Captive-raised red drum fish were observed with phenotypic abnormalities, including deformities of the spine, jaw, and cephalic region, that were consistent with vitamin C deficiency during the larval stage. In light of their visible exterior skeletal abnormalities, we suspected that the affected fish would also have abnormal otoliths. Otoliths are dense calcareous structures that function in fish hearing. We hypothesized that abnormal fish would have irregular otoliths that would alter behavior and cortisol levels as compared with those of phenotypically normal fish. The normal and abnormal fish had statistically significant differences in behavior, cortisol levels, and otolith volume and density. MicroCT assessment of abnormal fish revealed operculum abnormalities, malocclusions, and several types of otolith malformations. Therefore, the affected fish had not only an abnormal skeletal appearance but also significantly abnormal behavior and cortisol responses.

Ulcerative dermatitis (UD) is a common cause of morbidity and euthanasia in mice with a C57BL/6 (B6) background. The purposes of the current study were to determine whether UD lesions could be reliably produced in B6 mice lacking stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1^–/– mice), to ascertain whether the UD lesions in SCD1^–/– mice were similar to those found in other B6 mice, and to characterize the cell invasion phenotype of Staphlococcus xylosus cultured from the lesions. S. xylosus isolates from the environment and human skin were used as controls. SCD1^–/– (n = 8 per group) and nontransgenic B6 control mice (n = 22 mice pooled from 3 groups that received different concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid) were fed standard rodent chow or a semipurified diet (NIH AIN76A) for 4 wk. Samples from other B6 mice with UD (field cases; n = 7) also were submitted for histology and culture. All of the SCD1^–/– mice developed UD lesions by 4 wk on NIH AIN76A. None of SCD1^–/– fed standard rodent chow and none of the wildtype B6 mice fed NIH AIN76A developed UD. Supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid did not affect ulcerogenesis. UD lesions in SCD1^–/– mice and field cases were grossly and histologically similar. S. xylosus was isolated from SCD1^–/– mice with UD (71%) and field cases of UD (43%). These isolates were the most cell-invasive, followed by the environmental isolate, and finally the human skin isolate. Our results provide a basis for further pathologic and clinical study of UD.

The small diameter of the carotid artery is not compatible with the evaluation of clinically available endovascular devices in the carotid balloon-injury (BI) model. We developed an endovascular BI model in the rat descending aorta, whose size is compatible with available endovascular instruments. We also tested the hypothesis that neointima formation is enhanced in the aorta of obese Zucker rats (OZR) compared with lean Zucker rats (LZR). Left external carotid arteriotomies and BI of the thoracic and abdominal aorta were performed by using a balloon catheter. Aortograms and aortic pathology were examined at 2, 4, and 10 wk after BI. At 10 wk after BI, the abdominal aorta in OZR had narrowed 8.3% ± 1.1% relative to baseline compared with an expansion of 2.4% ± 2.2% in LZR. Simultaneously, the thoracic aorta had expanded 9.5% ± 4.3% in LZR compared with stenosis of 2.8% ± 1.6% in OZR. Calculation of the intimal:medial thickness ratio revealed significantly increased neointimal formation in the OZR descending aorta compared with that in LNR. In conclusion, this minimally invasive BI model involving the rat descending aorta is compatible with available endovascular instruments. The descending aorta of OZR demonstrates enhanced neointimal formation and constrictive vascular remodeling after BI.

This study investigated whether dietary supplementation of polyphenolics-rich grape extract (GE) could attenuate endotoxin-induced serum secretory phospholipase A₂ (sPLA₂) activity, a modulator of inflammation. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a control diet or the diet supplemented with polyphenolic-rich GE (100 or 300 mg/kg daily) for 3 wk prior to intraperitoneal injection of 3 or 15 mg/kg LPS. A fluorometric assay was used to measure serum sPLA₂ activity during a 5-d period before and after LPS injection. Body weight, hematocrit, and serum C-reactive protein level were also measured. Administration of LPS induced a rapid increase in sPLA₂ activity, which peaked 1 to 2 d after LPS injection and resolved to near-baseline values on days 4 to 5. Marked declines in body weight and hematocrit, increases in C-reactive protein levels, and effects on health status also occurred. GE supplementation significantly attenuated the LPS-induced increase in sPLA₂ activity and decline in hematocrit, but its effects on the loss of body weight and C-reactive protein levels were not significant. Among the measurements, serum sPLA₂ was the only marker that showed a dose-dependent response to both LPS and GE supplementation. The current findings show that oral consumption of polyphenolic-rich GE suppresses endotoxin-induced sPLA₂ activity.

