Canine Parvovirus in Turkey: First Whole-Genome Sequences, Strain Distribution, and Prevalence.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a significant pathogenic virus with up to 100% morbidity and 91% mortality rates, especially in unvaccinated puppies. The emergence of new strains, interspecies transmission, and vaccine effectiveness can be enabled by just a few base changes in the CPV genome. Therefore, to cope with CPV disease, it is important to identify the viral agent and regularly monitor vaccine effectiveness against new strains. The present study has investigated CPV's genetic profile in Turkey by collecting 80 samples from dogs in Turkey between 2020 and 2022. These samples and all sequences previously studied for CPV in Turkey were analyzed for whole-genome sequences, nationwide strain distribution over the two years, and the central Turkey prevalence rate. Next-generation sequencing was used for the genome study, Sanger sequencing for strain detection, and PCR for the prevalence analyses. The CPV-2 variants circulating in Turkey form their own cluster while being closely related to Egypt variants. Substantial amino acid changes were detected in antigenically important regions of the VP2 gene. Moreover, CPV-2b has become the most frequent genotype in this region, while the incidence of CPV-2c is predicted to increase gradually over the coming years. The prevalence of CPV in central Turkey was 86.27%. This study thus provides powerful insights to further our understanding of CPV's genetic profile in Turkey and suggests that up-to-date vaccination efficacy studies are urgently needed.

Are owned dogs or stray dogs more prepared to diseases? A comparative study of immune system gene expression of perforin and granzymes.

Stray dogs are inevitably exposed to more infections than owned dogs living indoor. However, no studies have investigated whether the immune system gene expression differs between owned dogs kept in better care conditions and stray dogs living outside. To investigate this, blood samples were taken from 90 dogs (45 owned and 45 stray dogs) that were checked and confirmed as healthy. By using qPCR, the amples were analyzed for the expression of the perforin, granzyme A and granzyme B genes, which are associated with the activation of apoptotic pathways in the immune system. We found that the perforin and granzyme A gene expression levels were higher in stray dogs although the differences were not statistically significant. On the other hand, a 2.81 times higher and a notable difference (P < 0.001) was found in the expression level of granzyme B gene in stray dogs. These results indicate that the immune system in stray dogs might be more prepared for diseases than that of the owned dogs and the granzyme B gene plays a more dominant role in the immune response than granzyme A and perforin.

Differential expression analysis of meat tenderness governing genes in different skeletal muscles of bovines.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare 12 different skeletal muscles of bovine (n = 15) with each other in terms of tenderness and meat-quality-related gene expressions. Tenderness values were evaluated by shear force, and ANK1, CAPN1, CAST, HSPB1, HSPA1A gene expressions were analyzed by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: ANK1 gene showed significant differences between tender and tough muscles (P < 0.001) and was found to be more closely related to meat quality than CAPN1. No difference was found for CAST, HSPB1, and HSPA1A gene expressions between different parts of skeletal muscles (P > 0.05). The results also showed that the most convenient skeletal muscle for the meat quality studies is musculus psoas major. Furthermore, comparative use of musculus longissimus thoracis and musculus extensor digitorum muscles may give the most accurate results, rather than using other muscle groups in comparative studies between tender and tough muscles. CONCLUSION: ANK1 gene is a preferable biomarker for the determination of meat quality, and CAPN1 needs further studies. However, CAST, HSPB1, and HSPA1A genes may not be suitable biomarkers for the determination of meat quality based on this study. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Cost effectiveness of primary pegfilgrastim prophylaxis in patients with breast cancer at risk of febrile neutropenia.

PURPOSE: Guidelines advise primary granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) prophylaxis during chemotherapy if risk of febrile neutropenia (FN) is more than 20%, but this comes with considerable costs. We investigated the incremental costs and effects between two treatment strategies of primary pegfilgrastim prophylaxis. METHODS: Our economic evaluation used a health care perspective and was based on a randomized study in patients with breast cancer with increased risk of FN, comparing primary G-CSF prophylaxis throughout all chemotherapy cycles (G-CSF 1-6 cycles) with prophylaxis during the first two cycles only (G-CSF 1-2 cycles). Primary outcome was cost effectiveness expressed as costs per patient with episodes of FN prevented. RESULTS: The incidence of FN increased from 10% in the G-CSF 1 to 6 cycles study arm (eight of 84 patients) to 36% in the G-CSF 1 to 2 cycles study arm (30 of 83 patients), whereas the mean total costs decreased from € 20,658 (95% CI, € 20,049 to € 21,247) to € 17,168 (95% CI € 16,239 to € 18,029) per patient, respectively. Chemotherapy and G-CSF determined 80% of the total costs. As expected, FN-related costs were higher in the G-CSF 1 to 2 cycles arm. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio for the G-CSF 1 to 6 cycles arm compared with the G-CSF 1 to 2 cycles arm was € 13,112 per patient with episodes of FN prevented. CONCLUSION: We conclude that G-CSF prophylaxis throughout all chemotherapy cycles is more effective, but more costly, compared with prophylaxis limited to the first two cycles. Whether G-CSF prophylaxis throughout all chemotherapy cycles is considered cost effective depends on the willingness to pay per patient with episodes of FN prevented.

Primary granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis during the first two cycles only or throughout all chemotherapy cycles in patients with breast cancer at risk for febrile neutropenia.

PURPOSE: Early breast cancer is commonly treated with anthracyclines and taxanes. However, combining these drugs increases the risk of myelotoxicity and may require granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support. The highest incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) and largest benefit of G-CSF during the first cycles of chemotherapy lead to questions about the effectiveness of continued use of G-CSF throughout later cycles of chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a multicenter study, patients with breast cancer who were considered fit enough to receive 3-weekly polychemotherapy, but also had > 20% risk for FN, were randomly assigned to primary G-CSF prophylaxis during the first two chemotherapy cycles only (experimental arm) or to primary G-CSF prophylaxis throughout all chemotherapy cycles (standard arm). The noninferiority hypothesis was that the incidence of FN would be maximally 7.5% higher in the experimental compared with the standard arm. RESULTS: After inclusion of 167 eligible patients, the independent data monitoring committee advised premature study closure. Of 84 patients randomly assigned to G-CSF throughout all chemotherapy cycles, eight (10%) experienced an episode of FN. In contrast, of 83 patients randomly assigned to G-CSF during the first two cycles only, 30 (36%) had an FN episode (95% CI, 0.13 to 0.54), with a peak incidence of 24% in the third cycle (ie, first cycle without G-CSF prophylaxis). CONCLUSION: In patients with early breast cancer at high risk for FN, continued use of primary G-CSF prophylaxis during all chemotherapy cycles is of clinical relevance and thus cannot be abandoned.