Haematological profile on non-lactating Mediterranean buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) ranging in age from 24 months to 14 years.

Haematological studies were performed on 100 clinically normal non-lactating Mediterranean buffalo species ranging in age from 24 months to 14 years, to determinate the range of normal haematological values for this ruminant species. The animals were divided in 5 groups according to age: Group I, 2-3 years old which had never calved, Group II, 3-4 years old (primipara buffaloes), Group III, 5-7 years old, Group IV 8-10 years old and Group V over 10 years of age. All the haematological values obtained were comparable with the normal values found in adult cattle, and similar to those reported in Indian water buffalo species. The heifer buffalo showed an higher values for packed cell volume (PCV) compared with the older animals, but lower values for mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) (P 0.01). In animals above 8 years of age, the white cell count was lower with a significant reduction in absolute values of lymphocytes (P 0.01). Higher absolute values of eosinophils levels was found in the group V (P 0.01).

Biochemical indicators of bone metabolic activity in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) during late pregnancy and early lactation.

Blood levels of calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, osteocalcin, intact parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, alkaline phosphatase activity, creatinine and thyroid hormones were estimated in 10 healthy buffalo during late pregnancy (30, 15 days and 7 days before calving), within 12 h after calving and 7-15-30-45 and 60 days after calving. The almost constant serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone, and the low calcitonin concentration indicate that these buffalo need to utilize only a little of their endogenous mineral resources. Bone-turnover could be demonstrated by variations in the serum levels of osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase activity. A study of these bone markers could be useful for other research purposes and for future clinical application in pathological conditions.

Decreased lipid fluidity of the erythrocyte membrane in dogs with leishmaniasis-associated anaemia.

In both man and the dog, anaemia resulting from natural leishmaniasis is often severe and mainly associated with a shortened life span of erythrocytes. Lipid fluidity of erythrocyte membranes from 17 dogs with anaemia caused by visceral leishmaniasis was investigated by means of fluorescence polarization. Results were compared with those from three groups of control animals (10 healthy dogs, seven dogs with visceral leishmaniasis but no anaemia, and 10 dogs with anaemia unrelated to leishmaniasis). Fluorescence polarization values recorded for animals with leishmaniasis-associated anaemia were elevated-indicating reduced erythrocyte membrane fluidity-and significantly higher than in the control groups. Mechanical sequestration by the spleen due to increased cell rigidity, or alterations in receptor/ligand erythrocyte cytoadherence mechanisms, or both, may result from decreased membrane fluidity and hence contribute to the anaemia of Leishmania -infected dogs.

Primary hypothyroidism associated with leishmaniasis in a dog.

A case of primary hypothyroidism associated with leishmaniasis is described in a four-year-old, male Yorkshire terrier. Clinical diagnosis of hypothyroidism was confirmed by a low baseline serum tetraiodothyronine (T4), a reduced response to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulation, an increased serum TSH concentration, and scintigraphic thyroid gland examination. Examination of a thyroid biopsy showed many Leishmania amastigotes, both inside and outside of macrophages, together with signs of follicular atrophy.

Comparative efficacy of meglumine antimoniate and aminosidine sulphate, alone or in combination, in canine leishmaniasis.

Thirty-two domestic dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum and showing viscero-cutaneous signs of canine leishmaniasis were treated with aminosidine sulphate (11 dogs) meglumine antimoniate (10 dogs) or with a combination of the two drugs (11 dogs) for 21 consecutive days. Clinical and laboratory assessments, made on day 21 and at 2, 4 and 6 months after initiation of treatment, showed that the drug combination gave the best score in terms of clinical efficacy, incidences of early clinical relapse, any clinical relapse or apparent parasitological cure, and reduction in parasite densities in bone-marrow and lymphnode aspirates (even though a lower dose of antimonial was used in the combination than for antimonial monotherapy). For each of the above parameters, however, the higher efficacy of the drug combination was not statistically significant, probably because of the large variations caused by using naturally infected animals of various ages and breeds.

A retrospective clinical study of canine leishmaniasis in 150 dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum.

