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We characterized naturally occurring pigeon herpesvirus (PiHV; Columbid alphaherpesvirus 1) infection in domestic pigeons in California. We retrieved and analyzed 62 pathology reports produced between 1991 and 2014 at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System. In 56 of the cases, the diagnosis of PiHV infection was established based on histopathology, either alone (44 cases) or combined with virus isolation (VI; 8), transmission electron microscopy (TEM; 3), or PCR (1); in the remaining 6 cases, the diagnosis was established based on VI (5 cases) or TEM (1) alone. PiHV infection affected 1 system in 34, 2 in 16, and ≥3 systems in 6 cases; data were not available for the remaining 6 cases. Most commonly affected was the digestive system (55 cases), followed by the respiratory tract (5) and lymphoid system (2). The liver (39 cases), crop (17), and esophagus (14) were the organs affected most commonly. Many affected cells often bore single eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies. PiHV infection was a secondary diagnosis or incidental finding in 35 cases. Most (55) cases had 1 (21), or up to 4 (34), other concurrent infections; the most common concurrent infections were pigeon circoviral infection (26), trichomonosis (24), aspergillosis (11), and colibacillosis (10).

Buruli ulcer (BU) is a neglected tropical disease of skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. BU-endemic areas are highly focal, and M. ulcerans transmission dynamics vary by setting. In Victoria, Australia, BU is an endemic vector-borne zoonosis, with mosquitoes and native possums implicated in transmission, and humans incidental hosts. Despite the importance of possums as wildlife reservoirs of M. ulcerans, knowledge of BU in these animals is limited. Opportunistic necropsy-based and active trap-and-release surveillance studies were conducted across Melbourne and Geelong, Victoria, to investigate BU in possums. Demographic data and biological samples were collected, and cutaneous lesions suggestive of BU were mapped. Samples were tested for the presence of M. ulcerans DNA by IS2404 qPCR. The final dataset included 26 possums: 20 necropsied; 6 trapped and released. Most possums (77%) were common ringtails from inner Melbourne. Nine had ulcers, ranging from single and mild, to multiple and severe, exposing bones and tendons in three cases. M. ulcerans was confirmed in 73% (19/26) of examined possums: 8 with lesions and 11 without. Oral swabs were most frequently indicative of M. ulcerans infection status. Severely ulcerated possums had widespread systemic internal bacterial dissemination and were shedding M. ulcerans in faeces. The anatomical distribution of ulcers and PCR positivity of biological samples suggests possums may contract BU from bites of M. ulcerans-harbouring mosquitoes, traumatic skin wounds, ingestion of an unknown environmental source, and/or during early development in the pouch. Ringtail possums appear highly susceptible to infection with M. ulcerans and are important bacterial reservoirs in Victoria. Oral swabs should be considered for diagnosis or surveillance of infected possums. A One Health approach is needed to design and implement integrated interventions that reduce M. ulcerans transmission in Victoria, thereby protecting wildlife and humans from this emerging zoonotic disease. Author summary: Buruli ulcer (BU), a neglected tropical skin disease, is emerging as a public health concern in the temperate Australian state of Victoria. Here, BU is spread by mosquitoes, and native possums are wildlife reservoirs of the causative bacterium, Mycobacterium ulcerans. Possums can be infected by BU, but knowledge of infection and disease in these animals is limited. We conducted surveillance studies in the two largest cities of Victoria, examining live and deceased possums. We found skin lesions in a third of examined possums and confirmed presence of M. ulcerans in almost three-quarters of the animals. Mouth swabs were positive for the bacteria in nearly two thirds of possums, as were pouch swabs of almost half the females. We also conducted mapping of the bodily distribution of skin lesions and found that paws and the undersides of abdomens and tails were the most affected areas. Our findings add support to the concept that possums, particularly ringtails, are M. ulcerans reservoirs in Victoria, and suggest several possible routes of infection for free-living possums that warrant further research. Improved understanding of BU in possums may allow development of targeted interventions that reduce disease transmission and protect both animal and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory neoplasia is rarely reported in avian species. A 17-yr-old Quaker parrot (Myiopsitta monachus) was admitted with a 2-wk history of anorexia, depression, and respiratory distress. Clinical examination revealed a large, firm mass in the left pectoral muscle. Radiology showed a mass silhouetting the heart and the liver. Supportive treatment was provided, but the bird died during the seventh weekly visit to drain thoracic cavity fluid. Necropsy showed a white, 3 x 3 x 2-cm, hard, gritty sternal mass. Histology showed a nonencapsulated, moderately differentiated air sac carcinoma of the sternum. Immunohistochemically the neoplasm was cytokeratin positive and vimentin and calretinin negative. This is the first report of an air sac neoplasia in a Quaker parrot and one of few respiratory tumors in psittacines.

