Emergence of Capnocytophaga canimorsus and Capnocytophaga cynodegmi in oral cavities of newborn puppies, a pilot study.

Capnocytophaga canimorsus and Capnocytophaga cynodegmi are commensal bacteria in the oral cavities of dogs. Both are zoonotic pathogens that could infect humans via dog bites. C. canimorsus may cause life-threatening infections in humans, whereas C. cynodegmi infections tend to be milder and more localized. Capsular serovars A-C of C. canimorsus seem to be virulence-associated. Some of the C. canimorsus serovars described to date can also be detected in other Capnocytophaga species, including C. cynodegmi. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the emergence of C. canimorsus and C. cynodegmi after birth in oral cavities of puppies and to evaluate the impact of the dam's Capnocytophaga spp. carrier status on the emergence. Ten litters, altogether 59 puppies, were included in the study. The puppies and their dams were sampled at five time points over seven weeks after whelping. Oral swab samples taken were investigated for the presence of C. canimorsus and C. cynodegmi by species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the specificity of which was verified by sequencing a selection of the PCR products. Samples that were positive in Capnocytophaga PCR reactions were also capsular-typed by PCR to gain more knowledge about the Capnocytophaga spp. present in the samples. Altogether 10.2% and 11.9% of puppies, or 20.0% and 30.0% of litters tested PCR-positive for C. canimorsus and C. cynodegmi, respectively. Capnocytophaga PCR-positive puppy samples were always positive for only C. cynodegmi or C. canimorsus, not both. Most Capnocytophaga PCR-positive puppies became positive at the age of 5 to 7 weeks. Only a minority (5/16) of the C. cynodegmi PCR-positive dog samples were positive in capsular typing PCR, whereas all C. canimorsus PCR-positive dog samples were negative in capsular typing PCR. For all Capnocytophaga PCR-positive puppies, their dam was positive for the same Capnocytophaga species. These results suggest that puppies become colonized by C. cynodegmi or C. canimorsus from their dams at the time of deciduous teeth eruption.

Immune-mediated pyogranulomatous panniculitis with hypercalcemia in a dog.

An 11-year-old neutered male large crossbreed dog was presented for investigation because of a 10-day history of progressive lethargy, hyporexia, and pyrexia. Physical and dermatological examinations were unremarkable. Blood biochemical analysis identified a marked total and ionized hypercalcemia and increased C-reactive protein concentration. Bicavitary computed tomography screening for causes of the dog's clinical and biochemical abnormalities identified a diffuse panniculitis. Histopathological examination of full-thickness skin biopsies was consistent with pyogranulomatous inflammation. Extensive histochemical staining revealed no infectious etiology. Complete clinical and biochemical remissions were observed after starting immunosuppressive, followed by tapering, doses of prednisolone, supporting an immune-mediated etiology. Key clinical message: Sterile, immune-mediated pyogranulomatous inflammation should remain a differential diagnosis for hypercalcemia in dogs. Significant dermatological disease may occur without visible abnormalities.

Panniculite pyogranulomateuse à médiation immunitaire avec hypercalcémie chez un chienUn grand chien croisé mâle castré de 11 ans a été présenté pour examen en raison d'antécédents de léthargie progressive, d'hyporexie et de pyrexie depuis 10 jours. Les examens physiques et dermatologiques étaient sans particularité. L'analyse biochimique du sang présentait une hypercalcémie totale et ionisée marquée et une concentration accrue de protéine C-réactive. Le dépistage par tomodensitométrie bicavitaire des causes des anomalies cliniques et biochimiques du chien a identifié une panniculite diffuse. L'examen histopathologique des biopsies cutanées de pleine épaisseur était compatible avec une inflammation pyogranulomateuse. Un examen par coloration histochimique extensive n'a révélé aucune étiologie infectieuse. Les rémissions cliniques et biochimiques complètes ont été observées après le début du traitement immunosuppresseur, suivies d'une diminution progressive des doses de prednisolone, confirmant une étiologie à médiation immunitaire.Message clinique clé:L'inflammation pyogranulomateuse stérile à médiation immunitaire doit rester un diagnostic différentiel de l'hypercalcémie chez le chien. Une maladie dermatologique importante peut survenir sans anomalies visibles.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in the urinary bladder in a dog.

