Detection and genome characterisation of SARS-CoV-2 P.6 lineage in dogs and cats living with Uruguayan COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in domestic animals have occurred from the beginning of the pandemic to the present time. Therefore, from the perspective of One Health, investigating this topic is of global scientific and public interest. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic animals whose owners had coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: Nasopharyngeal and faecal samples were collected in Uruguay. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), we analysed the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Complete genomes were obtained using ARTIC enrichment and Illumina sequencing. Sera samples were used for virus neutralisation assays. FINDINGS: SARS-CoV-2 was detected in an asymptomatic dog and a cat. Viral genomes were identical and belonged to the P.6 Uruguayan SARS-CoV-2 lineage. Only antiserum from the infected cat contained neutralising antibodies against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain and showed cross-reactivity against the Delta but not against the B.A.1 Omicron variant. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Domestic animals and the human SARS-CoV-2 P.6 variant comparison evidence a close relationship and gene flow between them. Different SARS-CoV-2 lineages infect dogs and cats, and no specific variants are adapted to domestic animals. This first record of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic animals from Uruguay supports regular surveillance of animals close to human hosts.

Detection and genome characterisation of SARS-CoV-2 P.6 lineage in dogs and cats living with Uruguayan COVID-19 patients

BACKGROUND Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in domestic animals have occurred from the beginning of the pandemic to the present time. Therefore, from the perspective of One Health, investigating this topic is of global scientific and public interest. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic animals whose owners had coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS Nasopharyngeal and faecal samples were collected in Uruguay. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), we analysed the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Complete genomes were obtained using ARTIC enrichment and Illumina sequencing. Sera samples were used for virus neutralisation assays. FINDINGS SARS-CoV-2 was detected in an asymptomatic dog and a cat. Viral genomes were identical and belonged to the P.6 Uruguayan SARS-CoV-2 lineage. Only antiserum from the infected cat contained neutralising antibodies against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain and showed cross-reactivity against the Delta but not against the B.A.1 Omicron variant. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Domestic animals and the human SARS-CoV-2 P.6 variant comparison evidence a close relationship and gene flow between them. Different SARS-CoV-2 lineages infect dogs and cats, and no specific variants are adapted to domestic animals. This first record of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic animals from Uruguay supports regular surveillance of animals close to human hosts.

Pharmacokinetic study of oral amitriptyline in horses.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of oral amitriptyline in horses. Oral amitriptyline (1 mg/kg) was administered to six horses. Blood samples were collected from jugular and lateral thoracic vein at predetermined times from 0 to 24 hr after administration. Plasma concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and analyzed using noncompartmental methods. Pharmacodynamic parameters including heart rate, respiration rate, and intestinal motility were evaluated, and electrocardiographic examinations were performed in all subjects. The mean maximum plasma concentration (Cmax ) of amitriptyline was 30.7 ng/ml, time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax ) 1-2 hr, elimination half-life (t1/2 ) 17.2 hr, area under plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) 487.4 ng ml-1  hr-1 , apparent clearance (Cl/F) 2.6 L hr-1  kg-1 , and apparent volume of distribution (Vd/F) 60.1 L/kg. Jugular vein sampling overestimated the amount of amitriptyline absorbed and should not be used to study uptake following oral administration. Heart rate and intestinal motility showed significant variation (p < .05). Electrocardiography did not provide conclusive results. Further studies are required to discern if multiple dose treatment would take the drug to steady state as expected, consequently increasing plasma concentrations.

Aspectos macroanatómicos del corazón del carpincho ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris ) / Macroanatomical characteristics of the heart of the carpincho ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris )

RESUMEN: La información disponible sobre el aparato cardiovascular del carpincho (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) es escasa. El objetivo general de este estudio fue describir la anatomía cardíaca de esta especie. Se utilizaron 6 animales adultos y 5 neonatos, libres de patologías del aparato cardiovascular. El método de estudio de los animales fue la disección simple. El corazón del carpincho estaba ubicado desde el segundo espacio intercostal hasta la sexta costilla. El ligamento frenicopericárdico unía el pericardio fibroso al esternón y al diafragma. El tubérculo intervenoso era de escaso desarrollo. En la aurícula derecha se encontraban escasos músculos pectinados. Los músculos papilares derechos presentaban entre ellos trabéculas septomarginales. Las trabéculas carnosas presentaban un marcado desarrollo sobre la pared marginal del ventrículo derecho. También había grandes trabéculas carnosas sobre la pared septal, que sin embargo era algo más lisa. Los músculos papilares izquierdos eran dos, situados opuestos uno al otro y sobre la pared septal. Ambos eran simples y emitían cuerdas tendinosas hacia ambas cúspides de la válvula atrioventricular izquierda. Las trabéculas carnosas del ventrículo izquierdo eran menos numerosas. Entre ambos músculos papilares existía una gran trabécula carnosa que ocupaba gran parte de la extensión dorsoventral de la pared septal del ventrículo izquierdo. De ambas arterias coronarias, la arteria coronaria izquierda que surgía del seno coronario izquierdo de la aorta era la más importante, de mayor tamaño y de mayor distribución, encargándose de la irrigación de la mayoría del territorio cardíaco. La rama interventricular paraconal se dirigía por el surco interventricular paraconal y terminaba sobre el margen ventricular derecho anastomosándose con la rama interventricular subsinusal que venía por el surco del mismo nombre. Con otras técnicas, es necesario realizar estudios histológicos, semiológicos y fisiológicos en el corazón de esta especie para entender mejor su anatomía y fisiología.

