Effects of feeding with a protein liquid supplement on productivity, mortality and health of Apis mellifera hives in southwestern Spain.

Colony collapse disorder (CCD) has affected bees worldwide in recent decades, with southwestern Spain being no exception. This disorder is one of the main causes of Apis mellifera mortality and is believed to be caused by environmental, social and sanitary conditions. Dietary supplementation can help to improve some parameters of the general status and sanitary condition of bees, such as infestation by certain recurrent pathogens, including Varroa destructor and Nosema ceranae, by enhancing immune and social response. Thus, the aim of this study was to test a liquid hydrolysed protein supplement on the health and general status of the hive in several apiaries with access to the same natural food and under similar climatic conditions. We selected two groups of ten hives (supplemented by either placebo or protein) from five apiaries where the number of adult bees, amount of brood (open and operculated), honey and pollen reserves, infestation by V. destructor, N. ceranae, deformed wing virus (DWV) and chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) were measured. Additionally, we assess the expression of four immune system-related genes and a gene encoding vitellogenin. At the end of this work, treated hives showed a significant increase in open brood and a decrease in V. destructor infestation. Also, these hives showed a significant decrease in the mortality rate after the cold season. Therefore, supplementation with this product improved the health of the hive and could be a promising tool against bee colony loss.

Influence of virus abundances in donor colonies and nurse hives on queens of Apis mellifera during the rearing process.

Background: Honeybees are one of the three most important animals for mankind. In order to be safe and increase number of bee colonies for pollination, the breeding of queens is necessary. For several decades, bees were selected on economic and behavioral aspects. With the appearance of the neozootic mite Varroa destructor beekeepers were forced to adapt their methods. Varroa destructor can act as a vector for many different bee pathogenic viruses and by this potentiates its devastating impact. Aim: Methods of rearing queens were not evaluated since the mites' appearance. Besides scientific approaches, viruses received too little attention in regard to the rearing process of honeybee queens. Herein, we present a detailed analysis of virus abundances [Aparavirus, acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV); Triatovirus, black queen cell virus (BQCV); Cripavirus, chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV); and Iflaviruses, deformed wings virus (DWV), Sacbrood virus (SBV), VDV-1] in breeding hives, donating first instar larvae, hives that are nursing these larvae until the pupa stage, and on queens of Apis mellifera in a breeding apiary. Methods: Nurse and donor colonies of the queen-rearing process were sampled in the year 2020 and analyzed by RT qPCR. Virus quantifications were correlated with queen mortalities and seasonal effects. Results: Virus detections increased in reared queens, however, the elevated virus titers did not increase the mortality of the queens until their exclosure. Moreover, we observed a lower interrelation between virus abundance in queens and their original donor colonies, than between nurse hives and their nursed queens. Conclusion: The bee pathogenic viruses ABPV, BQCV, CBPV, DWV, SBV, and VDV-1 do not influence the mortality of bee queens during the rearing process. Whether respective virus loads result in sublethal or long-term effects remains to be elucidated.

Equine allergic skin diseases: Clinical consensus guidelines of the World Association for Veterinary Dermatology.

BACKGROUND: Allergic skin diseases are common in horses worldwide. The most common causes are insect bites and environmental allergens. OBJECTIVES: To review the current literature and provide consensus on pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed the literature up to November 2022. Results were presented at North America Veterinary Dermatology Forum (2021) and European Veterinary Dermatology Congress (2021). The report was available to member organisations of the World Association for Veterinary Dermatology for feedback. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is the best characterised allergic skin disease. An immunoglobulin (Ig)E response against Culicoides salivary antigens is widely documented. Genetics and environmental factors play important roles. Tests with high sensitivity and specificity are lacking, and diagnosis of IBH is based on clinical signs, seasonality and response to insect control. Eosinophils, interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-31 are explored as therapeutic targets. Presently, the most effective treatment is insect avoidance. Existing evidence does not support allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) using commercially available extracts of Culicoides. Hypersensitivity to environmental allergens (atopic dermatitis) is the next most common allergy. A role for IgE is supported by serological investigation, skin test studies and positive response to ASIT. Prospective, controlled, randomised studies are limited, and treatment relies largely on glucocorticoids, antihistamines and ASIT based on retrospective studies. Foods are known triggers for urticaria, yet their role in pruritic dermatitis is unknown. Recurrent urticaria is common in horses, yet our understanding is limited and focussed on IgE and T-helper 2 cell response. Prospective, controlled studies on treatments for urticaria are lacking. Glucocorticoids and antihistamines are primary reported treatments.

