Distemper Encephalomyelitis Presenting with Lower Motor Neuron Signs in a Young Dog

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Green ◽  
Laurie Cook ◽  
Margaret Martinez ◽  
Eric Green

ABSTRACT A 4 mo old spayed female mixed-breed dog was presented for focal lower motor neuron signs of the right forelimb and marked hyperesthesia on axillary palpation. Her signs progressed rapidly over the following days to diffuse lower motor neuron signs in all limbs and a seizure. MRI demonstrated a focal, slightly right-sided, 2.5 cm region of noncontrast-enhancing T2 hyperintensity and T1 isointensity at C4–C5 spinal cord segments. Imaging of the brain was unremarkable. The dog was euthanized as a result of poor prognosis. Polymerase chain reaction on cerebrospinal fluid and immunohistochemistry of brain tissue were both positive for canine distemper virus. This report documents an atypical presentation of canine distemper encephalomyelitis causing lower motor neuron signs and hyperesthesia.

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-218
Author(s):  
Paula Giaretta ◽  
◽  
Welden Panziera ◽  
Glauco de Galiza ◽  
Claudio Barros ◽  
...  

An 18-month-old mixed breed steer had incoordination, blindness, and opisthotonos for ten days. The clinical condition progressed to lethargy and lateral recumbency, and the steer was euthanized due to poor prognosis. There is a cyst located mainly on the left side of the brain, moderately distending the third ventricle and protruding through the transverse fissure into the right dorsal thalamic region anterior to the rostral colliculi. The cyst is 3.3 x 3.5 x 3 cm, consists of a thin transparent membrane filled with translucent fluid, and has numerous slightly elongated opaque white structures of approximately 1 mm (protoscolices) adhered to the inner aspect of the capsule (Fig. 1). The cyst causes compression and atrophy of the thalamus and hippocampus, more pronounced on the left side (Fig. 2). There is dilation of the lateral ventricles, moderate on the left side and mild on the right side. The mesencephalic aqueduct is moderately distended.


2011 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Luiza Figueiredo Braga Brandão ◽  
Nurimar C. Fernandes ◽  
Danielle Pereira De Oliveira Batista ◽  
Norma Santos

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disease characterized by blistering of the skin and mucosa, which develops due to the interaction between predisposing genetic and environmental factors. Infections caused by members of the Herpesviridae family have been suggested as a possible triggering factor for PV. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: In this report, we investigate the presence of herpesviruses in refractory lesions on the right upper eyelid. The lesion has persisted despite the treatment with corticosteroids. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequence analysis have been used to detect the DNA of HSV 1/2, VZV, EBV, CMV, HHV-6, HHV-7, and HHV-8. RESULTS: The sample collected from the right upper eyelid has tested positive for HSV 1/2. Sequence analysis has confirmed the PCR results and allowed the identification of the HSV strain as belonging to type 1. After treatment with acyclovir, the lesion of the right upper eyelid has cleared and not relapsed. CONCLUSION: When patients present PV lesions which are refractory to corticosteroid therapy, herpetic infection should be considered.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-34
Author(s):  
Daniel Lai ◽  
Keith Ong

We describe a case of a 52-year-old male presenting with severe mucopurulent conjunctivitis of the right eye. Corneal ulceration and associated anterior chamber activity was noted later in the course of the disease. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was positive on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing earlier than traditional microscopy and culture. He was successfully treated with ceftriaxone 500 mg intravenously and azithromycin 1 g orally as single doses in addition to ofloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.3% hourly to the right eye. This case highlights the need to consider the possibility of gonococcus in cases of suspected bacterial conjunctivitis, careful monitoring for corneal involvement and the importance of early detection with PCR.


2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 336-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina de Moura ◽  
Virgínia Meneghini Lazzari ◽  
Grasiela Agnes ◽  
Silvana Almeida ◽  
Márcia Giovenardi ◽  
...  

Objective A growing number of published articles report the expression of specific genes with different behavior patterns in rats. The levels of messenger ribonucleic acid transcripts are usually analyzed by reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction and quantified after normalization with an internal control or reference gene (housekeeping gene). Nevertheless, housekeeping genes exhibit different expression in the central nervous system, depending on the physiological conditions and the area of the brain to be studied. The choice of a good internal control gene is essential for obtaining reliable results. This study evaluated the expression of three housekeeping genes (beta-actin, cyclophilin A, and ubiquitin C) in different areas of the central nervous system in rats (olfactory bulb, hippocampus, striatum, and prefrontal cortex). Methods Wistar rats (virgin females, n=6) during the diestrum period were used. Total ribonucleic acid was extracted from each region of the brain; the complementary deoxyribonucleic acid was synthesized by reverse transcription and amplified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction using SYBR™ Green and primers specific for each one of the reference genes. The stability of the expression was determined using NormFinder. Results Beta-actin was the most stable gene in the hippocampus and striatum, while cyclophilin A and ubiquitin C showed greater stability in the prefrontal cortex and the olfactory bulb, respectively. Conclusion Based on our study, further studies of gene expression using rats as animal models should take into consideration these results when choosing a reliable internal control gene.