Olfactory communication is an important aspect of the biology of ground squirrels; accordingly, some of their integumentary glands are associated with scent-marking behavior. Although reports of neoplasms in ground squirrels are limited, the literature on tumors in this family of rodents is extensive, with hepatocellular carcinomas in woodchucks and fibromas in squirrels being the 2 most common neoplasms. Apocrine gland tumors occur frequently in domestic animals such as cats and dogs but to our knowledge have not previously been reported in squirrels. Here we describe 2 cases of adenocarcinoma of the dorsal glands in privately owned European ground squirrels (Spermophilus citellus). The skin nodules were characterized histologically by proliferation of epithelial cells, which were arranged in a tubuloacinar pattern with neoplastic emboli within the blood vessels. Adenocarcinoma of the dorsal glands was diagnosed in light of the anatomic localization, immunohistochemistry results, and histochemistry findings.

Radiotelemetry was used to evaluate diet-related elevation of blood pressure in adult Yucatan miniature swine. Systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP), diastolic atrial blood pressure (DAP), heart rate, and locomotor activity were assessed in 9- or 11-mo-old Yucatan miniature pigs fed a standard diet or a North American-type diet high in salt, fat, and sugar (HSFS). Compared with pigs fed standard diet, pigs fed HSFS diet showed markedly elevated SAP (132 ± 3 compared with 156 ± 6 mm Hg), whereas DAP was unchanged (92 ± 2 compared with 99 ± 5 mm Hg). In addition, all pigs were modestly sensitive to short-term changes in dietary salt, as indicated by a 6% to 7% response in blood pressure parameters. According to these data, the increase in SAP for pigs on the HSFS diet was too large to be explained by the NaCl content of the diet alone. We found no evidence of endothelial dysfunction, and the relaxation responses of isolated coronary arteries actually were enhanced in the HSFS group. In conclusion, in a Yucatan miniature pigs model chronically fed a HSFS diet, DAP did not increase, but SAP and pulse pressure appeared to be affected by high dietary levels of fat or sugar (or both).

Glycoprotein Ib–IX–V (GPIb–IX–V) is a platelet adhesion receptor complex that initiates platelet aggregation. Glycoprotein Ibα (GPIbα) is the central component of the GPIb–IX–V complex, anchoring the complex to the cytoskeleton and harboring the binding site for von Willebrand factor (vWF). Previous studies suggest that the coagulation function in pigs differs from that in humans, especially with respect to the interaction between vWF and platelets. However, we have little knowledge about the function of porcine platelets, which is important with regard to studies of cardiovascular disease, clotting, and surgery that use pigs as animal models. To extend this information, we cloned and analyzed the porcine GPIbα sequence. Porcine GPIbα contains 1891 nucleotides and includes an open reading frame that encodes 627 amino acids. The nucleotide sequence showed 67% identity with human GPIbα, whereas the deduced amino acid sequences were 59% identical. The vWF binding domain shares the highest identity among different species, whereas the PEST domain shows variations. Evaluation of platelet function by using ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation revealed remarkably lower levels of aggregation in porcine than human platelets. According to the sequence analysis and platelet aggregation tests, we propose that the function of GPIbα, especially regarding the ristocetin–vWF–GPIbα interaction, differs between pigs and humans. This characterization of porcine GPIbα will enhance our knowledge of the porcine coagulation system.

