Brachyspira in dogs: risk factors of shedding in central Germany and longitudinal study of an infected kennel.

BACKGROUND: Brachyspira (B.) pilosicoli is a zoonotic pathogen, able to infect different animal species such as pigs, poultry, and rodents, causing intestinal spirochetosis. An association of gastrointestinal clinical signs, such as diarrhea, with the isolation of B. pilosicoli from fecal samples or rectal swabs has not been proven in dogs. Other Brachyspira species commonly isolated from dogs, such as "B. canis" and "B. pulli", are considered commensals. This study investigated the occurrence of different Brachyspira species in rectal swabs and fecal samples in an independent canine cohort in central Germany. These included samples from shelter dogs, hunting dogs, and dogs presenting at regional small animal practices with various clinical signs. Data about the dogs, including potential risk factors for Brachyspira isolation, were obtained using a standardized questionnaire. The study also longitudinally investigated a colony of Beagle dogs for Brachyspira over 5 years. RESULTS: The rate of Brachyspira spp. isolation was 11% and included different Brachyspira species ("B. canis", "B. pulli", and B. pilosicoli). "B. canis" was detected in 18 dogs, whereas B. pilosicoli was only isolated from 1 dog in the independent cohort (not including the Beagle colony). Risk factors for shedding Brachyspira and "B. canis" were being less than 1 year of age and shelter origin. Gastrointestinal signs were not associated with the shedding of Brachyspira. B. pilosicoli and "B. canis" were isolated from several dogs of the same Beagle colony in 2017 and again in 2022, while Brachyspira was not isolated at multiple sampling time points in 2021. CONCLUSIONS: Shedding of B. pilosicoli in dogs appears to be uncommon in central Germany, suggesting a low risk of zoonotic transmission from dogs. Commensal status of "B. canis" and "B. pulli" is supported by the results of this study. Findings from the longitudinal investigation of the Beagle colony agree with an asymptomatic long-term colonization of dogs with "B. canis" and B. pilosicoli and suggest that introducing new animals in a pack can trigger an increased shedding of B. pilosicoli.

Tissue S100/calgranulin expression and blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in prostatic disorders in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Prostatic carcinoma (PCA) is a rare but severe condition in dogs that is similar to the androgen-independent form of PCA in men. In contrast to humans, PCA is difficult to diagnose in dogs as reliable biomarkers, available for PCA screening in human medicine, are currently lacking in small animal oncology. Calprotectin (S100A8/A9) and S100A12 are Ca2+-binding proteins of the innate immune system with promising potential to distinguish malignant from benign urogenital tract conditions, similar to the blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte-ratio (NLR). However, both have not yet been extensively investigated in dogs with PCA. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the expression of the S100/calgranulins (calprotectin, S100A12, and their ratio [Cal-ratio]) in prostatic biopsies from nine dogs with PCA and compare them to those in dogs with benign prostatic lesions (eight dogs with prostatitis and ten dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]) as well as five healthy controls. In addition, blood NLRs were investigated in twelve dogs with PCA and 22 dogs with benign prostatic conditions. RESULTS: Tissue S100A8/A9+ cell counts did not differ significantly between tissue from PCA and prostatitis cases (P = 0.0659) but were significantly higher in dogs with prostatitis than BPH (P = 0.0013) or controls (P = 0.0033). S100A12+ cell counts were significantly lower in PCA tissues than in prostatitis tissue (P = 0.0458) but did not differ compared to BPH tissue (P = 0.6499) or tissue from controls (P = 0.0622). Cal-ratios did not differ significantly among the groups but were highest in prostatitis tissues and significantly higher in those dogs with poor prostatitis outcomes than in patients that were still alive at the end of the study (P = 0.0455). Blood NLR strongly correlated with prostatic tissue S100A8/A9+ cell counts in dogs with PCA (ρ = 0.81, P = 0.0499) but did not differ among the disease groups of dogs. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the S100/calgranulins play a role in malignant (PCA) and benign (prostatic inflammation) prostatic conditions and supports previous results in lower urinary tract conditions in dogs. These molecules might be linked to the inflammatory environment with potential effects on the inflammasome. The blood NLR does not appear to aid in distinguishing prostatic conditions in dogs. Further investigation of the S100/calgranulin pathways and their role in modulation of tumor development, progression, and metastasis in PCA is warranted.

