Evaluation of serum MMP-2 and MMP-3, synovial fluid IL-8, MCP-1, and KC concentrations as biomarkers of stifle osteoarthritis associated with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) -2 and MMP-3 in serum, and keratinocyte-derived chemoattractant (KC), interleukin 8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant 1 (MCP-1) in synovial fluid (SF) as stifle osteoarthritis (OA) biomarkers in dogs. Dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture (OA group) and healthy controls were recruited. Stifles with CrCL deficiency were surgically stabilized. Serum, SF, and synovial biopsy samples were collected from the OA group preoperatively, whereas samples were collected once from control dogs. A blinded veterinary pathologist graded synovial biopsies. Serum and SF analyses were performed using xMAP technology. General linear regression was used for statistical comparisons of serum biomarkers, and mixed linear regression for SF biomarkers and temporal concentration changes. The overall discriminative ability was quantified using area under curve (AUC). Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess correlations between synovial histology grades and the biomarkers. Samples from 62 dogs in the OA group and 50 controls were included. The MMP-2 and MMP-3 concentrations between the OA and control groups were not significantly different, and both with an AUC indicating a poor discriminative ability. All three SF biomarker concentrations were significantly different between the OA group and controls (P <0.05). The MCP-1 was the only biomarker showing an acceptable discriminative performance with an AUC of 0.91 (95% confidence interval: 0.83-0.98). The sum of the inflammatory infiltrate score was significantly correlated with all three SF biomarkers (P <0.01). Summed synovial stroma, and all scores combined were significantly correlated with IL-8 and MCP-1 concentrations (P <0.003), and the summed synoviocyte scores were significantly correlated with MCP-1 concentrations (P <0.001). Correlations between MCP-1 concentrations and synovial histopathologic grading and its discriminative ability suggest its potential as a synovitis biomarker in canine stifle OA associated with CrCL rupture.

Infrared spectroscopy of synovial fluid as a potential screening approach for the diagnosis of naturally occurring canine osteoarthritis associated with cranial cruciate ligament rupture.

Objective: To evaluate infrared (IR) spectroscopy of synovial fluid (SF) as tool to differentiate between knees of dogs with naturally occurring OA associated with cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CrCLR) and controls. Method: 104 adult dogs with CrCLR (affected group) and 50 adult control dogs were recruited in a prospective observational study. Synovial fluid (SF) samples were collected preoperatively from dogs with CrCLR and from a subset of these at 4-, and 12-week post-surgery. Knee samples were collected bilaterally once from control dogs. Dried synovial fluid films were made, and IR absorbance spectra acquired. After preprocessing, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and ANOVA-simultaneous component analysis (ASCA) were used to evaluate group and temporal differences, and to develop predictive models. Results: There were statistically significant spectral differences between the SF of OA affected and control dogs at all three time-points (P < 0.001). Pairwise comparison of spectral SF of knees with CrCLR over time showed statistically significant differences amongst all three time-points (P < 0.001). The predictive model for identifying the affected group from control had sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy of 97.6%, 99.7% and 98.6%, respectively. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate the ability of FTIR-spectroscopy of synovial fluid combined with chemometric methods to accurately differentiate dogs with OA secondary to CrCLR from controls. The role of this IR-based screening test as a diagnostic and monitoring biomarker for OA specific to the joint being sampled warrants further investigation.

Successful treatment of Corynebacterium urealyticum encrusting cystitis with systemic and intravesical antimicrobial therapy.

A 6-year-old Saint Bernard dog was diagnosed with encrusting cystitis caused by Corynebacterium urealyticum. The infection persisted despite the prolonged use of antimicrobials and surgical debridement of the urinary bladder. Resolution occurred following intravenous vancomycin, urine acidification, and intravesical gentamicin. The challenges involved in the treatment of encrusting cystitis are described.

Réussite du traitement d'une cystite incrustante àCorynebacterium urealyticumà l'aide d'une thérapie antimicrobienne systémique et intravésicale. Un chien Saint Bernard âgé de 6 ans a été diagnostiqué avec une cystite incrustante causée par Corynebacterium urealyticum. L'infection a persisté malgré l'usage prolongé d'antimicrobiens et du débridement chirurgical de la vessie urinaire. La résolution s'est produite après l'administration intraveineuse de vancomycine, l'acidification de l'urine et de la gentamicine intravésicale. Les difficultés entourant le traitement d'une cystite incrustante sont décrites.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Evaluation of a novel accelerometer for kinetic gait analysis in dogs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate a novel accelerometer-based sensor system, the Walkabout Portable Gait Monitor (WPGM), for use in kinetic gait analysis of dogs. The accelerometer was compared to the common reference standard of force platform analysis. Fifteen client-owned, orthopedically sound dogs of various breeds underwent simultaneous force platform and accelerometer gait trials to measure peak vertical forces (PVFs). The agreement between PVF for the accelerometer and force platform was measured using concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and was found, overall, to be moderate [CCC = 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46 to 0.56]. The agreement between PVF for the accelerometer and force platform for the forelimbs was positive and substantial (CCC = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.74 to 0.84) and for the hind limbs was positive and low (CCC = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.38). As measured by the accelerometer, PVF was systematically higher than as measured by the force platform (forelimbs 55.3 N, hind limbs 144.3 N). It was also found that, when positioned over the lumbar spine, the WPGM cannot measure PVF of the individual forelimbs and hind limbs, which limits its use as a clinical tool to measure kinetic variables in dogs.