Effect of feed supplementation with probiotics and postbiotics on strength and health status of honey bee (Apis mellifera) hives during late spring.

Currently, beekeeping faces many risks, such as deteriorating health of honeybees in hives, which results in high mortality rates, mainly during winter. An important consequence is the emergence/re-emergence of communicable diseases such as varroosis or nosemosis. These diseases jeopardize the continuity of the sector because of the absence of effective treatments and harmful residues that they can be retained on wax or honey. This study aimed to evaluate how feed supplementation with probiotic and postbiotic products derived from lactic acid bacteria affected the strength, dynamic population, and sanitary parameters of honey bees. Three groups of 30 hives were established and fed with feed supplemented with control, probiotic, or postbiotic products, with a total of nine applications over two months in late spring. Two monitoring tests were conducted to evaluate the strength and health status of hives. Hives that consumed postbiotic products enhanced their strength, increased bee population and egg laying of the queen, and maintained their reserves of pollen, whereas these parameters decreased in hives belonging to other groups. Furthermore, although the results suggested a favorable effect of postbiotic products on the trend of N. ceranae infection levels, probiotics showed intermediate results. While awaiting long-term results regarding V. destructor infestation, which showed similar trends in all groups, feed supplementation with postbiotics could be an important tool for beekeepers to enhance the strength and health status of their hives.

Food allergy in dogs and cats; current perspectives on etiology, diagnosis, and management.

Food allergy is a recognized clinical entity in dogs and cats and is an important differential to consider in the workup of a pruritic animal. Food can be a trigger factor for canine atopic dermatitis, and food allergy may coexist with feline atopic skin syndrome. Other clinical signs such as urticaria, recurrent pyoderma, and dorsolumbar pruritus can be seen in dogs, and urticaria, conjunctivitis, and respiratory signs can be seen in cats. In both species, gastrointestinal signs may be present. The pathogenesis in dogs and cats is complex and incompletely understood, which limits the development of reliable diagnostic laboratory tests. The diagnosis currently relies on an appropriately performed diet trial with subsequent provocation. This paper briefly reviews food allergies in people and explores our current knowledge of the disorder in dogs and cats.

Performance evaluation of local honey bee race (Apis melifera secutellata) in the Metekel Zone of North Western Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Honeybee colonies differ in performance due to variations in their traits in terms of production, productivity and behaviour. The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate the performance of honey bee race at their geographical location. METHODS: A total of 20 honey bee colonies from traditional hives were transferred into frame hives and arranged randomly with enough space between the colonies. Colonies were evaluated for aggressiveness, hygienic behaviour, brood area, pollen and nectar stores, absconding and honey yield. RESULTS: The results indicated that colonies were generally aggressive, and the majority of colonies at 2.3-m away from the entrance reacted to the external body. They removed 95.7% ± 0.75% of the pin-killed pupae in 24 h, and there was significant (p < 0.05) variation among the different observations. The average population of the brood was 24.925 ± 7.714 unit area of brood/hive during the honey flow period. Similarly, the area allocated for storing pollen grains could reach up to 11.46 ± 3.96-unit area of pollen/hive. The swarming and absconding behaviour of the race was on average 3.39 ± 0.6, and 25% queen cells were found during the breeding season and dearth period, respectively. On average, the 8.85 ± 0.54 kg honey yield per colony per harvest on one honey chamber box was nearly similar to the national average (19.4 kg/hive/year) when harvested two times per year. CONCLUSION: In general, the Apis mellifera secutellata race is good in hygienic tendency and also performs well for honey yield under optimal management practices. The absconding and aggressive behaviour was high; the main reasons were extreme weather condition, and different pest and disease, seasonality of bee flora were the major ones. So, based on the current findings A. m. scutellata was predominantly available in the area and highly productive if well-managed. On the other hand, we are recommended on dearth period management and on the height of shade bee colonies.

