Needs of breast cancer survivors: a systematic review of quantitative data.

This systematic review aimed to update the perceived needs of individuals with breast cancer (BC). Databases were searched for studies reporting quantitative data collected through validated assessment tools. Needs of adults with BC were reported by survivorship phase. The post-diagnosis and the post-surgery phases revealed the most needs; health system and information needs represented the greatest concern, with average Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form (SCNS-SF34) scores ranging from 62.0 to 75.8 post-diagnosis and from 45.0 to 67.8 post-surgery. Needs then seemed to decrease or remain stable up to within one year from diagnosis, when needs in all domains increased again; health system and information needs remained a priority. Younger age, side effects, type of treatment, and advanced stage were associated with the occurence of unmet needs. The needs of BC survivors vary over the course of their cancer experience. This knowledge can assist the planning of appropriate assessments.

Sialic acid and sialyltransferase activity in serum and tissues of dogs with mammary tumors.

In humans, the glycosylation pattern of serum and of membrane glycoproteins is associated with invasiveness of tumors: specifically, α2,6-sialylation and α2,3-sialylation are associated with metastasizing and nonmetastasizing tumors, respectively. In turn, the type of sialylation depends on the activity of α2,6 or α2,3 sialyltransferase (ST) enzymes. Because of the high prevalence of metastasizing tumors with biological behavior similar to the human counterpart, female dogs with metastasizing neoplasms could provide a good animal model for investigating the potential roles of sialic acid (Sia) and ST enzymes in the pathogenesis of metastatic tumors. The aims of this study were (1) to validate a solid-phase method based on lectin staining of serum and tissue homogenates to investigate sialylation and ST activity and (2) to compare the results obtained with this method and with lectin staining and to collect preliminary information on sialylation and ST activity in dogs with (n = 8) and without (n = 8) mammary tumors. The data recorded in healthy dogs revealed that serum and tissue glycoproteins are prevalently characterized by a α2,6 sialylation, but ST-α2,3 seems to be the most active enzyme in both samples. Sia-α2,3 and ST-α2,3 activity decreases in serum and tissues of dogs with tumors, especially in a dog with metastasis, suggesting that the equilibrium between ST-α2,6 and ST-α2,3 activity shifts toward the former, as reported in humans.

Seasonal variation in canine anti-Leishmania infantum antibody titres.

Quantitative anti-Leishmania antibody titres are critical in the management of dogs with leishmaniosis, from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up, and there is a paucity of data relating changes in antibody titres to sand fly vector seasonality. This study aimed to evaluate seasonal variations in anti-Leishmania infantum antibody titres in dogs from a hyperendemic area for canine leishmaniosis (CanL). Leishmania infantum-seropositive and clinically healthy dogs (n=65) were sampled in June 2019 (sand fly season) and again in February-March 2020 (non-transmission season) to monitor clinical status and serological titres. There was a reduction in anti-L. infantum antibody titres during the non-transmission season in most dogs (n=36; 55.4%), and 44% of those dogs (n=16/36) became seronegative (i.e. below the cut-off value of 1:80). Given the relevance of serology to epidemiological, preventive and clinical studies related to CanL, seasonal variations in antibody titres are important in areas where phlebotomine vectors have seasonal patterns of activity. Sand fly seasonal period must be considered in the interpretation of annual anti-L. infantum antibody screening test results in asymptomatic dogs, to make clinical decisions about staging, treatment and prevention.

