Bacterial Granuloma Research Articles

The immunomodulatory effect of antimicrobial peptide HPA3P restricts Brucella abortus 544 infection in BALB/c mice

The discovery of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in recent years has been promising for the treatment of multidrug resistant pathogenic microbes. Brucellosis is still considered one of the most common zoonoses in the world. In this study, we evaluated the effect HPA3P peptide in the bacterial uptake and intracellular growth of Brucella abortus (B. abortus) 544 in murine macrophages RAW 264.7. HPA3P was further utilized in a mouse model for infection and treatment. This peptide did not show cytotoxicity or bactericidal effect to B. abortus. However, it inhibited bacterial internalization at 0, 15 and 30 min incubation at two different doses at 12 and 24 μM as well as reduced intracellular growth after 2, 24 and 48 h incubation. Mice treated with HPA3P demonstrated a significant 1.01-log reduction (P < 0.0001) and spleen weight reduction compared to the nanocarrier control (P < 0.01). Significant increases in key cytokines Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) at 3, 7 and 14 days post-infection were observed in HPA3P treated mice similar to the antibiotic control group with both compared to the nanocarrier control. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was also heightened at 14 days post-infection. Histopathological analysis also suggests reduced bacterial granuloma in the liver and spleens of HPA3P treated group compared with the nanocarrier control group. In this study, the modulation of crucial cytokines IFN-γ and TNF might have led to a considerable reduction in the proliferation of B. abortus in a mouse model of brucellosis. Further investigation might be required to maximize the efficacy of HPA3P treatment in murine brucellosis.

Ovariectomy as treatment for ovarian bacterial granulomas in a Duvaucel's gecko (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii)

CASE HISTORY: An adult female Duvaucel's gecko (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii) from a threatened species breeding programme presented due to a prolonged gestation period and distended abdomen.CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: The gecko was in lean body condition with an irregularly shaped, firm mass in the coelomic cavity. Radiographically there was a diffuse radio-opacity within the coelomic cavity with cranial displacement of the right lung field. Ultrasonography revealed a round homogenous abdominal mass of medium echogenicity with an echogenic capsule. Haematology showed a leucocytosis with a moderate left shift in heterophils and toxic changes. Bilateral ovariectomy was performed to remove two ovarian granulomas and Salmonella enterica subspecies houtenae (IV) was cultured from the ovarian tissue. The gecko recovered well from the surgery, regained weight and remained in good health 3 years following the surgery.DIAGNOSIS: Pre-ovulatory stasis and ovarian granulomas associated with infection with Salmonella enterica subsp. houtenae.CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The surgery described in this case resulted in recovery of the gecko, which despite its loss of reproductive capability is of value as an education animal. This is the first report of pre-ovulatory stasis and ovarian granulomas associated with infection with Salmonella enterica in a Duvaucel's gecko and is also the first reported case of pre-ovulatory stasis in a viviparous lizard species. The case adds to knowledge regarding potential reproductive pathology in lizards, which is particularly important information for managers of captive lizard breeding programmes.

Intraerythrocytic iridovirus in central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps).

Three adult central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) originating from a commercial breeding facility presented with clinical signs, including anorexia, dehydration, white multifocal lesions on the dorsal aspect of the tongue, blepharospasm, and weight loss. In 1 of 3 lizards, a marked regenerative anemia was noted, and all 3 bearded dragons had erythrocytic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Nine bearded dragons housed in contact also had identical, but fewer intraerythrocytic inclusions. Inclusion bodies examined by electron microscopy had particles consistent with iridoviruses. Attempts to culture the virus were unsuccessful; however, amplification and sequencing of regions of the viral DNA polymerase by polymerase chain reaction confirmed the presence of an iridovirus. One of the bearded dragons died, while the 2 others showing clinical signs were euthanized. The remaining 9 infected bearded dragons of the teaching colony were also euthanized. Postmortem examination revealed a moderate, multifocal, lymphoplasmacytic or mononuclear adenitis of the tongue in the 3 bearded dragons, and a lymphohistiocytic hepatitis with bacterial granulomas in 2 lizards.