Generalized cutaneous urticaria associated with Giardia infection in a five-month old puppy.

Giardia cysts are commonly encountered in fecal examinations of dogs; intestinal infections can be asymptomatic or cause diarrhea but have not been previously associated with urticaria. A five-month old dalmatian puppy presented with a one-week history of cutaneous urticaria and pruritis. Wheals were most prominent on the head, abdomen, and inguinal region. A fecal flotation was performed to rule out internal parasites as a cause of hypersensitivity. Fecal float yielded many Giardia cysts, and treatment for giardiasis with fenbendazole was initiated. Urticaria improved drastically within a day after treatment initiation and completely resolved by the completion of the treatment regimen. No Giardia cysts were detected on the follow up fecal flotation three days later, and fecal Giardia antigen testing was negative at this time. No additional changes in management, housing, food, or environment were noted and the puppy has remained without additional clinical signs for three months following initial presentation.

Long-term management of horses with atopic dermatitis in southeastern England: a retrospective questionnaire study of owners' perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Allergic pruritus and urticaria in the horse are challenging for veterinarians and owners; little is known about their long-term management. OBJECTIVES: To summarize intradermal allergen test results (IDT), and to assess owners' perceptions of skin disease and the effects of medical treatment and management changes in their atopic horses over time. ANIMALS: Eighty two horses with atopic dermatitis in southeastern England between 2006 and 2011. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The IDT results were reviewed retrospectively. Owners completed telephone questionnaires on skin changes, medication, effect of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) and management. RESULTS: Sixty one owners (74.4%) could be contacted, an average of 5.9 years (range 28-88 months) after IDT; of those, three could not be enrolled. Of the 58 remaining horses, eleven (19%) were deceased at the time of owner interview, including four (6.9%) euthanized due to uncontrollable skin disease. The remaining 47 owners reported that the signs of skin disease had not been seen for at least two years in 18 horses (38.3%), including two that only flared with known triggers. Twenty nine horses (61.7%) still required medication to control skin disease although 25 (53.2%) required less since testing. Owners reported benefit from ASIT in nine of 14 horses (64.3%) from glucocorticoids in 33 of 35 (94.3%) and from antihistamines in 17 of 28 (60.7%). Specific management changes were implemented for 22 horses and reported as beneficial in nine of 22 (40.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Equine atopic dermatitis may not always be chronic, but severe cases appear difficult to control. IDT may help to formulate ASIT and can help to guide management changes.

Pine processionary caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa envenomation in 109 dogs: A retrospective study.