Feasibility of combined upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsy in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) to evaluate gastrointestinal diseases.

BACKGROUND: Chronic gastroenteropathies, including gluten sensitivity and marmoset wasting syndrome, frequently occur in captive colonies of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Early identification and diagnosis of affected animals are desirable. Endoscopic examination of the colon in marmosets is described, but the small intestine can harbor significant mucosal lesions not representing those in the colon. Evaluating the small intestine currently requires invasive surgical biopsies due to the small patient size, carrying a risk of severe complications. METHODS: Endoscopic intubation and multisite biopsy of the duodenum/proximal jejunum are demonstrated in 10 marmosets under general anesthesia. RESULTS: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy with colonoscopy efficiently aid in examining the gastrointestinal tract and obtaining an antemortem histologic diagnosis in marmosets with chronic gastrointestinal signs. CONCLUSIONS: This minimally invasive technique is feasible in marmosets. Future investigations into the pathogenesis of chronic gastroenteropathies will benefit from these data, leading to improved animal welfare and better individual and colony health management.

Tissue S100/calgranulin expression and blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in dogs with lower urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is the most common neoplasm of the canine lower urinary tract, affecting approximately 2% of dogs. Elderly female patients of certain breeds are predisposed, and clinical signs of UC can easily be confused with urinary tract infection or urolithiasis. Diagnosis and treatment are challenging given the lack of disease-specific markers and treatments. The S100A8/A9 complex and S100A12 protein are Ca2+-binding proteins expressed by cells of the innate immune system and have shown promise as urinary screening markers for UC. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can also aid in distinguishing certain neoplastic from inflammatory conditions. Our study aimed to evaluate the tissue expression of S100/calgranulins and the blood NLR in dogs with UC. Urinary bladder and/or urethral tissue samples from dogs with UC (n = 10), non-neoplastic inflammatory lesions (NNUTD; n = 6), and no histologic changes (n = 11) were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Blood NLRs were analyzed in dogs with UC (n = 22) or NNUTD (n = 26). RESULTS: Tissue S100A12-positive cell counts were significantly higher in dogs with lower urinary tract disease than healthy controls (P = 0.0267 for UC, P = 0.0049 for NNUTD), with no significant difference between UC and NNUTD patients. Tissue S100A8/A9-positivity appeared to be higher with NNUTD than UC, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. The S100A8/A9+-to-S100A12+ ratio was significantly decreased in neoplastic and inflamed lower urinary tract tissue compared to histologically normal specimens (P = 0.0062 for UC, P = 0.0030 for NNUTD). NLRs were significantly higher in dogs with UC than in dogs with NNUTD, and a cut-off NLR of ≤ 2.83 distinguished UC from NNUTD with 41% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Higher NLRs were also associated with a poor overall survival time (P = 0.0417). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that the S100/calgranulins play a role in the immune response to inflammatory and neoplastic lower urinary tract diseases in dogs, but the tissue expression of these proteins appears to differ from their concentrations reported in urine samples. Further investigations of the S100/calgranulin pathways in UC and their potential as diagnostic or prognostic tools and potential therapeutic targets are warranted. The NLR as a routinely available marker might be a useful surrogate to distinguish UC from inflammatory conditions.

Mucocutaneous nasal histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent dog.

