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Biomedical subjects

R G Breeze

Publications and source records attributed to R G Breeze.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease anatomical cardiac studies.

An abattoir survey on horses diagnosed as suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on clinical grounds showed that the right ventricular wall thickness was not significantly different from that of normal horses. However, the weight ratio between the left and right ventricles was found to be significantly (P less than 0.001) different in COPD affected, compared with control, horses in a study of 17 physiologically and pathologically confirmed COPD cases, using ventricular weight measurements. No clinical evidence of right heart failure nor post mortem evidence of right heart dilatation was observed in any COPD affected animals. It is suggested that the low incidence and degree of cor pulmonale in equine COPD may be related to the reversibility of the pulmonary hypertension associated with this disease.

Abattoirs↗

Indole toxicity in cattle.

Indole and 3-methylindole (3MI) are ruminal metabolites of L-tryptophan (TRP) and have similar physical and chemical properties. 3-Methylindole causes acute bovine pulmonary emphysema (ABPE). The effects of indole when administered orally to cows were determined. Four mature Holstein cows were given increasing doses of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 g indole per kg body-weight orally at two-week intervals. The animals were killed one week after the last dose. Plasma indole concentrations peaked three house after administration at 4.5, 8.8 and 19.8 microgram per ml after the 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 doses, respectively. Detectable concentrations of indole (more than 0.02 microgram per ml) persisted in the plasma from three to 25 hours after dosing. Packed cell volume was decreased (P less than 0.01) at 48 and 72 hours after the 0.2 g per kg dose and at 72 hours after the 0.1 g per kg dose. Plasma haemoglobin was increased (P less than 0.05) at 48 hours after the 0.2 and 0.1 g per kg doses. By 72 hours after the 0.2 g per kg dose, all cows had mild diarrhoea and haemolysis and two of the cows had haemoglobinuria. At necropsy, microscopic lesions of haemoglobinuric nephrosis were seen in all four cows. No lesions of ABPE were found in any of the animals.

Animals↗

Prevention of tryptophan-induced acute bovine pulmonary oedema and emphysema (fog fever).

The pathogenesis of acute bovine pulmonary oedema and emphysema (ABPE) is related to the ruminal formation of 3-methylindole (3MI) from L-tryptophan (TRP), a naturally occurring amino acid and constituent of forage. The objectives of the present study were to determine whether monensin and lasalocid, both polyether antibiotics, were effective in reducing ruminal conversion of TRP to 3MI in vivo and to confirm that reduction in ruminal conversion of TRP to 3MI prevented tryptophan induced ABPE. Sixteen mature Hereford cows were assigned to one of four groups and given TRP to induce ABPE. Group 1 was given 100 mg monensin orally twice daily starting one day before and ending four days after TRP dosing. Group 2 was given 200 mg monensin once daily and group 3 was given 100 mg lasalocid twice daily. Group 4, the control, was given only TRP without further treatment. All control cows developed clinical signs of respiratory disease and lesions of ABPE; one control cow died of ABPE. Mean ruminal 3MI concentrations in control cows reached a peak of 36.4 micrograms per ml. Clinical signs of pulmonary disease appeared in two cows treated with lasalocid and one died. Mean ruminal 3MI in these animals peaked at 38.8 micrograms per ml. No clinical signs of respiratory disease were observed in any of the monensin treated cows and at necropsy there were no pulmonary lesions of ABPE. Mean ruminal 3MI concentrations in monensin treated cows did not exceed 8.9 micrograms per ml. In all groups plasma 3MI concentrations generally reflected ruminal 3MI concentrations but at lower concentrations. The results of this experiment demonstrate that reduction in ruminal 3MI formation by monensin prevents tryptophan induced ABPE.

Animals↗

Myoblastoma. Equine granular cell tumor.

A unilateral pulmonary granular cell tumor occurred in a Thoroughbred mare with longstanding respiratory disease wrongly attributed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The clinical features, radiology and endoscopic appearance permitted an accurate diagnosis, which was supported by subsequent necropsy and histologic examination. Obstructive pulmonary disease was ruled out after measurement of arterial blood gases and maximum intrathoracic pressure changes, and after microscopic examination of the lung.

Animals↗

Hormone producing ovarian tumours in the dog.

In two cases of granulosa cell tumours of the ovary in bitches there was production of sex hormones by the neoplasm. Both tumours produced oestrogens but one also produced significant concentrations of progesterone. In both bitches, the presenting sign was abnormally prolonged oestrus activity. One dog also developed a haemorrhagic diathesis as a result of endogenous oestrogen toxicity.

Animals↗

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in horses: aetiological studies: responses to intradermal and inhalation antigenic challenge.

Micropolyspora faeni and Aspergillus fumigatus were identified as common causes of respiratory hypersensitivity in horses affected with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Rye grass pollen and an Actinomycete evoked respiratory allergy in a few horses. Not infrequently, individual horses were found to have respiratory hypersensitivity to two or more antigens. The methods used to examine for allergy were intradermal testing and inhalation challenge with environmental antigens. An intradermal test using an M faeni extract was demonstrated to be suitable for diagnostic use in horses previously accurately diagnosed as suffering from COPD. In contrast, the A fumigatus antigen used proved unsatisfactory for such a purpose. Skin reaction to M faeni and A fumigatus extracts by horses affected with COPD indicated that the hypersensitivity was a dual one--a weak response shortly after injection followed by an Arthus-like response 4 to 8 hours later. As a parameter for monitoring responses to inhalation challenge, maximum intrathoracic pressure change (max delta Ppl) proved satisfactory, whereas changes in partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) did not.

Animals↗

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): factors influencing the occurrence.

Breed, age, weight, type of work performed, seasonal onset, poor ventilation and exposure to moulds in the habitat were investigated in relation to the occurrence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD was most commonly detected in showjumping and hacking horses. The older a horse, the more likely it was to become affected although most were 6 to 10 years of age. Of the horses in this sample of the population, which was not a random one, thoroughbred horses were affected least and ponies most often. The high incidence in ponies was related to their more frequent exposure to poor quality fodder and bedding. Most horses are exposed to the hazard of moulds, but more affected horses were so exposed than those not affected with COPD. Poor ventilation of the stable increased the chance of a horse becoming affected. Sex, body weight and season of onset of coughing had no influence on the occurrence of the disease.

Age Factors↗

The presence of precipitating antibodies in the sera of horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The sera of horses affected and not affected with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were examined for precipitins to Micropolyspora faeni and Aspergillus fumigatus. Precipitins to both antigens were not restricted to COPD cases but occurred more frequently in animals affected with COPD. Many animals without detectable precipitins responded clinically to inhalation challenge with these antigens.

Animals↗