Pelger-Huёt anomaly in a bitch Basenji

Background: Pelger-Huët anomaly (PHA) is characterized by morphological changes in all granulocytes, being more evident in neutrophils. Granulocytic function in these animals remains unchanged. Hereditary form of PHA should be differentiated from pseudo-PHA,a condition acquired from infections and/or inflammation conditions. Recognition of PHA is important to avoid misleading leukogram interpretation, since hyposegmentation of neutrophils can be confused with left shift, making it necessary to carry out diagnostic tests and treatment for the disease that is generating the deviation. The objective of this case report was to demonstrate the importance of laboratory diagnosis in PHA. Case: A 11-month-old bitch Basenji, was presented to perform preoperative evaluation for elective ovariosalpingohisterectomy at Veterinary Hospital (HUVET) of the Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF). Tutor reported that animal was healthy, vaccination status was current, had deworming protocol applied and had not made use of medications recently. Animal presented normophagy, normodipsia, normuria and normochezia. Upon physical examination, animal was alert consciousness level, with adequate hydration, hyperemic oral mucosa, a less than 2 s capillary perfusion time, normal lymph nodes (submandibular, pre-scapular, inguinal and popliteal), rectal temperature of 39.2°C, heart rate of 160 beats per minute and respiratory rate of 60 movements per minute, possibly due to the animal's agitated state. Abdominal palpation showed no changes. Physical examination presented no alterations. Preoperative exams included complete blood count (CBC) and biochemistry profile (ALT, AP, glucose, creatinine, urea, total proteins and fractions). Samples were sent to Hospital's Veterinary Clinical Pathology Laboratory (LABHUVET/UFF) for analysis. CBC was performed using automatic method. Blood smears were stained with hematological stain and then a cytomorphological evaluation was performed. The first CBC revealed 23% of neutrophils with nuclear hyposegmentation and 44% of neutrophils were bands. A follow up was performed after 9 months, and a Complete Blood Count was performed again in which 12% of neutrophils showed nuclear hyposegmentation with mature chromatin pattern, 40% of neutrophils were bands, 1% of meta-myelotcytes neutrophils, 1% of myelocytes neutrophils and, also, eosinophils with nuclear hyposegmentation. Animal was healthy, and had no alterations on physical examination suggesting a diagnosis of PHA. Discussion: Recognition of PHA is important to avoid misleading leukogram interpretation, since neutrophils hyposegmentation can be confused with left shift, which is considered severe with poor prognosis, making it necessary to carry out diagnostic tests and treatment for the disease that is generating the deviation. The diagnosis of PHA was considered by the shape of the leukocytes nuclei, without evidence of inflammatory disease, during the patient follow up. Therefore, this anomaly should be considered as a differential diagnosis of left shift, thus avoiding unnecessary clinical and therapeutic procedures. Guidance in face of this hereditary hematological syndrome is important. The responsible guardian of the animal must not allow it to act as a breeder in order to interrupt possible transmission of this anomaly to offspring, because there is a fatal form when it comes to homozygotes.

