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Hyperproliferation of epidermal keratinocytes is a major histopathological feature of chronic Sarcoptes scabiei dermatitis. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of several keratins in scabietic dermatitis in sheep and in the skin of healthy sheep, using a panel of commercially available anti-human antibodies for keratins. Keratins AE1/AE3 and 34BE12 were expressed in all epithelial structures in healthy skin. Keratin MNF116 was expressed in the stratum basale and in the three lowest layers of the stratum spinosum, in follicular epithelium and in apocrine glands. Keratin K5/6 expression was seen in the stratum basale, in the two lowest cell layers of the stratum spinosum, in the outer root sheath of hair follicles and in myoepithelial cells of apocrine glands. K14 expression was observed in the stratum basale, in locally extensive regions of the two lowest cell layers of the stratum spinosum, in the outer root sheath of hair follicles and in sebaceous glands. Immunolabelling of K19 antigen was confined to apocrine glands. In scabietic skin, immunolabelling of keratin 34BE12 was seen in all layers of hyperplastic stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum but was restricted to some locally extensive regions in hyperkeratotic and parakeratotic stratum corneum. Keratin MNF116 was widely labelled in all layers of hyperplastic stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum. There was expansive labelling of K5/6 keratin in all layers of hyperplastic stratum spinosum and in locally extensive regions of stratum granulosum, as well as in hyperkeratotic or parakeratotic stratum corneum. Expansive labelling of K14 keratin was detected in all layers of hyperplastic stratum spinosum and in the layers of the hyperplastic stratum granulosum. K5/6 and K14 keratins were also labelled in the inner root sheath of occasional hair follicles.

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗ, Ovine sarcoptic mange is a contagious ectoparasitic skin disease, seen in many countries with sheep production. Although several studies concerning dermatopathology have been published, the local cutaneous immune response to Sarcoptes scabiei has not been studied by immunohistochemistry. The present study aims to evaluate immunohistochemically the adaptive cellular immune response in chronic natural cases with extensive gross lesions. Facial and foot skin biopsies of 32 ewes and 2 rams were obtained, and moreover from the scrotal scabietic lesions of the 2 rams. Each biopsy was bisected and processed for paraffin and cryostat sections. Mites were not observed in the vast majority of skin histology sections. Epidermal hyperplasia and chronic inflammation were the main histopathologic features. The dermal inflammatory infiltrate was mixed, dominated by eosinophils and lymphocytes equally. Tissue sections immunostained with a panel of monoclonal antibodies showed among lymphocytes an almost exclusively T-cell population (CD3+), while CD79a + cells were sparse. T-helper cells (CD4+) were predominant versus T-cytotoxic cells (CD8+) in 4:1 to 5:1 ratios. The mixed inflammatory infiltrate combined with the immunohistochemical findings suggest both a type-I and type-IV hypersensitivity reactions during the chronic course of the disease. Moreover, all these chronic cases in adult sheep are recorded into the hypersensitivity form of sarcoptic mange (“classical or ordinary” scabies) and no cases of the hyperkeratotic form of the disease (“Norwegian or crusted” scabies) were found.

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗ, A case of epithelial tissue tumors on the body of two adult Brown meagres (Sciaena umbra Linnaeus, 1758) is reported. Brown Meagre population of 20.000 was imported to sea cages on September of 2003 at 3g, to check the potential use of this species as a new candidate in Mediterranean aquaculture. The population had been kept for 8 years to serve as a genetic pool for further zootechnical investigation. The main pathology observed after 8 years in the sea cages were mainly ocular lesions (cataract) possibly due to natural aging and/or long culture period under high natural light intensity (UV radiation) and/or net injuries at a percentage of 1,32% of total cultured population. Apart from that, on two fish, reddish- white tumorous growths were evident on skin, macroscopically. Histologically, the timorous growths were diagnosed as Squamous cell carcinoma. Numerous rounded pearls and nests of epidermal proliferated cells were evident, some of which had a non-cellular center. There were also foci of necrosis and irregular deposits of keratin within the tumor tissue. Special stains (Ayoub-Shklar, Haematoxylin-Eosin & Schiff’s Periodic Acid) were applied to the tissue for comparison. To our knowledge this is the first presented report of SCC in this species.

