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Background: In the livestock industry, Foreign Body Syndrome is a devastating disease condition. Feeding management, lacking of food discrimination, and eating chopped food increase the risk of swallowing sharp foreign bodies in bovine species. In addition to the honeycomb cells shape of the reticulum, the contractions of the reticular wall, gravid uterine pressure, and parturition efforts, foreign bodies can penetrate the reticular wall, causing cascade of problems including traumatic reticulitis, traumatic reticuloperitonitis, and traumatic pericarditis. The present study was carried out to evaluate the diagnostic significance of cardiac troponin I rapid test cassette and other cardiac biomarkers including serum cardiac troponin I (cTn I), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and aspartate aminotransferase enzyme (AST), in confirmed cases of traumatic pericarditis (TP) and/or traumatic reticuleoperitonitis (TRP) in cattle and buffaloes., Methods: A total number of 30 animals (22 cattle and 8 buffaloes) with different signs such as anorexia, jugular distension, brisket edema, and signs of pain (reluctance to move, arching back, and abduction of the forelimbs) were included in the present study. Based on case history, clinical signs, ferroscopic, pericardiocentesis, radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations, TP were confirmed in cattle (n = 10) and buffaloes (n = 8) while TRP were confirmed only in cattle (n = 12). Additionally, 20 clinically healthy animals (n = 10 cattle and 10 buffaloes) were used as a control group. Blood samples were collected for determination of blood level of Tn-I, and activity of CK-MB, LDH, and AST., Results: The obtained results revealed a highly significant increase in serum cTn I in diseased cattle with TP and TRP (P = 0.00), while buffaloes with TP showed no significant changes in serum cTn I (P = 0.111). Both diseased cattle and buffaloes showed increased serum activities of CK-MB, AST, and LDH enzyme. On the other hand, cardiac troponin I rapid test cassette failed to detect cTn I in diseased animals., Conclusion: The study concluded that the cardiac troponin I rapid test cassette did not have a diagnostic significance and could not be used as a point-of-care under field condition for diagnosis of TP and TRP in large ruminants. However, the serum troponin I level is helpful in diagnosis of TP and TRP in cattle. Although cardiac biomarkers have some diagnostic values in TP and TRP, the traditional diagnostic methods (clinical, radiography and ultrasonography examinations) are crucial for thorough evaluation of TP/TRP cases in bovine., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

A 1 yr old, 1.7 kg, spayed female Chihuahua was presented for respiratory distress and an enlarged cardiac silhouette as seen on thoracic radiographs. Echocardiogram revealed pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. Computed tomography revealed marked pleural and pericardial effusion, thickening of the pericardium caudally, and a mass along the mediastinum. Pericardial fluid obtained via pericardiocentesis showed suppurative inflammation with mixed anaerobic bacteria isolated on culture. Subtotal pericardiectomy and partial lung lobectomy was performed to treat septic pericarditis. Postoperative echocardiogram showed increased right-sided pressures consistent with constrictive epicarditis, and 10 days after surgery, the dog was re-presented for right-sided heart failure. An epicardectomy was performed. A definitive source of infection was not identified, although a penetrating foreign body (e.g., grass awn) was suspected. The dog recovered and 10 yr follow up revealed no evidence of constrictive pathology on echocardiogram. This case report demonstrates the successful treatment of septic pericarditis and constrictive epicarditis via subtotal pericardiectomy and epicardiectomy., (© 2023 by American Animal Hospital Association.)

Blackleg is an infectious disease caused by Clostridium chauvoei . Cardiac blackleg has been reported in ruminants as an uncommon presentation of the disease; its pathogenesis is not understood completely. We include here a literature review of cardiac blackleg and a description of 2 cases in 12-15-mo-old feedlot steers in Argentina. Fourteen of 1,190 steers died suddenly over a period of 10 d. Postmortem examinations were performed on 5 of these animals. Grossly, severe, diffuse, fibrinous pericarditis and pleuritis, multifocal necrohemorrhagic myocarditis, diffuse pulmonary congestion, mild splenomegaly, and moderate congestion of meningeal vessels were observed. No significant gross lesions were observed in the skeletal muscles of any animal. Histology was performed on 2 of the steers. The main microscopic features were necrotizing myocarditis with myriad intralesional gram-positive rods with subterminal spores plus fibrinosuppurative pericarditis and pleuritis. C. chauvoei was detected by immunohistochemistry and PCR in the myocardium of both animals. These findings confirm a diagnosis of cardiac blackleg in these 2 steers and presumptively in the other affected animals.

