Current Veterinary-medicine- News Results

Terminology challenges: Defining modified release dosage forms in veterinary medicine.

J Pharm Sci. 2010 Mar 8;
Martinez MN, Lindquist D, Modric S

Terminologies for describing dosage form release characteristics for human pharmaceuticals have been addressed by bodies such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH), and the US Pharmacopeia (USP). While the definition for terms such as "immediate release," "modified release," "extended release," and "delayed release" are now well accepted for human pharmaceuticals, confusion still exists within the veterinary community. In part, this confusion is attributable to differences between human and veterinary dosage forms (such as the preponderance of parenteral vs. oral extended release products for use in animals vs. the focus on oral extended release formulations for human use) which reflect interspecies differences in physiology and conditions of use. It also simply reflects a lack of attention to existing definitions. In an effort to remedy this problem, this manuscript reflects an initial effort to suggest definitions that may be appropriate for describing formulation effects in veterinary medicine. (c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci.

Bridging the gap between experimental animals and humans in osteosarcoma.

Cancer Treat Res. 2010; 152: 439-46
Withrow SJ, Khanna C

Changes in Serum Mineral Concentrations, Biochemical and Hematological Parameters in Horses with Pica.

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2010 Mar 9;
Aytekin I, Onmaz AC, Aypak SU, Gunes V, Kucuk O

The aim of this study was to compare hematological, some biochemical parameters, and serum trace element concentrations in horses with or without pica. Fifteen horses with pica (group I) and another 15 healthy horses without pica (group II) were used. The hematological parameters were not changed between the two groups. In group I, hemoglobin values were lower than those of group II. However, the difference in hemoglobin values between the two groups was not significant (P > 0.05). Serum iron and copper concentrations and the copper/zinc ratio were lower in group I than those of group II (P < 0.05). The other biochemical parameters were not found to be statistically different between the two groups (P > 0.05). It was concluded that serum iron and copper deficiency may play an important role for the etiology of pica in horses. Prophylactic use of iron and copper supplements in horses may be beneficial to prevent pica.

Gastrointestinal nematode infections in small ruminants under the traditional husbandry system during the dry season in southern Ethiopia.

Trop Anim Health Prod. 2010 Mar 6;
Abebe R, Gebreyohannes M, Mekuria S, Abunna F, Regassa A

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2008 to February 2009 to investigate the prevalence and intensity of infection and risk factors of gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes in small ruminants kept under the traditional husbandry system in two districts in southern Ethiopia. Faecal samples collected from a total of 510 small ruminants (284 sheep and 226 goats) and analysed by a modified McMaster technique revealed that 222 animals (43.5%) were found to be infected with one or more GI nematodes. Five identical genera of nematodes were found in both sheep and goats, which in order of predominance were Haemonchus (56.3%), Trichostrongylus (39.6%), Oesophagostomum (22.9%), Trichuris (21.6%) and Bunostomum (10.4%). No significant (p > 0.05) differences were observed between sheep and goats proportions except for Trichuris (p < 0.05). In both sheep and goats, most of the animals were heavily infected showing faecal egg counts (FECs) above 1,200 epg. Sheep had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher mean FEC than goats. In sheep and goats, both the prevalence of GI nematodes and mean FEC were significantly (p < 0.001) associated with body condition score and faecal consistency but not with district, sex and age (p > 0.05 for each factor). In conclusion, the observation of a strong association of GI nematodes with poor body condition coupled with heavy intensity of infection in the majority of infected animals and an abundance of nematode genera of widespread economic and pathological significance warrants the institution of appropriate control measures that should necessarily include improvement of the nutritional status of the animals.

Management of chronic gangrenous mastitis in a 3-year-old cow using partial (quarter) mastectomy.

