Biology, diagnosis and treatment of Malassezia dermatitis in dogs and cats Clinical Consensus Guidelines of the World Association for Veterinary Dermatology.

BACKGROUND: The genus Malassezia is comprised of a group of lipophilic yeasts that have evolved as skin commensals and opportunistic cutaneous pathogens of a variety of mammals and birds. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this document is to provide the veterinary community and other interested parties with current information on the ecology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin diseases associated with Malassezia yeasts in dogs and cats. METHODS AND MATERIAL: The authors served as a Guideline Panel (GP) and reviewed the literature available prior to October 2018. The GP prepared a detailed literature review and made recommendations on selected topics. The World Association of Veterinary Dermatology (WAVD) Clinical Consensus Guideline committee provided guidance and oversight for this process. The document was presented at two international meetings of veterinary dermatology societies and one international mycology workshop; it was made available for comment on the WAVD website for a period of six months. Comments were shared with the GP electronically and responses incorporated into the final document. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: There has been a remarkable expansion of knowledge on Malassezia yeasts and their role in animal disease, particularly since the early 1990's. Malassezia dermatitis in dogs and cats has evolved from a disease of obscurity and controversy on its existence, to now being a routine diagnosis in general veterinary practice. Clinical signs are well recognised and diagnostic approaches are well developed. A range of topical and systemic therapies is known to be effective, especially when predisposing factors are identified and corrected.

Therapeutic effectiveness of calcineurin inhibitors in canine vesicular cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Oral and topical calcineurin inhibitors (CIs) have been reported to lead to complete lesion remission in several dogs with vesicular cutaneous lupus erythematosus (VCLE). OBJECTIVES: To report retrospectively on the effectiveness and adverse effects of systemic (ciclosporin) and/or topical (tacrolimus/pimecrolimus) CIs in 11 dogs with VCLE. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were: (i) presence of characteristic annular, polycyclic or serpiginous ulcerations distributed over the groin, axillae and/or ventral abdomen; (ii) a histopathological diagnosis of VCLE (i.e. a lymphocyte-rich interface dermatitis with vesiculation); (iii) treatment that included CIs for at least eight weeks; and (iv) follow-up until death/euthanasia or for a minimum of 12 months post-diagnosis. RESULTS: Initial therapy included the avoidance of excessive sun exposure, oral glucocorticoids [six of 11 dogs (55%); progressively tapered over a month] and once daily ciclosporin [11 dogs (100%); median 5.8 mg/kg]. A complete remission (CR) of signs occurred between days 35 and 70 after starting CIs in eight dogs (73%); increasing ciclosporin dosage and adding topical tacrolimus induced a CR in two additional dogs (18%). Relapses were common when doses were tapered or discontinued. With the exception of three dogs that were euthanized, clinical signs were maintained in CR with oral ciclosporin (eight of eight dogs treated, 100%) or topical tacrolimus/pimecrolimus (four of eight dogs; 50%) with a median follow-up of 2.9 years. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These observations support CIs as the preferable therapeutic alternatives to long-term immunosuppression with oral glucocorticoids in dogs with VCLE.

Deep pyoderma caused by Burkholderia cepacia complex associated with ciclosporin administration in dogs: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) are ubiquitous Gram-negative bacilli associated with fatal nosocomial infections in humans; multi-antibiotic resistance makes this organism a serious threat in hospital settings. OBJECTIVE: To describe the historical, clinicopathological and treatment characteristics of Bcc-associated deep skin infections in dogs. ANIMALS: Six dogs with skin infections in which skin bacterial cultures resulted in pure growth of Bcc. METHODS: Retrospective study with review of medical records and skin biopsies. RESULTS: All dogs were receiving oral ciclosporin at the time of skin infection development. All dogs were castrated males and four of six were West Highland white terriers. Cutaneous lesions consistent with deep pyoderma were confined mainly to the trunk. In all dogs skin cytology revealed a strong inflammatory response, with moderate to abundant numbers of intracellular (neutrophils and macrophages) and extracellular bacilli. In three dogs histopathology showed a multifocal, nodular to coalescing pyogranulomatous dermatitis associated with multifocal folliculitis and furunculosis. Tissue Giemsa and Gram stains identified numerous Gram-negative rods within macrophages. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed multidrug-resistant Bcc strains with sensitivity to trimethoprim/sulfonamides in all dogs and to marbofloxacin, piperacillin and ceftazidime in three dogs. Successful treatment was achieved in all dogs using trimethoprim/sulfonamides or quinolones (marbofloxacin, ciprofloxacin) or doxycycline in conjunction with ciclosporin withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Clinicians should be aware of the rare potential for Bcc-associated deep skin infections in dogs receiving oral ciclosporin. Owners should be made conscious of the potential transmission risk to humans or other animals.