In broiler breeders, background mortality is rarely addressed, however, it represents the death of a vast number of birds, a constant productivity loss, welfare concerns and it might affect chick quality. The study aimed to unveil lesions leading to mortality in a study population perceived as healthy, combined with whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of Escherichia coli, a well-known contributor to disease problems in poultry. Broiler breeders (n = 340) originating from three distinct, putative healthy flocks and their progeny (n = 154) were subjected to a comprehensive post-mortem examination, bacteriological sampling, and sequencing of 77 E. coli isolates. Productivity data confirmed an exemplary health status of the enrolled flocks, and post-mortem examination further verified the absence of general disease problems. Among the submitted broiler breeders, exudative peritonitis (31.2%) was the most frequent lesion linked to infectious disease, whereas airsacculitis, pericarditis, perihepatitis, and salpingitis occurred in 18.5%, 3.5%, 3.8% and 17%, respectively. Yolksacculitis occurred in 15.6% of the broilers, whilst pericarditis, perihepatitis and peritonitis were diagnosed in 9.7%, 7.1% and 9.1%, respectively. WGS revealed a diverse population where ST95 dominated the population retrieved from broiler breeders, whereas ST10 was highly prevalent among broilers. Both lineages could be isolated from extraintestinal sites of birds without lesions indicative of infection. In general, the genetic diversity within flocks was comparable to the diversity between farms, and the overall occurrence of resistance markers was low. In conclusion, a comprehensive insight into lesions associated with background mortality is presented, together with a vast diversity of E. coli isolated from extraintestinal sites during a non-outbreak situation., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Samples of 363 Psittacidae were included in this study with a focus on cardiovascular diseases. These were identified in 28.9% of the animals, with pericarditis and/or epicarditis and myocarditis representing approximately half of all lesions and bacteria being the most common infectious cause. Cardiac lymphoma was only seen in 5 birds, whereas degenerative vascular lesions were diagnosed in 26.7% of the cases. Histopathology in the context of clinical findings and complementary examination results is the most useful tool for the evaluation of cardiac diseases., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors K. Jäger, A. Cerezo-Echevarria, and H. Aupperle-Lellbach are employed by Laboklin GmbH &Co KG, Bad Kissingen, Germany, a veterinary diagnostic laboratory., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study determined the prevalence of fibrinous pericarditis and its correlation with other pluck lesions in 658 batches of pigs from 236 intensive farms located in Northern Italy over a 12-month period. All pigs were slaughtered at 170 kg, and a total 57,943 plucks (approximately 90 pigs/batch) were individually assessed for the presence of fibrinous pericarditis, pneumonia, pleuritis, and liver milk spots. There was no seasonal variation in the prevalence of plucks with fibrinous pericarditis and annual mean prevalence was 5.6% (range, 0-26.3% at batch level; median, 4.71%). Farm of origin, evaluated as a random effect, accounted for 17.7% batch variation. Batches with a high prevalence of fibrinous pericarditis (≥7.7%) had higher prevalences of pleural, pulmonary, and liver lesions than those with low-middle prevalence of pericarditis; high prevalence of pericarditis was predictive of pluck lesions (P < 0.001). There was a highly significant association between fibrinous pericarditis and severe pleuritis, and 55% of plucks with the highest score for pleuritis also had ongoing fibrinous pericarditis, with a positive correlation at batch level (r 2 = 0.52; P < 0.001). The co-existence of pericarditis and pleuritis (73.5% of all pericarditis cases) suggests that pleuritis plays a role in the pathogenesis of pericarditis. Based on the prevalence fibrinous pericarditis, and the role of pleuritis as a potential comorbidity, abattoir data on pluck lesions with accompanying farm history, could aid the interpretation and management of on-farm health problems, and inform diagnostic protocols., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Respiratory disease is one of the major causes of losses to the pig industry worldwide. The pig subsector is the largest component of the livestock sector in the Philippines. Using lung scoring, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of thoracic lesions in slaughter-age pigs in two provinces in the Philippines (Batangas and Albay) and define classes for respiratory health of pigs characterised by different patterns of thoracic lesions. A total of 260 pigs from Batangas and 300 pigs from Albay from either commercial or backyard farm types were included in this cross-sectional study. Lungs were scored for cranio-ventral pneumonia (0-55) and pleurisy (0-3). Presence or absence of pericarditis as well as focal dorso-caudal pneumonia were recorded. Latent class analyses considering four indicator variables, and province and farm type as covariates were used to explore different patterns of thoracic lesions across the study populations. Using a threshold of ≥7, the prevalence of a high lung score was 51.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 42.3-61.4%) and 13.7% (95% CI: 8.1-22.2%) in Batangas and Albay, respectively. Similarly, the prevalence of a pleurisy score of ≥1 was 56.9% (95% CI: 37.5-74.4%) and 5.0% (95% CI: 2.9-8.4%), pericarditis 24.6% (95%CI: 10.1-48.6%) and 1.7% (95%CI: 0.3-6.7%) and focal dorso-caudal pneumonia lesions 7.7% (95% CI: 3.7-15.5%) and 0% (97.5% one-sided CI: 0-1.2%), respectively. Latent class analyses identified four classes based on lung score, pleurisy score and the presence/absence of pericarditis: "healthy", "mild respiratory disease", "moderate pneumonia", and "multi-lesion". The relative frequency of these classes differed with province and farm type. Most pigs from Albay were "healthy", whereas in Batangas most pigs from commercial farms were "multi-lesion" and those from backyard farms were in the "mild respiratory disease" class. This study has provided baseline data on thoracic lesions in slaughter-age pigs for the provinces of Batangas and Albay in the Philippines. Targeting farms and areas where "multi-lesion pigs" are most common and further research to identify risk factors for particular classes should maximize impact of future control measures. The latent class analysis approach used could be applied more widely and could add value to analysis of multi-morbidity data collected routinely as part of ongoing monitoring schemes., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomarkers of cardiac damage such as heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), pentraxin-3 (PTX-3), and thrombomodulin (TM) for the detection and prognosis of bovine traumatic pericarditis (TP). Spontaneous TP was diagnosed on the basis of history, clinical signs, complete blood count, glutaraldehyde test, ultrasonography, and pericardiocentesis findings. H-FABP, PTX-3 and TM levels in serum were compared between 25 Holstein cows diagnosed with spontaneous TP and 10 healthy control cows using bovine-specific ELISA kits. Serum H-FABP in cattle with TP was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in the control group and positively correlated with cardiac troponin-I (cTnI), creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB), PTX-3 and TM (r = 0.683, 0.342, 0.448 and 0.424, respectively; P < 0.05). The serum levels of PTX-3 (P < 0.05) and TM (P < 0.05) in cattle with TP were significantly higher than in the control group. Cardiac damage biomarkers H-FABP, PTX-3 and TM may be useful in the diagnosis of bovine TP.

