Canine Leishmaniasis Control in the Context of One Health.

Dogs are the main reservoir of Leishmania infantum and in some countries have been regularly culled as part of government policy to control visceral leishmaniasis. At the 13th Symposium of the Companion Vector-Borne Diseases World Forum in Windsor, UK, March 19-22, 2018, we consolidated a consensus statement regarding the usefulness of dog culling as a means of controlling visceral leishmaniasis. The statement highlighted the futility of culling infected dogs, whether healthy or sick, as a measure to control the domestic reservoir of L. infantum and reduce the risk for visceral leishmaniasis.

Comparison of three methods for the diagnosis of otoacariasis due to Otodectes cynotis in dogs and cats.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of otoacariasis due to Otodectes cynotis is based on the visualization of the parasite, either directly by otoscopy or indirectly after microscopic examination of cerumen collected by several methods. OBJECTIVES: To compare the sensitivity of three techniques: conventional handheld otoscopy, Volkmann's curette sampling and cotton-tipped swabbing. ANIMALS: Five dogs and 12 cats (30 naturally infested ears). METHODS AND MATERIALS: For each case, following otoscopy, the order of examinations (swab or curette) was chosen randomly and the samples were observed on a slide mixed with lactophenol and covered with a coverslip. Parasite detection was noted as positive or negative and parasitic stages were counted separately. RESULTS: The diagnostic sensitivity of otoscopy alone was 67% (positive in 20 of 30 cases), using the curette sampling it was 93% (28/30) and 57% (17/30) for the swabbing. The curette technique had a significantly higher sensitivity than classic ear-swabbing (P = 0.001) or otoscopy alone (P = 0.02). Combining otoscopy and the curette, we obtained a sensitivity of 100% compared to 86% when otoscopy and swabbing were combined. Moreover, the parasite count in the curette samples (average 25 ± 30 SD) was significantly higher than the swab samples (4.5 ± 11) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: When suspecting O. cynotis infestation, otoscopic examination should be performed. To confirm the nature of the parasites observed or whenever this examination result is negative, doubtful or cannot be performed, the curettage sampling method for microscopic cerumen examination is recommended.

Reliability of different sets of criteria in diagnosing canine atopic dermatitis applied to a population of 250 dogs seen in a veterinary teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: Different sets of criteria are available in veterinary dermatology for the diagnosis of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD); there are limited data to assess their reliability. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the discriminative and predictive ability of four sets in diagnosing cAD in a population of dogs with different skin diseases. ANIMALS: Two hundred and fifty dogs examined in the dermatology unit of a veterinary teaching hospital. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Dogs were diagnosed with cAD, flea infestation (FI), flea bite hypersensitivity (FBH), sarcoptic mange (SM) and other skin diseases (OD). FI, FBH and SM were pooled in one group of dermatoses mimicking cAD (MD). All nonatopic dogs were grouped as a "global population" (GP). Four criteria sets were applied to all dogs. For each set of criteria, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV), likelihood ratios (LR) and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were calculated. RESULTS: When applied to the GP, sensitivities ranged from 54 to 83%, specificities from 68 to 75% and PPVs from 35 to 43%. NPVs ranged from 87 to 94%. LRs and DORs were poor. When applied to MD, sensitivities remained unchanged, specificities and PPV were mildly higher, whereas NPVs were mildly lower and LRs and DORs were comparable. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study showed that each set of criteria had a low diagnostic reliability when used alone. The use of more discriminant criteria integrated into a thorough clinical approach excluding MDs should be considered.

Skin disease in donkeys (Equus asinus): a retrospective study from four veterinary schools.

