Hemorrhagic Myocarditis Research Articles

Chronic kidney disease in a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca): a case report

BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in captive wildlife species. However, CKD has been rarely documented in giant pandas.Case presentationThe following report describes a case of an eight-year-old female giant panda showing clinical signs of epistaxis, bloody diarrhea, polyuria, azotemia and anemia. The animal died despite of supportive treatments. Necropsy was performed. Grossly, both kidneys were shrunken and scarred with pallor. Subcutis edema and petechia on the epicardium of the heart were observed. The tissue samples were made into paraffin sections and stained by H.E and special staining including Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), von Kossa, Masson’s trichrome, Phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin (PTAH), and Congo red. Histopathology examination revealed severe chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis with marked interstitial fibrosis, glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy and calcification in kidneys, and acute necrotizing hemorrhagic myocarditis with calcification in heart. Other lesions included intestinal hemorrhage, hepatic fatty degeneration and necrosis with hemosiderin, and splenic hemosiderin.ConclusionsIn summary, chronic kidney disease was finally diagnosed based on the association of clinical, gross, and histopathological findings. Heart failure secondary to CKD is the leading cause of death in this giant panda. The potential cause of CKD in this animal is possibly due to long term and uncontrolled hypertension. Blood pressure monitoring is essential in establishing the diagnosis and management of hypertension in giant panda.

Histophilus somni disease conditions with simultaneous infections by ovine gammaherpesvirus 2 in cattle herds from Southern Brazil.

This report investigated the cause of cattle mortality in two farms in Southern Brazil. The tissues of one animal from each farm (animals #1 and #2) respectively were used inpathological and molecular investigations to determine the possible cause of death. The principal pathological findings observed in animal #1 were pulmonary, myocardial, and encephalitic hemorrhages with vasculitis, and lymphoplasmacytic interstitial pneumonia with proliferative vascular lesions (PVL). The main pathological findings observed in animal #2 were purulent bronchopneumonia, hemorrhagic myocarditis, and lymphoplasmacytic interstitial pneumonia with PVL. An immunohistochemical assay detected intralesional antigens of a malignant catarrhal fever virus (MCFV) from multiple tissues of animal #2 while PCR confirmed that the MCFV amplified was ovine gammaherpesvirus 2 (OvGHV2), genus Macavirus, subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae; OvGHV2 was also amplified from multiple tissues of animal #1. Furthermore, PCR assays amplified Histophilus somni DNA from multiple fragments of both animals. However, the nucleic acids of Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Mycoplasma bovis, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, bovine alphaherpesvirus virus 1 and 5, bovine coronavirus,and bovine parainfluenza virus 3 were not amplified from any of the tissues analyzed, suggesting that these pathogens did not participate in the development of the lesions herein described. These findings demonstrated that both animals were concomitantly infected by H. somni and OvGHV2 and developed the septicemic and encephalitic manifestations of H. somni. Furthermore, theinterstitial pneumonia observed in cow #2 was more likely associated with infection by OvGHV2.

Molecular Diagnosis of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Outbreaks in Pigs of Mizoram State

Background: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is considered as an economically important viral disease of pigs worldwide. India has reported the first outbreak of PRRS in the pig population of Mizoram state to the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) on the 26 June, 2013. Although the disease appeared to be contained in the Mizoram state, several severe outbreaks of the disease has been reported in subsequent years. The present study has determined the current status of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome in the pig population of Mizoram state and its diagnosis by molecular and immunohistochemistry technique. Methods: A total number of 365 pigs of different age groups from 5 organized and 35 backyard farms located in different districts of Mizoram were studied. A detailed necropsy was conducted on 88 dead pigs. Gross lesions were recorded and representative tissue samples were collected for histopatholgical, immunohistochemical studies and preserved at -80°C for molecular diagnosis. Result: Respiratory signs characterized by difficulty in breathing accompanied with high fever were the clinical signs observed in affected pigs. Severe haemorrhages in lungs with interstitial pneumonia, haemorrhagic lymphadenitis with lymphoid depletion in lymphoid organs were the most commonly observed lesions followed by haemorrhagic myocarditis and nephritis. Reverse transcription PCR targeting 300 bp fragments of ORF7 gene and real-time PCR targeting 152 bp fragments of ORF7 gene of PRRSV from the tissue extracted RNA (lung, lymph node, spleen) confirmed the outbreaks of PRRSV in different backyard and organized swine herds. The PRRSV antigen was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in alveolar macrophages in lungs and infiltrating macrophages in spleen and lymph nodes tissues respectively.