A total of 160 pigs were used during the fattening period to evaluate the efficacy of a probiotic, a mannan-oligosaccharide, an organic acid and their mixture on growth performance, intestinal microbiota composition, intestinal morphology and immune response. Pigs were randomly distributed into five treatments with four replicates of eight pigs per pen: control group was fed with a basal finishing ration, whereas the other groups received the same basal diet further supplemented either the probiotic Cylactin® at 35 mg/kg (containing 2 × 1010 CFU/gr Enterococcus faecium), or the mannan-oligosaccharide Biomos® at 1 g/kg, or the organic acid Vevovital® at 5 g/kg (containing 100% benzoic acid) or a mixture of the examined substances (35 mg/kg Cylactin®, 1 g/kg Biomos® and 5 g/kg benzoic acid). At the end of the trial all pigs were weighed and slaughtered, and samples were taken for blood, histologic and microbiologic analyses. Total counts of aerobes and anaerobes, Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, Enterococci, Enterobacteriaceae and Coliforms, were enumerated by conventional microbiological techniques at both jejunum and cecum. Intestinal morphology was carried out in the jejunum, for villus height, crypt depth and goblet cells evaluation. Blood samples were evaluated by flow cytometry to assess the immune response of lymphocyte subpopulations. The results showed that dietary inclusion of a mixture of probiotic, prebiotic and organic acid improved growth performance of fattening pigs despite that each additive alone did not have a significant effect. Jejunal villus height was also increased in the group received the mixture of the feed additives compared to the mannoligosaccharide group, although no differences were noted on the goblet cell numbers among the different groups. The inclusion of the E. faecium increased the enterococci counts in both group receiving the probiotic in digesta samples of both jejunum and cecum; however no differences were noted in the total B- and T-helper cytotoxic cell populations in the presence or absence of the nutritional factors studied, although their ratio (CD4/CD8) was decreased in the group that received the mixture of the feed additives. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with a combination of probiotic, mannan-oligosaccharide and organic acid could promote growth in fattening pigs and improve their intestinal microbiota and functionality.

Ο ιός της Λοιμώδους Εγκεφαλομυελίτιδας των Πτηνών (AEV) είναι μια μολυσματική ιογενής νόσος, αποτελεί μέλος της οικογένειας Picornaviridae, και προσβάλλει κυρίως το κεντρικό νευρικό σύστημα και διαφορετικά παρεγχυματώδη όργανα των πτηνών. Ο AEV είναι μια εντερική λοίμωξη και μπορεί και μεταδίδεται δια της πεπτικής οδού, αλλά και κάθετα από μολυσμένες όρνιθες αναπαραγωγής στους νεοσσούς, με αποτέλεσμα την κλινική εκδήλωση της νόσου μετά την εκκόλαψη. Σμήνος 18.000 ορνιθίων κρεοπαραγωγής, στη Νότια περιοχή της Ηπείρου, παρουσίασε αιφνίδια νευρικά συμπτώματα. Κατά την κλινική εξέταση πτηνών ηλικίας 16 ημερών, παρατηρήθηκε ταχύς τρόμος της κεφαλής, αταξία και παράλυση, πλευρική κατάκλιση και πτηνά να ξαπλώνουν με τα πόδια τους σε ασυνήθιστες στάσεις. Δεν παρατηρήθηκαν μακροσκοπικές αλλοιώσεις κατά τη διάρκεια της νεκροτομικής εξέτασης στην ηλικία των 16, 20 και 26 ημερών, εκτός από αλλοιώσεις στον εγκέφαλο. Η νοσηρότητα του σμήνους ήταν μεγαλύτερη του 25% και η συνολική θνησιμότητα στο τέλος του κύκλου έφτασε το 20,9%. Για να επιβεβαιωθεί η υποψία της AEV, διεξήχθησαν ιστοπαθολογικές και ορολογικές εξετάσεις. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν χαρακτηριστική εμφάνιση “δίκην φλόγας” διήθησης της νευρογλοίας και εκφυλίσεις νευρώνων, καθώς και νευροκυττοφαγία στη φαιά ουσία και στα κύτταρα Purkinje του εγκεφάλου. Επίσης, στον εγκέφαλο, το πάγκρεας, το μυοκάρδιο και τη μυϊκή στοιβάδα του αδενώδους στομάχου παρατηρήθηκαν εστίες διήθησης από λεμφοκύτταρα. Όλες οι παρατηρούμενες αλλοιώσεις είναι χαρακτηριστικές της μόλυνσης με AEV. Με τη πάροδο του χρόνου, τα ορολογικά αποτελέσματα ELISA στο μολυσμένο σμήνος κατέγραψαν αξιοσημείωτες διαδοχικές αυξήσεις στους τίτλους των αντισωμάτων του ιού της Λοιμώδους Εγκεφαλομυελίτιδας. Μετά την ηλικία των 30 ημερών, δεν παρατηρήθηκαν κλινικά συμπτώματα. Η συγκεκριμένη κλινική περίπτωση αποτελεί πρώτη αναφορά της AEV σε ορνίθια κρεοπαραγωγής στην Ελλάδα., Avian Encephalomyelitis Virus (AEV) is an infectious viral disease, member in the family of Picornaviridae, with a preference for the central nervous system and various parenchymatous organs of chickens. AEV is an enteric infection and can be transmitted by oral ingestion, but also vertically from infected broiler breeders to the chick, resulting in clinical signs at hatching. A flock of 18,000 broilers, located in the Southern part of Ipirus, exhibited sudden neurological signs. Clinical examination of 16 days old chicks showed rapid head tremors, ataxia and paralysis, often falling on their sides and lie with their legs at unusual angles. No gross lesions were noted during post mortem examinations conducted at 16, 20 and 26 days of age, apart from gross lesions on the brain. Morbidity of the flock exceeded 25% and total mortality reached 20.9% at the end of flock’s cycle. In order to diagnose the suspected AEV, histological and serological examinations were performed. The results showed typical “flame-shape” proliferation of glia, neuron necrosis and neuronocytophagia in the gray matter and Purkinje cells as well. Also, foci of infiltrating lymphocytes were seen in the brain, the glandular part of pancreas, muscular layer of heart and muscle layer of proventriculus. All observed lesions were characteristic of AEV infection. Serological results in affected flock, conducted by ELISA, showed a consecutive marked increase in serum encephalomyelitis virus antibody titers through time. At 30 days of age onwards, no clinical signs appeared. This clinical case of AEV in broilers was the first case reported in Greece.

