Systems Pathology End of Semester Exam Notes

Page 1

  • Breeds Predisposed to Specific Heart Conditions

    • Atrial Septal Defect: Samoyeds

    • Subaortic Stenosis: Newfoundlands

  • Disease Zoonotic Status

    • NOT Zoonotic:

    • Salmonella

    • Coccidiosis

    • Cryptosporidium

    • Giardia

  • Swine Diseases

    • Disease NOT Present in Australia: TGE (Transmissible Gastroenteritis)

  • Gastrointestinal Infections

    • Bacterial Infection without Visible Inflammation: E. coli

  • Pathological Conditions and Lesions

    • Bacterial Cause of Porcine Pleuropneumonia: Streptococcus porcinus

    • Image Identification: Emphysema

Page 2

  • Organ Identification

    • Organ Pointed by Scalpel: Ileum

  • Lesion Causes

    • Caused by Ingestion of Wire: Lesion associated with wire ingestion

  • Etiological Agents

    • Ruminal Acidosis: Fusobacterium necrophorum linked to hepatic abscesses, also Trueperella pyogenes

  • Temperohyoid Arthropathy Agents

    • Typical Causes:

    • Extension of Otitis Media/Interna (middle or inner ear infections)

    • Common Bacterial Sources: Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus species

  • Types of Gout in Reptiles

    • Visceral Gout: Uric acid crystals deposited on/in internal organs.

    • Articular Gout: Uric acid crystals deposited in joints, particularly in elbows, wrists, ankles, toes.

  • Calcium Deficiency in Reptiles

    • Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism common in captive reptiles.

    • Iguanas: Fibrous osteodystrophy - enlargement of the mandible and limbs.

    • Turtles: Develop soft shells.

Page 3

  • Diet and Nutritional Deficiency

    • Diets with un-supplemented mealworms/minced beef lead to Calcium deficiency, high in Phosphorus.

    • Reptiles require UV light to produce Vitamin D; lack leads to poor dietary calcium absorption.

  • Testicular Tumors Differentiation

    • Leydig Cell Tumors:

    • Anatomy/Gross: Small, solid tan/orange nodules from interstitial cells in seminiferous tubules.

    • Histology: Polygonal cells, abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, round nuclei, may produce androgens.

    • Sertoli Cell Tumors:

    • Anatomy: Originates from Sertoli cells; may distort testis, can be firm.

    • Histology: Elongated/columnar cells, tubule-like structures or rosettes; can produce estrogen causing feminisation.

    • Seminomas (Germinomas):

    • Anatomy: From germ cells; soft, pale, lobulated masses.

    • Histology: Large round cells with clear or pale cytoplasm, distinct borders; significant lymphocytic infiltration.

  • Freemartinism in Calves

    • Cause: Male-female twin pregnancy with vascular anastomoses between placentas, leading to cross transfer of male hormones and anti-Müllerian hormone to the female twin, resulting in reproductive tract abnormalities.

  • Endometrial Hyperplasia in Pregnant Bitches

    • Predisposing Factors:

    • Ovarian cysts leading to prolonged hormone stimulation.

    • Extended luteal influence or repeated/prolonged diestrus, leading to cystic endometrial hyperplasia, predisposing to pyometra.

  • Histological Features of Granuloma Cell Tumor

    • Presence of Call-Exner bodies: small rosettes/microfollicular structures filled with eosinophilic material or granulosa cells arranged in follicle-like patterns.

Page 4

  • Heart Lesion Pathogenesis

    • Hardware Disease Pathway:

    1. Metal foreign body ingestion (e.g., wire) penetrates reticulum → traumatic reticuloperitonitis.

    2. Infection/abscessation from migrated metal → possible diaphragm/pericardium piercing → bacterial pericarditis.

    3. Fluid/pus accumulation in pericardial sac → cardiac tamponade → impaired diastolic filling → potential rapid death/cardiogenic shock.

Page 5

  • Plants Toxic to Livestock (QUESTIONS FROM CAMERON)

    • St. John’s Wort: Found in Queensland – Hypericum perforatum.

    • Pimelea spp.: Causes Maree poisoning (SA) or St. George disease (Queensland) in cattle.

    • Nerium Oleander: Common ornamental bush in South Australia.

  • Conditions Predisposing to Navel Disease

    • E. coli Associated with Navel Ill due to:

    • Dirty calving environment, poor umbilical hygiene, prolonged delivery, failure of passive transfer.

  • Prion Diseases:

    • Prion disease = Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE)

    • Examples: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle, Chronic Wasting Disease in cervids, historically Kuru in Papua New Guinea.

Page 6

  • Spongiform Encephalopathy Characteristics

    1. Definition: Spongiform = vacuoles in neurons leading to sponge-like appearance in brain.

    • Only microscopic lesions observed; gross lesions absent.

    • Slow onset lasting years or decades before clinical signs appear.

    1. Prion Proteins: Misfolding of normal PrP protein leading to accumulation; misfolded proteins template further misfolding.

    2. Types of Spongiform Encephalopathies:

    • Sporadic: Random misfolding in individuals (spontaneous).

    • Familial: Rare genetic conditions.

    • Transmissible: Infectious states affecting populations.

    1. Scrapie in Sheep and Goats: Classic TSE, characterised by:

      • Transmitted via faeces; not present in Australia/New Zealand.

      • Clinical signs: Slow development, abnormal behaviour, scratching, weight loss.

  • The notes continue on numerous topics including skeletal pathology, conditions of specific organs, metabolic diseases and toxic plants, along with the pathogenesis of various conditions affecting both ruminants and companion animals. Each section systematically presents essential factual information, definitions, and detailed explanations necessary for a comprehensive understanding of veterinary pathology. Comprehensive diagrams, charts, and images mentioned in the transcript can provide visual aids to complement the structured notes for enhanced retention and understanding. Reports on substance-related pathologies emphasize the importance of recognizing zoonotic concerns across various species and ensure a rounded grasp of applicable veterinary epidemiology.

  • The continuing pages detail the multifactorial aspects of numerous conditions defined by regional variances, essential for examinations, clinical applications in veterinary practices, and postgraduate academic pursuits in veterinary medicine, pathology, and related life sciences.