The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of pathological lesions in pigs from small-scale farms and to determine associations between pathological lesions and hematological parameters, and carcass and meat quality in slaughtered pigs. The study was conducted on 625 pigs (~115 kg) originating from 20 small-scale farms. Any signs of pneumonia, pleurisy, pericarditis, and liver milk spots were recorded as present or absent. Complete blood count was investigated. The following carcass quality parameters were measured: live, hot and cold carcass weights, cooling loss, dressing percentage, backfat thickness, and meatiness. Meat pH and temperature were measured 45 min postmortem. Of the 625 examined pigs, 41.8% had pneumonia, 23.5% pleurisy, 2.7% pericarditis, and 29.9% liver milk spots. The presence of pathological lesions in slaughtered pigs adversely affected hematological parameters, reduced live, hot and cold carcass weights, and meatiness and had deleterious effects on meat quality (higher pH 45min and higher prevalence of dark, firm and dry meat). In conclusion, this study showed a high prevalence of pathological lesions in slaughtered pigs, indicating serious health problems in smallholder pig production systems. The presence of single and, especially, multiple pathological lesions in slaughtered pigs negatively affected hematological parameters, and carcass and meat quality., (© 2019 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinical signs, electrocardiographic signs and evolution of histopathological lesions in the heart of sheep experimentally infected by Trypanosoma vivax during the acute and chronic phases of infection as well as to investigate the presence of parasitic DNA in the heart using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twenty-two male sheep were divided into the following four groups: G1, which consisted of six sheep infected by T. vivax that were evaluated until 20 days post-infection (dpi; acute phase); G2, which consisted of six sheep infected by T. vivax that were evaluated until 90 dpi (chronic phase); and G3 and G4 groups, which each consisted of five uninfected sheep. At the end of the experimental period, electrocardiographic evaluations and necroscopic examinations were performed. Fragments of the heart were collected and stained by Hematoxylin-Eosin and Masson's trichrome, and the fragments were also evaluated by PCR for T. vivax. G2 animals presented clinical signs suggestive of heart failure and electrocardiogram alterations characterized by prolonged P, T and QRS complex durations as well as by a cardiac electrical axis shift to the left and increased heart rate. In these animals, mononuclear multifocal myocarditis and interstitial fibrosis were also observed. PCR revealed positivity for T. vivax in two G1 animals and in all G2 animals. Thus, these findings suggested that T. vivax is responsible for the occurrence of cardiac lesions, which are related to heart failure, electrocardiographic alterations and mortality of the infected animals., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Abscess formation in the pericardial space has been described as a rare complication of trauma, congenital defects, penetrating foreign body, or extension of local myocardial infection in the dog. Presented here is a case of a juvenile dog with septic pericardial effusion secondary to an isolated intrapericardial abscess. Surgical pericardiectomy was successful in removing the abscess and nidus for septic effusion in this patient, and histopathology of the abscess tissue was suggestive of foreign plant material migration as the nidus for abscess formation. Recheck echocardiogram at the six-month postoperative period showed no recurrence of pericardial effusion or abscessation. Although abscess formation and septic pericarditis secondary to foreign body migration is an uncommon cause for large volume pericardial effusion, this should be considered as a differential particularly in a young and previously healthy dog., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Pericardial, myocardial, and great vessel diseases are relatively rare in horses. The clinical signs are often nonspecific and vague, or related to the underlying cause. Physical examination usually reveals tachycardia, fever, venous distension or jugular pulsation, a weak or bounding arterial pulse, ventral edema, and abnormal cardiac auscultation such as arrhythmia, murmur, or muffled heart sounds. The prognosis depends on the underlying cause and the disease progression, and ranges from full recovery to poor prognosis for survival. This article focuses on the etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of pericarditis, pericardial mass lesions, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, and great vessel aneurysm or rupture., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Mycoplasma hyorhinis (Mhr) is a pathogen of pigs causing polyserositis and polyarthritis. The most susceptible population are nursery pigs of approximately 7 weeks of age, although we have shown that clinical signs can persist into finishing aged animals after a late-nursery infection. We have previously demonstrated the efficacy of a novel inactivated Mhr vaccine for the reduction of lameness and polyserositis in caesarian-derived colostrum-deprived (CDCD) pigs vaccinated at 3 weeks and challenged with Mhr at 6 weeks of age. Here we evaluated the duration of immunity (DOI) of the same vaccine. Vaccine or placebo was administered to CDCD pigs at 3 weeks of age. Pigs were challenged with Mhr at either 10 weeks of age (=7 week DOI) or 13 weeks of age (=10 week DOI). In the 7 week DOI, vaccination provided significant reductions in lameness (p = 0.0018), arthritis (p = 0.0002), and pericarditis (p = 0.0312) versus the placebo control. In the 10 week DOI, a significant reduction in arthritis (p = 0.0320) was observed in the vaccine group as compared to the placebo group. Both vaccine groups showed a significant increase (p < 0.0001) in the post-challenge average daily gain (ADG), gaining 0.2 kg/day more than their respective placebo groups., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pasteurella multocida type A (PmA) is considered a secondary agent of pneumonia in pigs. The role of PmA as a primary pathogen was investigated by challenging pigs with eight field strains isolated from pneumonia and serositis in six Brazilian states. Eight groups of eight pigs each were intranasally inoculated with different strains of PmA (1.5 mL/nostril of 10e7 CFU/mL). The control group (n = 12) received sterile PBS. The pigs were euthanized by electrocution and necropsied by 5 dpi. Macroscopic lesions were recorded, and swabs and fragments of thoracic and abdominal organs were analyzed by bacteriological and pathological assays. The PmA strains were analyzed for four virulence genes (toxA: toxin; pfhA: adhesion; tbpA and hgbB: iron acquisition) by PCR and sequencing and submitted to multilocus sequence typing (MLST)., Results: The eight PmA strains were classified as follows: five as highly pathogenic (HP) for causing necrotic bronchopneumonia and diffuse fibrinous pleuritis and pericarditis; one as low pathogenic for causing only focal bronchopneumonia; and two as nonpathogenic because they did not cause injury to any pig. PCR for the gene pfhA was positive for all five HP isolates. Sequencing demonstrated that the pfhA region of the HP strains comprised four genes: tpsB1, pfhA1, tpsB2 and pfhA2. The low and nonpathogenic strains did not contain the genes tpsB2 and pfhA2. A deletion of four bases was observed in the pfhA gene in the low pathogenic strain, and an insertion of 37 kb of phage DNA was observed in the nonpathogenic strains. MLST clustered the HP isolates in one group and the low and nonpathogenic isolates in another. Only the nonpathogenic isolates matched sequence type 10; the other isolates did not match any type available in the MLST database., Conclusions: The hypothesis that some PmA strains are primary pathogens and cause disease in pigs without any co-factor was confirmed. The pfhA region, comprising the genes tpsB1, tpsB2, pfhA1 and pfhA2, is related to the pathogenicity of PmA. The HP strains can cause necrotic bronchopneumonia, fibrinous pleuritis and pericarditis in pigs and can be identified by PCR amplification of the gene pfhA2.

To evaluate the virulence of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolates obtained from colibacillosis cases associated with pericarditis, perihepatitis, and salpingitis, the embryo lethality assay and experimental infection model in chicks were used in this study. According to the established criteria based on mortality in the embryo lethality assay for evaluating the virulence of E. coli isolates, 23 of the 26 APEC isolates associated with pericarditis and perihepatitis and 8 of the 20 isolates associated with salpingitis were found to be virulent. Isolate D137, which had been obtained from a case with pericarditis and perihepatitis and had an embryo mortality of 92%, and isolate D445, which had been obtained from a case with pericarditis and perihepatitis and had an embryo mortality of 17%, were used for the experimental infection. Four of the five 11-day-old chickens inoculated through the air sac with isolate D137 died 1 day postinoculation, and the challenge strain was recovered from the air sac, pericardial sac, or liver; however, colibacillosis lesions were found in only one of the five birds postmortem. All five chicks inoculated with isolate D445 survived for 7 days postinoculation and exhibited airsacculitis or pericarditis lesions at 7 days postinoculation; the challenge strain was not recovered from the lesions postmortem. The results obtained in this study suggest that the different APEC isolates tested cause illness in chickens through distinct pathogenesis.

