Clinical signs, duodenal histopathological grades, and serum high-mobility group box 1 concentrations in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) commonly occurs in dogs, but there is lack of information about potential biomarkers of clinical and histopathologic severity. OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) concentrations in dogs with IBD. ANIMALS: Seventeen dogs with IBD and 25 healthy dogs. METHODS: In this prospective study, duodenal histopathologic severity was graded, and the clinical severity of IBD was assessed by the canine IBD assessment index (CIBDAI) score in dogs with IBD. Serum CRP and HMGB1 concentrations were compared between IBD and healthy dogs and analyzed according to histopathologic grade in dogs with IBD. The correlations between serum CRP and HMGB1 concentrations and the CIBDAI score were evaluated. RESULTS: Dogs with IBD had higher serum CRP (median [range] = 20.39 [1.53-67.69] µg/mL vs 2.31 [0.17-11.49] µg/mL; P < .001) and HMGB1 concentrations (0.44 [0.07-1.58] ng/mL vs 0.05 [0.01-0.25] ng/mL; P < .001) than healthy dogs. The serum HMGB1 concentration was higher in IBD dogs with a moderate to severe histopathologic grade (0.51 [0.30-1.58] ng/mL, P = .03) than in those with a mild histopathologic grade (0.17 [0.07-0.75] ng/mL). Serum CRP concentrations and CIBDAI score were positively correlated in dogs with IBD (rs  = .49, P = .05). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Serum HMGB1 could be a potential biomarker for diagnosing IBD and might be indicative of histopathologic severity in dogs, whereas serum CRP might be an indicator of clinical severity.

Evaluation of serum high-mobility group box 1 concentration in dogs with epilepsy: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a key mediator of neuroinflammation and there are increased HMGB1 levels in laboratory animal models of epilepsy and human patients with epilepsy. OBJECTIVES: To determine serum HMGB1 levels in dogs with epilepsy. ANIMALS: Twenty-eight epileptic dogs, 12 dogs with nonepileptic brain diseases, and 26 healthy dogs. METHODS: In this case-control study, serum HMGB1 concentrations were estimated using the canine-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Diagnosis of dogs with epilepsy was based on medical history, physical and neurological examination findings, laboratory test results, magnetic resonance image, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. RESULTS: Serum HMGB1 levels were significantly higher in epileptic dogs (median = 0.41 ng/mL; range, 0.03-5.28) than in healthy dogs (median = 0.12 ng/mL; range, 0.02-1.45; P = .002). In contrast, serum HMGB1 levels of dogs with non-epileptic brain diseases (median = 0.19 ng/mL; range, 0.03-1.04) were not significantly increased compared to those of healthy dogs (P = .12). Regarding idiopathic epilepsy, dogs with an epilepsy course of >3 months showed a higher serum HMGB1 concentration (median = 0.87 ng/mL; range, 0.42-2.88) than those with that of ≤3 months (median = 0.26 ng/mL; range, 0.03-0.88; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Serum HMGB1 could be a biomarker of epilepsy.

Combination therapy with azathioprine, cyclosporine and ketoconazole in a dog with concurrent pemphigus foliaceus and hyperadrenocorticism - Case report.

A 10-year-old, spayed female Shih Tzu dog presented with a history of progressive erythema and multiple crusts developing 85 days previously. The dog had been diagnosed with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) 55 days prior to presentation and was treated with oral trilostane (2.86 mg/kg, once daily) that was discontinued due to a poor response. In addition to generalised alopecia, erythematous plaques and crusts were noted on the trunk, head and footpads. Lesional impression smears revealed numerous acantholytic cells and non-degenerated neutrophils. Histopathological findings demonstrated subcorneal pustules with acantholytic cells and intact neutrophils. On the basis of these findings, we diagnosed pemphigus foliaceus (PF) with concurrent HAC. We wished to avoid glucocorticoids and, therefore, prescribed oral, once-daily azathioprine (2 mg/kg), modified cyclosporine (7 mg/kg) and ketoconazole (5 mg/kg). By day 71 post-treatment, the erythematous crusts had almost disappeared and the alopecia had improved considerably. However, by the subsequent follow-up examination on day 99, the clinical signs had reappeared due to the tapering of cyclosporine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report describing concurrent PF and HAC in a dog. Combination therapy with azathioprine, modified cyclosporine and ketoconazole was effective, and should be considered for dogs diagnosed with concurrent autoimmune diseases and HAC.

