scholarly journals Clinical Evidence of Lyme Disease in Dogs and Disease Awareness Among Students and Veterinarians in Veracruz, Mexico

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Blanca Paola Boria-Gamboa ◽  
José Alfredo Villagómez-Cortés ◽  
David Itzcoatl Martínez-Herrera

Background: Lyme disease is a relatively new and zoonotic canine pathology mostly unknown by people involved in the management and care of dogs.  Objective: to assess the knowledge about Lyme disease by veterinarians and veterinary students in Veracruz, Mexico. Methodology: three questionnaires were designed and applied to 290 individuals (40 small animal veterinarians, 50 in other professional practice and 200 veterinary students). Results and discussion: in general, the three groups were unaware about the disease, although there is a high interest in learning about this problem. Graduates from seven universities included in this study stated that Lyme disease was not part of the veterinary curriculum in their schools. Five clinical cases suggestive of Lyme disease occurring in dogs in the area were detected at the time of this research. Conclusion: although the presence of the agent causing Lyme disease has not been demonstrated in the studied area due to the lack of laboratory support and the apparent absence of the vector, it cannot be ruled out; furthermore, it is important that veterinary practitioners and student alike be aware of the potential presence of Lyme disease, paying particular attention to differential diagnosis when resembling clinical signs are observed.

Coronaviruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Silvia De Feo ◽  
Viviana Frantellizzi ◽  
Giuseppe De Vincentis

Background: We present the case of a 55-year-old woman, admitted to the Infectious Disease Department of Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, in mid-March 2020, with suspicion of COVID-19 infection. Objective: The rRT-PCR was negative and the following CT scan, performed to exclude false-negative results and help diagnosis, was inconclusive. Methods: It was decided to submit the patient to 99mTc-HMPAO-labelled leukocyte scan. Results: This exam led to the diagnosis of infective endocarditis. Conclusion: In the present pandemic scenario, 99mTc-HMPAO-labelled leukocyte scan represents a reliable imaging technique for differential diagnosis with COVID-19 in patients with confusing clinical signs, possible false-negative rRT-PCR results and inconclusive CT scan.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Ganz ◽  
Axel Wehrend

Abstract Background Clinical signs of heat in bitches that have been previously spayed are often associated with the presence of ovarian remnant syndrome. The inclusion of exogenous estrogens as a differential diagnosis in this regard is often ignored and may lead to misinterpretation of the case. Case presentation Herein, we report a case of exogenous estrogen exposure over several months to a 6.5-year-old spayed crossbred bitch, weighing 8.4 kg. The bitch presented in the clinic because of suspected ovarian remnant syndrome. Castration was performed within the first 6 months after birth. Important endocrine parameters measured at the first appointment were Anti-Müllerian hormone (< 0.01 ng/mL), progesterone (0.36 ng/mL), estradiol-17ß (20.7 pg/mL), and luteinizing hormone (< 0.1 ng/mL). After an extensive conversation with the owner, it was revealed that she was using an estrogen spray because of severe menopausal symptoms. After the owner stopped using this spray, the symptoms of the bitch disappeared. Conclusion Therefore, the uptake of estrogens should be a differential diagnosis for symptoms of the ovarian remnant syndrome. A detailed anamnesis is crucial to identify the source of estrogen in the environment of the affected bitch.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria C Jugan ◽  
John R August