SUMMARY: The available information on the cardiovascular apparatus of the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is scarce. The general objective of this study was to describe the cardiac anatomy of this species. Six adult animals and five newborns were used; all were free of cardiovascular system pathologies. The method of study of the animals was simple dissection. The heart of the capybara was located from the second intercostal space to the sixth rib. The frenicopericardial ligament attached the fibrous pericardium to the sternum and the diaphragm. The intervenous tubercle was poorly developed. In the right atrium, there were few pectinated muscles. The right papillary muscles had septomarginal trabeculae among them. The carnous trabeculae showed a marked development on the marginal wall of the right ventricle. There were also large, carnous trabeculae on the septal wall, which was somewhat flatter. The left papillary muscles were two, located opposite each other and on the septal wall. Both were simple and sent tendinous cords to both cusps of the left atrioventricular valve. Carnous trabeculae of the left ventricle were less numerous. Between both papillary muscles there was a large carnous trabecula that occupied much of the dorsoventral extension of the septal wall of the left ventricle. Of both coronary arteries, the left coronary artery that emerged from the left coronary sinus of the aorta was the most important, with larger size and greater distribution. The paraconal interventricular branch was directed through the paraconal interventricular groove and terminated on the right ventricular margin anastomosing with the subsinusal interventricular branch that came through the groove of the same name. With other techniques, it is necessary to perform histological, semiological and physiological studies in the heart of this species to better understand its anatomy and physiology.

Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Improve Cardiac Perfusion in an Ovine Immunocompetent Animal Model.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold considerable promise in the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Most preclinical studies of MSCs for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have been performed either in syngeneic animal models or with human cells in xenogeneic immunodeficient animals. A preferable pre-clinical model, however, would involve human MSCs in an immunocompetent animal. METHODS: AMI was generated in adult sheep by inducing ischemia reperfusion of the second diagonal branch. Sheep (n = 10) were randomized to receive an intravenous injection of human MSCs (1 × 10(6) cells/kg) or phosphate buffered saline. Cardiac function and remodeling were evaluated with echocardiography. Perfusion scintigraphy was used to identify sustained myocardial ischemia. Interaction between human MSCs and ovine lymphocytes was assessed by a mixed lymphocyte response (MLR). RESULTS: Sheep receiving human MSCs showed significant improvement in myocardial perfusion at 1 month compared with baseline measurements. There was no change in ventricular dimensions in either group after 1 month of AMI. No adverse events or symptoms were observed in the sheep receiving human MSCs. The MLR was negative. CONCLUSION: The immunocompetent ovine AMI model demonstrates the clinical safety and efficacy of human MSCs. The human cells do not appear to be immunogenic, further suggesting that immunocompetent sheep may serve as a suitable pre-clinical large animal model for testing human MSCs.

Ischemia-induced model of diastolic dysfunction in sheep.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) is an increasingly recognized entity that carries similar morbidity and mortality than low ejection fraction heart failure. Animal models of diastolic dysfunction mimicking this condition are lacking and are essential for the development of therapeutic strategies. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eight Corriedale sheep, 18 ± 5 months old, were included in the study. Basal echocardiography and myocardial perfusion evaluation (SPECT) was performed. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was made by occlusion (90 min) and reperfusion of the second diagonal branch of the anterior descending coronary artery. Two months after AMI, echocardiography and SPECT evaluation were performed prior to sacrifice. Basal and 2 months echocardiography showed similar fractional shortening and ventricular dimensions in each animal except for an increase in left atrial diameter. No mitral regurgitation was evidenced. SPECT imaging and pathology confirmed infarction in the apical, apico-anterior, and apico-septal segments. CONCLUSION: A novel model of ischemia-induced diastolic dysfunction with preserved ventricular thickness and ejection fraction is described. This model opens the possibility of testing therapeutic options for patients with this condition.

First genome sequence of a canine distemper virus strain from South america.

Canine distemper virus causes a severe infectious disease in carnivores worldwide. Herein, we sequenced and analyzed the genome of a new strain (Uy251/2012) isolated from a dog in Uruguay. The Uy251/2012 strain belongs to the Europe1/South America1 lineage, and constitutes the first report of a genomic sequence in South America.

Respuestas de estrés provocadas por el aislamiento en corderos de raza corriedale: efecto de la presencia de / ovejas selectivas y no selectivas / Isolation induced stress responses in corriedale lambs: effects of the presence of selective and non-selective ewes

In order to assess the effects of isolation during the first hours of life on the behavior of lambs, twenty Corriedale lambs were observed. They remained with their mothers during the first post-partum hour and were afterwards tested in their presence, isolated again and finally observed when reunited. The same sequence was repetead at 4, 24 and 48 hours after birth. The lambs’ responses when placed with a selective and a non-selective postparturient alien ewe, were also registered. From the first hour after birth, the lambs showed significantly more stress responses when isolated than when together with their mothers. The presence of an alien postparturient ewe also decreased the stress responses of the lambs, regardless of acceptance or rejection by alien ewes. The lambs’ gregarious behavior seems to be a very important factor in reducing stress provoked by isolation [AU]