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A lipid nanoemulsion (LDE) resembling low-density lipoprotein can target malignant tumours. In in vivo and clinical studies, association of chemotherapeutic agents to LDE decreased their toxicity and increased pharmacological action. Here, safety of LDE as carmustine carrier (50 mg m(-2) , intravenous) combined with vincristine and prednisone for the treatment of dogs with lymphoma was tested and compared with commercial carmustine with vincristine and prednisone. In five dogs from LDE-carmustine and six from commercial carmustine, complete remission was achieved (P0.05). Partial remission occurred in two dogs from each group. In both groups, the median progression-free intervals (119 and 199 days) and overall survival times (207 and 247 days) were equal. Neutropenia was observed in both groups, but no other major toxicities occurred. Therefore, no difference was observed between the treatments. LDE-carmustine was shown to be safe and effective in a drug combination protocol, which encourages larger studies to investigate the use of this novel formulation to treat canine lymphomas.

A case of arthropathy and soft tissue masses due to amyloid deposition in a patient with myeloma is reported. The radiologic and magnetic resonance findings of musculoskeletal amyloidosis are described. The amyloid masses show heterogeneous signal intensity, with a signal lower than muscle and intermingled areas of marked hyperintensity on T2-weighted images.

We report our eight year experience remission induction therapy in adult patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia. Overall 67 patients were treated, with a mean age of 43.3 years (range 15-75). Two treatment protocols were used. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 23 patients of 39 receiving protocol A (58%). The 28 last patients were treated with the more aggressive protocol B, and CR was achieved in 23 patients (82%). CR was achieved in 68% of the overall group. The most outstanding predictive factors were age above 30 years, and M-5 morphology as indicating a poor prognosis.

The occurrence of leptospiral infection in cats was determined through the detection of specific antibodies based on the results of microscopic agglutination test and the attempts of isolation and histological demonstration of leptospires from the kidneys of these animals. Of 172 serum samples examined by microscopic agglutination test, 22 (12.8%) were positive with titers greater than or equal to 100. The most frequent serovar was pomona. In relation to the sex, significant differences were not seen; however the age distribution showed that feline leptospirosis is more frequent in adult cats. The attempts for isolation and demonstration of L. interrogans from renal parenchyma by culture or Warthin Starry technics were unsuccessful.

The authors report a case of ankylosing spondylitis complicated by a cauda equina syndrome presenting with a plantar perforating ulcer and lesions of neuropathic arthropathy of the foot. On the basis of an analysis of 54 cases published in the literature they review the principal aspects of this complication of ankylosing spondylitis. Neurological manifestations occur late after several decades of progression of the disease. Urinary sphincter problems are common whilst trophic disturbances remain rare. Myelography and, above all, lumbar CAT scan reveal characteristic and stereotyped anatomical lesions: widening of the dural sac in its posterior part with meningoceles eroding the posterior vertebral arch. The pathogenic mechanisms are unknown. The authors suggest that lesions may start with posterior epidural inflammation rather than a primary process of arachnoiditis as has been mentioned in earlier publications.