Role of paraoxonase-1 as a diagnostic marker for feline infectious peritonitis.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is characterised by the presence of systemic inflammation accompanied by oxidative stress. Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is a negative acute phase reactant produced by the liver. A paraoxon-based method has been validated to measure PON-1 activity in feline serum. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of PON-1 activity as a biomarker to discriminate FIP from other diseases with similar clinical signs. Of 159 cats enrolled, 71 were healthy, 34 had FIP and 54 had another disease but presented with clinical signs that could be consistent with FIP. PON-1 activity was lower (P <0.0001) in cats with FIP (median, 26.55 U/L; range, 5.40-78.20 U/L) compared to healthy (median, 87.5 U/L; range, 46.60-215.50 U/L) and Non-FIP Sick group cats (median, 57.90 U/L; range, 3.80-122.60 U/L). Two receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine the thresholds that maximised the performance of PON-1 activity in predicting FIP both from a screening and diagnostic point of view. A threshold of 78.30 U/L yielded a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 50.4%, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.00 (screening curve). While a threshold of 24.90 U/L maximised specificity (94.4%), had a sensitivity of 44.1%, and increased the likelihood ratio to 7.94, making PON-1 activity a good confirmatory test for FIP (diagnostic curve). Using these thresholds, serum PON-1 activity showed good diagnostic performance in discriminating FIP affected cats from cats with other inflammatory conditions.

Evidence of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs from households in Italy.

SARS-CoV-2 originated in animals and is now easily transmitted between people. Sporadic detection of natural cases in animals alongside successful experimental infections of pets, such as cats, ferrets and dogs, raises questions about the susceptibility of animals under natural conditions of pet ownership. Here we report a large-scale study to assess SARS-CoV-2 infection in 817 companion animals living in northern Italy, sampled at a time of frequent human infection. No animals tested PCR positive. However, 3.4% of dogs and 3.9% of cats had measurable SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers, with dogs from COVID-19 positive households being significantly more likely to test positive than those from COVID-19 negative households. Understanding risk factors associated with this and their potential to infect other species requires urgent investigation. ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY: SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pets from Italy.

Evidence of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs from households in Italy.

SARS-CoV-2 emerged from animals and is now easily transmitted between people. Sporadic detection of natural cases in animals alongside successful experimental infections of pets, such as cats, ferrets and dogs, raises questions about the susceptibility of animals under natural conditions of pet ownership. Here, we report a large-scale study to assess SARS-CoV-2 infection in 919 companion animals living in northern Italy, sampled at a time of frequent human infection. No animals tested PCR positive. However, 3.3% of dogs and 5.8% of cats had measurable SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers, with dogs from COVID-19 positive households being significantly more likely to test positive than those from COVID-19 negative households. Understanding risk factors associated with this and their potential to infect other species requires urgent investigation.

Phytoplasmas Associated with Grapevine Yellows Disease in Chile.

An extensive survey was performed from 2002 to 2006 to detect and identify phytoplasmas associated with Chilean grapevines. Nested polymerase chain reaction assays using phytoplasma universal primer pairs P1/P7 and R16F2n/R2 detected phytoplasmas in 34 out of the 94 samples tested (36%). Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses, cloning, and sequencing allowed identification of phytoplasmas belonging to ribosomal subgroups 16SrI-B, 16SrI-C, 16SrVII-A, and 16SrXII-A. The 16SrVII-A phytoplasma represents a new finding in grapevine; moreover, variability of the RFLP profile was observed in some of the 16SrXII-A phytoplasmas, indicating possible new ribosomal subgroups. Mixed phytoplasma infections and infections of phytoplasmas together with one or more viruses also occurred.

Serum concentration of homocysteine in spontaneous feline chronic kidney disease.