Perfil clínico e laboratorial de cadelas sororeativas para erliquiose tratadas em um Hospital Veterinário Universitário em Niterói, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Clinical and laboratory profile of dogs seroreactive to ehrlichiosis treated at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Niterói, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne disease highly prevalent in Brazil, and is relevant in canine clinical practice due to its high morbidity and mortality. Its clinical signs are nonspecific and its phases are acute, lasting 2 to 4 weeks; subclinical, i.e., asymptomatic; and chronic, resembling an autoimmune disease. The purpose of this study was to identify the occurrence of reactivity to Ehrlichia canis of bitches treated at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF) - Niterói, RJ, Brazil, based on serological examination by iELISA, and to compare the hematological, biochemical, urinary protein-creatinine and urinary density profiles of reactive and non-reactive animals. This study involved solely bitches, regardless of breed, starting at 1 year of age. One hundred and thirty bitches, 1 to 16 year-old (mean age 7.02 ± 4.00), weighing 1.5 to 50 kg (mean weight 12.12 ± 10.65) were subjected to clinical examination and abdominal ultrasound. Complete blood count, biochemical measurements, urinalysis and serology for E. canis were also performed. The serum was used in the iELISA to identify immunoglobulin G (IgG), using a canine Ehrlichia Imunotest® diagnostic kit (Imunodot®, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Sixty animals (46.20%) were reactive to E. canis. According to their owners, only 5 (8.3%) of the 60 seroreactive animals had a history of tick-borne disease. The most common profile was that of mixed breed animals living with their owners, older than 7 years, who had not been treated preventatively with specific drugs against ectoparasites. Laboratory tests showed significant differences between groups in terms of total protein (TP), and calcium and urinary protein-creatinine ratio (UPC). TP and UPC were elevated in the non-reactive group, while the only significant change in the reactive group was mild hypocalcemia. In this study, 30% (18/60) of the bitches were seroreactive to E. canis and had hypocalcemia. Of these, 50% (9/18) had a UPC above 0.5. Furthermore, 66.7% (12/18) of this group with hypocalcemia also showed urine density (UD) of less than 1024. Among these 18 bitches, 5 had both alterations, i.e., UPC > 0.5 and UD < 1024. In this study, a high prevalence of bitches seroreactive to Ehrlichia canis was observed, despite the absence of clinical and/or laboratory signs indicative of the disease. In the investigation of IgG class antibodies, it is not possible to determine the exact time of infection, and titers may remain high for a period of more than 11 months, even after treatment and elimination of the bacterium. The fact that most seroreactive bitches showed no symptoms compatible with the disease either before or during the study suggests that they were in the subclinical phase of ehrlichiosis. The main reason for calcium metabolism disorders is a phosphorus imbalance, a condition that occurs in kidney diseases. Isosthenuria reflects the kidney's inability to concentrate urine. This finding may be one of the first clinical manifestations of chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially in dogs. On the other hand, the UPC ratio may increase with the progression of CKD. The presence of hypocalcemia, isosthenuria and increased UPC associated with seroreactivity suggests that infection by E. canis may be associated with the onset of CKD. Veterinarians should keep in mind the complexity of the pathophysiology of ehrlichiosis to ensure the disease is not underdiagnosed in any of its phases, thereby ensuring the correct treatment is provided. Such awareness is expected to reduce the chronicity of the disease and underlying sequelae among dogs.(AU)

Comparação analítica entre resultados da glicemia em bovinos obtidos com glicosímetro portátil vs método enzimático / Comparative analysis between portable glucometer and enzyme method for measurement of blood glucose levels in cattle

Background: Changes in glycemic levels can negatively affect the body. Several techniques for the measurement of bloodglucose have been described, but the enzymatic method is considered standard and more accurate in both humans andanimals. The College of American Pathologists recommends the use of portable glucometers (PGs), which are routinelyused in human medicine because this is an easy, relatively inexpensive method that delivers results quickly. The aim ofthis study was to compare the results of the measurement of blood glucose in cattle obtained using portable Accu-Check®glucometer with the enzymatic method (EM), which is still considered standard.Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty crossbred cattle (Bos taurus), male and female, of different ages were evaluated.Through a puncture of the jugular vein, 10 mL of blood was collected, and one drop was immediately used in an AccuChek® PG; the remaining blood was stored in tubes containing sodium fluoride and tubes containing EDTA. The sampleswere packaged and sent to the laboratory for processing. Blood glucose was measured in the sodium fluoride samples using the enzymatic-colorimetric method (EM) employing Labtest® glucose kits with automatic ELISA spectrophotometerreadings. The glycemic values obtained in this study with PG and EM ranged from 62 to 163.3 mg/dL. Mean glucoseconcentrations for the PG and EM methods were 93.53 mg/dL and 94.84 mg/dL, respectively, with no statistical difference(P > 0.05). The glycemia measurement results generated by both tests were normally distributed by the Shapiro–Wilk test(P > 0.05) and equal variances by the Levene test (P > 0.05).

