No abstract

Corroding metals made of magnesium alloys represent a new class of degradable implants for musculoskeletal surgery. These implants may be associated with skin sensitizing reactions because of the release of metal ions. This study was conducted to compare the sensitizing potential of four different magnesium alloys (AZ31, AZ91, WE43, and LAE442) to current implant materials such as titanium (TiAl6V4) and a degradable polymer (SR-PLA96). Solutions and solid chips of these materials were prepared and tested in 156 guinea pigs according to the Magnusson-Kligman test. A standard allergen (hydroxy-cinnamon-aldehyde) causing allergic erythema was used as positive control and a standard irritant (sodium-lauryl-sulfate) causing local skin irritation for less than 24 h was used as negative control. All erythema were graded immediately and 24 h after patch removal by three independent observers. Histomorphological analyses were performed on skin biopsies taken 24 h after patch removal. We found that initial erythema in animals treated with solid chips diminished within 24 h and were caused by local skin irritation. Local skin irritation was also determined in erythema remaining for 24 h after patch removal in animals treated with dissolved test materials. No allergenic reactions according to the histomorphological criteria were observed in skin biopsies. We conclude that no skin sensitizing potential were detected for standard materials as well as for all tested magnesium alloys by the used methods.

The hedgehog is an in Germany previously unrecognized source of human ringworm. Eight hedgehog caretakers from Göttingen and the surrounding area developed dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton erinacei. Four patients who handled the animals without gloves developed lesions on the hands that were more in keeping with hand eczema, leading to a delay in diagnosis. The other caretakers who wore gloves presented with typical ringworm on the arms, the big toe, the back, the abdomen, and the thighs. Their typical clinical features led to an early diagnosis and treatment.

A 3-year-old Great Dane with bilateral possible essential blepharospasm resulting in ocular complications is described. Conservative treatment was not successful and the disease was treated with local injections of botulinum toxin A into the orbicularis oculi muscle. Blepharospasm disappeared completely 5 to 6 days after injection and did not reappear until 3 to 4 months later, at which time the injection was repeated. After several treatments over a period of more than 3 years no side effects have occured. Botulinum toxin A appeared to be effective in the treatment of essential blepharospasm in this dog.

ZusammenfassungDie Einstellung diabeteskranker Hunde und Katzen mit Insulin ist schwierig. Sie erfolgt in der Regel mithilfe von Blutglukose-Tagesprofilen basierend auf mehreren Blutzuckerbestimmungen. Anhand dieser Methode werden jedoch Blutzuckerentgleisungen wie z. B. nächtliche Hypoglykämien oft nicht erkannt. Aus diesem Grund wurden an der Klinik für kleine Haustiere der Tierärztlichen Hochschule Hannover bei Hunden und Katzen der Nutzen und die Zuverlässigkeit einer kontinuierlichen Blutzuckermessung über 24 Stunden mit dem Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS)® von MiniMed untersucht. Die Durchführung war bei 14 von 16 Langzeitmessungen problemlos. Bei fünf Messungen ergaben sich bei diabetischen Tieren nächtliche Hypoglykämien bzw. Glukosewerte von < 100 mg/dl. Das CGMS® zeigte sich in dieser orientierenden Untersuchung für die klinische Anwendung bei Hund und Katze geeignet. Weitere Studien zur Nutzungsmöglichkeit sollten folgen.