An 8-year-old castrated male Maltese dog was presented with a urinary bladder mass, urolithiasis, and hematuria. A solitary, pedunculated, intraluminal mass on the caudodorsal wall was identified with extensive irregular bladder wall thickening, and the mass was surgically removed. Postoperative histopathology demonstrated a submucosal lesion comprising spindle cells with marked inflammatory cell infiltration, without malignant changes. Immunohistochemical staining revealed vimentin and desmin positivity in the mass. An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) was definitively diagnosed. No recurrence was observed during a 43-month follow-up period. Although IMTs are rare in dogs, they should be considered a differential diagnosis for mass-like urinary bladder lesions accompanying a chronic inflammatory disease process. Key clinical message: Canine IMT should be included in the differential diagnoses of bladder masses, especially when dogs exhibit chronic irritation and inflammation.

Tumeur myofibroblastique inflammatoire de la vessie chez un chienUn chien maltais mâle castré de 8 ans a été présenté avec une masse à la vessie, une lithiase urinaire et une hématurie. Une masse intraluminale pédonculée solitaire sur la paroi caudodorsale a été identifiée avec un épaississement important et irrégulier de la paroi vésicale, et la masse a été retirée chirurgicalement. L'histopathologie postopératoire a mis en évidence une lésion à la sous-muqueuse comprenant des cellules fusiformes avec une infiltration cellulaire inflammatoire marquée, sans modification maligne. La coloration immunohistochimique a révélé une positivité à la vimentine et à la desmine dans la masse. Une tumeur myofibroblastique inflammatoire (IMT) a été définitivement diagnostiquée. Aucune récidive n'a été observée au cours d'une période de suivi de 43 mois. Bien que les IMT soient rares chez le chien, ils doivent être considérés comme un diagnostic différentiel des lésions de la vessie de type masse accompagnant un processus de maladie inflammatoire chronique.Message clinique clé:L'IMT canine doit être incluse dans les diagnostics différentiels des masses vésicales, en particulier lorsque les chiens présentent une irritation et une inflammation chroniques.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Thymic carcinosarcoma with melanocytic differentiation in a dog.

Carcinosarcomas are very rare tumors in dogs. Although carcinosarcomas with melanocytic differentiation arising from organs other than the thymus have been described in humans, this type of tumor has not been reported in dogs in any part of the body. We observed such a tumor in the cranial mediastinum of an 11-year-old spayed female dachshund. The dog was admitted to the clinic because of coughing, sporadic regurgitation, and dyspnea. Thoracic ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a large mediastinal mass that was surgically removed via sternotomy. The tumor was of thymic origin and demonstrated 3 distinct components: an epithelial component positive for pancytokeratin (AE1/AE3) and high molecular weight cytokeratin (CK5/CK6) with some cystic spaces; a mesenchymal component positive for vimentin; and in association with the epithelial part, a minor melanocytic component positive for Melan A. Histologic metastasis of the epithelial and melanocytic components was present within a tracheobronchial lymph node. The dog died 105 d after surgery, after an episode of acute dyspnea. Key clinical message: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of thymic carcinosarcoma with melanocytic differentiation.

Carcinosarcome thymique avec différenciation mélanocytaire chez un chienLes carcinosarcomes sont des tumeurs très rares chez le chien. Bien que des carcinosarcomes avec différenciation mélanocytaire provenant d'organes autres que le thymus aient été décrits chez l'homme, ce type de tumeur n'a été rapporté chez le chien dans aucune partie du corps. Nous avons observé une telle tumeur dans le médiastin cránien d'une femelle teckel stérilisée de 11 ans. Le chien a été admis à la clinique en raison de toux, de régurgitations sporadiques et de dyspnée. L'échographie thoracique et la tomodensitométrie ont révélé une masse médiastinale importante qui a été retirée chirurgicalement par sternotomie. La tumeur était d'origine thymique et présentait 3 composantes distinctes : une composante épithéliale positive pour la pancytokératine (AE1/AE3) et la cytokératine de haut poids moléculaire (CK5/CK6) avec quelques espaces kystiques; un composant mésenchymateux positif à la vimentine; et en association avec la partie épithéliale, un composant mélanocytaire mineur positif pour Melan A. Des métastases histologiques des composants épithéliaux et mélanocytaires étaient présentes dans un ganglion lymphatique trachéobronchique. Le chien est décédé 105 jours après l'intervention chirurgicale, à la suite d'un épisode de dyspnée aiguë.Message clinique clé :À la connaissance des auteurs, il s'agit du premier cas de carcinosarcome thymique avec différenciation mélanocytaire.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