Abstract Background The occurrence of paratuberculosis in Ugandan cattle has recently been reported but there is no information on the strains of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) responsible for the disease. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterise MAP from seropositive cattle and paratuberculosis lesions in tissues obtained from slaughtered cattle in Uganda. Results Twenty one isolates of MAP were differentiated into 11 genotype profiles using seven genotyping loci consisting of Insertion Sequence 1311(IS1311), Mycobacterial interspersed repeat units (MIRU) (loci 2, 3), Variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) locus 32 and Short sequence repeats (SSR) (loci 1, 2 and 8). Three different IS1311 types and three MIRU 2 profiles (7, 9, 15 repeats) were observed. Two allelic variants were found based on MIRU 3 (1, 5 repeats), while VNTR 32 showed no polymorphism in any of the isolates from which it was successfully amplified. SSR Locus 1 revealed 6 and 7 G1 repeats among the isolates whereas SSR locus 2 revealed 10, 11 and 12 G2 repeats. SSR locus 8 was the most polymorphic locus. Phylogenetic analysis of SSR locus 8 sequences based on their single nucleotide polymorphisms separated the isolates into 8 genotypes. We found that the use of Ethylene glycol as a PCR additive improved the efficiency of the PCR reactions for MIRUs (2, 3), VNTR 32 and SSR (loci 1 and 2). Conclusions There is a high strain diversity of MAP in Uganda since 21 isolates could be classified into 11 genotypes. The combination of the seven loci used in this study results into a very precise discrimination of isolates. However analysis of SNPs on locus alone 8 is very close to this combination. Most of the genotypes in this study are novel since they differed in one or more loci from other isolates of cattle origin in different studies. The large number of MAP strains within a relatively small area of the country implies that the epidemiology of paratuberculosis in Uganda may be complicated and needs further investigation. Finally, the use of Ethylene glycol as a PCR additive increases the efficiency of PCR amplification of difficult templates.

An association between abortion and low selenium (Se) status in cattle has been suspected, but not confirmed previously. Abortion outbreaks in 3 Se-deficient beef cattle herds, between 2010 and 2013, are described. In total, 130 out of the 480 cattle aborted (27.1%): among these, 28/130 (21.5%) abortions were in herd 1, 47/150 (31.3%) in herd 2 and 55/200 (27.5%) in herd 3. Five aborted fetuses were examined grossly and histopathologically. Laboratory examinations for bacterial, viral and parasitic causes of abortions were conducted (fetuses, fetal membranes, cows' blood) and were found negative. Moreover, blood samples from 18 aborting cows were examined for Se, vitamin A and vitamin E concentrations. Blood Se levels in cows belonging to farms that experienced abortions were lower than reference values and significantly lower than 28 control cows from 3 herds without abortions (0.46±0.08 vs. 2.20±0.04 μmol/L; P<0.0001). Serum vitamin E and vitamin A concentrations were within reference range and did not differ from controls. Skeletal muscle and myocardial degeneration and atrophy were observed in 5 aborted calves. Abortions were significantly reduced from 26% to 1.1% following the subcutaneous administration of a Se and vitamin E containing commercial preparation to each of the remaining pregnant cows, at a dose 0.1 mg/kg body weight for Se and 8.98 mg/kg body weight for vitamin E. In conclusion, determination of whole blood Se status before late gestation is useful in early diagnosis of Se deficiency and should be included in the diagnostic panel when investigating abortions in cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An outbreak of goiter with high morbidity and mortality in a flock of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) in California is described. Forty-five out of 400 adult birds exhibited signs of illness, weight loss, and enlargement in the crop area; 15 of the 45 birds died over a 2–3-month period. Diet consisted of a commercial mixture with the addition of broccoli, whole oats, and carrots, but no minerals or supplements. Six budgerigars were subjected to necropsy; all 6 birds had severely enlarged thyroid glands. Thyroid follicular hyperplasia was histologically observed in all birds examined, while granulomatous thyroiditis and microfollicular adenoma were observed in 2 birds, respectively. Virological, bacteriological, parasitological, and heavy metal analyses were negative or within normal limits. The total iodine in the thyroid glands of affected birds was measured by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Following iodine supplementation and removal of broccoli from the diet, the owner reported weight gain and a reduced death rate among clinically affected birds; no additional birds became sick. The presence of broccoli with its iodine-binding ability and the complete lack of added minerals in the diet of these animals were thought to be the predisposing factors for the outbreak in the present study. Outbreaks of goiter accompanied by high mortality are rare in any species and, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, have not been described previously in any avian species. Recognition of this condition may help improve medical, welfare, and trade standards concerning this species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article focuses on an evaluation study on the effectiveness of enantiomeric naphthoquinones alkannin and shikonin (A/S) based ointment compared to Lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) on the dog's second intention wound healing. The effectiveness of A/S formulations have been clinically proven already in humans. The results of the study's Laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) showed that the tissue perfusion in A/S treatment was significantly higher than LRS. Angiogenesis, collagen production and epithelial thickness are higher also with A/S treatment.

The enantiomeric naphthoquinones alkannins and shikonins (A/S) have been established as potent wound healing agents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an A/S based ointment for humans on second intention wound healing in the dog, as compared to wound flushing with Lactated Ringer's solution (LRS). Ten mixed breed dogs, aged 2 to 5 y, were used. One 2.5 × 2.5 cm full-thickness skin defect was created on the lateral aspect of each arm for subjective evaluation, laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF), and planimetry. Additionally, 3 matching 2 × 2 cm wounds were created on opposite sides of the dorsal midline for histologic evaluation. Wounds were treated once daily with the A/S based ointment on the right side and by flushing with LRS on the left until healed (about 20 d). During the healing process, tissue perfusion (mean LDF value) was found to be significantly higher on the side treated with the A/S based ointment compared with the LRS-treated side. Histologically, angiogenesis (on days 4 and 11), collagen production score (on days 4, 11, and 20), and epithelial thickness score (on day 11) were significantly higher in the wounds treated with the A/S based ointment. Wound size, as evaluated by planimetry, decreased significantly from day 0 to day 20 on both sides, but no significant differences were found between the A/S based ointment and LRS-treated wounds.