Contact with the caterpillars of the pine processionary moth (CPPM) Thaumetopoea pityocampa induces severe local allergic reactions. The purpose of this large-scale retrospective cohort-study was to describe the clinical manifestations and related risk factors of CPPM exposure. This cohort-study included 109 dogs between the years of 2000 and 2016. Tongue lesions ranging from oedema to severe necrosis were observed in 94/109 dogs (86%). The following systemic signs were observed in 60/109 dogs (55%): vomiting (52/109, 48%), dyspnoea (6/109, 5%), hypovolemia (4/109, 4%) and diarrhoea (2/109, 2%). Based on the time elapsed from CPPM contact to the first oral flushing, three groups were defined: <2 h (group 1, 37/105, 35%), 2 h-6 h (group 2, 39/105, 37%) and >6 h (group 3, 29/105, 28%). Tongue necrosis (TN) at admission was significantly more common in the dogs in group 3 than those in groups 1 and 2 (45% vs. 5% and 5% respectively, p = 0.0002). In addition, the development of TN during hospitalisation was significantly more common in the dogs in group 3 (65%) than in those in the other groups (21% in group 1, p = 0.02) and 31% in group 2, p = 0.001). The dogs in group 3 presented a 14.63-fold higher risk of TN at admission and a 3.78-fold higher risk of developing necrosis during hospitalisation compared with the other groups. The survival rate after exposure was 97%. Long-term follow-up data were available for 69/109 dogs (63%). Twenty-three dogs (37%) had persistent, definitive TN without major consequences on quality of life. Elapsed time between contact and first oral flushing appears to be a key determinant for the progression of necrotic lesions, and the best results were observed when flushing occurred within 6 h of contact. The prognosis of CPPM envenomation is excellent, with a short hospitalisation duration.

Triggers, risk factors and clinico-pathological features of urticaria in dogs - a prospective observational study of 24 cases.

BACKGROUND: Urticaria and anaphylaxis are frequently encountered in veterinary practice, but little is known about the causes and relative frequencies of these reactions. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to improve current knowledge on the triggers, risk factors and clinico-pathological features of urticaria. ANIMALS: Twenty four dogs with signs of urticaria with or without anaphylaxis. METHODS: The study included dogs with cutaneous immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions. The cases were grouped by clinical severity into either an urticaria or an anaphylaxis group. All treatments and diagnostic tests (haematology, biochemical profile, allergy investigation) were recorded. A causality algorithm for urticaria and anaphylaxis (ALUA) was designed to determine the probability of the identified triggers and cofactors. Disease incidence, breed, age and gender predispositions were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: Sixteen of 24 urticaria cases were associated with anaphylaxis whilst 8 of 24 were confined to the skin. The annual hospital incidence was 0.12%. Females seemed to be over-represented (2.4:1) and most of the dog breeds were pure breed (22 of 24), with Rhodesian ridgeback, boxer, beagle, Jack Russell terrier, French bulldog and Vizslas over-represented. In addition to skin lesions, the most frequently and severely affected organ systems were the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems. The predominant blood abnormalities were elevated lipase and alanine aminotransferase values. Insects, food and drugs were the most commonly identified triggers. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study describing the trigger factors and clinico-pathological features of dogs with urticaria in veterinary medicine. Insects, food and drugs were the most frequently detected triggers.

Papular urticaria: A review of causal agents in Colombia.

Papular urticaria is a chronic allergic reaction induced by insect bites, which is common in the tropics. The objective of this review was to deepen on epidemiological and immunological aspects of this disease, focused on data published in Latin American countries.We conducted a non-systematic review of the literature through electronic search on the epidemiology of papular urticaria, the entomological characteristics of the causative agents and associated immunological mechanisms.Several reports from medical centers suggest that papular urticaria is common in Latin America. Only one epidemiological survey designed to estimate prevalence of papular urticaria has been published, reporting that about a quarter of children under six years of age is affected by this condition in Bogotá. There is evidence on the causal relationship among exposure to indoor fleas, poverty and papular urticaria in Bogotá, a representative city of the Andean altitudes. Information about causal insects in tropical warmer areas is scarce, although from clinical reports Aedes aegypti and Culex quienquefasciatus appear to be the most common. Th2 cellular-mediated mechanisms are involved in its pathogenesis, which explains its delayed hypersensitivity. The role of immunoglobulin E is not clear in this disease. Insect-derived antigens directly involved in papular urticaria etiology are unknown. However, it is possible that common molecules among causal insects mediate cross-reactive reactions, such as Cte f 2 allergen, found in cat fleas, and its counterparts in mosquitoes.Papular urticaria is a frequent disease in Latin America that should be further investigated. Immunological characterization of the molecular components that cause this condition may solve questions about its pathogenesis.