NMR-based metabolomic investigation of dogs with acute flaccid paralysis due to tick paralysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is a complex clinical syndrome with various aetiologies. If untreated, AFP may lead to death due to failure of respiratory muscles. Tick paralysis, which is a noninfectious neurologic syndrome of AFP, occurs following tick attachment, engorgement, and injection of tick saliva toxins. There is no specific diagnostic test for tick paralysis, and mortality increases as definitive diagnosis is delayed. Although metabolomic investigation of tick saliva was conducted, there is a lack of research on metabolomic evaluation of hosts affected by tick paralysis. OBJECTIVES: Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate metabolomic changes in serum samples of dogs with tick paralysis due to Rhipicephalus sanguineus using NMR-based metabolomics and to identify potential diagnostic/prognostic markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty dogs infested with R. sanguineus, with clinical findings compatible with AFP and with a confirmed tick paralysis diagnosis ex juvantibus, constituted the Paralysis Group. Ten healthy dogs, which were admitted either for vaccination and/or check-up purposes, constituted the Control Group. After the confirmation tick paralysis, medical history, vaccination and nutritional status, body surface area and estimated tick numbers of all the dogs were noted. Physical examination included body temperature, heart and respiratory rate, capillary refill time evaluation and Modified Glasgow Coma Scale calculation. Serum samples were extracted from venous blood samples of all the dogs and were prepared for NMR analysis, and NMR-based metabolomics identification and quantification were performed. RESULTS: NMR-based serum metabolomics of the present study revealed distinct up/down-regulated expressions, presenting a promising avenue. Moreover, it was observed that energy metabolism and especially liver functions were impaired in dogs with tick paralysis, and not only the respiratory system but also the kidneys were affected. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the present approach may help to better understand the pathological mechanisms developing in cases of AFP due to tick paralysis.

Evaluation of forelimb gait variation overground at a walk in sound and lame dogs using a combination of diagnostic techniques.

BACKGROUND: Kinetic and kinematic gait analysis is increasingly practised as a part of lameness evaluation in dogs. The aim of this study was to examine the normal short- and long-term variation in forelimb gait in sound control dogs (CD) at a walk using seven selected variables of objective kinetic and kinematic gait analyses. Also, to compare the findings in CD to a group of forelimb lame dogs with elbow osteoarthritis (OAD). An additional aim was to test a kinetic based graphic method for lameness detection; symmetry squares (SS). A prospective longitudinal study was carried out on client owned CD and OAD. Clinical and orthopaedic evaluations were performed to ensure soundness and detect and grade lameness. Seven kinetic and kinematic variables and SS were tested for lameness evaluation. The CD were divided into two subgroups, CD1 and CD2, and examined twice: CD1 with two months interval and CD2 with 3-4 h interval. The OAD group was evaluated once and compared to the CD groups' first examination. RESULTS: Thirteen CD and 19 OAD were included. For CD1 and CD2, there were no significant differences in any examined variable between examination occasions. Total peak force/impulse symmetry and fore-hind peak force/impulse symmetry differed significantly between OAD and CD. Symmetry squares had a 74% agreement to subjective orthopaedic evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: In CD, no difference in the examined variables was seen between examination occasions. Four out of seven objective variables differed significantly between CD and OAD. The graphic SS method might have diagnostic potential for lameness detection, making it possible to detect a shift from lame to non-lame limbs. Potentially, this might be especially helpful in bilaterally lame dogs, which often represent a clinical challenge in lameness evaluation.

Clinical manifestations and diagnostic approaches in cases of canine leishmaniasis in Bulgaria.

Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease found in many parts of southern Europe, is transmitted in both humans and canines through the bite of phlebotomine sandflies, and can present in a variety of ways, such as cutaneous, mucocutaneous, diffuse, and visceral. In Bulgaria there are endemic areas of canine leishmaniasis, with sporadic cases in humans. However, no detailed studies of the animal population and vectors have been performed. Here we describe a few clinical cases of canine visceral leishmaniasis in two districts in western Bulgaria: one endemic and one without previously detected cases in humans or dogs. Diagnosis was confirmed serologically and molecularly using both real time and conventional PCR. Specific anti-leishmanial antibodies were confirmed in three of the cases via ELISA, with 50% of them returning extremely high values. In the majority of the cases DNA fragments were detected in the skin or lymph node aspirate but not in the blood. This paper highlights the need for further studies updating the current knowledge on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and control of visceral leishmaniasis in the reservoir host population.

