Contaminação por Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina dos uniformes utilizados por técnicos de um hospital veterinário escola / Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcal Contamination of Clothing Worn by Personnel in a Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Original Article: Research

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcal Contamination of Clothing Worn by Personnel in a Veterinary Teaching Hospital

1. Ameet Singh DVM, DVSc, Diplomate ACVS^1,*, 
2. Meagan Walker¹, 
3. Joyce Rousseau BSc², 
4. Gabrielle J. Monteith BSc¹, 
5. Jeffrey Scott Weese DVM, DVSc, Diplomate ACVIM²

Article first published online: 10 MAY 2013

DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2013.12024.x

© Copyright 2013 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons

Issue

Veterinary Surgery

Early View (Online Version of Record published before inclusion in an issue)

Additional Information(Show All)

Abstract

Objective

To determine the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) contamination rate of white coats (WC) and surgical scrubs (SS) worn by personnel at the Ontario Veterinary College Health Sciences Centre (OVCHSC) and to identify risk factors associated with clothing contamination.

Study Design

Cross-sectional study.

Sample Population

Personnel including clinical faculty, house officers, technicians, and veterinary students working at the OVCHSC.

Methods

Electrostatic cloths were used to sample WC and SS of hospital personnel. Samples were tested for MRSA and MRSP and isolates were typed. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire and data was evaluated for risk factors.

Results

Of 114 specimens, MRS were isolated from 20 (17.5%), MRSA from 4 (3.5%), and MRSP from 16 (14.0%). Technicians were 9.5× (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 1.2–∞, P = .03) more likely than students to have clothing contaminated with MRSA. No risk factors were identified for MRSP or for overall MRS contamination.

Conclusions

Standard hospital clothing was found to have a high prevalence of MRS contamination in a veterinary teaching hospital and could be a source of hospital-acquired infections.

Distúrbio ácido-básico misto em cães com babesiose grave / The mixed acid-base disturbances of severe canine babesiosis

The Mixed Acid-Base Disturbances of Severe Canine Babesiosis

1. Andrew L. Leisewitz^1,*, 
2. Linda S. Jacobson¹, 
3. Helio S.A. de Morais², 
4. Fred Reyers¹

Article first published online: 28 JUN 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2001.tb01573.x

Issue

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine

Volume 15, Issue 5, pages 445–452, September 2001

Additional Information(Show All)

Keywords:

• Acid-Base;
• Metabolic acidosis;
• Nonvolatile weak acids;
• Respiratory alkalosis;
• Stewart

Thirty-four dogs suffering from severe babesiosis caused by Babesia canis rossi were included in this study to evaluate acid-base imbalances with the quantitative clinical approach proposed by Stewart. All but 3 dogs were severely anemic (hematocrit <12%). Arterial pH varied from severe acidemia to alkalemia. Most animals (31 of 34; 91%) had inappropriate hypocapnia with the partial pressure of CO²< 10 mm Hg in 12 of 34 dogs (35%). All dogs had a negative base excess (BE; mean of —16.5 mEq/L) and it was below the lower normal limit in 25. Hypoxemia was present in 3 dogs. Most dogs (28 of 34; 82%) were hyperlactatemic. Seventy percent of dogs (23 of 33) were hypoalbuminemic. Anion gap (AG) was widely distributed, being high in 15, low in 12, and normal in 6 of the 33 dogs. The strong ion difference (SID; difference between the sodium and chloride concentrations) was low in 20 of 33 dogs, chiefly because of hyperchloremia. Dilutional acidosis was present in 23 of 34 dogs. Hypoalbuminemic alkalosis was present in all dogs. Increase in unmeasured strong anions resulted in a negative BE in all dogs. Concurrent metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis was identified in 31 of 34 dogs. A high AG metabolic acidosis was present in 15 of 33 dogs. The lack of an AG increase in the remaining dogs was attributed to concurrent hypoalbuminemia, which is common in this disease. Significant contributors to BE were the SID, free water abnormalities, and AG (all withP < .01). Mixed metabolic and respiratory acid-base imbalances are common in severe canine babesiosis, and resemble imbalances described in canine endotoxemia and human malaria.

Síndrome do felino paraquedista 119 casos / Feline high rise syndrome: 119 cases

Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery

Volume 6, Issue 5, October 2004, Pages 305–312

Feline high-rise syndrome: 119 cases (1998–2001)

• D. Vnuk^a, , , 
• B. Pirkić^a, 
• D. Matičić^a, 
• B. Radišić^a, 
• M. Stejskal^a, 
• T. Babić^a, 
• M. Kreszinger^a, 
• N. Lemo^b

Abstract

High-rise syndrome was diagnosed in 119 cats over a 4-year period. 59.6% of cats were younger than one year, and the average height of the fall was four stories. High-rise syndrome was more frequent during the warmer period of the year. 96.5% of the presented cats, survived after the fall. 46.2% of cats had fractured limbs; 38.5% of fractures were of the forelimb, 61.5% of the hindlimb. The tibia was fractured most often (36.4%), followed by the femur (23.6%). 78.6% of femoral fractures were distal. The mean age of patients with femoral fractures was 9.1 months, and with tibial fractures 29.2 months. Thoracic trauma was diagnosed in 33.6% of cats. Pneumothorax was diagnosed in 20% of cats, and pulmonary contusions in 13.4%. Falls from the seventh or higher stories, are associated with more severe injuries and with a higher incidence of thoracic trauma.