BACKGROUND: Histoplasma (H.) capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus, and infection is typically via inhalation of microconidia. After conversion to the yeast phase within the lung, the organism is subsequently disseminated to other tissues by macrophages. Nasal histoplasmosis appears to be a rare condition in dogs. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the clinical case of a 4.5-year-old male neutered Cocker spaniel/Poodle mix, 7.7 kg, body condition score 6/9, that presented with a 3-month history of sneezing and left-sided mucoid nasal discharge. The history also included a mild swelling (transient) of the right carpus with a lameness (grade II-III/IV), coinciding with the onset of sneezing and nasal discharge. The dog lived primarily indoors in the Texas Gulf Coast area. On physical examination, the dog was febrile, and the left nostril was swollen, ulcerative, deformed, and hypopigmented. Mandibular lymph nodes were firm and mildly enlarged bilaterally. Mild lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and hyperglobulinemia were noted. Thoracic radiographs were unremarkable. Computed tomography and rhinoscopy revealed swelling of the rostral portion of the left and right nasal passages. Cytology and histology of biopsies of the affected nasal tissue showed pyogranulomatous inflammation and yeast organisms consistent with H. capsulatum. Weak antigenuria was detected on the MVista H. capsulatum antigen test. Treatment with oral itraconazole led to a resolution of the nasal signs and normalization of the appearance of the nostril over 13 weeks, and neither antigenuria nor antigenemia was detected on several recheck examinations. The dog remained in good general and physical condition and showed no signs of disease recurrence more than 6 years after the last examination. CONCLUSION: We report a rare case of nasal mucocutaneous histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent dog, with an excellent clinical response to oral itraconazole. This case documents that histoplasmosis in dogs can affect primarily the nasal cavity, which responds rapidly to triazole antifungal therapy and has a good prognosis. A similar case has only been reported in human medicine in a young adult.

Infective endocarditis due to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in a dog - a case report.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis is a rare but severe condition associated with a high mortality rate in small animal patients. This condition is caused by a microbial (most often bacterial) infection of the valvular portion of the endocardium, from which proliferative and/or erosive lesions on the cardiac valves or immediately adjacent structures develop. The two most commonly affected cardiac valves are the aortic and mitral valves. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the clinical case of a 4-year old male neutered Bull terrier, 27.6 kg, body condition score 4/9, that presented with a 3-months history of pyrexia and general weakness. The patient history also revealed a transient left hind limb lameness (grade 2/4), which coincided with the onset of clinical signs about 3 months before presentation. On physical examination, a left-sided systolic heart murmur (grade 3/6) with the same intensity at the left heart base and apex, and an irregularly irregular heart rhythm were noted. Electrocardiography showed ventricular premature complexes, and echocardiography revealed lesions consistent with endocarditis involving the aortic and mitral valve. Bacterial culture of blood yielded a positive result, and the organism isolated was identified as Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. The extended patient history revealed that the dog lived close to a farm housing pigs and other livestock. CONCLUSION: We report a rare case of the premortal diagnosis of infective bacterial endocarditis in a dog due to E. rhusiopathiae infection. Most reports about this condition are from necropsy series. This clinical case report emphasizes that E. rhusiopathiae infection and bacteremia should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs with suspected infective endocarditis, especially in dogs living in rural areas with access to livestock and particularly farm pigs. Also, particular emphasis should be placed on the zoonotic potential of this infectious disease.

Tear glucose, creatinine, and urea nitrogen concentrations in cats with normal or increased plasma concentrations.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the lacrimal fluid (LF) contents of glucose, urea nitrogen, and creatinine in cats. ANIMAL STUDIED: A total of 96 cats were included in the study. PROCEDURE: Venous blood and LF samples were collected. For LF sampling, three small polyurethane sponges were placed in the ventral fornix of both eyes. Both LF and plasma concentrations of glucose, urea nitrogen, and creatinine were quantitatively analyzed and compared. RESULT: Glucose (n = 40) and urea nitrogen concentrations (n = 42) measured in LF from both eyes highly correlated. While there was a very strong correlation (ρ = 0.97) between urea nitrogen concentrations in blood plasma and the corresponding tear levels (with the median LF urea nitrogen being 109% of that measured in plasma), the LF glucose concentrations were significantly lower than the corresponding plasma concentrations (with only 13% of the blood glucose concentration detected in the LF). The creatinine concentrations in tears were much lower than those in plasma, and LF creatinine was detectable in only 12/48 cats (25%). Hence, a comparison of the LF creatinine concentrations between both eyes or with the corresponding plasma creatinine concentration was not possible. CONCLUSION: Measurement of LF urea nitrogen concentrations in cats appears to be reliable and might have potential clinical utility. Measurement of LF glucose concentrations is less reliable but may still be useful in some cats. Creatinine is not reliably detected in the LF in cats. Further studies determining clinical utility of LF metabolites in cats and other companion animals are warranted.