Trop Anim Health Prod. 2010 Mar 7;
Phiri AM, Muleya W, Mwape KE

Bovine gangrenous mastitis is an acute or peracute condition involving one or more quarters of the cow's udder. It occurs infrequently, but when it occurs, mortality of the affected cows is high. A partial mastectomy of one quarter using a cranial epidural analgesia with 2% lignocaine is described to manage a gangrenous mastitis affecting only one quarter caused by Proteus mirabilis (a gram-negative bacteria) which was not amenable to medical treatment. Partial mastectomy can be a safe and effective procedure for ruminants with udder disease in genetically or otherwise valuable cattle.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum APH1387 is expressed throughout bacterial intracellular development and localizes to the pathogen-occupied vacuolar membrane.

Infect Immun. 2010 Mar 8;
Huang B, Troese MJ, Ye S, Sims JT, Galloway NL, Borjesson D, Carlyon JA

Obligate vacuolar pathogens encode proteins that localize to the host cell-derived membranes of the vacuoles in which they reside to yield unique organelles that are optimally suited for pathogen survival. Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate vacuolar bacterium that infects neutrophils to cause the emerging and potentially fatal disease, human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Here, we identify APH1387 as the first A. phagocytophilum-derived protein that associates with the A. phagocytophilum-occupied vacuolar membrane (AVM). APH1387, also referred to as P100, is a 61.4 kDa acidic protein that migrates with an apparent MW of 115 kDa upon SDS-PAGE. It carries 3 tandem direct repeats that encompass 58% of the protein. Each APH1387 repeat carries a bi-lobed hydrophobic alpha-helical domain, which is a structural aspect that is consistent with chlamydial-derived proteins that traverse inclusion membranes. APH1387 is undetectable on the surfaces of A. phagocytophilum dense core organisms bound at the HL-60 cell surface, but is detected in abundance on the surfaces of intravacuolar reticulate cell and dense core organisms. APH1387 accumulates on the AVM throughout the course of infection. It associates with the AVM in human HL-60, THP-1, and HMEC-1 cells and tick ISE6 cells. APH1387 is expressed and localizes to the AVM in neutrophils recovered from A. phagocytophilum infected mice. This study presents the first direct evidence that A. phagocytophilum actively modifies its host cell-derived vacuole.

Bovine herpesvirus 5 BICP0 complements the bovine herpesvirus 1 homolog.

Vet Microbiol. 2010 Feb 20;
Steiner F, Zumsteg A, Vogt B, Ackermann M, Schwyzer M

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) and BoHV-5 are closely related (82% amino acid identity) but differ strongly in neuropathogenesis. The immediate-early gene for BICP0 is less conserved (70% amino acid identity) and may contribute to a dissimilar phenotype. A peculiar difference is a guanosine hexamer in the BICP0-1 gene which aligns with only five guanosines in the BICP0-5 gene and therefore results in a frameshift in the latter open reading frame. Thus, the C-terminal amino acid sequence (residues 643-676 of BICP0-1 vs. 655-720 of BICP0-5) is completely different. We introduced the BICP0-5 frameshift into the BoHV-1 genome cloned as a bacterial artificial chromosome (BoHV-1 BAC) using the Red recombination system with galK selection and counterselection. Transfection of MDBK cells with the resulting BAC produced recombinant virus that replicated like wild type BoHV-1 in vitro. Attempts to exchange the entire BICP0-1 gene by the BoHV-5 homolog using the same approach failed repeatedly. Therefore, we cotransfected purified BICP0(-)/galK(+)-BoHV-1 BAC DNA with a recombination plasmid coding for BICP0-5 with or without a HA tag into MDBK cells. BoHV-1 recombinants expressing the respective proteins were characterized. In vitro, all recombinants grew to similar titers as the parental viruses, which demonstrates that BICP0-5 compensates for the growth defect of BICP0(-)/galK(+)-BoHV-1 and functionally complements BICP0-1 of BoHV-1. We conclude that BICP0 may be suitable to positively select BoHV-1 recombinants with deletions or insertions of additional genes of interest.