BACKGROUND: Donkeys are important throughout the world as work animals and occasionally as pets or a meat source. Most descriptions of skin disease in donkeys are reported in small case series, textbooks or review articles. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To document skin diseases and their prevalence in donkeys and to investigate predilections for the most common conditions. ANIMALS: Case populations at four veterinary schools totalling 156 donkeys. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective study was performed by searching computerized medical records, using the key word "donkey", at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis (UCD). Records of donkeys from the veterinary schools in Nantes, France; Utrecht, Netherlands and Ghent, Belgium were searched in a similar manner. The time periods included in the searches varied by institution. RESULTS: At UCD, 83 of 346 (24%) of donkeys had skin disease noted in their records. The most common diagnoses were insect bite hypersensitivity, sarcoid and habronemiasis. At Nantes, 36 of 144 (25%) had skin disease and the most common diagnoses were sarcoid and superficial pyoderma. At Utrecht 23 of 143 (16%) had skin disease and the most common diagnosis was dermatophytosis. At Ghent, 14 of 320 (4%) had skin disease and the most common diagnosis was sarcoid. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Cutaneous conditions in donkeys are common. Age, sex and breed predisposition and the most common diagnoses varied with geographical location. Clinicians should include a dermatological examination regardless of the reason for presentation.

Companion rats (Rattus norvegicus) with cutaneous lesions: a retrospective study of 470 cases at two university veterinary teaching hospitals (1985-2018).

BACKGROUND: Rats are popular companion animals that are often presented to veterinarians for treatment of skin diseases. However, descriptions of dermatoses in rats have primarily been limited to case reports and text books. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To document skin diseases and their prevalence in companion rats examined in northern California, USA and Nantes, France and to investigate predilections for the most common conditions over a 33 year or 15 year period, respectively. ANIMALS: Four hundred and seventy rats from two hospital populations met the inclusion criteria. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective study was performed by searching computerized medical records of rats seen at the School of Veterinary Medicine at University of California, Davis (UCD), USA from 1 January 1985 to 1 January 2018 using the key words "skin" and "dermatitis". The medical records of rats presenting to Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, Agroalimentaire et de l'Alimentation Nantes-Atlantique (ONIRIS), France from 1995 to 2016 were reviewed for evidence of skin disease. The presence of lesions as noted in the key search words for the UCD records were used as the inclusion criteria for both institutions. RESULTS: Of 494 rats examined at UCD, 231 (47%) had skin disease, with neoplasia the most common diagnosis. Of the 619 rats examined at ONIRIS, 239 (39%) had skin disease, with ectoparasitism being the most common diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Cutaneous conditions in companion rats are common. Clinicians should include a dermatological examination when examining these rodents, especially in regard to neoplasia, ectoparasites and pyoderma.

Companion hamsters with cutaneous lesions; a retrospective study of 102 cases at two university veterinary teaching hospitals (1985-2018).

BACKGROUND: Hamsters are popular companion animals which may present to veterinarians for treatment of skin diseases. Most descriptions of dermatoses in hamsters have primarily been in case reports and in text books. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To document skin diseases and their prevalence in companion hamsters examined in northern California, USA, and Nantes, France, and to investigate predilections for the most common conditions documented in medical records over a 33 year or 15 year period, respectively. ANIMALS: One hundred and one hamsters from two hospital populations. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A computerized search of medical records of all hamsters seen at the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC-Davis in California, USA, from 1 January 1985 to 1 January 2018, was performed using the key search words "skin" and "dermatitis". The medical records of all hamsters presenting to the Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, Nantes, from 1 September 1998 to 1 December 2013, were reviewed for skin diseases. The presence of lesions noted in key search words for the California records were used as inclusion guidelines for both institutions. Cases of suspected mammary neoplasia were excluded. RESULTS: Of the 65 hamsters seen in California, 34 (54%) had skin disease; of a total of 164 hamsters in Nantes, 67 (41%) had skin disease. Nodules were the most common lesions noted by both institutions. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Cutaneous conditions in companion hamsters are common. Clinicians should include a dermatological examination when examining these rodents.