L'objectif de la présente étude était d'évaluer un nouveau système d'accéléromètre, le Walkabout Portable Gait Monitor (WPGM), pour utilisation dans l'analyse de la cinétique de l'allure chez des chiens. L'accéléromètre fut comparé au standard de référence habituel qu'est l'analyse par plaque de force. Quinze chiens de races variées appartenant à des clients, et sans évidence d'atteinte orthopédique ont été soumis de manière simultanée à un test de plaque de force et une étude de la cinétique de l'allure afin de mesurer les forces verticales maximales (PVF). L'accord entre la PVF pour l'accéléromètre et la plaque de force fut mesuré en utilisant le coefficient de corrélation de concordance (CCC) et fut trouvé, de manière globale, à être modéré [CCC = 0,51 %; intervalle de confiance (CI) 95 % : 0,46 à 0,56]. L'accord entre la PVF pour l'accéléromètre et la plaque de force pour les membres antérieurs était positif et élevé (CCC = 0,79; 95 % CI : 0,74 à 0,84) et pour les membres postérieurs était positif et faible (CCC = 0,34; 95 % CI : 0,29 à 0,38). Tel que mesuré par l'accéléromètre, la PVF était systématiquement supérieure à celle mesurée par la plaque de force (membres antérieurs 55,3 N, membres postérieurs 144,3 N). Il fut également trouvé que, lorsque positionné par-dessus la colonne lombaire, le WPGM ne peut mesuré la PVF des membres antérieurs pris individuellement et des membres postérieurs, ce qui limite son utilisation comme outil clinique pour mesurer des variables cinétiques chez les chiens.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Sialolipoma of a minor salivary gland in a dog.

A 10-year-old golden retriever dog was presented for evaluation of progressive panting, inspiratory stridor, and gagging. Oropharyngeal examination revealed a soft, nonulcerated, pedunculated mass arising from the right tonsillar fossa. The mass was completely excised and histopathology was consistent with a sialolipoma. No regrowth of the mass was evident 6 months after surgery.

Lipome salivaire d'une glande salivaire mineure chez un chien. Un chien Golden retriever âgé de 10 ans a été présenté pour l'évaluation d'un halètement progressif, d'un stridor respiratoire et des haut-le-cœur. Un examen oropharyngien a révélé une petite masse molle non ulcérée et pédonculée se dressant sur la fosse de l'amygdale droite. La masse a été entièrement excisée et l'histopathologie était conforme à un lipome salivaire. Six mois après la chirurgie, aucune repousse de la masse n'a été constatée.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Surgical management of 2 different presentations of ear canal atresia in dogs.

A 6-year-old French spaniel and a 14-month-old German shepherd dog were diagnosed with ear canal atresia. Based on presentation, computed tomography, and auditory function evaluation, the first dog underwent excision of the horizontal ear canal and bulla curettage, and the second underwent re-anastomosis of the vertical canal to the external meatus. Both dogs had successful outcomes.

Female pseudo-hermaphroditism with cloacal malformation and related anomalies in a dog.

A 7-month-old intact female German shepherd dog was presented with recurrent urinary tract infections and incontinence, ambiguous external genitalia (enlarged vulva containing a penis), and an anovestibular fistula. Anatomical structures, histopathology, and karyotyping supported a diagnosis of female pseudo-hermaphrodite, hypothesized to be a result of in utero androgenization with consequential cloacal malformation.

Pseudo-hermaphroditisme femelle avec une malformation cloacale et des anomalies connexes chez un chien. Une chienne Berger allemand intacte âgée de 7 mois a été présentée pour des infections urinaires à répétition et de l'incontinence, des organes génitaux externes ambigus (vulve agrandie contenant un pénis) et une fistule ano-vestibulaire. Les structures anatomiques, l'histopathologie et le caryotypage ont soutenu le diagnostic d'une pseudo-hermaphrodite femelle, présentant l'hypothèse d'avoir été provoquée par une androgénisation in utero avec une malformation cloacale correspondante.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Comparison of the selection of antimicrobial resistance in fecal Escherichia coli during enrofloxacin administration with a local drug delivery system or with intramuscular injections in a swine model.

This study evaluated, for the first time, the selection of antibiotic resistance in fecal Escherichia coli, a potential reservoir of genes of resistance, during the prolonged exposure to fluoroquinolones after the implantation of a local drug delivery system (LDDS) in a swine model. Fourteen pigs were randomly assigned to group IM (5 mg/kg/day of intramuscular enrofloxacin--EFX) or LD (surgical implantation of EFX-polymethyl-methacrylate peri-femoral implants). Blood samples were collected daily for determination of plasma EFX and ciprofloxacin (CFX) concentrations. Fecal samples were collected daily to determine the E. coli counts and the susceptibility patterns of its isolates as evaluated by antibiotic disk diffusion tests. In both groups, EFX administration significantly reduced the bacterial counts after 2 days. During recolonization, the bacterial counts remained lower than baseline in group IM but not significantly, and almost reached pre-treatment levels in group LD. Susceptibility to EFX, CFX, and nalidixic acid of recolonizing E. coli in LD pigs slightly decreased but remained within the limit of "susceptible" isolates. In contrast, quinolone susceptibility of recolonizing E. coli in IM pigs dropped dramatically (P < 0.0001). In addition, intramuscular exposure to fluoroquinolones significantly decreased the susceptibility of E. coli to ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the use of a dosing regimen that minimized the intestinal output of fluoroquinolones also minimized the selection of resistance to several classes of antibiotics. This could represent another advantage of LDDS usage compared to long-lasting systemic administration of fluoroquinolones.