Assessment of drainage vein of focal nodular hyperplasia using contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

PURPOSE: Identification of drainage vessels is useful for differential diagnosis of hepatic tumors. Direct drainage to the hepatic vein has been reported to occur in focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), but studies evaluating the drainage veins of FNH are limited. We aimed to investigate the detection rate of the FNH drainage vein and the factors related to visualization of the drainage vein on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients with 50 FNH lesions were retrospectively evaluated in this study. We calculated and compared the detection rate of the FNH drainage vein on CEUS, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI), and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), and identified the factors correlated with visualization of the FNH drainage vein on CEUS by using multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Visualization of the drainage vein was confirmed in 31 of 50 lesions (62%) using CEUS, three of 44 lesions (6.8%) using CEMRI, and one of 18 lesions (5.6%) using CECT. The detection rate of the FNH drainage vein on CEUS was significantly higher than that on CEMRI and CECT (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified lesion size (≥ 25 mm) and detection of the spoke-wheel pattern on Doppler US as independent factors for drainage vein detection in FNH. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that rapid FNH drainage to the hepatic vein was observed at a relatively high rate on CEUS, suggesting that CEUS focusing on detection of drainage veins is important for diagnosing FNH.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Animacy and L2 Learners' Acquisition of the English Plural Morpheme.

It has been argued that languages differ in the extent to which they allow plural forms of nouns according to the Animacy Hierarchy. Japanese distinguishes between animate and inanimate nouns; the latter are less likely to receive plural markers (e.g., ?hon­tachi), unlike English. This L1-L2 difference might cause difficulty in acquiring the plural morpheme. The present study thus investigates the influence of animacy on the processing of the English plural morpheme in online sentence processing. In this study, 34 Japanese university students engaged in a moving window version of a self-paced reading task, during which they also judged whether the number of words presented was one or two when prompted. If animacy matters, Japanese EFL learners might not show an interference effect of this second task for inanimate nouns. However, as no such effect was found, the prediction based on the animacy hierarchy was not confirmed.

An experimental challenge model for Leishmania donovani in beagle dogs, showing a similar pattern of parasite burden in the peripheral blood and liver.

Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum are closely related species. However, the former is considered the causative agent for anthroponotic visceral leishmaniasis (AVL), while the latter is known to be responsible for zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) with dogs as the main reservoir host. Although molecular detection of L. donovani from naturally infected dogs has been reported in AVL endemic areas, the experimental infection of dogs with this species is very limited. Here, we constructed an experimental canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) model with L. donovani infection using beagle dogs. During an observation period of 8 months after parasite inoculation, few clinical symptoms were observed in the three inoculated dogs. The overall hematological and biochemical data of the dogs showed normal levels, and there were no remarkable changes in the peripheral CD4+, CD8+, CD25+, or FoxP3+ T cell populations. Liver biopsy sampling was conducted to monitor the parasite burden in the liver. A similar pattern of the amount of mitochondrial kinetoplast DNA was observed in the peripheral blood and liver by real-time PCR analysis. In addition, parasite antigens were detected from the liver biopsy sections by immunohistochemical analysis, further supporting the existence of parasites in the liver. These results showed a subclinical CVL model for L. donovani in beagle dogs with a similar kinetics of parasite burden in the peripheral blood and liver.

Long-term survival of a feline with non-T/B large granular lymphocyte lymphoma treated with chemotherapy and activated lymphocyte therapy.

Background: Feline large granular lymphocyte lymphoma (LGLL) is a grave prognosis. However, the effectiveness of concurrent treatment with chemotherapy and activated lymphocyte therapy for feline LGLL has not been evaluated. Case Description: A 7-year-old, castrated male, domestic cat presented with gastrointestinal symptoms and an abdominal mass. A Tru-Cut biopsy of the mass revealed LGLL. The cat responded well to chemotherapy regimens of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisolone, and L-asparaginase. Furthermore, activated lymphocyte therapy was added as an adjuvant treatment. The cat survived 982 days from the first presentation and experienced few adverse events. Necropsy was performed and immunohistochemistry revealed that the neoplastic lymphocytes were CD3-/CD20- cells. The final diagnosis was non-T/B LGLL. Conclusion: Minimal physical burden and a good initial response to chemotherapy might have contributed to long-term survival in the present case. Moreover, activated lymphocyte therapy could be performed safely and may be a feasible treatment for feline non-T/B LGLL.

