Neuron-specific enolase as biomarker for possible neuronal damage in dogs with distemper vírus / Enolase neuronal específica como um possível biomarcador para lesão neuronal em cães com cinomose

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a biomarker of neuronal cell lysis, which demonstrates stability in extracellular fluids such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid. To the authors knowledge there is no research information comparing the use of NSE in dogs with and without encephalitis, putting in evidence the importance of that biomarker to detect neuronal damage in dogs. The objective was to compare the serum NSE levels in dogs with and without encephalitis, and to determine the serum NSE levels in normal dogs. Thirty eight dogs were evaluated, 19 dogs with encephalitis (EG Group) and 19 dogs without encephalitis (CG Group). The criteria for inclusion in the EG Group were presence of neurological signs in more than one part of the CNS (multifocal syndrome) and positive molecular diagnosis for canine distemper virus; for the CG Group were an age between 1 to 7 years and be clinically normal; NSE were measured in serum using an ELISA assay, and the results were compared. In the EG Group the NSE values were higher with significant difference (P=0.0053) when compared with the CG Group. NSE is a biomarker that can be measured in serum samples of dogs to monitor neuronal lesions in encephalitis.(AU)

Enolase neuronal específica (NSE) é um biomarcador de lise de neurônios, que demonstra estabilidade em fluidos extracelulares como sangue e líquido cerebrospinal. Para o conhecimento dos autores, não há informações de pesquisa que comparem o uso de NSE em cães com e sem encefalite, evidenciando a importância desse biomarcador para detectar danos neuronais em cães. O objetivo foi comparar os níveis séricos de NSE em cães com e sem encefalites, e determinar os níveis séricos de NSE em cães saudáveis. Trinta e oito cães foram avaliados, 19 cães com encefalites (Grupo EG) e 19 cães sem encefalite (Grupo CG). O critério para inclusão no Grupo EG foi presença de sinais neurológicos em mais de uma estrutura do SNC (síndrome multifocal) e positividade no diagnóstico molecular para o vírus da cinomose canina; para o Grupo CG foi idade entre 1 e 7 anos e ser clinicamente normal; NSE foram mensuradas em amostras séricas usando o método de ELISA, e os resultados comparados. No Grupo EG os valores de NSE foram altos com diferença significativa (P=0.0053) quando comparado com o Grupo CG. NSE é um biomarcador que pode ser mensurado em amostras séricas de cães para monitorar lesões neuronais em encefalites.(AU)

Alpha-synuclein deregulates the expression of COL4A2 and impairs ER-Golgi function.

Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) is the major protein component of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, the typical pathological hallmarks in Parkinson's disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies. aSyn is capable of inducing transcriptional deregulation, but the precise effect of specific aSyn mutants associated with familial forms of PD, remains unclear. Here, we used transgenic mice overexpressing human wild-type (WT) or A30P aSyn to compare the transcriptional profiles of the two animal models. We found that A30P aSyn promotes strong transcriptional deregulation and increases DNA binding. Interestingly, COL4A2, a major component of basement membranes, was found to be upregulated in both A30P aSyn transgenic mice and in dopaminergic neurons expressing A30P aSyn, suggesting a crucial role for collagen related genes in aSyn-induced toxicity. Finally, we observed that A30P aSyn alters Golgi morphology and increases the susceptibility to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in dopaminergic cells. In total, our findings provide novel insight into the putative role of aSyn on transcription and on the molecular mechanisms involved, thereby opening novel avenues for future therapeutic interventions in PD and other synucleinopathies.

Fecal microbiota transplantation in puppies with canine parvovirus infection.

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea associated with parvovirus infection is common in dogs. Supportive care is the mainstay of treatment, but recovery may be prolonged and mortality rate can be high. Modification of the intestinal bacterial microbiota has been promising in human and veterinary medicine as an adjunctive treatment of various enteric diseases. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the safety and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on the clinical recovery of puppies with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome. ANIMALS: Sixty-six puppies with parvovirus infection were evaluated at 2 veterinary hospitals. METHODS: Randomized clinical trial. Puppies were randomly distributed into 2 groups: standard treatment (STD) and standard treatment + FMT (STD + FMT). The STD puppies (n = 33) received only treatment with IV fluids and antimicrobials and the STD + FMT puppies (n = 33) received FMT in addition to standard treatment. For FMT, 10 g of feces from a healthy dog diluted in 10 mL of saline were administered rectally 6-12 hours post-admission. RESULTS: Among survivors, treatment with FMT was associated with faster resolution of diarrhea (P < .001) and shorter hospitalization time (P = .001; median, 3 days in STD + FMT; median, 6 days in STD) compared to standard treatment. Mortality in STD was 36.4% (12/33) as compared to 21.2% (7/33) in puppies treated with FMT, but there was no statistical difference between groups (P = .174). Polymerase chain reaction indicated that all animals carried canine parvovirus, strain CPV-2b. CONCLUSIONS: Fecal microbiota transplantation in parvovirus-infected puppies was associated with faster resolution of diarrhea.