Ecological conditions in wintering and passage areas as determinants of timing of spring migration in trans-Saharan migratory birds.

1. Climate change has been associated with shifts in the timing of biological events, including the spring arrival of migratory birds. Early arrival at breeding sites is an important life-history trait, usually associated with higher breeding success and therefore, susceptible to selection and evolution in response to changing climatic conditions. 2. Here, we examine the effect of changes in the environmental conditions of wintering and passage areas on the mean passage time of 13 trans-Saharan passerines during their spring migration through the western Mediterranean over the 15 years from 1993 to 2007. 3. We found that most of the species studied have been advancing the timing of their passage in recent years. However, annual variation in the mean date of passage was positively correlated with vegetation growth (measured as the normalized difference vegetation index [NDVI]) both in the Sahel (the region of departure) and in northern Africa (the passage area). Thus, migration dates were delayed in years with high primary productivity in passage and wintering zones. All species seem to respond similarly to NDVI in the Sahel; however, late migrants were less affected by ecological conditions in northern Africa than those migrating earlier, suggesting differences based on species ecology. 4. Mean timing of passage was not related to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), temperature or NDVI in the species-specific wintering areas (the overwintering region) when analysed in combination with the other covariates. 5. Our findings show that ecological conditions in the winter quarters (specifically the Sahel) and en route are relevant factors influencing trends in the passage dates of trans-Saharan migratory birds on the southern fringe of Europe. Possible long-term consequences for late arriving spring migrants are discussed.

The influence of wind direction on the capture of the wood warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix), an uncommon migratory species in the western Mediterranean.

The wood warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) is a migratory species in the western Mediterranean wintering in the Gulf of Guinea region, West Africa. In autumn and spring, this species, along with the populations breeding in Ireland and Britain, uses the Italian peninsula as its main axis of migration. From the data of captured birds at several ringing stations in the western Mediterranean (Balearic Islands and coastal Iberian Peninsula), we analyzed capture rates of the species during spring migration from 1993 to 2007. Based on the selection of days with a significant number of captures and those without captures, we analyzed the effect of wind direction over the western Mediterranean to determine a relationship between winds and the number of captures. From a total of 663 wood warblers captured between 1993 and 2007, a total of 31 days have been selected as significant days with a high number of captures, and 31 days have been selected as no-capture days. On days of maximum captures, winds coming from an easterly direction, i.e. Algeria and Tunisia, were dominant, indicating days with a clear eastern component. Contrary to expected results, captures were also made on days when the wind direction was predominantly from a northerly direction. Analysis of the origin of the winds in north eastern Spain (western Mediterranean) revealed that the majority of northerly winds originated from Africa and not from Europe as is usual for this region. Days or periods selected as no-capture days were characterized by winds coming from a northerly (European origin) or westerly direction.

Association between pluviometric index and the occurrence of acute appendicitis / Associação entre índice de precipitação e a ocorrência de apendicite aguda

ABSTRACT Background: Epidemiological studies demonstrate, for unknown reasons, the prevalence of appendicitis in the summer and in young male adults, and there are controversies about its association with the rainy season. There are no studies in the State of Piauí about such association. Objective: To establish an association between the occurrence of appendicitis and the pluviometric precipitation index. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study that was carried out using the database of the pathology service at a public emergency hospital in Piauí, and the pluviometric precipitation index in the State of Piauí from January 2009 to April 2014, with data from the National Institute of Meteorology. Descriptive statistics and association measures were applied using the Pearson correlation coefficient and the χ 2 test. Results: We found a predominance of appendicitis cases in male subjects, from 11 to 20 years of age, with a predominance of the monthly mean of appendicitis cases in the second semester, which conforms to the dry season in the State of Piauí. Pearson's correlation coefficient was −0.260. Conclusion: There is an association between the occurrence of appendicitis and the months of the year; however, this is a weak negative correlation between the monthly mean of cases of appendicitis and monthly pluviometric precipitation average in the State of Piauí.

