Abstract. Three independent, fatal outbreaks of Streptococcus canis infection occurred in a 2-year period in shelter cats. The outbreaks occurred in Northern California (Yolo County), Southern California (Kern County), and North Carolina (Guilford County). An estimation of the affected population is .150 cats among 3 affected shelters, with a mortality rate of up to 30%. Among 20 cats submitted for necropsy there were 2 distinct pathologic presentations. The first (shelters 1 and 2) was skin ulceration and chronic respiratory infection that progressed, in some cats, to necrotizing sinusitis and meningitis. The second (shelter 3) was rapid progression from necrotizing fasciitis with skin ulceration to toxic shock-like syndrome, sepsis, and death. S canis was the sole pathogen identified in most cases. Whether hypervirulent S canis strains exist is unknown; there is little understanding of how these bacteria cause invasive disease in cats.

No abstract

FIG 1: Partial dorsal view of Lipoptena cervi, showing the piercing mouthparts and compound eyes. x 40 FIG 2: Terminal segments of the Lipoptena cervi tarsus, showing two long, sharply curved claws and a prominent pulvillus. x 100 FIG 3: Broken wing at the metathorax of Lipoptena cervi, showing partial wing venation (arrow). x 100 Veterinary Record (2006) 159, 286-288

and fairly movable, the right tube and ovary normal. A hard irregular mass was felt in the left broad ligament, giving the characteristic induration of a parametritic exúdate. The left tube and ovary were thought to be involved. A diagnosis of streptococcic parametritis was made in the ward.Operation: June 11, 1900 (operator, Dr. Cullen), an incision parallel to Poupart's ligament toward its outer end and 2 cm.above it was made, with blunt dissection, avoiding entering the peritoneal cavity. On reaching the base of the broad ligament an abscess containing two ounces of brownish pus was evacuated, and the indurated tissue explored. In doing so it was thought that the peritoneal cavity had been entered, so an exploratory incision was made. It was now found that the peritoneal cavity had not been invaded. Both tubes and ovaries were normal. The abdominal incision was closed and protected, the other incision drained. The patient made an uninterrupted recovery, and was discharged perfectly well. At the bacteriological examination (Dr. Hunner), cultures and coverslips from pus showed the streptococcus pyogenes.The history, the situation, the consistency of the mass, and its relation to the uterus and pelvic wall all indicated the nature of the infection, and the correct diagnosis probably saved the patient from a general peritonitis of streptococcic origin.Case 4.-M. K., white, aged 38 years, was admitted Aug. 18, 1900, complaining of fever. Her family and past histories were negative, her menstrual history also. She had been married twenty years, with eight children, two miscarriages, the oldest child 19 years old, the youngest 12 days, but no trouble with any labor or miscarriage until the last labor. Leucorrhea was slight, non-irritating, and non-offensive.Present Illness : This began one day after labor, twelve days prior to her admission, with fever-temperature 105 F.-and chills. The labor was normal, except that the attending physician delivered the secundines. With the fever was abdominal distension and griping abdominal pains. The distension soon subsided. Her general condition on admission showed no abdominal tenderness; the tongue was red and coated, appetite poor, slight nausea, cough, the patient of spare build, and pale, the mucous membrane of a good color.Examination: Chest negative, except a few râles at the base of the right lung; abdomen full and soft, and, occupying its middle lower portion, was a rounded mass rising half-way to the umbilicus. The vaginal outlet was considerably relaxed with slight cystocele and rectocele. The fundus of the uterus was represented by a rounded irregular mass lying to the right of the median line and rising half-way to the umbilicus. The spleen was slightly enlarged. She was given hot boric acid douches, was kept in bed and ran an irregular temperature of 99 F. to 102 F. There was slight distension at times, and she had pains in the left groin. Her pulse was 90 to 100. Examination, August 31, showed marked tenderness in the left inguinal region, and palpation showed a s...