Browsing by Author "Neumann, S."

Primary central nervous system (pCNS) posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a complication of solid organ transplantation characterized by poor outcome. In contrast to systemic PTLD, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-association of pCNS PTLD is almost universal, yet viral and cellular data are limited. To identify differences in the pattern of EBV-association of pCNS and systemic PTLD, we analyzed the expression of latent and lytic EBV transcripts and the viral and cellular microRNAome in nine pCNS (eight EBV-associated) and in 16 systemic PTLD samples (eight EBV-associated). Notably although 15/16 EBV-associated samples exhibited a viral type III latency pattern, lytic transcripts were also strongly expressed. Members of the ebv-miR-BHRF1 and ebv-miR-BART clusters were expressed in virtually all EBV-associated PTLD samples. There were 28 cellular microRNAs differentially expressed between systemic and pCNS PTLD. pCNS PTLD expressed lower hsa-miR-199a-5p/3p and hsa-miR-143/145 (implicated in nuclear factor kappa beta and c-myc signaling) as compared to systemic PTLD. Unsupervised nonhierarchical clustering of the viral and cellular microRNAome distinguished non-EBV-associated from EBV-associated samples and identified a separate group of EBV-associated pCNS PTLD that displayed reduced levels of B cell lymphoma associated oncomiRs such as hsa-miR-155, -21, -221 and the hsa-miR-17-92 cluster. EBV has a major impact on viral and cellular microRNA expression in EBV-associated pCNS PTLD. The microRNA expression profile of primary central nervous system posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders that develop in solid organ transplant recipients significantly differs from its systemic counterparts, suggesting that both entities result from distinct pathogenic mechanisms.

The genesis of dental calculus is not clearly understood. Dental calculus is a greater problem in smaller dogs and in dogs with mixed food. In our study we looked for changing bacterial colonization in cases of different quantity of dental calculus. We investigated samples from 59 dogs for bacterial growth. We found 32 species out of different bacterial genus. in cases of greater dental calculus we found more gramnegative, anaerobic species, especially porphyromonas endodontalis and prevotella oralis.

Blood parameters are an integral part of liver diagnostics. Their value for etiopathogenesis is however limited. For assessment of liver function blood parameters are non the less essential. In addition to routine parameters like albumin, prothrombin time, urea and bile acids, the two new parameters IGF I and phenylalanine, an amino acid, are discussed.

Cancer patients are at increased risk for central venous catheter-related infections (CRIs). Thus, a comprehensive, practical and evidence-based guideline on CRI in patients with malignancies is warranted. A panel of experts by the Infectious Diseases Working Party (AGIHO) of the German Society of Hematology and Medical Oncology (DGHO) has developed a guideline on CRI in cancer patients. Literature searches of the PubMed, Medline and Cochrane databases were carried out and consensus discussions were held. Recommendations on diagnosis, management and prevention of CRI in cancer patients are made, and the strength of the recommendation and the level of evidence are presented. This guideline is an evidence-based approach to the diagnosis, management and prevention of CRI in cancer patients.

Mutations in the gene for gamma-sarcoglycan (SGCG) located on HSA 13q12 are responsible for limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD2C) in human. Here we report the cloning of the canine SGCG gene together with its genomic structure and several intragenic polymorphisms. The coding part of the canine SGCG contains seven exons spanning at least 70 kb of genomic DNA. The chromosome assignment of the canine SGCG gene to CFA 25q21 --> q23 confirms that the canine syntenic group 10 corresponds to CFA 2 5 and also supports the findings of human-canine reciprocal chromosome painting. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Since 100 years muscle dystrophies have been well-known in man. Their meaning in veterinary medicine is rather low. We present a case report about a muscle dystrophy in a Doberman pinscher. The dog exhibited hypertrophy of some muscles of the trunk and the proximal legs. The activities of the muscle enzymes CK, AST and LDH were elevated. A histopathologic examination revealed many abnormal hypertrophic muscle fibers, some atrophic muscle fibers, as well as some regenerating fibers. In immunohistochemistry a decreased expression of dystrophin, gamma-sarcoglycane and beta-dystroglycane was found. The EMG showed typical changes of myotonic muscle dystrophy. We observed the course for one and a half year.

Objective: In this retrospective case study a new reusable device for external skeletal fixation (UFEG (R)) that has been especially designed for use in veterinary medicine was evaluated in a case series. Material and methods: In total, 20 patients from three different species (13 cats, five dogs, two rabbits) with a bodyweight between 1.8 and 33.0 kg were treated with the new device. The patients suffered from fractures, luxations and ruptures of tendons at different localizations. All injuries were treated using the UFEG (R) alone or in association with an internal fixation. Results: The duration of the healing process of 3-12 weeks and the success rate with respect to fracture and joint stability were comparable to other clinically used external skeletal fixation systems. In comparison to other devices weighing 14-64 g, the UFEG (R) has a low net weight of 18 g while still providing high rigidity. Additional advantages are the relatively low price, the easy application without the need for specific instruments and the possibility to anchor many Kirschner pins of different gauges in the bone. Conclusion and clinical relevance: The results support the clinical usefulness of the UFEG (R) device. It is highly suitable for treating different limb injuries.

