Reference intervals for bone marrow cells in juvenile and young adult cats bone marrow cytology.

BACKGROUND: The current bone marrow (BM) reference intervals (RI) are based on a limited number of cats. Age-related changes in BM variables might be important,possibly affecting the interpretation of the results. OBJECTIVES: Establish BM cytologic reference intervals (RIs) and association of age and sex on these findings, in healthy juvenile and young adult cats. METHODS: BM aspirates of cats deemed healthy based on history and clinical, CBC, serum chemistry findings, and negative retrovirus serology were obtained and examined cytologically. The examination included a 1000-nucleated differential cell count and cell morphologic assessment. RIs were calculated using parametric, robust, and nonparametric methods. The cytologic findings were examined for associations with sex and age. RESULTS: The study included 40 cats (females, 22 [55%]; males, 18 [45%]) with a median age of 1.5 years (range 0.5-5). Most calculated RIs were similar to those previously reported. BM plasma cell and monocyte counts were weakly and positively correlated with age (rs, .312 and .373, respectively; P < .05). Metarubricytes were higher infemales (mean, 25.1%; SD, 6.0%) than males (mean, 21.2%; SD, 6.0%; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The BM differential cell counts determined in this study can serve as RIs for cats aged 0.5-5 years.

Genetic variability in Microsporum canis isolated from cats, dogs and humans in Brazil.

Dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis is a heterogeneous disease with variable clinical manifestations. M. canis is a zoophilic dermatophyte and the most frequent fungi isolated from dogs, cats and children in Brazil. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variability of M. canis isolates from different animal species using two microsatellite markers, namely, McGT(13) and McGT(17), and to correlate the results with the clinical and epidemiological patient data in Brazil. The study included a global set of 102 M. canis strains, including 37 symptomatic cats, 35 asymptomatic cats, 19 human patients with tinea, 9 asymptomatic dogs and 2 symptomatic dogs. A total of 14 genotypes were identified, and 6 large populations were distinguished. There was no correlation between these multilocus genotypes and the clinical and epidemiological data, including the source, symptomatology, clinical picture, breed, age, sex, living conditions and geographic location. These results demonstrate that the use of microsatellite polymorphisms is a reliable method for the differentiation of M. canis strains. However, we were unable to demonstrate a shared clinical and epidemiological pattern among the same genotype samples.

Laboratory and clinical findings and their association with viral and proviral loads in cats naturally infected with feline leukemia virus.

This study was conducted to correlate clinical, laboratory, and bone marrow (BM) changes in cats naturally infected with feline leukemia virus and their association with viral loads in blood and BM and proviral loads in BM. Cats were classified into five groups based on antigenemia, clinical and/or laboratory findings and viral/proviral loads, according to a prospective study: symptomatic progressive (GI); asymptomatic progressive (GII); regressive (GIII); unclassified (GIV); or healthy (GV). |Correlations between these five groups and viral/proviral loads were evaluated. High viral and proviral loads were detected in GI and GII and viral loads were significantly associated with laboratory signs. Proviral loads detected in BM were significantly lower in GIII and GIV. GI cats were more likely to develop hematopoietic disorders than those from the other groups. Hematological and clinical disorders and disease severity are related to higher viral blood and proviral BM loads.

Few Ant Species Play a Central Role Linking Different Plant Resources in a Network in Rupestrian Grasslands.

Ant-plant associations are an outstanding model to study the entangled ecological interactions that structure communities. However, most studies of plant-animal networks focus on only one type of resource that mediates these interactions (e.g, nectar or fruits), leading to a biased understanding of community structure. New approaches, however, have made possible to study several interaction types simultaneously through multilayer networks models. Here, we use this approach to ask whether the structural patterns described to date for ant-plant networks hold when multiple interactions with plant-derived food rewards are considered. We tested whether networks characterized by different resource types differ in specialization and resource partitioning among ants, and whether the identity of the core ant species is similar among resource types. We monitored ant interactions with extrafloral nectaries, flowers, and fruits, as well as trophobiont hemipterans feeding on plants, for one year, in seven rupestrian grassland (campo rupestre) sites in southeastern Brazil. We found a highly tangled ant-plant network in which plants offering different resource types are connected by a few central ant species. The multilayer network had low modularity and specialization, but ant specialization and niche overlap differed according to the type of resource used. Beyond detecting structural differences across networks, our study demonstrates empirically that the core of most central ant species is similar across them. We suggest that foraging strategies of ant species, such as massive recruitment, may determine specialization and resource partitioning in ant-plant interactions. As this core of ant species is involved in multiple ecosystem functions, it may drive the diversity and evolution of the entire campo rupestre community.