Rhinotomy and Rhinostomy for Surgical Treatment of Chronic Rhinitis in Two Rabbits

Chronic rhinitis is a frustrating disease presentation in rabbits for veterinarians to treat and is often characterized by failure to respond to therapy and reoccurrence. Treatment failure of rabbit chronic rhinitis cases may be due to the presence of foreign material and/or bacterial granulomas with or without bony destruction. For these patients, surgical intervention for the purpose of debridement and flushing of the affected nasal area is an effective alternative to promote healing.

Equine mammary gland disease with a focus on botryomycosis: A review and case study

SummaryMammary gland problems occur incidentally in horses and one of the rarer conditions is botryomycosis (bacterial pseudomycosis, bacterial granuloma, staphylococcal pseudomycetoma). This article includes a short review of equine mammary gland problems inappropriate lactation, mastitis and neoplasia and botryomycosis, and additionally 2 clinical cases of botryomycosis of the udder resulting fromStaphyloccocus aureusinfection will be discussed. Both cases involved nonpregnant, nonlactating mares referred for chronic mammary inflammation with draining abcessation. In both mares, botryomycosis caused byS. aureuswas confirmed by histopathology and a bacterial culture. Both mares recovered fully after surgical hemimastectomy under general anaesthesia.

Pathogen characteristics and its sensitivity against antimicrobial agents in fatal bacterial granuloma after eyelid trauma in vitro.

To understand the pathogen characteristics and its sensitivity against antimicrobial agents in fatal bacterial granuloma after eyelid trauma (FBGT) in vitro, and to provide laboratory evidence for diagnosis. The FBGT pathogens were isolaated and cultured with reformed rabbit-brain anaerobic enriched broth (RRAB), and identified by ATB/API 20A system. The minimum inhibiting concentration (MIC) was determined by anaerobic broth dilution method. A total of 22 strains of pathogen were separated from 21 patients with FBGT and identified as Propionibacterium acnes (PA) by ATB/API 20A system. The MIC of ciprofloxacin for 22 PA strains was 0.0625-0.5mg/L, the MIC of penicillin, ampicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, cefoperazone, lincomycin, and imipenem/cilastatin were 0.125-0.5mg/L, the MIC of ticarcillin/clavulanic acid was 0.250-1.000 mg/L, and the MIC of metronidazole was 64-256mg/L. The pathogen of FBGT was strictly anaerobic PA, which growed slowly and better in nutritious RRAB broth. All PA were resistant to metronidazole, but susceptive to other routine antimicrobial agents, such as penicillin, ampicillin and lincomycin. [corrected] FBGT should not be treated with metronidazole. Clinicians should choose combined use of drugs or operation to treat FBGT according to patients' individual condition and the results of drug sensitivity test.

Use of a chain écraseur for excision of a pharyngeal granuloma in a cow

A 10-year-old Longhorn cow pregnant with a valuable fetus was evaluated because of progressive inspiratory dyspnea of 6 weeks' duration. Physical examination findings were consistent with upper respiratory tract obstruction. A large pedunculated soft tissue mass was evident in the mid-dorsal aspect of the pharynx during palpation and endoscopic examination. Results of microscopic examination of transendoscopic fine-needle aspirates and a biopsy specimen were suggestive of a bacterial granuloma. Transtracheal intubation was performed, and the mass was excised with a chain écraseur. Results of histologic examination were consistent with a diagnosis of actinobacillosis. The owner reported that the cow was doing well without any recurrence of respiratory distress 8 months after surgery. Findings suggested that pharyngeal granuloma resulting from actinobacillosis should be included in the differential diagnoses when examining mature cattle with upper respiratory tract obstruction and that a chain écraseur may be useful for excising soft tissue pharyngeal masses in cattle.

Introduction: Techniques and Procedures

Chronic rhinitis is a frustrating disease presentation in rabbits for veterinarians to treat and is often characterized by failure to respond to therapy and reoccurrence. Treatment failure of rabbit chronic rhinitis cases may be due to the presence of foreign material and/or bacterial granulomas with or without bony destruction. For these patients, surgical intervention for the purpose of debridement and flushing of the affected nasal area is an effective alternative to promote healing.