Retrospective analysis of dogs and cats with a mixed form of pulmonary hypertension and suspected pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis in comparison to animals with predomination of precapillary pulmonary hypertension.

Background: Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) is an idiopathic disease with the anomalous proliferation of a small capillary-like vessel in the pulmonary tissue, which can lead to a severe form of PH. There are only several cases of PCH described in veterinary literature: 27 cases in dogs and 2 cases in cats. In veterinary medicine, PH is mostly recognized as a consequence of left heart failure as a progression of the postcapillary PH to the precapillary form. PCH is mostly described as a primary disease, but resistant postcapillary PH with the high possibility of pulmonary edema raises speculation that PCH could be a secondary malformation to the left heart disease. Aim: Discover the features associated with the shift between left- and right-sided heart disease in the context of PH development. Methods: Retrospective analysis of materials from cats and dogs with histological markers of PCH (sPCH) versus those with right heart failure (RHF). Results: Animals with histological and immunohistochemistry markers of PCH had a previous history of disease with left heart volume overload. There were no differences between the groups in radiography and gross pathology. Histologically, pulmonary fibrosis and arteriopathy could be found in RHF; in sPCH-a duplication of capillaries in alveolar septa and bizarre proliferation in surrounding structures. Conclusion: PCH could be a secondary pattern of vascular remodeling due to volume overload.

Evaluation of diagnostic techniques for early detection of heartworm in experimentally infected dogs: identification of Dirofilaria immitis-derived microRNA in the initial 28 weeks post-inoculation.

BACKGROUND: Dirofilaria immitis, commonly known as heartworm (HW), is a parasitic nematode transmitted by various mosquito species, leading to heartworm disease (HWD) in dogs. Diagnosis of HW typically involves antigen or microfilariae detection, or visualization of adult worms through imaging or post mortem examination. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and micro RNA (miRNA) detection have been explored for HW diagnosis. METHODS: Three dogs, previously experimentally infected with HW, underwent blood sampling every 4 weeks for 7 months. Samples were assessed for antigen presence after heat treatment, PCR amplification, and microfilaria examination using Giemsa-stained thick smears. Additionally, whole blood aliquots underwent miRNA deep sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. RESULTS: Heartworm antigen was detectable after heat treatment at 20 weeks post-inoculation and via PCR at 24 weeks, with microfilariae observed in peripheral blood smears at 28 weeks. However, deep miRNA sequencing revealed that the miRNA candidate sequences are not consistently expressed before 28 weeks of infection. CONCLUSIONS: While ancillary molecular methods such as PCR and miRNA sequencing may be less effective than antigen detection for detecting immature larval stages in an early stage of infection, our experimental findings demonstrate that circulating miRNAs can still be detected in 28 weeks post-infection.

Detection of rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) infection by real-time PCR from the peripheral blood of animals: a preliminary study.

Rat lungworm disease or neuroangiostrongyliasis is a cerebral parasitic infection that affects humans and animals alike. Its clinical signs and symptoms can range from mild self-resolving to serious life-threatening conditions. Studies suggest therapeutic interventions during the early stages of infection to be more effective than in later stages. However, early diagnosis of infection is usually problematic without the knowledge of exposure and/or detection of the parasite's DNA or antibody against the parasite in the cerebrospinal fluid. This requires a lumbar puncture, which is an invasive procedure that generally requires hospitalization. This study evaluates an affordable and less invasive alternative to detect parasitic DNA by PCR from the peripheral blood of potentially infected animals. Blood samples from 58 animals (55 dogs and 3 cats) with clinical suspicion of infection were submitted to our lab between February 2019 and August 2022 by local, licensed veterinarians. DNA was extracted from whole blood, plasma, serum, and/or packed cells using the Qiagen DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit as per the manufacturer's protocol. All 58 animals were tested by real-time PCR using the AcanITS1 assay and 32 of these animals (31dogs; 1 cat) were also tested using the AcanR3990 assay. The PCR results for both assays were classified into strongly positive > positive > weakly positive > negative, and equivocal for ambiguous results, based on the strength of the signal. The percent infection detected using the AcanITS1 and AcanR3990 assays was 12.72% (7/55) and 20.68% (6/29), respectively. The overall percent infection detected was 34.37% (11/32), with only two animals testing positive by both assays. The three cats involved in this study tested negative by both assays. These results are promising and warrant further investigations to increase sensitivity including variables that might affect detection in the blood, such as parasite load, and laboratory methodologies.