Avaliação clínica de cães com doença do disco intervertebral (Hansen tipo I) submetidos à descompressão cirúrgica: 110 casos / Clinical evaluation of dogs with intervertebral disc disease (Hansen type I) submitted to surgical decompression: 110 cases

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar cães com doença do disco intervertebral toracolombar (Hansen tipo I) submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico em um serviço de rotina em neurologia de um hospital veterinário universitário no período de 2006 a 2014, e obter informações a respeito da idade, do sexo, da raça, local da extrusão, interpretação da mielografia, avaliação dos graus de disfunção neurológica, recuperação funcional desses cães e observar a ocorrência de recidiva dos sinais clínicos da doença. A raça mais frequente foi Dachshund (69%), seguida dos cães sem raça definida (14,5%). Os locais mais afetados foram entre T12-T13 (31,9%) e L1-L2 (19,1%). Dos 110 cães, 74 (67,3%) tiveram melhora dos sinais clínicos após o procedimento cirúrgico, sendo 54 (49,1%) considerados satisfatórios e 20 (18,2%), parcialmente satisfatórios. Destes cães, seis (8,1%) cães estavam em grau II, 19 (25,7%) em grau III, 35 (47,3%) em grau IV e 14 (18,9%) em grau V. Pode-se concluir que o tratamento cirúrgico promove recuperação funcional satisfatória na maioria dos cães com extrusão de disco toracolombar. O prognóstico para recuperação funcional após o tratamento cirúrgico é tanto melhor quanto menor for o grau de disfunção neurológica e o percentual de recidiva é baixo em animais submetidos a este tipo de terapia.(AU)

The aim of this study was to identify dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease (Hansen type I) submitted for surgical treatment on a routine service in neurology in a university veterinary hospital in 2006-2014, and to get information about age, sex, breed, site of extrusion, interpretation of myelography, evaluation of the degree of neurological dysfunction, functional recovery of these dogs, and to verify the recurrence of clinical signs of disease. The most common breed was Dachshund (69%), followed by mixed breed (14.5%). The most affected sites were between T12-T13 (31.9%) and L1-L2 (19.1%). Of the 110 dogs, 74 (67.3%) improved clinical signs after surgery, 54 (49.1%) satisfactory and 20 (18.2%), in part satisfactory. From these dogs, six (8.1%) dogs were in grade II, 19 (25.7%) in grade III, 35 (47.3%) in grade IV, and 14 (18.9%) in grade V. It can be concluded that satisfactory surgical treatment promotes functional recovery in most dogs with thoracolumbar disk extrusion. The prognosis for functional recovery after surgical treatment is better the lower the degree of neurological dysfunction and the recurrence percentage is lower in dogs subjected to this type of therapy.(AU)

Doença vestibular em cães: 81 casos (2006-2013) / Vestibular disease in dogs: 81 cases (2006-2013)

Eighty-one cases of vestibular disease in dogs were diagnosed by the neurology service in a veterinary teaching hospital in southern Brazil from 2006 to 2013. Approximately 2/3 of these cases were interpreted as central vestibular disease (CVD) with the remaining cases being considered as peripheral vestibular disease (PVD). Pure breed dogs, especially Dachshunds (PVD) and Boxers (CVD) were more affected than mixed breed dogs. The main clinical signs observed in cases of CVD and PVD included head tilt, vestibular ataxia, and ventral or ventrolateral strabismus. Proprioceptive deficits, cranial nerve V-XII dysfunction, and changes in the levels of conscience were observed only in cases of CVD, whereas absence of palpebral reflex occurred only in cases of PVD. Inflammatory or infectious diseases, especially canine distemper and bacterial otitis were the most commonly observed conditions associated with CVD and PVD, respectively. This article establishes the epidemiology (sex, age, and breed) and prevalence of clinical signs related to canine vestibular disease in the Central Rio Grande do Sul State; discusses the use of the clinical findings in the correct diagnosis and differentiation between CVD and PVD; and defines the main specific diseases responsible for the occurrence of CVD and PVD in dogs.

De 2006 a 2013 foram diagnosticados 81 casos de doença vestibular canina no serviço de rotina em neurologia de um hospital veterinário universitário do sul do Brasil. Desses, aproximadamente dois terços foram diagnosticados com doença vestibular central (DVC) e cerca de um terço como doença vestibular periférica (DVP). Cães com raça definida foram mais acometidos que aqueles sem raça definida, principalmente Dachshund (DVP) e Boxer (DVC). Os principais sinais clínicos observados, tanto na DVP quanto na DVC, incluíram: inclinação de cabeça, ataxia vestibular e estrabismo ventral ou ventrolateral. Deficiência proprioceptiva, disfunção dos nervos cranianos V-XII e alteração de nível de consciência foram vistos apenas em casos de DVC, já a ausência de reflexo palpebral ocorreu apenas em casos de DVP. Doenças inflamatórias/infecciosas, principalmente cinomose e otite bacteriana, foram as condições mais comumente associadas à DVC e à DVP, respectivamente. Esse artigo estabelece os aspectos epidemiológicos (sexo, idade e raça) e a prevalência dos sinais clínicos observados em cães com doença vestibular na Região Central do Rio Grande do Sul, discute a utilização dos achados clínicos no diagnóstico correto e na diferenciação entre DVC e DVP, e define quais as principais doenças responsáveis pela ocorrência dessas duas síndromes clínicas.