Clinical and pathological aspects of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in cats / Aspectos clínicos e patológicos em felinos com fibrose pulmonar idiopática

Interstitial lung diseases are a group of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases that include interstitial lung fibrosis. The aim of this study is to characterize the clinical and pathological findings of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in three cats and to investigate possible etiological agents through bacteriological and mycological exams and immunohistochemistry. All three cats were female and aged from 10 to 14 years old, they presented with a clinical history of weight loss and dyspnea. The radiographic changes were similar in all cats and included increased pulmonary radiopacity with a mixed bronchointerstitial pattern progressing to an alveolar pattern. Two cats died during lung biopsy procedures. At necropsy, the lesions were limited to the pulmonary parenchyma and were firm, hypocrepitant with a multinodular appearance on the pleural surface; they failed to completely collapse when the thorax was opened. In the pleural region, there were multifocal star-shaped scarring lesions, with parenchymal retraction. Microscopically, all three cats had multifocal-to-coalescing fibrosis, type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, hypertrophy or hyperplasia of the smooth muscle tissue of terminal bronchioles and an accumulation of macrophages within the alveolar spaces. There was no growth on bacteriological or mycological cultures, and the immunohistochemical evaluations for the presence of viral etiological agents (FIV, FeLV, FCoV, FCV and FHV-1) were also negative.(AU)

As enfermidades pulmonares intersticiais são um grupo de doenças difusas do parênquima pulmonar, nas quais a fibrose pulmonar está incluída. O objetivo deste trabalho é caracterizar os achados clínicos e patológicos da fibrose pulmonar idiopática em três gatas, e avaliar possíveis agentes etiológicos através dos exames bacteriológicos, micológicos e imuno-histoquímicos. As três gatas tinham entre 10 e 14 anos de idade e histórico clínico de emagrecimento e dispneia. As alterações radiográficas observadas foram similares, com aumento de radiopacidade difuso dos campos pulmonares de padrão misto broncointersticial e eventualmente alveolar. Dois felinos morreram durante procedimento de biópsia pulmonar. No exame de necropsia as lesões eram exclusivas no parênquima pulmonar os quais estavam firmes, hipocreptantes, com aspecto levemente multinodular em superfície pleural e não colapsaram após a abertura da cavidade torácica. Em região pleural havia lesões cicatriciais de aspecto estrelar multifocais, com retração do parênquima. Microscopicamente, todos os gatos apresentaram fibrose multifocal a coalescente, hiperplasia dos pneumócitos do tipo II e hiperplasia e hipertrofia do músculo liso de bronquíolos terminais e acúmulo de macrófagos no interior de espaços alveolares. Não houve crescimento nas culturas bacteriana e micológica, e os exames de imuno-histoquímica para avaliação de possíveis agentes virais (FIV, FeLV, FCoV, FCV e FHV-1) foram negativos em todos os felinos.(AU)

Detection of enteric agents into a cats' shelter with cases of chronic diarrhea in Southern Brazil / Detecção de agentes enteropatogênicos associados à diarreia crônica em um gatil no Sul do Brasil

