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Biomedical subjects

S M Cotter

Publications and source records attributed to S M Cotter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Trends in transfusion medicine in dogs at a veterinary school clinic: 315 cases (1986-1989).

Transfusion practices in dogs treated at Tufts University Foster Hospital for Small Animals were monitored for 1 year before and 2 years after receipt (by the School) of a Transfusion Medicine Academic Award, a 5-year National Institutes of Health curriculum and career development grant. The most important changes observed were increased use of packed RBC instead of fresh whole blood for initial treatment of anemia and hemorrhage attributable to coagulopathies and surgery. In addition, increased use of plasma was part of the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Change was not observed in the use of plasma for dogs with hypoalbuminemia.

Anemia↗
PubMed1992

Spinal lymphoma in cats: 21 cases (1976-1989).

Medical records of 21 cats with spinal lymphoma were reviewed. All cats were evaluated for neurologic deficits, although 85% of cats necropsied had multicentric disease. Eighty-one percent of cats had hind limb paresis. Results of FeLV tests were positive in 84.2% (16/19) of the cats, and 68.7% (11/16) of the cats had leukemic bone marrow. Spinal lymphoma was confirmed by necropsy in 13 cats, by examination of a biopsy specimen in 1 cat, and by examination of cells aspirated from an epidural lesion in 2 cats. In the remaining 5 cats, a presumptive diagnosis was made on the basis of neurologic examination findings, positive FeLV test results, and leukemic bone marrow. Nine cats were treated with chemotherapy alone. The complete remission rate was 50% in 6 cats given cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone. The median duration of complete remission was 14 weeks. Complete remissions were not observed in 3 cats given only corticosteroids. A single cat treated by laminectomy and postoperative chemotherapy had a prolonged remission (62 weeks). At necropsy, lymphoma of the CNS was limited to the vertebral canal in 10 of 13 cats; 2 cats had malignant tissue in the brain and vertebral canal, and in the remaining cat, the tumor extended into the brachial plexus. Most tumors extended over multiple vertebral bodies, and 4 cats had more than 1 level of spinal cord involvement. The lymphoma was high-grade lymphoblastic or immunoblastic type in all cats.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Outpatient blood donor program.

An outpatient donor program using pets owned by employees or clients is a practical and cost-efficient means of obtaining blood for transfusion. Donors can have blood typed and be screened for certain diseases, and blood can be drawn at a convenient time. Components can be prepared and stored. Although such a program requires a commitment to assemble reliable volunteers, the results is a team effort that can be rewarding and assures an adequate blood supply.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Low-flow anaesthesia. Practice, cost implications and acceptability.

An 8-week survey was conducted to determine whether the introduction of low-flow anaesthesia (a fresh gas flow of 4 litres/minute or less) into routine use would be acceptable to members of a representative anaesthetic department and if the consequent reduction in use of volatile anaesthetics would result in financial savings. The hourly consumption of the volatile agents was measured during anaesthesia conducted using either conventional or low fresh gas flows. Anaesthetists' acceptance of low-flow anaesthesia was assessed using a questionnaire. Data were gathered on 286 patients undergoing inhalational anaesthesia for routine operative procedures. A 54.7% reduction in the consumption of isoflurane and a 55.9% reduction in that of enflurane was found. Of the 28 anaesthetists at the hospital, 21 would use low-flow anaesthesia routinely. The routine use of low-flow anaesthesia would therefore be acceptable and could result in annual savings of 26,870 pounds at Northwick Park Hospital.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗
PubMed1990

Feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus infections and their relationships to lymphoid malignancies in cats: a retrospective study (1968-1988).

