Plasma membrane integrity and oxidative stress index outcomes of canine progenitor epidermal keratinocytes (CPEKs) exposed to virgin coconut oil (VCO).

BACKGROUND: There is a rapidly growing market for topical use of virgin coconut oil (VCO). Studies of topical use in dogs are lacking. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to measure the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, a plasma membrane disruption marker) and production of nitrite (Griess reaction, an oxidative stress marker) from a canine keratinocyte cell line after exposure to VCO as an initial toxicity screening to suggest future studies. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Canine progenitor epidermal keratinocytes (CPEKs) were plated onto permeable transwell membranes and cultured with undiluted organic VCO or control media. Following a 24 h incubation, an LDH assay and a Griess reaction were performed on the collected subnatants. RESULTS: Exposure of CPEKs to VCO significantly increased LDH release compared to controls, 62.29 ± 16.32% versus 8.88 ± 5.82% (P = 0.0056) and there was no significant difference in production of nitrite compared to controls, 2.47 ± 1.56 µmol/L versus 1.42 ± 0.95 µmol/L (P = 0.086). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Based on this study VCO induced an increased disruption of plasma membrane integrity, as measured by LDH. However, VCO did not induce increased oxidative stress, as measured by nitrite production. Based on these preliminary data, further studies to assess the toxicity of VCO are needed.

Erysipeloid lesions caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in a dog: clinical and histopathological findings, molecular diagnosis and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a widespread Gram-positive, nonsporulating rod bacterium predominantly associated with skin disease in swine and cetaceans. Cutaneous lesions have yet to be described in dogs. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical presentation, molecular and histopathological diagnosis, and treatment of a case of erysipeloid caused by E. rhusiopathiae in a dog. ANIMALS: A 6-month-old spayed female standard poodle dog presented with lethargy, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. Skin lesions appeared 20 days post first examination. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, urinalysis, urine culture, blood culture, computed topography, forelimb radiography, joint and cerebrospinal fluid aspiration were performed; samples were collected for skin cytological evaluation, culture and histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Blood cultures yielded Gram-positive, catalase-negative bacilli. Histopathological evaluation of skin biopsies revealed lymphoplasmacytic, neutrophilic and histiocytic perivascular and periadnexal dermatitis, and vasculitis. Cutaneous and blood PCR and sequencing of 16S rRNA identified the bacteria as E. rhusiopathiae. Clinical resolution was observed following the use of of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ciprofloxacin therapies. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of erysipeloid caused by E. rhusiopathiae in a dog. Clinical resolution was attained with the extended use of antibiotics. After 13 months, no clinical signs had returned.