Species comparison of oral bioavailability, first-pass metabolism and pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen.

Res Vet Sci. 2010 Mar 6;
Neirinckx E, Vervaet C, De Boever S, Remon JP, Gommeren K, Daminet S, De Backer P, Croubels S

Species differences in oral bioavailability, first-pass metabolism and pharmacokinetics of biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) class I compound acetaminophen were studied. The absolute bioavailability was 42.2%, 39.0%, 44.5%, 75.5% and 91.0% in chickens, turkeys, dogs, pigs and horses, respectively. After hydrolysis of metabolites by beta-glucuronidase/sulfatase, apparent bioavailability increased significantly in all species (turkeys: 72.4%, dogs: 100.5%, pigs: 102.2%), except horses (91.6%). Mean metabolic ratios of [acetaminophen glucuronide]/[acetaminophen] between 0 and 1h were significantly higher after oral dosing in turkeys, dogs and pigs, revealing the role of first-pass metabolism in incomplete bioavailability. Evidence of species differences in acetaminophen metabolism is provided by differences in plasma clearance, which was inversely proportional to bioavailability. In conclusion, differences in BA appeared to originate predominantly from differences in first-pass metabolism, demonstrating that the BCS high permeability classification of acetaminophen is consistent across the mammalian species studied. In turkeys, however, incomplete absorption additionally seemed to contribute to the low BA.

FGF but not EGF induces phosphorylation of the cAMP response element binding protein in olfactory mucosa-derived cell cultures.

Exp Cell Res. 2010 Mar 5;
Barraud P, He X, Zhao C, Caldwell MA, Franklin RJ

The stem/progenitor cells of the olfactory epithelium are potentially useful cells for autologous cell-based therapy because of their relative accessibility compared to other sources of neural stem cells. However, they have very limited potential to self-renew in vitro under growth factor stimulation compared to central nervous system-derived stem/progenitor cells. Using a sphere-forming assay and immunocytochemistry to identify cells that contained phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (pCREB) as an indicator of cell responsiveness to growth factor activation, we found that olfactory-spheres primed with FGF2 responded to FGF2 and EGF stimulation. In contrast, olfactory-spheres primed with EGF failed to respond to FGF2 or EGF stimulation despite the detection of FGFR1 and EGFR and their transcripts. These data demonstrate that FGF2 but not EGF permit the maintenance of a subset of cells responsive to FGF2 and EGF whereas EGF induces unresponsive to either growth factor possibly via intrinsic mechanisms of regulation.

Cytoprotection by almond akin extracts or catechins of hepatocyte cytotoxicity induced by hydroperoxide (oxidative stress model) versus glyoxal or methylglyoxal (carbonylation model).

Chem Biol Interact. 2010 Mar 5;
Dong Q, Banach MS, O'Brien PJ

Oxidative and carbonyl stress are detrimental in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, as well as in other chronic diseases. However, this process may be decreased by dietary bioactive compounds. Almond skin is an abundant source of bioactive compounds and antioxidants, including polyphenolic flavonoids, which may contribute to the decrease in oxidative and carbonyl stress. In this study, four Almond Skin Extracts (ASE?, ASE?, ASE?, and ASE?) were prepared by different methods and evaluated for their antioxidant activity. The order of the polyphenol content (total muM gallic acid equivalents) of the four extracts was found to be, in decreasing order of effectiveness: ASE?>ASE ?>ASE ?>ASE?. The order of Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP, muM FeSO(4)/g) value, in decreasing order was ASE? (216)>ASE? (176)>ASE? (89)>ASE? (85). The order of ASE effectiveness for decreasing protein carbonyation induced by the copper Fenton reaction was ASE?>ASE ?>ASE?>ASE ?. The order of antioxidant effectiveness for inhibiting tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH) induced microsomal lipid peroxidation was ASE?>ASE?>ASE?, ASE?. Also, the order of ASE effectiveness for inhibiting TBH induced hepatocyte cell death was: ASE?, ASE?>ASE?, ASE?. Catechin also protected hepatocytes from TBH induced hepatocyte lipid peroxidation and cytotoxicity. In a cell free model, equimolar concentrations of catechin or epicatechin rescued serum albumin from protein carbonylation induced by methylglyoxal (MGO). Catechin, epicatechin and ASE? all decreased gloxal induced hepatocyte cell death and Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in GSH depleted hepatocytes. Catechin and epicatechin protected against GO or MGO induced hepatocyte cell death, protein carbonylation and ROS formation. Catechin was more effective than epicatechin. Our results suggest that a) bioactive almond skin constituents in the non-lipophilic polyphenol extract were the most effective at protecting hepatocytes against hydroperoxide induced hepatocyte oxidative stress and in protecting against dicarbonyl induced cytotoxicity; b) catechins, the major polyphenol in the extract, were also effective at preventing GO or MGO cytotoxicity likely by trapping GO and MGO and/or rescuing hepatocytes from protein carbonylation.

