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Biomedical subjects

R M McLaughlin

Publications and source records attributed to R M McLaughlin.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Behavioral and physiologic effects of inapparent wound infection in rats.

There is a common notion that rats are resistant to postoperative wound infection because many recover from surgery performed under nonsterile conditions. As a result, nonaseptic surgical techniques are used commonly in rat surgery. Our aim was to determine if these techniques cause wound infection and, if so, whether or not the infection, inapparent to casual observation, creates measurable changes in rat physiology and behavior. Rats subjected to craniotomies or laparotomies and inoculated with 10(8) Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa or sterile saline were tested for open-field activity, freezing behavior, home-cage behavior score, and wheel-running activity. Physiologic indices included lactate dehydrogenase, blood glucose, plasma fibrinogen, complete blood counts, wound bacterial counts and histology scores, body temperature, and body weight. Although no clinical signs were detected by postoperative observation, rats inoculated with bacteria were significantly less active in the open field and the duration of freezing behavior was shorter. Plasma fibrinogen, serum glucose, total white blood cell counts, and wound histology scores were significantly altered in the bacteria-inoculated rats. These findings underscore the need for sterile techniques in rat surgery to avoid confounding experimental data.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Campylobacter fetus subspecies jejuni isolated from Syrian hamsters with proliferative ileitis.

Two groups of Syrian hamsters received 3 weeks apart from a commercial supplier became ill and were found to have proliferative ileitis (transmissible ileal hyperplasia). Seventy-five of 200 hamsters from one group and 60 of 200 from another group were evaluated by bacteriological and histopathological techniques. Campylobacter fetus subspecies jejuni was isolated from all hamsters showing clinical signs of proliferative ileitis. The organism was recovered from fecal swabs and the ileum. Many asymptomatic animals had microscopic lesions characteristic of proliferative ileitis, and all except one were culture positive for C fetus subspecies jejuni. A group of 48 hamsters from another commercial source and free of the disease were culture negative for C fetus subspecies jejuni. These animals were inoculated by gavage with one of the following: extract of affected ileum (eight hamsters), 1 X 10(8) viable C fetus subspecies jejuni organisms (28 hamsters), or sterile saline (12 hamsters). Ileal-extract inoculated hamsters were culture positive and five of eight developed clinical signs of ileal hyperplasia. Pure-culture-inoculated hamsters had colonization of the ileum by C fetus subspecies jejuni but did not develop hyperplasia of the ileum. With this data and the tendency of C fetus subspecies jejuni to be associated with clinical enteric disease in a variety of animals and man, we suggest that C fetus subspecies jejuni may have an etiologic role in proliferative ileitis of hamsters. Other synergisms or predisposing factors also may be involved.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

A comparison of several intradermal tuberculins in Macaca mulatta during an epizootic of tuberculosis.

During an epizootic of tuberculosis in rhesus monkeys, several intradermal test reagents were compared for accuracy in detecting tuberculosis and for strength of reaction elicited. A purified protein derivative of Mycobacterium bovis, similar to one which will probably be approved for official veterinary testing and thus eliminate tuberculin-mammalian intradermic from commercial production, was among those evaluated. None of the reagents was found to be superior to tuberculin-mammalian intradermic. Significant difference were not found in reaction strength between abdominal and palpebral test sites, but both together were about 10 per cent more sensitive than either alone. Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis were both cultured and identified from this epizootic.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1975

Comparison of lymphocyte stimulation and tuberculin skin reactivity in Mycobacterium bovis-infected Macaca mulatta.

Lymphocyte immunostimulation tests were conducted on Mycobacterium bovis-infected and tuberculin-negative rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), using purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculins prepared from strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium. The stimulation of lymphocytes with M tuberculosis PPD was significantly greater for the M bovis-infected macaques than for the noninfected controls (P smaller than 0.05). The response of lymphocytes from M bovis-infected macaques to stimulation with M tuberculosis PPD was greater than the responses to stimulation with M avium PPD (P smaller than 0.01). The results of in vitro lymphocyte stimulation and tuberculin skinreactivity were similar.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Force plate analysis of triple pelvic osteotomy for the treatment of canine hip dysplasia.