S100A12 concentrations and myeloperoxidase activities are increased in the intestinal mucosa of dogs with chronic enteropathies.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal mucosal S100A12 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) are inflammatory biomarkers in humans with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, these biomarkers have not been studied in the intestinal mucosa of dogs with chronic enteropathies (CE), even though dogs with CE have increased S100A12 concentrations in feces and serum. This study investigated mucosal S100A12 concentrations and MPO activities in both dogs with CE and healthy Beagles. ELISA (S100A12 concentrations) and spectrophotometric methods (MPO activity) were used. The associations of both biomarkers with canine IBD activity index (CIBDAI), histopathologic findings, clinical outcome, and serum albumin concentrations were also investigated. We studied intestinal mucosal samples originating from different intestinal regions of 40 dogs with CE and 18 healthy Beagle dogs (duodenum, ileum, colon, and cecum). RESULTS: Compared with healthy Beagles, mucosal S100A12 concentrations in dogs with CE were significantly higher in the duodenum (p < 0.0001) and colon (p = 0.0011), but not in the ileum (p = 0.2725) and cecum (p = 0.2194). Mucosal MPO activity of dogs with CE was significantly higher in the duodenum (p < 0.0001), ileum (p = 0.0083), colon (p < 0.0001), and cecum (p = 0.0474). Mucosal S100A12 concentrations in the duodenum were significantly higher if the inflammatory infiltrate consisted mainly of neutrophils (p = 0.0439) or macrophages (p = 0.037). Mucosal S100A12 concentrations also showed a significant association with the severity of total histopathological injury and epithelial injury in the colon (p < 0.05). Mucosal MPO activity showed a significant association (p < 0.05) with the severity of total histopathological injury, epithelial injury, and eosinophil infiltration in the duodenum. There was no significant association of both biomarkers with CIBDAI or clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that both mucosal S100A12 concentrations and MPO activities are significantly increased in the duodenum and colon of dogs with CE; mucosal MPO was also increased in the ileum and cecum. Future research should focus on assessing the clinical utility of S100A12 and MPO as diagnostic markers in dogs with CE.

Diagnostic performance of the urinary canine calgranulins in dogs with lower urinary or urogenital tract carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Onset of canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and prostatic carcinoma (PCA) is usually insidious with dogs presenting at an advanced stage of the disease. A biomarker that can facilitate early detection of TCC/PCA and improve patient survival would be useful. S100A8/A9 (calgranulin A/B or calprotectin) and S100A12 (calgranulin C) are expressed by cells of the innate immune system and are associated with several inflammatory disorders. S100A8/A9 is also expressed by epithelial cells after malignant transformation and is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and metastasis. S100A8/A9 is up-regulated in human PCA and TCC, whereas the results for S100A12 have been ambiguous. Also, the urine S100A8/A9-to-S100A12 ratio (uCalR) may have potential as a marker for canine TCC/PCA. Aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the urinary S100/calgranulins to detect TCC/PCA in dogs by using data and urine samples from 164 dogs with TCC/PCA, non-neoplastic urinary tract disease, other neoplasms, or urinary tract infections, and 75 healthy controls (nested case-control study). Urine S100A8/A9 and S100A12 (measured by species-specific radioimmunoassays and normalized against urine specific gravity [S100A8/A9USG; S100A12USG], urine creatinine concentration, and urine protein concentration and the uCalR were compared among the groups of dogs. RESULTS: S100A8/A9USG had the highest sensitivity (96%) and specificity (66%) to detect TCC/PCA, with specificity reaching 75% after excluding dogs with a urinary tract infection. The uCalR best distinguished dogs with TCC/PCA from dogs with a urinary tract infection (sensitivity: 91%, specificity: 60%). Using a S100A8/A9USG ≥ 109.9 to screen dogs ≥6 years of age for TCC/PCA yielded a negative predictive value of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: S100A8/A9USG and uCalR may have utility for diagnosing TCC/PCA in dogs, and S100A8/A9USG may be a good screening test for canine TCC/PCA.

Effect of gastric acid-suppressive therapy and biological variation of serum gastrin concentrations in dogs with chronic enteropathies.