Στην εργασία αυτή περιγράφεται ένα περιστατικό δερματομυΐτιδας σε σκύλοφυλής German shepherd μιγάς. Το ζώο παρουσίαζε δερματικές αλλοιώσεις στα πτερύγια των αυτιών,στα άκρα, στο πρόσωπο και στην ουρά, με δυσκολία στη μάσηση και ατροφία των κροταφιτών και μασητήρων μυών. Οι ιστοπαθολογικές αλλοιώσεις του δέρματος χαρακτηρίζονταν από κενοτοπιώδη εκφύλιση των βασικών κυττάρων, αγγειίτιδα και χοριοεπιδερμικά ρήγματα, ενώ εκείνες των μασητήρων μυών από φλεγμονή, φαγοκυττάρωση και κατακερματισμό των μυϊκών ινών. Η χορήγηση βιταμίνης Ε και πεντοξυφυλλίνης δεν έδωσε ικανοποιητικά αποτελέσματα., This article describes a case of canine dermatomyositis in a German shepherd cross. The dog exhibited skin lesions on the ear pinnae, legs, face and the tail, along with mastication difficulty and atrophy of the temporal and masticatory muscles. Histopathological lesions of the skin were characterized by vacuolar degeneration of basal cells, dermoepidermal clefts and vasculitis, while the respective lesions of masticatory muscles by inflammation, phagocytosis and disruption of muscle fibers. Vitamin E and pentoxyphylline administration was unsuccessful.

Three trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of a basal diet with benzoic acid or thymol or a mixture of essential oil blends (MEO) or a combination of benzoic acid with MEO (BMEO) on growth performance of turkey poults. Control groups were fed a basal diet. In trial 1, benzoic acid was supplied at levels of 300 and 1,000 mg/kg. In trial 2, thymol or the MEO were supplied at levels of 30 mg/kg. In trial 3, the combination of benzoic acid with MEO was evaluated. Benzoic acid, MEO and BMEO improved performance, increased lactic acid bacteria populations and decreased coliform bacteria in the caeca. Thymol, MEO and BMEO improved antioxidant status of turkeys. Benzoic acid and BMEO reduced the buffering capacity compared to control feed and the pH values of the caecal content. Benzoic acid and EOs may be suggested as an effective alternative to AGP in turkeys.