Effect of Achyranthes japonica Nakai extract on immunity and anti-inflammation in dogs.

Achyranthes japonica Nakai (A. japonica) is a medicinal herb found widely distributed throughout Korea. The biological activities of A. japonica are well-documented and include anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and immunity enhancement. The objective of the present study was to investigate the immune-related activities of A. japonica extract in dogs. The extract was acquired by ethanol extraction and purified by filtration. To examine the effect of A. japonica extract on immune cell viability, human lymphocytes, such as Jurkat T-cells and Ramos B-cells, were exposed to the extract. After treatment with the extract, the number of Ramos B-cells was increased, whereas Jurkat T-cells remained unaffected. Griess assay revealed decreased nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage Raw 264.7 cells after exposure to A. japonica extract. To evaluate the in-vivo effect in dogs, feed containing A. japonica extract was provided to 8 dogs for 2 months. Blood samples were collected before, during, and after consumption of the feed. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from the blood samples and the number of T-cells and B-cells were assessed using flow cytometry with anti-dog fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated CD3 and anti-dog phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated CD21 antibodies, respectively. We observed a significant increase in the average number of B-cells in the PBMCs during ingestion of the feed containing A. japonica. In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed a decrease in the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, in 3 out of 8 dogs and increased levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), an anti-inflammatory cytokine, in 4 out of 8 dogs. Taken together, we believe that these changes indicate that A. japonica extract is beneficial in improving the immunity of dogs by stimulating B-cells and inducing production of anti-inflammatory responses.

Achyranthes japonica Nakai (A. japonica) est une herbe médicinale retrouvée largement distribuée à travers la Corée. Les activités biologiques d'A. japonica sont bien documentées et inclus des effets antifongique, anti-inflammatoire et de stimulation de l'immunité. L'objectif de la présente étude était d'examiner les activités reliées à l'immunité d'un extrait d'A. japonica chez des chiens. L'extrait fut obtenu par extraction à l'éthanol et purification par filtration. Pour examiner l'effet de l'extrait d'A. japonica sur la viabilité de cellules immunitaires, des lymphocytes humains, tels que les cellules T Jurkat et les cellules B Ramos, furent exposés à l'extrait. Après traitement avec l'extrait, le nombre de cellules B Ramos était augmenté, alors que celui des cellules T Jurkat était inchangé. L'épreuve de Griess a révélé une diminution de production d'oxyde nitreux (NO) chez les macrophages de souris Raw 264,7 stimulés par le lipopolysaccharide (LPS) à la suite de l'exposition à l'extrait d'A. japonica. Afin d'évaluer les effets in vivo chez les chiens, de la nourriture contenant l'extrait d'A. japonica fut donnée à huit chiens pour une période de 2 mois. Des échantillons sanguins furent prélevés avant, durant et après consommation de l'aliment. Des mononucléaires du sang périphérique (PBMCs) furent isolés des échantillons sanguins et le nombre de cellules T et de cellules B fut évalué en utilisant la cytométrie de flux et des anticorps anti-CD3 de chien conjugués à l'isothiocyanate de fluorescéine (FITC) et des anticorps anti-CD21 de chien conjugués à la phycoérythrine (PE), respectivement. Nous avons observé une augmentation significative du nombre moyen de cellules B dans le PBMCs durant l'ingestion de la nourriture contenant A. japonica. De plus, une épreuve immuno-enzymatique (ELISA) a révélé une diminution des niveaux du facteur alpha nécrosant des tumeurs (TNF-α), une cytokine pro-inflammatoire, chez trois des huit chiens et des niveaux augmentés d'interleukine-10 (IL-10), une cytokine anti-inflammatoire, chez quatre des huit chiens. Pris globalement, nous croyons que ces changements indiquent qu'un extrait d'A japonica est bénéfique pour améliorer l'immunité chez les chiens en stimulant les cellules B et en induisant la production de réponses anti-inflammatoires.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Temporal and anatomical distribution of 18F-flutemetamol uptake in canine brain using positron emission tomography.