Análise comparativa entre formas de aprendizado para a classificação da efusão cavitária em animais de companhia através dos métodos automatizado e de especialistas / Comparative Analysis of Expert and Machine-Learning Methods for Classification of Body Cavity Effusions in Companion Animals

Comparative Analysis of Expert and Machine-Learning Methods for Classification of Body Cavity Effusions in Companion Animals

1. Christine S. Hotz1
2. Steven J. Templeton2
3. Mary M. Christopher1

4. Abstract

   A rule-based expert system using CLIPS programming language was created to classify body cavity effusions as transudates, modified transudates, exudates, chylous, and hemorrhagic effusions. The diagnostic accuracy of the rule-based system was compared with that produced by 2 machine-learning methods: Rosetta, a rough sets algorithm and RIPPER, a rule-induction method. Results of 508 body cavity fluid analyses (canine, feline, equine) obtained from the University of California–Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital computerized patient database were used to test CLIPS and to test and train RIPPER and Rosetta. The CLIPS system, using 17 rules, achieved an accuracy of 93.5% compared with pathologist consensus diagnoses. Rosetta accurately classified 91% of effusions by using 5,479 rules. RIPPER achieved the greatest accuracy (95.5%) using only 10 rules. When the original rules of the CLIPS application were replaced with those of RIPPER, the accuracy rates were identical. These results suggest that both rule-based expert systems and machine-learning methods hold promise for the preliminary classification of body fluids in the clinical laboratory.
   
   
   
   

Função da bomba muscular inspiratória de cães com efusão pleural: influência do decúbito / Function of the canine inspiratory muscle pump in pleural effusion: influence of body position

• Article

Function of the canine inspiratory muscle pump in 

pleural effusion: influence of body position

1. Dimitri Leduc and 
2. André De Troyer

+Author Affiliations

1. Laboratory of Cardiorespiratory Physiology, Brussels School of Medicine, Brussels, and Chest Service, Erasme University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium

1. Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: A. De Troyer, Chest Service, Erasme Univ. Hospital, Route de Lennik, 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium (e-mail: a_detroyer@yahoo.fr).

• Submitted 19 November 2012. 
• Accepted4 February 2013.

Abstract

Pleural effusion, a complicating feature of many diseases of the lung and pleura, adversely affects the pressure-generating capacity of the diaphragm in supine dogs. The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of body position on this effect and to evaluate the adaptation to effusion of the inspiratory muscle pump during breathing. Two experiments were performed. In the first, progressively increasing effusion was induced in anesthetized animals, and the changes in pleural (ΔPpl) and abdominal (ΔPab) pressure were measured during isolated phrenic nerve stimulation while the animals were placed in both the supine and the 45° head-up posture. In the second experiment, graded pleural effusion was also performed, and ΔPpl, ΔPab, and the electromyogram of the parasternal intercostal muscles were measured while the vagotomized animals were breathing spontaneously in the same two postures. The data showed that with effusion 1) ΔPpl during phrenic nerve stimulation was substantially lower with the animals in the head-up than in the supine posture; 2) this postural effect was primarily the result of the decrease in muscle length in the head-up posture;3) during spontaneous breathing, however, parasternal intercostal inspiratory activity increased and ΔPpl remained unaltered while ΔPab decreased; and 4) the decrease in ΔPab and in the ΔPab/ΔPpl ratio was much larger in the head-up than in the supine posture. It is concluded that in the presence of pleural effusion, the pressure contribution of the inspiratory intercostal muscles during breathing increases and compensates for the shortening of the diaphragm, particularly in the upright posture.

Hipercoagulabilidade em cães com nefropatia perdedora de proteína avaliada pela tromboelastrografia / Hypercoagulability in Dogs with Protein-Losing Nephropathy as Assessed by Thromboelastography

Hypercoagulability in Dogs with Protein-Losing Nephropathy as Assessed by Thromboelastography

1. E.M. Lennon, 
2. R.M. Hanel, 
3. J.M. Walker,
4. S.L. Vaden^*

Article first published online: 25 MAR 2013

DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12067

Copyright © 2013 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine

Issue

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine

Early View (Online Version of Record published before inclusion in an issue)

Background

Dogs with protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) are at risk of thromboembolic disease, but the mechanism leading to hypercoagulability and the population of dogs at risk are unknown.