Serum homocysteine (Hcy) increases in people and dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) has also been associated with CKD-related hypertension and proteinuria. The aims of this study were to: (1) validate an enzymatic method for quantification of Hcy in feline serum; (2) evaluate whether HHcy was associated with the presence and severity of CKD, proteinuria or hypertension; and (3) determine whether HHcy could predict disease progression. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) and the recovery rates of linearity under dilution and spiking recovery tests of the enzymatic method were 3.1-6.7%, 11.6-12.5%, 96.9±5.4% and 96.9±5.4%, respectively. Healthy cats at risk of CKD (n=17) and cats with CKD (n=19) were sampled over a 6-month period (63 samples in total). Cats with CKD had significantly higher Hcy concentrations (P=0.005) than cats at risk. The concentration of Hcy was higher (P=0.002) in moderate-severe CKD than in mild CKD and correlated moderately with serum creatinine (P<0.0001; r=0.51). The concentration of Hcy increased with the magnitude of proteinuria and correlated weakly with urinary protein to creatinine ratio (P=0.045; r=0.26). HHcy was not associated with hypertension. At the time of enrollment, Hcy concentration was significantly higher (P=0.046) in cats that developed CKD compared to cats that remained stable. The enzymatic method for Hcy measurement in feline serum was precise and accurate. HHcy was relatively common in cats with advanced CKD and seemed to predict disease progression, but further studies are warranted.

Establishment of the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) and the current status of veterinary clinical pathology in Europe.

After 5 years of development, the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) was formally recognized and approved on July 4, 2007 by the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS), the European regulatory body that oversees specialization in veterinary medicine and which has approved 23 colleges. The objectives, committees, basis for membership, constitution, bylaws, information brochure and certifying examination of the ECVCP have remained unchanged during this time except as directed by EBVS. The ECVCP declared full functionality based on the following criteria: 1) a critical mass of 65 members: 15 original diplomates approved by the EBVS to establish the ECVCP, 37 de facto diplomates, 7 diplomates certified by examination, and 5 elected honorary members; 2) the development and certification of training programs, laboratories, and qualified supervisors for residents; currently there are 18 resident training programs in Europe; 3) administration of 3 annual board-certifying examinations thus far, with an overall pass rate of 70%; 4) European consensus criteria for assessing the continuing education of specialists every 5 years; 5) organization of 8 annual scientific congresses and a joint journal (with the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology) for communication of scientific research and information; the College also maintains a website, a joint listserv, and a newsletter; 6) collaboration in training and continuing education with relevant colleges in medicine and pathology; 7) development and strict adherence to a constitution and bylaws compliant with the EBVS; and 8) demonstration of compelling rationale, supporting data, and the support of members and other colleges for independence as a specialty college. Formal EBVS recognition of ECVCP as the regulatory body for the science and practice of veterinary clinical pathology in Europe will facilitate growth and development of the discipline and compliance of academic, commercial diagnostic, and industry laboratories in veterinary clinical pathology. Future needs are in developing sponsorship for resident positions, increasing employment opportunities, increasing compliance with laboratory, training, and continuing education standards, and advancing relevant science and technology.

Comparison of methods for determining platelet numbers and volume in Cavalier King Charles spaniels.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare platelet concentration in cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCS) measured by different methods commonly used in veterinary hospitals and commercial laboratories. METHODS: Blood samples obtained from 41 CKCS [corrected] were analysed by impedance cell counter, laser cell counter and microscopic estimation. Quantitative buffy coat analysis was performed only on 17 samples, selected from CKCS [corrected] that had low platelet counts detected by cell counters. Platelet counts, platelet estimations and platelet parameters using these different methods were compared. RESULTS: The median platelet number was lower when estimated using impedance cell counter (1363x10(9)/I) with respect to laser cell counter (1723x10(9)/I), microscopic estimation (238x10(9)/I) [corrected] or quantitative buffy coat analyser (292x10(9)/I) [corrected] (P<0.01). Although impedance cell counter, laser cell counter and microscopic estimation were positively correlated, there was no acceptable agreement among methods. CKCS [corrected] with macrothrombocytes in blood smears had significantly lower counts on impedance cell counter, laser cell counter and microscopic estimation. The percentages of CKCS [corrected] with platelet count < 100x10(9)/I [corrected] were 34.1 per cent (impedance cell counter), 26.8 per cent (laser cell counter), 22.0 per cent (microscopic estimation) (not statistically different) and 5.8 per cent (quantitative buffy coat analyser) (P<0.05). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: CKCS [corrected] with macrothrombocytosis have low platelet counts on impedance cell counters, laser cell counters and microscopic estimation. CKCS [corrected] with low platelet counts may have a normal platelet crit detected by a quantitative buffy coat analyser and thus a normal circulating platelet mass.