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate ultrasonographic changes in the small intestine of cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease and low or low–normal serum cobalamin concentrations. Methods Records for client-owned cats presenting to the small animal hospital with signs of gastrointestinal disease and in which serum cobalamin concentrations were measured from 2000–2013 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were cobalamin concentrations <500 ng/l, abdominal ultrasound within 1 month of cobalamin testing and definitive diagnosis. Results Of 751 serum cobalamin measurements, hypocobalaminemia or low–normal cobalamin was identified in 270 cats, abdominal ultrasound was performed in 207 of those cats and a diagnosis was available for 75 of them. Small intestinal ultrasound changes were detected in 49/75 (65%) cats. Abnormalities included thickening, loss of wall layer definition, echogenicity alterations and discrete masses. Serum cobalamin concentrations <500 ng/l were observed with diagnoses of inflammatory disease, neoplasia, infectious disease and normal histopathology. Cobalamin concentration was significantly lower in cats with lymphoma or inflammatory bowel disease compared with other gastrointestinal neoplasia ( P = 0.031). No difference was found between cobalamin concentration and the presence of ultrasound abnormalities, specific ultrasound changes or albumin concentration. Conclusions and relevance One-third of symptomatic cats with hypocobalaminemia or low–normal cobalamin concentrations may have an ultrasonographically normal small intestine. For the majority of cats in this study, histopathologic abnormalities were observed in the small intestine, regardless of ultrasound changes. These findings suggest gastrointestinal disease should not be excluded based on low–normal cobalamin concentrations, even with a concurrent normal ultrasound examination. Additional studies are needed in cats with low–normal serum cobalamin concentrations, as a definitive diagnosis was not pursued consistently in those cats. However, data from this study suggest that careful monitoring, histopathologic evaluation and future cobalamin supplementation may be warranted.


2000 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 427-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Williamson ◽  
Maria I. Colome ◽  
Aysegul Sahin ◽  
Alberto G. Ayala ◽  
L. Jeffrey Medeiros

Abstract Bowen disease is a variant of squamous cell carcinoma in situ. In some cases a pagetoid growth pattern can be observed with cytologically atypical clear cells arranged singly and in nests. The differential diagnosis of pagetoid Bowen disease includes primarily Paget disease and malignant melanoma in situ, as well as other less common entities. Two cases of pagetoid Bowen disease are described, one in a 65-year-old man with a thigh lesion and the other in a 25-year-old man with a lesion in the penile/scrotal region. Neither patient had clinical evidence of an internal malignant neoplasm. In both cases, the neoplastic cells were positive for cytokeratin (CK) 7 and CK 19 and were negative for CK 18, CK 20, carcinoembryonic antigen, GCDFP-15, c-erbB2, S100, and HMB-45. In aggregate, these findings support the diagnosis of pagetoid Bowen disease. Previously, others have shown that CK 7 is an almost invariable marker of Paget disease. Thus, we report these two cases to illustrate that CK 7 can be expressed by pagetoid Bowen disease and should not be a cause of confusion in the differential diagnosis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-80
Author(s):  
Joshua Fogel ◽  
Sherilyne Co

Background and Purpose: Tick exposure places one at possible risk for Lyme disease. Awareness of this fact can possibly prevent its occurrence. Urban college students are often in outdoor areas where there is potential tick exposure. Methods: College students in New York City (n=714) were surveyed about demographics, Lyme-disease knowledge, Lyme disease related topics, and dog-specific items. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors that are related to awareness that dogs can be carriers for ticks that transmit Lyme disease. Results: For both dog owners and those who do not own dogs, certain Lyme disease knowledge topics, previously heard of Lyme disease, and aware of a Lyme disease dog vaccine were each associated with increased odds for awareness about dogs being carriers. Among dog owners, African American race/ethnicity and knowing someone diagnosed with Lyme disease were each associated with increased odds for awareness, while previous diagnosis of Lyme disease had decreased odds for awareness. Conclusion: One-on-one education by physicians, nurses, veterinarians, healthcare practitioners and public health practitioners could help address some of the lack of awareness among urban college students that dogs can be carriers for ticks that can transmit Lyme disease.


Author(s):  
L. Sanchez ◽  
Alison Kwiatkowski ◽  
Jeff Abbott ◽  
Dana Zimmel ◽  
Linda Behar-Horenstein

Studies describing the effectiveness of a veterinary curriculum from the student perspective are currently sparse. The overall purpose of this investigation was to describe students’ perceived preparedness for clinical practice. Three focus group meetings with fourth year veterinary students were conducted. Data were open-coded and categorized to identify themes. Four main themes emerged: Challenging communications, Un/appreciating curricular experiences, Documenting demands impede case involvement, and Hungering for timely, effective feedback. Overall students felt comfortable talking to clients about medicine but less comfortable discussing euthanasia or money; they appreciated the split clinical curriculum but questioned the value of the 1st/2nd year courses; they felt that paperwork on clinical rotations negatively impacted patient involvement; expressed the need for well-defined expectations regarding grading/assessment and autonomy on clinical rotations. Despite the reported issues, students expressed satisfaction with the split curriculum and readiness to enter their chosen field of study.