Expression and antigenic analysis of the recombinant TRP36 protein from Ehrlichia canis São Paulo strain for serologic tests / Expressão e análise antigênica da proteína RTP36 recombinante da amostra São Paulo de Ehrlichia canis para testes sorológicos

Ehrlichia canis is the main etiological agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), a globally canine infectious disease. In Brazil, CME is considered to be endemic, and its prevalence can reach 65% in some states. The diagnosis of ehrlichiosis is important for treatment and epidemiological purposes. The E. canis TRP36 (Tandem Repeat Protein) protein elicits the earliest acute-phase antibody response observed during the course of the disease. This study aimed to generate the recombinant TRP36 protein from E. canis São Paulo strain and to evaluate its potential as a tool for the serologic diagnosis of CME. The E. canis São Paulo isolate was cultivated in DH82 lineage cells, and its genomic DNA was obtained. The bacterial DNA fragment encoding the entire ORF of TRP36 was cloned into the pBAD/Thio-TOPO vector and transformed into Escherichia coli DH10B competent cells with the trp36-bearing plasmid for protein expression. To evaluate the protein antigenicity, 16 canine serum samples were previously tested (by PCR and the commercial SNAP®4Dx® serological test). The results were in accordance with the SNAP®4Dx® test. Experiments using this recombinant protein as an antigen, targeting the development of a serologic test based on ELISA methodology, are the next step to produce a reliable, affordable and useful diagnostic tool for CME in Brazil.(AU)

Ehrlichia canis é o principal agente etiológico da erliquiose monocítica canina (EMC), uma doença infecciosa canina globalmente dispersa. No Brasil, a EMC é considerada endêmica, e a infecção pode atingir 65% em cães em alguns estados. O diagnóstico de erliquiose é importante para fins de tratamento e epidemiológicos. A proteína TRP36 de E. canis leva a uma resposta humoral com produção de anticorpos em fase aguda, encontrada durante o curso da doença. O objetivo deste estudo foi obter a proteína TRP36 recombinante da amostra São Paulo de E. canis e avaliar seu potencial como ferramenta para o diagnóstico sorológico da CME. O isolado de E. canis São Paulo foi cultivado em células da linhagem DH82 e o DNA genômico foi obtido. O fragmento de DNA bacteriano que codifica toda a ORF de TRP36 foi clonado no vetor pBAD / Thio-TOPO e transformado em células competentes Escherichia coli DH10B, com o plasmídeo portador de trp36 para expressão de proteínas. Para avaliar a antigenicidade da proteína, 16 amostras de soro canino foram previamente analisadas (por PCR e teste sorológico comercial SNAP®4Dx®). Os resultados estavam de acordo com o teste SNAP®4Dx®. Os experimentos que utilizam essa proteína recombinante como antígeno, visando ao desenvolvimento de um teste sorológico baseado no ELISA, são o próximo passo para produzir um teste de diagnóstico confiável, acessível e útil para o diagnóstico da EMC no Brasil.(AU)

Comparação analítica entre resultados da glicemia em bovinos obtidos com glicosímetro portátil vs método enzimático / Comparative analysis between portable glucometer and enzyme method for measurement of blood glucose levels in cattle

Background: Changes in glycemic levels can negatively affect the body. Several techniques for the measurement of bloodglucose have been described, but the enzymatic method is considered standard and more accurate in both humans andanimals. The College of American Pathologists recommends the use of portable glucometers (PGs), which are routinelyused in human medicine because this is an easy, relatively inexpensive method that delivers results quickly. The aim ofthis study was to compare the results of the measurement of blood glucose in cattle obtained using portable Accu-Check®glucometer with the enzymatic method (EM), which is still considered standard.Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty crossbred cattle (Bos taurus), male and female, of different ages were evaluated.Through a puncture of the jugular vein, 10 mL of blood was collected, and one drop was immediately used in an AccuChek® PG; the remaining blood was stored in tubes containing sodium fluoride and tubes containing EDTA. The sampleswere packaged and sent to the laboratory for processing. Blood glucose was measured in the sodium fluoride samples using the enzymatic-colorimetric method (EM) employing Labtest® glucose kits with automatic ELISA spectrophotometerreadings. The glycemic values obtained in this study with PG and EM ranged from 62 to 163.3 mg/dL. Mean glucoseconcentrations for the PG and EM methods were 93.53 mg/dL and 94.84 mg/dL, respectively, with no statistical difference(P > 0.05). The glycemia measurement results generated by both tests were normally distributed by the Shapiro–Wilk test(P > 0.05) and equal variances by the Levene test (P > 0.05). (AU)

Age and sex influence in canineRed Cell Distribution Width (RDW-CV and RDW-SD) values