Prospective pilot study to detect dogs with non food-induced canine atopic dermatitis using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) remains challenging due to the lack of a simple biomarker or metabolic profile. In human medicine, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is an analytical technique used for several diseases. It requires a small amount of sample and allows the identification of structural moieties of biomolecules on the basis of their infrared absorption, with limited sample pretreatment. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of FTIR. ANIMALS: Three groups were tested: 21 dogs with non food-induced CAD (NFICAD), 16 dogs with inflammatory conditions of various origins but without allergic dermatoses (OD) and 10 healthy dogs (H). METHODS: Peripheral blood was collected and spectra were acquired with a FTIR spectrophotometer. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on the full wavenumber spectra (4000-600/cm), followed by a Fisher discriminant analysis (DA) to assess the differences between the three groups. RESULTS: The PCA followed by the DA of whole spectra showed significant differences between the three groups. These results suggest that by using the FTIR method, dogs with NFICAD can be differentiated from healthy dogs and dogs with nonallergic inflammation. There was no overlap between the spectral data of the three groups indicating that NFICAD dogs were correctly segregated from the H and OD groups. CONCLUSIONS: A study on a larger cohort including common pruritic skin diseases is necessary to confirm these initial results and the relevance of this diagnostic technique.

Increased numbers of peripheral blood CD34+ cells in dogs with canine atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: The bone marrow may be involved in human atopic diseases, as shown by the release of CD34+ cells into the peripheral blood. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The aim was to determine the numbers of CD34+ cells in atopic dogs. ANIMALS: The following three groups of dogs were studied: 27 dogs with nonfood-induced atopic dermatitis (NFICAD); 16 dogs with nonallergic inflammatory diseases; and 13 healthy control dogs. METHODS: Dogs with NFICAD were selected after fulfilment of Favrot's criteria and exclusion of other pruritic dermatoses, including flea infestation and adverse reaction to foods. The Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI)-03 and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score for pruritus were used to quantify clinical signs. A phycoerythrin-conjugated anticanine CD34 antibody was used to stain peripheral blood CD34+ cells, and these were enumerated using a flow cytometer. The CD34+ cell counts were compared between groups and tested (in the NFICAD group) for correlation with the severity of clinical signs. RESULTS: The numbers of peripheral CD34+ cells in dogs with NFICAD (median 1.7) were statistically higher than in dogs with other nonallergic inflammatory diseases (median 1.0; P = 0.01) and healthy control dogs (median 0.9; P = 0.009). In dogs with NFICAD, there was no correlation between CD34+ cell numbers and CADESI-03 scores or owner-assessed pruritus (VAS score). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The results of this study suggest the possible involvement of CD34+ cells in dogs with NFICAD. The role of CD34+ cells in the aetiopathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis remains to be determined.

First description of demodicosis in 12 galagos (Galago senegalensis).

Twelve Galago senegalensis from the Moscow Zoo were presented with papular to nodular (2-11 mm) lesions on the pinnae, containing a white, waxy material. Microscopic examination revealed large numbers of mites consistent with the morphology of Demodex spp. mites. Nine animals were treated with ivermectin, 600 µg/kg/day topically, orally or subcutaneously for 3-10 months, while one remained untreated. All the treated animals achieved clinical remission. The control animal was still affected and died 11 months later due to pneumonia and possible eosinophilic leukaemia. No adverse effects were noted in any animals during the treatment. No animal relapsed in the 13-19 months follow-up period. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of demodicosis in G. senegalensis. The use of ivermectin in G. senegalensis was safe, although its effectiveness in the treatment of demodicosis needs further investigation.

Characterization of pruritus in canine atopic dermatitis, flea bite hypersensitivity and flea infestation and its role in diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: In dogs, flea infestation (FI), flea bite hypersensitivity (FBH) and canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) have been mainly characterized by their lesions but never by their pruritus. In clinical practice, many of these dogs exhibit only pruritus. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of pruritus in these dermatoses and their potential usefulness for diagnosis. ANIMALS: Dogs included were selected from the Oniris clinical data. Cases were selected in which the dogs had only one of the three dermatoses diagnosed. The diagnosis of CAD was based on Prélaud's criteria and positive intradermal tests except flea; for FBH by compatible clinical signs and a response to an intradermal test with flea allergen; and for FI by the presence of fleas. Moreover, in each group, other primary pruritic skin diseases were excluded. METHODS: Location, behavioural manifestations, seasonality and quantification of the pruritus were evaluated. The statistical analysis used chi-squared test with a P-value <0.05. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-six dogs were analysed, 91 with CAD, 110 FI and 145 FBH. The period (season) of onset was not statistically different either for each dermatosis or among the three dermatoses. Some locations were highly specific for one dermatosis as follows: ventral abdomen/medial surface of thigh (chewing) and radius/carpus/tibia/tarsus (chewing) in FI; back/dorsolumbar area (chewing) and tail (chewing) in FBH; and paws (chewing/licking) and face/neck (rubbing) in CAD. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Some features of pruritus could be suggestive of the causal disease, with possible diagnostic value in pruritic dogs.

Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Antipruritic Drugs in the Control of the Most Frequent Pruritic Skin Diseases in Dogs.

Pruritus is a common clinical sign in many skin disorders and is currently the main complaint in canine dermatology. Pruritic skin diseases can affect the quality of life of dogs and their owners. Several families of antipruritic drugs are available to help control pruritus in dogs. The aim of this review is to help practitioners select the most appropriate symptomatic treatment in the most frequent situations of dermatological pruritus in dogs. The molecules reviewed here are systemic and topical glucocorticoids, antihistamines, ciclosporin, oclacitinib and lokivetmab. A level of evidence (1, 2 or 3) has been established according to a detailed algorithm for each individual study in the literature published between 1990 and March 2021. The guidelines result from evidence grading using the strength of recommendation taxonomy (SoRT) and clinical recommendations using a thorough methodology.

Prevalence of major digestive and respiratory helminths in dogs and cats in France: results of a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The local distribution of helminths in dogs and cats and the evaluation of risk of contamination represent an important challenge for veterinarians due to their effects on animal health and their potential zoonotic risk. The overall goal of this study was to estimate the prevalence of the digestive and respiratory helminths infecting client-owned dogs and cats in France. METHODS: Faecal samples were collected from 414 pet dogs and 425 pet cats at 20 study sites during 2017-2018 and analysed by coproscopy. The samples included specimens collected from animals of both genders and various breeds and ages from a variety of living environments, and with different lifestyles and feeding regimes. Associations between parasitic infection and qualitative factors were explored. RESULTS: Overall, 125 (14.9%) samples (15.2% in dogs and 14.6% in cats) were positive for at least one of the species of helminths identified. Infection rates were highest for Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati (8.5% and 11.3%, respectively), while Toxascaris leonina was found only in one cat (0.2%). The apparent prevalence of Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala in dogs was 1.7% and 4.3%, respectively. No hookworms were found in cats. Whipworms (Trichuris vulpis) were identified in 2.7% of the dogs. Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum and Taeniidae) were rarely found (< 1% in dogs and < 3% in cats). The prevalence of Angiostrongylus vasorum Crenosoma vulpis, and Strongyloides stercoralis in dogs, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in cats and Eucoleus spp. / Capillaria spp. in both dogs and cats was < 1%. Significantly higher fecal parasite emission rates were identified in young individuals, in animals with outdoor access, in animals living in the countryside and in intact animals (especially in cats). In addition, cats not fed exclusively with commercial diets and living with other animals (dogs and/or cats) were at higher risk for parasites. For dogs, hunting/herding and walking off-leash were found to be additional risk factors. Furthermore, pets with no reported history of deworming or dewormed > 1 year before the study were positive for parasites significantly more often than pets dewormed < 1 year before study participation. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of helminths (some of which are zoonotic), the risk factors and the reportedly low deworming frequencies identified in this study (20.5% animals having never been dewormed and only 26.4% dewormed ≥ 3 times/year) illustrate the need for improving pet owners' adherence to anthelmintic guidelines in France.

Vector-borne and other pathogens of potential relevance disseminated by relocated cats.

Large populations of unowned cats constitute an animal welfare, ecological, societal and public health issue worldwide. Their relocation and homing are currently carried out in many parts of the world with the intention of relieving suffering and social problems, while contributing to ethical and humane population control in these cat populations. An understanding of an individual cat's lifestyle and disease status by veterinary team professionals and those working with cat charities can help to prevent severe cat stress and the spread of feline pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens, which can be overlooked in cats. In this article, we discuss the issue of relocation and homing of unowned cats from a global perspective. We also review zoonotic and non-zoonotic infectious agents of cats and give a list of practical recommendations for veterinary team professionals dealing with homing cats. Finally, we present a consensus statement consolidated at the 15th Symposium of the Companion Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBD) World Forum in 2020, ultimately to help veterinary team professionals understand the problem and the role they have in helping to prevent and manage vector-borne and other pathogens in relocated cats.

