Assessment of the effect of long-term serum storage for retrospective serologic diagnosis of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis).

There is currently sparse information on the possible effect of long-term storage of serum specimens for the retrospective serodiagnosis of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME). The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between the original serologic outcome and the results of a repeat indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay for the detection of IgG antibodies against E. canis. A secondary aim was to compare the diagnostic performance of two commercially available point-of-care (POC) immunochromatographic (IC) assays. Archived serum samples originally tested as positive (n=66) or negative (n=19) for E. canis IgG antibodies and kept frozen at -20°C for a median of 22 years, were retrospectively examined by IFA and by two POC IC assays. Cohen's Kappa coefficient (0.748, p < 0.0001), indicated a substantial agreement between the original and repeat serologic testing results. An almost identical high sensitivity and moderate specificity were established for the two POC IC assays. Canine serum specimens on long-term storage may still be of value for seroepidemiologic surveys investigating the exposure to E. canis.

Discordance between ABC blood phenotype and genotype in a domestic short-haired cat.

An adult domestic short-haired feline leukemia virus-infected cat was referred for kidney failure and worsening anemia requiring transfusions. ABC blood typing was performed with an immunochromatographic strip assay at different occasions. Gel column systems were used for the major and minor crossmatching tests, and anti-A and anti-B titers were determined. No discrete A or B bands appeared on the immunochromatographic strips at any time point for the recipient cat. The recipient's plasma agglutinated RBCs from tested type A and B cats. The recipient's RBCs appeared compatible with plasma from 1 type A and 2 B donors, and incompatible with plasma from another type A cat. Genotyping of recipient blood revealed a single homozygous c.179G>T CMAH variant predicting a blood type B. These studies suggest an unusual weak type B or missing all ABC antigens. The latter resembles the exceedingly rare Bombay phenotype in the human ABO blood group system.

Association of Paraoxonase-1 and NT-proBNP with Clinical, Clinico-Pathologic and Echocardiographic Variables in Dogs with Mitral Valve Disease.

The objective of the present study was to measure the concentration of Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) and N-terminal-prohormone-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), in the serum of dogs with degenerative Mitral Valve Disease (MVD), in order to identify their association with the clinical stage and specific clinico-pathologic and echocardiographic findings.Eighty dogs diagnosed with MVD and staged according to the ACVIM (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine) consensus statement (B1, B2, C and D), based on their clinical, radiographic, and echocardiographic findings, were included in the study. NT-proBNP was measured only in stage B1 and B2 dogs. Clinical stage did not have a significant effect on PON-1 concentrations (p = 0.149), but NT-proBNP levels were lower in B1 dogs (p = 0.001). A significant correlation between PON-1 and total plasma proteins (p = 0.001), albumin (p = 0.003) and white blood cell count (p = 0.041) was detected, whereas there was no significant correlation (p = 0.847) between PON-1 and NT-proBNP concentrations. PON-1 showed a significant but weak negative correlation with normalized left ventricular internal diameter at diastole (LVIDdn) (p = 0.022) and systole (LVIDsn) (p = 0.012), as well as mitral valve E to A wave velocity ratio (MV E/A) (p = 0.015), but not with Left Atrial to Aortic root ratio (LA/Ao) (p = 0.892) or fractional shortening (FS%) (p = 0.944). PON-1 seems to be an insensitive marker of clinical stage and disease severity in MVD, but can be indicative of some clinico-pathological and echocardiographic changes. NT-proBNP changes are independent of oxidative stress.

Clinical and Clinicopathologic Discriminators Between Canine Acute Monocytic Ehrlichiosis and Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia.

Acute canine monocytic ehrlichiosis due to Ehrlichia canis (aCME), and primary immune thrombocytopenia (pITP) are major differentials for dogs presented with thrombocytopenia, and the two diseases may clinically overlap. The aim of this study was to compare dogs diagnosed with naturally occurring aCME and pITP, to establish potentially useful clinical and clinicopathologic discriminators. A clinical record-based retrospective study was performed in 35 dogs diagnosed with aCME and 29 dogs with pITP. Dogs with aCME were significantly younger, and were more likely to experience depression or lethargy, anorexia, body weight loss, fever, lymphadenomegaly, tick infestation, and ocular discharge on admission, compared to dogs with pITP. In contrast, dogs with pITP presented more frequently with overt bleeding and had a significantly higher bleeding score compared to dogs with aCME. Dogs with aCME were more likely to be anemic and hypoalbuminemic on presentation compared to dogs with pITP. Dogs with pITP had higher white blood cell and neutrophil counts as well as lower platelet counts than dogs with aCME and were more likely to present with leukocytosis, neutrophilia and monocytosis. These clinical, hematological, and biochemical findings may be helpful discriminators between aCME and pITP, on the understanding that they will be interpreted in the context of disease-specific testing.

