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Biomedical subjects

R M Simpson

Publications and source records attributed to R M Simpson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Hypereosinophilia associated with transitional cell carcinoma in a cat.

A 14-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of an abdominal mass and eosinophilia. Widely disseminated, transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder was diagnosed histologically. To further characterize the eosinophilia, eosinophils were separated from other leukocytes and cultured in vitro. Harvested cells were evaluated for density and for in vitro survivability. Results of these tests, hyperplasia of bone marrow eosinophil precursors, and lack of tumor tissue eosinophilic infiltrates suggested that an eosinophilopoietic stimulus of undetermined origin was likely the cause of this cat's hypereosinophilia.

Animals↗

Immunocytochemical detection of Ehrlichia platys antigens in canine blood platelets.

An avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase complex (ABC) immunocytochemical (ICC) stain procedure was optimized for detection of Ehrlichia platys antigens. Positive immunoreactivity was detected with dilutions of canine immune serum on acetone-fixed smears of platelet-rich plasma from E. platys-infected dogs. No E. platys antigens were detected when this ICC stain was applied to frozen or paraffin-embedded formalin- or acetone-fixed tissue sections from dogs with acute E. platys infection. Acetone fixation and freezing preserved ICC staining of ehrlichial antigens in infected blood platelets, whereas formalin treatment of similarly preserved E. platys-infected platelets nullified positive immunoreactivity. Significant E. platys infection of cells and tissues other than platelets may not occur.

Animals↗

Evaluation of Rhipicephalus sanguineus as a potential biologic vector of Ehrlichia platys.

The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae), transmits several diseases among dogs including Ehrlichia canis infection. The role of Rhipicephalus sanguineus as a biologic vector for E platys, the rickettsial agent of infectious canine cyclic thrombocytopenia, was studied in dogs. Laboratory-cultured, pathogen-free nymph ticks were fed to repletion on dogs acutely infected with E platys. Tick engorgement coincided with the development of initial parasitemia and thrombocytopenia in the infected dogs. Following repletion, nymph ticks were allowed to molt under controlled conditions. One-month-old E platys-exposed adult ticks failed to infect naive dogs in animal transmission studies. The presence of E platys was not detected in midguts or salivary glands of similarly exposed adult ticks by use of light and transmission electron microscopy. These studies indicate that R sanguineus may not transmit E platys infection.

Animals↗

Chronic dilatative myocarditis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi in two dogs.

Trypanosoma cruzi was believed responsible for causing chronic dilatative myocarditis in 2 female hunting dogs. Clinical signs included ascites, respiratory distress, thoracic effusion, cyanosis, and weak pulse with ventricular arrhythmias. Electrocardiography indicated first-degree heart block, chamber enlargement, and ventricular-based arrhythmias unresponsive to treatment. M-mode echocardiography of 1 dog confirmed bilateral cardiac enlargement and septal and left ventricular free wall thinning. Multifocal infiltrates of plasma cells, lymphocytes, and histiocytes, cardiocyte degeneration, and multifocal fibrosis were the predominant histologic lesions. Trypanosoma cruzi pseudocysts were infrequently found.

Animals↗

Micronema deletrix-induced granulomatous osteoarthritis in a lame horse.

Necropsy of a chronically lame 16-year-old thoroughbred gelding revealed granulomatous osteomyelitis and polyarthritis due to a widely disseminated infection by Micronema deletrix. Diagnosis was based upon the nematode's morphology with its characteristic rhabditiform oesophagus. Granulomata, often containing one or more centrally located M. deletrix, were observed histologically in sections prepared from femur, kidney, stomach, lung, adrenal gland and sublumbar lymph nodes. Neither verminous meningo-encephalitis nor cephalic granulomata, which are the more commonly described lesions, was found.

Animals↗

Cranial computerized tomography and cerebrospinal fluid procoagulant activity in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Thirty-three children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were studied using serial cranial computerized tomography (CCT) and cerebrospinal fluid procoagulant activity (PCA) for 5 years from the time of diagnosis. PCA was also studied in control children without neurological disease and in those with a variety of neurological disorders. Temporary elevation in the CSF PCA was observed during the phase of prophylactic central nervous system treatment in ALL and there was a late rise at 2-3 years off treatment. PCA also rose in the CSF following CNS disturbance in neurologically abnormal children, which suggests that the elevation observed in ALL is not specific to myelin disturbance.