BACKGROUND: Serum gastrin concentration can help diagnose gastrinomas in dogs if >3-10× the upper reference limit (URL), but antisecretory therapy and other conditions can also cause hypergastrinemia. Effects of antisecretory therapy (famotidine or ranitidine, omeprazole) on serum gastrin concentration in dogs with chronic enteropathy (CE) and its biological variation (BV) are unknown. Aim of the study was to evaluate serum gastrin in acid-suppressant-treated or -naïve CE dogs; test the association between serum gastrin and histopathologic findings in acid-suppressant-naïve CE dogs; and evaluate the BV of serum gastrin in dogs not receiving any gastric acid suppressive therapy. Samples from 231 dogs were used and serum gastrin was measured by chemiluminescence assay. Gastric and duodenal histologic lesions were evaluated and graded. BV of serum gastrin was evaluated in serial samples. RESULTS: Serum gastrin concentrations were significantly higher in acid-suppressant-treated than acid-suppressant-naïve dogs (P = 0.0245), with significantly higher concentrations in proton pump inhibitor (PPI)- than H2-antihistamine-treated patients (P = 0.0053). More PPI- than H2-antihistamine-treated dogs had gastrin concentrations above URL (P = 0.0205), but not >3× nor >10× the URL. Serum gastrin concentrations correlated with the severity of gastric antral epithelial injury (P = 0.0069) but not with any other lesions or the presence/numbers of spiral bacteria in gastric biopsies. Intra- and inter-individual BV were 43.4 and 21.6%, respectively, in acid-suppressant-naïve dogs, with a reciprocal individuality index of 0.49 and a critical difference of ≥29.5 ng/L. CONCLUSIONS: Antisecretory (particularly PPI) treatment leads to hypergastrinemia in CE dogs, but the concentrations seen in this study are unlikely to compromise a diagnosis of gastrinoma. Use of a population-based URL for canine serum gastrin and a URL of ≤27.8 ng/L are appropriate.

S100A12 concentrations and myeloperoxidase activity in the intestinal mucosa of healthy dogs.

BACKGROUND: Relatively few laboratory markers have been evaluated for the detection or monitoring of intestinal inflammation in canine chronic enteropathies, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Previous research found that the intestinal mucosal levels of S100A12 and myeloperoxidase (MPO), as biomarkers of gut inflammation, were elevated in human patients with IBD. To date, the S100A12 and MPO levels in intestinal mucosal samples from either healthy dogs or from dogs suffering from IBD remain unreported. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the mucosal S100A12 and MPO levels in four different parts of the intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon) in 12 healthy laboratory Beagle dogs using the ELISA and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. RESULTS: Based on histological examinations, the recorded findings for all the samples were considered normal. The mucosal concentration of S100A12 in the ileum was significantly higher than in all other segments of the intestine (p < 0.05). MPO activity was significantly higher in the ileal, jejunal and duodenal than in colonic mucosal samples (p < 0.05). Moreover, its concentration was higher in the jejunum than in the duodenum. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that S100A12 and MPO are reliably detectable in canine intestinal mucosa. The assays used appeared to be sufficient to further evaluate the role of S100A12 and MPO in the pathogenesis of canine chronic enteropathies, including IBD. These biomarkers may play a role in the initial detection of gut inflammation suggesting the need for further investigations to confirm IBD or to differentiate between IBD subtypes. Understanding the role of S100A12 and MPO in the pathogenesis of chronic intestinal inflammation in future may result in an improved understanding of canine chronic intestinal inflammation.

Cold-microwave enhanced enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays--a path to high-throughput clinical diagnostics.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) constitutes an important clinical diagnostic approach. However, the prolonged incubation times involved lead to turnaround times of typically ⩾1 day, potentially delaying a definitive diagnosis or an adequate treatment plan for individual patients. Here cold-microwave technology (CMT) was employed to significantly reduce the times required for diagnostic ELISAs. The new approach was validated and compared to a conventional ELISA setup measuring canine calprotectin (cCP). Canine serum and fecal specimens were used for the analytical validation of cCP ELISA by conventional and CMT-ELISA. Cross-validation of both ELISA methods consisted of the determination of analytic sensitivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and reproducibility. The long-term stability of antibody-coated ELISA plates was also evaluated up to 33 days. The ELISA approaches were comparable to each other. The observed-to-expected ratios for linearity and accuracy were 100.2±11.8 and 98.1±10.8% (mean±standard deviation), respectively. Precision and reproducibility were ⩽17.2%. For samples run on precoated ELISA plates over 33 days %CVs were ⩽12.5%. While both ELISA approaches were analytically sensitive, linear, accurate, precise, and reproducible with measurements of cCP concentrations, CMT-ELISA offered a reduction in incubation times by 90-95%, facilitating a very fast turnaround time and suggesting CMT-ELISA for improved human and veterinary clinical diagnostics.