[A case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease presenting with nonconvulsive status epilepticus in the early stages].

A 64-year-old Japanese woman presented with 1 week of recurrent convulsive seizures. At the time of admission, she was in a coma and did not present with convulsions. Intravenous diazepam administration improved her consciousness, although severe psychomotor excitement developed. Brain MRI demonstrated diffusion restriction in the cerebral cortex of the right hemisphere. Electroencephalography (EEG) showed periodic discharges centered around the parietal regions with right-sided dominance. Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) was suspected, and the patient was actively treated with anti-epileptic drugs. She developed akinetic mutism and generalized myoclonus 1 month after admission. Follow-up EEG studies disclosed periodic synchronous discharges. Abnormal prion protein in the cerebral fluid was detected using a real-time quaking-induced conversion assay. The clinical diagnosis in the present case was sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Seizures as an initial symptom in patients with CJD are relatively rare. Our case suggests that CJD should be considered as a differential diagnosis when a patient presents with refractory NCSE.

Efficacy and timing of gastrografin administration after ileus tube insertion in patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Gastrografin administration (GA) is performed for adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) in cases when decompression therapy using an ileus tube fails to relieve the obstruction. This study evaluated the efficacy of GA and optimized its timing after ileus tube insertion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we evaluated data from patients with ASBO admitted between January 2014 and August 2018 and included patients who underwent ileus tube intubation and GA. The patients were classified as those treated with GA within 48 h after admission (early GA [EGA]) and those treated later with GA (delayed GA [DGA]). Propensity score matching was performed to compensate for differences between the groups. Short-term outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: We included 67 and 80 patients in the EGA and DGA groups, respectively, and 55 pairs with similar background characteristics were matched. The rates of successful conservative management were 87.3% (48/55) in the EGA group, 96.4% (53/55) in the DGA group, and 91.8% (101/110) in the entire sample. The median period of ileus tube insertion in the DGA group was significantly lower than that in the EGA group, whereas other outcomes did not significantly differ between the groups. Aspiration pneumonia occurred in one patient in the EGA group. CONCLUSIONS: GA with an ileus tube achieved a high rate of successful conservative management. Follow-up using decompression with an ileus tube for at least 48 h after admission is recommended in patients with ASBO.

A Case of Pseudoprogression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated With Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab.

A 74-year-old man was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma. The tumor in the liver showed a complete response after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, but lung, bone, and lymph node metastases were observed, so treatment with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab was initiated. After administration, the scans showed tumor growth, but after continuous administration of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, the tumors finally reduced in size and showed a partial response. The transient growth of the tumors was considered to be pseudoprogression. Herein, we report a case of pseudoprogression in hepatocellular carcinoma treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab.

Self-Completion Method of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Using Endosaber without Any Other Device or Assistance: An ex vivo Porcine Model Study.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a standard treatment for tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. We developed a self-completion method of ESD using Endosaber to eliminate the need for an additional device or human assistance during the procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility and outcomes of this method in an ex vivo porcine training model. METHODS: This was a pilot study, and the procedures were performed by 4 experts. Mock lesions measuring 15 mm in diameter were prepared at the posterior wall in the middle or lower esophagus obtained from domestic pigs. Each operator performed ESD on the mock lesions in 3 models. The primary outcome was ESD completion rate using the self-completion method. The secondary outcomes were procedure time, en bloc resection rate, perforation rate, and number of injections during the procedure. RESULTS: All 12 ESDs were completed using the self-completion method. The median procedure time (interquartile range) was 483.5 (399-619.3) s (median incision time: 240.4 [168.3-332.5] s; median dissection time: 222 [182.8-257] s). En bloc resection rate was 100%. No perforation was noted during any of the procedures. The median number of injections was 10.5 (9-14.3). The procedure time decreased significantly with increase in experience (p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: The self-completion ESD method using one Endosaber without any assistance achieved a 100% en bloc resection rate without any perforation. The need for an additional device or assistance was successfully eliminated. This method may prove to be a simple and cost-effective ESD procedure for lesions in humans.