Partial pericardial agenesis in a dog

Pericardial defects are considered rare in animals and humans. Pericardial agenesis is characterized by partial or total pericardial sac malformation. Here is reported a case of apical partial pericardial agenesis in an adult mixed-breed male dog referred for necropsy. The pericardial sac was absent from the apical region up to the middle area of the ventricles resulting in a bilateral ventricular compression by the remaining pericardium changed the organ conformation. Microscopically, there was evidence of neutrophilic and hemorrhagic myocarditis with cardiomyocyte atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Agenesis is often a subclinical disorder, and it is an incidental postmortem finding in most cases; however, it can cause complications in cases of cardiac structure herniation.

Pathology and molecular diagnosis of first African swine fever outbreak in Meghalaya

African swine fever is one of the most devastating, contagious viral diseases of domestic and wild pigs. Mortality in pigs following acute fatal course of disease was investigated in pig population of Meghalaya, India. The affected animals showed severe depression, inappetence, lethargy, high fever, purplish discolouration of the skin to cutaneous haemorrhages and death within 3-4 days following onset of clinical signs. Detailed post-mortem examination in affected pigs revealed cutaneous haemorrhages, swollen dark black coloured haemorrhagic regional lymph nodes, haemorrhagic enteritis with blood mixed intestinal content, swollen and haemorrhagic spleen, petechiations in kidney, non-collapsing oedematous lungs with areas of haemorrhage and haemorrhagic myocarditis. The consistent microscopical lesion observed included necrosis and depletion of lymphoid tissues, haemorrhagic interstitial pneumonia, hepatitis and haemorrhagic tubular degeneration in kidneys. The 478 bp region of the p72 gene of ASFV was successfully amplified by polymerase chain reaction of DNA from tissue lesions, which has confirmed the outbreaks as ASF. Further the phylogenetic analysis of p72 gene sequence has identified the circulating strain as the ASFV genotype II. This study reports outbreaks of ASF as the major cause of pig mortality in five districts of Meghalaya during the period from April to November 2021.

Characterization of acute TLR-7 agonist-induced hemorrhagic myocarditis in mice by multiparametric quantitative cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

ABSTRACTHemorrhagic myocarditis is a potentially fatal complication of excessive levels of systemic inflammation. It has been reported in viral infection, but is also possible in systemic autoimmunity. Epicutaneous treatment of mice with the Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR-7) agonist Resiquimod induces auto-antibodies and systemic tissue damage, including in the heart, and is used as an inducible mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we show that overactivation of the TLR-7 pathway of viral recognition by Resiquimod treatment of CFN mice induces severe thrombocytopenia and internal bleeding, which manifests most prominently as hemorrhagic myocarditis. We optimized a cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) tissue mapping approach for the in vivo detection of diffuse infiltration, fibrosis and hemorrhages using a combination of T1, T2 and T2* relaxation times, and compared results with ex vivo histopathology of cardiac sections corresponding to CMR tissue maps. This allowed detailed correlation between in vivo CMR parameters and ex vivo histopathology, and confirmed the need to include T2* measurements to detect tissue iron for accurate interpretation of pathology associated with CMR parameter changes. In summary, we provide detailed histological and in vivo imaging-based characterization of acute hemorrhagic myocarditis as an acute cardiac complication in the mouse model of Resiquimod-induced SLE, and a refined CMR protocol to allow non-invasive longitudinal in vivo studies of heart involvement in acute inflammation. We propose that adding T2* mapping to CMR protocols for myocarditis diagnosis improves diagnostic sensitivity and interpretation of disease mechanisms.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

First person – Nicoleta Baxan

ABSTRACTFirst Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Disease Models & Mechanisms (DMM), helping early-career researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Nicoleta Baxan is first author on ‘Characterization of acute TLR-7 agonist-induced hemorrhagic myocarditis in mice by multi-parametric quantitative cardiac magnetic resonance imaging’, published in DMM. Nicoleta conducted the research described in this article while in Dr Susanne Sattler's lab at Imperial College London, UK. She is now an MR Physics Research Associate in the lab of Prof. Lan Zhao at Biological Imaging Centre, Imperial College London, UK, investigating the development of novel multi-parametric cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) tissue-mapping techniques to make progress in the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases.

MICROBIOLOGICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON HIGH MORTALITY RATE IN SUCKLING CALVES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO EPIDEMIOLOGICAL IMPACT

The current study aims to investigate the causes of high mortality rate in suckling calves due to bacterial and viral infection in relation to locality, seasons and age as well as through a high light on the histopathological effect of isolated organisms on tissues of dead suckling calves using both light and electron microscope. This work was performed on a total number of 144(25.1%) dead calves from total reported diseased 573 suckling calves. Samples collected from Al Sharquia, Al Behaira and Al Giza Governorates of Egypt during May 2016 to February, 2017. The mortality rate recorded in Al Sharquia, Al Behaira and Al Giza in percentage of 31.2%, 22.4% and 18.6 % respectively. Mortality rate was more prevalence in winter 69.4% than summer 30.6%. Enteritis cases were reported in 13.2 %, Pneumonia represented 21.5% while pneumoentritis was 65.3%. Isolated bacteria and viruses from out of 144 suckling dead calves suffering from enteritis were Escherichia coli (E. coli) 2.08 %, Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) 2.7% mixed infection of BVDV with E. coli 4.1%, and mixed of Rota virus with S. typhimurium in 4.1 % of cases. In Pneumonic Calves, the most prevalence isolates were Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) 6.9% followed by Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVDV), as a single infection, 6.2%, meanwhile mixed infection of both microorganesms were 15.2%. On the other hand, mixed isolates, bacteria and viruses, from 144 suckling dead calves suffering from pnemoentritis wererepresented in 84(58.4%) cases of dead examined calf, Isolated organisms were mixed infection of BVDV with S. typhimurium and E. coli 13.8 %, other cases showed mixed infection of BVD with S. typhimurium 13.8 %, other cases showed mixed of P.multocida with S. typhimurium 13.1 % finally cases of mixed infection of BVD with E.coli and P.multocida 18.7%. Pathological examination of Pneumonic calves revealed marked changes represented by two types of pneumonia which observed as Acute fibrinosuppurative bronchopneumonia (6.9%), and Interstitial pleuropneumonia (21.5%),entric calves revealed Hemorrhagic enteritis (13.2) %. In addition, in pneumoentric calves which represented 58.4%of dead calves andshowed, Fibrino-necrotizing bronchopneumonia, Necrotizing ulcerative enteritis, lymphocytic hepatitis with congestive cirrhosis, Interstitial nephritis, Acute hemorrhagic myocarditis and Splenic lymphoid depletion.

Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cardiomyopathy

Cyclophosphamide is increasingly used to treat various types of cancers and autoimmune conditions. Higher doses of this drug may produce significant cardiac toxicity, including fatal hemorrhagic myocarditis. In this review, we present a case of cyclophosphamide-induced cardiomyopathy requiring mechanical circulatory support. We also describe the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and risk factors for this important clinical entity and propose early detection and management strategies.

Vitamin E and Selenium Levels are Within Normal Range in Pigs Diagnosed with Mulberry Heart Disease and Evidence for Viral Involvement in the Syndrome is Lacking

SummaryMulberry heart disease (MHD) in pigs is characterized by lesions of acute haemorrhagic myocarditis and myocardial necrosis. The objectives of this study were to determine the levels of vitamin E and selenium and 13 other trace minerals in heart and liver tissues and to determine the prevalence of certain viral infections in heart tissues from MHD‐affected and MHD‐unaffected pigs and the vitamin E and selenium concentration in feed samples from selected farms with MHD. Based on the pathological examination, 114 pigs were separated into MHD lesion‐negative (L‐NEG) (n = 57) and MHD lesion‐positive (L‐POS) (n = 57) groups. Seventy‐three samples (40 L‐NEG and 33 L‐POS) were subjected to chemical analysis, and 66 (32 L‐NEG and 34 L‐POS) were subjected to PCR detection for viral pathogens. Lower (P < 0.05) levels of myocardial copper, lower (P < 0.05) levels of hepatic magnesium and higher (P < 0.05) levels of myocardial and hepatic sodium were detected in the L‐POS cases. Although lower (P < 0.05) levels of hepatic selenium were detected in L‐POS group, all were within the normal range. Analysis of feed samples (n = 22) revealed that selenium levels in all the samples were above the legal limit (0.3 ppm) for pigs. Vitamin E levels in all feed samples were above 20 IU/kg. Among the 66 pigs subjected to PCR detection, there were 19, 4, 13, 8, 2 and 1 animals positive for porcine circovirus type 2, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, pan‐herpes virus, porcine enterovirus, pan‐pestivirus and porcine parvovirus, respectively. Clear evidence of viral association with L‐POS was lacking.

