A Review of Blastomycosis in Indian Subcontinent

This study traces the earliest cases of blastomycosis reported from India. Four authentic cases of blastomycosis from India including one each from Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, and one each from Bangladesh and Nepal, and five misdiagnosed cases have been reported in India after 2013. The clinical and diagnostic features of all cases are reviewed. The authentic cases from India originate from widespread locations in the country. The incidence of blastomycosis in dogs is known to be eight to ten times higher than that in humans. There is only one case of canine blastomycosis from India manifesting as a fatal pulmonary infection in a Mongrel dog. It is suggested additional canine cases should be looked for in different parts of India to facilitate the detection of endemic foci of B. dermatitidis for human and animal infections in the country. Mycological investigation of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis negative for culture and AFBs mear, and not responding to anti-tubercular therapy may reveal some cases of blastomycosis. A recently developed real-time PCR for identification of B. dermatitidis in culture and tissue may facilitate correct diagnosis of blastomycosis in suspected cases. Antigen testing in urine or serum is also recommended for diagnosing clinical infection and monitoring antifungal therapy in blastomycosis.

Canine Synovial Sarcoma of the Stifle Joint with Pulmonary and Liver Metastases

A seven-year-old female mongrel dog was presented at the Sokoine University of Agriculture Teaching Animal Hospital for second opinion regarding a progressive swelling of the right hind limb of two months duration. Clinical examination revealed a loss of body condition, tachypnea and tachycardia, a painful immobile solid mass of 20 cm x 14 cm x 10 cm located on the right stifle joint, leucocytosis, and anaemia. Radiographic examination of the joint revealed marked soft tissue swelling with amorphous areas of mineralization and complete destruction of the proximal tibia. Smooth and solid periosteal reaction was seen around the tibia and fibula with a Codman’s triangle. Multiple nodules and a mass with soft tissue opacity were seen in the lung fields. Post-mortem examination revealed separation of tibia and fibula, softening of the proximal parts of the tibia, and complete integration of the proximal region of the two bones and articular tissues into the surrounding muscular tissues. Multifocal nodular lesions of variable sizes were mostly found in the lungs and partly in the liver. Histologically, predominantly oval and round cells with variable nuclear sizes and moderate mitoses were observed in tissue samples from the joint, lungs and the liver although some parts of the lung metastases showed both round and spindle shaped tumor cells. Clinical profile is suggestive of aggressive biphasic (spindle and epithelial) type of synovial cell sarcoma with lung and liver metastasis. Early radiographic and biopsy examination of persistent musculoskeletal nodules is recommended for early diagnosis and interventions.

Diagnosis and successful treatment of an Austrian dog infected with Trypanosoma congolense forest type

Canine African Trypanosomosis (CAT) is a rarely described disease with frequently lethal outcome. A 5-year-old female mongrel dog weighing 22 kg was presented in Austria due to unilateral uveitis, pancytopenia, and anorexia 4 months after return from a trip through Western Africa. Trypanosoma spp. flagellates were detected in a blood smear and identified as Trypanosoma congolense forest type by PCR. Initial treatment with imidocarb and miltefosine led to clinical improvement but only isometamidium chloride hydrochloride applied intramuscularly led to complete eradication of the pathogen from the dog’s blood 4 months later.

Does the Animal Model Influence in Vertical Alveolar Distraction? A Systematic Review of the Literature

This study is aimed at synthesizing all available evidence on vertical alveolar osteogenesis distraction (VAOD) in animal trials to determine whether the animal model used and its handling influence or not, and find which is the most appropriate animal model for this specific technique. This systematic review has been carried out following the PRISMA statements. Bibliographic sources have been consulted manually by two reviewers. Risk of bias was assessed using a version of the Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale (NOS). The selection criteria established by expert researchers were applied in order to decide which studies should be included in the review. Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Twenty-four of them had a high quality (score between 7 and 9), two medium quality (score between 4 and 6), and none low quality (score between 1 and 3). The highest possible score was 9 (using the NOS). Six studies complied with all NOS criteria. The animal model has been seen to influence the results, leading to failure in some cases. The most used animal model on VAOD, with fewer complications, was the Mongrel dog. The use of the pig and minipig is not recommended, due to the difficulties in handling and complications encountered.

Primary Retrobulbar Leiomyosarcoma in a Dog: A Case Report

A 2-year-old female Mongrel dog weighing 3.12 kg presented with a 2-month history of progressive exophthalmos of the left eye and periorbital swelling. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the affected tissue revealed atypical cells of suspected malignant mesenchymal tumor origin. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an ill-demarcated soft tissue mass in the left retrobulbar space extending into the nasal cavity and into the frontal lobes of the brain with destruction of the adjacent cribriform plate and the basisphenoid bone. Histopathological features of the tumor were consistent with the diagnosis of undifferentiated sarcoma. The tumor cells were immunoreactive for vimentin, smooth muscle actin, and desmin and negative for S100. These findings were mostly consistent with leiomyosarcoma arising from the smooth muscle on the retrobulbar tissues. Primary retrobulbar leiomyosarcoma is an extremely rare tumor in dogs. To expand our knowledge of retrobulbar leiomyosarcoma in dogs, we have described its clinical, diagnostic imaging, histopathological, and immunohistochemical characteristics in a dog.