Biofilm formation of the pathogens of fatal bacterial granuloma after trauma: Potential mechanism underlying the failure of traditional antibiotic treatments

The pathogen of a new type of disease - fatal bacterial granuloma after trauma (FBGT) - was found to be Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). Although in vitro studies showed that the pathogenic P. acnes are sensitive to conventional antibiotics, treatments of FBGT patients with these antibiotics were ineffective. The underlying mechanisms were not clear. Since P. acnes are able to form biofilm on orthopaedic biomaterials in vitro, and pathogenic P. acnes of acnes vulgaris was known to form biofilm in vivo, we hypothesize that the pathogens of FBGT are also able to form biofilm during the pathogenesis, which may be 1 of the reasons for antibiotics tolerance of FBGT. Biofilm forming capacity of the pathogens of FBGT were examined with XTT reduction method, as well as with scanning electron microscope. The effect of long-term subminimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) lincomycin on the biofilm forming ability of the pathogens was also tested. Our results show that both the type strain (NCTC737) and the pathogenic P. acnes of FBGT can form biofilm in vitro. These data demonstrated the biofilm formation of the FBGT pathogens in vitro, and its acceleration by lincomycin, which may be 1 of the major mechanisms for the failure of antibiotic treatment.

Coelioscopic-assisted prefemoral oophorectomy in chelonians

To describe a coelioscopic-assisted prefemoral oophorectomy technique for use in chelonians. Descriptive report. 11 adult female turtles (6 red-eared sliders, 2 box turtles, 1 painted turtle, 1 four-eyed turtle, and 1 Chinese red-necked pond turtle). Five turtles required oophorectomy because of reproductive tract disease; the remaining 6 underwent elective oophorectomy. Turtles were anesthetized and positioned in dorsal recumbency. An incision was made in the prefemoral fossa, and a 2.7-mm rigid endoscope was inserted into the coelomic cavity and used to identify the ovaries. Each ovary was grasped with forceps and exteriorized through the prefemoral incision. The ovarian vasculature was ligated, and the mesovarium was transected. Closure was routine. In 8 turtles, bilateral oophorectomy was performed through a single incision. In 2 turtles, unilateral oophorectomy was performed in an attempt to maintain reproductive potential. In 1 turtle with a unilateral ovarian remnant from a previous surgery, unilateral oophorectomy was performed. Nine turtles recovered. One box turtle with severe hepatic lipidosis died 7 days after surgery. A second box turtle died 2 days after removal of retained eggs and a large bacterial granuloma. Results suggest that coelioscopic-assisted prefemoral oophorectomy is a practical and safe method for treating reproductive disorders and performing elective oophorectomy in turtles. This technique represents a potential alternative to plastron osteotomy in sexually mature chelonians.

Granulomatous Mass in a Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina

ABSTRACT A free-living adult common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, was presented to a wildlife care facility with an ulcerated expansive mass on the left side of its head and neck. Surgical exploration and excision of the mass revealed a necrotic plug of tissue, possibly auricular in origin. The mass was described histopathologically as being necrotic with laminations of tissue layers. Microbiology of samples collected from the lesion supported a diagnosis of bacterial granuloma.

Late bacterial granuloma at an intrathecal drug delivery catheter

In the case reported, neurological complaints were pain and dysaesthesiae in the lower back and thigh, as well as paresis of the ileopsoas muscle. MRI of the lumbar spine showed an intradural-extramedullary mass at the level of L1 homogeneously enhancing with gadolinium. This mass was situated at the tip of an intrathecal catheter implanted 11 years before for a morphine trial infusion as therapy for phantom pain after amputation of the right arm. Now, removal of the catheter was performed. Cultures of lumbar CSF and the catheter tip demonstrated coagulase negative staphylococcus. Antibiotic medication with cephalosporines was given for 6 weeks. After removal of the catheter, the patient was free of pain and he progressively regained full neurological function. Although most catheter-associated granulomas reported so far were sterile in nature, bacterial infection should still be considered even years after catheter placement.