ACUTE LIFE-THREATENING TOXICITY OF CANCER TREATMENT

Although patients with cancer may derive much benefit from treatment, they are at risk for developing life-threatening complications. Hypersensitivity reactions can be severe, as in the case of anaphylaxis with L-asparaginase. Cardiac toxicities consist of arrhythmias with various drugs, hemorrhagic myocarditis with cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide, cardiomyopathy with anthracyclines, and pericardial disease. Acute respiratory failure may occur as a result of ARDS caused by ATRA or cytarabine, from interstitial fibrosis, or from pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. Hemorrhagic cystitis caused by cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide can be severe and result in exsanguination if unresponsive to treatment. Disseminated intravascular coagulation and thrombotic microangiopathy can produce thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications. Gastrointestinal toxicities include significant hepatotoxicity with a variety of drugs and development of acute surgical abdomen.

Sudden Cardiac Tamponade Due to Hemorrhagic Myocarditis after Preconditioning Marrow Transplantation with Cyclophosphamide in a Patient with Aplastic Anemia

Sudden Cardiac Tamponade Due to Hemorrhagic Myocarditis after Preconditioning Marrow Transplantation with Cyclophosphamide in a Patient with Aplastic Anemia

Platelets acquire a secretion defect after high-dose chemotherapy

Patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) may experience life-threatening hemorrhagic myocarditis. The authors investigated whether HDC was associated with an acquired platelet defect. Platelet aggregation and release were evaluated after HDC in ten patients with either metastatic breast carcinoma or melanoma. Platelets underwent shape change and a primary wave of aggregation. High-dose chemotherapy was associated with the inhibition of secondary aggregation of platelets induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), arachidonic acid, prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) analog (U44619), and collagen. Although electron microscopic study of the platelets revealed normal morphologic features with an adequate number of dense bodies and alpha-granules, release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from dense granules was less than 20% of normal. The acquired platelet defect occurred before development of thrombocytopenia. Aggregation of platelets from normal volunteers was not inhibited by either the addition of the chemotherapeutic agents, chemotherapy metabolites, or the patients' sera. In conclusion, HDC induces an acquired abnormality in platelet secretion and aggregation which may contribute to the development of hemorrhagic complications after ABMT.

Clostridial myocarditis in lambs.

Five outbreaks of myocarditis were investigated in young sheep. They occurred during late winter and spring when there was lush growth of pasture following a prolonged period of drought. Clinically the disease was characterised by sudden death and pathological findings were dominated by acute multifocal locally extensive necrotising and haemorrhagic myocarditis. A fluorescent antibody technique was used to demonstrate the presence of Clostridium chauvoei in paraffin embedded sections of myocardium from 4 of the outbreaks.

Combined medical and surgical procedure in acute myocardial infarction--a preliminary report.

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate a new therapeutic approach, by which acutely ischemic human myocardium could be reperfused. The procedure was as follows: intracoronary application of nitroglycerine, intraluminal recanalization by catheters and intracoronary application of streptokinase. Before and after these interventions coronary angiograms were made. Surgical coronary revascularization was performed 1--64 days after reestablishment of flow through the occluded vessels. Seven patients with acute myocardial infarction were treated in this manner. The mean preoperation ejection fraction was 48.6%, the mean enddiastolic pressure was 17.5 mmHg and the mean maximal CPK activity was 616 units/liter (u/l). By the conservative regimen outlined, reopening of the occluded vessels was achieved in all cases. Critical stenoses of 80--85%, however, persisted. But, reperfusion appeared sufficient since in none of the patients hemorrhagic myocarditis was produced intra-operatively. There was no hospital mortality. The mean post-operative ejection fraction was 60% and the mean enddiastolic pressure was 10.6 mmHg. It is concluded that ischemic myocardium can be reperfused by the active conservative regime tested. Emergency revascularization performed after induced reperfusion appears to carry a low operative risk.