Prevalence of the mutation in cyclophilin B (PPIB), a causal candidate gene for HERDA, among Quarter Horses in France.

Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA) in Quarter Horses is an inherited degenerative skin disease. Initially reported as hyperelastosis cutis, HERDA has a phenotype of hyperextensible, fragile skin, with secondary seromas, haematomas, ulcers and scarring. It primarily affects the dorsal aspect of the body. An autosomal recessive mode of inheritance is considered likely, with affected horses more at risk to produce affected offspring. A mutation in cyclophilin B (PPIB) as a novel, causal candidate gene for HERDA has been described, and verified as segregating with carriers and affected horses. Screening of control Quarter Horses in the USA has indicated a 3.5% carrier frequency. The prevalence of this mutation among Quarter Horses in France was determined to be 1.6%.

Reptiles with dermatological lesions: a retrospective study of 301 cases at two university veterinary teaching hospitals (1992-2008).

This retrospective study reviews the medical records of 301 reptiles with dermatological lesions that were examined at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California at Davis (VMTH-UCD) and the Unité de Dermatologie-Parasitologie-Mycologie, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Nantes (UDPM-ENVN) from 1 January 1992 to 1 July 2008. The most common reptile groups differed between the two hospitals, with lizards being the most common at the VMTH-UCD and chelonians at the UDPM-ENVN. At the VMTH-UCD, boa constrictors (Boa constrictor), ball pythons (Python regius) and other Python species were over-represented, and box turtles (Terrapene carolina) were under-represented in the dermatological lesion caseload. When institutional data were combined, 47% of all reptiles at both institutions with confirmed or suspected cases of sepsis had petechiae, with the highest association seen in chelonians at 82%. Dependent on institution and reptile group, from 29% to 64% of the cases had underlying husbandry issues. Sixty-two per cent of all cases were alive at final status. Veterinarians treating reptiles with skin disease should be aware of the following: (i) that boa constrictors and Python species may be predisposed to dermatological lesions; (ii) that client education is important for proper husbandry; and (iii) that there is a possible association between petechiae and sepsis, especially in chelonians. The conjectural association between certain skin lesions and sepsis remains to be confirmed by systematically derived data that demonstrate a causal relationship between the two.

Impact of different Leishmania reservoirs on sand fly transmission: Perspectives from xenodiagnosis and other one health observations.

Leishmania has biologically adapted to specific phlebotomine sand flies through long co-evolution. The ability of Leishmania spp. to bind to sand fly midgut allows each Leishmania species to propagate and differentiate into infectious promastigotes and be transmitted. Sand fly feeding upon a mammalian host is the first step towards being infected and a host of Leishmania. Once deposited into the skin, host susceptibility to infection vs. ability to mount a sterilizing immune response predicts which hosts could be reservoirs of different Leishmania spp. Materials, in addition to parasites, are expelled during sand fly during feeding, including salivary antigens and other factors that promote local inflammatory responses. These factors aid visceralization of infection increasing the likelihood that systemic infection is established. Any environmental factor that increases sand fly biting of a particular host increases that host's role in Leishmania transmission. First descriptions of reservoir species were based on association with local human disease and ability to observe infected leukocytes on cytology. This approach was one pathogen for one reservoir host. Advances in sensitive molecular tools greatly increased the breadth of mammals found to host Leishmania infection. Visceralizing species of Leishmania, particularly L. infantum, are now known to have multiple mammalian hosts. L. donovani, long been described as an anthroponotic parasite, was recently identified through molecular and serologic surveys to have additional mammalian hosts. The epidemiological role of these animals as a source of parasites to additional hosts via vector transmission is not known. Current evidence suggests that dogs and other domestic animals either control infection or do not have sufficient skin parasitemia to be a source of L. donovani to P. argentipes. Further xenodiagnosis and characterization of skin parasitemia in these different hosts is required to more broadly understand which Leishmania spp. hosts can be a source of parasites to sand flies and which ones are dead-end hosts.

