Prevalence of the Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection, and to examine the relationship between host factors (gender, age and breed) and D. immitis infection in dogs. The study was designed as a cross-sectional study. A total of 676 dogs were examined for D. immitis infection. Adult worms (necropsy) and blood samples were collected from all animals for diagnosis of D. immitis. Blood samples were examined using a modified Knott's and thick drop techniques. Fifty-six of 676 dogs were diagnosed infected with D. immitis. The odds of infection were 2.85 times higher in female dogs, compared to male dogs (OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.5-5.5, P = 0.01). In addition, the odds of infection were 2.11 times higher in > or =3 years old dogs, compared with younger dogs (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.1-4.2, P = 0.03). This information is important for a better understanding of the epidemiology of D. immitis in dogs in Yucatan, Mexico.

Frequency and type of renal lesions in dogs naturally infected with leptospira species.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and type of renal lesions associated with positive titers against Leptospira sp. in a stray dog population. Three hundred fifty pairs of kidneys and an equal number of serum samples were collected from dogs captured by the dog pound of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Euthanasia of dogs was performed following the regulations of the Official Mexican Health Ministry (NOM-033-ZOO-1995). Serum samples were evaluated with the microscopic agglutination test, and tissue samples were processed and fixed in paraffin. After staining with hematoxylin and eosin, the frequency of renal lesions was determined and classified. As an additional evaluation, samples with interstitial nephritis were stained by the Warthin-Starry method in order to observe the presence of spirochete forms that could be morphologically compatible with Leptospira spp. We found that 98% of cases presented at least one type of lesion. The main histological lesions found were mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) in 63.7% (n= 223), mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis and interstitial nephritis (MPGN+IN) in 34% (n= 119), nephrosclerosis in 0.57% (n= 2), mesangial glomerulonephritis in 0.28% (n= 1), and interstitial nephritis (IN) in 0.28% (n= 1). Thirty-four percent (n= 122) of the dogs were seropositive to Leptospira sp., mainly against serovar canicola. Among dogs with IN (alone or associated with MPGN) (n= 120), 49.1% were seropositive to Leptospira sp., but only 17% of them showed spirochete forms compatible with the bacteria. A statistical association between seropositive dogs and the presence of MPGN+IN was determined (P < 0.0001; odds ratio 2.7, confidence interval 1.7-4.5). We concluded that the frequency of renal lesions found in this study is high and L. canicola is probably the most common circulating serovar in dogs from this area. Dogs that have been in contact with Leptospira spp. have a higher risk of developing renal lesions of the type MPGN+IN.

Evaluation of a Burdizzo castrator for neutering of dogs.

A Burdizzo castrator was evaluated for the neutering of dogs. Histological and morphological changes of spermatic cells and peripheral serum testosterone after challenge with a GnRH-analogue (gonadorelin) were assessed. There was a control group (G1), a surgically castrated group (G2) and a Burdizzo group (G3) divided in two, G3a receiving two crunches in each spermatic cord and G3b receiving one crunch in each spermatic cord. Sixteen days after application of the Burdizzo blood samples were taken from the dogs at 30 min interval during 2 h; after the second sample the dogs were treated with 1 mug/kg body weight of gonadorelin i.v. The same protocol of gonadorelin challenge was performed in G1 and G2 dogs. The G2 dogs were surgically castrated after the second blood sample, before the gonadorelin treatment, and the G1 dogs after the last blood sample. The excised gonads were examined histologically, and sperm smears were prepared from the caudae epididymidis. The testes and plexus pampiniformis of the G1 and G2 dogs had a normal histological appearance, and they had morphologically normal epididymal sperm cells. In all G3 dogs, there was an acute fibrosis with an inflammatory reaction in the plexus pampiniformis. The testes from the G3a dogs showed diffuse areas of infarction and degeneration of the parenchyma. Similar but less diffuse lesions were seen in group 3b dogs. The deferent ducts from all G3 dogs showed vasitis and/or sperm granulomas. Azoospermia or sperm malformations were observed in the epididymal smears from the G3 dogs. Testosterone concentration in the G1 dogs increased after gonadorelin application (p < 0.0001). The G2 dogs had basal testosterone levels after castration (p < 0.001) and did not respond to gonadorelin. Groups 3a and b showed a slight but non-significant increase in testosterone concentration after gonadorelin challenge, supposedly due to the reduction of testicular blood flow and loss of testicular interstitial tissue.