Objectives: To develop a provisional immunohistochemistry panel for distinguishing reactive pericardium, atypical mesothelial proliferation and mesothelioma in dogs., Materials and Methods: Archived pericardial biopsies were subject to haematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin, vimentin, insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3, glucose transporter 1 and desmin. Samples were scored for intensity and number of cells stained., Results: Ten biopsies of reactive mesothelium, 17 of atypical mesothelial proliferation, 26 of mesothelioma and five of normal pericardium were identified on the basis of haematoxylin and eosin staining. Cytokeratin and vimentin were expressed in all biopsies, confirming mesothelial origin. Normal pericardial samples had the lowest scores for insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3, glucose transporter 1 and desmin. Mesothelioma and atypical proliferative samples were similar to each other, with higher scores for insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3 and glucose transporter 1 than the reactive samples. Desmin staining was variable. Insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3 was the best to distinguish between disease groups., Clinical Significance: An immunohistochemistry panel of cytokeratin, vimentin, insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3 and glucose transporter 1 could provide superior information compared with haematoxylin and eosin staining alone in the diagnosis of cases of mesothelial proliferation in canine pericardium, but further validation is warranted., (© 2018 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.)

Background: Pericarditis is a sporadic, but important cause of critical illness in horses of all ages. There is limited information on whether Thoroughbred horses that survive pericarditis are able to reach athletic potential., Objectives: To determine how pericarditis affected horses that had the disease as young animals with regard to selling price in public sales and the ability to race successfully., Study Design: Retrospective case series., Methods: Medical records were searched to identify pericarditis cases. Signalment and month of diagnosis were noted and Thoroughbreds with ultrasonographically confirmed pericarditis that presented from 2 months to 3 years old were identified. For this subgroup data on sales and racing performed were obtained from publicly available databases to determine long-term survival and post-treatment outcomes from these horses and their unaffected half-siblings., Results: Horses that survived pericarditis as young animals may recover growth and maturation rates quickly enough to reach expected sales prices at public sales for horses of racing age and recovered horses can have successful racing careers., Main Limitations: The number of horses in this case series was not sufficient to enable statistical comparisons between affected horses and unaffected half-siblings, but description of sales prices and race earnings nevertheless yields information about the chances for affected young horses to achieve their intended purposes., Conclusions: Young Thoroughbreds with pericarditis warrant treatment and can sell and have successful racing careers., (© 2017 EVJ Ltd.)

Mycoplasma hyorhinis (MHR) is a major cause of lameness, arthritis, and polyserositis among growing pigs. Reduced performance and culling due to MHR infection result in economic losses in swine production. We have previously developed an MHR challenge model in seven week-old CDCD pigs using cell-associated challenge material which results in both severe pericarditis and lameness. In this study we sequentially challenged CDCD pigs at seven, ten, thirteen, and sixteen weeks of age. Lameness was observed in >60% of the animals in the first three age groups but only 33% in the oldest age group. The number of animals with arthritis declined from 100% at seven weeks, to 56% at ten weeks and approximately 25% at both thirteen and sixteen weeks of age. Pericarditis was observed in 87% of the seven week challenge group, 28% in the ten week challenge group, 8% in the thirteen week challenge group and 4% in the sixteen week challenge group. All challenged groups showed a reduced average daily gain (ADG) compared to their age-matched non-challenged control groups. The largest disparity in ADG (1.2 lbs/day difference) was noted at thirteen weeks of age. Results of this study demonstrate that these animals were susceptible to MHR-associated lameness through sixteen weeks of age while susceptibility to MHR-associated polyserositis appeared to peak at seven weeks of age., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Collection of abattoir data related to public health is common worldwide. Standardised on-going programmes that collect information from abattoirs that inform producers about the presence and frequency of disease that are important to them rather than public health hazards are less common. The three voluntary pig health schemes, implemented in the United Kingdom, are integrated systems which capture information on different macroscopic disease conditions detected in slaughtered pigs. Many of these conditions have been associated with a reduction in performance traits and consequent increases in production costs. The schemes are the Wholesome Pigs Scotland in Scotland, the British Pig Health Scheme in England and Wales and the Pig Regen Ltd. health and welfare checks in Northern Ireland. In this study, four post mortem conditions (pericarditis, milk spots, papular dermatitis and tail damage) were surveyed and analysed over a ten and half year period, with the aim to compare the prevalence, monthly variations, and yearly trends between schemes. Liver milk spot was the most frequently recorded condition while tail damage was the least frequently observed condition. The prevalence of papular dermatitis was relatively low compared to liver milk spot and pericarditis in the three schemes. A general decreasing trend was observed for milk spots and papular dermatitis for all three schemes. The prevalence of pericarditis increased in Northern Ireland and England and Wales; while Scotland in recent years showed a decreasing trend. An increasing trend of tail damage was depicted in Scotland and Northern Ireland until 2013/2014 followed by a decline in recent years compared to that of England and Wales with a decreasing trend over the full study period. Monthly effects were more evident for milk spots and papular dermatitis. Similarity of the modus operandi of the schemes made the comparison of temporal variations and patterns in gross pathology between countries possible over time, especially between countries with similar pig production profile. This study of temporal patterns enables early detection of prevalence increases and alerts industry and researchers to investigate the reasons behind such changes. These schemes are, therefore, valuable assets for endemic disease surveillance, early warning for emerging disease and also for monitoring of welfare outcomes., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A 19-year-old captive male waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) exhibited traumatic pericarditis at necropsy. The animal weighed 182 kg at necropsy and revealed no remarkable findings in external observation. Severe pericardial adhesions with fibrosis, hepato-diaphragmatic adhesions, straw-colored ascites and hepatosplenomegaly were observed upon examining the internal organs. Perforations made by a 12-cm-long sharp-ended bamboo twig were detected in the reticulum, diaphragm, pericardium, lung and liver. Trueperella pyogenes was identified in pericardial fluid. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of traumatic reticulopericarditis caused by a sharp-ended bamboo twig in a captive waterbuck.