During the last three years Greece is experiencing the emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) epidemics. Within this framework, an integrated surveillance and control programme (MALWEST project) with thirteen associate partners was launched aiming to investigate the disease and suggest appropriate interventions. One out of seven work packages of the project is dedicated to the State of the Art report for WNV. Three expert working groups on humans, animals and mosquitoes were established. Medical databases (PubMed, Scopus) were searched together with websites: e.g., WHO, CDC, ECDC. In total, 1,092 relevant articles were initially identified and 258 of them were finally included as references regarding the current knowledge about WNV, along with 36 additional sources (conference papers, reports, book chapters). The review is divided in three sections according to the fields of interest: (1) WNV in humans (epidemiology, molecular characteristics, transmission, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, surveillance); (2) WNV in animals (epidemiological and transmission characteristics concerning birds, horses, reptiles and other animal species) and (3) WNV in mosquitoes (control, surveillance). Finally, some examples of integrated surveillance programmes are presented. The introduction and establishment of the disease in Greece and other European countries further emphasizes the need for thorough research and broadening of our knowledge on this viral pathogen.

A Lacaune ewe-lamb was referred with bilateral pinnal swelling and intense head-shaking. Soft, fluid-filled, painless swellings were present on the concave surface of both ear pinnae. Needle aspiration revealed sero-sanguineous fluid, confirming the clinical suspicion of auricular haematomas. Cutaneous lesions characteristic of sarcoptic mange were present on the nasal planum; diagnosis was confirmed based on the results of microscopic examination of skin scrapings (i.e., presence of Sarcoptes scabiei ); for treatment of the disorder, moxidectin was administered twice, 11 days apart. The animal was operated under injectable anaesthesia. Auricular haematomas were drained by using Penrose tubes. However, and despite repeated post-surgical otic cleansing and administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, local infection developed post-operatively. Subsequently, a second operation was performed, under inhalational anaesthesia, where the incisional technique was applied. Post-operative care included otic cleansing and broad-spectrum antibiotic administration, coupled with light bandaging of the ears. After 40 days, the animal recovered completely; sarcoptic mange was successfully treated and no relapse of the haematomas was seen. During the subsequent breeding period, the ewe was mated for the first time and became pregnant. The findings support the hypothesis that the highly pruritic sarcoptic mange induced head-shaking and self-inflicted traumas of the pinnae, resulting in the development of auricular haematomas. Treatment required extensive surgical and long post-operative care. From a health management viewpoint, the above treatment schedule can only be justified in young, high-value animals.

We investigated the consequences of consumption of Agaricus bisporus mushroom on turkey poults fed ad libitum a basal diet supplemented with the dried mushroom at levels of 0, 10 or 20 g/kg feed (treatments: CON, M10, M20) to 10 wk of age. Body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were monitored weekly. The populations of total aerobes and anaerobes, Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Escherichia coli, Bacteroides spp. and Enterococci spp. were enumerated in ileum and caecum. Morphological examinations of the intestine were carried out on segments from small intestine. To evaluate the antioxidant status of turkeys, refrigerated liver, breast and thigh muscle were assayed for levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Dietary mushroom inclusion improved (P≤0.05) both growth performance and feed efficiency. In the ileum, lactobacilli counts were higher (P≤0.05) in supplemented turkeys at both inclusion levels compared to controls; E. coli counts were lower (P≤0.05) in M20 compared to M10 group. In the caecum, the lactobacilli and bifidobacteria counts were higher (P≤0.05) in M20 compared to controls. The ratio of E. coli to lactobacilli was lower (P≤0.05) in M20 birds compared to controls in both ileum and caecum. Morphometrical examinations revealed an increase in villus height in all three intestinal sections of supplemented birds. Mushroom supplementation elevated (P≤0.05) GSH-Px, GR, and GST activity and reduced (P≤0.05) MDA production in tissues compared to controls. Dietary mushroom inclusion beneficially affected performance and exerted changes in intestinal microbial communities, intestinal integrity and antioxidant protective activity, consistent with the improvements in performance.