A 3-mo-old, 12-kg, intact, miniature pig presented with severe neurologic signs on day 8 after hematopoietic cell transplantation. This pig had received an immunosuppressive regimen before transplantation that included an antiCD3 immunotoxin for T-cell depletion, 100 cGy of total-body irradiation, and cyclosporine for 45 d. The pig began exhibiting erythematous lesions on posttransplantation day 7. He also demonstrated increased conscious proprioceptive deficits and recumbency but normal mentation. Neurologic signs worsened over several days; the pig became lethargic but remained afebrile. Conjunctival swelling developed on posttransplantation day 9, which subsequently spread to the animal's head, ears and hocks by day 10. Analgesics were given for pain, and cyclosporine levels were decreased. Despite the measures taken, neurologic signs progressed. Given the worsening subcutaneous edema and neurologic status, Escherichia coli infection was suspected, and treatment with a third-generation cephalosporin was instituted. The clinical signs resolved within 12 h after the start of antibiotics. 'Shiga-like' toxin from E. coli can cause peracute toxemia and induce ataxia, paralysis, and recumbency. Other common and pathognomonic findings include periocular edema and variable edema in other subcutaneous regions. A fecal sample demonstrated an overgrowth of gram-negative, lactose-fermenting colonies. On the basis of the clinical presentation, exclusion of other potential conditions compatible with edema and neurologic diseases, physical exam findings, microbiology and the resolution of signs after therapy, the pig was diagnosed with edema disease.

Endometriosis is one of the most frequently encountered gynecologic diseases and a common cause of chronic pelvic pain and infertility. The pathophysiology of this syndrome can best be described as the presence of ectopic endometrium and a pelvic inflammatory process with associated immune dysfunction and alteration in the peritoneal environment. Macrophages play an important role in the progression and propagation of endometriosis. Alternative macrophage activation occurs in rodents and women with endometriosis but had not been examined previously in nonhuman primates. This case–control study aimed to characterize macrophage polarization in the ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissue of nonhuman primates with and without endometriosis. In addition, circulating cytokines in endometriosis cases and normal controls were investigated in an effort to identify serum factors that contribute to or result from macrophage polarization. Endometriosis lesions demonstrated increased infiltration by macrophages polarized toward the M2 phenotype when compared with healthy control endometrium. No serum cytokine trends consistent with alternative macrophage activation were identified. However, serum transforming growth factor α was elevated in macaques with endometriosis compared with healthy controls. Findings indicated that the activation state of macrophages in endometriosis tissue in nonhuman primates is weighted toward the M2 phenotype. This important finding enables rhesus macaques to serve as an animal model to investigate the contribution of macrophage polarization to the pathophysiology of endometriosis.

Here we describe the successful surgical implementation of antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) with marked osteomyelitis. The macaque presented to the veterinary clinic with grossly contaminated bite wounds in the left ankle secondary to conspecific trauma. Radiographic findings were highly suggestive of osteomyelitis. Additional differential diagnoses included bony infarct, fracture, and cellulitis. In light of the location of the lesion and extensive tissue trauma, the animal had a poor prognosis. Systemic, broad-spectrum antibiotics were instituted. After 2 wk of care, lesions did not respond to empirical therapies. On consultation, a veterinary orthopedic surgeon at another facility recommended placement of antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads at the sites of osteomyelitis. The animal underwent minor surgery in which beads were introduced into the wound. The monkey had a positive response to therapy. The animal regained full function and was returned to outdoor social housing. Veterinarians are encouraged to consider using antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads when treating osteomyelitis in other nonhuman primates and in other traditional laboratory animal species.

Since an epizootic and detection of clinical cases of tularemia (Francisella tularensis) in 1996 at the Oregon National Primate Research Center, only 8 cases were identified in the succeeding 13 y. However, within a period of 7 mo, primarily during Winter 2010, 6 rhesus macaques were confirmed positive for Francisella tularensis type B by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by culture and fluorescent antibody testing. All cases had similar gross pathologic findings, which included necrotizing splenitis and lymphadenitis. Recent colony management efforts have focused on minimizing nonhuman primate exposure to commonly observed reservoir species and controlling rodent access to corral-style housing. Strategies continue to evolve with regard to managing a large breeding colony of nonhuman primates in the presence of this threat.

Over a 5-y period, 3 chimpanzees at our institution experienced cerebrovascular accidents (strokes). In light of the increasing population of aged captive chimpanzees and lack of literature documenting the prevalence and effectiveness of various treatments for stroke in chimpanzees, we performed a retrospective review of the medical records and necropsy reports from our institution. A survey was sent to other facilities housing chimpanzees that participate in the Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan to inquire about their experience with diagnosing and treating stroke. This case report describes the presentation, clinical signs, and diagnosis of stroke in 3 recent cases and in historical cases at our institution. Predisposing factors, diagnosis, and treatment options of cerebral vascular accident in the captive chimpanzee population are discussed also.