This study carried out a survey about enteropathogenic agents in domestic cats' shelter as a stage of investigation for the intermittent chronic diarrhea. Individual fecal samples from 39 cats with free access to the external environment were submitted to parasitological examination, parvovirus, and coronavirus by PCR, and Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp. and Tritrichomonas foetus by real-time PCR. From the cats evaluated, 30 (76.9%) were positive for one or more enteric agents, and coinfections were observed in 11 cats samples (28.2%). Helminth eggs were observed in 48.7% of cats (19/30), 16 (41%) were positive for parvovirus or coronavirus and 25.6% (10/30) were infected by protozoa. From the positives for protozoa, five cats were positive to T. foetus (12.82%). The first finding of this protozoan through PCR was in the southern Brazil, and the second was in the whole country. Chronic diarrhea in cats may be multifactorial in shelter animals where the population density is high and the control of parasitic, and viral infections are deficient. Moreover, it is due to poor hygiene conditions in these shelters. The factors associated with the proliferation of infectious diseases in shelters are correlated with new pathogens infections such as T. foetus.(AU)

Uma pesquisa de agentes enteropatogênicos em gatos domésticos de um abrigo foi realizado como etapa da investigação das causas de diarreias crônicas intermitentes. Amostras fecais individuais de 39 gatos, com livre acesso ao ambiente externo, foram obtidas para pesquisa de helmintos através do exame parasitológico, investigação de parvovírus e coronavírus e de Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp. e Tritrichomonas foetus através de PCR em tempo real. Dos gatos avaliados, 30 (76,9%) foram positivos para algum ou mais de um destes agentes entéricos. Desses, 11 (28,2%) apresentaram co-infecções parasitárias. Ovos de helmintos foram observados em 48,7% dos gatos (19/30), 16 felinos (41%) foram positivos para parvovírus ou coronavírus e 25,6% (10/30) estavam infectados por protozoários. Dos positivos para protozoários, cinco apresentaram Tritrichomonas foetus (12,82%), um organismo pouco relatado no Brasil, sendo este o primeiro relato de detecção deste protozoário através de PCR em fezes de gatos no Sul do Brasil e o segundo no país. A diarreia crônica em gatos pode ser multifatorial em animais de abrigo onde a densidade populacional é elevada e os meios de controle parasitário e viral são deficitários, além das condições de higiene precárias. Os fatores associados à proliferação de doenças infecciosas em abrigos promovem o surgimento de infecções por novos patógenos como o Tritrichomonas foetus, até então pouco relatado no Brasil.(AU)

Fatores relacionados a problemas de comportamento em gatos / Factors associated with behavior problems in cats

Os problemas de comportamento apresentam importância não só no bem estar animal e na qualidade da relação humana-animal como também em saúde publica. Problemas de comportamento são uma das principais razões de abandono e subsequentemente o destino destes animais são abrigos ou até mesmo eutanásia. Além disso, a agressividade é um fator de risco para transmissão de zoonoses. Com o objetivo de avaliar a frequência de fatores relacionados a problemas de comportamento em gatos, foram coletadas informações de 229 gatos através de um questionário aplicado em tutores que aguardavam atendimento no Hospital de Clínicas Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (HCV-UFRGS). Dentre os comportamentos arranhadura em móveis foi o problema comportamental mais frequente (65,1%- IC 95%: 58,5-71,4%) seguido de agressividade (61,3%- IC 95%: 54,2-67,1%), eliminação inapropriada (37,1%- IC 95%: 31,3-42,1%) e vocalização excessiva (23,6%- IC 95%: 20,1-29,8%). Os dados foram analisados por regressão logística com uma função de ligação logit. De acordo com a análise univariada, a presença de um arranhador teve uma relação significativa protetiva, podendo contribuir para a redução do comportamento de arranhar móveis (risco relativo [RR]=0.31- IC 95%:0.19 - 0.53). Fêmeas e gatos assustados foram identificados com maior dificuldade de ter uma relação amigável com outros gatos RR=3.56 (IC 95%:1.78 - 7.11), RR=2.84( IC 95%:1.60 - 5.04) respectivamente também quanto maior o número de gatos na residência, maiores as chances de haver eliminação inapropriada. Os gatos castrados antes da puberdade apresentaram menos chances de desenvolver eliminação inapropriada RR=0.43 (IC 95%:0.21-0.88) e, finalmente, a vocalização excessiva foi relacionada com busca de atenção RR=2.62 (IC 95%:1.54 - 4.45). Os resultados desse estudo podem ajudar a prevenir problemas comportamentais em felinos domésticos.(AU)