Evaluation of risk factors for morbidity and mortality after pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy in dogs.

Vet Surg. 2010 Feb; 39(2): 261-7
Eisele J, McClaran JK, Runge JJ, Holt DE, Culp WT, Liu S, Long F, Bergman PJ

Objectives- To (1) identify and describe the type and frequency of postoperative complications after pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy in dogs and (2) identify preoperative and intraoperative risk factors, including the presence of neoplasia, prognostic for patient mortality after surgery. Study Design- Case series. Animals- Dogs (n=24) treated by pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy. Methods- Medical records (2000-2007) for 2 teaching hospitals of dogs treated that had pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy were reviewed. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative data were obtained from the medical record. Results- Of the 24 dogs, 75% survived 14 days, but 10 (41%) died by 3 months. Overall median survival time (MST) was 578 days. On log-rank univariate analysis, preoperative weight loss (P=.001) and malignant neoplasia (P=.01) were associated with decreased survival time. Dogs with malignant neoplasia had a MST of 33 days. Common postoperative morbidity included hypoalbuminemia (62.5%) and anemia (58.3%). Conclusions- Pylorectomy with gastroduodenostomy has a good short-term outcome but long-term survival time is poor in dogs with malignant neoplasia. Clinical Relevance- Overall, most dogs treated with pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy survived the postoperative period; however, preoperative weight loss and malignant neoplasia were associated with decreased survival time. Because dogs with malignant neoplasia have markedly shortened survival times, pertinent preoperative, diagnostics steps should be exhausted to identify underlying neoplasia.

Modified tenoscopic method for carpal flexor retinaculum release in a horse.

Vet Surg. 2010 Feb; 39(2): 239-43
Byron CR, Benson BM, Karlin WM, Stewart AA

Objective- To report the use of a proximolateral endoscopic portal with a distolateral instrument portal for carpal retinaculum release in a horse clinically affected with carpal canal syndrome. Study Design- Clinical report. Animals- A 4-year-old Thoroughbred female. Methods- Carpal canal syndrome secondary to traumatic suppurative tenosynovitis was treated by accessory carpal bone debridement and carpal retinaculum release using a tenoscopic approach to the carpal flexor synovial sheath through a proximolateral endoscope portal and a distolateral instrument portal. Results- Resolution of carpal sheath effusion and lameness occurred allowing racing 14 months later. Use of a distolateral instrument portal was not associated with complications or iatrogenic damage to neurovascular structures and reduced endoscope and instrument interference and offered easier access to the distal aspect of the carpal sheath. Conclusions- Carpal retinaculum release may be safely accomplished with a distolateral instrument portal when access to the distal aspect of the carpal sheath is needed. Clinical Relevance- The distolateral instrument portal described may be a useful alternative to a proximolateral portal when distal carpal sheath instrument access is necessary or advantageous.