Jackson-Henderson technique for the revision surgery following PDA rupture in a dog.

A 3-month-old female intact Maltese dog, was referred for further investigation and management of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), which was diagnosed with a grade V murmur during thoracic auscultation and a palpable thrill in the left third intercostal space during routine vaccination. Echocardiographic findings included left ventricle dilatation, high velocity continuous ductal flow in the pulmonary valve and a patent ductus arteriosus. Hematological and biochemical abnormalities were not detected. A left forth intercostal thoracotomy was performed and during dissection, the medial wall of the duct was perforated resulting in hemorrhage. Digital pressure was applied over the ductus and bleeding ceased. An attempt for further dissection aggravated bleeding so it was decided to abandon surgery and to reoperate the dog using a different technique. Three months after surgery a second procedure was scheduled. A Jackson-Henderson technique was chosen for the ductus ligation, which was completed through a left fourth intercostal thoracotomy and the dog was discharged 2 days postoperatively. The dog was reexamined at 2 and 8 months after surgery and found with no clinical evidence of heart disease. In conclusion the Jackson-Henderson technique was used in the second surgery for closure of the ductus in order to avoid dissection of the medial aspect of the ductus, where adhesions were formed and the dog was free of clinical signs of heart disease 2 and 8 months postoperatively.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Ehrlichia canis in a hospital canine population.

BACKGROUND: Ehrlichia canis (E canis) infection has been documented in a few small canine case series in Greece. However, there is limited information on the prevalence of exposure to, or the potential risk factors associated with E canis seroreactivity in a large native canine population. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to evaluate E canis seroprevalence in dogs admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital, and to investigate the potential association between seropositivity and signalment, health status, the serologic assays used, and selected clinical and clinicopathologic abnormalities. METHODS: The medical records of 850 client-owned dogs, tested using three in-office serologic assays, were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The E canis seroprevalence was significantly higher in sick (54.9%) compared with healthy (33.9%) dogs. Seropositivity differed significantly between the serologic assays used in this study (ImmunoComb vs SNAP 3Dx/SNAP 4Dx). Dogs presenting with bleeding tendencies, anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, and hyperproteinemia were more likely to be E canis seropositive, and the median hematocrit (HCT), white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, and platelet values were significantly lower in seropositive compared with seronegative dogs. CONCLUSIONS: A high E canis seroprevalence was documented in a canine population living in an endemic area. Selected clinicopathologic variables might be useful indicators of E canis exposure and could allow the prioritization of serologic testing in the clinical setting.

Hereditary methemoglobinemia in a cyanotic cat presented for ovariohysterectomy.

A 1-year-old, female, domestic shorthair cat with a history of cyanotic mucous membranes for several months was referred for ovariohysterectomy. Blood samples exhibited a noticeably brownish discoloration, while laboratory screening revealed mild-to-moderate erythrocytosis and near normal partial arterial oxygen pressure. Blood methemoglobin content was 41% of total hemoglobin concentration, and erythrocytic methemoglobin reductase activity was < 1% compared with control samples. A diagnosis of hereditary methemoglobinemia was established. After an intravenous injection of methylene blue, the cat's mucous membranes became transiently pink, and the ovariohysterectomy was uneventful. Methylene blue may have improved safety during anesthesia and surgery. Hereditary methemoglobinemia should be considered in persistently cyanotic cats with normal partial arterial oxygen pressure and lack of evidence of cardiopulmonary disease, anemia, or toxin exposure.