Sera from 353 cats with naturally occurring feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection were collected in Boston, Los Angeles, New York City, and Seattle between 1968 and 1988. These sera were retrospectively assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Fifty-one (14.4%) of the FeLV-positive sera had antibodies to FIV, indicating dual oncovirus and lentivirus infections. FIV infections were confirmed by Western blot analysis, antibodies against the 15 and 27 kDa proteins being used as definitive markers. FIV infection was diagnosed in one cat sampled in 1968 and in eight other cats sampled before 1975 in New York City. Illnesses exhibited by coinfected cats were similar to those of cats infected with FeLV only. Two unrelated cats with multicentric fibrosarcomas were found to be simultaneously infected with FIV, FeLV, and feline sarcoma virus. FIV was less contagious than FeLV in 73 cats residing in an exposure household between 1977 and 1980 as determined by evaluation of sera collected sequentially. In this household, 15 resident cats became FeLV infected whereas no cats contracted FIV infection. Comparison of serologic results from 53 cats with leukemia/lymphoma and matched controls confirmed a strong correlation between FeLV viremia and leukemia/lymphoma. A significant correlation between FIV infection and lymphoproliferative malignancies was also found independent of FeLV infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Effect of diethylcarbamazine on serum antibody to feline oncornavirus-associated cell membrane antigen in feline leukemia virus cats.

Diethylcarbamazine (N,N-diethyl-4-methyl-1-piperazine carboxamide; DEC) is a drug frequently used for prevention and treatment of the filariases. An opsonic action of DEC may generate increased immune responses to microfilariae. We tested the hypothesis that DEC treatment could result in higher antibody levels to other infectious agents. A retroviral animal model was studied, in light of the consideration that use of DEC as an antifilarial agent could conceivably alter seroepidemiologic surveys as well as serologic outcomes of vaccine trials in Africa regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The effect of DEC treatment on serum antibody to feline oncornavirus-associated cell membrane antigen (FOCMA) in domestic cats exposed to feline leukemia virus (FeLV) was examined. Nine cats that tested negative before treatment tested positive (greater than or equal to 1:10 serum dilution, geometric mean titer [GMT] = 278) for antibody to FOCMA after DEC treatment. Among 19 cats initially testing positive for FOCMA antibody, higher titers were noted after treatment in 17 (pretreatment GMT = 264; posttreatment GMT = 6,158). We conclude that a history of DEC treatment should be considered in evaluating humoral responses to infectious agents. Whether use of ivermectin, a recently introduced antifilarial agent, in lieu of DEC will affect clinical expression of HIV infection in humans also warrants analysis.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Effect of continuous oral diethylcarbamazine treatment on lymphocyte counts of feline leukemia virus-infected cats.

In previous studies, administration of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) resulted in increased serum antibody titers to feline oncornavirus-associated cell membrane antigen (FOCMA) in cats infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV). FeLV infection of cats frequently results in immunosuppression associated with lymphopenia. The present investigation demonstrated that chronic administration of DEC prevented or delayed severe lymphopenia in two FeLV-infected offspring of an FeLV-infected queen as compared to two untreated littermates.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Distinctive peripheral lymph node hyperplasia of young cats.

Peripheral lymph node enlargement was found in 14 of a series of 132 feline lymph node biopsy specimens. Six of nine cats tested had antibodies for feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Half of the cats were clinically normal while the remainder had fever, lethargy, anorexia, and hepatosplenomegaly. There was severe distortion of lymph nodal architecture with variable loss of discernible follicles and sinuses. Histiocytes, lymphocytes, immunoblasts, and plasma cells were present in expanded paracortical regions which encroached on, and occasionally effaced, lymphoid follicles. Postcapillary venules were numerous and prominent throughout the paracortex. The lymphadenopathy was most commonly transient (86% of cases) with subsequent development of lymphoma in one cat. Lymph nodes from seven kittens with experimental FeLV infection were compared with spontaneously enlarged lymph nodes; four of seven had B and T lymphocyte hyperplasia with normal nodal architecture. Three had partial loss of nodal architecture as a result of expanded paracortical regions populated largely by histiocytes and lymphocytes. Proliferation of postcapillary venules was not prominent in nodes from FeLV-infected cats. The cause of spontaneous lymph node hyperplasia of young cats was not determined. However, the similarity of lesions to those of kittens with experimental FeLV infection and the association with FeLV by serologic tests in six of nine cats suggest that this retrovirus may be involved in the pathogenesis of the lesion.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Effect of suramin on serum viral replication in feline leukemia virus-infected pet cats.

