Proliferative epithelial changes in the ileum were observed in 22 pigs (46.8%) from 13 farms (65.0%) in Japan. Indirect immunofluorescence staining with a monoclonal antibody to Lawsonia intracellularis (Li) detected fluorescing bacteria on thin sections. PCR recognized Li DNA on the same materials. PCR on feces and immunofluorescence assays of pig serum for antibodies to Li have proved useful in antemortem diagnosis. This study examines the characteristics of these methods used on pigs infected with a suspension of homogenized ileal mucosa from hemorrhagic proliferative lesions. Seven of 15 experimentally infected pigs shed detectable amounts of Li DNA in their feces. Hemorrhagic diarrheal samples were positive for PCR but only for short periods. Nested PCR on feces and immunofluorescence serum assay for Li antibodies were positive in all inoculated pigs. These results indicate that PCR is useful in the detection of Li DNA in hemorrhagic feces and that nested PCR and immunofluorescence assay are useful in examining unapparent infections and in epidemiological studies.

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Morphological and biochemical analyses of age-related changes in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of thoroughbred horses showed a straightening of collagen-fibril orientation and a decrease in diameter with aging. Type III collagen content increased with aging. In terms of glycosaminoglcan composition, dermatan sulfate decreased and chondroitin sulfate increased. In the SDFT of thoroughbred horses, morphological age-related changes in collagen fibrils are accompanied by changes in biochemical composition.

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Two aged Japanese black cattle with systemic icterus and anemia were killed because of their poor prognosis. Necropsy revealed multiple yellow-white masses in the liver adjacent to the common bile duct. The cattle were diagnosed as having incomplete obstructive icterus caused by intrahepatic tumors. These two hepatic tumors were diagnosed as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma on the basis of the following histopathologic findings: multiple formation of many tubules, marked proliferation of connective tissue, severe atypism and numerous mitotic figures in the tumor cells. An incomplete obstructive icterus caused by intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma compressing the common bile duct thus causing an incomplete obstructive icterus should be considered as one cause of systemic icterus in aged cattle.

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Evaluations were made of the post-surgical prognosis of 17 dogs diagnosed as cases of grade II mast cell tumor (MCT). During the study period (median follow-up time: 273 days), 3 dogs died of MCT with local recurrence, one developed distant recurrence at a different cutaneous location (surviving still), and one died of an unrelated cause. In 14 dogs (82.4%), no recurrence was confirmed at primary sites, suggesting effective local control. Prognosis was related to clinical stage at the time of surgery. Dogs in stage I either survived or remained disease free significantly longer (P<0.05) than dogs in stages II and III. Numbers of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) are associated with recurrence and MCTs with higher AgNOR counts (≥2.00/cell) indicated significantly shorter (P<0.05) disease-free intervals. These results suggest that the prognosis for grade II MCTs in clinical stage I is good and that AgNOR may be useful as a prognostic indicator in grade II MCTs.-Key

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Physical examination of a 9-year-old female Shih-tzu admitted because of depression and head tilt revealed remarkable splenomegaly. Laboratory examinations revealed nonregenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia, and marked leukocytosis with a left shift extending to the promyelocyte. Examination of the bone-marrow aspirate showed hypercellularity composed of maturing granulocytic cell series. No excessive blast or dysplastic change was observed. No disease that could induce leukemoid reaction was detected. On the basis of these findings, the dog was diagnosed as a case of chronic myelogenous leukemia. Although the number of peripheral blood leukocytes decreased after chemotherapy, the dog died of blastic crisis 11 days after initial admission.

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Omental pedicle flaps were created in cats having chronic, non-healing suppurative wounds with a chest-wall defect and constrictive pleuritis resulting from the wound. In the case of constrictive pleuritis complicated by severe dyspnea, after surgery, the wound healed, and dyspnea was alleviated. The 2 cats with large non-healing skin wounds recovered without any complications. In the animal with skin lesions at hock and abdomen, the abdominal wound healed, whereas the hock wound suffered a relapse resulting from suture dehiscence.

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Our investigations isolated Campylobacter spp. from 96%(48/50) of domestic and 16%(16/100) of imported samples of commercial chicken meat. Using the most-probable-number (MPN) method, we detected more than 102 cfu/100 g Campylobacter spp. in 80.0%(40/50) of domestic chicken-meat samples but in 2.0%(2/100) of imported chicken-meat samples.

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