BACKGROUND: Positron emission tomography (PET) is increasingly being used as an imaging modality for clinical and research applications in veterinary medicine. Amyloid PET has become a useful tool for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) in humans, by accurately identifying amyloid-beta (Aß) plaques. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome in dogs shows cognitive and pathophysiologic characteristics similar to AD. Therefore, we assessed the physiologic characteristics of uptake of 18F-flutemetamol, an Aß protein-binding PET tracer in clinical development, in normal dog brains, for distinguishing an abnormal state. Static and dynamic PET images of six adult healthy dogs were acquired after 18F-flutemetamol was administered intravenously at approximately 3.083 MBq/kg. For static images, PET data were acquired at 30, 60, and 90 min after injection. One week later, dynamic images were acquired for 120 min, from the time of tracer injection. PET data were reconstructed using an iterative technique, and corrections for attenuation and scatter were applied. Regions of interest were manually drawn over the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, anterior cingulate, posterior cingulate, and cerebellar cortices, cerebral white matter, midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. After calculating standardized uptake values with an established formula, standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs) were obtained, using the cerebellar cortex as a reference region. RESULTS: Among the six cerebral cortical regions, the cingulate cortices and frontal lobe showed the highest SUVRs. The lowest SUVR was observed in the occipital lobe. The average values of the cortical SUVRs were 1.25, 1.26, and 1.27 at 30, 60, and 90 min post-injection, respectively. Tracer uptake on dynamic scans was rapid, peaking within 4 min post-injection. After reaching this early maximum, cerebral cortical regions showed a curve with a steep descent, whereas cerebral white matter demonstrated a curve with a slow decline, resulting in a large gap between cerebral cortical regions and white matter. CONCLUSION: This study provides normal baseline data of 18F-flutemetamol PET that can facilitate an objective diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction syndrome in dogs in future.

Evaluation of serum C-reactive protein and high mobility group box 1 concentrations in 22 dogs with acute pancreatitis: a pilot study.

Background: High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is an important mediator of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in humans with severe acute pancreatitis (AP), but there is little information regarding its role in dogs. Aim: To compare the serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and HMGB1 in healthy dogs and those with AP with or without SIRS. Methods: The study included 22 dogs with AP and 20 healthy dogs. CRP and HMGB1 were assessed by ELISA. Statistical analyses were conducted by non-parametric tests. Results: Median (interquartile range) serum CRP and HMGB1 concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in dogs with AP [60.56 (14.50-140.10) µg/mL and 0.35 (0.03-1.12) ng/mL, respectively] than in healthy dogs [2.23 (1.75-5.14) µg/mL and 0.02 (0.01-0.05) ng/mL, respectively]. After the recommended treatments for AP, serum CRP concentration in AP dogs significantly decreased, but that of HMGB1 in AP dogs significantly increased. There was also a significant difference in median serum HMGB1 concentration between AP dogs with and without SIRS. The use of serum HMGB1 concentration of 0.35 ng/mL to distinguish AP dogs with and without SIRS was associated with a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 71.5%. A positive correlation was identified between HMGB1 and clinical severity of AP. All AP dogs had a positive outcome during hospitalization [6.0 (1.5-6.0) days]. Conclusion: Results indicate that HMGB1 might be a useful biomarker for the progression of AP and may play a role in progression of AP into SIRS in dogs.