[Acute poisonings in dogs - a retrospective case study over 5 years]. / Akute Vergiftungen bei Hunden ­ Falluntersuchung über einen Zeitraum von 5 Jahren.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the clinical signs, confirmed or suspected toxicants, treatments and outcomes of poisoning cases in dogs presented over a 5-year period to the emergency service of a small animal referral center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of 634 dogs were evaluated for a history of confirmed or presumed poisoning, suspected toxicant, clinical signs, treatment, and patient outcome. The probability of poisoning was graded based on the patient history, clinical findings, toxicologic examination and - in some cases - investigation of gastrointestinal contents. RESULTS: Most dogs were hospitalized (77%) due to poisoning with mostly unknown toxicants (33%), food residues (18%), rodenticides (10%), tremorgenic mycotoxins (8%), medications (7%) and various plants (7%), followed by recreational drugs (5%), chemicals (4%), molluscicides (3%), antiparasitics (2%), feces (2%), nuts (2%), or toxins of animal origin (1%). Patients were presented predominantly showing neurologic signs (56%), reduced general condition (39%), and cardiovascular or hydration status abnormalities (26%). The survival rate was 97%. Most dogs were clinically unremarkable at the time of hospital discharge (70%). An additional 18% of the survivors had no apparent complications by the time of discharge. Toxicant-related complications (20.5%) included hemorrhage (4%), hepatic (4%), renal (4%), respiratory (3%), gastrointestinal (3%), cardiovascular (3%), and/or central nervous system (3%) complications, or clinically relevant hypoglycemia (0.3%). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In the present study, poisoning in dogs was mostly associated with the ingestion of food residues, but the causative toxicant remained unidentified in many cases. Neurological signs were the major clinical presentation. The survival rate (97%) in this study was higher compared to those reported by other investigators.

Treatment success in cats with chronic enteropathy is associated with a decrease in fecal calprotectin concentrations.

Feline chronic enteropathies (FCE) are challenging to diagnose and monitor for progression and response to treatment. Fecal calprotectin might be a useful non-invasive marker to evaluate clinical endpoints of therapeutic monitoring in FCE. We evaluated fecal calprotectin concentrations in cats with FCE before and after initiation of treatment comprised of immunomodulation and/or dietary intervention. Included were 17 cats with FCE and 18 healthy controls. Clinical investigation of FCE cases included clinical severity grading (feline chronic enteropathy activity index, FCEAI) in all cats, abdominal ultrasonography in 15 cats, and gastrointestinal biopsies in 6 cats. Fecal calprotectin was measured in samples from 12 cats with FCE before treatment, all 17 FCE cats ≥6 weeks after treatment initiation, and all healthy controls. Fecal calprotectin concentrations in FCE cases before treatment (median: 61 µg/g) were significantly higher than after treatment initiation (median: 15 µg/g; p = 0.0098) and compared to controls (median: 6 µg/g; p = 0.0235) and correlated with the FCEAI scores (ρ = 0.54, p = 0.0316). Fecal calprotectin concentrations after treatment initiation were higher with more severe duodenal/proximal jejunal pathology (ρ = 0.83, p = 0.0427) and shorter intervals between sampling time points (ρ = -0.54, p = 0.0250). Relevant decreases in initially increased fecal calprotectin concentrations are seen in cats with FCE on varying treatment strategies that significantly improve or have remission of clinical signs. This supports the utility of fecal calprotectin as a surrogate biomarker to assess disease severity in FCE cases. Further studies need to evaluate fecal calprotectin concentrations longitudinally in relation to mucosal healing vs. clinical response.

Evaluation of the Blood Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker in Dogs with Portosystemic Shunt.