Mandibular rim excision in seven dogs.

Vet Surg. 2010 Feb; 39(2): 226-31
Arzi B, Verstraete FJ

Objective- To describe a surgical technique for excision of minimally invasive mandibular tumors at the level of the premolar and molar teeth, and report outcome in 7 dogs that had mandibular rim excision. Study Design- Case series. Animals- Dogs (n=7) with a mandibular tumor at the level of the premolar and molar teeth. Methods- Using an intraoral approach to the mandible, buccal, and lingual mucosal incisions are made to obtain a 10 mm clean margin beyond neoplastic tissue. After subperiosteal soft tissue elevation, a curvilinear rim mandibulectomy is performed, leaving the mandibular canal and ventral cortex intact, followed by osteoplasty. The remaining attached gingiva and alveolar mucosa are sutured over the bony defect. Results- Seven dogs were treated (1997-2008) for odontogenic and early malignant neoplasms involving the mandible by mandibular rim excision. All dogs had healed, healthy gingival covering over the surgical defect, very good postoperative function, and good quality of life. Conclusion- Mandibular rim excision, with preservation of the ventral cortex and mandibular canal content, can be a good option for treatment of early odontogenic and malignant lesions of the mandible in medium to large breed dogs. Clinical Relevance- In medium to large dogs with minimally invasive mandibular neoplasia, mandibular rim excision should be considered as a viable surgical option.

Preparation of canine and feline cadavers for surgical laboratories.

Vet Surg. 2010 Feb; 39(2): 224-5
Mathews KG, Riley K, Lascelles BD, Dernell WS

Ischemic postconditioning does not attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injury of rabbit small intestine.

Vet Surg. 2010 Feb; 39(2): 216-23
Bretz B, Blaze C, Parry N, Kudej RK

Objective- To determine whether ischemic postconditioning can attenuate intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury and has a beneficial effect on tissue blood flow during reperfusion. Study Design- In vivo experimental study. Animals- New Zealand White rabbits (n=6). Methods- Rabbits were anesthetized with pentobarbital, to avoid the preconditioning effects of volatile anesthetics, and ventilated with room air. Rectal temperature, hemodynamics, and normocapnia were maintained. After celiotomy, 3 jejunal segments were isolated in each rabbit for the following groups: (1) control, (2) I-R, and (3) I-R with postconditioning. I-R was induced by a 45-minute occlusion of the segment jejunal artery followed by 2-hour reperfusion. The postconditioning segment had 4 cycles of 30-second reperfusion and 30-second reocclusion during the initial 4 minutes of reperfusion. Stable isotope-labeled microspheres were used to measure intestinal blood flow at baseline, end occlusion, and end reperfusion. At the end of reperfusion, intestine segments were harvested and the rabbits euthanatized. A semiquantitative histopathologic evaluation (0-5) was conducted by a single, blinded observer. Wet-to-dry weight ratios were calculated to assess intestinal edema. Results- There was no significant difference in grade of necrosis, tissue wet-to-dry weight ratios, or blood flow at any time point between ischemic and postconditioning groups. Conclusions- Ischemic postconditioning was ineffective in this model of intestinal I-R. Clinical Relevance- Further experimental studies will need to be performed before clinical application of postconditioning for intestinal ischemia.

Ex vivo comparison of three surgical techniques to stabilize canine cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifles.