Effects of hydrocortisone administration on leptin and adiponectin synthesis in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of hydrocortisone administration on serum leptin and adiponectin concentrations, abdominal fat distribution, and mRNA expression of leptin and adiponectin in abdominal adipose tissue of dogs. ANIMALS: 12 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES: Dogs received hydrocortisone (8.5 mg/kg; n = 6) or a placebo (6) orally every 12 hours for 90 days. Serum leptin and adiponectin concentrations were measured with a canine-specific ELISA on the day before (day 0; baseline) and during (days 1, 3, 7, 30, 60, and 90) administration. On days 0, 30, 60, and 90, abdominal fat mass was quantified with CT, and mRNA expression of leptin and adiponectin in abdominal fat was analyzed by use of a PCR assay. RESULTS: Hydrocortisone administration resulted in an increase in visceral fat mass on days 60 and 90, compared with the mass at baseline. Visceral fat mass at the level of L3 increased during hydrocortisone administration. Serum leptin concentration began to increase on day 1 and was significantly higher than the baseline concentration on days 30 and 60. Serum adiponectin concentration on days 30, 60, and 90 was significantly lower than the baseline concentration. Leptin and adiponectin mRNA expression in abdominal fat was greater on day 30, compared with expression at baseline, but lower on days 60 and 90, compared with expression on day 30. Serum leptin concentration and visceral fat mass were correlated. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hydrocortisone administration affected abdominal fat distribution and serum leptin and adiponectin concentrations through dysregulation of leptin and adiponectin expression.

Evaluation of Hypertriglyceridemia as a Mediator Between Endocrine Diseases and Pancreatitis in Dogs.

The role of hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) secondary to endocrine diseases in the occurrence of pancreatitis in dogs has not been fully investigated. The objective of the present study was to evaluate HTG as a mediator between endocrine diseases and pancreatitis in dogs. The study design was a retrospective case-control study. Medical records of dogs newly diagnosed with acutely presenting pancreatitis between 2012 and 2014 were reviewed for the presence or absence of hyperadrenocorticism (HAC), diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypothyroidism. A matched case-control analysis was performed, and the association between endocrine diseases and pancreatitis was evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis. In dogs with pancreatitis, the odds of HAC (P < .001) and DM (P < .001) were 4.5 and 12.4 times that of dogs without pancreatitis, respectively. HTG significantly mediated the association between DM and pancreatitis but not between HAC and pancreatitis. Additional studies will be necessary to confirm these findings and to further elucidate the associations between endocrine diseases and pancreatitis.

Characterization of canine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells immortalized by SV40-T retrovirus for therapeutic use.

Canine mesenchymal stem cells (cMSCs) are gaining popularity in the veterinary field as a regenerative therapy. But, their limited culture lifespan makes it an obstacle for preclinical investigation and therapeutic use. In this study, primary canine adipose tissue-derived MSCs (PCAT-MSCs) were isolated from adipose tissue and were transfected with the SV40-T retrovirus resulting in a life-extended immortalized canine adipose tissue-derived MSCs (ICAT-MSCs). A comparison was made through the characterization of both PCAT-MSCs and ICAT-MSCs. Both showed a fibroblastic morphology; ICAT-MSCs showed a higher potential of colony formation compared with PCAT-MSCs and a reduced population doubling time; stem cell markers SOX2 and NANOG were expressed in both cell lines; karyotyping analysis showed no abnormalities in both PCAT-MSCs and ICAT-MSCs; both cell lines were CD90+ , CD44 + , and CD45 - ; both generated chondrogenic pellet; in osteogenic differentiation both showed upregulation of Osterix, a master transcriptome of osteogenesis, but in PCAT-MSCs, an upregulation of SOX2 was also observed. In conclusion, ICAT-MSCs showed similar characteristics with PCAT-MSCs, thus established as an easy to access platform for studies on better understanding about cMSCs nature.

Roles of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tissue Regeneration and Immunomodulation.

Mesenchymal stem cells are classified as multipotent stem cells, due to their capability to transdifferentiate into various lineages that develop from mesoderm. Their popular appeal as cell-based therapy was initially based on the idea of their ability to restore tissue because of their differentiation potential in vitro; however, the lack of evidence of their differentiation to target cells in vivo led researchers to focus on their secreted trophic factors and their role as potential powerhouses on regulation of factors under different immunological environments and recover homeostasis. To date there are more than 800 clinical trials on humans related to MSCs as therapy, not to mention that in animals is actively being applied as therapeutic resource, though it has not been officially approved as one. But just as how results from clinical trials are important, so is to reveal the biological mechanisms involved on how these cells exert their healing properties to further enhance the application of MSCs on potential patients. In this review, we describe characteristics of MSCs, evaluate their benefits as tissue regenerative therapy and combination therapy, as well as their immunological properties, activation of MSCs that dictate their secreted factors, interactions with other immune cells, such as T cells and possible mechanisms and pathways involved in these interactions.

