Trace element status in canine endocrine diseases.

A balanced trace element status is essential for the optimal functioning of all organisms. However, their concentrations are often altered in diverse medical conditions. This study investigated the trace element profiles in plasma samples of dogs with endocrine diseases and used chemometric techniques to explore their associations with biochemical data. Thirteen elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn) were measured in 40 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC), 29 dogs with diabetes mellitus (DM), 11 dogs with hypothyroidism (HT) and 30 control dogs using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistically significant differences were observed for As, Cu, Mo, Se and Zn. In comparison with the control group, the HT patients had higher As and lower Se levels, while the HAC group had higher concentrations of Mo. All three disease groups had higher Cu and Zn concentrations than the control group, with the DM group having higher Cu concentrations and the HAC group higher Zn concentrations than the other endocrinopathy groups. The chemometric analysis revealed distinctive association patterns for discriminating each pathology group and the control group. Moreover, the analysis revealed the following associations: Mo with glucose levels and Cu with fructosamine levels in the DM group, As with cortisol levels in the HAC group, and Se with TT4 levels and As with TSH levels in the HT group. The study findings provide valuable insights into the complex relationships between trace elements and endocrinopathies, elucidating the associations with biochemical markers in these diseases. Larger-scale studies are necessary to fully understand the observed relationships and explore the potential clinical applications.

Non-controlled, open-label trial to assess clinical and immunological parameters in atopic dogs feeding monoprotein grain free diet versus a standard grain diet.

Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a common inflammatory skin disease that is treated with medicines or allergen-specific immunotherapy. An improvement diet can help treatment of cAD. The purpose of this study was compare two diets on clinical and immunological parameters in atopic dogs without food hypersensitivity. Diet A, a commercial based on rice, was offered to 22 atopic dogs during 30 days and Diet B (grain free, rich in salmon) was given to 8 atopic dogs. Clinical scores were assessed by CADESI-4 and PVAS at the beginning (T0) and at the end of the study (T30). CD4+ and CD8+ were measured in PBMCs, and serum cytokines (TNF-α, IL-10, IL-31 and IL-34) were determined. Both diets decreased CADESI-4 score and Diet A decreased PVAS score (p < 0.05). There were no statistical significant differences between diets at T30 for CD4+ and CD8+. A decrease in the IL-31 concentrations and increase in IL-10 levels (p < 0.05) was observed with Diet A at T30. There were no differences between any of the two diets when the other results at T0 and T30 were compared for any of the parameters analysed. In conclusion, the results indicate that dietary intervention had not influence on cellular component of the immune system, but a positive effect was observed on IL-31, IL-10 serum levels for Diet A. Further studies are needed to enrich dietary components of the food for atopic dogs without food hypersensibility to help improvement the management of the cAD.

Comparison of circulating CD4+, CD8+ lymphocytes and cytokine profiles between dogs with atopic dermatitis and healthy dogs.

INTRODUCTION: Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by impaired immune function. Changes in the proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes and the serum concentrations of cytokines in the pathogenesis of cAD have been described. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the changes in the ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of atopic dogs at the time of diagnosis are related to the severity of the disease. Furthermore, we determined whether the changes in the serum concentrations of the cytokines IL-31, IL-34, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TNF-α were different between atopic and control dogs. PROCEDURES: Fifty-six client-owned dogs with atopic dermatitis and 53 healthy control dogs were used. The percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes were determined by imaging flow cytometry. The index of CADESI-03 was calculated. Serum cytokine levels were analyzed using ELISA. RESULTS: Atopic dogs showed a higher percentage of CD8+ lymphocytes, a lower CD4+/CD8+ ratio than healthy dogs, and a positive correlation with CADESI-03. Atopic dogs also showed higher serum IL-31 and IL-34 levels and lower IL-10 levels. A moderate positive correlation was found between serum IL-31 and CADESI-03. CONCLUSIONS: The CD4+/CD8+ ratio may be a sensitive parameter that positively correlates with the severity of cAD, and elevated serum levels of IL-31 and IL-34 may facilitate diagnosis of the disease.

Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus found in milk macrophages but not in milk lymphocytes or mammary gland epithelia of naturally infected sheep.

Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) causes ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma. JSRV can be transmitted via infected colostrum or milk, which contain somatic cells (SCs) harboring JSRV provirus. Nevertheless, the cell types involved in this form of transmission and the involvement of the mammary gland remain unknown. We separated adherent cells (macrophages and monocytes) by plastic adherence, and lymphocytes (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and B cells) by flow cytometry, from SCs in milk samples from 12 naturally infected, PCR blood test JSRV-positive, subclinical ewes. These cell populations were tested by PCR to detect JSRV provirus. The ewes were euthanized, and mammary gland samples were analyzed immunohistochemically to detect JSRV surface protein. We did not detect JSRV provirus in any milk lymphocyte population, but milk adherent cells were positive in 3 of 12 sheep, suggesting a potential major role of this population in the lactogenic transmission of JSRV. Immunohistochemistry did not reveal positive results in mammary epithelial cells, pointing to a lack of participation of the mammary gland in the biological cycle of JSRV and reducing the probability of excretion of free viral particles in colostrum or milk.

Comparison of a qualitative immunochromatographic test with two quantitative serological assays for the detection of antibodies to Leishmania infantum in dogs.

Canine leishmaniosis is a disease caused by Leishmania infantum, a vector-borne parasite. Due to the zoonotic potential of canine leishmaniosis, infected dogs must be identified. Serological assays are the most common methods for the detection of L. infantum infection in dogs used in veterinary practice. The aim of the study was to assess the performance of a rapid immunochromatographic test (FASTest LEISH®, MEGACOR Diagnostik) for the detection of specific antibodies to that of the L. infantum in dog sera. The results were simultaneously compared using a commercial brand of indirect immunofluorescence antibody test and an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as references. Between the two reference tests, 232 serum samples out of 244, produced concordant results while 12 exhibited discordant results. Of the 232 concordant samples, 121 were classified as L. infantum seropositive, and 111 samples were previously classified as L. infantum seronegative by a combination of the reference assays. All samples that were seropositive by the reference tests were also positive according to the rapid test, and only one sample that was seronegative according to the two reference assays was positive according to the rapid test. Compared with the reference tests, the rapid test sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 99.1%, accuracy was 99.6%, Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.99, and the area under receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.995. The FASTest LEISH® is a rapid, qualitative in-clinic test with high sensitivity and specificity.

Effect of oral administration of Propionibacterium acnes on growth performance, DTH response and anti-OVA titers in goat kids

Immunostimulants are susbstances that stimuli the response of effector cells to activate the immune response such as antigen uptake, cytokine release or antibody response. These substances can increase resistence to infection by different types of microorganisms, reducing dependence of antibiotics used in livestock animals. Recent reports have demonstrated the positive effect of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) to control animal diseases. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the non-specific immunostimulant P. acnes on immunological functions and growth performance in goat kids. Twenty five goat kids served as control group (A) and another 25 animals received P. acnes being the experimental group (B). Kids were challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) to assess humoral immunity. To assess in vivo cell immunity, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) test with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was used, clinical signs and body weight were recorded each week until 9 weeks of age when the experiment ended. Blood samples were obtained to analyze serum proteins fractions and anti-OVA specific antibodies. No clinical signs of disease and no differences (p>0.05) on body weight between groups were recorded (7.32±0.81 kg in group A, 7.13±0.65 kg in group B). Goat kids from group B had more total protein (59.8±5g/l) and albumin levels (32.8±3.3g/l) than goat kids from group A (56.6±5.7 g/l, 29.6±3.9 g/l respectively) (p<0.05). DTH response in goat kids from group B on day 42 was higher (p<0.05) than group A. At day 63, goat kids from group receiving P. acnes had higher percentage (85.4) of anti-OVA IgM titers (p<0.05) than control group (57.7). In conclusion, the results showed that oral administration of P. acnes to goat kids improved some aspects of the immune system of the animals and it could be used to control goat diseases.

Horner's syndrome associated with parotid duct obstruction in a sheep.

A 9-year old, Rasa Aragonesa ewe was presented with a left-sided, facial, soft fluctuant swelling. The postmortem examination showed grass awns filling the entire length of the parotid gland duct. The presence of parotid duct obstruction with Horner's syndrome, previously unreported in sheep, is discussed.

Polioencephalomalacia in adult sheep grazing pastures with prostrate pigweed.

Polioencephalomalacia was diagnosed in 2 animals from different farms. In apparently healthy animals from same farms, fecal thiaminase and a significant reduction in erythrocyte trans-ketolase activity was observed. The presence of thiaminase in Amaranthus blitoides could have contributed to the development of polioencephalomalacia in sheep grazing on natural pastures.

Hip dysplasia in a 6-year-old Salz ram.

A 6-year old Salz ram was presented with a history of poor body condition, progressive gait abnormalities, pelvic limb lameness, and difficulty with copulation. Based on the history, clinical signs, hip palpation, and radiography, a diagnosis of hip dysplasia, previously unreported in sheep, was made.