Vet Surg. 2010 Feb; 39(2): 195-207
Snow LA, White R, Gustafson S, Xie L, Hosgood G, Monroe WT, Casey JP, Lopez MJ

Objective- To quantify and compare canine stifle stability after 3 stabilization techniques. Study Design- Randomized controlled study. Sample Population- Adult canine cadaveric pelvic limbs. Methods- Total craniocaudal (CrCa) tibial translation quantified in stifles with the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) intact, transected, and stabilized with 1 of 3 techniques: (1) hamstring graft (HG); (2) modified retinacular imbrication (MRIT); (3) anatometric fascia lata translocation (AFLT). Tibial translation was quantified from radiographs generated during application of cranial and caudal forces to the tibia. After removal of all soft tissues except periarticular ligaments and fixation, CrCa tibial translation, as before, and medial-lateral rotation, via torsional loading, was quantified with an active motion analysis system. Total tibial translation was evaluated for effect of technique and cruciate status using mixed effect linear model with significance considered at P-value <.05. Results- CrCa translation was not significantly different across stabilization techniques with CrCLs intact, transected, or after stabilization. Poststabilization translation was significantly less than posttransection for all techniques. Compared with the intact CrCL, CrCa translation poststabilization after HG was significantly greater whereas poststabilization after MRIT and AFLT was not significantly different. Tibial rotation exceeded instrumentation limits in 62.5% HG limbs, 20% MRIT limbs, and 60% AFLT limbs. Conclusions- All 3 stifle stabilization techniques confer comparable CrCa translational stability after CrCL disruption with that provided by the MRIT and AFLT techniques comparable to the intact CrCL. Clinical Relevance- The extra- and intracapsular techniques evaluated in this study reduced CrCa tibial translation in CrCL deficient stifles to varying amounts.

Evaluation of intra- and interobserver variability and repeatability of tibial plateau angle measurements with digital radiography using a novel digital radiographic program.

Vet Surg. 2010 Feb; 39(2): 187-94
Unis MD, Johnson AL, Griffon DJ, Schaeffer DJ, Ragetly GR, Hoffer MJ, Ragetly CA

Objective- To compare the intra- and interobserver variability occurring when observers with differing experience levels measure tibial plateau angles (TPAs) with a novel digital radiographic projection program (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy [TPLO] planning program), the Kodak Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS), and standard sized printed films (SF). Study Design- Cross-sectional study. Sample Population- Dogs (n=36) with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture that had a TPLO. Methods- Six observers, divided into 3 equal groups based on experience level, measured TPA on 36 digitally captured radiographic images of tibiae of dogs clinically affected with CCL rupture. Each observer used 3 methods of measuring TPA and repeated the measurements 3 times with each method. The intra- and interobserver variability was compared using the coefficient of variation. Results- Averaged over all replications and images, there was no significant difference (P>.05) in the average variability occurring with each method for all but 1 observer. There was no effect of experience level on measurement variability; however, interobserver variability was significantly less with measurements made with the PACS and TPLO planning program compared with measurements made from SF (P<.05). Conclusions- Repeated measurements of TPA made using digital images and computer-based measurement programs were significantly less variable between observers than those made from images printed on standard radiographic films. Clinical Relevance- Digital radiography and computer-based measurement programs are effective for determining the TPA, allowing less variability in measurements compared with SF. The ability to manipulate the image may allow better identification of anatomic landmarks.

Comparison of Short- and Long-term Function and Radiographic Osteoarthrosis in Dogs After Postoperative Physical Rehabilitation and Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy or Lateral Fabellar Suture Stabilization.

Vet Surg. 2010 Feb; 39(2): 173-80
Au KK, Gordon-Evans WJ, Dunning D, O'Dell-Anderson KJ, Knap KE, Griffon D, Johnson AL