RESUMO Contexto: Estudos epidemiológicos demonstram, por razões desconhecidas, o predomínio dos casos de apendicite no verão e em adultos jovens do sexo masculino, havendo controvérsias sobre sua associação com o período chuvoso. Não há estudos realizados no Piauí sobre esta associação. Objetivo: Estabelecer uma associação entre a ocorrência de apendicite e o índice de precipitação pluviométrica. Metodologia: Realizou-se um estudo transversal através do banco de dados do serviço de patologia de um hospital de emergência público do Piauí e do índice de precipitação no Piauí de janeiro de 2009 a abril de 2014 do Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia. Aplicou-se estatística descritiva e medidas de associação pelo coeficiente de correlação de Pearson e pelo teste qui-quadrado. Resultados: Encontrou-se um predomínio dos casos de apendicite no sexo masculino, de 11 a 20 anos de idade, predomínio da média mensal de casos de apendicite no segundo semestre, coincidindo com o período de estiagem no Piauí. O coeficiente de correlação de Pearson foi de -0,260. Conclusão: Existe uma associação da ocorrência de apendicite com os meses do ano, porém se trata de uma fraca correlação negativa entre a média mensal de casos de apendicite com a média da precipitação pluviométrica mensal estadual no Piauí.

A new approach for DNA detection by SERRS.

A new approach for the detection of DNA using surface enhance resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) is reported. The majority of existing techniques use fluorescence spectroscopy with advanced probe design to provide information on the identity of specific DNA sequences down to single base resolution. A new approach to the labelling of DNA is discussed which uses Michael addition to couple thiolated DNA to dye labels specifically designed to attach to silver surfaces. When combined with existing strategies for sensitive detection of DNA using commercially available labels, a new class of biomolecular probe known as a SERRS Beacon was produced. The detection techniques of fluorescence and surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) are combined to give a sensitive and selective system for use in the development and creation of novel assays for specifically defined targets. It demonstrates improved potential for multiplexing analysis.

Cyclosporin: applications in small animal dermatology.

Cyclosporin has been increasingly used for the treatment of skin diseases in small animals. Reported uses include the treatment of atopy, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, feline acquired alopecia resembling pseudopelade of humans, pemphigus erythematosus, pemphigus foliaceus, perianal fistulae and sebaceous adenitis. In addition, cyclosporin has been used anecdotally for several other skin diseases. Few side effects have been noted at doses therapeutic for dermatologic diseases. Current suggestions for monitoring, and the value of trough cyclosporin serum concentrations for prediction of toxicity and efficacy are discussed.

Résumé La cyclosporine est de plus en plus utilisée en dermatologie des petits animaux. Les indications rapportées sont le traitement de la dermatite atopique, du lupus érythémateux cutané, l'alopécie féline ressemblant à la pseudopelade, le pemphigus érythémateux, le pemphigus foliacé, les fistules périanales et l'adénite sébacée. En outre, la cyclosporine a été utilisée anecdotiquement pour d'autres dermatoses. Peu d'effets secondaires ont été observés aux doses utilisées en pratique. Les suggestions actuelles de contrôle thérapeutique et l'utilité des dosages de cyclosporine dans le sérum sont discutées.

Resumen La utilización de ciclosporina para el tratamiento de las enfermedades de piel ha incrementado en la clínica de pequeños animales. Su uso ha sido documentado en el tratamiento de atopia, lupus eritematoso cutáneo, alopecia felina adquirida semejante a la pseudopelade en humanos, pénfigo eritematoso, pénfigo foliáceo, fístulas perianales y adenitis sebácea. La ciclosporina, además, se ha utilizado de forma anecdótica en otras enfermedades. A dosis terapéuticas, se han observado pocos efectos secundarios en enfermedades dermatológicas. En el presente trabajo se discuten los consejos actuales para la monitorización y valor de los niveles de concentración serológicos en la predicción de toxicidad y eficacia.

SERRS dyes. Part I. Synthesis of benzotriazole monoazo dyes as model analytes for surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering.

The synthesis of seven monoazo benzotriazole dyes for use in surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering, SERRS, is reported. The dyes are all capable of complexing to the silver surface used to provide the surface enhancement found in SERRS and hence act as 'model' analytes. One dye was examined in detail and showed a quantitative relationship between concentration and signal intensity.