Successful treatment and long-term follow up of idiopathic immune-mediated polyarthritis with mycophenolate mofetil in a cat.

CASE SUMMARY: A 7-year-old neutered male Norwegian Forest Cat was presented with decreased appetite and activity, weight loss, fever, neutrophilia and hyperglobulinaemia. A physical examination showed painful stifle joints and enlarged popliteal lymph nodes. Blood examination showed neutrophilia, hyperglobulinaemia and increased serum amyloid A. Urinalysis, thoracic and abdominal radiographs, and abdominal ultrasonography were unremarkable. Synovial fluid from the knee joints had diminished viscosity and revealed neutrophilic inflammation on the smear. There was no evidence of infection in a microbiological culture of the synovial fluid. A diagnosis of idiopathic immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) was made. Prednisolone was initiated at 2 mg/kg q24h PO and tapered with additional immunosuppressants (leflunomide, ciclosporin A and methotrexate); however, prednisolone could not be discontinued. Informed consent was obtained from the owner and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) at a dosage of 10 mg/kg q12h PO was initiated on day 798. There were no adverse effects of MMF and prednisolone was discontinued on day 1183. Clinical signs resolved and the cat's general condition remained stable with MMF alone at a dosage of 10 mg/kg q48h PO on day 1600. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: There is limited information describing feline IMPA and its treatment options other than the use of prednisolone. This is the first report of the successful treatment and long-term follow-up of feline IMPA with MMF. MMF may be a safe and effective option as an additional immunosuppressant in feline IMPA.

Nutrient deficiency stimulates the production of superoxide in the noxious red-tide-forming raphidophyte Chattonella antiqua.

The raphidophyte Chattonella antiqua is a single-celled alga that forms 'red tides' in coastal areas. C. antiqua produces superoxide anions (O2-), the excessive production of which has been associated with fish mortality. It is suggested that putative NADPH oxidase in the outer membrane oxidizes intracellular NADPH to produce O2- and secrete it externally. Earlier studies revealed that photosynthetic electron transport, a major producer of NADPH in photosynthetic organisms, is involved in the production of O2- in C. antiqua but the details of the O2- production mechanism have yet to be elucidated. Since nutrient deficiency adversely affects the formation of blooms of C. antiqua, in this study, we examined the effects of nutrient deficiency on O2- production in C. antiqua. When cells were grown under nitrogen (N)- or phosphorus (P)-deficient conditions, the production of O2- was stimulated. In particular, the extracellular levels of O2- under N- or P-deficient conditions were high during the dark period when photosynthetic activities in terms of actual quantum efficiency and photochemical quenching were low. The extracellular levels of O2- under the nutrient-deficient conditions were unaffected by the presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1­dimethylurea (DCMU), an inhibitor of photosynthetic electron transport, but decreased when the nutrients were present. Furthermore, the intracellular ratio of NADPH to NADP+ under N- or P-deficient conditions was higher than that under nutrient-replete conditions. These observations suggest that another metabolic pathway, independent of photosynthesis, provides NADPH for the production of O2- under nutrient deficiency.

Primary duodenal plasmacytoma with associated primary (amyloid light-chain) amyloidosis in a cat.