Author(s):  
Goran PARAŠ ◽  
Smiljana PARAŠ ◽  
Bojan LUKAČ ◽  
Igor ČEGAR ◽  
Ognjen VITKOVIĆ

Thrombocytopenia represents a significant reduction in number of blood platelets in thecirculation of mammals. The causes of thrombocytopenia in dogs and cats are: various infectiousfactors, viruses, bacterias, parasites, various pathological conditions of the liver, spleen, bonemarrow or autoimmune diseases. Sometimes, thrombocytopenia causes many different factors orthe real cause can not be detected, and its origin is called idiopathic. In our practice, in the course ofhaematological analysis of blood, we encounter a reduced number of platelets in the blood of dogsand cats. Then we are facing the great challenge of diagnosing and treating possible idiopathicthrombocytopenia in animals.In our case, we have a Miniature poodle whose problems began at the age of 2.5. The dog had thefollowing symptoms: inapetency, somnolence, temperature of 38.80C, pale oral mucosa withpetechiae and behavioral changes. After the first hematological blood tests were performed, theresults of the parameters indicated thrombocytopenia in this dog. Diagnosis of the disease issupported by symptoms and differential diagnosis, so we started with frequent monitoring ofhaematological parameters.We included adequate therapy with the first symptoms of the disease in our case of idiopathicthrombocytopenia in a young dog. The therapy was successful, hematological parameters and thequality of life improved, and the dog is now eight years old. The treatment of idiopathicthrombocytopenia is a challenge for every small animal veterinarian and for this reason in this paperwe share our experiences with colleagues.


Neurosurgery ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric S. Nussbaum ◽  
Aizik L. Wolf ◽  
Leslie Sebring ◽  
Stuart Mirvis

Abstract Transtentorial herniation is an ominous finding in the patient with head injuries. We report our experience with 10 patients suffering from acute transtentorial herniation secondary to posttraumatic unilateral hemispheric swelling who were treated aggressively with temporal lobectomy. Eight patients were men and 2 were women. Their ages ranged from 22 to 61 years, with a mean of 37 years. Their preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale scores ranged from 3 to 6, with a mean of 4. All patients had both computed tomographic and clinical evidence of unilateral hemispheric shift and acute herniation without a significant subdural or epidural hematoma. Seven patients had unilateral nonreactive pupils and 3 had bilateral nonreactive pupils. All were taken to the operating room within 2 hours of clinical signs of herniation. Complete unilateral temporal lobectomies including the mesial structures, amygdala, and uncus were performed. In this series, the mortality rate was 30%, including a single patient who was neurologically stable but died from nonneurological injuries. Of the 7 survivors, 4 were functionally independent and 3 required minimal assistance with the activities of daily living. Aggressive, early decompression via complete temporal lobectomy may thus significantly improve the outcome in patients with transtentorial herniation accompanying posttraumatic hemispheric swelling and midline shift. (Neurosurgery 29:62-66, 1991)


2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (04) ◽  
pp. 65146-2021
Author(s):  
ŁUKASZ MAZUREK ◽  
OLIWIER TEODOROWSKI ◽  
PIOTR DĘBIAK ◽  
KLAUDIUSZ SZCZEPANIAK ◽  
ANNA WILCZYŃSKA ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to analyse clinical cases of bartonellosis. Medical records of cats naturally infected with Bartonella henselae were retrospectively evaluated with regard to clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities at the time of presentation, therapy and course of disease. The most common clinical abnormalities in B. henselae-positive cats included in the study were flea allergic dermatitis (29.5%), fever (25%) and diarrhoea (12.5%). Thrombocytopenia was the most common laboratory abnormality (50%).The results of the study indicate that B. henselae infection must be considered in differential diagnosis in patients with thrombocytopenia and flea invasion.


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