Urethral Polyps in Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pigs

Abstract

Brief communications 137 to find all of the identifying features seen in electron microAcknowledgements. The authors thank Ms. Brenda Colgraphs of the brain. The findings in the small intestine could lins and Ms. Yolanda Briggs for preparing samples for light explain extension of an enteric luminal infection to extra-microscopy and Ms. Dolores Stephenson for tissue prepaintestinal sites.ration for electron microscopy. The identity of this trichomonad is likely Tetratrichomonas gallinarum rather than Trichomonas gallinae. Tetratrichomonas gallinarum has not previously been reported from mockingbirds or from the brain of any bird. The 4 anterior 1. flagella, costa, undulating membrane, and a free recurrent flagellum identify this organism as T. gallinarum. The re-2. current flagellum of T. gallinae terminates at the undulating membrane. Detailed ultrastructure of T. gallinarum has not been reported for comparison of the costa, although some limited micrographs have been published. 4,8 Trichomonas gallinae has a type B costa.7 Invasion of the small intestine 4. is more consistent with colonization of the intestine by T. gallinarum than T. gallinae. 5,6 Although the pathogenicity of T. gallinarum has been 5. questioned, 3,5 Lee 4 demonstrated invasion of cecal lamina propria in 4-6-week-old chicks inoculated with T. gallina-6. rum, and there is no doubt of its association with pyogranulomatous diverticulitis and necrotizing meningoencephalitis in this mockingbird. Recognition of trichomonads in 7.fixed tissue necessitates the demonstration of anterior flagella, a costa, and an undulating membrane. The Bodian stain 8. was unreliable; TEM was the most informative and reliable procedure. References

Diagnosis and management of obstructive urolithiasis in miniature pigs

“…12 A potential complication of urethral catheterization or other urethral trauma in pigs that appears to be fairly unique to this species is the development of urethral polyps at the level of the urethral recess. 13 This has been described in 2 Vietnamese potbellied pigs following treatment of obstructive urolithiasis in which urethral catheterization was performed repeatedly. 13 This may warrant limiting the number of attempts at catheterization in swine, either prior to or during surgery so as not to traumatize the urethra and possibly create a subsequent obstructive polyp.…”

“…13 This has been described in 2 Vietnamese potbellied pigs following treatment of obstructive urolithiasis in which urethral catheterization was performed repeatedly. 13 This may warrant limiting the number of attempts at catheterization in swine, either prior to or during surgery so as not to traumatize the urethra and possibly create a subsequent obstructive polyp.…”