CASE SUMMARY: A 14-year-old spayed female American Shorthair cat was presented with weight loss and a palpable abdominal mass. Abdominal ultrasound and CT revealed a duodenal mass with suspected perforation and an enlarged jejunal lymph node. Cytological evaluation from a fine-needle aspiration of the abdominal mass displayed many atypical round cells, some with a small amount of light pink material at the cellular edge. The duodenal mass was surgically removed, and was diagnosed as a plasma cell tumour immunohistochemically positive for CD79 alpha, IgA and lambda immunoglobulin light chains. In addition, amyloidosis was detected. PCR to assess the antigen receptor rearrangement of the tumour cells showed a monoclonal rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene. Postoperatively, the cat received chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and prednisolone. Owing to progressive enlargement of the jejunal lymph node, different chemotherapy protocols were used sequentially, namely chlorambucil, lomustine and L-asparaginase. However, the cat died 96 days after the initial diagnosis. Post-mortem examination confirmed systemic dissemination of tumour cells. The cause of death was considered to be a result of a complication of the tumour itself and associated amyloidosis. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: This patient was diagnosed with a primary duodenal plasmacytoma, and primary (amyloid light-chain) amyloidosis. In cats, intestinal plasmacytoma is rarely reported and associated amyloidosis is an uncommon feature, when compared with humans. To our knowledge, this is the first clinical report of duodenal plasmacytoma in a cat. The present report shows that feline plasmacytomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of a duodenal mass.

Gene expression of leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein in the polypoid lesion of inflammatory colorectal polyps in miniature dachshunds.

Inflammatory colorectal polyps (ICRPs) in miniature dachshunds (MDs) are speculated to be a breed-specific inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG) has been identified as a novel biomarker of human IBD. The aim of this study was to examine LRG gene expression in the polypoid lesions of ICRPs. Polypoid lesion specimens were collected from 24 MDs with ICRPs. Nonpolypoid colonic mucosa was collected from 18 MDs with ICRPs and 10 controls. The gene expression of LRG, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-22 was examined. The expression of LRG gene was significantly increased in the polypoid lesions of ICRPs and correlated with that of the four cytokines. In conclusion, the LRG gene was expressed within the polypoid lesions of ICRPs and might be associated with local cytokine expression.

The effect of scissor-type versus non-scissor-type knives on the technical outcomes in endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal cancer: a multi-center retrospective study.

The Clutch Cutter was invented as a scissor-type knife for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of gastrointestinal neoplasms. ESD with the scissor-type knife (ESD-S) may be considered a technically easier procedure than ESD with non-scissor-type knives (ESD-NS). Therefore, this study aimed to compare the technical outcomes of ESD-S with those of ESD-NS for superficial esophageal cancer. This was a multicenter retrospective study. Patients with superficial esophageal cancer treated with ESD between October 2015 and March 2018 at three hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. The ESD-S group had 48 patients and the ESD-NS group had 114 patients. A propensity score matching analysis was performed to compensate for the confounding bias between both groups. Multivariate analyses and propensity score matching were used to adjust for age, sex, the tumor size, tumor location, tumor depth, degree of tumor circumference, operator level, usage of the traction method, and the sedation method. The primary outcome was the procedure time of the ESD. Secondary outcomes were the rate of en-bloc/complete resection and the rate of complications including perforation, delayed bleeding, and stricture. Propensity score matching analysis provided 36 matched pairs. Median procedure time in the ESD-S group was significantly shorter than that in the ESD-NS group (44.0 min vs. 66.5 min, P = 0.020). In addition, the treatment outcomes were similar in both groups (en-bloc resection: 100% vs. 97.2%, P = 1; complete resection: 88.9% vs. 86.1%, P = 1; curative resection: 80.6% vs. 77.8%, P = 1; perforation: 0% vs. 5.6%, P = 0.49; delayed bleeding: 0% in both groups; stricture: 2.8% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.61). ESD-S was associated with a shorter procedure time than ESD-NS, without an increase in the incidence of complications. Therefore, the scissor-type knife should be considered as an endo-knife for ESD of superficial esophageal cancers.