Méthémoglobinémie héréditaire chez une chatte cyanotique présentée pour une ovariohystérectomie. Une chatte domestique âgée de 1 an avec une anamnèse de muqueuses cyanotiques pendant plusieurs mois a été recommandée pour l'ovariohystérectomie. Des prélèvements sanguins présentaient une décoloration brune manifeste tandis que les tests de laboratoire ont révélé une érythrocytose de légère à modérée et une pression d'oxygène artérielle partielle presque normale. Le contenu de méthémoglobine sanguine était de 41 % de la concentration totale des hémoglobines et l'activité de la réductase de la méthémoglobine érythrocytaire était < 1 % comparativement aux prélèvements témoins. Un diagnostic de méthémoglobinémie héréditaire a été posé. Après une injection intraveineuse de bleu de méthylène, les muqueuses du chat sont devenues provisoirement roses et l'ovariohystérectomie a été réalisée sans complications. Le bleu de méthylène peut avoir amélioré l'innocuité durant l'anesthésie et la chirurgie.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Canine and feline dirofilariosis in a highly enzootic area: first report of feline dirofilariosis in Greece.

Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) is enzootic in many areas of the world and quite prevalent in southern European countries. Although dogs are the main host of the parasite, cats may also be infected, and the prevalence of feline dirofilariosis is associated with the respective prevalence of canine infection in any given area. The aim of the present study was to investigate the proportion of D. immitis infection among dogs and cats that were not under any kind of prophylactic treatment and were living in a heartworm enzootic area. In total, 180 stray animals (148 dogs and 32 cats) living in a shelter in Northern Greece were examined for heartworm infection by the Knott's test and serology (antigen and in cats also antibody detection), and additionally echocardiography in the infected cats. Thirty-seven (25%, CI 18.7-32.5%) of the dogs and 3 (9.4%, CI 3.2-24.2%) of cats were found to be positive, by at least one of the tests applied. In 2 of the infected cats, the parasites were also detected by echocardiography. One of the positive cats died suddenly 1 year after diagnosis and at necropsy two decomposing D. immitis were found in the right ventricle and pulmonary artery. This is the first report of confirmed feline dirofilariosis in Greece. The detected proportion of infection in cats was 38% of the respective canine infection in the examined shelter. The results of the present study underline the high risk of infection of cats living in enzootic areas and the imperative character of preventive measures in such conditions.

Occurrence and characterization of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in healthy household dogs in Greece.

Extended-spectrum cephalosporin- and/or carbapenem-resistant (ESCR and/or CarbR) Enterobacteriaceae constitute a public health hazard because of limited treatment options and are endemic among humans in Greece. Recently, ESCR and CarbREnterobacteriaceae have been increasingly isolated from companion animals, stressing their potential role as a reservoir for humans. However, the presence of ESCR bacteria in companion animals within Greek households has not been determined yet. Genes conferring the ESCR and CarbR phenotype were detected among canine isolates and their chromosomal or plasmid location was determined. Standard methods were applied for plasmid characterization. The clonal relatedness of the recovered isolates was examined by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Here, we report the first findings on the presence of ESCREnterobacteriaceae in healthy Greek dogs. ESCREscherichia coli isolates were associated with different sequence types (STs), including the human pandemic ST131 clone. The occurrence of human-related ESBL/pAmpC genes, plasmid types and/or strain STS in this animal reservoir suggests possible bilateral transmission.

Cardiac troponin I concentrations, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic variables remained unchanged in dogs experimentally infected with Ehrlichia canis.

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME, Ehrlichia canis) has occasionally been associated with myocardial injury. The aim of the present study was to serially measure and evaluate cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations in dogs with experimentally induced acute and subclinical CME and to evaluate potential associations between cTnI concentration and an array of echocardiographic and electrocardiographic parameters. Serum cTnI concentration and simultaneous echocardiographic and electrocardiographic recordings were evaluated in 12 healthy Beagle dogs prior to experimental infection and on days 20 and 90 post-inoculation with E. canis. Almost all serum cTnI concentrations were below the limit of detection and selected electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters remained unchanged throughout the study.

Interspecies spread of Staphylococcus aureus clones among companion animals and human close contacts in a veterinary teaching hospital. A cross-sectional study in Greece.

Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) prevalence among companion animals and veterinary personnel (VP) was investigated. Strains' molecular characteristics were evaluated in order to assess S. aureus transmission. Specimens (224) from colonized and infected sites of 102 animals (92 dogs, 10 cats) and 18 VP were collected during 2012 and 2013. Antibiotic susceptibility was performed by the disk diffusion method and Etest. mecA, mecC, tst (toxic shock syndrome toxin) and lukF/lukS-PV (Panton-Valentine leukocidin, PVL) genes were investigated by PCR. Genotypes were identified by Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST), Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec), accessory gene regulator group (agr), spa and Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). S. aureus prevalence among pets and VP was 36.3% (37/102) and 38.9% (7/18), respectively. Younger companion animals, those living in rural areas, having a disease upon admission or Coagulase-negative staphylococci co-carriage showed significantly higher prevalence of S. aureus isolation (p<0.05). Twenty-six pets and five VP carried PVL-positive S. aureus. In total, 60 S. aureus strains were recovered (53 from pets, seven from VP) of which 16 were MRSA (26.7%), 12 mecA- and four mecC-positive. MRSA showed higher resistance rates against other antimicrobials as compared to methicillin-susceptible ones. Strains were classified by MLST in 13 STs, with the predominance of ST80 and ST15. In MRSA, SCCmec types II, IV and XI were identified. The most frequent spa types were t5559 and t7558. Fifty-six strains were classified into 15 PFGE types. Comparison of genetic markers shows that identical or very similar strains disseminate among animals and VP. Companion animals harbor PVL-positive clones constituting a possible source for transmission to humans.

Acute phase protein and antioxidant responses in dogs with experimental acute monocytic ehrlichiosis treated with rifampicin.

There is currently lack of information on the changes of acute phase proteins (APP) and antioxidant markers and their clinical relevance as treatment response indicators in canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME). The objective of this study was to investigate the patterns of C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), ferritin and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) during treatment of dogs with acute CME with rifampicin. Blood serum samples from ten Beagle dogs with experimental acute CME were retrospectively examined. Five dogs (Group A) were treated with rifampicin (10mg/Kg/24h), per os, for 3 weeks and 5 dogs (Group B) received no treatment (infected controls). Two Beagle dogs served as uninfected controls. Blood serum samples were serially examined prior to Ehrlichia canis inoculation and on post-inoculation days 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42. Significant changes of CRP, Hp, ferritin and PON-1 values were found in the majority of infected dogs. However, their concentrations did not differ between the two groups during the treatment observation period. The results of this study indicate that although several APP and PON-1 tend to significantly change in the majority of dogs with acute CME, they were of limited clinical relevance as treatment response indicators in this experimental setting.

Urinary Aldosterone/Creatinine Ratio After Fludrocortisone Suppression Consistent with PHA in a Cat.

A 9 yr old cat was presented with clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities attributed to arterial hypertension (mean systolic arterial pressure, 290 mm Hg). Plasma aldosterone concentration was increased at the time of admission (651 pmol/L), but serum creatinine and potassium concentrations were within the reference range. A second increased aldosterone (879 pmol/L) and normal plasma renin activity (1.85 ng/mL/hr) resulted in an increased aldosterone/renin ratio, which was suggestive of primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA). To further support the diagnosis of PHA, the urinary aldosterone/creatinine ratio was calculated both before and after oral administration of fludrocortisone acetate (0.05 mg/kg q 12 hr for 4 consecutive days). The urinary aldosterone/creatinine ratio was 92.6 × 10(-9) before fludrocortisone administration and 155.8 × 10(-9) 4 days later. Absence of suppression was typical of PHA. The cat had a limited response to antihypertensive medication and died before treatment for PHA could be instituted. A necropsy was not permitted by the owner.

