Pathology
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CALIFORNIA MASTITIS TEST
Clinical Pathology Quick Notes for BCSE test Preparation
Welcome to our Clinical Pathology Quick Notes for BCSE preparation!
Today, we're delving into the intricacies of the California Mastitis Test (CMT), a pivotal diagnostic tool in the realm of veterinary medicine. Designed to identify subclinical mastitis and gauge somatic cell counts, CMT plays a vital role in dairy herd health management.
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The California Mastitis Test (CMT) stands as a prevalent diagnostic approach for detecting subclinical mastitis, serving as an indirect indicator of somatic cell counts (SCC) within milk.
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Functioning at a qualitative level, the CMT delves into milk secretions, estimating DNA content with finesse. This estimation remains crucial due to the direct correlation between DNA concentration and the presence of white blood cells (WBCs) within milk. By deploying the CMT reagent, cellular lysis takes place, forming a DNA gel. The subsequent degree of gel formation serves as a quantitative proxy for WBC numbers within the milk sample.
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Practical in its execution, the CMT procedure holds a pivotal role in identifying both clinical and subclinical mastitis. It stands as a widely adopted technique for estimating milk cellularity across bovine, ovine, and caprine species.
The approach involves depositing 2-3ml of milk into the CMT paddle, introducing an equal volume of reagent, and meticulously grading viscosity changes - ranging from negative to +3. Elevated viscosity values signify heightened cellular presence, potentially indicating escalated inflammation levels.
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In the spectrum of bovine health, acute mastitis emerges as an orchestrator of milk abnormality, accompanied by pronounced heat, pain, mammary gland swelling, and systemic manifestations like fever and anorexia.
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Species-specific dynamics unveil Mannheimia hemolytica as the chief instigator of acute mastitis in sheep, while goats contend with Staphylococcus epidemidis and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species. Notably, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae claim prominence as the most frequent culprits in dairy cow mastitis cases.
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References:
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Erin Royster. Treatment of Mastitis in Cattle. Vet Clin Food Anim 31 (2015) 17-46.
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Paolo Moroni. Rebhun’s Diseases of Diary Cattle. 3rd ed. Elsevier. 2018.
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David E. Anderson. Sheep & Goat Medicine. Saunders. 2002.
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Ronald L. Terra. Large Animal Internal Medicine. 6th ed. Elsevier. 2020.
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Michigan State University Milk Quality and Mastitis Tests: CMT Fact Sheet
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Merck Vet Manual: Mastitis in Cattle
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Feline Platelets
Feline platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are crucial for clot formation and vascular integrity in cats. They are uniquely prone to clumping, a factor that must be considered during a complete blood count (CBC) analysis. These platelets, produced in the bone marrow and playing an essential role in both primary and secondary hemostasis, have a lifespan of about 5-7 days. Their functions extend beyond clot formation, contributing to immune responses and maintaining vascular health.
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Renal Pathology: Glomerular Leakage and Hyaline Casts
In veterinary medicine, glomerular leakage and the presence of hyaline casts in urinalysis are significant findings that can indicate renal pathology. Glomerular leakage, often evidenced by proteinuria, suggests a breach in the glomerular filtration barrier. This barrier is crucial for retaining plasma proteins in the bloodstream while allowing the filtration of waste products into the urine. Proteinuria, especially when associated with glomerulonephritis or membranous nephropathy, indicates a compromised glomerular filtration mechanism, potentially due to inflammation or structural damage to the glomeruli.
Glomerulonephritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli, which can manifest in both acute and chronic forms. It can be triggered by various factors, including infections (e.g., post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis), autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, Goodpasture's syndrome, IgA nephropathy), and vasculitis (e.g., polyarteritis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis). Symptoms may include hematuria, proteinuria, hypertension, edema, and reduced urine output. Chronic glomerulonephritis can lead to complications like acute kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, and nephrotic syndrome.
Membranous nephropathy (MN), another condition associated with proteinuria and glomerular damage, can be primary (idiopathic) or secondary to other diseases. It is characterized by the thickening of the glomerular basement membrane due to immune complex deposition. Primary MN is considered an autoimmune process, whereas secondary MN is associated with systemic diseases, infections, malignancies, drug exposures, and exposure to toxins. MN can lead to nephrotic syndrome, characterized by severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. Complications may include high blood pressure, kidney disease, kidney failure, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. Treatment strategies include managing symptoms, controlling blood pressure, reducing proteinuria, and, in cases of primary MN, immunosuppressive therapy.
Diagnosis of glomerular diseases typically involves urinalysis to detect proteinuria and hematuria, blood tests to assess kidney function, and, in certain cases, a kidney biopsy to elucidate the specific type of glomerular disease. Management of glomerular leakage and related conditions focuses on treating the underlying cause when possible, controlling symptoms, and preventing progression to chronic kidney disease. This may include immunosuppressive therapy, antihypertensive medication (including ACE inhibitors and ARBs), diuretics, statins for hyperlipidemia, and lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes.
In summary, glomerular leakage and the presence of hyaline casts in urinalysis are indicative of underlying renal pathology, requiring a comprehensive diagnostic approach to identify the specific glomerular disease. Treatment is tailored to the underlying cause and aims to control symptoms and prevent further kidney damage.
References:
Glomerulonephritis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Membranous Nephropathy: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
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SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR BCSE TEST
Here are 5 sample multiple-choice questions for the BCSE test, along with the correct answers and brief explanations:
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of the California Mastitis Test (CMT) in dairy health diagnostics?
A) Identify clinical mastitis cases.
B) Detect subclinical mastitis cases.
C) Assess milk composition.
D) Quantify lactose levels.
Answer: B) Detect subclinical mastitis cases.
The CMT is designed to uncover subclinical mastitis cases that lack visible symptoms, ensuring comprehensive herd health surveillance.
Question 2:
What is the significance of elevated scores in the CMT?
A) Indicates healthy udder function.
B) Suggests a mild infection.
C) Points to severe mastitis.
D) Correlates with milk viscosity.
Answer: C) Points to severe mastitis.
Higher CMT scores indicate intensified mastitis severity, providing insights into somatic cell counts and infection gravity.
Question 3:
In the CMT methodology, why is the quantification of DNA in milk secretions crucial?
A) It assesses milk cellularity.
B) It measures milk acidity.
C) It identifies bacterial pathogens.
D) It determines milk fat content.
Answer: A) It assesses milk cellularity.
Quantifying DNA content is pivotal due to its direct correlation with white blood cell (WBC) levels, offering insights into milk cellularity and inflammation levels.
Question 4:
What is the primary role of the CMT reagent during the test?
A) Enhance milk flavor.
B) Break down somatic cells.
C) Create DNA gel.
D) Increase milk viscosity.
Answer: C) Create DNA gel.
The CMT reagent triggers cellular lysis and DNA gelation, leading to the formation of the gel that serves as a proxy for white blood cell count.
Question 5:
In assessing viscosity changes in the CMT, what does a higher viscosity value indicate?
A) Low milk cellularity.
B) Reduced inflammation.
C) Higher white blood cell count.
D) Lower somatic cell count.
Answer: C) Higher white blood cell count.
Elevated viscosity values indicate a higher presence of cells, suggesting an increased white blood cell count and potentially heightened inflammation levels.