In this study, we evaluated the intestinal morphology and bacteria populations in broiler chickens fed for six weeks diets that contained different amount of the mushroom Agaricus bisporus. Ninety day-old female chicks were randomly divided into three dietary treatments, each with three replicates kept in floor pens and fed a basal diet supplemented with the dried mushroom at levels of 0, 10 or 20 g/kg fresh feed. Feed and water were offered to birds ad libitum. The morphological examinations of the intestine were carried out on 1-cm long excised segments from duodenum, jejunum and ileum. The populations of total aerobes, total anaerobes, Lactobacilli spp., Bifidobacteria spp., Escherichia coli, Bacteroides spp. and Enterococci were enumerated in ileum and caecum by conventional microbiological techniques using selective agar media. The results of the study showed that dietary mushroom supplementation did not significantly affect intestinal morphology at either level of inclusion. Morphometrical parameters of depth of duodenum, jejunum and ileum crypt and height of villi revealed no differences amongst dietary treatments. In the ileum, Lactobacilli spp. were higher in birds supplemented at the level of 20 g/kg compared to controls; however, other measurements of bacteria loads were similar amongst the three dietary treatments. In the caecum, Lactobacilli spp. and Bifidobacteria spp. loads were higher in birds supplemented at either level of inclusion compared to control birds, although these did not differ between the two levels of supplementation. In conclusion, dietary mushroom supplementation may beneficially affect intestinal health of broiler chickens.

Intestinal obstruction resulting from an intramural foreign body-associated pyogranuloma was diagnosed in four dogs. Vomiting and weight loss were the main clinical signs. On physical examination, a mass in the abdomen was detected in three dogs. Abdominal radiography demonstrated the presence of soft tissue opacity in three of the dogs and gas-filled dilated intestinal loops in all four dogs. Abdominal ultrasonography showed hyperkinetic fluid-filled dilated intestinal loops and a hypoechoic small intestinal mass in all the dogs. Exploratory coeliotomy confirmed the presence of a jejunal mass, which was removed by resection and anastomosis in all the dogs. In one of the dogs a linear foreign body was also found cranial to the mass and was removed through a separate enterotomy incision. The lesions were diagnosed as foreign body-associated intestinal pyogranulomas on histological examination. Three dogs recovered without complications, but the fourth showed signs of septic peritonitis four days after surgery and was euthanased at the owner's request. The other three dogs remained disease-free 12 to 42 months after surgery.

This report describes a rare clinical case of a 4.5-month-old, female domestic shorthair, cat with isolated abdominal fat tissue inflammation and necrosis, resembling human omental panniculitis. Its possible relationship with pancreatitis or bile induced chemical peritonitis is also discussed. The overall clinical course was considered benign. Initial clinical signs were vomiting and anorexia, presumably due to inflammation, followed by mass development. It was speculated that, eventually, the kitten was vomiting because of mechanical pressure from the mass, and that this pressure subsided as the kitten grew. The mass was surgically resected and no relapse was evident during the next 4 years.

Bovine dilated cardiomyopathy (BDCMP) is a severe and terminal disease of the heart muscle observed in Holstein-Friesian cattle over the last 30 years. There is strong evidence for an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance for BDCMP. The objective of this study was to genetically map BDCMP, with the ultimate goal of identifying the causative mutation. A whole-genome scan using 199 microsatellite markers and one SNP revealed an assignment of BDCMP to BTA18. Fine-mapping on BTA18 refined the candidate region to the MSBDCMP06-BMS2785 interval. The interval containing the BDCMP locus was confirmed by multipoint linkage analysis using the software loki. The interval is about 6.7 Mb on the bovine genome sequence (Btau 3.1). The corresponding region of HSA19 is very gene-rich and contains roughly 200 genes. Although telomeric of the marker interval, TNNI3 is a possible positional and a functional candidate for BDCMP given its involvement in a human form of dilated cardiomyopathy. Sequence analysis of TNNI3 in cattle revealed no mutation in the coding sequence, but there was a G-to-A transition in intron 6 (AJ842179:c.378+315G>A). The analysis of this SNP using the study's BDCMP pedigree did not conclusively exclude TNNI3 as a candidate gene for BDCMP. Considering the high density of genes on the homologous region of HSA19, further refinement of the interval on BTA18 containing the BDCMP locus is needed.