Spontaneous mortality of seemingly healthy, farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) is an increasing problem in Norwegian aquaculture. In this study, we present a morphological study of the previously undescribed syndrome of arteriosclerosis of the ventral aorta and epicarditis of the adjacent bulbus arteriosus found in farmed Atlantic salmon, with wild-captured fish as a control group. Both the ventral aorta and epicardium are vital for correct arterial compliance and vascular resistance in the respiratory capillaries of the gills. We discuss the possible implications of ventral aorta arteriosclerosis and epicarditis for blood vascular health and in particular for the increasing frequency of spontaneous gill bleeding in farmed salmon. As both these conditions primarily occur in farmed salmon, we suggest that they should be considered pathological., (© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

A 5-year-old, intact, male Yorkshire Terrier presented with a 6-day history of lethargy and anorexia. Clinical examination revealed dental plaque accumulation, abdominal effort during respiration and muffled heart sounds. Thoracic radiographs revealed an enlarged globoid cardiac silhouette and mild pneumopericardium, transthoracic ultrasonography revealed a pericardial effusion after which pericardiocentesis, cytology and culture diagnosed septic pericarditis. Three multidrug-resistant bacteria were isolated, two of which have been implicated in gas-producing infections before. Medical management failed to resolve the pericarditis and euthanasia was opted for. A chronic osseocartilaginous oesophageal foreign body cranial to the heart base was found on necropsy. Septic pericarditis and pneumopericardium are rare conditions in dogs. This is the first case to describe a multidrug-resistant polybacterial aetiology causing mild pneumopericardium and only the second case to describe septic pericarditis associated with an oesophageal foreign body.

An approximately 10-yr-old, captive-born female toco toucan ( Ramphastos toco ) was presented due to an acute onset of depression and apathy. On visual and physical examination, it showed an abnormal posture and dehydration, respectively. Serum biochemistry revealed hyperuricemia (39.4 mg/dl) and elevated glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT; 1,050 U/L). Radiographs demonstrated an enlargement of the cardiac silhouette. The bird died 7 days after presentation, despite treatment with enrofloxacin, allopurinol, a preparation of hepatorenal protectors, and complex B vitamins with dextrose. Necropsy revealed severe fibrinohemorrhagic pericarditis with a 15 mm long and 2.5 mm diameter, rigid foreign body in the pericardial exudate. Microscopically, this foreign body was of vegetal origin.

Cefquinome is a fourth-generation cephalosporin with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, including activity against enteric gram-negative bacilli such as Riemerella anatipestifer. The pericarditis model was used to examine the pharmacodynamic characteristics of cefquinome against R. anatipestifer. Serum levels of cefquinome following the administration of different doses were determined by LC-MS/MS. Ducks with ca. 10(6) CFU/mL at the initiation of therapy were treated with cefquinome at doses that ranged from 0.0156 to 2 mg/kg of body weight/day (in 3, 6, 12, or 24 divided doses) for 24 h. The percentage of a 24-h dosing interval that the unbound serum cefquinome concentrations exceeded the MIC (fT > MIC) were the pharmacokinetic (PK)-pharmacodynamic (PD) parameter that best correlated with efficacy (R(2) 86.3% for R. anatipestifer, compared with 58.9% for the area under the concentration-time curve/MIC and 10.6% for peak/MIC). A sigmoid Emax model was used to estimate the magnitudes of the %fT > MIC associated with net bacterial stasis, a 1-log10 CFU reduction from baseline, and a 2-log10 CFU reduction from baseline; the corresponding values were (22.5 ± 1.3) %, (35.2 ± 4.5) %, and (42.4 ± 2.7) %. These data showed that treatment with cefquinome results in marked antibacterial effects in vivo against R. anatipestifer and that the host's immunity may also play a key role in the anti-infective therapy process., (© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Disease outbreaks occurred during 2007-2013 in Taiwan with 2.5-10% mortality among the cage cultured cobia, Rachycentron canadum (L.), characterized by the presence of polyserositis, pericarditis and peritonitis. The micro-organisms isolated from internal organs were Gram-positive cocci. The isolates were confirmed as Streptococcus dysgalactiae by a polymerase chain reaction assay that yielded the expected specific 259 bp amplicon. Additionally, partial sequence of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region of the GCS strain isolates from fish was also compared and produced 100% sequence identity with S. dysgalactiae (GenBank accession number AB252398). The genetic characterization was then determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis. Based on PFGE, the Apa I or Sma I digestion patterns of chromosomal DNA of these isolates were grouped into three main clusters. Taiwanese strains were divided into two clusters, and the tet(M) gene was detected in cluster 1 (pulsotypes: A1-A2 and S1-S3), but not in cluster 2 strains (pulsotypes: A3-A4 and S4-S5). Three Japanese strains from amberjack, Seriola dumerili (Risso), were grouped into cluster 3 (pulsotypes: A5-A7 and S6-S8) and displayed no mortality to cobia in the challenge experiment. Conversely, Taiwanese strains from cobia and snubnose pompano, Trachinotus blochii (L.), displayed a mortality rate of 50-87.5% in cobia., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: The use of secondary data is widespread in a range of surveillance and monitoring applications because of the low cost and high availability associated with this form of data. However, as they are often collected for quite unrelated purposes, they are not necessarily fit for the new purpose that is required of them. Routine meat inspection data were originally collected with the purpose of safeguarding food, but have been re-tasked to also include animal welfare assessment. The objective of the present study was to compare the recording of pericarditis, pleuritis and lungs with lesions at routine meat inspection (RMI) with those performed at systematic health monitoring (SHM) in Danish pigs at slaughter, in order to assess the usefulness of RMI for monitoring the prevalence of these diseases. Data originating from 165 Danish pig herds were collected in the period September 2011 to November 2013. From each herd, a batch consisting of all pigs slaughtered on a specific day from a specific farm were included as the RMI data, while lungs and hearts sampled from the batches were used for the SHM. The RMI data and SHM data included recordings related to a) chronic pericarditis, b) chronic pleuritis and c) lung lesions. The proportion of carcases with a specific disease recording was estimated for each batch of pigs, and linear regression was used to relate the RMI-proportion to the SHM-proportion for the conditions mentioned above., Results: The coefficients of determination (R(2)) were estimated as R(2),pericarditis = 0.16; R(2),pleuritis = 0.67; R(2),lungs with lesions = 0.40. R(2),pericarditis changed to 0.42 when the regression analysis included inspection type at the abattoir (with purely visual inspection of the hearts versus traditional inspection including an incision into the heart)., Conclusions: Overall, the results suggest that the correlation between findings at RMI and SHM was moderate for pleuritis and lungs with lesions, but poor for pericarditis. The latter could partly be explained by the type of meat inspection conducted at the abattoir. We conclude that caution should be used whenever RMI data are used for purposes other than those for which they were originally intended.

