Hypertrophic Osteopathy Associated with Mycotic Pneumonia in Two Juvenile Elk (Cervus Elaphus)

Abstract

Abstract. Two yearling bull elk (Cervus elaphus) from the same farm developed anorexia, weight loss, and lameness. On physical examination, both elk were thin and showed diffuse swelling of all lower limbs. Radiographs of the lower limbs showed periosteal thickening of the distal extremities, consistent with hypertrophic osteopathy. Thoracic radiographs indicated the presence of pulmonary nodules. Cytologic evaluations of tracheal washes on both elk were consistent with inflammation. Acid-fast stains on both samples were negative. Because of the poor prognosis, both elk were euthanized. At necropsy, the carpal, metacarpal, tarsal, and metatarsal bones, as well as the radius, ulna, and tibia had thickening of cortical bone. There were multiple encapsulated nodules throughout the lungs, lymph nodes, and kidney, and smaller nodules in the myocardium. On microscopic examination, these nodules contained myriads of hyphae, and immunohistochemistry for Aspergillus sp. was strongly positive. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from affected tissue in 1 elk. Necropsy findings in both elk were consistent with disseminated fungal granulomas and periosteal hyperostosis. This case presents the first description of hypertrophic osteopathy in elk. The source of infection was undetermined, but inhalation of spores from contaminated feed or bedding was suspected.

Hypertrophic osteopathy in a dog associated with intra-thoracic lesions: a case report and a review

“…This reflex increases blood flow to the distal extremities and affects connective tissue and the periosteum. This theory was supported by the fact that there is a relief of symptoms following vagotomy or intercostal nerve resection (Lenehan and Fetter, 1985;Johnson et al, 1995;Ferguson et al, 2008).…”

“…Among animals, hypertrophic osteopathy is observed in dogs most commonly (Brodey, 1971;Lenehan and Fetter, 1985;Johnson et al, 1995), but has also been reported in a variety of other domestic animals including the horse, cow, sheep, cat and in exotic species (Bush et al, 1974;Lenehan and Fetter, 1985;Godber et al, 1993;Curtis et al, 1997;van der Kolk et al, 1998;Morrison, 2002;Grierson et al, 2003;Ferguson et al, 2008). In animals, the term hypertrophic osteoarthropathy has not been used because the joints are not really involved (Montgomery, 2003;Piermattei et al, 2006); however, in human medicine, the term "osteoarthropathy" is still preferred because cases present with inflammatory arthritis (Armstrong et al, 2007;Dabir et al, 2007;Karkucak et al, 2007;Latos-Bielenska et al, 2007;Martinez-Ferrer et al, 2009;Nguyen and Hojjati, 2011).…”

“…A rapid increase in peripheral blood flow, which is poorly oxygenated, passes through arteriovenous shunts, bypassing the capillary bed, and causes local passive congestion and poor tissue oxygenation. This situation stimulates connective tissue and periosteal proliferation (Lenehan and Fetter, 1985;Morrison, 2002;Piermattei et al, 2006;Ferguson et al, 2008). Increased peripheral blood flow was recorded in various clinical observations and direct physiological measurements in dogs and humans.…”

“…Increased peripheral blood flow was recorded in various clinical observations and direct physiological measurements in dogs and humans. Depression in the blood flow and regression of the bone lesions were observed after thoracotomy, lobectomy and removal of the primary lesion in both humans and dogs (Lenehan and Fetter, 1985;Ferguson et al, 2008).…”

Characterization of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in an identified skeleton from Évora, Portugal, using combined and comparative morphology and microscopy

“…HOA is found mainly in dogs (Headley et al, 2005;Cetinkaya et al, 2011;Lawler et al, 2015) and humans (Golder and Wolf, 2001;Utine et al, 2008), but has been observed occasionally in various other species (Lenehan and Fetter, 1985;Golder and Wolf, 2001;Mair and Tucker, 2004;Ferguson et al, 2008;Guyot et al, 2011). Although HOA was described in 1868 by Friedenreich (as cited in Kuhn et al, 2007), the exact aetiology remains unknown.…”