Plasma amino acid profiles in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis is the common form of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in dogs. In human IBD, disturbances of amino acid metabolism have been demonstrated to be involved in the pathophysiology of IBD. Therefore, plasma amino acid profile might represent a novel marker of human IBD. OBJECTIVES: To determine the plasma amino acid profiles of dogs with IBD and its usefulness as a novel marker of IBD in dogs. ANIMALS: Fasting blood plasma was obtained from 10 dogs with IBD and 12 healthy dogs. METHODS: All IBD dogs were prospectively included in this study, and heparinized blood samples were collected. The plasma concentrations of 21 amino acids were determined using the ninhydrin method. The relationships among the plasma amino acid concentrations and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI), and overall World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) score were investigated. RESULTS: Median concentration (nmol/mL) of methionine [46.2; range, 30.0-59.3], proline [119.4; range, 76.7-189.2], serine [115.1; range, 61.4-155.9], and tryptophan [17.4; range, 11.9-56.3]) were significantly lower than in control dogs [62.6; range, 51.0-83.6, 199.1; range, 132.5-376.7, 164.3; range, 124.7-222.9, and 68.3; range, 35.7-94.8, respectively]. A negative correlation was identified between the plasma serine concentration and CCECAI (r s = -.67, P = .03), but there were no correlations between plasma amino acid concentrations and CRP concentration or overall WSAVA score. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Plasma serine concentration might represent a novel maker of IBD in dogs.

Bacteriological survey of bulk tank milk from dairy farms in Montero, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Recently, bacterial surveys for mastitis-causing pathogens in bulk tank milk (BTM) have been conducted in several countries worldwide. However, no such surveys have been reported from Bolivia. Therefore, the present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of mastitis pathogens in BTM from dairy farms in Montero, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2016 and August 2017, a total of 43 BTM samples were collected from 3264 cows to determine bulk tank somatic cell counts (BTSCC) and identify mastitis-causing bacteria. BTSCC was classified as follows: <100×103, 100-500×103, 500-1000×103, and >1000×103 cells/mL. RESULTS: Mastitis-causing pathogens identified by agar medium cultures included Bacillus spp., coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus (SA), streptococci, and other species. The proportions of BTSCC of <100×103, 200-500×103, 500-1000×103, and >1000×103 cells/ml were 0%, 37%, 51%, and 12%, respectively. The proportions of coliforms, streptococci, CNS, Bacillus spp., SA, and others detected in BTM were 33%, 30%, 16%, 7%, 2%, and 16%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although the herd prevalence of contagious mastitis-causing pathogens, such as SA, in BTM was low, increased BTSCC were identified in Montero, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

In vitro and in vivo safety and efficacy studies of amphotericin B on Babesia gibsoni.

Babesia gibsoni is a causative pathogen of canine babesiosis, which is commonly treated with anti-babesial drugs; however, the development of novel, more effective anti-babesial drugs is necessary because the currently used drugs cannot remove the parasites from dogs. Therefore we investigated the anti-babesial effect of amphotericin B (AmB), a membrane-active polyene macrolide antibiotic. The interaction of such compounds with sterols in bilayer cell membranes can lead to cell damage and ultimately cell lysis. AmB exhibits in vitro activity against B. gibsoni in normal canine erythrocytes within 12h. We also studied liposomal AmB (L-AmB), a liposomal formulation of AmB that required a longer incubation period to reduce the number of parasites. However, L-AmB completely inhibited the invasion of free parasites into erythrocytes. These results indicated that free parasites failed to invade erythrocytes in the presence of L-AmB. Both AmB and L-AmB induced mild hemolysis of erythrocytes. Moreover, the methemoglobin level and the turbidity index of erythrocytes were significantly increased when erythrocytes were incubated with AmB, suggesting that AmB induced oxidative damage in erythrocytes. Finally, the anti-babesial activity of AmB in vivo was observed. When experimentally B. gibsoni-infected dogs were administered 0.5 and 1mg/kg AmB by the intravenous route, the number of parasites decreased; however, recurrence of parasitemia was observed, indicating that AmB did not eliminate parasites completely. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine of dogs were abnormally elevated after the administration of 1mg/kg AmB. These results indicate that AmB has in vivo activity against B. gibsoni; however, it does not eliminate parasites from infected dogs and affects kidney function at a high dose.

Case report: protein-losing enteropathy caused by Mesocestoides vogae (syn. M. corti) in a dog.