Comparing the intraocular pressure values obtained with a rebound tonometer (TONOVET Plus) and an indentation tonometer (IOPvet) in dogs with and without ocular disease.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) values obtained from two groups of dogs using the IOPvet indentation tonometer to those obtained from the same dogs using an established rebound tonometer (TONOVET Plus). METHODS: Tonometry was performed on 36 dogs with ocular diseases (70 eyes; group A) and 25 healthy dogs (49 eyes; group B). First, the TONOVET Plus rebound tonometer was used. Then, one drop of oxybuprocaine hydrochloride was applied to each eye, and 1 minute later, the IOP was estimated using the IOPvet. RESULTS: The IOPvet was safe, well tolerated and easy to use. The instrument had a high specificity (98.5%) for identifying IOPs of 20 mmHg or less. A lack of sensitivity (67.9%) was noted when evaluating eyes with an IOP between 20 and 30 mmHg. The sensitivity (33.3%) for identifying canine eyes with an IOP of greater than 30 mmHg (n = 24) was low. LIMITATIONS: This study lacks manometric work, which would be hard to justify with client-owned dogs. Quantitative numerical data were compared with qualitative values and the same investigator obtained readings using both tonometers without being masked. CONCLUSIONS: The IOPvet is highly sensitive for assessing normal IOPs, but underestimation of higher IOPs can lead to poor diagnostics. Digital tonometers remain the best way to assess IOP in veterinary clinics.

Rapid diagnosis of canine respiratory coronavirus, canine influenza virus, canine distemper virus and canine parainfluenza virus with a Taqman probe-based multiplex real-time PCR.

Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) is a highly infectious diseases. Canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV), Canine influenza virus (CIV), Canine distemper virus (CDV), and Canine parainfluenza virus (CPiV) are crucial pathogens causing CIRDC. Due to the similar clinical symptoms induced by these viruses, differential diagnosis based solely on symptoms can be challenging. In this study, a multiplex real-time PCR assay was developed for detecting the four RNA viruses of CIRDC. Specific primers and probes were designed to target M gene of CRCoV, M gene of CIV, N gene of CDV and NP gene of CPiV. The detection limit is 10 copies/µL for CIV or CRCoV, while the detection limit of CDV or CPiV is 100 copies/µL. Intra-group and inter-group repeatability coefficient of variation (CV) were both less than 2 %. A total of 341 clinical canine samples were analyzed, and the results indicated that the method developed in our study owns a good consistency and better specificity compared with the conventional reverse transcription PCR. This study provides a new method to enable the simultaneous detection of all four pathogens in a single reaction, improving the efficiency for monitoring the prevalence of four viruses in CIRDC, which benefits the control of CIRDC.

A comparative analysis of canine pancreatic lipase tests for diagnosing pancreatitis in dogs.

IMPORTANCE: Early diagnosis of canine pancreatitis is challenging due to non-specific clinical signs. Currently, abdominal ultrasonography and measurement of canine pancreatic lipase (cPL) have been employed for the diagnosis of pancreatitis. OBJECTIVE: Many qualitative and quantitative commercial cPL tests have been developed and used in veterinary clinics. This study aimed to compare three different methodologies SNAP cPL, Spec cPL, and Vcheck cPL tests to assess the concordance of these assays. METHODS: Fifty serum samples were collected from 36 dogs with or without pancreatitis and subjected to SNAP cPL, Spec cPL, and Vcheck cPL tests. Agreement and correlation coefficients were calculated between the test results, and correlations were determined during the management of the patients. RESULTS: The results of the three cPL assays were strongly correlated in 47/50 serum samples (94%). Cohen's kappa analysis between the Spec cPL and Vcheck cPL showed near perfect agreement (κ = 0.960, p < 0.001), SNAP cPL and Vcheck cPL (κ = 0.920, p < 0.001), and Spec cPL and SNAP cPL (κ = 0.880, p < 0.001). The correlation coefficients (r) between data from Spec cPL and Vcheck cPL tests was calculated by Spearman's correlation test (r = 0.958, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the patterns of change in serum cPL concentrations determined using Spec cPL and Vcheck cPL were significantly consistent during the monitoring period in 11 patients. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Our data illustrated that Spec cPL and Vcheck cPL tests are compatible for clinical use in the diagnosis and monitoring of canine pancreatitis.