Resveratrol induced reactive oxygen species and endoplasmic reticulum stress­mediated apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest in the A375SM malignant melanoma cell line.

Resveratrol, a dietary product present in grapes, vegetables and berries, regulates several signaling pathways that control cell division, cell growth, apoptosis and metastasis. Malignant melanoma proliferates more readily in comparison with any other types of skin cancer. In the present study, the anti­cancer effect of resveratrol on melanoma cell proliferation was evaluated. Treating A375SM cells with resveratrol resulted in a decrease in cell growth. The alteration in the levels of cell cycle­associated proteins was also examined by western blot analysis. Treatment with resveratrol was observed to increase the gene expression levels of p21 and p27, as well as decrease the gene expression of cyclin B. In addition, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress were confirmed at the cellular and protein levels using a 2',7'­dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay, TUNEL assay and western blot analysis. Resveratrol induced the ROS­p38­p53 pathway by increasing the gene expression of phosphorylated p38 mitogen­activated protein kinase, while it induced the p53 and ER stress pathway by increasing the gene expression levels of phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α and C/EBP homologous protein. The enhanced ROS­p38­p53 and ER stress pathways promoted apoptosis by downregulating B­cell lymphoma­2 (Bcl­2) expression and upregulating Bcl­2­associated X protein expression. In conclusion, resveratrol appears to be an inducer of ROS generation and ER stress, and may be responsible for growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest of A375SM melanoma cells.

Fucoidan suppresses excessive phagocytic capacity of porcine peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells by modulating production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

We examined the effect of fucoidan, an immune modulator, on the phagocytic capacity of porcine peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) exposed to culture supernatant from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). For this purpose, we evaluated the phagocytic capacity of porcine PMNs by flow cytometry and measured levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) protein and mRNA in porcine PBMCs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. Fucoidan or LPS alone did not affect the phagocytic capacity of PMNs, but phagocytosis by these cells was increased by exposure to culture supernatant from PBMCs treated with fucoidan or LPS. In particular, the culture supernatant from PBMCs treated with LPS revealed excessive phagocytosis of PMNs. This excessive phagocytic capacity was diminished by co-treatment LPS with fucoidan. Production of TNF-α mRNA and protein increased upon treatment of PBMCs with either fucoidan or LPS, but this effect was also diminished by co-treatment LPS with fucoidan. The ability of culture supernatant from PBMCs treated with LPS and/or fucoidan to increase the phagocytic capacity of PMNs was inhibited by anti-recombinant porcine TNF-α polyclonal antibody. These results suggested that fucoidan suppresses the phagocytic capacity of PMNs by modulating TNF-α production by LPS-stimulated PBMCs.

Calcium homeostasis in diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is becoming a lifestyle-related pandemic disease. Diabetic patients frequently develop electrolyte disorders, especially diabetic ketoacidosis or nonketotic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome. Such patients show characteristic potassium, magnesium, phosphate, and calcium depletion. In this review, we discuss a homeostatic mechanism that links calcium and DM. We also provide a synthesis of the evidence in favor or against this linking mechanism by presenting recent clinical indications, mainly from veterinary research. There are consistent results supporting the use of calcium and vitamin D supplementation to reduce the risk of DM. Clinical trials support a marginal reduction in circulating lipids, and some meta-analyses support an increase in insulin sensitivity, following vitamin D supplementation. This review provides an overview of the calcium and vitamin D disturbances occurring in DM and describes the underlying mechanisms. Such elucidation will help indicate potential pathophysiology-based precautionary and therapeutic approaches and contribute to lowering the incidence of DM.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in dogs with suspected acute pancreatitis.