Behavioral problems have importance not only in animal welfare and the quality of human-animal relationship, but also in public health. Behavior problems are a major reason of abandonment and subsequently the fate of these animals are shelters or even euthanasia. Furthermore, the aggressiveness is a risk factor for zoonoses transmission. In order to assess the frequency of factors related to behavior problems, information from 229 cats were collected through a questionnaire applied to tutors awaiting for care in clinics in Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (HCV-UFRGS). Among the behaviors scratch furniture was the most common problem (65.1% - CI95%: 58.5 to 71.4%), followed by aggressiveness (61.3% - CI95%: 54.2 to 67, 1%), inappropriate elimination (37.1% - 9 CI95%: 31.3 to 42.1%) and excessive vocalization (23.6% - CI95%: 20.1 to 29.8%). Data were analyzed by logistic regression with a logit link function. Univariate analysis identified the presence of scratching as significant protective factor, that may contribute to the reduction of scratching furniture (Relative risk [RR] = 0.31- CI95%: 0:19 to 0:53). Females and frightened cats were identified as having more difficulty were for friendly relationship with other cats RR = 3.56 (CI95%: 1.78-7.11), RR = 2.84 (95% CI: 1.60-5.04) respectively; also the higher the number of cats in a residence, the greater the chance for inappropriate elimination. Neutered cats before puberty had less chance of developing inappropriate elimination RR = 0:43 (CI95%: 0.21-0.88), and finally, excessive vocalization was related to obtain tutor attention RR = 2.62 (CI95%: 1:54 to 4:45). The results of this study may help prevent behavioral problems in domestic cats.(AU)

Hematological findings and factors associated with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) positivity in cats from southern Brazil / Achados hematológicos e fatores associados a positividade pelo vírus da leucemia felina (felv) e vírus da imunodeficiência felina em gatos do sul do Brasil

Using a retrospective study, 493 cats tested for FeLV and FIV were selected for analysis of the association between hematologic findings and positivity at immunoassay test. Individual and hematologic variables were assessed considering the influence of results using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Out 153 of the 493 cats were positive for FeLV (31%), 50 were positive for FIV (10.1%) and 22 were positive for both FIV and FeLV (4.4%). Multivariate analysis detected significant associations between FeLV infection and age below 1 year (p=0.01), age from 1 to 10 years (p=0.03), and crossbreed (p=0.04). Male cats were more likely to be FIV-positive (p=0.002). Regarding hematological changes, FeLV-positive cats have higher odds to anemia, leukopenia and lymphopenia than FeLV-negative cats. FIV-positive cats are more likely to have anemia than negative. Identification of associated factors related to animal status and correlation of hematological disorders with infection by retroviruses in cats could be useful for detecting these retroviral diseases in cats.(AU)

Através de um estudo retrospectivo, 493 gatos testados para FeLV e FIV foram selecionados para análise da associação entre as alterações hematológicas e a positividade no teste imunoenzimático. Variáveis individuais e hematológicas foram consideradas para verificar a influência dos resultados utilizando análise de regressão logística univariada e multivariada. Um total de 153 de 493 gatos avaliados foram positivos para o FeLV (31%), 50 foram positivos para o FIV (10,1%) e 22 foram positivos para FIV e FeLV (4,4%). Análise multivariada detectou uma associação significativa entre a infecção pelo FeLV e a idade abaixo de 1 ano (P=0,01), idade entre 1 a 10 anos (P=0,03) e raça mista (P=0,04). Gatos machos foram mais predispostos a serem positivos para FIV (P=0,002). Com base nas alterações hematológicas, gatos positivos para o FeLV tem maior odds para apresentar anemia, leucopenia e linfopenia que os negativos. Gatos positivos para FIV possuem maiores chances de apresentarem anemia que os gatos negativos. A identificação dos fatores associados à infecção relacionados ao perfil do animal e a correlação com os distúrbios hematológicos com a infecção, pode ser útil para detecção das doenças retrovirais em gatos.(AU)