Urticaria papular y sus agentes causales en Colombia / Papular urticaria: A review of causal agents in Colombia

Resumen La urticaria papular es una enfermedad alérgica causada por la picadura de insectos, la cual predomina en el trópico. El objetivo de esta revisión fue profundizar en sus aspectos epidemiológicos e inmunológicos, particularmente con base en datos publicados en Latinoamérica. Se hizo una revisión no sistemática mediante la búsqueda electrónica de artículos sobre la epidemiología de la urticaria papular, las características entomológicas de los agentes causales y los mecanismos inmunológicos asociados. Según los diversos reportes de centros médicos de Latinoamérica la urticaria papular es frecuente; el único estudio de prevalencia publicado indica que afecta a una cuarta parte de los niños escolares de Bogotá. Hay información sobre la relación causal entre la exposición domiciliaria a la pulga, la pobreza y la urticaria papular en Bogotá, una ciudad representativa de las altitudes andinas. No hay estudios que indaguen directamente sobre los insectos causales en zonas cálidas, aunque se sospecha clínicamente de los mosquitos Aedes aegypti y Culex quinquefasciatus. En cuanto a su patogenia, se destaca la participación de mecanismos celulares que involucran las células colaboradoras Th2, lo cual explica que sea una condición de hipersensibilidad retardada. El papel de la inmunoglobulina E (IgE) en la urticaria papular no está tan claro. Se desconocen los antígenos derivados de los insectos que causan la enfermedad, aunque se plantea que existen moléculas comunes de reacción cruzada entre los insectos, tales como el alérgeno Cte f 2 en la pulga, y sus homólogos en los mosquitos. La urticaria papular es una condición frecuente en Latinoamérica que debe investigarse en profundidad. La caracterización inmunológica de los componentes moleculares que causan esta condición puede resolver interrogantes sobre su etiología y su patogenia.

Abstract Papular urticaria is a chronic allergic reaction induced by insect bites, which is common in the tropics. The objective of this review was to deepen on epidemiological and immunological aspects of this disease, focused on data published in Latin American countries. We conducted a non-systematic review of the literature through electronic search on the epidemiology of papular urticaria, the entomological characteristics of the causative agents and associated immunological mechanisms. Several reports from medical centers suggest that papular urticaria is common in Latin America. Only one epidemiological survey designed to estimate prevalence of papular urticaria has been published, reporting that about a quarter of children under six years of age is affected by this condition in Bogotá. There is evidence on the causal relationship among exposure to indoor fleas, poverty and papular urticaria in Bogotá, a representative city of the Andean altitudes. Information about causal insects in tropical warmer areas is scarce, although from clinical reports Aedes aegypti and Culex quienquefasciatus appear to be the most common. Th2 cellular-mediated mechanisms are involved in its pathogenesis, which explains its delayed hypersensitivity. The role of immunoglobulin E is not clear in this disease. Insect-derived antigens directly involved in papular urticaria etiology are unknown. However, it is possible that common molecules among causal insects mediate cross-reactive reactions, such as Cte f 2 allergen, found in cat fleas, and its counterparts in mosquitoes. Papular urticaria is a frequent disease in Latin America that should be further investigated. Immunological characterization of the molecular components that cause this condition may solve questions about its pathogenesis.

Multiple hypersensitivities including recurrent airway obstruction, insect bite hypersensitivity, and urticaria in 2 warmblood horse populations.

