Makara, M. (2014). Computed tomographic features of feline sino-nasal and sino-orbital aspergillosis. Vet J. 201(2):215-22. DOI:10.1016DOI:10. /j.tvjl.2014 Computed tomographic features of feline sino-nasal and sino-orbital aspergillosis AbstractFeline upper respiratory tract aspergillosis (URTA) occurs as two distinct anatomic forms, sinonasal aspergillosis (SNA) and sino-orbital aspergillosis (SOA). An emerging pathogen, Aspergillus felis is frequently involved. The pathogenesis of URTA, in particular, the relationship between the infecting isolate and outcome, is poorly understood. Computed tomography was used to investigate the route of fungal infection and extension in 16 cases (SNA n=7, SOA n=9) where the infecting isolate had been identified by molecular testing.All cases had nasal cavity involvement except one cat with SNA that had unilateral frontal sinus changes. A strong association between the infecting species and anatomic form was identified. A. fumigatus infections remained within the sino-nasal cavity. Cryptic species infections were associated 2 | P a g e with orbital and paranasal soft-tissue involvement and with orbital lysis. These species were further associated with a mass in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses or nasopharynx. Orbital masses showed heterogeneous contrast enhancement, with central coalescing hypoattenuating foci and peripheral rim enhancement. Severe, cavitated turbinate lysis, typical of canine SNA, was present only in cats with SNA.These findings support that the nasal cavity is the portal of entry for fungal spores in feline URTA and that the route of extension to involve the orbit is via direct naso-orbital communication from bone lysis. Additionally, a pathogenic role for A. wyomingensis and a sinolith in a cat with A. udagawae infection are reported for the first time.

In this study, we investigated production of prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha and its metabolite, PGFM, by uterine tissues from tammar wallabies in late pregnancy. Endometrial explants were prepared from gravid and nongravid uteri of tammars between Day 18 of gestation (primitive streak) and Day 26.5 (term) and were incubated in Ham's F-10 medium supplemented with glutamine and antibiotics for 20 h. PGF2alpha and PGFM in the medium were assayed by specific, validated RIAs. Control tissues (leg muscle) did not produce detectable amounts of either PG. Both gravid and nongravid endometria secreted PGF2alpha, and production increased significantly in both gravid and nongravid uteri towards term. PGFM was produced in small amounts by both gravid and nongravid uteri, and the rate of production did not increase. Neither oxytocin nor dexamethasone stimulated PG production in vitro in any tissue at any stage. Thus, the surge in peripheral plasma PGFM levels seen at parturition may arise from increased uterine PG production, but further study is needed to define what triggers this release.

This report describes two cases of PCD in English Cocker Spaniel puppies presenting with chronic nasal discharge and bronchopneumonia. We describe the use of a minimally invasive technique to collect samples suitable for cilial studies for its diagnosis.