Cutaneous plasmacytoma with Mott cell differentiation in a dog.

Cytologic evaluation of aspirate slides from a small, <1-cm, interdigital mass on a 9-y-old, spayed female Yorkshire Terrier revealed a proliferation of discrete, round cells containing few-to-many, variably sized, round, eosinophilic, cytoplasmic inclusions. The top differentials based on the cytologic findings were either a plasma cell tumor or a B-cell lymphoma with Mott cell differentiation. The unencapsulated, well-demarcated, multilobulated round-cell neoplasm was completely excised. Immunohistochemical stains were performed to further characterize the neoplasm, which had immunolabeling for multiple myeloma oncogene 1 and vimentin, but did not react with CD3, CD20, melan A, or ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1, nor with a Giemsa special stain. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasmic granules had Russell body-like morphology. A solitary, cutaneous plasmacytoma with Mott cell differentiation has not been described previously in veterinary medicine, to our knowledge.

Evaluation of Parasight All-in-One system for the automated enumeration of helminth ova in canine and feline feces.

BACKGROUND:  Digital imaging combined with deep-learning-based computational image analysis is a growing area in medical diagnostics, including parasitology, where a number of automated analytical devices have been developed and are available for use in clinical practice. METHODS: The performance of Parasight All-in-One (AIO), a second-generation device, was evaluated by comparing it to a well-accepted research method (mini-FLOTAC) and to another commercially available test (Imagyst). Fifty-nine canine and feline infected fecal specimens were quantitatively analyzed by all three methods. Since some samples were positive for more than one parasite, the dataset consisted of 48 specimens positive for Ancylostoma spp., 13 for Toxocara spp. and 23 for Trichuris spp. RESULTS: The magnitude of Parasight AIO counts correlated well with those of mini-FLOTAC but not with those of Imagyst. Parasight AIO counted approximately 3.5-fold more ova of Ancylostoma spp. and Trichuris spp. and 4.6-fold more ova of Toxocara spp. than the mini-FLOTAC, and counted 27.9-, 17.1- and 10.2-fold more of these same ova than Imagyst, respectively. These differences translated into differences between the test sensitivities at low egg count levels (< 50 eggs/g), with Parasight AIO > mini-FLOTAC > Imagyst. At higher egg counts Parasight AIO and mini-FLOTAC performed with comparable precision (which was significantly higher that than Imagyst), whereas at lower counts (> 30 eggs/g) Parasight was more precise than both mini-FLOTAC and Imagyst, while the latter two methods did not significantly differ from each other. CONCLUSIONS: In general, Parasight AIO analyses were both more precise and sensitive than mini-FLOTAC and Imagyst and quantitatively correlated well with mini-FLOTAC. While Parasight AIO produced lower raw counts in eggs-per-gram than mini-FLOTAC, these could be corrected using the data generated from these correlations.

Detection and dynamics of tumor necrosis factor alpha in the diagnosis and treatment of canine heartworm disease.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of TNF-alpha (TNF-α) in dogs naturally infected with Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis) and to assess whether there are any changes in TNF-α concentration and their dependence during therapy for heartworm disease (HWD). For this study, 14 client-owned dogs with HWD were selected. Clinical and parasitological examinations (modified Knott test for circulating microfilariae and SNAP Test IDEXX for circulating D. immitis antigen) had been used for diagnosing D. immitis and HWD. All dogs were treated with an alternative therapy for HWD (oral doxycycline 10 mg/kg b.w., once daily for 6 weeks, then alternately 4 weeks without and 2 weeks with the medication, and oral ivermectin 6-14 µg/kg b.w., every 2 weeks). The dogs blood sera at the moment of HWD diagnosis, during and at the end of therapy were frozen for further quantifying of TNF-α (Canine TNF-alpha ELISA kit, Thermo scientific). At the moment of HWD diagnosis TNF-α was detected in 9 dogs (7.21±12.44 pg/ml). Concentration of TNF-α was not significantly change during the therapy, neither related to the level of D. immitis antigen nor to antigen level changes. The alternative therapy for HWD has no influence on TNF-α concentration dynamics.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis associated with inhalation of Lycoperdon spores (lycoperdonosis) in a 3-month-old English setter dog in Quebec.

