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The mounting issue of plastic waste in the aquatic ecosystem is a growing source of concern. Most plastic waste originates on land and a significant proportion of this eventually finds its way into the marine environment, which is widely regarded as a major repository for plastic debris. Currently, there exists a substantial gap in our understanding of how much plastic, the main polymer types, and the distribution of plastic in the marine environment. This study aimed to provide information on mass concentrations of a range of plastics in the surface sediments in the semi-enclosed Moreton Bay, just offshore the large city of Brisbane, Southeast Queensland, Australia. Surface sediment samples were quantitatively analysed for a suite of 7 common plastic polymer types (i.e., polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), poly-(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) using a pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) followed by double-shot microfurnace pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC/MS). The advantage of this approach is that it can measure plastics below the limit of visual detection. The study revealed that Σ7plastics were consistently present in the samples, although the concentrations displayed a wide range of concentrations from 3.3 to 2194.2 µg/g across different sites. Among the polymers analysed, PE and PVC were found at the highest concentrations, ranging from 2.3 to 1885.9 µg/g and 3.0-979.5 µg/g, respectively. Based on the average concentrations of plastics measured, the dry bulk density and volume of sediments within the top 10 cm of the bay, it was estimated that there is a minimum of 7000 t of plastics stored in the surface sediments of the bay. This study is the first to report the mass concentrations of identified plastics and identify the main polymer types in Moreton Bay. This is important information to develop management plans to reduce the plastic waste entering the coastal marine environment.

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A case of a disseminated algal infection is reported in a young rough-coated collie dog with progressive neurologic deficits, blindness, and hemorrhagic diarrhea. Prototheca zopfii organisms were cultured from feces, urine, and blood. At necropsy, granulomas containing typical organisms were identified within the proximal colon, heart, kidneys, and eyes.

Protothécose chez un chien. Un cas d'infection algoïde est signalé chez un jeune chien Collie à poil court avec des troubles neurologiques progressifs, de la cécité et de la diarrhée hémorragique. Des organismes de type Prototheca zopfii ont été cultivés à partir des fèces, de l'urine et du sang. À la nécropsie, des granulomes contenant des organismes typiques ont été identifiés dans le côlon proximal, le cœur, les reins et les yeux.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

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BACKGROUND: Primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in dogs. The mechanisms underlying autoimmune reactivity remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify membrane proteins of RBCs that could be antigenic in dogs with primary IMHA. METHODS: Antibodies were eluted with xylene from RBCs of 12 dogs with IMHA, 4 dogs with anemia due to causes other than IMHA, and 2 healthy dogs. Pooled RBC membrane proteins were prepared from blood of 17 healthy dogs. The eluted antibodies were then analyzed by immunoblotting for interactions with the pooled membrane proteins and autologous plasma. Bands present in the 12 dogs with IMHA but not in the 6 other dogs were considered potential autoantigens and were identified by liquid chromatography followed by tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: RBC eluates from all 18 dogs had reactivity against band 3 protein. Antibodies to 6 additional proteins were uniquely identified in dogs with IMHA. Reactivity to calpain, complement component 3, and peroxiredoxin 2 was identified in 8, 8, and 4 of the 12 samples, respectively, from dogs with IMHA, but in none of the samples from the 6 dogs without IMHA. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of universal immune reactivity against band 3 protein probably indicates recognition of senescent RBC. Proteins uniquely recognized by antibodies in dogs with IMHA are involved in oxidative stress and apoptosis (calpain), inflammation (complement), and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (peroxiredoxin 2). It remains to be determined if these proteins are important in initiating autoimmunity or if immunoglobulins targeting these proteins develop during IMHA.

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CASE DESCRIPTION: A 5-year-old spayed female cat was evaluated because of lethargy of 3 days' duration, acute respiratory distress, and anemia. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Physical examination revealed the cat was in good body condition but had pale mucous membranes and elevated heart and respiratory rates. Results of hematologic analysis indicated the cat had severe anemia (Hct, 0.07 L/L; reference range, 0.28 to 0.49 L/L) and marked rubricytosis (19.0 × 10(9) cells/L; reference value, 0 cells/L). Results of serologic and PCR assays for detection of FeLV and FIV and PCR assays for detection of Mycoplasma spp were negative. Cytologic evaluation of a bone marrow aspirate and histologic evaluation of a biopsy specimen revealed a predominance of rubriblasts and rubricytes with granulocytopenia. Cytologic evaluation of fine-needle aspirates of the spleen and liver also revealed numerous rubriblasts. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The cat received transfusions of packed RBCs, and supportive treatment was administered. Analysis of test results yielded a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (erythroid subtype). Because of continued hemolysis and anemia in combination with the diagnosis of erythroleukemia (which has a poor prognosis), the cat was euthanized. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To the authors' knowledge, erythroleukemia has only been reported in cats infected with FeLV. However, results of all diagnostic assays for FeLV were negative in the cat reported here, which suggested that erythroleukemia can develop in cats in the absence of FeLV infection.

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A 5-year-old pit bull-type dog was examined because of lethargy and black feces, and a presumptive diagnosis of methemoglobinemia was made on the basis of grossly visible brown discoloration of the mucous membranes and urine. Heinz body formation was seen on examination of blood smears, and severe anemia developed 3 days later. The dog did not have any history of exposure to toxins or drugs that have been associated with Heinz body formation. The only remarkable historical finding was that the dog had been wandering loose the day prior to initial examination and returned home smelling strongly of skunk spray. Skunk spray contains thiols and other compounds that are strong oxidizing agents. It was speculated that the methemoglobinemia and Heinz body anemia were a result of exposure to these compounds. Skunk interactions with dogs usually have malodorous but otherwise harmless results. However, findings in this dog suggest that more serious consequences may develop in isolated cases.

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