Triple pelvic osteotomy was performed in 15 dogs with bilateral hip dysplasia. Ten dogs were treated bilaterally and five dogs were treated unilaterally. Ten untreated dogs with normal hips served as controls. Force plate analysis, lameness evaluation, and radiography were performed before surgery and at weeks 5, 10, 15, and 28. Three dogs treated unilaterally were euthanatized and the hips were examined grossly and microscopically. Force plate data indicated that young dysplastic dogs transmitted significantly less vertical force through the hip joints than normal dogs. The force transmitted through treated hips reached or approached control levels by week 28 and was significantly greater than the force transmitted through untreated hips. Clinical lameness resolved in 92% of limbs and progression of radiographically detectable degenerative joint disease was minimal. Gross and microscopic degenerative changes in the articular cartilage were similar in the treated and untreated hips. The synovial membrane was less reactive in treated hips.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Flexible external fixation for craniodorsal coxofemoral luxations in dogs.

An external fixator consisting of two Ellis pins connected by a flexible band was developed and evaluated as a treatment for craniodorsal coxofemoral luxations in dogs. The technique for closed application of the fixator without injury to the coxofemoral joint or sciatic nerve was developed in six dog cadavers. The coxofemoral joints were then surgically destabilized and the limbs were manipulated through a full range of motion to assess the efficacy of the fixator in maintaining joint reduction. The fixator maintained joint reduction and stability after a surgically created craniodorsal luxation except when the femur was externally rotated 90 degrees. A flexible external fixator was then applied unilaterally in four healthy dogs. The dogs tolerated the fixator well and were bearing weight on the limb within 2 days after surgery; the range of motion was not limited by the fixator. The efficacy of a flexible external fixator in maintaining joint reduction after craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation was then evaluated in eight large dogs. The right coxofemoral joint in each dog was luxated surgically by removal of the dorsal joint capsule and transection of the ligament of the head of the femur and deep gluteal muscle. The joint was reduced and the fixator pins were applied in a closed fashion. In four dogs, a flexible external band was applied to the pins. Luxation did not reccur in these four dogs. The bands were not applied initially in four control dogs. Luxation occurred in three of the four control dogs within 24 hours of surgery. The joints that luxated were reduced and the flexible bands applied. Luxation did not recur after the bands were in place. The dogs tolerated the external fixators well, were bearing weight within 2 days of surgery, and walking with only minimal lameness 5 days after surgery. Luxation of the coxofemoral joints did not occur during the 2-week period in which the fixators were in place. The joints remained stable 1 week after removal of the fixators, at which time the dogs were euthanatized. Necropsy evaluation identified inflammation surrounding the pins and fibrous thickening of the dorsal joint capsule. The flexible external fixators were applied closed, maintained reduction of the coxofemoral joint after replacement of a craniodorsal luxation, and allowed weight bearing and limb usage soon after surgery. The flexible external fixator has several advantages over other methods of treating craniodorsal coxofemoral luxations. Complications noted in this study included pin tract drainage, pin loosening, and disruption of the flexible bands.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Scintigraphic assessment of distal extremity perfusion in 17 patients.

To assess the role of scintigraphic evaluation of distal limb perfusion, the medical records and scintigraphic perfusion images of 17 animals (8 dogs, 2 cats, 2 calves, 4 birds and 1 ferret) with clinical signs of distal limb ischemia were examined retrospectively. Images were obtained at 5 and 10 minutes following injection of 99mTc-MDP, or 99mTc-DTPA. The initial scintigraphic diagnoses of 17 animals included complete ischemia (8/17), partially reduced perfusion (5/17), and normal to increased perfusion (4/17). In 4 of the animals with partially reduced perfusion, follow-up scans indicated progression to complete ischemia (1/4) or normal to increased perfusion (3/4). Nine of 17 animals had a final scintigraphic diagnosis of complete distal limb ischemia, and these animals were either euthanized (5/9) or had limb amputation (4/9). A final diagnosis of complete ischemia was supported with either repeat scanning (3/10), continued clinical observation (6/10) and/or pathological examination (10/10). Clinical signs of ischemia resolved in all (7/17) animals with increased or normal perfusion on their final scan. Scintigraphy provided a safe and noninvasive assessment of distal limb perfusion, which corresponded with clinical outcome.

Amputation, Surgical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bone plate fixation of distal radius and ulna fractures in small- and miniature-breed dogs.

Bone plate fixation was reviewed in 29 distal radial fractures of small- and miniature-breed dogs. Twenty-two fractures in 18 dogs were available for follow-up. Number of complications and return to function were evaluated. Complications occurred in 54% of the fractures. Catastrophic complications occurred in 18% of fracture repairs with follow-up, while minor complications occurred in 36%. Sixteen (89%) of 18 dogs had a successful return to function. Bone plate fixation is a successful repair method for distal radius and ulna fractures in small-breed dogs, compared to previously reported methods.

Animals↗