A Case of Sebaceous Adenitis and Concurrent Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in a Dog

Sebaceous adenitis and concurrent meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) were diagnosed in a two-year-old mongrel dog presenting with hypotrichosis, exfoliative dermatitis and blepharitis. Diagnosis of sebaceous adenitis was based on history, clinical signs, the histological demonstration of multifocal lymphohistiocytic and neutrophilic inflammation targeting the sebaceous glands and sebaceous glands loss. MGD was diagnosed by non-contact infrared meibography followed by tear film lipid layer interferometric evaluation. Ciclosporin and sebolytic shampoos controlled the dermatological condition, while doxycycline, warm compresses, palpebral massages and tobramycin/dexamethasone ointment controlled the blepharitis. This case report should stimulate clinicians to investigate MGD in dogs suffering from sebaceous adenitis, because the meibomian and sebaceous glands share similar anatomy and physiology.

Extragonadal malignant teratoma in a dog - case report

ABSTRACT Teratomas are neoplasms thought to arise from germ cells which usually occur within gonads and are rarely described on extragonadal sites. The present study reports a case of a 15 year old female mongrel dog with a lumbosacral tumor. The tumor was microscopically composed of embryonic tissues with areas containing atypical undifferentiated cells, leading to the diagnosis of a malignant teratoma. Malignant teratomas are uncommon tumors in domestic animals.

Maxillomandibular Deformity in a Canine with Fibrous Osteodystrophy Secondary to Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Cases of renal fibrous osteodystrophy are usually associated with nutritional causes, which of renal causes are considered uncommon in dogs. This disorder is characterized by the intense proliferation of fibrous connective tissue in bones, impairing bone stiffness. The aim of this study was to report a case of fibrous osteodystrophy secondary to chronic kidney disease in a canine with a "rubber jaw" facial deformity.Case: A 4-year-old male unneutered mongrel dog weighing 5.2 kg had a history of apathy, progressive weight loss and vomiting for one month, and polyuria and polydipsia for more than three months. In addition, the owner complained about the deformed appearance in the muzzle region of the animal, which was evidenced flexibility of the same, with a displacement of the mandible and maxilla on physical examination, similar to the "rubber jaw". Blood tests revealed macrocytic anemia, elevated total plasma proteins, and lymphopenia-associated neutrophilia, as well as hyperphosphatemia (24 mg/dL), uremia (283.6 mg/dL) and increased creatinine (8.6 mg/dL), ALT (143.2 UI/L) and alkaline phosphatase (3222.2 UI/L), while calcium (8.8 mg/dL) and albumin (1.9 g/dL) were decreased. A serological test for visceral leishmaniasis was also performed, which was negative. Abdominal ultrasound imaging revealed kidneys with alterations in tissue architecture, increased thickness and complete loss of cortico-medullary relationship, while the parathyroid gland was enlarged and spindle-shaped. Cranial radiography showed marked radiopacity of the bilateral maxillary bones, with destruction of the nasal, turbinate and frontal bones, as well as loosening of the teeth and destruction of the mandibular bone matrix, characterizing an aspect of “rubber jaw”. Based on the history, history and evidence of azotemia, hyperphosphatemia and loss of facial bone density, the diagnosis of fibrous osteodystrophy secondary to chronic kidney disease associated with hyperparathyroidism was concluded.Discussion: The clinical and laboratory findings reported in the present study were similar to those described in dogs with renal fibrous osteodystrophy associated with hyperparathyroidism. In the presence of azotemia, the patient was in stage 4 of chronic kidney disease which, despite investigating the infectious etiology, which was negative, remained unknown. Along with chronic kidney disease, the observation of hyperphosphatemia associated with hypokalemia contributed to the clinical investigation, whose pathophysiological mechanisms of this disorder were discussed in this study. The organic alterations observed in the patient's imaging examination coincided with the pathophysiological processes of renal fibrous osteodystrophy. The findings of renal and parathyroid alterations on ultrasound, as well as the damage to the bone matrix, maxillomandibular deformity and loss of bone support evidenced on cranial radiography, led to the conclusion of the diagnosis of renal fibrous osteodystrophy secondary to hyperparathyroidism. Despite the recommended symptomatic therapy, the patient died within 24 hours of hospitalization, and it was not possible to perform a necropsy. This report is highlighted by the occurrence of bone deformity at the maxillary and mandibular level, as a result of renal dysfunction in a young canine, alerting to the importance of complementary exams for proper diagnosis.