A postmortem evaluation of a domestically bred, adult, female Xenopus laevis revealed the presence of a urinary bladder protozoan consistent with Trichodina xenopodus. T. xenopodus is considered an incidental finding, as its presence in the urinary bladder in frogs
has not been correlated with disease or with urinary bladder epithelial lesions. Trichodina spp. are ciliated protozoa known to colonize many species of amphibians and fish. These protozoa frequently inhabit the skin and gills, but may also be present in the urinary bladder of infected
animals. Their presence on the skin and gills in low numbers is not related to disease; however, large numbers may indicate poor water quality and overcrowding.
Total body irradiation of mice is a commonly used research technique; however, humane endpoints have not been clearly identified. This situation has led to the inconsistent use of various endpoints, including death. To address this issue, we refined a cageside observation-based scoring
system specifically for mice receiving total body irradiated. Male and female C57BL/6 mice (age, 8 wk) received 1 of 3 doses of radiation from 1 of 2 different radiation sources and were observed for progression of clinical signs. All mice were scored individually by using cageside observations
of their body posture (score, 0 to 3), eye appearance (0 to 3), and activity level (0 to 3). Retrospective analysis of the observation score data indicated that death could be predicted accurately with total scores of 7 or greater, and observation scores were consistent between observers.
This scoring system can be used to increase the consistent use of endpoint criteria in total body murine irradiation studies and ultimately to improve animal welfare.
Tumors that formed in newborn nude mice that were inoculated with 107 Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were associated with a failure-to-thrive (FTT) syndrome consisting of growth retardation, lethargy, weakness, and dehydration. Scoliosis developed in 41% of
affected pups. Pups were symptomatic by week 2; severely affected pups became moribund and required euthanasia within 3 to 4 wk. Mice with FTT were classified into categories of mild, moderate, and severe disease by comparing their weight with that of age-matched normal nude mice. The MDCK-induced
tumors were adenocarcinomas that invaded adjacent muscle, connective tissue, and bone; 6 of the 26 pups examined had lung metastases. The induction of FTT did not correlate with cell-line aggressiveness as estimated by histopathology or the efficiency of tumor formation (tumor-forming dose
50% endpoint range = 102.8 to 107.5); however, tumor invasion of the paravertebral muscles likely contributed to the scoliosis noted. In contrast to the effect of MDCK cells, tumor formation observed in newborn mice inoculated with highly tumorigenic, human-tumor–derived
cell lines was not associated with FTT development. We suggest that tumor formation and FTT are characteristics of these MDCK cell inocula and that FTT represents a new syndrome that may be similar to the cachexia that develops in humans with cancer or other diseases.
Leukotoxin is a protein that is secreted by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and that primarily targets the active form of leukocyte function associated antigen 1 (LFA1) on WBC. Because of its specificity for WBC, leukotoxin is being developed as a novel biologic treatment
for hematologic malignancies and autoimmune–inflammatory diseases. Early studies indicated that leukotoxin is specific for WBC from humans and Old World primates. In the current study, we used in vivo and in vitro assays to show that leukotoxin has a wider host range than previously
believed and can kill rodent WBC. Administration of leukotoxin to rats and mice resulted in a rapid drop in WBC number but had no effect on RBC or platelet counts. Using LFA1-knockout mice, we showed that leukotoxin-mediated depletion of WBC is dependent on LFA1. In addition, similar to its
effect on human monocytes, leukotoxin kills murine myeloid leukemia via a lysosome-mediated pathway that is dependent on cathepsin D. This newly described broader host range of leukotoxin enables the biology of the protein to be studied in rodent species and offers the possibility of using
rodent models for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of leukotoxin in various diseases.
An 8-mo-old female transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (C57BL/6-Tg(TRAMP)8247Ng/J) mouse presented with abdominal distention, lethargy, and serosanguineous vaginal discharge. A large primary renal tumor with metastases to lung and liver was present at necropsy. The tumor
was composed of poorly differentiated and crowded epithelial cells forming ducts, acini, and cribriform patterns, with comedonecrosis and frequent bizarre mitoses. Immunohistochemistry revealed that neoplastic cells expressed nuclear SV40 T antigen, confirming aberrant expression of the transgene.
In addition, cells were positive for pancytokeratin and negative for synaptophysin and estrogen and progesterone receptors. This report details the first transgene-induced tumor in a female TRAMP mouse.
Congenital malformations may occur during early embryogenesis in cases of genetic abnormalities or various environmental factors. Affected subjects most often have only one or 2 abnormalities; subjects rarely have several unrelated congenital defects. Here we describe a case of a stillborn
New Zealand white rabbit with multiple complex congenital malformations, including synophthalmia, holoprosencephaly, gastroschisis, and a supernumerary hindlimb, among other anomalies. There was no historical exposure to teratogens or other known environmental causes. Although not confirmed, this case was most likely a rare spontaneous genetic event.