Myxidium mackiei (Myxosporea) in Indo-Gangetic flap-shelled turtles Lissemys punctata andersonii: parasite-host interaction and ultrastructure

Myxosporeans are common parasites of fish, and uncommon parasites of amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates, that can cause significant morbidity and mortality. The common genus Myxidium infects the excretory system of turtles, yet knowledge of its pathogenicity in these hosts is limited. We offer new knowledge of morphological and ultrastructural aspects of host-parasite interactions in Myxidium infections from our recent diagnostic investigations on captive freshwater turtles listed in CITES (Appendix II). We investigated the cause of death of 2 adult Indo-Gangetic flap-shelled turtles Lissemys punctata andersonii from a zoo collection. After post-mortem examination, tissues were processed for histopathology, and special stains were used to demonstrate morphology of myxosporean spores. Additional kidney tissue, immersion-fixed in formalin, was processed for transmission electron microscopy. Both turtles were infected with a myxosporidian, Myxidium mackiei, in the kidney, which occluded 5 to 10% of the renal proximal convoluted tubules. The polysporic plasmodia contained pairs of developing and mature spores. Each mature, spindle-shaped spore had 2 asymmetric valves (1 overlapping, 1 overlapped), with 10 to 13 and 10 to 14 longitudinal ridges per valve, and 2 polar capsules each containing a polar filament with 4 to 5 turns. A pair of spores, each surrounded by a membrane-bound electron-lucent matrix, lay in an enclosing cell within the plasmodium. Regions of the parasite-host interface consisted of undulations of the parasite surface, with intense pinocytotic activity beneath, intermingled with the hosts' microvilli, and endocytotic channels at the apex of renal epithelial cells. The microvilli of the renal epithelial cells of infected tubules were frequently sheared or compressed, or occasionally missing; we did not detect other pathology induced by the parasite. Our report of M. mackiei in L. punctata is a new host record. Both individuals also had disseminated pale yellow nodules (bacterial granulomas) present in lung, heart, kidney, and skeletal muscle, and both were infected with coccidia (tentatively identified as Eimeria sp.) in multiple organs. The cause of death for one turtle was septicemia, but remained unknown for the other individual.

Nodular lesions found in Irish poultry during veterinary inspection at poultrymeat plants

This investigation was carried out on three categories of old birds including cage layers, game birds (ducks and pheasants) and free-range birds. During the study 137,918 carcasses were examined grossly at slaughterhouses and 2040 condemned carcasses underwent detailed post-mortem examination. A total of 419 of the condemned carcasses had nodular lesions. On histological examination of the nodular lesions, one case of bacterial granuloma in a free-range layer, two cases of parasitic granulomata in ducks, 337 cases of different types of tumours and 79 cases of miscellaneous lesions with a nodular appearance were diagnosed. Overall, there was a total condemnation rate of 1.5%. The prevalence of various types of nodular lesions was discussed.

Zur Differenzierung bakterieller und mykotischer Granulome

The causative agents of mycotic granulomas can almost always be diagnosed histologically with adequate certainty by the application of special stains for fungi; this is in contrast to the bacterial granulomas, whose histologic appearance permits no certain conclusions and which therefore require cultures as an adjunct to diagnosis. In addition, the histologic picture also shows whether there has actually been an interaction between the body and the fungus. To be sure, cultures are necessary to distinguish the species of certain genera: e.g., Candida, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Mucor; however, of the two, cultures can more readily be dispensed with. It is necessary to distinguish more strictly than heretofore between the infections that have been lumped under actinomycosis; these are true actinomycosis, actinobacillosis, nocardiosis, streptothricosis and bacterial granulomas with sulfur granule formation, e.g., staphylococcal granulomas. The means for distinguishing between these are discussed. The more or less pronounced granulomatous character of the numerous bacterial or fungal inflammations is a peculiar attribute of these processes; it is better to use the more general term “infectious granulomas” rather than “specific inflammations”. The histologic appearance of the lesion and the causative organism is illustrated for several of the infectious granulomas of animals.