Age Predisposition Research Articles

Canine capillary and combined capillary-cavernous haemangioma

Six cases of capillary haemangiomas in the skin and one case in the tongue of dogs are described. There was no breed or age predisposition (average age was 8·9 years), but there was a prevalence of male dogs. In three cases, cavernous haemangioma-like structures were also found, so these tumours are considered to be combined capillary and cavernous haemangiomas.

Stroke risk factors prepare rat brainstem tissues for modified local Shwartzman reaction.

Stroke risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, advanced age, and genetic predisposition to stroke were demonstrated to prepare rat brainstem tissues for a modified local Shwartzman reaction. A single intracisternal injection of endotoxin provoked the reaction, and affected rats manifested neurologic deficits accompanied by pathologic lesions. Brainstem infarcts developed in only a small proportion of rats without recognized risk factors after intracisternal injection of endotoxin. Thus, stroke risk factors, which are ordinarily regarded as operating through acceleration of atherosclerosis, may predispose to brain ischemia by local effects on brain microcirculation such as those thought to underlie preparation of a tissue for the local Shwartzman reaction.

Hypercalcemia of cancer in the digestive tract.

We made a retrospective review of the patients with cancer of the digestive organs who died between January 1, 1975 and December 31, 1985, at Shinshu University Hospital. Of 183 patients with such cancers 15 (8.2%) had hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia was defined as serum calcium level greater than 11.0 mg/dl on at least two determinations. The incidence of hypercalcemia by site was 5 of 74 (6.8%) liver, 1 of 16 (6.3%) biliary tract, 4 of 33 (12.1%) pancreas, 3 of 15 (20.0%) esophagus, 0 of 37 stomach, 0 of 2 duodenum, 2 of 5 colon, and 0 of 1 rectum carcinomas. There was no sexual or age predisposition to hypercalcemia. Bone scans and/or x-ray results were positive in three of eight, negative in five of eight, and were not evaluated in the remaining seven patients. Of five patients tested, four had low to normal serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, and one had a serum PTH level high by C-terminal assay but normal by N-terminal assay. Serum chloride levels at the late stage of hypercalcemia were less than 102 mEq/L in all patients. Therefore, hyperproduction of PTH was unlikely to be a causative factor for hypercalcemia. Indomethacin was given to four patients with hypercalcemia with no effect on serum calcium levels in any cases. Survival from the diagnosis of hypercalcemia ranged from 2 to 96 days (mean 33 days). We conclude that hypercalcemia is a complication not infrequent at the late stages of cancers of the digestive organs, with the exception of gastric cancer, and a portent of a poor prognosis.

Immunodiagnosis of autoimmune skin disease in the dog, cat and horse.

Skin biopsies from 47 dogs, 6 cats and 5 horses with suspected autoimmune skin disease were submitted for immunofluorescence from 1978 to 1985. These cases were predominantly Western Australian in origin, although a number were also referred from Queensland and Victoria. In 5 dogs, 2 cats and 2 horses immunoglobulin binding to intercellular cement substance and/or basement membrane was demonstrated by direct immunofluorescence. Antinuclear antibody was also demonstrated in several of these cases. Immunofluorescence was used in combination with histopathological examination to confirm the clinical diagnosis of autoimmune disease in 19/47 dogs, 4/6 cats and 2/5 horses. There was no age, breed or sex predisposition amongst the 19 positive dogs, however there was a higher incidence of antinuclear antibody (54%) than the normal canine population (10%) and other autoantibodies (rheumatoid factor) were sometimes present. Abnormalities in serum protein electrophoresis and serum complement C4 levels were also recorded in this group.

Clinical observations on equine phycomycosis.

During a clinical study of equine phycomycosis in tropical northern Australia 3 specific forms of phycomycosis were identified. Of 266 cases diagnosed in 5 different laboratories, hyphomycosis caused by Hyphomyces destruens was responsible for 76.7%, basidiobolomycosis caused by Basidiobolus haptosporus for 18.0%, and entomophthoramycosis caused by Conidiobolus coronatus for 5.3%. Most cases of hyphomycosis were observed between March and July, that is after the monsoonal wet summer, but were calculated from clinical histories to originate in the wet season between November and May. Basidiobolomycosis and entomophthoramycosis occurred regularly during the year and no seasonal incidence could be determined. All of these conditions occurred in horses in similar tropical regions of Queensland and the Northern Territory. No breed, sex or age predisposition was found but significant differences between the 3 fungal diseases in site of infection and appearance and size of the lesion were observed. Hyphomycosis was seen as an ulcerative granuloma containing characteristic coral-like kunkers. Lesions were most commonly found on the legs and ventral parts of the chest and abdomen, areas where contact with swamp water was apparent. Basidiobolomycosis was clinically similar to hyphomycosis but was mostly found on the lateral parts of the trunk and face where contact with contaminated soil might be expected. All lesions of entomophthoramycosis were located in the nasal region thus suggesting infection by inhalation.

