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Biomedical subjects

J M Pletcher

Publications and source records attributed to J M Pletcher.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A mycobacteriosis in a sheep resembling paratuberculosis (Johne's disease).

In a sheep which was euthanased because of severe emaciation and weakness, slight thickening of the ileum was seen grossly. Microscopically there was a granulomatous ileitis with obliterative lymphangitis and lymphangiectasis. Granulomatous lesions were also present in the liver and some mesenteric lymph nodes. Large numbers of acid-fast bacilli were present within epithelioid macrophages in the lamina propria of the ileum. Although the identity of the Mycobacterium spp. involved was not established, the possibility of paratuberculosis is discussed. The apparent rarity of this disease in sheep in South Africa is considered. Particular attention is drawn to the absence of diarrhoea in this case, to the slightness of the gross changes and to the importance of submitting material for mycobacterial culture.

Animals↗

Histopathologic evidence for parvovirus infection in dogs.

Two dogs kenneled at a commercial establishment died of a disease manifested as severe hemorrhagic diarrhea. Histopathologic findings in both dogs bore a striking resemblance to those typical of feline infectious enteritis. Viral particles resembling members of the Parvoviridae family were observed in the contents of the small intestine of one of the dogs. The disease was similar to the recently recognized canine gastroenteritis associated with a parvovirus-like agent.

Animals↗

Orbital chondroma rodens in a dog.

A chondroma rodens involving the superficial medial aspect of the right orbit was diagnosed in a 9-year-old dog referred because of chronic unilateral epiphora. Examination revealed several ophthalmic abnormalities attributable to a space-occupying mass in the superficial medial aspect of the orbit. The mass was excised; however, regrowths at the primary site necessitated additional surgical interventions. The dog was given radiation therapy, which provided encouraging results. Subtle histologic differences as well as differing epidemiologic features suggest that chondroma rodens is not analogous to the human entity of juvenile aponeurotic fibroma, to which it has been compared in the past.

Animals↗

Pancreatic polypeptide and insulin-secreting tumor in a dog with duodenal ulcers and hypertrophic gastritis.

A 7-year-old spayed female Cocker Spaniel was hospitalized with a history of chronic vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss. Laboratory abnormalities included leukocytosis, metabolic alkalosis, hypoglycemia, hypoproteinemia, and hyperinsulinemia. Gastroscopy and ultrasonography revealed multiple gastric masses and a possible pancreatic mass, respectively. Examination of tissues obtained at necropsy showed a pancreatic adenocarcinoma with hepatic metastasis, gastric hypertrophy, and multiple duodenal ulcers. Immunocytochemical staining of the neoplasia was positive for pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and insulin and negative for gastrin, calcitonin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), serotonin, L-enkephalin, chromagranin, glucagon, and somatostatin. Subsequent serum gastrin and PP assays showed a fasting hypergastrinemia with a normal response of gastrin to provocative testing and extremely increased PP values. The high PP values may have resulted in the vomiting and gastrointestinal ulceration. A PP-secreting tumor has not previously been reported in the dog.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Chronic toxicity/oncogenicity evaluation of 60 Hz (power frequency) magnetic fields in B6C3F1 mice.

A 2-yr whole-body exposure study was conducted to evaluate the chronic toxicity and possible oncogenicity of 60 Hz (power frequency) magnetic fields in mice. Groups of 100 male and 100 female B6C3F1 mice were exposed to pure, linearly polarized, transient-free 60 Hz magnetic fields at flux densities of 0 Gauss (G) (sham control), 20 milligauss (mG), 2 G, and 10 G; an additional group of 100 male and 100 female B6C3F1 mice received intermittent (1 hr on/1 hr off) exposure to 10 G fields. A small but statistically significant increase in mortality was observed in male mice exposed continuously to 10 G fields; mortality patterns in all other groups of mice exposed to magnetic fields were comparable to those found in sex-matched sham controls. Body weight gains and the total incidence and number of malignant and benign tumors were similar in all groups. Magnetic field exposure did not increase the incidence of neoplasia in any organ, including those sites (leukemia, breast cancer, and brain cancer) that have been identified in epidemiology studies as possible targets of magnetic field action. A statistically significant decrease in the incidence of malignant lymphoma was observed in female mice exposed continuously to 10 G fields, and statistically significant decreases in the incidence of lung tumors were seen in both sexes exposed continuously to 2 G fields. These data do not support the hypothesis that chronic exposure to pure, linearly polarized 60 Hz magnetic fields is a significant risk factor for neoplastic development in mice.

Adenoma↗