Nucleated erythrocytes in blood smears of dogs undergoing chemotherapy.

The frequency of normoblastemia in dogs receiving chemotherapy is unknown. To provide this information, we calculated the percentage and number of nucleated erythrocytes (nRBCs) in blood of dogs treated for lymphoma (n = 284), mast cell tumour (n = 40) or carcinoma (n = 46). Relative normoblastemia (>1 or >5%) and absolute normoblastemia (>0.1 or >0.4 × 103 µL-1 ) were found after administration of vincristine (49.3, 20.5, 42.5, 19.2%, respectively), carboplatin (37.0, 2.2, 34.8, 13.0%), cyclophosphamide (30.8, 7.7, 23.1, 7.7%), doxorubicin (25.0, 8.3, 21.7, 6.7%), vinblastine and prednisone (25.0; 5.0; 22.5; 7.5%). Absolute normoblastemia was very severe (>1.0 × 103 nRBC µL-1 ) after administration of vincristine (9.6%), doxorubicin (3.3%), vinblastine and prednisone (2.5%). Absolute normoblastemia negatively correlated with RBC counts (P < 0.001) and positively (P < 0.001) with reticulocyte and WBC counts, but correlation coefficients were low (-0.19, 0.37, 0.15). Vincristine, doxorubicin or vinblastine and prednisone may induce severe normoblastemia. This may increase WBC counts and mask neutropenia associated with chemotherapy.

Flow cytometric expression of common antigens CD18/CD45 in blood from dogs with lymphoid malignancies: a semi-quantitative study.

Flow cytometry is useful to study lymphoid malignancies since it allows both immunophenotyping of neoplastic cells and quantification of antigen expression. CD18 and CD45 are commonly exposed membrane antigens with different levels of expression on blood leukocyte and neoplastic cells. The aim of this retrospective study was to semi-quantitatively evaluate the expression of CD18 and CD45 in dogs with different lymphoid malignancies with blood involvement and to compare results with those from healthy dogs and dogs with reactive diseases. Blood samples from 13 dogs with precursor lymphoid malignancies, 20 with mature neoplasms (either chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or lymphoma), of different immunophenotypes, were compared with 24 healthy dogs and 12 dogs with different reactive diseases. The median fluorescence intensity (MFI) for CD18 and CD45 was recorded on lymphoid and granulocytic populations using dual colour flow cytometry, and the ratio between MFI for lymphoid and granulocytic populations (L/N ratio) was calculated to compare the results obtained in different sessions using an internal control (granulocyte fluorescence intensity). Significant decreases in the L/N ratio were detected in neoplastic samples for both CD18 (either precursors or mature versus controls) and CD45 (either precursors or mature versus control), while using MFI only slight differences were detectable in CD45 between precursors and controls. Neoplastic cells often exhibited lower expression of the L/N ratio for CD18, and mainly for CD45, most likely due to a less mature pattern than normal cells and/or to an aberrant quantitative expression of surface antigen. Moreover, more than 50% of neoplastic lymphoid cells exhibited L/N ratios that were not within the values observed in controls for at least one antigen. Altered L/N ratios, in particular decreases of CD45, were mainly observed in precursor neoplasms and in T-cell neoplasms. Detection of altered expression of common antigens, and in particular a L/N ratio for CD45 lower than a value of 103% may be useful as a confirmation of pseudo-clonality thus helping in differentiating reactive and neoplastic lymphocyte expansions.

Urinary gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) as a marker of tubular proteinuria in dogs with canine leishmaniasis, using sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) electrophoresis as a reference method.