Human alloimmune thrombocytopenic conditions caused by exposure to a platelet-specific alloantigen include neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, posttransfusion purpura, and platelet transfusion refractoriness. More than 30 platelet-specific alloantigens have been defined in the human
platelet antigen (HPA) system; however, there is no previous information on canine platelet-specific alloantigens. Using the HPA system as a model, we evaluated the canine ITGB3, ITGA2B, and GP1BB genes encoding GPIIIa (β3), GPIIb (αIIb),
and GPIbβ, respectively, which account for 21 of 27 HPA, to determine whether amino acid polymorphisms are present in the orthologous canine genes. A secondary objective was to perform a pilot study to assess possible association between specific alleles of these proteins and a diagnosis
of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in dogs. By using genomic DNA from dogs of various breeds with and without ITP, sequencing of PCR products encompassing all coding regions and exon–intron boundaries for these 3 genes revealed 4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in ITGA2B
resulting in amino acid polymorphisms in the canine genome, 3 previously reported and 1 newly identified (Gly[GGG]/Arg[AGG] at amino acid position 576 of ITGA2B. Of 16 possible ITGA2B protein alleles resulting from unique combinations of the 4 polymorphic amino acids, 5 different protein isoforms
were present in homozygous dogs and explain all of the genotype combinations in heterozygous dogs. There was no amino acid polymorphism or protein isoform that was specific for a particular breed or for the diagnosis of ITP.
Pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas are aggressive brainstem tumors that fail to respond to treatment. We hypothesize that the protective features of the pons may hinder chemotherapeutic agents from entering pontine tissue compared with cortical brain tissue. To test this hypothesis,
we developed a unique nonhuman primate model using microdialysis, a continuous in vivo extracellular sampling technique, to compare drug exposure concurrently in pontine tissue, cortical tissue, CSF, and plasma after intravenous administration of chemotherapeutic agents. The surgical coordinates
and approach for microdialysis cannula–probe placement were determined in 5 adult male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) by using MRI. Microdialysis cannulas–probes were implanted stereotactically in the brain, retrodialysis was performed to measure relative recovery, and
a 1-h intravenous infusion of temozolomide was administered. Continuous microdialysis samples were collected from the pons and cortex over 4 h with concurrent serial plasma and CSF samples. Postsurgical verification of microdialysis cannula–probe placement was obtained via MRI in 3 macaques
and by gross pathology in all 5 animals. The MRI-determined coordinates and surgical methodologies resulted in accurate microdialysis probe placement in the pons and cortex in 4 of the 5 macaques. Histologic examination from these 4 animals revealed negligible tissue damage to the pontine
and cortical tissue from microdialysis. One macaque was maintained for 8 wk and had no deficits attributed to the procedure. This animal model allows for the determination of differences in CNS penetration of chemotherapeutic agents in the pons, cortex, and CSF after systemic drug administration.
An aged male rhesus macaque in our colony had decreased appetite and a loss of interest in behavioral testing. CBC analysis revealed a regenerative, microcytic, hypochromic anemia with thrombocytosis, consistent with iron deficiency. A fecal occult blood test was positive. Ultrasound
imaging revealed numerous, vascularized focal liver lesions that suggested metastases. The macaque's appetite continued to decrease, and he became more lethargic. At this point, the investigator elected to euthanize the macaque. At necropsy, the ileocolic junction was white and abnormally
thickened, and the liver was pale tan with approximately 18 discrete white masses randomly scattered throughout the hepatic parenchyma. Histologically, the mass at the ileocolic junction was identified as an intestinal adenocarcinoma, whereas the liver masses were confirmed to be undifferentiated
hepatic sarcomas. This case report describes a rhesus macaque that had 2 unrelated primary neoplasms. A review of the literature indicates that this rhesus macaque is the first reported to have an adenocarcinoma of the ileocolic junction and multiple hepatic sarcomas simultaneously.
We report a case of brain abscess after craniotomy and the placement of a recording chamber for electrophysiologic records in an adult rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) enrolled in visual research. Approximately 2 wk after surgery, the macaque presented with nonspecific gastrointestinal
signs and showed no evidence of fever, neurologic deficits, increased intracranial pressure, suggestive alterations in the CBC, or abnormal changes in the recording chamber. The macaque responded to symptomatic and antibiotic treatment and showed no behavioral or abnormal clinical signs for
3 wk before collapsing suddenly. The macaque was euthanized, and pathologic evaluation revealed a large brain abscess immediately under the original craniotomy.