Intradermal testing and serum allergen-specific IgE-testing in cats with naturally occurring feline bronchial disease.

OBJECTIVES: While feline asthma (FA) is considered to be of allergic origin, the etiology of feline chronic bronchitis (CB) to date is unknown. Aim of the study was to compare the results of intradermal testing (IDT) and serum testing for allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (SAT) in cats diagnosed with FA and CB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-seven client-owned cats with clinical signs, suggestive of feline inflammatory bronchial disease (FBD) were prospectively enrolled in the study. Patients were assigned to 3 groups based on results of bronchoalveolar-lavage-fluid (BALF)-cytology: FA (n=8), CB (n=10), or cats with a physiological BALF cytology (PB; n=9). A standardized IDT for 27 allergens was performed in all cats. In addition, allergen-specific IgE was measured in serum samples using an FcεRIα-ELISA. The number of positive reactions in both tests was compared between groups, and agreement between test results of both tests was evaluated. RESULTS: Regarding the number of positive reactions, no statistically significant difference was detected between groups in IDT (p=0.65) and SAT (p=0.51). When comparing the 2 test systems, a weak correlation was found for the allergens Tyrophagus putrescentiae (k=0.256), Dermatophagoides farinae (k=0.276), and rye (k=0.273). The most commonly observed reactions were to house dust mites, storage mites, rye and nettle in IDT and to sheep sorrel, storage mites, and house dust mites in SAT. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: IDT and SAT in cats with feline inflammatory bronchial disease (FBD) cannot be used interchangeably for allergen detection. Sensitization to environmental allergens can occur in cats with and without airway inflammation. Therefore, a positive test result should always be assessed in context with clinical signs and allergen exposure.

Feline leishmaniosis with focus on ocular manifestation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: In Europe, feline leishmaniosis is commonly caused by Leishmania infantum. There is little knowledge regarding pathogenesis, ocular manifestations and long-term follow-ups in cats with leishmaniosis. FINDINGS: A 6-year-old female, spayed European Shorthair cat was imported from Spain to Germany 2 years prior to its first clinical presentation. The cat showed lethargy, weight loss, ulcerative lesions on the front limbs and high-grade chronic uveitis. The diagnosis of L. infantum infection was based on the cytological finding of amastigotes in skin lesions, positive qPCR of EDTA-blood and positive PCR of a cyto-brush sample from the conjunctiva. Supportive findings included positive serology by IFAT, serum protein capillary electrophoresis with peaks in alpha2- and gamma-globulin sections and marked elevation of SAA. Enucleation had to be performed on day 288 on both eyes because of blindness, glaucoma and high-grade uveitis. Histologically, high numbers of Leishmania spp. amastigotes were found in histiocytes. IFAT and PCR were positive in the aqueous humor in both eyes, respectively. Feline leukemia virus antigen and feline immunodeficiency virus antibody testings were positive. Hematological and biochemical results revealed mild leukocytosis with lymphocytosis, monocytosis and eosinopenia as well as marked elevation of SAA and hyperglobulinemia. The cat was treated with allopurinol, responded well and was still alive at follow-up on day 288 after first presentation. However, enucleation was necessary because of refractory glaucoma and uveitis.  CONCLUSION: For the first time, ocular evidence of Leishmania IgG antibodies was demonstrated in the aqueous humor of both eyes in cats. There is limited knowledge about the pathogenesis, treatment options and outcomes in cats infected with L. infantum. This case report supports the hypothesis that immunosuppression increases the risk of clinical signs of leishmaniasis in cats. Alpha2- and gamma-globulin peaks in serum protein capillary electrophoresis are supportive criteria for the diagnosis of L. infantum infection. SAA is valuable for monitoring. Regarding ophthalmology, uveitis and glaucoma may have a poor prognosis.

Tumour Incidence in Dogs in Germany: a Retrospective Analysis of 109,616 Histopathological Diagnoses (2014-2019).