A total of 31 dogs with naturally occurring and symptomatic leishmaniasis (Leishmania infantum), but without historical or clinical evidence of overt colitis, were included in this study. With owners' consent, a colonoscopy was performed in all these dogs, revealing patches of hyperemic, edematous, irregular, and mildly erosive colonic mucosa in 25.8% of the animals. Biopsies were obtained from the colonic mucosa and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (histopathology) and avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique (immunohistochemical detection of parasites). Leishmania amastigotes were detected immunohistochemically in 32.3% of the dogs. The most common inflammatory pattern in the colonic mucosa of these dogs was pyogranulomatous (90%), whereas in the dogs without Leishmania amastigotes immunohistochemically detected in the colonic mucosa (67.7%), there was no evidence of gross and microscopic lesions. Also, in 2 of the 10 dogs in which parasites were detected immunohistochemically in the colonic mucosa, no lesions could be detected on colonoscopy. There was no correlation between the dogs with or without parasites detected in the colonic mucosa regarding the sex, age, or the type of diet of these animals. However, the positive correlation (P < 0.001) found between colonic parasitism and gross lesions detected on colonoscopy would justify the inclusion of canine leishmaniasis in the list of differentials of canine chronic or recurrent colitis.

Cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) disease were recorded for three consecutive years in Greece following the year 2010 outbreak. A cross-sectional serologic survey was conducted to estimate the WNV seroprevalence and assess the ratio of infection to neuroinvasive disease. A stratified left-over sampling methodology was used including age and residence strata. A total of 3,962 serum samples was collected and tested for WNV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). All positive samples were further tested by Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) and WNV Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. WNV IgG antibodies were detected in 82 samples and 61 were also positive in PRNT representing a weighted seroprevalence of 2.1% (95% C.I.: 1.7-2.6) and 1.5% (95% C.I.: 1.2-2.0), respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that seroprevalence was associated with age and residence. The overall ratio of neuroinvasive disease to infected persons was estimated at 1:376 (95% C.I.: 1:421-1:338), while the elderly people had the highest ratio. This nationwide study provided valuable data regarding the epidemiology of WNV in Greece based on the fact that elderly people have higher risk of being both infected and having severe disease. © 2015 Hadjichristodoulou et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Zusammenfassung: Gegenstand und Ziel: Beschreibung einer bislang noch nicht aufgetretenen Kardiomyopathie beim Schaf. Material und Methoden: In den Jahren 1990 bis 1997 gelangten in der Schweiz fünf Schafe im Alter von einem Monat bis sechs Jahren mit einer primären dilatativen Kardiomyopathie zur Untersuchung. Ergebnisse: Im Vordergrund standen massive subkutane Ödeme, Kardiomegalie, Lungenödem und eine chronische venöse, kardial bedingte Stauungshyperämie und -sklerose der Leber. Charakteristisch war histologisch eine globale transmurale interstitielle Fibrose und Hypertrophie. Schlussfolgerungen: Eine dekompensierte Herzinsuffizienz endet stets fatal. Es besteht eine ungünstige Prognose, eine Behandlung ist nicht möglich. Die Abklärung einer familiären Disposition dieser Herzerkrankung steht noch aus. Klinische Relevanz: Bei Schafen mit Herzerkrankungen sollte die dilatative Kardiomyopathie differenzialdiagnos- tisch berücksichtigt werden.

From 1999 to mid-2003, 97 European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) found dead throughout Greece were examined by necropsy, histopathology, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the presence of European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) and EBHS virus (EBHSV), respectively. Hare losses were sporadic, starting in the cold season and lasting for many months (December to May). The most prominent gross lesions were observed in the liver and included swelling and discoloration; congestion and hemorrhages were present mainly in lungs and tracheal mucosa. Necropsy findings were suggestive of EBHS, which was confirmed by histopathology and RT-PCR. This study documents, for the first time, EBHS in Greece.

A three-month-old, male German shepherd dog was admitted with a facial mass of two months' duration. Clinical examination showed a round mass, 3 cm in diameter, in the left infraorbital area. The upper last premolar deciduous tooth was not erupted. No other abnormalities were detected. Radiological examination revealed a posterior maxillary mass of mixed opacity. The mass was surgically excised. Histopathological examination demonstrated a connective tissue stroma containing foci of irregular enamel and dentine, resembling rudimentary teeth (denticles), surrounded by new bone formation. Morphology and structure of the denticles were also confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. A compound odontoma was diagnosed. One year after surgery, the dog was free of clinical signs.