A dog evaluated for acute onset of neurologic clinical signs was discovered to have a porcupine quill traversing the left atrium with fungal endocarditis. The dog had been quilled by a porcupine one month prior to presentation and had had several quills removed from the thoracic inlet and left dorsal shoulder areas. A new murmur was identified during the initial examination. Echocardiographic changes consistent with mitral valve endocarditis were identified, in addition to a linear, hyperechoic structure in the left atrium. A thoracic CT identified a possible mediastinal migrating foreign body tract. The foreign body was surgically removed and confirmed as a porcupine quill. Routine aerobic cultures of blood and pericardial samples resulted in growth of presumptive candidal organisms. PCR amplification and sequencing of samples from pericardial cultures identified the presence of a fungal organism, Lodderomyces elongisporus. The neurologic signs were attributed to a left-sided central vestibular lesion presumed secondary to an embolic event from infective endocarditis. After 3 months of antimicrobial and antifungal therapy the valvular changes had markedly improved and the clinical signs resolved. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of fungal endocarditis secondary to an intracardiac foreign body in a dog., (Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Case Series: Three foals, aged between 5 and 10 days, were presented for assessment of lethargy, abdominal pain and joint effusion. Fibrinous pericarditis and pericardial effusion (PE) were recognised in each foal and considered as sequelae to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and suspected or confirmed septicaemia., Clinical Course and Outcome: Diagnosis of pericarditis was made in two foals by echocardiographic examination and analysis of pericardial fluid, and during postmortem examination of the third foal. In both of the foals that underwent pericardiocentesis, PE was an exudate, no bacteria were identified on cytological analysis and bacterial culture was negative. Despite apparent response to treatment, two foals died 2 and 3 weeks, respectively, after discharge from hospital. One foal was euthanased during hospitalisation., Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: This report highlights the need to consider the development of pericarditis and PE in foals with SIRS and signs of cardiorespiratory dysfunction, and the requirement for protracted follow-up to monitor for clinical resolution., (© 2014 Australian Veterinary Association.)

Septic pericarditis and myocardial abscess are rare conditions in dogs. They are usually caused by foreign bodies, penetrating wounds, systemic infections or extension of local infections such as endocarditis, pleuritis or pulmonary infections to the myocardial tissue. Here we report a septic pericardial effusion and myocardial abscess in a young English Springer spaniel presenting with a long history of pyrexia and lethargy. No cause could clearly be identified although a penetrating injury or dissolving foreign body was highly suspected. The patient was successfully treated with a surgical approach in combination with broad spectrum antibacterials resulting in resolution of clinical signs without recurrence of the infection., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe a unique cause of septic pericarditis in a cat and detail the successful case management strategy., Case Summary: A 6-year-old sexually intact female Ragdoll cat was evaluated for a 7-day history of progressive lethargy, anorexia, and vaginal discharge. Thoracic radiographs revealed a markedly globoid cardiac silhouette and pleural effusion while the initial echocardiogram showed moderate volume pericardial effusion. Following pericardiocentesis, cytologic evaluation of the pericardial effusion revealed septic suppurative inflammation with intra- and extracellular Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrated a moderate amount of echogenic uterine fluid accumulation with a right-sided uterine horn mass. After stabilization with pericardiocentesis, IV fluid therapy and IV antimicrobials, the cat underwent ovariohysterectomy and partial pericardiectomy. Histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of pyometra and septic pericarditis. Uterine and pericardial fluid bacterial culture yielded Escherichia coli with identical antimicrobial sensitivity spectrums., New or Unique Information Provided: Septic pericarditis is a rare cause of pericardial effusion in the cat. Previous reported cases have either suggested the cause to be secondary to transient bacteremia resulting from a local infection seeding the pericardium or for the cause to remain unknown. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first veterinary report of septic pericarditis resulting from hematogeneously spread bacteria originating from a urogenital infection. It is also the first report of successful surgical management of septic pericarditis in the cat., (© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2012.)

Hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) is a disease of poultry that is caused by fowl adenovirus-4. Inactivated liver homogenate from diseased birds is still the choice of vaccine in some countries which disseminates numerous pathogens along with inactivated virus. Moreover incomplete attenuation or inactivation, reversion to virulence and the oncogenic potential/genetic instability of the adenoviruses have prevented their use in routine vaccines. To address this problem an effort is made to develop a subunit vaccine. For this purpose penton base protein of HPS virus was expressed in Escherichia coli and used as subunit vaccine in broilers. Immunogenicity of the recombinant penton base protein and challenge protection test against pathogenic virus demonstrated the ability of recombinant penton base protein to confer (90%) protection. Results suggest that the recombinant penton base protein is a candidate for subunit vaccine against HPS., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The present study describes the pathological and bacteriological findings and diagnosis by immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence methods in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) naturally infected with Salmonella gallinarum obtained from three commercial budgerigar rearing farms. The course of the disease in young budgerigars was peracute or acute, whereas in adult budgerigars the disease was acute or chronic. Clinically, yellow-white diarrhoea was observed in the young budgerigars with the acute form. In the adult budgerigars with the acute and chronic forms, a decrease in feed and water consumption with loss in body condition together with greenish-yellow diarrhoea was generally noted. Peritonitis and pericarditis were the most common findings in young budgerigars at necropsy, while in adult budgerigars scattered grey-white necrotic foci were found in the livers. Histopathologically, the lesions in young budgerigars were characterized with fibrinonecrotic peritonitis and/or pericarditis and necrotic hepatitis. In adult budgerigars with acute infection, hepatic necrosis with focal heterophil infiltration was present; whilst lesions in the chronic cases were granulomatous in nature with the infiltration of macrophages, lymphocytes and histiocytes. For the detection of S. Gallinarum in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex and immunofluorescence methods were used. Both methods showed bacteria to be localized in the liver, kidney, peritoneum, heart, spleen and intestines of both young and adult budgerigars. The results of the present study indicate that the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method was more sensitive than the immunofluorescence method in the detection of the bacteria.

