Significance of scattered small echogenic foci floating in urinary bladder as ultrasonography finding in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Despite the prevalence of echogenic foci floating in the urinary bladder seen in ultrasonography in dogs, surprisingly little has been written on its significance, including its potential association with urinalysis. The objective of the study was to determine the diagnostic value of the echogenic foci floating in urinary bladders in dogs. RESULTS: - Cystosonography was performed on 45 dogs. Bladder contents were examined and divided into positive (containing echogenic particles) and negative (absent echogenic particles) groups according to the presence and absence of floating echogenic particles. Five mL of urine was collected via cystocentesis. Urine analysis and culture were done and the relationship between ultrasound evaluation and urinalysis results was investigated. In dogs with bladder echogenic particles in ultrasonography, the prevalence of hematuria, pyuria, bacteriuria, and lipiduria were 88.9%, 92.6%, 29.6%, and 70.3%, respectively. However, in dogs in which echogenic particles were not observed in their bladders, the prevalence of hematuria, pyuria, bacteriuria, and lipiduria was 77%, 50%, 5.5%, and 77%, respectively. There was a significant association between bladder debris and positive urine culture, with an odds ratio of 7.15 (95% confidence interval: 0.81-63.28) compared with matched controls. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between the presence of floating echogenic particles with pyuria, and urine color ( p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the present results showed the detection of bladder debris on ultrasound can be a predictor for pyuria and positive urine culture in dogs.

Florfenicol urinary excretion and its potential for treating canine urinary tract infections.

The canine urinary excretion of florfenicol was evaluated to explore its potential for treating urinary tract infections. Nine healthy male intact purpose-bred Beagles and four healthy client-owned dogs each received a single oral dose of florfenicol 20 mg/kg (300 mg/mL parenteral solution) with food. All voluntary urinations were collected for 12 h. Although florfenicol is reportedly bitter tasting, 7/9 Beagles and 4/4 client-owned dogs completely ingested the florfenicol and were enrolled; salivation (n = 1) and headshaking (n = 3) were observed. The last measured urine florfenicol concentrations were variable: Beagles (0.23-3.19 mcg/mL), Pug (3.01 mcg/mL) English Setter (21.29 mcg/mL), Greyhound (32.68 mcg/mL), and Standard Poodle (13.00 mcg/mL). Urine half-life was similar for the Beagles and the Pug, 0.75-1.39 h, whereas the half-life was 1.70-1.82 h for the English Setter, Greyhound, and Standard Poodle. Larger breed dogs exceeded 8 mcg/mL florfenicol (wild-type cutoff) in their urine at 12 h, whereas the Beagles and Pug had <8 mcg/mL; it is unclear if this is an individual, breed, or size difference. These data suggest oral florfenicol may need to be administered q6-12h for canine urinary tract infections, but further data are needed (more enrolled dogs, multiple-dose regimens) before considering clinical trials or breed-specific differences.

Serial serum creatinine, SDMA and urinary acute kidney injury biomarker measurements in dogs envenomated by the European adder (Vipera berus).

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with high morbidity and mortality in dogs, but diagnosis may be impaired due the insensitivity of routine renal function biomarkers to detect earlier or milder forms of injury. Snake envenomation is one of several causes of AKI in dogs and humans. Dogs are commonly envenomated by the European adder (Vipera berus) between April and October each year, but few studies exist examining serial serum creatinine (sCr) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) measurements and AKI biomarkers in these dogs. Novel urinary biomarkers could improve clinical outcome by allowing earlier diagnosis of and intervention in AKI. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of AKI in dogs envenomated by V. berus at 12, 24 and 36 h after bite, as well as 14 days later, using sCr, SDMA and a panel of urinary AKI biomarkers normalised to urine creatinine (uCr), compared to a group of healthy control dogs. RESULTS: Thirty-five envenomated dogs and 35 control dogs were included. Serum creatinine did not exceed the upper reference limit at any time point in any dog after envenomation. Serum SDMA did not exceed 0.89 µmol/L in any dog. Compared to controls, urinary albumin/uCr, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin/uCr and monocyte chemotactic protein-1/uCr were significantly elevated 12 h (P <  0.0001, P <  0.0001, P = 0.01), 24 h (P <  0.001, P <  0.001, P = 0.002) and 36 h (P <  0.001, P <  0.001, P = 0.0008) after bite. Osteopontin/uCr was higher 24 and 36 h after bite (P < 0.0001), kidney injury molecule-1/uCr, interleukin-8/uCr and γ- glutamyl transferase/uCr were significantly higher 36 h after bite (P = 0.003, P = 0.0005, P = 0.001). Urinary cystatin C/uCr was not significantly different to controls at any timepoint. Biomarker/uCr ratios were not significantly different 14 days after envenomation compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Urinary biomarker/Cr ratios are indicative of mild transient, non-azotaemic AKI in dogs envenomated by V. berus.

