No abstract

No abstract

In the present study, we describe a series of 23 cases of ocular subconjunctival parasitic granulomas in dogs, admitted to the Clinic of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, between 1997 and 2000. The ophthalmic manifestations in all animals were periorbital swelling, discomfort, photophobia, conjunctival congestion, and discharge. A more detailed examination revealed the presence of periocular masses (nodules) on the subconjunctival bulbar space. Granulomatous or cyst-like formations were extracted surgically, and were found to contain thread-like nematode parasites. A histologic and parasitologic examination of tissues and parasites was carried out. Diagnosis of parasitic granulomas was made and the parasite was identified as Onchocerca sp. This is the largest series of cases reported of aberrant Onchocerca infections in dogs coming from one geographic location.

Mass stranding events (MSEs) of beaked whales (BWs) were extremely rare prior to the 1960s but increased markedly after the development of naval mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS). The temporal and spatial associations between atypical BW MSEs and naval exercises were first observed in the Canary Islands, Spain, in the mid-1980s. Further research on BWs stranded in association with naval exercises demonstrated pathological findings consistent with decompression sickness (DCS). A 2004 ban on MFASs around the Canary Islands successfully prevented additional BW MSEs in the region, but atypical MSEs have continued in other places of the world, especially in the Mediterranean Sea, with examined individuals showing DCS. A workshop held in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, in September 2017 reviewed current knowledge on BW atypical MSEs associated with MFAS. Our review suggests that the effects of MFAS on BWs vary among individuals or populations, and predisposing factors may contribute to individual outcomes. Spatial management specific to BW habitat, such as the MFAS ban in the Canary Islands, has proven to be an effective mitigation tool and mitigation measures should be established in other areas taking into consideration known population-level information.

Our study represents a first step in understanding the possibilities of the MSC approach to treatment of alkali injuries of the cornea and shows that such an approach improves clinical outcomes and leads to better prognosis.