Characterization of a tumour entity is based on the precise histopathological diagnosis taking into account the signalment of the diseased animal. The present study is a comprehensive, up-to-date statistical investigation on the type, frequency and breed distribution of neoplasia in dogs in Germany. The histopathological datasets of 109,616 German canine tissue samples (2014-2019) were processed and statistically examined in retrospect. Non-neoplastic diseases were found in 38,650 samples (35.3%) and 70,966 neoplasms (64.7%) were diagnosed. The most common neoplasms were mammary tumours (21.9%), benign epithelial skin tumours (15.4%), mast cell tumour (9.7%), histiocytoma (7.0%), soft tissue sarcoma (5.8%), lipoma (5.8%), melanocytic tumours (5.2%) and odontogenic tumours (4.7%). In general, Beagles, Magyar Vizslas, Boxers, Schnauzers, Spaniels, French Bulldogs and Golden Retrievers had an increased risk of neoplasia (odds ratio 1.17-1.46; all: P ≤0.001) compared with crossbreed dogs. In particular, Boxers, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers and Schnauzers were often affected by malignant neoplasms, whereas some breeds (eg, West Highland White Terrier, Magyar Vizsla, Chihuahua, Dachshund and Yorkshire Terrier) were frequently affected by numerous benign tumour types. Despite the known risk of haemangiosarcoma in German Shepherd Dogs, other malignant tumours were rare in this breed. Depending on the type of tumour, some purebred dog breeds can have an increased, reduced or identical risk for certain neoplasms compared with crossbreeds. Discussion of breed predispositions to tumour diseases must therefore be conducted critically and with a view to clinical relevance.

First evidence of vertical Hepatozoon canis transmission in dogs in Europe.

BACKGROUND: Hepatozoon canis is a protozoal agent that is known to be transmitted by oral uptake of H. canis-infected Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks in dogs. Vertical transmission of H. canis has only been described once in a study evaluating dogs from Japan. The aim of this study was to investigate the parasitological status of puppies from a bitch that had tested positive for Hepatozoon spp. prior to giving birth. FINDINGS: A 4-year-old, female, pregnant dog imported from Italy (Sardinia) to Germany showed clinical signs of lethargy and tachypnoea and tested positive for H. canis by PCR. The dog gave birth to eight puppies, one of which was stillborn and another that had to be reanimated. Haematology, buffy coat analysis and a biochemistry profile were performed for each dog. EDTA-blood of the surviving seven puppies and bone marrow, liver, spleen, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord of the stillborn puppy was tested for the presence of Hepatozoon spp. by PCR. The mother and the seven surviving puppies tested positive for H. canis by PCR at day 62 post-partum. Gamonts were detected in all dogs by buffy coat evaluation. Haematological and biochemistry results revealed mild abnormalities. In the stillborn puppy, spleen, umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid were positive for H. canis. CONCLUSION: The results confirm that vertical transmission is a possible route of H. canis infection in dogs, demonstrated by molecular detection of the pathogen in the stillborn puppy. In the seven surviving puppies, vertical transmission was the most likely transmission route. A potential impact of the level of parasitaemia on the health of puppies, as well as its pathogenesis, should be investigated further.

TGF-ß1 serum concentrations and receptor expressions in the lens capsular of dogs with diabetes mellitus.

Tissue fibrosis as complication of diabetes mellitus is known in humans. Because TGF-ß1induces fibrosis and is elevated in humans suffering from diabetes mellitus we measured this growth factor in serum of dogs with diabetes mellitus and compared it with healthy dogs and those with fibrotic diseases. Further we measured the expression of TGF-ß1receptor on lens capsule to investigate possible association between diabetes mellitus and cataract associated alterations. TGF-ß1 was measured in serum of 12 dogs with diabetes mellitus, 20 healthy controls and 12 dogs with fibrotic diseases. Dogs with diabetes mellitus and fibrotic diseases have significantly increased TGF-ß1 serum concentrations compared to healthy controls. Some dogs with diabetes mellitus showed increased expression of TGF-ß1 receptor in lens capsule. Based on our observations we can conclude that TGF-ß1 elevation in dogs with diabetes mellitus may induces complications of the disease and may participates on lens alteration.