Investigation on urinary and serum alpha klotho in dogs with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: As a co-receptor for fibroblast growth factor 23, klotho plays a pivotal role in phosphate metabolism. The kidney is known to be the main source of soluble alpha-klotho and the principal regulator of its concentration. Previous studies in human participants showed that the concentration of soluble alpha-klotho in serum and urine decreased in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. However, no previous study has assessed soluble alpha-klotho levels in dogs. This study aimed to measure serum and urinary alpha-klotho levels in CKD dogs and identify their associations with International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) CKD stages and other parameters known to be associated with CKD. RESULTS: Serum and urinary alpha klotho concentrations were measured by a commercially available canine-specific sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and compared between groups by a nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationships between variables. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to estimate the effects of independent predictors on klotho concentrations. The urine klotho-to-creatinine ratio (UrKl/Cr) was significantly lower in stage 3 dogs than the control group and was significantly lower in dogs with stage 3 and 4 CKD than in those with stage 1 and 2 disease. UrKl/Cr was negatively correlated with serum symmetric dimethylarginine (sSDMA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and phosphorus concentration. Serum alpha-klotho concentration in dogs with stages 2 and 3 CKD was significantly lower than those in the control group. There was no significant correlation between serum alpha-klotho and BUN, creatinine, and phosphorus concentrations. No statistically significant differences were observed in UrKl/Cr and serum alpha-klotho concentration between groups based on sex, age, urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPC), or blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: UrKl/Cr decreased in dogs with advanced CKD, and it was negatively correlated with sSDMA, BUN, creatinine, and phosphorus concentrations. Thus, klotho is associated with CKD and its clinical consequences, including CKD-mineral bone disorder, in dogs. Although serum klotho concentration was negatively correlated with sSDMA levels, it was not apparently related to IRIS CKD stage or other parameters known to be associated with CKD.

Establishment of a novel experimental model for muscle-invasive bladder cancer using a dog bladder cancer organoid culture.

In human and dogs, bladder cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasm affecting the urinary tract. Dog BC resembles human muscle-invasive BC in histopathological characteristics and gene expression profiles, and could be an important research model for this disease. Cancer patient-derived organoid culture can recapitulate organ structures and maintains the gene expression profiles of original tumor tissues. In a previous study, we generated dog prostate cancer organoids using urine samples, however dog BC organoids had never been produced. Therefore we aimed to generate dog BC organoids using urine samples and check their histopathological characteristics, drug sensitivity, and gene expression profiles. Organoids from individual BC dogs were successfully generated, expressed urothelial cell markers (CK7, CK20, and UPK3A) and exhibited tumorigenesis in vivo. In a cell viability assay, the response to combined treatment with a range of anticancer drugs (cisplatin, vinblastine, gemcitabine or piroxicam) was markedly different in each BC organoid. In RNA-sequencing analysis, expression levels of basal cell markers (CK5 and DSG3) and several novel genes (MMP28, CTSE, CNN3, TFPI2, COL17A1, and AGPAT4) were upregulated in BC organoids compared with normal bladder tissues or two-dimensional (2D) BC cell lines. These established dog BC organoids might be a useful tool, not only to determine suitable chemotherapy for BC diseased dogs but also to identify novel biomarkers in human muscle-invasive BC. In the present study, for the 1st time, dog BC organoids were generated and several specifically upregulated organoid genes were identified. Our data suggest that dog BC organoids might become a new tool to provide fresh insights into both dog BC therapy and diagnostic biomarkers.

