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Objective: To develop and assess a needle arthroscopic technique to diagnose conditions of the tarsocrural joint (TCj) in standing sedated horses., Study Design: Experimental study., Sample Population: Six cadaveric hind limbs (phase 1) and six healthy horses (Phase 2)., Methods: In phase 1, each TCj was examined with a 1.2-mm-needle arthroscope. Suitability of the needle arthroscope and degree of joint visualization with traditional arthroscopic approaches were assessed. In phase 2, the feasibility of the procedure was assessed in six standing healthy horses. A custom-made splint and base were developed to maintain joint flexion during the procedure., Results: Thorough evaluation of the dorsal intra-articular structures of the TCj via dorsomedial and dorsolateral approaches was possible in both phases. The procedure was feasible, quickly performed, and well tolerated by all horses. Complications consisted of moderate movement (2/6 horses) and hemarthrosis (3/6 horses)., Conclusion: Diagnostic standing needle arthroscopy of the TCj allowed thorough evaluation of the dorsal aspect of the joint while avoiding the cost and risks associated with general anesthesia. Inadvertent puncture of the dorsomedial vasculature with the cannula and obturator led to significant hemarthrosis., Clinical Impact: Needle arthroscopy of the TCj offers an alternative diagnostic tool when traditional imaging techniques (radiography and ultrasonography) are unrewarding or nondiagnostic. The technique is conceived mainly for diagnostic purposes, but its use during short interventions warrants investigation., (© 2020 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes a zoonotic respiratory disease of global public health concern, and dromedary camels are the only proven source of zoonotic infection. Although MERS-CoV infection is ubiquitous in dromedaries across Africa as well as in the Arabian Peninsula, zoonotic disease appears confined to the Arabian Peninsula. MERS-CoVs from Africa have hitherto been poorly studied. We genetically and phenotypically characterized MERS-CoV from dromedaries sampled in Morocco, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. Viruses from Africa (clade C) are phylogenetically distinct from contemporary viruses from the Arabian Peninsula (clades A and B) but remain antigenically similar in microneutralization tests. Viruses from West (Nigeria, Burkina Faso) and North (Morocco) Africa form a subclade, C1, that shares clade-defining genetic signatures including deletions in the accessory gene ORF4b Compared with human and camel MERS-CoV from Saudi Arabia, virus isolates from Burkina Faso (BF785) and Nigeria (Nig1657) had lower virus replication competence in Calu-3 cells and in ex vivo cultures of human bronchus and lung. BF785 replicated to lower titer in lungs of human DPP4-transduced mice. A reverse genetics-derived recombinant MERS-CoV (EMC) lacking ORF4b elicited higher type I and III IFN responses than the isogenic EMC virus in Calu-3 cells. However, ORF4b deletions may not be the major determinant of the reduced replication competence of BF785 and Nig1657. Genetic and phenotypic differences in West African viruses may be relevant to zoonotic potential. There is an urgent need for studies of MERS-CoV at the animal-human interface., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2018 the Author(s). Published by PNAS.)

Neuropathies are neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and other mammals. Many genetic causes have been identified so far, including mutations of genes encoding proteins involved in mitochondrial dynamics. Recently, the "Turning calves syndrome", a novel sensorimotor polyneuropathy was described in the French Rouge-des-Prés cattle breed. In the present study, we determined that this hereditary disease resulted from a single nucleotide substitution in SLC25A46, a gene encoding a protein of the mitochondrial carrier family. This mutation caused an apparent damaging amino-acid substitution. To better understand the function of this protein, we knocked out the Slc25a46 gene in a mouse model. This alteration affected not only the nervous system but also altered general metabolism, resulting in premature mortality. Based on optic microscopy examination, electron microscopy and on biochemical, metabolic and proteomic analyses, we showed that the Slc25a46 disruption caused a fusion/fission imbalance and an abnormal mitochondrial architecture that disturbed mitochondrial metabolism. These data extended the range of phenotypes associated with Slc25a46 dysfunction. Moreover, this Slc25a46 knock-out mouse model should be useful to further elucidate the role of SLC25A46 in mitochondrial dynamics.

Antemortem biopsy of the rectal mucosa was evaluated as a method for the preclinical diagnosis of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a herd of ranch-raised Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) quarantined because of exposure to CWD. Biopsy samples were obtained from 41 elk during the winter of 2005-2006 and from 26 elk from that herd still alive and available for testing during the winter of 2006-2007. Samples were examined for PrP(CWD), the protein marker for CWD infection, by immunohistochemistry. PrP(CWD) was detected in follicles of the rectoanal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue in biopsy samples from 1 elk with clinical signs of chronic wasting disease and 5 clinically normal elk. The diagnosis was confirmed in all 6 animals by postmortem analysis of brain and peripheral lymph nodes. PrP(CWD) was also observed in the submucosal plexus and myenteric plexus of the enteric nervous system, and in close association with nonmyelinated mucosal and submucosal nerve fibers. In antemortem rectal biopsy samples from positive animals, immunostaining was consistently observed in approximately 60% of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue follicles if 10 or more total follicles per biopsy were present for evaluation. Most antemortem biopsy samples obtained from elk younger than 6.5 years contained at least 10 follicles per rectal mucosal biopsy. These findings support the analysis of antemortem biopsy of the rectal mucosa samples as part of an integrated strategy to manage chronic wasting disease in Rocky Mountain elk.

Pancreatitis is recognized as an important and common problem in dogs, but diagnosis can be challenging. Recently, new assays for the measurement of trypsin-a1-proteinase inhibitor complexes and canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI and Spec cPL) have been developed and analytically validated. This is the first report of a direct comparison of the sensitivity of these and other more traditional serum markers for the diagnosis of canine pancreatitis in a subset of dogs with this disease (i.e., dogs with both macroscopic and microscopic changes characteristic of pancreatitis). Serum cPLI and Spec cPL concentrations showed the highest sensitivity for the diagnosis of pancreatitis in this group of patients. Further studies will be required to compare the specificity of these serum markers and thus determine their overall clinical utility.

Changing an animal's behavior takes time, owner commitment, and attention to specifics. Learn what you need to know when planning a desensitization and counterconditioning program.

The authors describe the adult of the trematode Floridatrema heardi n. gen, n. sp., parasite of the intestine of Oryzomys palustris (Mammalia:Rodentia) in Florida (USA). The new genus is placed among the Microphallidae, Maritrematidi, Maritrematinae, Maritrematini; near the genus Maritrema Nicoll, it is characterised by vitellaria in the form of a horseshoe and the anterior extension of two symmetrical uterine loops as far as the level of the pharynx, the left anterior uterine loop proceeding from the uterus proximally. The species lacks a spiny atrio-acetabular plate and concentric rings in the afferent sub-tegumentary musculature. The anotomical phenomenon of the anterior extension of the uterus in the Microphallidae is discussed.