In order to assess if urinary γ- glutamyl transferase (GGT) identify tubular proteinuria in leishmaniotic dogs, the GGT/urinary creatinine (UC) ratio was calculated in 39 leishmaniotic dogs. According to sodium dodecylsulphate-agarose gel electrophoresis, the dogs had albuminuria (A, n = 10), glomerular (G, n = 3), tubular (T, n = 4) or mixed proteinuria (M, n = 22). The median GGT/UC ratio was 0.3, 0.3, 2.2, and 7.5, in groups G, A, M, and T, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found between groups G and M (P = 0.002), G and T (P <0.001), A and M (P <0.001), and A and T (P <0.001). Median values were higher in dogs with tubular components of proteinuria (M/T, 2.5) than in dogs without tubular components of proteinuria (A/G, 0.3), and in dogs with tubular proteinuria (T, 7.5) than in dogs with non-tubular proteinuria (NT, 1.0). GGT/UC values >0.81 or >2.64 could identify dogs in the M/T or T groups, respectively. Therefore, GGT/UC might be useful for the management of leishmaniotic dogs.

Development and evaluation of different complex media for phytoplasma isolation and growth.

The focus of this research was the development and evaluation of different complex liquid and solid media for the isolation and growth of phytoplasma strains infecting grapevine plants. Previously reported media supporting phytoplasma isolation are commercial and not easy to modify in order to improve performance and selectivity towards obtaining pure cultures of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma' species. Three media (Piv®, CB and MB) were therefore evaluated for phytoplasma isolation and colony formation under microaerophilic growing conditions, using grapevine canes from plants showing yellows symptoms, and infected by "flavescence dorée", "bois noir" and aster yellows phytoplasmas as sources. The newly developed methodology was applied for two years at three sample collection times. Broad applicability and a good repeatability in supporting phytoplasma colony formation were obtained in Pivs® and CBs media. While the MB medium did not support phytoplasma isolation and growth, the CB media support a phytoplasma growth comparable to the one obtained in the previously reported media. This medium has the advantage of a formulation that allow its modification to implement specificity towards selective phytoplasma growth. Moreover preliminary trials on serial dilutions and tetracycline addition confirmed some phytoplasma growth behaviours.

Preliminary Investigation of Cardiovascular-Renal Disorders in Dogs with Chronic Mitral Valve Disease.

BACKGROUND: Veterinary literature lacks data about cardiovascular-renal disorders (CvRD) and cardiorenal-anemia syndrome (CRAS) in dogs. HYPOTHESIS: A direct correlation exists between ACVIM class and IRIS stage; chronic kidney disease (CKD) complicates chronic mitral valve disease (CMVD) more often than does anemia in dogs. ANIMALS: One hundred and fifty-eight client-owned dogs with CMVD. METHODS: Signalment, physical examination findings, electrocardiography, thoracic radiographs, echocardiography, and blood analysis were retrospectively evaluated to assess the prevalence of CKD and anemia in dogs with CMVD and to investigate the relationships among ACVIM class, IRIS stage, and survival. RESULTS: The prevalence of CKD and anemia in dogs with CMVD was significantly higher than in the general population of dogs. Dogs being treated for heart failure had a significantly higher prevalence of CKD than did dogs that had not received treatment. A statistically significant direct correlation was found between ACVIM class and IRIS stage. Severe heart disease, severe renal disease or both, furosemide administration, and advanced age at diagnosis of heart disease were associated with shorter survival time. Survival time of dogs affected by CvRD was statistically shorter than survival time of dogs affected by CMVD alone. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Chronic mitral valve disease is associated with increased prevalence of CKD and anemia in dogs. Treatment for medical management of heart failure may play a role in inducing CKD. Class of heart disease and IRIS stage were directly correlated. Cardiovascular-renal disorders decrease survival time compared to the only presence of CMVD alone, whereas anemia does not play a central role in worsening heart function.

Preliminary studies of serum acute-phase protein concentrations in hematologic and neoplastic diseases of the dog.