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can help in assessing inflammatory diseases, sepsis, and chronic hepatic conditions in humans. Dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts (PSSs) have signs of generalized inflammation, and the clinical signs can overlap with other conditions, including hypoadrenocorticism (HOC). Thus, the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of leukocyte ratios as surrogate markers was assessed in a retrospective case-control study including 106 dogs diagnosed with PSSs. The disease control groups were dogs with parenchymal hepatopathy (PH; n = 22) or HOC (n = 31). In the PSS dogs, the blood NLRs were associated with the severity of systemic inflammation but not with the shunt type, hepatoencephalopathy, systemic infection, or hypoglycemia. The baseline NLRs did not differ between the three disease groups, between medically and surgically treated PSS dogs, or between those with successful PSS ligation and dogs experiencing peri-/post-surgical complications. However, dogs requiring two consecutive surgical interventions had significantly higher NLRs, and an NLR of <2.53 distinguished dogs with successful shunt ligation in one surgery from those requiring two consecutive surgeries for PSS closure. The blood NLR might be a useful clinicopathologic variable in PSS, but its value in helping differentiate PSS from HOC cases appears low. Integrating the NLR into a diagnostic algorithm may allow for a prediction of the number of surgical interventions required.

Ultrastructural changes in chronic inflammatory enteropathies-a comparison between dogs and humans.

Chronic inflammatory enteropathies (CIEs) are an important group of diseases in dogs and involve complex pathogenetic aspects. Endoscopy and histopathology are vital for documenting the disease but are less useful for subclassifying CIEs and predicting the response to treatment. However, healing of the mucosal disease process (deep remission) and ultrastructural evaluation of the mucosa have received little attention in canine CIE. Given that canine CIE shares many similarities with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) in human patients-and presents a good spontaneous disease model for human IBD-this perspective article evaluates the literature on ultrastructural lesions in canine CIE and human IBD and offers future directions for the study of ultrastructural mucosal lesions in canine CIE. Such lesions might have a higher sensitivity of detection than structural changes revealed upon light microscopy and may even precede or remain after the resolution of the clinical signs and histologic lesions.

Expression of the cobalamin transporters cubam and MRP1 in the canine ileum-Upregulation in chronic inflammatory enteropathy.

Chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) in dogs, a spontaneous model of human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is associated with a high rate of cobalamin deficiency. The etiology of hypocobalaminemia in human IBD and canine CIE remains unknown, and compromised intestinal uptake of cobalamin resulting from ileal cobalamin receptor deficiency has been proposed as a possible cause. Here, we evaluated the intestinal expression of the cobalamin receptor subunits, amnionless (AMN) and cubilin (CUBN), and the basolateral efflux transporter multi-drug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) in 22 dogs with CIE in comparison to healthy dogs. Epithelial CUBN and AMN levels were quantified by confocal laser scanning microscopy using immunohistochemistry in endoscopic ileal biopsies from dogs with (i) CIE and normocobalaminemia, (ii) CIE and suboptimal serum cobalamin status, (iii) CIE and severe hypocobalaminemia, and (iv) healthy controls. CUBN and MRP1 expression was quantified by RT-qPCR. Receptor expression was evaluated for correlation with clinical patient data. Ileal mucosal protein levels of AMN and CUBN as well as mRNA levels of CUBN and MRP1 were significantly increased in dogs with CIE compared to healthy controls. Ileal cobalamin receptor expression was positively correlated with age, clinical disease activity index (CCECAI) score, and lacteal dilation in the ileum, inversely correlated with serum folate concentrations, but was not associated with serum cobalamin concentrations. Cobalamin receptor downregulation does not appear to be the primary cause of hypocobalaminemia in canine CIE. In dogs of older age with severe clinical signs and/or microscopic intestinal lesions, intestinal cobalamin receptor upregulation is proposed as a mechanism to compensate for CIE-associated hypocobalaminemia. These results support oral supplementation strategies in hypocobalaminemic CIE patients.

Impact of diets with a high content of greaves-meal protein or carbohydrates on faecal characteristics, volatile fatty acids and faecal calprotectin concentrations in healthy dogs.