An unusual case reported for the first time, of enhanced pathology of two Caligidae species infecting a new host Dicentrarchus labrax reared in Eratino lagoon (North Greece). During winter months (December–February 1998–1999), moribund fish were observed in the lagoon; fish showed slow swimming at the surface of the water, were lethargic and cacchectic. Infected fish had either pinpoint or dispersed ulcerative skin lesions on the head and around and inside the buccal area as well as hemorrhages. Four Caligidae species were found namely: Caligus minimus , C. pageti , C. mugilis and C. apodus as well as one gill trematode parasite. The prevalence and intensity of C. miminus was high throughout the year with a distinct peak of intensity in winter.

Στην eργασία αυτή πeριγράφeται ένα πeριστατικό δeρματομυΐτιδας σe σκύλο φυλής German shepherd μιγάς . Το ζώο παρουσίαζe δeρματικές αλλοιώσeις στα πτeρύγια των αυτιών, στα άκρα, στο πρόσωπο και στην ουρά, μe δυσκολία στη μάσηση και ατροφία των κροταφιτών και μασητήρων μυών. Οι ιστοπαθολογικές αλλοιώσeις του δέρματος χαρακτηρίζονταν από κeνοτοπιώδη eκφύλιση των βασικών κυττάρων, αγγeιίτιδα και χοριοeπιδeρμικά ρήγματα, eνώ eκeίνeς των μασητήρων μυών από φλeγμονή, φαγοκυττάρωση και κατακeρματισμό των μυϊκών ινών. Η χορήγηση βιταμίνης E και πeντοξυφυλλίνης δeν έδωσe ικανοποιητικά αποτeλέσματα.

A seven-year-old, not-castrated male, Airedale Terrier presented with a history of ataxia and intention tremor of the head of three-week duration. Neurologic examination demonstrated severe hypermetria, intention tremor of the head and a bilateral menace response deficit. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well demarcated cerebellar vermis mass, hypointense on T1-weighted images, hyperintense on T2-weighted images, with multiple small foci of high signal similar to that of CSF. Foci dispersed in the mass creating a speckled appearance. Homogeneous faint, wispy post-contrast enhancement of the mass was noted; as a result the tumor became isointense to gray matter and was not clearly evident in post contrast images. The histopathological diagnosis of the excised tumor was cerebellar medulloblastoma.

In this study, the effect of probiotic supplementation via drinking water or feed on the performance of broiler chickens experimentally infected with sporulated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina (5 × 10(4)), Eimeria maxima and Eimeria tenella (2 × 10(4) each one) at 14 days of age was evaluated. Two hundred and forty 1-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were separated into eight equal groups with three replicates. Two of the groups, one infected with mixed Eimeria oocysts and the other not, were given a basal diet and served as controls. The remaining groups were also challenged with mixed Eimeria species and received the basal diet and either water supplemented with probiotic (three groups) or probiotic via feed (two groups); the probiotic used consisted of Enterococcus faecium #589, Bifidobacterium animalis #503 and Lactobacillus salivarius #505 at a ratio of 6:3:1. Probiotic supplementation was applied either via drinking water in different inclusion rates (groups W1, W2 and W3) or via feed using uncoated (group FN) or coated strains (group FC). The last group was given the basal diet supplemented with the anticoccidial lasalocid at 75 mg/kg. Each experimental group was given the corresponding diet or drinking water from day 1 to day 42 of age. Throughout the experimental period of 42 days, body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly and feed conversion ratios were calculated. Seven days after infection, the infected control group presented the lowest weight gain values, while probiotics supplied via feed supported growth to a comparable level with that of the lasalocid group. Probiotic groups presented lesion score values and oocyst numbers that were lower than in control infected birds but higher than in the lasalocid group. In the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, the highest villous height values were presented by probiotic groups. In conclusion, a mixture of probiotic substances gave considerable improvement in both growth performance and intestinal health in comparison with infected control birds and fairly similar improvement to an approved anticoccidial during a mixed Eimeria infection.

The medical records of six dogs with primary intranasal transmissible venereal tumour (TVT) were reviewed. Epistaxis (4/6), serosangineous nasal discharge (2/6), oronasal fistulae (2/6), facial swelling (1/6) and submandibular lymphadenopathy (3/6) due to reactive hyperplasia (2/3) and metastasis (1/3) were the most common complaints and clinical findings. Diagnosis was made by rhinoscopy and confirmed by cytology and histopathology in five dogs and by cytology only in one dog. The microscopic appearance of the tumours with both diagnostic techniques was typical of TVT. Four cases were treated effectively with four to five weekly cycles of vincristine monotherapy that resulted in complete resolution of TVT masses in approximately 1 month. One case was resistant to this kind of treatment and another one was lost to follow-up.