Urinary proteome of dogs with kidney injury during babesiosis.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury is the most frequent complication of babesiosis in dogs and may provide a natural model for identifying early and specific markers of kidney injury in this species. There are limited data on urine proteomics in dogs, and none of the effect of babesiosis on the urine proteome. This study aimed to identify urinary proteins of dogs with kidney injury during the natural course of babesiosis caused by Babesia canis, and to compare them with proteins in a control group to reveal any potential biomarkers predicting renal injury before the presence of azotemia. Urine samples were collected from 10 dogs of various breeds and sex with naturally occurring babesiosis, and 10 healthy dogs. Pooled urine samples from both groups were separated by 2D (two-dimensional) electrophoresis, followed by protein identification using MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight) mass spectrometry. RESULTS: In total, 176 proteins were identified in the urine samples from healthy dogs, and 403 proteins were identified in the urine samples from dogs with babesiosis. Of the 176 proteins, 146 were assigned exclusively to healthy dogs, and 373 of the 403 proteins were assigned exclusively to dogs with babesiosis; 30 proteins were common for both groups. Characteristic analysis of 373 proteins found in dogs with babesiosis led to the isolation of 8 proteins associated with 10 metabolic pathways involved in immune and inflammatory responses. CONCLUSIONS: It was hypothesized that epithelial-mesenchymal transition might play an important role in the mechanisms underlying pathological changes in renal tissue during babesiosis, as indicated by a causal relationship network built by combining 5 of the 10 selected metabolic pathways, and 4 of the 8 proteins associated with these pathways; this network included cadherins, gonadotropin releasing hormone receptors, inflammatory responses mediated by chemokine and cytokine signalling pathways, integrins, interleukins, and TGF-ß (transforming growth factor ß) pathways. Those pathways were linked by interleukin-13, bone morphogenetic protein 7, α2(1) collagen, and tyrosine protein kinase Fer, which are potential biomarkers of damage during babesiosis in dogs, that might indicate early renal injury.

Evaluation of Tryptic Podocin Peptide in Urine Sediment Using LC-MS-MRM Method as a Potential Biomarker of Glomerular Injury in Dogs with Clinical Signs of Renal and Cardiac Disorders.

The early asymptomatic stage of glomerular injury is a diagnostic challenge in the course of renal and extra-renal disease, e.g., heart insufficiency. It was found that podocin, a podocyte-specific protein present in the urine, may serve as a biomarker in the diagnosis of glomerular disease in humans and animals including glomerulonephritis, glomerulosclerosis, amyloidosis, or nephropathy. Therefore, there is a need of development of the sensitive and straightforward method of urinary podocin identification. In this work, we report our extended research under the glomerular injury investigation in dogs by application of clinical examination and LC-MS-MRM method in the identification of canine podocin in urine samples. The LC-MS-MRM method is based on the identification of podocin tryptic peptide with the 218H-AAEILAATPAAVQLR-OH232 sequence. The model peptide was characterized by the highest ionization efficiency of all the proposed model podocin tryptic peptides in a canine urine sediment according to the LC-MS/MS analysis. The obtained results revealed the presence of the model peptide in 40.9% of dogs with MMVD (active glomerular injury secondary to heart disease = cardiorenal syndrome-CRS) and 33.3% dogs with chronic kidney disease. The potential applicability of the developed methodology in the analysis of podocin in canine urine sediments was confirmed.

Evaluation of a Home Urinalysis Kit in Dogs.