Increased mortality and problems with lameness were reported in Dutch broiler flocks from the year 2008 onwards. Therefore, a field inventory, including 10 affected broiler flocks, nine corresponding broiler breeder flocks and five hatcheries, was carried out. The onset of clinical signs (lameness and increased mortality) started at about 2 weeks of age. The flock mortality varied from 3.1 to 8.1% at slaughter. Post-mortem lesions of broiler flocks were characterized by the occurrence of pericarditis/hydropericardium, arthritis and femoral head necrosis. Enterococcus cecorum was isolated from approximately 30% of the lesions. In the broiler breeders, E. cecorum was not isolated from any of the lesions. However, it was isolated from 31 out of 65 (47%) cloacal swabs, from two out of 65 (3%) oviduct samples, from one out 65 (1.5%) bone marrow samples and from two out of 25 (8%) blood samples. E. cecorum was not isolated from the air samples or dead-in-shell originating from the hatcheries involved. In total, 78 isolates were subjected to further typing by means of tRNA intergenic spacer PCR and confirmed as E. cecorum. The genetic relatedness of these cocci was subsequently studied using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The banding patterns of approximately 68% of E. cecorum isolates originating from parent stock flocks were clonal to one or more isolates of the same or other parent flocks. In contrast, isolates originating from their diseased offspring showed much greater genetic variation. Therefore, the vertical transmission of E. cecorum could not be demonstrated.

Three pathogens, Riemerella anatipestifer, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica, are leading causes of bacterial fibrinous pericarditis and perihepatitis in ducks in China and worldwide. It is difficult to differentiate these pathogens when obtaining a diagnosis on clinical signs and pathological changes. The aim of this research was to develop a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (m-PCR) that could discriminate R. anatipestifer, E. coli, and S. enterica rapidly in field isolates, or detect the three bacteria in clinical samples from diseased ducks. We selected the DnaB helicase (dnaB) gene of R. anatipestifer, alkaline phosphatase (phoA) gene of E. coli and invasion protein (invA) gene of S. enterica as target genes. In optimized conditions, the limitation of detection was approximately 10(3) colony forming units (CFU) of each of these three bacterial pathogens per PCR reaction tube. The m-PCR method showed specific amplification of respective genes from R. anatipestifer, E. coli, and S. enterica. Using the m-PCR system, bacterial strains isolated from diseased ducks in our laboratory were categorized successfully, and the pathogens could also be detected in clinical samples from diseased ducks. Therefore, the m-PCR system could distinguish the three pathogens simultaneously, for identification, routine molecular diagnosis and epidemiology, in a single reaction., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Traumatic pericarditis is one of the most significant bovine cardiac diseases. The authors describe the use of intraoperative echocardiography and successful surgical treatment of a case of traumatic pericarditis. A seven-year-old Hungarian Simmental dairy cow in late pregnancy showed severe oedema of the throat region and brisket, as well as jugular distension. Cardiac auscultation demonstrated tachycardia with a normal cardiac rhythm. The heart sounds were muffled, but no cardiac murmur or splashing sounds were heard. A large amount of echogenic fluid with some strands of fibrin was seen in the pericardial and right pleural cavities by ultrasonography. Ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis demonstrated the presence of a thick, fetid and purulent exudate. Pericardiotomy was performed in standing position with sedation and local anaesthesia. After costal resection, intraoperative echocardiography was performed. It showed an echogenic tract between the caudal pericardium and diaphragm, but no foreign body was seen. Two weeks after the surgery, the cow delivered a healthy bull-calf. Intraoperative echocardiography - not reported earlier - can be applied to evaluate the entire bovine pericardial sac and heart. The report also demonstrates that surgical treatment of traumatic pericarditis can be successful in carefully selected cases.

The current study was planned to develop an efficient vaccine against hydropericardium syndrome virus (HSV). Currently, formalin-inactivated liver organ vaccines failed to protect the Pakistan broiler industry from this destructive disease of economic importance. A field isolate of the pathogenic hydropericardium syndrome virus was adapted to chicken embryos after four blind passages. The chicken embryo-adapted virus was further serially passaged (12 times) to get complete attenuation. Groups of broiler chickens free from maternal antibodies against HSV at the age of 14 days were immunized either with 16th passage attenuated HSV vaccine or commercially formalized liver organ vaccine. The antibody response, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the group immunized with the 16th passage attenuated HSV vaccine compared to the group immunized with liver organ vaccine at 7, 14, and 21 days post-immunization. At 24 days of age, the broiler chickens in each group were challenged with 10(3.83) embryo infectious dose(50) of pathogenic HSV and were observed for 7 days post-challenge. Vaccination with the 16th passage attenuated HSV gave 94.73% protection as validated on the basis of clinical signs (5.26%), gross lesions in the liver and heart (5.26%), histopathological lesions in the liver (1.5 ± 0.20), and mortality (5.26%). The birds inoculated with liver organ vaccine showed significantly low (p < 0.05; 55%) protection estimated on the basis of clinical signs (40%), gross lesions in the liver and heart (45%), histopathological lesions in the liver (2.7 ± 0.72), and mortality (35%). Birds in the unvaccinated control group showed high morbidity (84%), mortality (70%), gross (85%), and histopathological lesions (3.79 ± 0.14) with only 10% protection. In conclusion, this newly developed HSV vaccine proved to be immunogenic and has potential for controlling HSV infections in chickens.

A 6-year retrospective study (2000-2005) of animals slaughtered at the Zango abattoir in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria was carried out to determine disease conditions encountered in slaughtered animals. Records kept at the abattoir were analysed. A total of 69,307 cattle, 3,820 goats and 1,763 sheep were slaughtered for the period under study. Of the 69,307 cattle slaughtered for the period, 22,459 (32.41%) were males and 46,848 (67.59%) were females, while 1,763 sheep were slaughtered comprising of 506 (28.70%) males and 1,257 (71.30%) females, and 3,820 goats made up of 1,212 (31.73%) males and 2,608 (68.27%) were females. The major disease and/or pathological conditions were helminthosis (fascioliasis, haemonchosis and paramphistomosis) 16.20%, Streptothricosis 4.15%, Pericarditis 2.20%, liver cirrhosis 2.08%, abscesses 1.04%, pneumonia 0.14%, nephritis 0.05% and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, Tuberculosis and Nocardiosis 0.01% each. Out of the 15,075 infected organs, 13,314 (88.38%) were partially salvaged while 1,751 (11.6%) whole organs were condemned. A total of 1,239 pregnant cows, 221 pregnant ewes and 637 pregnant does were slaughtered, representing a foetal wastage of 2.65% for cattle, 17.58% for sheep and 24.43% for goats. The result of this study apart from serving as an indicator of field disease condition also demonstrates cases of serious losses in production due to slaughter of pregnant animals especially for sheep and goats.