BACKGROUND: Multiple hypersensitivities (MHS) have been described in humans, cats, and dogs, but not horses. HYPOTHESES: Horses suffering from recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH), or urticaria (URT) will have an increased risk of also being affected by another one of these hypersensitivities. This predisposition for MHS also will be associated with decreased shedding of strongylid eggs in feces and with a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP BIEC2-224511), previously shown to be associated with RAO. ANIMALS: The first population (P1) included 119 randomly sampled horses representative of the Swiss sporthorse population; the replication population (P2) included 210 RAO-affected Warmblood horses and 264 RAO-unaffected controls. All horses were Warmbloods, 14 years or older. METHODS: Associations between disease phenotypes (RAO, IBH, URT, MHS) fecal egg counts, the SNP BIEC2-224511 as well as management and environmental factors were investigated. RESULTS: In P1, RAO-affected horses had a 13.1 times higher odds ratio (OR) of also suffering from IBH (P = .004). In P2, the respective OR was 7.4 (P = .002) and IBH-affected horses also showed a 7.1 times increased OR of concomitantly suffering from URT (P < .001). IBH, URT, and MHS phenotypes were significantly associated with the absence of nematode eggs in the feces. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This is the first report of MHS in horses. Specifically, an increased risk for IBH should be expected in RAO-affected horses.

Characterization of the inflammatory infiltrate and cytokine expression in the skin of horses with recurrent urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent urticaria (RU) is a common skin disease of horses, but little is known about its pathogenesis. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize the inflammatory cell infiltrate and cytokine expression pattern in the skin of horses with RU. ANIMALS: Biopsies of lesional and nonlesional skin of horses with RU (n = 8) and of skin from healthy control horses (n = 8) were evaluated. METHODS: The inflammatory cell infiltrate was analysed by routine histology. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify T cells (CD3), B ells (CD79), macrophages (MAC387) and mast cells (tryptase). Expression of T-helper 2 cytokines (interleukins IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13), a T-helper 1 cytokine (interferon-γ), IL-4 receptor α and thymic stromal lymphopoietin was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. Results - In subepidermal lesional skin of RU-affected horses, increased numbers of eosinophils (P ≤ 0.01), CD79-positive (P ≤ 0.01), MAC387-positive (P ≤ 0.01) and tryptase-positive cells (P ≤ 0.05) were found compared with healthy horses. Subepidermal lesional skin of RU-affected horses contained more eosinophils (P ≤ 0.05) and tryptase-positive cells (P ≤ 0.05) compared with nonlesional skin. There was no significant difference in infiltrating cells between nonlesional skin and skin of healthy horses. Expression of IL-4 (P ≤ 0.01), IL-13 (P ≤ 0.05), thymic stromal lymphopoietin (P ≤ 0.05) and IL-4 receptor α (P ≤ 0.05) was increased in lesional skin of RU-affected horses compared with control horses. Expression of IL-4 was higher (P ≤ 0.05) in lesional compared with nonlesional RU skin. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Analysis of cytokine expression and inflammatory infiltrate suggests that T-helper 2 cytokines, eosinophils, mast cells and presumptive macrophages play a role in the pathogenesis of equine RU.

Effects of pine processionary caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa contact in dogs: 41 cases (2002-2006).

The pine processionary caterpillar, Thaumetopoea pityocampa, is considered an emerging pine pest in Mediterranean countries, with high medical relevance. In recent years, adverse reactions reports in humans following contact with T. pityocampa have been increasingly reported. Dogs living in pinewood areas are also frequently exposed to the caterpillar. This work consisted on a retrospective study of 41 cases of lepidopterism. All dogs presented drooling, dysphagia, submandibular lymphadenomegaly and clinical signs of pain. The animals were distributed in three groups, according to the time span from exposure to the caterpillar until presentation: up to 2 h (group 1), 2-5 h (group 2) and more than 5 h (group 3). All animals from groups 2 (n = 5) and 3 (n = 9), and eight dogs from group 1 (n = 27) developed lingual necrosis. Lepidopterism coursed through a predictable clinical pattern. The evolution was mainly dependent on the time span between exposure to the caterpillar and medical intervention, which should take place earlier than 2 h from exposure.