The clinical and laboratory findings observed in 150 dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum, from a large endemic area of southern Italy, are described. There was a gradual onset of clinical signs and the course of the disease was progressive in almost all the cases. The majority of the dogs were mongrels (43.3 per cent), male (64.7 per cent), of medium size (50.6 per cent), three to seven years old (64.7 per cent), and living outdoors (60 per cent). They showed generalised (56.7 per cent) or symmetrical (32 per cent) lymphadenomegaly; the mucous membranes of 87 of the dogs (58 per cent) were pale and moderate or severe splenomegaly was diagnosed in 80 dogs (53.3 per cent); weight loss was observed in 32 per cent of the animals. Skin abnormalities were very common, and included dry exfoliative dermatitis (56 per cent), ulcers (40 per cent) periorbital alopecia ('lunettes') (18 per cent), diffuse alopecia (14 per cent) and onychogryphosis (24 per cent). Ocular signs were observed in 24 dogs (16 per cent) including 16 cases of keratoconjunctivitis (three with keratoconjunctivitis sicca), six cases of moderate uveitis and two cases of panophthalmitis. The acute form of the disease was diagnosed in only six dogs and was characterised by fever and generalised lymphadenomegaly, and by the absence of skin lesions. Another six dogs had severe renal failure without systemic clinical signs of leishmaniasis. The most important laboratory findings were a severe or moderate increase in gammaglobulins, hypoalbuminaemia, hyperproteinemia and anaemia. Cultures or cytology tests for L infantum parasites were positive in 134 of the dogs. Following the standard procedures developed for human lymph node and bone marrow cytology tests, the leishmania density in the dogs varied from 1+ to 2+. Leishmania antibody titres were high (> 1:160) in almost all the dogs. Immunological tests for autoantibodies were positive in 25 of 53 dogs tested in the antinuclear antibody (ANA) test, in 15 of 43 dogs tested in the latex test and in five of 24 dogs tested in the Coombs test.

Hyperprolactinaemia and galactorrhoea associated with primary hypothyroidism in a bitch.

An endocrinopathy characterised by hyperprolactinaemia and galactorrhoea was found to be associated with primary hypothyroidism in an entire bitch. Clinical diagnosis was confirmed by lowered baseline T4 blood levels, reduced response to the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test, elevated prolactin and TSH values, and echographic and scintigraphic examinations. Levothyroxine treatment resulted in a clinical improvement (especially of the galactorrhoea), and levels of prolactin, thyroxine, TSH, triglycerides and total cholesterol plasma returned to normal.

Usefulness of a chromatographic method to detect circulating antithyroid hormone autoantibodies in canine serum.

Antithyroid hormone autoantibodies (THBA), described in both humans and animals, result in variable interference when thyroid hormone plasma levels are measured by immunoassays. We previously described a quick chromatographic method to detect circulating THBA in humans. In the present experience, we applied the method on canine sera (10 normal dogs and 3 dogs affected by hypothyroidism) to detect the THBA presence in a dog (no. 13) with clinical evidence of hypothyroidism, in spite of apparently extremely high values of thyroid hormone. After a short incubation of samples with 125I-T3 and 125I-T4 in presence of 8-anilino-1-naphtalenesulfonic acid, samples were eluted and radioactivity values counted. Eluate radioactivity values > 10% and > 30% were considered positive for THBA presence for antiT3 and antiT4 detection, respectively. High radioactivity values were detected in dog serum no. 13 and, therefore, it was considered positive for THBA presence. The Scatchard plot analysis revealed the presence of a monoclonal autoantibody with the highest affinity for T3 and an additional tenfold lower affinity for T4. In conclusion, our chromatographic method allows the detection and the characterization of THBA in species different from humans, with species specific differences in thyroid hormone metabolism; thus, taking into account the rarely availability of canine serum TSH and anti-thyroglobulin antibody immunoassay detection methods, it was possible to correctly diagnose the hypothyroidism in a dog with apparently extremely high values of thyroid hormones due to THBA interference.

Activity of liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome) in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum.

Thirteen dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum showing viscero-cutaneous signs of disease were treated with different dosages of liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome). The animals were followed clinically and parasitologically over a period of eight months. Dogs which received three to five administrations of AmBisome 3-3.3 mg/kg showed rapid clinical improvement, with regression of lymphadenomegaly and splenomegaly, and cure of skin lesions. The clinical response was similar to that obtained with 14-21 doses of conventional antileishmanial drugs. However, follow-up lymph node aspirates remained positive for Leishmania in all dogs except one, which was treated with the total dose of AmBisome 15 mg/kg. The failure in parasitological cure may be due to inadequate drug targeting to parasitized cells, or to T-cell immune depression characteristic of patent cases of canine leishmaniasis, or to both.