitis (n = 4), corneoscleral masses (2), third eyelid masses (2), and diffuse retrobulbar infiltrates (2). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: In horses with lymphosarcoma, ocular lesions may precede or be more obvious than lymph node enlargement or signs of visceral involvement. Early recognition of ocular lesions suggestive of lymphosarcoma may allow a more rapid diagnosis of lymphosarcoma in horses.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Equine viral arteritis in newborn foals: clinical, pathological, serological, microbiological and immunohistochemical observations.

Clinical, pathological, immunohistochemical, serological and microbiological findings are described for 2 geographically and temporally distinct equine arteritis virus (EAV) epidemics in newborn foals. Outbreak A occurred at a commercial Standardbred breeding facility; Outbreak B began in a group of research animals. Clinical signs were severe and primarily referable to the respiratory tract. Fever and leucopenia and/or thrombocytopenia were observed in foals surviving for more than 24 h. The most common gross pathological findings were limited to the respiratory tract. Common histopathological findings included interstitial pneumonia, lymphocytic arteritis and periarteritis with fibrinoid necrosis of the tunica media. Renal tubular necrosis was noted in 2 foals. Immunoperoxidase histochemistry combined with virus isolation was diagnostic in all cases.

Animals↗