Distal denervating disease: a degenerative neuropathy of the distal motor axon in dogs

ABSTRACTA group of ten dogs affected by an apparently identical denervating disease, is described. There was no breed or age predisposition but females were preferentially affected (70%). The rate of onset of signs was variable from a week to greater than 1 month. Quadriparesis was present to varying severities and in two dogs the head and neck could not be supported. Mastication, swallowing, respiration and bladder function were unimpaired. Pain sensation was normal, tone was usually decreased and the local limb reflexes depressed or absent. Muscle atrophy was often prominent. All cases bar one recovered but another dog was also destroyed. Electrophysiology revealed diffuse spontaneous activity in the muscles and the motor nerve conduction velocities were at the lower end of or just below the normal range. The evoked muscle potentials were reduced in amplitude. Sensory nerve potentials were normal. The pathology showed a degeneration of the distal intramuscular axons with collateral axonal sprouting. The muscle changes were typical of neurogenic atrophy. The disease has been called distal denervating disease (DDD) until the precise aetiology can be determined.

Reaction time as a function of age and behavioral predisposition to coronary heart disease.

Reaction time as a function of age and behavioral predisposition to coronary heart disease.

Rubella vaccine myeloradiculoneuritis

Thirty-six children with a myeloradiculoneuritic syndrome were studied following a mass rubella vaccine program. This reaction was seen with equal frequency in children given the HPV-77DK12, HPV-77DE5, and Cendehill vaccine. The highest incidence of reaction was seen in preschool children and occurred on an average of 6 weeks following the vaccination. This transient disorder differed from the arthritis of rubella in its symptom pattern, incubation period, and age predisposition. Some children had daily recurrences of nocturnal neuritic arm pain; others had morning leg pain associated with a distinctive limp which in some instances was recurrent over a prolonged period of time. The only consistent laboratory abnormality was an abnormal nerve conduction velocity.

Tuberculosis and Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Series of 100 Patients

Introduction: Tuberculosis and Diabetes mellitus are two public health problems which not only often coexist but have serious implications on each other. DM has an impact on symptomatology, radiological presentation, diagnosis and management of TB. TB has a significant impact on DM, causing unmasking of DM and poor control because of stress or because of drug treatment for TB. Present study attempts to assess this coexistence with regard to the age predisposition, sex preponderance, duration and glycemic control of diabetes and the radiological presentations. Materials and Methods: 100 patients presenting to the Department of Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases, Government Medical College, Patiala, who were suffering from both Tuberculosis and Diabetes Mellitus, were studied. Various parameters considered included age, sex, history of diabetes with regard to the duration and the glycemic control and the radiological presentations. Results: It was found that majority were males (61/100). The age group most commonly involved was the 40-60year group (76/100). Majority had their Diabetes diagnosed before the diagnosis of Tuberculosis (57/100), 23 had diagnosis after TB diagnosis, and 20 simultaneously with TB diagnosis. Out of these 57 diagnosed diabetics, 11 patients had controlled diabetes whereas 46 (87.1%) had uncontrolled diabetes. 32 patients had the typical radiological lesions while 68 had atypical presentations with either lower lobe involvement, multi lobe involvement, cavitations or shadows fanning out from the hilum. Conclusion: TB and DM often coexist together and adversely effect each other. Both need to be managed properly in order to achieve favorable treatment outcome. Key Words: TB; DM DOI: 10.3126/saarctb.v7i2.4404SAARC J. TUBER. LUNG DIS. HIV/AIDS 2010 VII(2) 34-38

Fibrinous Endocarditis in Dogs

Fibrinous endocarditis was observed in 67 (0.58 per cent) of 11,574 dog autopsies. The lesions were valvular in 62 animals and parietal in five. Valvular endocarditis mainly involved the left side of the heart, particularly the mitral valve. The pulmonary valves were never involved. The endocardial deposits in 42 animals were examined bacteriologically. Infection with streptococci could be demonstrated in more than half the dogs. Infections with staphylococci or Escherichia coli were also encountered. There was no evidence of sex predisposition, but a distinct age predisposition; fibrinous endocarditis was most common among dogs seven years old and over. A breed predisposition was seen for German Shepherds. There are reasons for believing that fibrous endocarditis is generally not a sequel to fibrinous endocarditis.