A 3-month-old female English setter dog was presented to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Université de Montréal (Quebec) with acute respiratory distress. The dog had moderately increased C-reactive protein concentrations, and thoracic radiographs revealed a moderate, caudodorsal, nodular-to-miliary alveolo-interstitial pulmonary pattern that was worse in the perihilar region. Initial differential diagnoses included a fungal pneumonia (e.g., blastomycosis or histoplasmosis). Cytology of the bronchoalveolar lavage revealed several round, green structures ~2 µm in diameter, consistent with fungal spores. The dog was hospitalized, but within 24 h the respiratory condition deteriorated and euthanasia was elected. Post-mortem panfungal PCR and sequencing tests identified the spores as Lycoperdon sp. Retrospectively, the owners recalled that the dog had played in a wood pile with mushrooms and had sneezed in a cloud of spores, implying inhalation of Lycoperdon spores. This is the first report of a confirmed case of canine lycoperdonosis in eastern Canada (Quebec), and the radiographic features in this case differed slightly from previous reports. Diagnosis before bronchoalveolar lavage analysis was challenging, as spore inhalation was not initially reported. Although the disease is infrequently reported in dogs, this case report reminds veterinarians to consider lycoperdonosis as a differential diagnosis when addressing animals presented with acute dyspnea with similar radiographic lesions, and highlights the importance of history and cytology in diagnosing this condition. Key clinical message: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis secondary to inhalation of Lycoperdon spores must be included in differential diagnoses for a dog with acute onset of respiratory signs and a nodular-to-miliary interstitial pulmonary pattern coalescing in patchy perihilar alveolar pulmonary lesions, and should prompt clinicians to question owners regarding inhalation of mushroom spores.Although cytological examination of a bronchoalveolar lavage reveals the presence of fungal spores, panfungal PCR and sequencing tests are needed to pinpoint the species involved.

Pneumopathie d'hypersensibilité associée à l'inhalation de spores de Lycoperdon (lycoperdonose) chez un chien setter anglais de 3 mois au Québec. Une chienne setter anglais âgée de 3 mois a été présentée à la Faculté de médecine vétérinaire de l'Université de Montréal (Québec) avec une détresse respiratoire aiguë. Le chien présentait des concentrations de protéine C-réactive modérément augmentées et les radiographies thoraciques ont révélé un schéma pulmonaire alvéolo-interstitiel modéré, caudodorsal, nodulaire à miliaire, pire dans la région périhilaire. Les diagnostics différentiels initiaux incluaient une pneumonie fongique (par exemple, blastomycose ou histoplasmose). La cytologie du lavage broncho-alvéolaire a révélé plusieurs structures rondes et vertes d'environ 2 µm de diamètre, compatibles avec des spores fongiques. Le chien a été hospitalisé, mais en 24 heures, l'état respiratoire s'est détérioré et l'euthanasie a été décidée. Les tests panfongiques PCR et de séquençage post-mortem ont identifié les spores comme étant Lycoperdon sp. Rétrospectivement, les propriétaires ont mentionné que le chien avait joué dans un tas de bois avec des champignons et avait éternué dans un nuage de spores, ce qui implique une inhalation de spores de Lycoperdon. Il s'agit du premier rapport d'un cas confirmé de lycoperdonose canine dans l'est du Canada (Québec), et les caractéristiques radiographiques de ce cas différaient légèrement des rapports précédents. Le diagnostic avant l'analyse du lavage broncho-alvéolaire était difficile, car l'inhalation de spores n'avait pas été initialement signalée. Bien que la maladie soit rarement rapportée chez les chiens, ce rapport de cas rappelle aux vétérinaires de considérer la lycoperdonose comme un diagnostic différentiel lorsqu'ils traitent des animaux présentant une dyspnée aiguë avec des lésions radiographiques similaires, et souligne l'importance de l'anamnèse et de la cytologie dans le diagnostic de cette affection.Message clinique clé : La pneumopathie d'hypersensibilité secondaire à l'inhalation de spores de Lycoperdon doit être incluse dans les diagnostics différentiels chez un chien présentant un début aigu de signes respiratoires et un schéma pulmonaire interstitiel nodulaire à miliaire fusionnant dans des lésions pulmonaires alvéolaires périhilaires inégales, et devrait inciter les cliniciens à interroger les propriétaires concernant l'inhalation de spores de champignons.Bien que l'examen cytologique d'un lavage broncho-alvéolaire révèle la présence de spores fongiques, des tests panfongiques PCR et de séquençage sont nécessaires pour identifier les espèces impliquées.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).