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a influência da idade e do sexo nos valores dos índices RDW-CV (Amplitude dedistribuição de hemácias como coeficiente de variação) e RDW-SD (Amplitude de distribuição de hemácias como desvio-padrão)em hemogramas de cães clinicamente sadios. Foram analisados os resultados de 332 hemogramas de cães, sendo 136 machose 196 fêmeas. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos de acordo com a idade: animais até um ano (n = 42), animais entreum e nove anos (n = 104) e animais acima de 9 anos (n = 186). Todos os exames foram processados no Contador HematológicoAutomatizado Veterinário Sysmex® Poch 100 iV, no período de setembro de 2009 a setembro de 2010 e os resultados foramconfirmados por análise microscópica dos esfregaçossanguíneos. Os valores médios e os desvios-padrão para RDW-CV (%)foram de 10,74 ± 1,53, próximos aos valores citados na literatura. Para RDW-SD (fL),os valores obtidos foram de 32,01 ± 7,56.Entretanto, nos trabalhos já realizados, não foram encontrados valores de referência para este índice em cães. Não houve diferençasignificativa nos valores encontrados para estes índices entre machos e fêmeas ou entre as diferentes faixas etárias, podendoser utilizados como referência para ambos os sexos e todas as idades.

Ocorrência de Hepatozoon sp. em caninos naturalmente infectados no município de Piraí, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Hepatozoon canis tem sido descrito em cães de várias regiões do Brasil sendo mais relatado em áreas rurais. O objetivodeste trabalho foi determinar a ocorrência de infecção por Hepatozoon spp. através da reação em cadeia da polimerase(PCR), em cães de região periurbana da cidade de Piraí, RJ. Em setembro/2006, foram coletadas amostras de sangue de88 cães da cidade, situada no vale do rio Paraíba do Sul. A PCR foi utilizada para a detecção de Hepatozoon spp. (gene18SRNAr) através de um par de iniciadores gênero-específicos. Duas amostras apresentaram resultado PCR-positivo(2,2%), havendo concordância com a avaliação morfológica em esfregaços sanguíneos. A amostra de Piraí demonstrou altasimilaridade (99%) com Hepatozoon canis. Os cães de Piraí apresentaram baixa frequência de infecção por H. canis,quando comparados a pesquisas anteriores na mesma região.

Pulmonary function and quality of life in patients with morbid obesity six months after bariatric surgery / Função pulmonar e qualidade de vida em pacientes obesos mórbidos seis meses após cirurgia bariátrica

PURPOSE: To investigate the body weight, pulmonary function and quality of life of twenty patients with morbid obesity six months after the Fobi-Capella operation. METHODS: Patients were evaluated before and six months after surgery. The patients were mainly female (75 percent), the average age was 40.5 ± 10.27 years; average weight 110.11 kg ± 21.77 and average body mass index (BMI) 39.93 ± 7.13 kg/m² in the postoperative evaluation. Pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry using a Pulmonet/Godart NV Bilt Vetr Hotland spirometer and quality of life was assessed by applying the Moorehead-Ardelt questionnaire. The pre- and postoperative spirometry values were compared by the paired Student t test and the correlation between weight loss and pulmonary function was determined by linear regression, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The spirometry variables Respiratory Frequency (RF), Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) and Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) differed significantly between the pre- and postoperative periods, whereas Residual Volume (RV), Vital Capacity (VC), Total Lung Capacity (TLC), FEF25-75 (Forced Expiratory Flow between 25 and 75 percent FVC) and FEV1/FVC percent (Forced Expiratory Volume in the 1st second/ Forced Vital Capacity ratio) did not differ between periods. Only one patient reported worsening of quality of life. There was a positive correlation between weight loss and ERV (p=0.0117, r=0.5514), but no correlations were observed for the other variables. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant weight loss and an improvement of pulmonary function as seen by respiratory frequency, reduction and increased expiratory reserve volume and functional residual capacity. The quality of life of the patients also improved after the Fobi-Capella operation.(AU)