A granular cell tumor (GCT; myoblastoma) was diagnosed on the tongue of a 12-year-old English Pointer with clinical signs of mild oral dysphagia. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic examination and immunohistochemistry. The tumor was positive for S-100 protein, but also was positive for desmin, and was only weakly positive for PAS, which is unusual for GCTs. An epithelioid type of leiomyoma (leiomyo-blastoma) was considered less likely on the basis of negative staining for smooth muscle actin. Treatment consisted of surgical resection of the tumor. The animal was in excellent clinical condition 1 year after surgery. Although GCT of the tongue has been reported previously in the dog, determining the cell of origin is still problematic. Immunohistochemistry is helpful for histogenetic classification and necessary for differentiation from leiomyoblastoma.

Metaplastic ossification of a long-standing cervical sialocoele was identified in a 2-year-old male Hellenic Hound dog. Diagnosis was based upon history, clinical findings, paracentesis and histopathology. Trauma or chronic inflammation of the mandibular gland/duct complex were the most probable causes of the ossification. Surgical excision of the ossified mass, as well as of mandibular and sublingual salivary glands/ducts of the affected side, resulted in clinical remission.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of a blend of oregano essential oil (OEO) (as a source of natural antibacterial growth-promoting substances) and attapulgite (as a source of toxin-binder and as an antidiarrhoeal agent) on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, and intestinal morphometry in broiler chickens (Ross-308). In the first trial, the control group was fed a basal diet without antibiotic growth promoters, and the experimental group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 5% OEO (OEO) (Ecodiar ® powder at 150 g/tn) and 80% attapulgite 80% (Ultrafed ® at 6 kg/tn) blend. In the second trial, the experimental group was given the basal diet supplemented with 5% OEO (Ecodiar ® powder at 300 g/tn) and 80% attapulgite (Ultrafed ® at 3 kg/tn) blend. Intestinal microbiota was enumerated by conventional techniques with selective agar media at the end of the trial at both ileum and caecum, and intestinal morphology was assessed in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Results showed that in the first trial, despite the positive impact on daily gain and feed-to-gain ratio, growth performance was not affected by the blend with OEO and attapulgite. Furthermore, no effect was found on intestinal morphometry. However, the counts of lactic acid bacteria were increased significantly, and coliforms were decreased in caecal contents. In the second trial, a positive impact was noticed on daily gain and feed-to-gain ratio by the high OEO and low attapulgite blend. Dietary supplementation of OEO and attapulgite increased ileal villus height and lactic acid bacteria significantly and reduced coliforms in ileal and caecal contents compared with the control group. In conclusion, the combination of OEO at 15 mg/kg and attapulgite at 2.4 g/kg exerted a positive effect on growth performance, ileal villus height and intestinal microbiota of broilers. Keywords: Gut microflora, intestinal architecture, magnesium aluminium silicate, oregano

We evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with different preparations of probiotics on the performance of broiler chickens experimentally infected with 2 × 10(4) sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella at 14 days of age. Three hundred, day-old, Cobb-500 chicks, as hatched, were separated into 10 equal groups with three replicates. Two of the groups, one challenged with E. tenella oocysts and the other not, were given a basal diet and served as controls without medication. The other challenged groups were given the anticoccidial lasalocid (60 mg/kg) or Enterococcus faecium (5 × 10(8) or 5 × 10(9)cfu/kg feed), Bifidobacterium animalis (5 × 10(8)cfu/kg feed), Lactobacillus reuteri (5 × 10(8)cfu/kg feed), Bacillus subtilis (5 × 10(8)cfu/kg feed), or a multi-species probiotic mix at 5 × 10(8) or 5 × 10(9)cfu/kg feed, respectively. The trial lasted 6 weeks. Individual body weight, feed intake per pen and feed conversion ratio values were recorded weekly, along with the extent of bloody diarrhea, excreta oocyst numbers and bird mortality. Caecal lesions were assessed and intestinal samples were taken for histopathological and bacteriological evaluation from ileum and caecum. Overall growth performance of chickens fed the multi-species probiotic mix at both levels was higher (P