Age-related periodontitis and alveolar bone loss in rice rats.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize in rice rats: (a) periodontitis (PD) progress with feeding of standard laboratory rat chow (STD) during ages 4-80 weeks; and (b) PD progress with feeding of a high sucrose-casein (H-SC) diet during young adulthood. METHODS: One group (N=12) was euthanized at age 4 weeks (Baseline). Four groups (N=8-16) consumed a STD diet from baseline and were necropsied at ages 22, 30, 52, and 80 weeks. Three groups (N=10-16) consumed an H-SC diet from baseline. Two were necropsied at ages 22 and 30 weeks, respectively. The third switched to the STD diet at age 22 weeks and was necropsied at age 30 weeks. All mandibles/maxillae were assessed by histometry for degree of periodontal inflammation (PD Score), alveolar crest height (ACH, mm), and horizontal alveolar bone height (hABH, mm2). RESULTS: In STD diet rats aged ≥30 weeks, all endpoints were worse (P<0.05) than at Baseline. In H-SC diet rats aged ≥22 weeks, all endpoints were worse than at Baseline (P<0.05). At age 22 weeks, all endpoints were worse in the H-SC group than in the STD group (P<0.05). By age 30 weeks, the STD and H-SC groups did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: 1) STD diet fed rice rats develop moderate/severe PD by age 30 weeks; 2) an H-SC diet accelerates moderate/severe PD development; and 3) switching to a STD diet does not halt/reverse PD that was accelerated by an H-SC diet. These data further clarify use of the rice rat as a PD model.

Percutaneous Ultrasound-guided Cholecystocentesis and Bile Analysis for the Detection of Platynosomum spp.-Induced Cholangitis in Cats.

BACKGROUND: Examination of bile could be useful to diagnose Platynosomum spp.-induced cholangitis in cats. Obtaining bile via percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis (PUC) is possible but raises safety concerns in cats with severe cholecystitis. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the use of PUC to collect bile samples from cats with known platynosomosis and to determine if bile analysis could be a diagnostic test. ANIMALS: Twenty-seven free-roaming cats positive for Platynosomum spp. eggs via fecal examination. METHODS: In this prospective study, fecal egg counts were performed by double centrifugation with Sheather's solution. Bile was collected using PUC from anesthetized cats. Egg counts in bile were performed with a stereoscope. Euthanasia and postmortem examination were performed immediately after PUC. RESULTS: All cats had ultrasound (US) evidence of cholangitis or cholecystitis. Thirty-nine PUCs were performed with 14 cats having 2 PUCs 12 or 24 days apart. Postmortem examinations showed no overt gallbladder damage or leakage but fresh blood was noted in the gallbladder lumen of 3 cats. Median Platynosomum spp. egg counts were higher in bile (1450 eggs/mL; IQR, 400; 5138 eggs/mL) as compared to feces (46 eggs/mL; IQR, 10; 107 eggs/mL) (P < .001). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Bile egg count analysis is an alternative method with higher egg counts as compared to fecal egg count analysis for the diagnosis of platynosomosis. Obtaining bile via US guidance is technically feasible and safe in cats with cholangitis/cholecystitis. Cholecystocentesis and bile analysis are especially relevant for those cats with chronic cholangitis/cholecystitis and negative fecal egg counts for Platynosomum.