Elevated Creatine kinase-activitiy (CK) indicates disturbances of the muscle cell integrity. In addition to primary muscle disease, like trauma, inflammation or dystrophy, diseases of other organs can lead to secondary muscle involvement, which will be indicated by increased serum activities of the CK. The mechanisms of muscle cell disturbance are still unknown. An elevated protein catabolism in the muscle cell is suspected. In the present study we investigated, if dogs and cats with metabolic diseases have increased CK-activity in the serum. From 34 dogs and cats in a group with different metabolic diseases without metabolic acidosis 19 % of the dogs and 50 % of the cats had increased CK-activity in the serum. From 33 dogs and cats with different metabolic diseases connected with metabolic acidosis 86 % of the dogs and 95 % of the cats had simultaneously increased CK-activity in the serum. In comparison to healthy dogs and cats animals with metabolic diseases have significant and in cases of metabolic di-seases with metabolic acidosis cats have high significant elevation (dogs Significant) of CK-activity in the serum. There was no significant correlation between the groups of patients. In conclusion we think that our results show that metabolic diseases often induce secondary myopathy, measured by CK-activity in the serum, but metabolic acidosis has no direct influence on elevated CK activity in dogs and cats.

Background: Cancer patients frequently suffer from gastrointestinal complications. However, a comprehensive, practical and evidence-based guideline on this issue is not yet available. Patients and methods: An expert group was put together by the Infectious Diseases Working Party (AGIHO) of the German Society of Hematology and Oncology (DGHO) to develop a guideline on gastrointestinal complications in cancer patients. For each subtopic, a literature search was carried out in PubMed, Medline and Cochrane databases and the strength of recommendation and the quality of the published evidence for major therapeutic strategies were categorized using a modification of the 'Infectious Diseases Society of America' criteria. Consensus discussions were held on each of the topics. Results: Recommendations were made with respect to non-infectious and infectious gastrointestinal complications. For all recommendations, the strength of the recommendation and the level of evidence are presented. Conclusion: This guideline is an evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal complications in cancer patients.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas represent a clinically and biologically heterogeneous group of diseases. Over the last few years, new treatment approaches such as humoral immunotherapy and high dose therapy with stem cell rescue have improved the chances for a cure in most patients with malignant lymphoma. However, only with the correct diagnosis and staging, including the evaluation of novel prognostic factors, are treating physicians able to choose the optimal treatment for their patients. This review focuses on conventional staging procedures and their role in the management of lymphoma patients, as well as on some new aspects of the molecular classification of lymphomas.

The knowledge about the epidemiology of an illness is important for the diagnostic procedure, the course and the prognosis of the disease. Studies about the epidemiology of liver diseases in dogs are rare in the veterinary literature. Goal of our investigation was collection of epidemiological items and comparison with veterinary and human literature. Altogether 100 dogs with hepatopathy were investigated in this study. The hepatopathies were diagnosed histologically. In our study liver degeneration appeared most frequently, followed by liver tumours and hepatitis. A vascular liver disease was found only in one case. We could not find any race disposition. The patients with degenerative liver disease, neoplasia and hepatitis were older than 9-10 years. Only the patient with the vascular liver disease, a portosystemic shunt, was clear younger (3 years). We could not find any sex disposition. Predominant symptoms of our patients were disturbed general state of health and inappetence, diarrhoea, vomiting and polyuria/polyclipsia. Abdominal distension and pain we observed more in cases of neoplasia and hepatitis. Icterus, pruritus and hemorrhage were rare symptoms of hepatopathy in our study. The statistical analysis of our laboratory parameters showed significant increase of ALT activity in dogs with hepatitis. Dogs with liver degeneration have significant increased AST activities. GLDH was tendentious higher in dogs with hepatitis. Bile acids were significant increased at dogs with liver tumours. Albumin was significant decreased in dogs with neoplasia. Most of our cases have moderate until poor prognosis. Dogs with liver degeneration died frequently based on the primary disease. The patient with a portosystemic shunt was healed after operation. Our data and those of the veterinary literature showed agreement predominantly.

Fructosamine is a parameter for the serum glucose concentration over the period of some weeks. It is influenced by hyperbilirubinemia, hyperlipidemia, azotemia and the albumin and serum protein concentration and by dysproteinemia. In our investigation we measured serum fructosamine in cases of degenerated liver disease and liver tumors and compare it with healthy dogs. 30 % of dogs with liver tumors had decreased serum fructosamine concentration. In cases of hepatosis we found decreased serum fructosamine concentration in 47 %. In comparison to healthy dogs we found lower levels of fructosamine in dogs with different liver disease. We concluded that disturbances of glucose metabolism or dysproteinemia suppresses the fructosamine concentration.

Dystroglycan is a laminin binding protein, which provides a structural link between the subsarcolemmal cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. It is also involved in the organization of basement membranes. So far the genomic organization of the dystroglycan gene DAG1 has nor been completely investigated. Here we report the cloning and sequencing of 162 kb of dog genomic DNA containing the complete similar to 71-kb canine DAG1 gene, which consists of three exons, with the translation start codon located in exon 2. Its 2679-nucleotide ORF encodes a polypeptide of 892 amino acids, which is highly similar to human, rabbit, and bovine orthologs. To further characterize the dog DAG1 gene we determined,the transcription start site and several naturally occurring polymorphisms, which partially result in amino acid substitutions of the dystroglycan protein. The dog DAG1 gene was assigned to chromosome 20q15.1-q15.2 by FISH analysis. The analysis of the entire reported sequence revealed that the genes for aminomethyltransferase (AMT), bassoon (BSN), TCTA (T-cell leukemia translocation-associated) gene, and an as yet uncharacterized protein are located very close to the DAG1 gene. Therefore, this study defines a novel syntenic region among dog chromosome 20q15, human chromosome 3p21, and murine chromosome 9F.

A heart valve dysplasia of both AV-valves is presented in a case of a male dalmatian. Following the primarly lesions the dog had a congestion of the liver and an ascites with a modified transsudat. The aetiology and pathophysiology of the case will be discussed.