CYTOLOGY Flashcards
What do you expect to see on a Listeria CSF tap?
A mononuclear pleocytosis
What do you expect to see on a thromboembolic meningoencephalitis (TEME) CSF tap?
A neutrophilic pleocytosis
What are the blue granules in a foal?
Dohle bodies are bluish-gray inclusions within the neutrophil that are retained aggregates of rough endoplasmic reticulum. Dohle bodies are one manifestation of toxic (i.e. endotoxemia) morphologic change to the leukocytes.
Other changes in neutrophil morphology that occur with toxemia include cytoplasmic basophilia, vacuolation, and toxic granulation. These changes are commonly found in septic foals and may be considered “defects” in the neutrophil during intense cell production and maturation. In this image, there are numerous dark blue aggregates suggestive of Dohle bodies.
ID this
The predominant finding in the cytologic specimen shown here is a precipitate from ultrasound jelly. This is a contaminant from the skin preparation used for ultrasound evaluation. The precipitate may obscure any cellular or non-cellular features from the aspirate. To avoid this artifact, you should remove all ultrasound jelly from the site overlying skin prior to performing the aspirate.
You examine a 3-year old beef cow which has been acting depressed for the last 24 hours, and has failed to remain with the herd. The cow’s temperature is 104F, (40 C), heart rate is 100 bpm and is pounding loudly, and the respiratory rate is elevated at 42 breaths per minute. The mucous membranes are pale. You take a blood sample back to your nearby clinic and observe the blood smear (see image). The PCV is 20% (24-46%). Of the following, what is the single best, most cost-effective treatment for this cow?
The blood smear shows multiple round Anaplasma marginale along the outer membrane of red blood cells.
Anaplasma marginale is an obligate intracellular bacterium. It is the most prevalent tick-borne pathogen of cattle worldwide and is endemic in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Canada is Anaplasma-free.
Infection causes large scale destruction of red blood cells and fever, weight loss, respiratory distress, abortion, and often death.
Although some cattle recover, they can become lifetime carriers as reservoirs. Anaplasma ovis can occur in sheep and goats.
Anaplasma can often be treated successfully with a single injection of long acting tetracycline (20 mg/kg). When the PCV is below 12%, a blood transfusion may also be needed. In addition, the animal should be given ready access to feed and water.
Even with treatment, animals may remain carriers after all clinical signs resolve.
What’s the difference between acute and chronic leukemia?
‘Chronic’ describes the clinical course of the disease, which is considered indolent or slowly progressive. The neoplastic cells of chronic leukemias are well differentiated or mature cells; therefore, CLL is considered a chronic or indolent form of leukemia made up of small, mature lymphocytes. These are difficult to distinguish from normal lymphocytes. The mildly prominent lymph nodes and prominent spleen are classic findings for chronic leukemias. The large disease burden within the bone marrow and relatively less affected lymphoid tissues (relative to lymphoma) makes this a lymphocytic leukemia as opposed to a small cell or low grade lymphoma.
The average life span of the avian red blood cell is _________?
The correct answer is 28-45 days. This is significantly shorter than a mammalian red blood cell due to the higher metabolism of the cell.
A 3-year-old male intact cat presents with a progressive history of coughing for the past 3 months. The cat lives indoors and outdoors and is not on any medications. Blood work shows a moderately elevated neutrophil count with a mild lymphopenia. Chest radiographs demonstrate a moderate bronchointerstitial pattern. The owners consented to a laryngeal exam, bronchoscopy, and a transtracheal wash. The image below is from the transtracheal wash. What is this organism and what is the treatment for it?
The feline lungworm in cats is Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. Treatment with ivermectin and fenbendazole have been reported to be successful.
Toxocara gati is a roundworm (ascarid) in which cats become infected by ingesting larvated eggs. The life cycle is complicated and involves migration through the liver and lungs. Eventually the larvae come up the mucociliary apparatus and are then swallowed where they develop in the small intestine. Eggs can readily be found in the feces, while adults can be visualized within the small intestine. Clinical signs in the kittens include poor body condition and a pot-bellied appearance. Vomiting may also be present. Diagnosis is best made via a fecal flotation and a transtracheal wash is unlikely to be as rewarding. Treatment options include selemectin, fenbendazole, pyrantel pamoate, milbemycine oxime, and moxidectin. It has been recommended that all kittens be dewormed beginning at 2 weeks of age until they are approximately 8 weeks old, at which point they should be transitioned to a heartworm preventative that is also effective against ascarids.
Strongylus edentatus is one of the large strongyles of horses found in the large intestines. Treatment includes ivermectin, moxidectin, pyrantel, and fenbendazole.
Spirocerca lupi is an esophageal worm found in dogs. They are found in the esophageal, aortic, and gastric walls of dogs that have eaten infected dung beetles, chickens, reptiles, or rodents. Chronic infection may cause neoplastic transformation of the surrounding tissues into sarcomas or rupture and life-threatening hemorrhage of the aorta. Treatment is with ivermectin or doramectin.