1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (5) ◽  
pp. R1327-R1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Laye ◽  
R. M. Bluthe ◽  
S. Kent ◽  
C. Combe ◽  
C. Medina ◽  
...  

To test the possibility that the vagus nerve is involved in the communication between the immune system and the brain, we injected sham-operated and vagotomized mice with physiological saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 400 micrograms/kg ip). Vagotomy attenuated LPS-induced depression of general activity measured 2 h after treatment but did not alter the increase in plasma levels of IL-1 beta in response to LPS. In addition, vagotomy abrogated the LPS-induced increase in the levels of transcripts for IL-1 beta, as determined by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction after reverse transcription, in the hypothalamus and hippocampus, but not in the pituitary of vagotomized mice. This relationship between the effects of vagotomy on the behavioral effects of LPS and the LPS-induced brain expression of IL-1 beta mRNA indicates that vagal afferent fibers play a prominent role in the pathways of communication between the immune system and the brain.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-379
Author(s):  
Samantha Esposito ◽  
Joseph Levi ◽  
Zachary Matuzsan ◽  
Alexandra Amaducci ◽  
David Richardson

Introduction: Disseminated tuberculosis (TB) is rare, affects any organ system, and presents mainly in immunocompromised populations. Typical presentation is non-specific, posing a challenge for diagnosis. Case Report: This case presents an immunocompetent male presenting with severe headaches with meningeal signs. Lab and lumbar puncture results suggested bacterial meningitis, yet initial cerebral spinal fluid cultures and meningitis/encephalitis polymerase chain reaction were negative. A chest radiograph (CXR) provided the only evidence suggesting TB, leading to further tests showing dissemination to the brain, spinal cord, meninges, muscle, joint, and bone. Discussion: This case stands to acknowledge the difficulty of diagnosis in the emergency department (ED), and the need for emergency physicians to maintain a broad differential including disseminated TB as a possibility from the beginning of assessment. In this case, emergency physicians should be aware of predisposing factors of disseminated TB in patients presenting with non-specific symptoms. They should also acknowledge that TB may present atypically in patients with minimal predisposing factors, rendering the need to further investigate abnormal CXR images despite lab results inconsistent with TB. Conclusion: While this diagnosis is easily missed, early identification in the ED can lead to optimal treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Dar Chen ◽  
Li-Ju Lai ◽  
Wei-Hsiu Hsu ◽  
Tsung-Yu Huang

Abstract Background Vibrio cholerae non-O1 is a virulent pathogen that causes significant morbidity and mortality in humans. Herein, we report a case of corneal ulcer caused by this pathogen. Case presentation A 59-year-old fisherman with no systemic history was struck in the right eye by a marine shrimp and developed keratitis. Corneal scrapping culture revealed the presence of the V. cholerae non-O1, and its identification was confirmed by Analytical Profile Index 20E system and polymerase chain reaction. He was successfully treated with topical levofloxacin (0.3%) and fortified amikacin (12.5 mg/mL) for 2 weeks. The visual acuity recovered to 20/25 after treatment without complications. Conclusions This is the first case report of keratitis caused by V. cholerae non-O1 strain. Ocular injury by marine creatures and contaminated seawater can contribute to severe corneal ulcer. Early diagnosis can be achieved by meticulous history taking and a comprehensive laboratory workup. Simultaneously, an effective antibiotic therapy can lead to a positive outcome.


Author(s):  
Mojtaba Kamali Aghdam ◽  
Hassan Bakhtiari ◽  
Diana Noemi Diaz ◽  
Kambiz Eftekhari

AbstractThe main manifestations of novel coronavirus usually include fever and cough. Neurological manifestations have not been properly identified in children. A 65-day-old infant was hospitalized due to poor feeding, weakness, lethargy, and occasional cough. She suffered several seizures during her hospitalization. The brain computed tomography scan depicted a minor hemorrhage. Due to the exacerbation of her condition during hospital stay and the presence of respiratory symptoms in her parents, coronavirus disease was suspected. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of coronavirus was positive for both: child and parents. In children with neurological manifestations such as lethargy, recurrent seizures, cerebral hemorrhage, and clinical evidence of respiratory symptoms in his/her relatives, PCR testing for coronavirus is recommended.


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