Objectives- To compare short- and long-term functional and radiographic outcome of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) injury in dogs treated with postoperative physical rehabilitation and either tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) or lateral fabellar suture stabilization (LFS). Study Design- Prospective observational clinical study. Animals- Medium to large breed dogs with naturally occurring CrCL injury (n=65). Methods- Dogs with CrCL injury were treated with either TPLO or LFS and with identical physical rehabilitation regimes postoperatively. Limb peak vertical force (PVF) was measured preoperatively and at 3, 5, and 7 weeks, and 6 months and 24 months postoperatively. Stifles were radiographically assessed for osteoarthrosis (OA) preoperatively and 24 months postoperatively. Results- Thirty-five dogs had LFS and 30 dogs had TPLO. Radiographic OA scores were significantly increased at 24 months compared with preoperative scores in all dogs. Radiographic OA scores preoperatively and at 24 months were not significantly different between treatment groups. PVF was significantly increased from preoperative to 24 months among both treatment groups but not significantly different between treatment groups preoperatively or at 3, 5, 7 weeks, 6, or 24 months. Conclusion- No significant difference in outcome as determined by ground reaction forces or radiographic OA scores were found between dogs with CrCL injury treated with LFS or TPLO. Clinical Relevance- LFS and TPLO remain good options for stabilizing stifles with CrCL injury with all dogs showing significant functional improvement. This study does not support the superiority of either surgical technique.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonization in Personnel Attending a Veterinary Surgery Conference.

Vet Surg. 2010 Feb; 39(2): 150-7
Burstiner LC, Faires M, Weese JS

Objective- To evaluate the prevalence of, and risk factors for, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in veterinary personnel. Study Design- Cross-sectional study. Sample Population- Conference attendees (n=341) at the 2008 American College of Veterinary Surgeons Symposium in San Diego California. Methods- Nasal swabs were collected and tested using selective culture for MRSA. Isolates were typed and risk factors were evaluated using questionnaire data. Results- 17.3% of subjects (17% veterinarians and 18% technicians) were MRSA positive. Colonized individuals originated from 5 different countries, predominantly the United States and Canada. Contact with small ruminants in the preceding 30 days (odds ratio [OR] 2.2), living with a person diagnosed with MRSA in the preceding year (OR 19.8) and working in a clinic where there is a specific person in charge of the infection control program (OR 2.2) were associated with colonization using multivariable analysis. Conclusion- The high rate of colonization identified here provides more evidence that MRSA exposure is likely an occupational risk for veterinary personnel. The equal rates in small animal and large animal personnel were surprising and contradict earlier studies indicating greater rates among equine personnel. The association of MRSA and small ruminant contact has not been reported previously. Clinical Relevance- MRSA is an important emerging pathogen in veterinary medicine and is a concern for both patients and veterinary personnel. The high colonization rate indicates the need to understand and control the spread of MRSA in veterinary clinics.

Esophageal dysfunction in dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis: a controlled cohort study.

Vet Surg. 2010 Feb; 39(2): 139-49
Stanley BJ, Hauptman JG, Fritz MC, Rosenstein DS, Kinns J

Objectives- To compare esophageal function in dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis (ILP) to age and breed matched controls; to determine if dysfunction is associated with aspiration pneumonia over 1 year; and to compare clinical neurologic examination of dogs with ILP at enrollment and at 1 year. Study Design- Prospective controlled cohort study. Animals- Dogs with ILP (n=32) and 34 age and breed matched healthy dogs. Methods- Mean esophageal score was determined for each phase of 3 phase esophagrams, analyzed blindly. After unilateral cricoarytenoid laryngoplasty, dogs with ILP were reexamined (including thoracic radiography) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Neurologic status was recorded at enrollment, 6 and 12 months. Results- Esophagram scores in dogs with ILP were significantly higher in each phase compared with controls, most notably with liquid (P<.0001). Dysfunction was more pronounced in the cervical and cranial thoracic esophagus. Five dogs that had aspiration pneumonia during the study had significantly higher esophagram scores than dogs that did not develop aspiration pneumonia (P<.02). Ten (31%) ILP dogs had generalized neurologic signs on enrollment and all ILP dogs developed neurologic signs by 1 year (P<.0001). Conclusions- Dogs with ILP also have esophageal dysfunction. Postoperative aspiration pneumonia is more likely in dogs with higher esophagram scores. Dogs with ILP will most likely develop generalized neuropathy over the course of 1 year. Clinical Relevance- Esophagrams and neurologic examinations should be performed on all dogs with ILP.