The present study aimed to determine whether circulating serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH) D] differed between healthy dogs and dogs with acute pancreatitis (AP). Twenty-two healthy dogs and twenty client-owned dogs with AP were enrolled in the study. Serum concentrations of 25-(OH) D, blood ionized calcium (iCa), and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Concentrations of serum 25-(OH) D and blood iCa in dogs with AP were significantly lower than those of healthy dogs, and serum concentrations of CRP in dogs with AP were significantly higher than those of healthy dogs. A significant difference in 25-(OH) D serum concentrations was observed between survivor and non-survivor dogs with AP. After resolution of clinical signs, concentrations of serum 25-(OH) D, blood iCa, and serum CRP did not differ compared to those before treatment. This study shows that dogs with AP exhibit decreased 25-(OH) D levels, which might be associated with calcium imbalances and mortality rate in canine AP.

CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS IN THREE DOGS.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is the most common congenital cardiovascular disorder in dogs and requires an accurate diagnosis for an appropriate treatment. Cardiac MRI (cMRI) has been reported as a method for characterization of canine thoracic vasculature. However, to the authors' knowledge, no published studies describe evaluation of canine PDA through cMRI. Three dogs were selected for this exploratory study. Electrocardiogram gating and breath-hold techniques were performed using a 3T MR scanner. Both black blood imaging and bright blood cine acquisitions were performed. Quantification of stroke volume (SV) and shunting volume were calculated using a stack of short-axis cine images. Additional 4D (three-spatial dimensions plus time)-TRAK (time-resolved MR angiography with keyhole) sequences were conducted in patient 2 to verify other vasculature abnormality. Black blood images clearly depicted the course of the ductus from the descending aorta to the pulmonary artery in all three dogs. Morphological evaluation of PDA classified patients 1 and 2 as Type 2a and patient 3 as Type 1. Patient 2 was confirmed to have a concurrent persistent left cranial vena cava. Left ventricular SV, right ventricular SV, and left-to-right SV ratio were 12.4 ml, 3.36 ml, and 3.704, respectively, in patient 1; 6.85 ml, 1.22 ml, and 5.60 in the patient 2; and 3.67 ml, 2.14 ml, and 1.702 in patient 3. Findings indicated that cMRI is a feasible method for characterizing the morphology of PDA and extracardiac vasculature anomalies in dogs.

Canine Wound Myiasis Caused by Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Korea.

Myiasis is a relatively common infection of animals kept as pets, although only 1 case of canine myiasis has been described so far in the Republic of Korea. In the present study, we report an additional case of canine wound myiasis with identification of its causative agent, Lucilia sericata. An 8-year-old male Siberian husky dog was referred with anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea to the Chungbuk National University Veterinary Medical Center, Cheongju-si (city), Chungcheongbuk-do (province), Korea in July 2013. Physical examination indicated the patient had a deep wound filled with a maggot swarm as a left gluteal lesion. A total of 216 maggots were removed by forceps, and the wounded area was sponged with gauzes and disinfected with 70% alcohol and a povidone-iodine solution. After daily care and suturing the wound, the patient was discharged at day 19 after admission. Recovered worms possessed morphological characteristics similar to those of L. sericata, namely, a sub-cylindrical body with 6-8 lobed anterior spiracles, round shaped with a button surrounded by a peritremal ring with no gaps, and similar distances between dorsal, median, and outer papillae of the 12th segment. Additionally, cox1 partial sequences (528 bp) obtained in the present study showed 100% identity with those of L. sericata (GenBank no. KT272854.1). L. sericata is indicated as a pathogen of myiasis infection not only in humans, but also in animals kept as pets in Korea.

Serum cholecystokinin concentrations in dogs with naturally acquired pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism.

OBJECTIVE To determine serum cholecystokinin (CCK) concentrations in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) and to evaluate associations among CCK concentration, PDH, and gallbladder mucocele (GBM). ANIMALS 14 client-owned dogs with PDH and 14 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES Dogs were separated into 4 groups: healthy dogs without gallbladder sludge (group A; n = 7), healthy dogs with gallbladder sludge (group B; 7), dogs with PDH and gallbladder sludge (group C; 8), and dogs with PDH and GBM (group D; 6). Serum CCK concentrations were then measured before and 1, 2, and 4 hours after consumption of a high-fat meal. Concentrations in dogs with PDH were also measured before and after trilostane treatment. Results were compared among groups and assessment points. RESULTS Preprandial serum CCK concentrations in group C were significantly lower than those in groups A, B, and D, but no significant differences in postprandial CCK concentrations were identified among the groups 1, 2, or 4 hours after the meal. With respect to trilostane treatment of dogs with PDH, no significant differences were identified between pre- and post-trilostane serum CCK concentrations in group C or D. Median CCK concentration after trilostane treatment was higher in group D than in group C, but this difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The outcomes in this study did not support the hypothesis that a low circulating CCK concentration affects the development of GBM in dogs with PDH.

Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema in a Dog Following Initiation of Therapy for Concurrent Hypoadrenocorticism and Hypothyroidism.

A 5 yr old intact female cocker spaniel dog weighing 7.8 kg was referred with anorexia, vomiting, and depression. At referral, the dog was diagnosed initially with typical hypoadrenocorticism, and 2 d later, concurrent primary hypothyroidism was detected. Hormonal replacement therapies, including fludrocortisone, prednisolone, and levothyroxine, were initiated, but a few days later the dog became abruptly tachypneic, and thoracic radiographs indicated the development of pulmonary edema. Echocardiography showed that there were abnormalities indicating impaired left ventricular function, although the heart valves were normal. Following treatment with pimobendan and furosemide, the pulmonary edema resolved. The dog had no recurrence of the clinical signs after 10 mo of follow-up, despite being off all cardiac medications; consequently, the cardiac failure was transient or reversible in this dog. The case report describes the stepwise diagnosis and successful treatment of cardiogenic pulmonary edema after initiation of hormonal replacement therapy for concurrent hypoadrenocorticism and hypothyroidism in a dog.

Correlation between caudal pulmonary artery diameter to body surface area ratio and echocardiography-estimated systolic pulmonary arterial pressure in dogs.

Caudal pulmonary artery diameter (CPAD) to body surface area (BSA) ratios were measured in ventrodorsal thoracic radiographs to assess the correlation between CPAD to BSA ratios and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) in dogs. Thoracic radiographs of 44 dogs with systolic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and 55 normal dogs were evaluated. Systolic PAP was estimated by Doppler echocardiography. CPADs were measured at their largest point at the level of tracheal bifurcation on ventrodorsal radiographs. Both right and left CPAD to BSA ratios were significantly higher in the PAH group than in the normal group (p < 0.0001). Linear regression analysis showed positive associations between PAP and right and left CPAD to BSA ratio (right, p = 0.0230; left, p = 0.0012). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the CPAD to BSA ratio had moderate diagnostic accuracy for detecting PAH. The operating point, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve were 28.35, 81.40%, 81.82%, and 0.870; respectively, for the right side and 26.92, 80.00%, 66.67%, and 0.822, respectively, for the left. The significant correlation of CPAD to BSA ratio with echocardiography-estimated systolic PAP supports its use in identifying PAH on survey thoracic radiographs in dogs.

Temporal Evolution of MRI Characteristics in Dogs with Collagenase-Induced Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the most lethal types of stroke. Neuroimaging techniques, particularly MRI, have improved the diagnostic accuracy of ICH. The MRI characteristics of the evolving stages of ICH in humans-but not those in dogs-have been described. In this study, we document the temporal MRI characteristics in a canine model of collagenase-induced ICH. Specifically, ICH was induced in 5 healthy beagles by injecting 500 U of bacterial collagenase from Clostridium histolyticum, which was delivered into the parietal lobe over 5 min by using a microinfusion pump. T1- and T2-weighted, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, gradient-echo (GRE), and diffusion-weighted (DWI) imaging and measurement of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were performed serially at 6 different time points (before and 12 h, 3 d, 5 d, 10 d and 24 d after hemorrhage) by using a 3-T MR system. The temporal changes of T1 signal intensity (SI) corresponded well with the reported human data. The temporal changes of T2 and GRE sequences, with the exception of T2 and GRE hyperintensities at the early subacute stage, also matched. ADC measurements were high at the early subacute stage, and DWI-SI positively correlated with T2- and GRE-SI from the early subacute stage onward. In conclusion, MRI is an ideal method for characterizing the temporal evolution of parenchymal alterations after ICH in dogs. These data might be useful for differentiating clinical stages of ICH in dogs.