Serological detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Ehrlichia canis antibodies and Dirofilaria immitis antigen in a countrywide survey in dogs in Poland.

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) have increasingly become a focus of attention in the past few years. Nevertheless, in many parts of Europe information on their occurrence is still scarce. In a large study in Poland 3,094 serum samples taken from dogs throughout all 16 Polish provinces were tested using a commercial kit for the detection of circulating antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Ehrlichia canis and of Dirofilaria immitis antigen. A total of 12.31% (381/3,094; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.18-13.52%) and 3.75% (116/3,094; 95% CI: 3.11-4.48%) of the dogs were positive for A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. antibodies, respectively. Furthermore, 0.26% (8/3,094; 95% CI: 0.11-0.51%) were positive for E. canis antibodies and 0.16% (5/3,094; 95% CI: 0.05-0.38%) for D. immitis antigen. The highest percentages of A. phagocytophilum-positive dogs were noted in Lesser Poland, Silesia and Lódz Provinces. For B. burgdorferi s.l., the highest prevalence was recorded in Lódz Province. Co-infections with A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. were recorded in 1.71% of all examined dogs (53/3,094; 95% CI: 1.29-2.23%). One dog even had a triple infection, testing positive for E. canis too. Both A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. have previously been reported in Poland and were confirmed in the present study by positive samples from all 16 provinces. Concerning E. canis and D. immitis travel history or importation cannot be excluded as factors which may have determined the occurrence of these pathogens in the relevant animals. Practitioners in Poland should be aware of the above mentioned CVBDs and of prophylactic measures to protect dogs and their owners.

E-cadherin and fibronectin expressions have no prognostic role in stage II ductal breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to describe the expressions of E-cadherin (EC) and fibronectin (FN) and their prognostic value in radically-treated ductal breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-eight patients, aged 26-86 (median, 57) with stage II G2 or G3 tumors, were subjected to a retrospective analysis. RESULTS: No significant associations were observed between the levels of the proteins studied and patient or cancer features, with the exception of relationships between FN expression and the histological grade of the tumor or hormonal status of the subjects. None of the markers showed a correlation with survival in multivariate analysis. Consequently, the experiment revealed no prognostic value of EC or FN expression in a homogenous patient group with stage II G2 or G3 ductal breast carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Further studies, on other uniform populations, with tumor features different from those described here, are necessary in order to reveal the prognostic significance of the molecules discussed.