Dry reagent strip evaluation of urine is a standard screening and diagnostic test used to assess overall health and help detect or rule out specific disease conditions. A commercial at-home urinalysis reagent strip kit using a smartphone app to evaluate free-catch urine is being marketed directly to dog and cat owners. We compared agreement between simultaneous urinalysis using the commercial kit and standard reference methods in 48 canine urines submitted to our referral laboratory. Agreement was defined by analyte based on clinical impact. Sensitivity, specificity, and Cohen's kappa evaluated categorical data, and a paired t test was used for continuous variables (significance P < .05). The commercial kit had ≥1 disagreement with the reference method per sample and produced results if the test strip was absent or reversed. Specific gravity and pH concurred with the reference method in only 31% (P < .011) and 27% (P < .001) of cases, respectively. The sensitivity was low for all analytes except ketones, which had 77% false positives. False-positive nitrites and leukocytes were also frequent (36 and 19%, respectively). False negatives for blood (27%), nitrites (38%), and protein (54%) were common. This kit is inaccurate; its use for clinical decisions is not recommended.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns and Clinical Parameters in 208 Dogs with Positive Urine Cultures (2012-2014).

Urinary tract infections (UTI) occur commonly in dogs, and gram-negative enteric bacteria are the most prevalent pathogens. Clinical parameters, urinalysis, and urine culture and sensitivity results were retrieved from the medical records of 208 dogs with positive urine cultures over a 3 yr period at the Louisiana State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Several groups were defined including dogs presented for primary care versus referred cases; simple UTI, complicated UTI, and pyelonephritis; dogs pretreated with antimicrobials; and dogs having an indwelling catheter in place prior to sampling. Nearly 80% of dogs had complicated UTI. Of all dogs, 70% had no documented clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease (LUTD), with 68% of them showing hematuria and/or pyuria. Based on clinical signs or urinalysis, 19% of all dogs had no evidence of lower UTI. In dogs without LUTD signs the most common comorbidities were immunosuppressive treatment and severely restricted mobility (23%). Chronic recurring UTI were present in 19% of dogs with LUTD signs. Distribution of bacterial species was comparable with the existing literature and not significantly different between clinical subgroups. Isolates from dogs pretreated with antimicrobials showed decreased susceptibility to enrofloxacin. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp. was moderate (29%).

Does blood contamination of urine compromise interpretation of the urine protein to creatinine ratio in dogs?

AIMS: To determine the effect of contamination of urine with 0-5% blood, varying in haematocrit and protein concentrations, on the urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPC) in dogs, and to determine whether the colour of urine can be used to aid interpretation of UPC results. METHODS: Urine samples were collected by free catch from 18 dogs, all of which had UPC <0.2. Venous blood samples were also collected from each dog, and the blood from each dog was added to its own urine to produce serial concentrations of 0.125-5% blood. The colour of each urine sample was recorded by two observers scoring them as either yellow, peach, orange, orange/red or red. Protein and creatinine concentrations were determined, and dipstick analysis and sediment examination was carried out on each sample. Based on colour and dipstick analysis, samples were categorised as either having microscopic, macroscopic or gross haematuria. A linear mixed model was used to examine the effect of blood contamination on UPC. RESULTS: The uncontaminated urine of all 18 dogs had a UPC <0.2. Adding blood to the urine samples resulted in an increase in UPC at all contamination concentrations compared to the non-contaminated urine (p<0.001). None of the 54 samples with microscopic haematuria had UPC >0.5. For 108 samples with macroscopic haematuria the UPC was >0.5 in 21 samples (19.4 (95% CI=13.1-27.9)%), and for 54 samples with gross haematuria 39 (72 (CI=59.1-82.4)%) had a UPC >0.5. No samples had a UPC >2.0 unless the blood contamination was 5% and only 3/18 (17%) samples at this blood contamination concentration had a UPC >2.0. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study showed that while blood contamination of ≥0.125% does increase the UPC, if the urine remains yellow (microscopic haematuria), then there is negligible chance that a UPC >0.5 will be solely due to the added blood. In that scenario, attributing the proteinuria present to the haematuria in the sample would be inappropriate. However blood contamination that results in discolouration of the urine sample from yellow (indicating macroscopic or gross haematuria) could increase the UPC above the abnormal range and would need to be considered as a differential for the proteinuria. Thus knowledge of urine colour, even if limited to simple colour scores (yellow, discoloured, red) could be utilised to aid interpretation of the UPC in samples with haematuria.

