Comparative evaluation of platelet-rich plasma, autologous blood serum, and umbilical cord serum for corneal healing after penetrating keratoplasty in New Zealand rabbits.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), autologous blood serum (ABS), and umbilical cord serum (UCS) on corneal healing following penetrating keratoplasty (PK). A total of 120 New Zealand white rabbits, forty were designated as donors, while the remaining eighty rabbits were randomly divided into four groups after undergoing PRP Group (n = 20), ABS Group (n = 20), UCS Group (n = 20) and Control Group (n = 20). Corneal opacity score, corneal vascularization, corneal staining, histopathological analysis, and immunohistochemical analysis (including CD4+, CD8+, and major histocompatibility complex [MHC] II) were assessed at postoperative 1, 2, 3, and 12 weeks. The results showed that corneal opacity score and corneal vascularization did not differ significantly among the groups. However, corneal staining was found to be statistically higher in the PRP group (0.40 ± 0.60) compared to the other groups (p = 0.011). Immunohistochemical examination revealed no significant differences in CD4+, CD8+, and MHC II levels among the groups. Notably, in all groups, CD4+, CD8+, and MHC II levels were significantly higher at 12 weeks compared to other time points. PRP, ABS, and UCS demonstrated positive effects on corneal healing after PK. However, among the three products, PRP exhibited a superior healing effect compared to ABS and UCS crucial in the postoperative period following PK procedures, as they significantly impact visual quality, graft transparency, graft survival, and prevention of stromal resorption caused by infections. Despite the avascular nature of the cornea and its immune privilege, failure to resolve epithelial defects (ED) commonly observed after PK can result in irreversible scarring and ulceration, leading to graft rejection. While epithelial defects are observed in 14-100% of cases on the first postoperative day, approximately 3-7% of them persist as non-healing ED in subsequent periods. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that PRP, ABS, and UCS have a positive effect on corneal healing after PK.

Unlocking immunotherapy targets: programmed death 1 and its ligand and their correlation with tumour grade in feline injection site sarcoma.

In this study, the immunohistochemical expression of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), which could facilitate a novel approach to immunotherapy for feline injection site sarcomas (FISSs), was investigated. Treatment strategies based on the suppression of this pathway are possible for tumours expressing PD-1/PD-L1. In this context, FISSs were histologically classified, the grade of sarcoma and the intensity of lymphocyte infiltration determined and PD-1 and PD-L1 expression evaluated in tumours of different grade. Tumours were immunolabelled for vimentin, S100, smooth muscle actin and sarcomeric actin. Fibrosarcoma was diagnosed in eight cases, undifferentiated sarcoma in one case, liposarcoma in one case and rhabdomyosarcoma in one case. PD-1 expression was found mainly in lymphoid infiltrations and macrophage-like cells, while PD-L1 was found primarily in tumour cells and infiltrated macrophage-like cells. By Pearson correlation analysis, tumour differentiation was found to have a moderate correlation with PD-1 (P <0.05) and a high correlation with PD-L1 (P <0.01). Tumour grade had a low correlation with PD-1 and a moderate correlation with PD-L1 (P >0.05). A moderate correlation was also detected between PD-1 and PD-L1 (P <0.05). It was concluded that the increased expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 may be associated with poor tumour differentiation and, therefore, poor prognosis in FISS.

Natural disasters and the rise of zoonotic diseases: A case of post-earthquake disseminated cryptococcosis in a dog.

Cryptococcosis is a systemic zoonotic disease that is challenging to diagnose based on clinical findings in cats and dogs due to the nonspecific nature of its clinical presentation. This case report aims to document the first confirmed case of disseminated cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans in a dog in Turkey and to highlight the potential link between natural disasters such as earthquakes and the emergence of zoonotic diseases in domestic animals. A two-and-a-half-year-old spayed female Cocker Spaniel presented with increased respiratory sounds, skin lesions, facial swelling and enlarged lymph nodes. These symptoms appear to be a complication of Demodex infestation due to the stress experienced by the dog following exposure to a severe earthquake. Diagnostic procedures including cytologic examination, fungal culture and DNA sequence analysis, which confirmed the infection was caused by C. neoformans. Due to the delay in the correct diagnosis of the disease, which, contrary to common data, started as an allergic reaction on the skin and was later diagnosed as a Demodex infestation, the dog died of severe respiratory failure during the treatment with itraconazole. The case highlights the critical role of veterinary emergency and critical care in the diagnosis and management of zoonotic diseases post-natural disasters. It also highlights the need for increased awareness and preparedness among veterinary professionals to address animal health challenges following such events.