Suramin treatments were administered (IV) to 2 healthy adult cats infected with naturally acquired feline leukemia virus. Serum viral infectivity--as assessed by focus induction by the method of Fischinger, using serial serum samples titrated on clone 81 cells--ceased transiently in both cats during treatment with suramin, but returned to significantly high levels approximately 14 days after treatment was stopped. Both cats tested positive for FeLV internal antigens in peripheral blood cells and serum before, during, and after treatment. Both cats tested negative for antibody to feline oncornavirus membrane antigen before, during, and after treatment. The major adverse effects of suramin in the 2 cats were transient vomiting and anorexia.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Current experimental therapy.

For successful experimental therapy of canine hematopoietic tumors, one must have a randomized homogeneous population of patients in reasonably good condition. Drug combinations should contain several agents, each with antitumor effect, acceptable toxicity, and of reasonable cost. Other modalities include biological response modifiers, radiation, differentiation-inducing agents, and marrow transplantation. Ways must be found to prevent drug resistance of tumor cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Anemia associated with feline leukemia virus infection.

One hundred feline leukemia virus-positive cats with evidence of anemia were examined to determine characteristics of the anemia. The anemia was usually normochromic and normocytic, with low reticulocyte counts but with normal white blood cell and platelet counts. About one third of the cats had splenomegaly. The bone marrow was usually hypocellular or normally cellular, with an increased myeloid to erythroid ratio. A history of recent stress or infection in many cases indicated that the immunosuppressive effect of feline leukemia virus may have been involved. Supportive treatment with periodic blood transfusions was successful in prolonging survival. Corticosteroids and androgens may have been beneficial in some cases.

Androgens↗
PubMed1979

Leukemia specific antigens: FOCMA and immune surveillance.

In cats, horizontally transmitted viruses cause leukemia and lymphoma under natural conditions. As with other retroviruses, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) contains products of 3 major genes; the virus core gag gene products, the polymerase, and the virus envelope glycoprotein. When cells are transformed in vitro by the related feline sarcoma virus (FeSV), an additional protein, FOCMA is expressed at the cell membrane. FOCMA, which is FeSV-coded, is transformation and/or tumor specific and expressed regardless of whether or not the cells make virus or contain virus structural antigens. Lymphoid leukemia cells also express FOCMA, both when FeLV is used to induce the disease in laboratory cats and when the tumors occur under natural conditions. FOCMA is expressed on both T and B lymphoid leukemia cells, but not expressed on non-malignant lymphoid cells, even when they are infected with FeLV. About one-third of the naturally occurring lymphoid tumors of cats lack detectable FeLV proteins and varying portions of the FeLV provirus. Despite this, they regularly express FOCMA, which is the target of an immuno-surveillance response that functions effectively under most conditions. FOCMA thus provides a useful model for antigens that might be expressed in "virus-negative" leukemias of man.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Comparison of virus-positive and virus-negative cases of feline leukemia and lymphoma.

One hundred eighty-four cases of feline leukemia and lymphoma diagnosed in Boston from 1972 through 1976 were investigated. Fifty-eight % of these cases were lymphoma, and 42% were leukemia. Sixty-seven % of the cats had positive fluorescent antibody tests for circulating feline leukemia virus. The rest (33%) were virus negative. Clinically and epidemiologically, the virus-positive and virus-negative cases were remarkably similar except for their age at diagnosis. Virus-negative cats tended to be older (mean age at diagnosis, 4.9 years) as compared to virus-positive cats (3.5 years). For 22 cases of leukemia and lymphoma diagnosed after the age of 8 years, 15 were virus negative. The minimum mean induction period (time from first positive virus test to diagnosis of cancer) for 19 cats that were virus positive and healthy at their first test was 16.7 months (range, 2 to 41 months).

Age Factors↗