An eight-year-old, neutered, female Shetland Sheepdog presented with a 6-week history of small intestinal diarrhea. Regenerative anemia, hypoproteinemia, and an increased plasma C-reactive protein concentration were detected on blood examination. Fecal examination and abdominal radiography were unremarkable. Abdominal ultrasonography showed diffusely hyperechoic mucosa in the small intestine. Gastroduodenoscopy, performed under general anesthesia, revealed mucosal edema and increased granularity in the duodenum and jejunum. Histopathological examination of the endoscopically biopsied small intestinal mucosa revealed tapeworm infection. A single administration of a combined anthelmintic drug (5mg/kg praziquantel, 14.4 mg/kg pyrantel pamoate, and 15 mg/kg febantel) was successful for deworming, and the dog fully recovered. The parasites were removed from stored frozen duodenal mucosa and morphologically identified as Mesocestoides sp. immature adult worms. Mitochondrial (mt) 12S rDNA and mt cytochrome c oxide subunit 1 genes were amplified from the parasites. DNA sequence analysis showed that the genes shared 100% identity with those of reported M. vogae (syn. M. corti). This is the first reported case of protein-losing enteropathy caused by M. vogae in a dog.

Evaluation of selected cytokine gene expression in colonic mucosa from dogs with idiopathic lymphocytic-plasmacytic colitis.

Lymphocytic-plasmacytic colitis (LPC) is a common form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affecting the canine large intestine. Cytokines are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of IBD. However, to date, few studies have investigated cytokine mRNA expression in dogs with LPC. In this study, we investigated mRNA transcription levels of T helper cell cytokines, such as IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17 and IL-10 and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-12 and IL-23, in colonic mucosa from LPC dogs by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. No significant differences were detected in cytokine mRNA expressions between dogs with LPC and controls, except for IL-23p19. Dogs with LPC failed to express a predominant cytokine profile in inflamed colonic mucosa as opposed to human IBD.

Expression of apical junction complex proteins in duodenal mucosa of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of tight junction and adherens junction proteins in duodenal mucosa samples of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). ANIMALS: 12 dogs with IBD and 6 healthy control Beagles. PROCEDURES: Duodenal mucosa biopsy samples were endoscopically obtained from dogs with IBD and healthy control Beagles. The expression of claudin-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7, and -8; E-cadherin; and ß-catenin in the duodenal mucosa samples was determined by means of immunoblotting. The subcellular localization of E-cadherin in the duodenal mucosa samples was determined with immunofluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: The expression of each claudin and ß-catenin was not significantly different between control dogs and dogs with IBD. However, expression of E-cadherin was significantly lower in duodenal mucosa samples of dogs with IBD than it was in samples obtained from healthy control dogs. Results of immunofluorescence microscopy indicated decreased intensity of E-cadherin labeling in the tips of villi in duodenal mucosa samples obtained from 6 dogs with IBD, compared with staining intensity for other dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of this study indicated expression of claudin-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7, and -8 and ß-catenin was not significantly different between duodenal mucosa samples obtained from control dogs and those obtained from dogs with IBD. However, E-cadherin expression was significantly lower in the villus epithelium in duodenal mucosa samples obtained from dogs with IBD versus samples obtained from control dogs, which suggested that decreased expression of that protein has a role in the pathogenesis of IBD in dogs.

CD4⁺ T cell cytokine gene and protein expression in duodenal mucosa of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common cause of chronic gastrointestinal signs in dogs. In humans, T helper cells have important roles in the pathogenesis of IBD. In contrast, no specific involvement of a distinct T cell subset has been described in canine IBD. The present study evaluated the gene and protein expression of cytokines of T cell subsets in duodenal mucosa from dogs with IBD. Relative quantification of interleukin (IL)-17A, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA transcription was performed using duodenal mucosa from 27 IBD dogs and 8 controls. Duodenal mucosal IL-17A, IFN-γ and IL-10 protein levels were determined by ELISA in 15 IBD dogs and 8 controls. There was no significant difference in each cytokines mRNA transcription level between groups. There was no significant difference in IL-17A, IFN-γ and IL-10 protein expression levels between groups. Thus, there is no clear evidence for the involvement of distinct Th cytokine in the pathogenesis of canine IBD.