Agreement between Parallel Canine Blood and Urine Cultures: Is Urine Culture the Poor Man's Blood Culture?

Bloodstream infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill dogs, but due to cost and difficulties in sample acquisition, blood cultures are infrequently obtained. In ill dogs, urine cultures may be recommended as surrogates for blood cultures. In order to determine the outcome agreement between parallel urine and blood cultures, we retrospectively analyzed parallel blood and urine specimens submitted for culture from dogs at the NC State Veterinary Hospital between 2011 and 2016. Positive cultures were reported from 15% of the submitted blood specimens and 23% of the submitted urine specimens. A total of 295 urine and blood samples were submitted in parallel, with positive growth demonstrated in 14 concordant and five discordant pairs. A kappa statistic comparing blood and urine culture outcomes was 0.266 (fair) when all parallel growth was included, including concordant and discordant results, and 0.170 (poor) when restricted to parallel concordant growth. The sensitivity of urine to reflect concordant bloodstream bacterial organisms was 30%, with a specificity of 87%. The positive and negative predictive values were 30% and 88%, respectively. Of dogs with both specimens positive on bacterial culture, 7 of 7 (100%) with suspected urogenital infection sources were concordant. All dogs with discordant bloodstream and urinary infections were immunosuppressed. Urinary coagulase-positive Staphylococcus isolates were most likely to be concordant with bloodstream infections. In conclusion, we found that urine culture is neither a substitute nor a screen for blood culture. Blood cultures should be performed in any potentially septic animal, especially those that are considered immunosuppressed.

MicroRNA profiling of dogs with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder using blood and urine samples.

BACKGROUND: Early signs of canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) are frequently assumed to be caused by other lower urinary tract diseases (LUTD) such as urinary tract infections, resulting in late diagnosis of TCC which could be fatal. The development of a non-invasive clinical test for TCC could dramatically reduce mortality. To determine whether microRNAs (miRNAs) can be used as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers, we assessed miRNA expression in blood and/or urine from dogs with clinically normal bladders (n = 28), LUTD (n = 25), and TCC (n = 17). Expression levels of 5 miRNA associated with TCC pathophysiology (miR-34a, let-7c, miR-16, miR-103b, and miR-106b) were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: Statistical analyses using ranked ANOVA identified significant differences in miR-103b and miR-16 levels between urine samples from LUTD and TCC patients (miR-103b, p = 0.002; and miR-16, p = 0.016). No statistically significant differences in miRNA levels were observed between blood samples from LUTD versus TCC patients. Expression levels of miR-34a trended with miR-16, let-7c, and miR-103b levels in individual normal urine samples, however, this coordination was completely lost in TCC urine samples. In contrast, co-ordination of miR-34a, miR-16, let-7c, and miR-103b expression levels was maintained in blood samples from TCC patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our combined data indicate a potential role for miR-103b and miR-16 as diagnostic urine biomarkers for TCC, and that further investigation of miR-103b and miR-16 in the dysregulation of coordinated miRNA expression in bladder carcinogenesis is warranted.