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that dietary composition influences gastrointestinal function and bacteria-derived metabolic products in the dog colon. We previously reported that dietary composition impacts upon the faecal microbiota of healthy dogs. This study aims at evaluating the dietary influences on bacteria-derived metabolic products associated with the changes in faecal microbiota that we had previously reported. We fed high-carbohydrate starch based (HCS), [crude protein: 194 g/kg, starch: 438 g/kg], high-protein greaves-meal (HPGM), [crude protein: 609 g/kg, starch: 54 g/kg] and dry commercial (DC), [crude protein: 264 g/kg, starch: 277 g/kg] diets, and studied their effects on the metabolism of the colonic microbiota and faecal calprotectin concentrations in five Beagle dogs, allocated according to the Graeco-Latin square design. Each dietary period lasted for three weeks and was crossed-over with washout periods. Food intake, body weight, and faecal consistency scores, dry matter, pH, ammonia, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and faecal canine calprotectin concentrations were determined. RESULTS: Faecal ammonia concentrations decreased with the HCS diet. All dogs fed the HPGM diet developed diarrhoea, which led to differences in faecal consistency scores between the diets. Faecal pH was higher with the HPGM diet. Moreover, decreases in propionic and acetic acids coupled with increases in branched-chain fatty acids and valeric acid caused changes in faecal total VFAs in dogs on the HPGM diet. Faecal canine calprotectin concentration was higher with the HPGM diet and correlated positively with valeric acid concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The HPGM diet led to diarrhoea in all dogs, and there were differences in faecal VFA profiles and faecal canine calprotectin concentrations.

Time to eRAASe chronic inflammation: current advances and future perspectives on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system and chronic intestinal inflammation in dogs and humans.

Chronic idiopathic intestinal inflammation is an increasing worldwide problem that affects companion animals, especially dogs, and human patients. Although these disease entities have been intensely investigated recently, many questions remain, and alternative therapeutic options are needed. Diarrhea caused by dysregulation of intestinal electrolyte transport and subsequent fluid and electrolyte losses often leads to secondary consequences for the patient. Currently, it is not exactly clear which mechanisms are involved in the dysregulation of intestinal fluid absorption, but differences in intestinal electrolyte shifts between human and canine patients suggest species-specific regulatory or counterregulatory mechanisms. Several intestinal electrolyte transporters are differentially expressed in human patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), whereas there are virtually no studies on electrolyte transporters and their endocrine regulation in canine chronic inflammatory enteropathy. An important mechanism involved in regulating fluid and electrolyte homeostasis is the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS), which may affect intestinal Na+ transport. While RAAS has previously been considered a systemic regulator of blood pressure, additional complex roles of RAAS in inflammatory processes have been unraveled. These alternative RAAS pathways may pose attractive therapeutic targets to address diarrhea and, thus, electrolyte shifts in human IBD and canine chronic inflammatory enteropathy. This article comparatively summarizes the current knowledge about electrolyte transport in human IBD and canine chronic inflammatory enteropathy and the role of RAAS and offers perspectives for novel therapeutic avenues.

Fulminant Pneumonia Due to Reactivation of Latent Toxoplasmosis in a Cat-A Case Report.

Toxoplasma (T.) gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite with felids, including domestic cats, as definitive hosts. In immunocompetent individuals, T. gondii infection is usually asymptomatic. However, under immunosuppression, it may have severe pathological impacts, which often result from the reactivation of a chronic infection. In this case study, a 21-month-old female domestic shorthair cat-diagnosed with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia three months prior and treated with cyclosporine and prednisolone-presented with acute tachypnea, dyspnea, diarrhea, and anorexia. Thoracic radiography suggested severe pneumonia. Testing for Mycoplasma spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and lungworm infection was negative. Serology for T. gondii revealed seroconversion of IgG, but not of IgM, indicating previous exposure to T. gondii. The cat remained stable but tachypneic for three days, followed by an acute onset of dyspnea and clinical deterioration, after which euthanasia was elected. Numerous protozoa were present in a postmortem transtracheal bronchoalveolar lavage and fine-needle aspiration of the lung. Microsatellite typing classified the extracted DNA as T. gondii type II variant TgM-A. This case demonstrates that T. gondii reactivation, leading to fulminant pneumonia, can be a sequela of immunosuppressive treatment in cats and should, therefore, be considered as a differential diagnosis in immunosuppressed cats with acute-onset respiratory signs. Rapid diagnosis may prevent fatal consequences.