Intracranial granular cell tumours (GCT) are uncommon neoplasms of uncertain cellular origin that are rarely reported in dogs. This case series describes three aged dogs that presented with neurological signs in which magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed plaquelike extra-axial lesions that were hypointense on T2-weighted (T2w) images. The surgical biopsy of the lesions and necropsies were followed by histochemical characterisation with periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) staining and immunohistochemistry with ubiquitin, S-100, and SOX-10 to elucidate the cellular origin. The immunohistochemical study indicated that these intracranial GCTs were not of Schwann cell origin. In conclusion, GCTs should be considered a differential diagnosis of intracranial, extra-axial hypointense brain lesions on T2w MR images.
Vaccination has been proposed as a supplementary tool for the control of tuberculosis in livestock. The long-term immunogenicity elicited by bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) and the efficacy of revaccination were investigated in thirty goat kids distributed into three groups: unvaccinated controls, BCG (vaccinated at week 0) and BCG-BCG (vaccinated at weeks 0 and 56). Sixty-four weeks after the first vaccination, all animals were challenged with Mycobacterium caprae and examined post-mortem (pathology and bacterial load) at week 73. Antigen-specific interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release was measured throughout the experiment. At week 59, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stained for CD4, CD45RO and IFN-γ to determine the presence of antigen-specific cells secreting IFN-γ. The BCG-BCG group showed reductions in rectal temperatures, M. caprae DNA load in pulmonary lymph nodes (LN), the volume of lesions in pulmonary LN, mineralization in lungs, and higher weight gains compared to unvaccinated controls. IFN-γ responses were undetectable from 32 weeks after primary vaccination until revaccination, when the BCG-BCG group showed detectable IFN-γ production and a greater percentage of antigen-specific CD4+CD45RO+IFNγ+ and CD4−CD45RO+IFNγ+ cells compared to the BCG and control groups, which may be an indicator of the mechanisms of protection. Thus, re-vaccination of goats with BCG appears to prolong protection against infection with M. caprae.
A 2-year-old, neutered, female domestic shorthair cat was referred with 3-day history of coughing and respiratory distress. At presentation, the cat had severe inspiratory dyspnoea. Thoracic radiographs, computed tomography, tracheobronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed. A grade II primary cervical tracheal collapse was diagnosed. The cat was discharged with co-amoxiclav (at 22 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 15 days) and methylprednisolone (at 1 mg/kg orally every 24 hours), with the dose being gradually decreased over a period of 2 months. The clinical signs improved progressively, and 12 months later, no clinical signs were evident. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of a feline primary tracheal collapse treated without surgical intervention with an excellent clinical response.
A 2‐year‐old male red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was presented for generalised tonic‐clonic seizures, blindness, compulsive circling and behavioural changes that occurred since the animal was 2 months old. Neurological examination indicated a diffuse forebrain lesion. On magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, a severe dilation of both lateral ventricles was identified. Congenital hydrocephalus was suspected and the fox was treated with methylprednisolone, omeprazole and phenobarbital. Sixteen months later, the neurological signs had improved: the frequency of seizures had decreased to one seizure every 3 months and compulsive circling was less pronounced.
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