Serum concentrations of acute-phase proteins (APPs): haptoglobin (Hp), ceruloplasmin (Cp), serum amyloid A (SAA), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined in healthy dogs (n = 15) and dogs with different diseases grouped as acute inflammation (I, n = 12), hematologic neoplasias (HT, including leukemia and lymphoma, n = 16), nonhematologic neoplasias (NHT, including epithelial, mesenchymal, and mixed, n = 20), and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA, n = 8). SAA and CRP were analyzed using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, and Hp and Cp were measured using colorimetric methods, all previously validated for use in dogs. Increased concentrations of all APPs were observed in all groups of diseased dogs, but statistical significance only was observed with Hp (I, P < .001; HT, P < .05), Cp (I, P < .05; AIHA, P < .01), and CRP (I, P < .001; HT, P < .001; AIHA, CRP P < .05). High variability in individual APPs within each group of diseases was found with no significant differences between leukemia and lymphoma as well as among different types of neoplasia. The AIHA group had smaller increases in Hp, SAA, and CRP but higher concentrations of Cp. When follow-up of individual cases was possible, a decrease in APPs generally was found in cases with favorable outcome. The results of this study suggest that neoplasia and hematologic diseases such as AIHA should be considered as possible causes of mild increases in APPs in dogs. Measurement of APPs may be helpful to assess clinical evolution and monitor treatment of these processes.

First Report of Pear Decline Phytoplasmas on Pear in Serbia.

During August of 2004, pear (Pyrus communis L.) plants with typical symptoms of pear decline (PD) were observed in orchards in central Serbia. The affected plants showed premature reddening and upward rolling of leaves that often showed down-turned petioles. In some cases, premature defoliation was observed. Although a similar decline of pear was observed earlier, until now, the causal agent had not been identified. DNA was extracted with a chloroform/phenol procedure from fresh leaf midribs and branch phloem scrapes of four symptomatic and one asymptomatic pear plants separately. A nested polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR) was used for phytoplasma detection (first PCR round with P1/P7 (4) phytoplasma universal primer pair, followed by nested PCR with group 16SrX specific primers f01/r01) (3). With these primers, the expected products from phloem scrapes and midrib extracts of symptomatic plant samples were obtained. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses of the f01/r01 amplicon, with RsaI and SspI restriction enzymes, discriminating among 16SrX subgroup phytoplasmas, showed profiles corresponding to those of the apple proliferation phytoplasma group, 16SrX-C subgroup, "Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri" (2). A 1,155-bp sequence of 16S rDNA gene for one of the PA2f/r (1) amplicons obtained in nested PCR on P1/P7 products from one of the leaf midrib samples was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. AY949984); both strands of the fragment were sequenced with the Big Dye Terminator reaction kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). The sequences were analyzed with the Chromas 1.55 DNA sequencing software (Technelysium, Queensland, Australia) and aligned with BLAST software ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ). The blast search showed 100% homology of this sequence with that of PD strain Y16392, confirming the identity with PD of the phytoplasma detected. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pear decline phytoplasmas in Serbia. References: (1) M. Heinrich et al. Plant Mol. Biol. Rep. 19:169, 2001. (2) IRPCM Phytoplasma/Spiroplasma Working Team-Phytoplasma Taxonomy Group. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 54:1243, 2004. (3) K.-H. Lorenz et al. Phytopathology 85:771, 1995. (4) Schneider et al. Pages 369-380 in: Molecular and Diagnostic Procedures in Mycoplasmology. Vol I. S. Razin and J. G. Tully, eds. The American Phytopathological Society, 1995.

Changes in serum and urine SAA concentrations and qualitative and quantitative proteinuria in Abyssinian cats with familial amyloidosis: a five-year longitudinal study (2009-2014).