Forty buffaloes with traumatic pericarditis were examined to characterise the ultrasonographic findings in buffaloes with traumatic pericarditis, determine the extent of the lesions and assess the prognosis. The most noticeable clinical presentations were presternal oedema (73 per cent) and jugular and mammary vein distension (88 per cent). Laboratory findings included neutrophilic leucocytosis, elevated total protein concentration, hypoalbuminaemia, hypergammaglobulinaemia and increased concentration of free fatty acids. Ultrasonographically, fluid in the pericardium appeared as either mild or massive anechoic accumulations containing fibrin threads or were imaged as homogenous, echogenic pericardial effusions. Moderate to severe corrugation of the reticular wall was observed. Deposits of fibrinous tissue interspersed with fluid pockets were seen between the reticulum, dorsal ruminal sac and diaphragm. Perireticular and mediastinal abscesses were imaged and appeared as echogenic lines with anechoic, echogenic, homogenous or heterogeneous contents. Additional ultrasonographic findings included hepatomegaly, dilation of the caudal vena cava, hepatic and portal veins, ascites, echogenic pleural effusions and vegetations of the tricuspid, mitral and pulmonary valves. The ultrasonographic findings were confirmed at postmortem examination.

Over a period of 22 months 13 official meat inspection authorities examined a number of 152 520 swine at an Austrian slaughterhouse for pathologic-anatomic changes (five parameters). Of those veterinarians whose reliability in the recording of findings was a given, the results were analysed by employing a mathematical model which assessed whether the activities of 25 attending veterinarians and 223 farmers actually lead to an improvement of animal health in their livestock. Mild pneumonia was registered in 14.5% of swine; no attending veterinarians had any influence whatsoever on the occurrence of this parameter. Farmers' activities improved animal health on two farms (0.9%), six farms of origin (2.69%) showed significantly lower findings than the average of all farms. Pleurisy was ascertained in 22% of all slaughter pigs. Through measures taken, four attending veterinarians (16%) caused a reduction of incidents, two works managers (0.9%) made worse, six farmers (2.69%) improved animal health of their live stock. Seven farmers (3.14%) showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher, 28 farms (12.6%) lower prevalence. Pericarditis affected 4.5% of the animals in question. On all farms of origin the condition of health remained unchanged by measures taken by veterinarians. On two farms (0.9%) the influence exercised by farmers led to a deterioration of the health of swine, six businesses (2.69%) showed higher, one (0.45%) lower prevalence than on average. 6.2% of swine showed white spots. Attending veterinarians did not influence this parameter at all. With preventive measures taken five farms (2.24%) showed less, three farms (1.35%) higher prevalence by the end of the 22 month term. Mange concerned 2.2% of all slaughter pigs. The activities of one veterinarian (4%) caused the number of incidents to double; on six farms (2.69%) a significantly higher prevalence was registered. Whatever influence exercised, the status of health of slaughter pigs remained unchanged throughout the duration of the study.

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium with accumulation of serous or fibrinous inflammatory products. In cattle, it is almost always attributable to a reticular foreign body that has penetrated the reticular wall, diaphragm and pericardial sac. The lead signs of pericarditis are tachycardia, muffled heart sounds, asynchronous abnormal heart sounds, distension of the jugular veins and submandibular, brisket and ventral abdominal oedema. The glutaraldehyde test is an important diagnostic tool because it is positive in >90% of affected cattle. Other common laboratory findings are leukocytosis and hyperfibrinogenaemia (indicating inflammation), and elevation of liver enzyme activity (reflecting hepatic congestion). Radiographs of the thorax and reticulum often show a foreign body cranial to the reticulum. In the majority of cases, massive fibrinopurulent adhesions obscure the cardiophrenic angle, cardiac silhouette and ventral diaphragm. Ultrasonography is the method of choice for diagnosis and characterisation of pericardial effusion. Echogenic deposits and strands of fibrin are seen on the epicardium, and the ventricles are compressed by the effusion. Severe pleural effusion is usually evident. In cattle with distension of the jugular veins and tachycardia, the differential diagnosis includes right-sided cardiac insufficiency attributable to other causes. Distension of the jugular veins without signs of right-sided cardiac insufficiency may occur with obstruction or compression of the cranial vena cava. The prognosis is poor, and pericardiocentesis or pericardiotomy are inadequate methods of treatment. Thus, prompt and humane euthanasia is indicated for cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis. Because a definitive diagnosis of traumatic reticuloperitonitis is not always possible based on clinical signs alone, radiography and ultrasonography of the thorax and reticulum are indicated in doubtful cases.

A 5-year-old castrated mongrel dog was brought to our hospital with anorexia and vomiting. Laboratory testing revealed immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), and so treatment was initiated with multiple immune-suppressing drugs, achieving partial remission from IMHA. However, cardiac tamponade due to purulent pericarditis was identified as a secondary disease. Culture of pericardial fluid yielded numerous Candida albicans and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter sp. Pericardiocentesis was performed, and the condition of the dog improved. However, the dog died the next day.

An adult male finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) kept in an aquarium in Japan displayed loss of appetite and reduced body weight over several months. Necropsy examination revealed the presence of lesions in the pericardium, lung, and mediastinal and pancreatico-duodenal lymph nodes. Microscopically, these comprised regions of necrotizing granulomatous inflammation with multinucleated giant cells and surrounding fibrosis. Fungal hyphae were identified within macrophages and the extracellular tissue. Immunohistochemical labelling determined that these organisms were of the order Mucorales. A diagnosis of granulomatous pericarditis associated with systemic mucormycosis was made.

This autopsy of a stillborn term infant revealed a constellation of unusual features including calcification of the chorion membrane and portions of the umbilical vascular media, extensive white matter gliosis, arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, adhesions of one eyelid to the globe, pericarditis, a miniature left foot, and a cleft palate. We hypothesized that the membrane and umbilical cord lesions resulted from an episode of resolved chorioamnionitis earlier in the pregnancy. Mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) demonstrates a bacteremic infection of the amniotic cavity, pericarditis, and uniocular endophthalmitis in the mare. On the basis of analogy, we speculated that this infant suffered an intrauterine bacteremia with tissue predilection similar to that of MRLS.