Evaluation of five different rapid immunochromatographic tests for canine leishmaniosis in Spain.

Canine leishmaniosis is a vector-borne disease caused by Leishmania parasites. Serological methods are the most common tests used for the diagnosis. This study aimed to evaluate and compare different serological commercial immunochromatographic rapid tests available in Spain to detect anti-Leishmania canine antibodies. The immunochromatographic tests were evaluated in different groups of dogs (healthy seronegative dogs (n = 21), naturally-sick dogs with moderate anti-Leishmania antibodies (n = 39), naturally-sick dogs with high anti-Leishmania antibodies (n = 37), dogs with the serological result of other pathogens infection (n = 20) and exposed dogs (n = 33)) admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Zaragoza (Spain) according to the clinical information sent with the sample to the laboratory for diagnostic purposes. The serology status was also routinely recorded through an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an in-house indirect immunofluorescence test (IFAT). The qualitative commercial serological immunochromatographic tests used were: FASTest LEISH, Uranotest Leishmania, Uranotest Leishmania 2.0, Speed Leish K, Witness Leishmania, and DFV Test Leishmania. Performance measures analyzed for each test were: sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver-operating (ROC) curve. The maximum specificity (1.00) was attained for Uranotest Leishmania and DFT Test Leishmania, followed by FASTest LEISH (0.98), Uranotest Leishmania 2.0 (0.98), Speed Leish K (0.98), and Witness Leishmania (0.95). The maximum sensitivity was attained for FASTest LEISH (1.00), followed by Uranotest 2.0 (0.97), Speed Leish K (0.97), Uranotest (0.96), and the lowest results with Witness (0.84) and DFV Test (0.59). Regarding the ROC curve, the maximum value was attained with the FASTest LEISH (0.99), followed by Uranotest (0.98), Uranotest 2.0 (0.97), Speed Leish K (0.97), Witness (0.90), and the lowest result with DFV Test (0.79). Efforts in the field of diagnosis should focus on establishing a commercial immunochromatographic test with high sensitivity and specificity with a reasonable cost-benefit balance.

Correlation of Prostatic Artery Blood Flow Assessed by Doppler Ultrasonography with Semen Characteristics in Beagle Dogs.

Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography (PwD) is a method used to rapidly and noninvasively assess blood flow dynamics of the canine prostate. Modifications in gland vascularization can affect seminal plasma production and consequently sperm quality. The aim of this study was to determine the normal blood flow parameters of the prostate artery in beagle dogs and to analyze the correlations between vascular flow and semen quality characteristics. PwD was performed on five beagle dogs (5-6 years) measuring vascular features in four different locations of the prostatic artery (cranial, subcapsular, parenchymal and caudal); the measured features were peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI). Ejaculates were obtained using digital manipulation and semen quality was evaluated by determining macroscopic (total volume, sperm-rich fraction volume, color and pH) and microscopic (sperm motility, morphology, viability and acrosome integrity) characteristics. The values of PSV, PI and RI in cranial and caudal prostatic arteries were significantly higher than in subcapsular and parenchymal arteries (p < 0.05). Moreover, a positive correlation of PSV value in the cranial region of the prostatic artery with total ejaculate volume (p < 0.01, r = 0.612) and sperm concentration (p < 0.01, r = 0.587) was determined. PI index was negatively correlated with sperm concentration (p < 0.01, r = -0.709). In conclusion, the results suggest that the prostatic artery blood flow parameters can affect macroscopic semen quality characteristics in healthy dogs.