Vaccination against canine leishmaniasis in Brazil.

Prevention of canine Leishmania infantum infection is critical to management of visceral leishmaniasis in people living in endemic areas of Brazil. A bill (PL 1738/11), currently under consideration, proposes to establish a national vaccination policy against canine leishmaniasis in Brazil. However, there is no solid scientific evidence supporting the idea that this could reduce transmission from infected vaccinated dogs to sand flies to a level that would significantly reduce the risk of L. infantum infection or visceral leishmaniasis in humans. Thus, we advocate that insecticide-impregnated collars should the first line protective measure for public health purposes and that vaccines are applied on a case-by-case, optional basis for individual dog protection.

Parasites and vector-borne diseases disseminated by rehomed dogs.

The Companion Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBD) World Forum is a working group of leading international experts who meet annually to evaluate current scientific findings and future trends concerning the distribution, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis and prevention of vector-borne infections of dogs and cats. At the 14th Symposium of the CVBD World Forum in Trieste, Italy (March 25-28, 2019), we identified the need to (i) bring attention to the potential spread of parasites and vectors with relocated dogs, and (ii) provide advice to the veterinary profession regarding the importance of surveillance and treatment for parasites and vector-borne infections when rehoming dogs. This letter shares a consensus statement from the CVBD World Forum as well as a summary of the problem faced, including the role of veterinary professionals in parasite surveillance, causal issues, and the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in addressing the problem. To limit opportunities for dissemination of parasites and vectors, whenever possible, underlying problems creating the need for dog rehoming should be addressed. However, when it is necessary to rehome dogs, this should ideally take place in the country and national region of origin. When geographically distant relocation occurs, veterinary professionals have a vital role to play in public education, vigilance for detection of exotic vectors and infections, and alerting the medical community to the risk(s) for pathogen spread. With appropriate veterinary intervention, dog welfare needs can be met without inadvertently allowing global spread of parasites and their vectors.

Atypical actinobacillosis affecting hind limbs and lungs in a single beef cattle herd.

Actinobacillosis usually is a sporadic infection that affects the tongue in cattle ("wooden tongue") with possible spread to the digestive tract. Two 4-year-old Rouge-des-Prés cows from a single French beef herd were referred for chronic (2-6 months) swelling and cutaneous nodules in the distal hind limbs. In addition to cutaneous signs, physical examination disclosed cachexia, lameness, lymphadenitis of the hind limbs, and pneumonia in both cows. Cytologic examination of direct skin smears was inconclusive, and no parasites were observed in examination of multiple skin scrapings. Histopathological examination of skin and lung biopsy specimens identified chronic, diffuse, severe pyogranulomatous dermatitis, associated with Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon and intralesional Gram-negative bacteria. Cultures from skin, lymph nodes, and lungs (both cows were euthanized for welfare reasons) identified a Pasteurellaceae organism, confirmed as Actinobacillus lignieresii by partial sequencing of the rpoB gene. This report emphasizes that actinobacillosis can appear as a small outbreak in cattle with cutaneous and respiratory signs.

Canine leishmaniosis - new concepts and insights on an expanding zoonosis: part one.

Recent research has provided new insights on the epidemiology, pathology and immunology of canine leishmaniosis (CanL) and its genetic basis. The prevalence of infection in endemic areas is considerably higher than that of apparent clinical illness. In addition, infection spreads rapidly among dogs in the presence of optimal conditions for transmission. Infection involves a variety of granulomatous and harmful immune-mediated responses, and susceptibility to the disease is influenced by a complex genetic basis. These concepts will be instrumental for devising control programs. This review, the first in a series of two articles on CanL, presents an updated view on progress in elucidating the epidemiology and pathogenesis of this challenging disease, and the second part focuses on advances in diagnosis, treatment and prevention.