OBJETIVO: Investigar a evolução do peso corpóreo, da função pulmonar e da qualidade de vida de 20 pacientes obesos mórbidos seis meses após operação de Fobi-Capella. MÉTODOS: Os pacientes foram avaliados antes e seis meses após a cirurgia e o sexo feminino predominou em 75 por cento, com média de idade de 40,5 anos ± 10, 27, média de peso de 110,11 kg ± 21,77 e IMC de 39,93 kg/m² ± 7,13. Para a avaliação da função pulmonar foi realizada espirometria por meio do espirômetro Pulmonet Godart NV Bilt Vetr Holland, e para a qualidade de vida foi aplicado o questionário de Moorehead-Ardelt. As comparações entre os valores espirométricos do pré e do pós-operatório foram realizadas pelo teste t de Student para amostras pareadas, e para a correlação entre a perda de peso e função pulmonar utilizou-se análise de regressão linear simples, adotando-se p < 0,05 para todos os resultados. RESULTADOS: As variáveis espirométricas Freqüência Respiratória (FR), Volume de Reserva Expiratório (VRE) e Capacidade Residual Funcional (CRF) apresentaram, aos seis meses após a operação, diferença estatisticamente significativa com os valores pré-operatórios, porém, não houve diferença significativa de Volume Residual (VR), Capacidade Vital (CV), Capacidade Pulmonar Total (CPT), Fluxo Expiratório Médio entre 25 e 75 por cento da curva de CVF (FEF25-75 por cento) e Razão entre Volume Expiratório Forçado no 1º segundo e Capacidade Vital Forçada (VEF1/CVF por cento). Apenas uma paciente relatou piora da qualidade de vida após a operação. Houve correlação positiva entre a perda da porcentagem do excesso de peso e VRE (p=0,0117, r=0,5514); as demais variáveis não apresentaram correlação significativa. CONCLUSÕES: Houve perda significante de peso, melhora da função pulmonar evidenciada pela redução da freqüência respiratória, aumento do volume de reserva expiratório e da capacidade residual funcional. A qualidade de vida dos pacientes melhorou nos seis meses após a operação de Fobi-Capella.(AU)

Age and sex influence in canineRed Cell Distribution Width (RDW-CV and RDW-SD) values

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a influência da idade e do sexo nos valores dos índices RDW-CV (Amplitude dedistribuição de hemácias como coeficiente de variação) e RDW-SD (Amplitude de distribuição de hemácias como desvio-padrão)em hemogramas de cães clinicamente sadios. Foram analisados os resultados de 332 hemogramas de cães, sendo 136 machose 196 fêmeas. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos de acordo com a idade: animais até um ano (n = 42), animais entreum e nove anos (n = 104) e animais acima de 9 anos (n = 186). Todos os exames foram processados no Contador HematológicoAutomatizado Veterinário Sysmex® Poch 100 iV, no período de setembro de 2009 a setembro de 2010 e os resultados foramconfirmados por análise microscópica dos esfregaçossanguíneos. Os valores médios e os desvios-padrão para RDW-CV (%)foram de 10,74 ± 1,53, próximos aos valores citados na literatura. Para RDW-SD (fL),os valores obtidos foram de 32,01 ± 7,56.Entretanto, nos trabalhos já realizados, não foram encontrados valores de referência para este índice em cães. Não houve diferençasignificativa nos valores encontrados para estes índices entre machos e fêmeas ou entre as diferentes faixas etárias, podendoser utilizados como referência para ambos os sexos e todas as idades.

Ocorrência de Hepatozoon sp. em caninos naturalmente infectados no município de Piraí, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Hepatozoon canis tem sido descrito em cães de várias regiões do Brasil sendo mais relatado em áreas rurais. O objetivodeste trabalho foi determinar a ocorrência de infecção por Hepatozoon spp. através da reação em cadeia da polimerase(PCR), em cães de região periurbana da cidade de Piraí, RJ. Em setembro/2006, foram coletadas amostras de sangue de88 cães da cidade, situada no vale do rio Paraíba do Sul. A PCR foi utilizada para a detecção de Hepatozoon spp. (gene18SRNAr) através de um par de iniciadores gênero-específicos. Duas amostras apresentaram resultado PCR-positivo(2,2%), havendo concordância com a avaliação morfológica em esfregaços sanguíneos. A amostra de Piraí demonstrou altasimilaridade (99%) com Hepatozoon canis. Os cães de Piraí apresentaram baixa frequência de infecção por H. canis,quando comparados a pesquisas anteriores na mesma região.