In vitro effects of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dobutamine on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated production of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 in blood from healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the in vitro effects of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dobutamine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in blood from healthy dogs. SAMPLES: Blood samples from 9 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES: Blood samples were incubated with LPS from Escherichia coli O127:B8 or PBSS (control) for 1 hour. Afterward, the samples were incubated with 10µM epinephrine, norepinephrine, or dobutamine or with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (control) for 23 hours. Leukocyte viability was assessed by use of trypan-blue exclusion in blood from 2 dogs to ensure cell viability was not altered by the catecholamines. Tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6, and IL-10 concentrations were measured in the supernatant in duplicate with a canine-specific multiplex bead-based assay. Blood samples from 2 dogs were used to create dose-response curves to evaluate whether the observed cytokine modulation was dependent on catecholamine concentration. RESULTS: Incubation of blood with epinephrine and norepinephrine significantly increased LPS-stimulated production of IL-10, compared with the control. Epinephrine and norepinephrine significantly decreased LPS-stimulated production of TNF-α, compared with the control. Epinephrine and norepinephrine did not significantly alter LPS-stimulated production of IL-6. Dobutamine did not alter catecholamine production. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Epinephrine and norepinephrine, but not dobutamine, had immunomodulatory effects on LPS-stimulated TNF-α and IL-10 production in blood from healthy dogs in this in vitro model of sepsis. Data suggested that dobutamine may have immune system-sparing effects in dogs with sepsis.

X-linked CD40 ligand deficiency in a 1-year-old male Shih Tzu with secondary Pneumocystis pneumonia.

An approximately 1-year-old male intact Shih Tzu dog was referred to a tertiary facility with a history of progressive tachypnea, increased respiratory effort, and weight loss over a 3-month period that failed to improve with empirical antimicrobial treatment. Upon completion of a comprehensive respiratory evaluation, the dog was diagnosed with severe Pneumocystis pneumonia and secondary pulmonary hypertension. Clinical signs resolved and disease resolution was confirmed after completion of an 8-week course of trimethoprim-sulfonamide, 4-week tapering dose of prednisone to decrease an inflammatory response secondary to acute die-off of organisms, a 2-week course of clopidogrel to prevent clot formation, and a 2-week course of a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor to treat pulmonary hypertension. Immunodiagnostic testing and genetic sequencing were performed to evaluate for potential immunodeficiency as an underlying cause for the development Pneumocystis pneumonia, and identified an X-linked CD40 ligand deficiency.

An examination of the relationships between motor and process skills and scores on the sensory profile.

OBJECTIVE: This quasi-experimental study sought to determine whether children with possible sensory processing deficits, as measured by the Sensory Profile, performed less well on an occupational performance measure compared to children with typical Sensory Profile scores. METHOD: Sixty-eight children were administered both the Assessment of Motor Process Skills (AMPS) and the Sensory Profile. After the assessments were completed, children were divided into two groups based on their Sensory Profile scores. RESULTS: Independent t tests indicated statistically significant differences between groups on the AMPS ADL [Activities of Daily Living] Motor and ADL Process measures (p < .05), with the children with atypical Sensory Profile scores showing more functional difficulties. Correlations revealed significant relationships among the measures. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that children identified with sensory processing deficits on the Sensory Profile are likely to experience some challenges in performing everyday occupations.