Objectives

To characterize thromboelastography (TEG) and its association with serum albumin (SALB), UPC, and antithrombin activity in dogs with PLN.

Animals

Twenty-eight client-owned dogs with PLN (urine protein:creatinine ratio [UPC] > 2.0) and 8 control dogs were prospectively enrolled in this observational study.

Methods

TEG parameters, antithrombin activity, serum biochemical profiles, and UPC were measured. TEG analyses were run in duplicate with kaolin activation; reaction time (R), clot formation time (K), α-angle (α), maximal amplitude (MA), and global clot strength (G) were analyzed.

Results

Dogs with PLN had lower K (P = .004), and higher α (P = .001), MA (P < .001), and G (P < .001) values than controls. No significant correlation between TEG parameters and UPC, SALB, or antithrombin was noted. Twelve PLN dogs (42.8%) were azotemic and 19 (67.8%) were hypoalbuminemic (SALB < 3.0 g/dL); 11 had SALB < 2.5 g/dL.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

These results indicate that dogs with PLN have TEG values that demonstrate hypercoagulability compared with a control population but that antithrombin, SALB, or UPC cannot be used in isolation to predict this result. A comprehensive evaluation of the coagulation system in individual patients may be necessary to predict the point at which anti-thrombotic therapy is indicated.

Função e morfologia renal em beagles idosos antes e após a administração da hidrocortisona / Renal function and morphology in aged beagle dogs before and after hydrocortisone administration

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Renal Function and Morphology in Aged Beagle Dogs Before and after Hydrocortisone Administration

• Pascale M. Y. Smets mail,
 
• Hervé P. Lefebvre,
 
• Luca Aresu,
 
• Siska Croubels,
 
• Hendrik Haers,
 
• Koen Piron,
 
• Evelyne Meyer,
 
• Sylvie Daminet

Abstract

Objectives of this study were to evaluate glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal structural changes and proteinuria in aged Beagle dogs before and after hydrocortisone (HC) administration. Eleven Beagle dogs ≥10 years old were treated with either hydrocortisone (HC group, n = 6) or placebo (control group, n = 5). Urinary markers, GFR and kidney biopsies were evaluated before (T0), during (T16 wks) and after discontinuing HC administration (T24 wks). Results indicate that HC administration causes a significant increase in GFR. At all time points except T16 wks, proteinuria was higher in the control group than in the HC group, and there was no significant difference in urinary markers between groups. At T16 wks, proteinuria, urinary albumin-to-creatinine (c) ratio, immunoglobulin G/c and retinol-binding protein/c were higher compared to baseline in the HC group. At T0, rare to mild renal lesions were detected in all HC dogs and rare to moderate changes in all control dogs. Glomerulosclerosis progressed in both groups until T24 wks. Tubular atrophy was detected in three HC dogs at T16 wks and T24 wks, but also in five control dogs throughout the study. At every time point, five HC dogs and all control dogs had rare to moderate interstitial inflammation. Rare to mild interstitial fibrosis was found in up to three HC dogs at T16 wks and T24 wks, and severe fibrosis in one HC dog at T24 wks. Up to four control dogs had rare to mild fibrosis at all time points. These findings indicate that clinically healthy, aged Beagle dogs may have considerable renal lesions and proteinuria, which could have implications for experimental or toxicological studies. Additional research is needed to elucidate glucocorticoid effects on renal structure, but functional changes such as hyperfiltration and proteinuria warrant attention to kidney function of canine patients with Cushing's syndrome or receiving exogenous glucocorticoids.

Figure 3. Light microscopic lesions.

(A) Glomerulus, Dog 11 at T0. Early glomerular lesions including minimal increase of mesangial matrix. Periodic acid-Schiff staining (×400); (B) Glomerulus, Dog 11 at T16 weeks. Moderate hypercellularity of mesangial and endothelial cells and one synechia. There is segmental to global increase of mesangial matrix and Bowman's capsule is symmetrically thickened with proliferation of parietal epithelial cells. Periodic acid-Schiff staining (×400); (C) Glomerulus, Dog 11 at T24 weeks. Moderate hypercellularity of mesangial and endothelial cells associated with global increase of mesangial matrix. Visceral epithelial cells are hypertrophic. Periodic acid-Schiff staining (×400); (D) Tubulo-interstitium, Dog 11 at T24 weeks. Moderate inflammation widely separating tubules and atrophic tubules. Periodic acid-methenamine silver staining (×400).

Figure 2. Urinary markers.

Median and 75-25^th percentiles of urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uALBc) (A), immunoglobulin G-to-creatinine ratio (uIgG/c) (B), retinol-binding protein-to-creatinine ratio (uRBP/c) (C) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase ratio (uNAG/c) (D) at T0, T4 wks, T16 wks, T20 wks and T24 wks in the hydrocortisone (HC) group (black circles) and in the control (C) group (white squares). The grey area indicates the hydrocortisone administration period.