Correlation of serum cardiac troponin I and acute phase protein concentrations with clinical staging in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) correlates with severity of myocardial injury. Nonspecific inflammation in congestive heart failure (CHF) could be assessed by C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), and ceruloplasmin (Cp) measurements. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine whether serum cTnI, CRP, Hp, and Cp concentrations differ among various stages of mitral valve disease (MVD) in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dogs with MVD were allocated to 3 groups (I - asymptomatic; II - mild to moderate CHF; III advanced CHF) according to the scheme of the International Small Animal Cardiac Healthy Council (ISACHC). Concentrations of cTnI, CRP, Cp, and Hp were measured in all dogs upon admission, and cTnI and CRP were measured bimonthly during a 4-month follow-up period. RESULTS: In total 46 dogs with MVD were enrolled for the cross-sectional part (21 Group I, 11 Group II, 14 Group III), and 35 dogs were included in the longitudinal study. Initial mean Cp concentrations were similar among all groups. There was a statistically significant difference in Hp and CRP concentrations between group I (n = 21, P = .019) and III (n = 14, P < .001). There was a statistically significant decrease in CRP (P = .033) and cTnI (P = .009) concentrations over the longitudinal study (all groups). CRP concentrations were significantly higher in group I than III (P = .004). During the 6-month monitoring period of 35 dogs, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between cTnI and CRP (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Differences in CRP concentrations between clinical stages of MVD suggest a clinically and therapeutically relevant inflammatory component.

Molecular identification of Bartonella species in dogs with leishmaniosis (leishmania infantum) with or without cytological evidence of arthritis.

Recent evidence suggest that Bartonella species may cause polyarthritis and lameness in dogs. Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) due to Leishmania infantum is a multi-systemic disease often occurring in association with arthritis. We hypothesized that concurrent Bartonella infection may be a contributing factor for the development of arthritis in dogs with CanL. Hence the primary objective of this study was to investigate the molecular prevalence of Bartonella spp. in dogs with naturally occurring CanL, with or without cytologically documented arthritis. Thirty-eight dogs with CanL (31 with neutrophilic arthritis and 7 without arthritis) were retrospectively studied. Seventy-four archived clinical specimens from these 38 dogs, including 33 blood samples, 19 bone marrow (BM) samples and synovial fluid (SF) aspirates from 22 dogs were tested for Bartonella spp. DNA using the Bartonella alpha proteobacteria growth medium (BAPGM) diagnostic platform. Overall, eight (21.1%) dogs were infected with one or two Bartonella species; however, Bartonella spp. infection was not associated with arthritis in dogs with CanL. Further prospective studies are warranted to determine if there is a correlation between Bartonella spp. infection and the development of arthritis in dogs with CanL.

Serial analysis of serum cardiac troponin I changes and correlation with clinical findings in 46 dogs with mitral valve disease.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a biomarker correlated with the severity of myocardial injury. It is hypothesized that serial assessment of cTnI could provide information about the disease progression in chronic heart failure. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to correlate serial serum cTnI concentrations with clinical scoring and select diagnostic imaging findings in dogs managed for mitral valve degeneration (MVD) for a period of 6 months. METHODS: Client-owned dogs with MVD were prospectively recruited for the study. The dogs were allocated into 3 groups (I, II, III) according to the severity of their clinical signs based on the classification suggested by the International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council. During the 6-month study period, serum specimens for biochemical testing were obtained biweekly, clinical progression and response to treatment were also evaluated biweekly, and radiographic reevaluation was performed every 2 months. RESULTS: A total of 46 dogs were evaluated. There was a marked decrease in cTnI values during the first 2 weeks after initial diagnosis, more pronounced in group III, and corresponding to the initiation of therapy and clinical stabilization of animals. Serum cTnI was significantly different (P < .05) among the 3 dog groups throughout the study period. The interaction between Group and Period was significant in group III, indicating an upward cTnI trend evident in severely affected animals. A positive correlation was demonstrated in all groups between serum cTnI and clinical scoring. CONCLUSION: Long-term management of MVD in dogs could benefit from the serial measurement of cTnI.

Serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity in experimentally induced and naturally occurring canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis).

Ehrlichia canis infection causes multisystemic disease in dogs (canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, CME) which is associated with variable morbidity and mortality. Atypical clinical manifestations, including gastrointestinal signs, may occasionally occur in CME and approximately 10-15% of dogs are presented with historical or clinical evidence of vomiting, diarrhea, and/or abdominal discomfort. The objective of this study was to investigate if there are any alterations in serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) in dogs with experimentally induced or naturally occurring monocytic ehrlichiosis. Serum samples from 10 Beagle dogs experimentally infected with E. canis and two healthy uninfected Beagles were serially examined; samples from 20 naturally infected dogs (10 with non-myelosuppressive [NME] and 10 with myelosuppressive [ME] ehrlichiosis) were also examined at a given point in time (cross-sectional sampling). None of the experimentally infected Beagles showed gastrointestinal signs or increased cPLI concentrations prior to or following the artificial infection. Three naturally infected dogs with NME and one with ME demonstrated serum cPLI concentrations in the diagnostic range for pancreatitis (>400 µg/L) without showing gastrointestinal signs. The results of the present study indicated that 4/20 (20%) of dogs naturally infected with E. canis demonstrated increased serum cPLI concentrations consistent with mild and clinically inapparent pancreatitis.