Evaluation of various biomarkers for kidney monitoring during canine leishmaniosis treatment.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the evolution of the profile currently recommended by the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) (sCr, UPC and sSDMA) with a panel of other different kidney biomarkers during treatment for canine leishmaniosis. This panel included three urinary glomerular biomarkers (uIgG, uCRP and uferritin) and three urinary tubular biomarkers (uGGT, uNAG and uRBP). These biomarkers were measured in two groups of dogs with canine leishmaniosis at IRIS stage I. Group 1: dogs showing proteinuria (UPC > 0.5) before treatment which did not decrease after treatment; Group 2: dogs showing proteinuria before treatment which decreased after treatment. RESULTS: Group 1 showed no significant changes in any biomarker after treatment. In group 2, among the biomarkers recommended by the IRIS, only UPC showed a significant decrease after treatment. However all biomarkers of glomerular damage showed a significant decrease after treatment, with uIgG/Cr and uCRP/Cr showing the greater decreases. In addition uRBP/Cr and uNAG/Cr showed significant decreases after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In dogs with leishmaniosis at IRIS stage I that reduced UPC after treatment, there were no significant changes in serum creatinine and sSDMA. However, all the urine biomarkers evaluated with exception of uGGT showed a significant decrease. These decreases were more evident in those markers related with glomerular function, being uIgG/Cr the biomarker more associated with UPC. Further studies involving a larger number of animals and histological analysis of the kidney would be recommended to confirm these findings and evaluate the routine practical use of these urine biomarkers in canine leishmaniosis.

Effects of Trilostane on urinary Catecholamines and their metabolites in dogs with Hypercortisolism.

BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids influence the synthesis and metabolism of catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) and metanephrines (metanephrine and normetanephrine). The aim of this study was to measure urinary catecholamines and metanephrines in dogs with hypercortisolism before and during trilostane therapy. Urine samples were collected during initial work up and during therapy with trilostane in 14 dogs with hypercortisolism and in 25 healthy dogs. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, metanephrine and normetanephrine were measured using high-pressure liquid chromatography and expressed as ratios to urinary creatinine concentration. RESULTS: Untreated dogs with hypercortisolism had significantly higher epinephrine, norepinephrine, and normetanephrine:creatinine ratios compared to healthy dogs. During trilostane therapy, urinary catecholamines and their metabolites did not decrease significantly. However, dogs with low post-ACTH cortisol concentrations during trilostane therapy had less increased epinephrine, norepinephrine and normetanephrine:creatinine ratios compared to healthy dogs. There was no correlation of urinary catecholamines and their metabolites with baseline or post-ACTH cortisol or endogenous ACTH concentrations during trilostane therapy. CONCLUSION: Influences between steroid hormones and catecholamines seem to occur, as dogs with hypercortisolism have significantly higher urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine, and normetanephrine:creatinine ratios. Once-daily trilostane therapy does not lead to a significant decrease in catecholamines and their metabolites. Trilostane-treated dogs still have increased urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine and normetanephrine:creatinine ratios during trilostane therapy.

Diagnostic performance of the urinary canine calgranulins in dogs with lower urinary or urogenital tract carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Onset of canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and prostatic carcinoma (PCA) is usually insidious with dogs presenting at an advanced stage of the disease. A biomarker that can facilitate early detection of TCC/PCA and improve patient survival would be useful. S100A8/A9 (calgranulin A/B or calprotectin) and S100A12 (calgranulin C) are expressed by cells of the innate immune system and are associated with several inflammatory disorders. S100A8/A9 is also expressed by epithelial cells after malignant transformation and is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and metastasis. S100A8/A9 is up-regulated in human PCA and TCC, whereas the results for S100A12 have been ambiguous. Also, the urine S100A8/A9-to-S100A12 ratio (uCalR) may have potential as a marker for canine TCC/PCA. Aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the urinary S100/calgranulins to detect TCC/PCA in dogs by using data and urine samples from 164 dogs with TCC/PCA, non-neoplastic urinary tract disease, other neoplasms, or urinary tract infections, and 75 healthy controls (nested case-control study). Urine S100A8/A9 and S100A12 (measured by species-specific radioimmunoassays and normalized against urine specific gravity [S100A8/A9USG; S100A12USG], urine creatinine concentration, and urine protein concentration and the uCalR were compared among the groups of dogs. RESULTS: S100A8/A9USG had the highest sensitivity (96%) and specificity (66%) to detect TCC/PCA, with specificity reaching 75% after excluding dogs with a urinary tract infection. The uCalR best distinguished dogs with TCC/PCA from dogs with a urinary tract infection (sensitivity: 91%, specificity: 60%). Using a S100A8/A9USG ≥ 109.9 to screen dogs ≥6 years of age for TCC/PCA yielded a negative predictive value of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: S100A8/A9USG and uCalR may have utility for diagnosing TCC/PCA in dogs, and S100A8/A9USG may be a good screening test for canine TCC/PCA.

Antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacteria isolated from canine urinary samples submitted to a New Zealand veterinary diagnostic laboratory between 2005-2012.

AIMS: To identify and describe culture and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns in bacteria isolated from canine urinary samples submitted to a New Zealand veterinary diagnostic laboratory. METHODS: Records from a veterinary diagnostic laboratory were examined for bacterial isolates cultured from canine urine samples between January 2005 and December 2012. Culture and susceptibility results were compiled with information on the age, sex and breed of dog. Repeat submissions were removed. Susceptibility was assessed using results of the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, for a standard panel including amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (AMC), cefovecin (from 2010-2012), cephalothin, clindamycin, enrofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulphonamide (TMS). RESULTS: A total of 5,786 urine samples were submitted for analysis, and 3,135 bacterial isolates were cultured from 2,184 samples. Of these 3,135 isolates, 1,104 (35.2%) were Escherichia coli, 442 (14.1%) were Staphylococcus spp., 357 (11.4%) Proteus mirabilis and 276 (8.8%) were Enterococcus spp. The frequency of culture-positive samples increased with increasing age in both female and male dogs (p<0.001). The percentage of E. coli isolates resistant to AMC and cephalothin increased between 2005 and 2012 (p<0.001), as did resistance to enrofloxacin (p=0.022), but there was no change in resistance to TMS (p=0.696). Enrofloxacin was the antimicrobial with the least resistance shown by the four most common bacteria isolated during the course of the study. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study provide important regional information regarding the prevalence of bacterial uropathogens and their susceptibility patterns. There was an increase in resistance to some commonly used antimicrobials in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Having access to regional antimicrobial susceptibility results is crucial when forming guidelines for the use of antimicrobials for the treatment of urinary tract infections. Given changes in practising habits and antimicrobial usage over time, ongoing monitoring and surveillance of resistance in pathogens is needed.

Feasibility of quantitative contrast ultrasound imaging of bladder tumors in dogs.

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of Cadence contrast pulse sequencing ultrasound to predict clinical and angiogenic tumor response in dogs undergoing chemotherapy. Contrast ultrasound facilitated visualization of bladder tumors but failed to identify a straightforward relationship between ultrasound measures and clinical outcome.

Faisabilité de l'échographie de contraste quantitative des tumeurs des reins chez les chiens. Cette étude pilote avait pour but d'évaluer la faisabilité de l'échographie de contraste par séquençage des pulsations (CadenceTM) pour prédire la réponse clinique et angiogénique de la tumeur chez les chiens subissant la chimiothérapie. L'échographie de contraste a facilité la visualisation des tumeurs rénales mais n'a pas réussi à identifier un lien direct entre les mesures de l'échographie et le résultat clinique.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Measurements of C-reactive protein (CRP) and nerve-growth-factor (NGF) concentrations in serum and urine samples of dogs with neurologic disorders.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to prove the hypothesis that C-reactive protein (CRP) and nerve growth factor (NGF) may be potential biomarkers for lower urinary tract disorders and may be able to distinguish between micturition dysfunctions of different origin in dogs with spinal cord diseases. NGF- and CRP- concentrations were measured in serum and urine samples using specific ELISA-Kits. Results in urine were standardized by urine-creatinine levels. RESULTS: CRP in serum was detectable in 32/76 and in urine samples in 40/76 patients. NGF could be measured in all serum and in 70/76 urine samples. Urinary CRP concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with micturition dysfunction (p = 0.0009) and in dogs with different neurological diseases (p = 0.0020) compared to the control group. However, comparing dogs with spinal cord disorders with and without associated micturition dysfunction no significant difference could be detected for NGF and CRP values in urine or serum samples. Additionally, levels did not decrease significantly, when measured at the time when the dogs regained the ability to urinate properly (urinary NGF p = 0.7962; urinary CRP p = 0.078). Urine samples with bacteria and/or leukocytes had no significant increase in urinary NGF (p = 0.1112) or CRP (p = 0.0534) concentrations, but higher CRP-levels in urine from dogs with cystitis were found compared to dogs without signs of cystitis. CONCLUSIONS: From these data we conclude that neither CRP nor NGF in urine or serum can be considered as reliable biomarkers for micturition disorders in dogs with spinal cord disorders in a clinical setting, but their production might be part of the pathogenesis of such disorders. Significantly higher levels of CRP could be found in the urine of dogs with micturition dysfunctions compared to control dogs. This phenomenon could potentially be explained by unspecific extrahepatic CRP production by smooth muscle cells in the dilated bladder.

Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin concentration changes after acute haemorrhage and colloid-mediated reperfusion in anaesthetized dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin concentration (uNGAL) in anaesthetized Greyhound dogs that developed acute tubular damage following haemorrhage and resuscitation with colloid-based fluids. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective experimental study. ANIMALS: Seven healthy adult entire male Greyhound dogs. METHODS: During isoflurane anaesthesia, approximately 50 mL kg(-1) of blood was removed to maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≤40 mmHg for 1 hour followed by gelatin-based colloid administration to maintain MAP ≥60 mmHg for 3 hours. Data, including oxygen extraction ratio and uNGAL, were collected before (T0) and immediately following (T1) haemorrhage, and hourly during reperfusion (T2-T4). After T4, dogs were euthanized and renal tissue was collected for histology. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated-measures one-way anova. Data are presented as means (95% confidence interval). RESULTS: Histology identified renal tubular epithelial damage in all dogs. Urine NGAL concentration increased from 12.1 (0-30.6) ng mL(-1) at T0 to 122.0 (64.1-180.0) ng mL(-1) by T3. Compared with T0, uNGAL was significantly higher at T3 (p = 0.016) and was increased 24-fold. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Despite wide individual variation in baseline uNGAL, increases in uNGAL were observed in all dogs, suggesting that this biomarker has the potential to detect renal tubular injury following haemorrhage-induced hypotension and colloid-mediated reperfusion.

Effect of six fluoroquinolones on the expression of four efflux pumps in the multidrug resistant Escherichia coli isolates.

In this study, a total of 78 Escherichia coli clinical isolates were isolated from canines diagnosed with urinary tract infections. 23/78 isolates (29.5 %) showed multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype, including the isolates both susceptible to fluoroquinolones (FQs) (FQ(S)-MDR, n = 12) and resistant to FQs (FQ(R)-MDR, n = 11). For these MDR isolates, mutations within quinolone-resistance determining region of gyrA and parC were determined by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing. The relative quantification of emrE, acrB, macB, and mdfA genes expression in MDR isolates was determined by quantitative real-time PCR before and after exposure to the FQs (10 µg/ml). The results showed that a temporary exposure to FQs could lead to various degrees of up or down-regulation on the expression of four efflux pumps in MDR isolates depending on the resistant phenotype and the activities of the FQs. Generally, the FQ(R)-MDR isolates showed more obvious changes in average expression levels of these transporters versus the FQ(S)-MDR isolates, with a largest increase in emrE, and followed by acrB, while the expression of macB and mdfA did not change as radically. Meanwhile, there is a reverse relationship between the expression changes and the activities of the FQs tested. The expression was higher in the isolates exposed to enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and orbifloxacin, and followed by the marbofloxacin, gatifloxacin, and pradofloxacin, and the average expression levels of some efflux pumps even decreased as the isolates were exposed to gatifloxacin or pradofloxacin.