Blood Coagulation Tests↗

Stabilization of atlantoaxial subluxation secondary to atlantooccipital malformation in a Devon calf.

Atlantoaxial subluxation secondary to atlantooccipital malformation in a 14-day-old female Devon calf was corrected by alignment and stabilization of the atlantoaxial joint. Stabilization was achieved by the ventral placement of pins and screws, and the dorsal placement of a figure 8 tension band wire. At 2 and 14 days post operatively, adequate alignment of the atlantoaxial joint was confirmed radiographically. Following surgery the calf improved clinically, but was terminated 14 days following the surgery due to a pneumonia. At necropsy the fixation was stable and spinal cord decompression had been achieved. It was concluded that this technique could be utilized to allow decompression, anatomical alignment, and stabilization of an atlantoaxial subluxation secondary to atlantooccipital malformation in a calf. At necropsy, there was gross and histologic evidence of congenital fusion of the basioccipital bone to the malformed atlas.

Animals↗

Chloramphenicol concentrations in calf muscle tissue.

Twenty-five 9- to 11-week-old calves were administered 2 doses of chloramphenicol prepared in propylene glycol (13.6 mg/kg of body weight IV; 6.8 mg/kg IM; or 13.6 mg/kg IM) at 24-hour intervals. Calves were euthanatized at designated times from 2 to 72 hours after the last dose was administered. Muscle tissues were collected immediately after euthanasia, and chloramphenicol concentrations in the tissues were determined.

Animals↗

Pharyngeal dermoid leading to respiratory failure in a neonate.

Difficulty in resuscitating a neonate using bag and mask ventilation was followed by later episodes of apnoea and cyanosis. Intubation relieved the respiratory failure and revealed a large fleshy polyp obstructing the posterior pharynx. Computerised tomography showed there was no superior extension of the lesion and the polyp was removed completely on operation. Histological examination showed this lesion to be a dermoid or "Hairy Polyp".

Apnea↗

Lysosomal isoenzyme profiles used to classify a case of acute undifferentiated leukaemia.

Lysosomal enzyme activities and isoenzyme profiles were measured in lymphoid and non-lymphoid leukaemic cells from childhood patients. High activities, especially of beta-hexosaminidase and alpha-mannosidase, were associated with leukaemic cells of myeloid or monocytic origin. Leukaemic cells from two children with acute myeloid leukaemia had a relative reduction in the B isoenzyme of beta-hexosaminidase activity, whereas in patients with non T, non B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, intermediate beta-hexosaminidase isoenzymes were expressed. A patient is described on whom conventional marker studies were either negative or equivocal, but lysosomal enzyme markers were consistent with a myeloid leukaemia. This observation was supported by the clinical course of this patient.

Child↗

Childhood malaria in Edinburgh 1961-1982.

Forty one cases of malaria in children less than 15 years of age were identified from the records of Edinburgh hospitals between 1961 and 1982. Annually children constitute 10 to 20 per cent of all cases of malaria in Scotland and since 1971 at least one case has been admitted to an Edinburgh paediatric unit every year. Non-immune children visiting relatives in the Indian sub-continent are the largest group at risk. Prophylaxis was not usually taken by the patients visiting Asia and the cases from Africa had not taken prophylaxis for the recommended month after departure. Nine families were identified in whom more than one member had malaria and screening of the parents and siblings of all cases is recommended.

Adolescent↗

Screening small for gestational age babies for congenital infection.

The widespread practice in newborn nurseries of screening asymptomatic small for gestational age (SGA) babies for TORCH infection has been evaluated. In a retrospective review, we found that, in 1979, in our nursery 23 (35%) of the sixty-six SGA babies were investigated for TORCH infection. No asymptomatic baby was investigated adequately to exclude infection. The two proven cases of congenital infection were both apparent on other clinical grounds, and neither would have been detected by our routine serologic screening. A review of published information on asymptomatic TORCH infections showed that, in the absence of other clinical signs of infection, intrauterine growth retardation is an unusual manifestation. Clinical investigation of TORCH infection should be confined to those babies with other clinical evidence of infection.

Canada↗