Efficacy of rifampicin in the treatment of experimental acute canine monocytic ehrlichiosis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of rifampicin in achieving clinical and haematological recovery and clearing infection in dogs with experimentally induced acute monocytic ehrlichiosis. METHODS: Five Ehrlichia canis-infected Beagle dogs were treated with rifampicin (10 mg/kg/24 h orally for 3 weeks), nine E. canis-infected dogs received no treatment (infected untreated dogs) and two dogs served as uninfected controls. Clinical score, platelet counts, immunofluorescent antibody titres and PCR detection of E. canis-specific DNA in blood, bone marrow and spleen aspirates were evaluated on post-inoculation days 21 (start of rifampicin), 42 (end of rifampicin) and 98 (end of the study). RESULTS: By day 21 post-inoculation, all infected dogs became clinically ill and thrombocytopenic, seroconverted and were PCR positive in at least one tissue. Clinical scores and antibody titres did not differ between the treated and infected untreated dogs throughout the study. The rifampicin-treated dogs experienced an earlier resolution of their thrombocytopenia (Kaplan-Meier survival plot, P=0.048), and the median platelet counts were significantly higher in the treated compared with the infected untreated dogs on post-inoculation days 42 (P=0.0233) and 98 (P=0.0195). At the end of the study, three treated and six untreated infected dogs remained PCR positive in one tissue each. CONCLUSIONS: The rifampicin treatment regimen applied in this study hastened haematological recovery, but was inconsistent in eliminating the acute E. canis infection.

Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations in naturally occurring myelosuppressive and non-myelosuppressive canine monocytic ehrlichiosis.

The aim of this study was to determine whether serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentration measured on admission was associated with the clinical severity of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis and was predictive of clinical outcome (death or survival) in dogs naturally infected with Ehrlichia canis. Serum cTnI concentration was compared among 22 dogs with non-myelosuppressive ehrlichiosis (NME), 22 dogs with myelosuppressive ehrlichiosis (ME) and 10 healthy dogs. Unlike healthy dogs, 45.5% NME and 59.1% ME dogs had increased cTnI concentrations. There was no difference in the frequency of cTnI increase or mean cTnI concentrations between the NME and ME groups, whereas mean cTnI concentration was significantly lower in healthy dogs. No association was established between cTnI concentration on admission and clinical outcome.

Claw histopathology and parasitic load in natural cases of canine leishmaniosis associated with Leishmania infantum.

Histological lesions and the presence of Leishmania spp. amastigotes in claw tissues were investigated in 40 dogs with leishmaniosis, with (16/40--group A) or without (24/40--group B) generalized onychogryphosis. Following euthanasia, the entire third phalanx with intact claw was amputated, formalin fixed, decalcified in a formic acid solution, embedded in paraffin, sectioned longitudinally and stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and acid orcein-Giemsa. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the detection of Leishmania amastigotes. Lichenoid mononuclear infiltration (all dogs in group A, 21 of 24 dogs in group B), basal keratinocyte vacuolation (nine of 16 dogs in group A, 15 of 24 dogs in group B) and dermoepidermal clefting (13 of 16 dogs in group A, 18 of 24 dogs in group B) were the most prominent histopathological findings. There was no difference in the frequency and severity of these lesions between the two groups. Leishmania amastigotes could not be visualized in the dermis of any of the H&E sections, but their presence was demonstrated by nested PCR in three of 16 dogs in group A and two of 24 dogs in group B. However, the frequency of positive nested PCRs was not significantly different between the two groups. In conclusion, claw histopathology in symptomatic dogs with leishmaniosis, either with or without onychogryphosis is mainly characterized by mononuclear lichenoid dermatitis with or without interface dermatitis and dermoepidermal clefting, and is not accompanied by substantial local parasitism.