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of familial amyloidosis (FA) in Abyssinian cats usually is made on postmortem examination. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Sequential analysis of serum SAA (sSAA), urinary SAA (uSAA), urinary protein:creatinine (UPC) ratio, or sodium-dodecylsulfate agarose gel electrophoresis (SDS-AGE) may facilitate early identification of cats with FA. ANIMALS: Twenty-three Abyssinian cats belonging to cattery A or B (low and high prevalence of FA, respectively). METHODS: Prospective longitudinal study using 109 blood and 100 urine samples collected over 4-year period every 4 months, if possible, or more frequently in case of illness. Cats that died during study were necropsied. Health status of live cats was checked 5 years after enrollment. Serum amyloid A (sSAA) and urinary SAA (uSAA) were measured using ELISA kit. The UPC ratio and SDS-AGE also was performed. RESULTS: Familial amyloidosis was not identified in cattery A, whereas 7/14 cats from cattery B had FA. Serum amyloid A concentrations were not significantly different between cats in catteries A and B or between cats with or without FA, despite frequent peaks in cats from cattery B. Conversely, uSAA was significantly higher in cattery B, especially in the terminal phases of FA. Proteinuria occasionally was found in cats from both catteries, especially in those with FA. Urine protein electrophoresis identified mixed proteinuria only in cats with FA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Serum amyloid A and UPC ratio are not helpful for early identification of Abyssinian cats with FA. Conversely, increases in uSAA with or without mixed proteinuria may be found before onset of clinical signs in cats with FA.

Endothelin 1 in healthy foals and in foals affected by neonatal diseases.

In newborn babies, endothelin 1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor, increases during septicemia and severe respiratory syndromes. Because equine neonatal sepsis (ENS) and perinatal asphyxia syndrome (PAS) are major causes of morbidity and mortality in newborn foals and because no information on the concentration of ET-1 in healthy and sick foals has been reported yet, the aims of this study were (1) to define the serum concentration of Big ET-1 in healthy neonatal foals during the first week of age; (2) to preliminarily explore the diagnostic and prognostic role of Big ET-1 during ENS and PAS. Six healthy and 23 sick foals affected by ENS and/or PAS were enrolled in the study. In healthy foals, Big ET-1 concentration increased in the first hours of life until 24 hours after birth, and it remained constant during the first 3 days, then gradually decreased becoming significantly lower from Day 4 onward (P < 0.05). In sick foals, only 26.1% of animals showed higher values of Big ET-1 than controls at admission, and no difference between surviving and nonsurviving foals was found. Because in nonsurviving foals, Big ET-1 remained over the maximum value recorded in clinically healthy horses or, when normal at admission, increased over time; this study suggested that repeated measurement of Big ET-1 during hospitalization may be helpful in monitoring the course of the disease. In conclusion, possible prognostic information may be obtained by repeated analysis of Big ET-1 during hospitalization, but further studies are needed.

The effect of inter-laboratory variability on the protein:creatinine (UPC) ratio in canine urine.

Quantification of proteinuria is a fundamental step in staging dogs with chronic kidney disease and in monitoring the course of disease or the efficacy of anti-proteinuric treatments. Analytical precision and accuracy of the proteinuria assessment could be affected by several factors such as biological variability, different operators and quality control materials. The aim of this study was to assess whether inter-laboratory variability could affect the urinary protein to creatinine (UPC) ratio and whether this variability may affect patient classification according to the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) sub-staging system. The same urine samples were analysed in three different laboratories using different instruments and different reagent brands. The results of the three laboratories were highly correlated to each other although urinary protein (UP), urinary creatinine (UC) and the UPC ratio of one laboratory were found to be significantly higher than those of the other two. No significant differences between the other two laboratories were recorded. The concordance in classifying dogs according to the IRIS guidelines was good if all three proteinuria categories were analysed separately or if borderline proteinuric (BP) dogs were included in the proteinuric group, and very good if BP dogs were merged into the non-proteinuric group. The inter-laboratory variability in UPC ratio measurement was not so great as to impede the identification of proteinuric dogs, but may influence the estimation of the magnitude of proteinuria.