Canine parvovirus (CPV) phylogeny is associated with disease severity

After its first identification in 1978, canine parvovirus (CPV) has been recognized all around the world as a major threat for canine population health. This ssDNA virus is characterized by a high substitution rate and several genetic and phenotypic variants emerged over time. Overall, the definition of 3 main antigenic variants was established based on specific amino acid markers located in a precise capsid position. However, the detection of several minor variants and incongruence observed between the antigenic classification and phylogeny have posed doubts on the reliability of this scheme. At the same time, CPV heterogeneity has favored the hypothesis of a differential virulence among variants, although no robust and consistent demonstration has been provided yet. The present study rejects the antigenic variant concept and attempts to evaluate the association between CPV strain phylogeny, reconstructed using the whole information contained in the VP2 coding gene, and several clinical and hemato-biochemical parameters, assessed from 34 CPV infected dogs at admission. By using different statistical approaches, the results of the present study show an association between viral phylogeny and host parameters ascribable to immune system, coagulation profile, acute phase response and, more generally, to the overall picture of the animal response. Particularly, a strong and significant phylogenetic signal was proven for neutrophil count and WBC. Therefore, despite the limited sample size, a relation between viral phylogeny and disease severity has been observed for the first time, suggesting that CPV virulence is an inherited trait. The likely existence of clades with different virulence highlights once more the relevance of intensive epidemiological monitoring and research on CPV evolution to better understand the virulence determinants, their epidemiology and develop adequate countermeasures

Codi-strat - an interdisciplinary network geared towards sustainable management of chronic and infective diseases

A collaborative effort of clinicians, infectologists, molecular biologists, pharmacologists, veterinarians, bioinformaticians, management and education specialists is united in order to develop novel strategies of detecting early stages of chronic and infective diseases, their prevention and therapy. CODI-STRAT integrates 15 centers conducting leading–edge research of chronic inflammatory/infective diseases from seven European (five Mediterranean) countries and the USA, with specific aims to: i) establish long-standing partner center cross-disciplinary collaborations for clinical studies and research, ii) provide young investigators with broad and content-driven training and employability and iii) promote scientists up-skilled in genomics, transcriptomics, tissue expression, human serological and genetic studies, bioinformatics, chip technology, cell cultures and animal models, all directed toward clinical translation and chronic/infective disease management. This manuscript outlines the goals, partner roles and development of CODI-STRAT and its programme.peer-reviewe

Acute febrile illness is associated with Rickettsia spp infection in dogs

BACKGROUND: Rickettsia conorii is transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks and causes Mediterranean Spotted Fever (MSF) in humans. Although dogs are considered the natural host of the vector, the clinical and epidemiological significance of R. conorii infection in dogs remains unclear. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate whether Rickettsia infection causes febrile illness in dogs living in areas endemic for human MSF. METHODS: Dogs from southern Italy with acute fever (n = 99) were compared with case–control dogs with normal body temperatures (n = 72). Serology and real-time PCR were performed for Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum/A. platys and Leishmania infantum. Conventional PCR was performed for Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. Acute and convalescent antibodies to R. conorii, E. canis and A. phagocytophilum were determined. RESULTS: The seroprevalence rates at first visit for R. conorii, E. canis, A. phagocytophilum and L. infantum were 44.8%, 48.5%, 37.8% and 17.6%, respectively. The seroconversion rates for R. conorii, E. canis and A. phagocytophilum were 20.7%, 14.3% and 8.8%, respectively. The molecular positive rates at first visit for Rickettsia spp., E. canis, A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, L. infantum, Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. were 1.8%, 4.1%, 0%, 2.3%, 11.1%, 2.3% and 0.6%, respectively. Positive PCR for E. canis (7%), Rickettsia spp. (3%), Babesia spp. (4.0%) and Hepatozoon spp. (1.0%) were found only in febrile dogs. The DNA sequences obtained from Rickettsia and Babesia PCRs positive samples were 100% identical to the R. conorii and Babesia vogeli sequences in GenBank®, respectively. Febrile illness was statistically associated with acute and convalescent positive R. conorii antibodies, seroconversion to R. conorii, E. canis positive PCR, and positivity to any tick pathogen PCRs. Fourteen febrile dogs (31.8%) were diagnosed with Rickettsia spp. infection based on seroconversion and/or PCR while only six afebrile dogs (12.5%) seroconverted (P = 0.0248). The most common clinical findings of dogs with Rickettsia infection diagnosed by seroconversion and/or PCR were fever, myalgia, lameness, elevation of C-reactive protein, thrombocytopenia and hypoalbuminemia. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates acute febrile illness associated with Rickettsia infection in dogs living in endemic areas of human MSF based on seroconversion alone or in combination with PCR

Idade, tabagismo, hipertensão arterial, altura e sexo feminino são determinantes de envelhecimento vascular avaliados pela segunda derivada da fotopletismografia digital

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os fatores de risco cardiovascular (RCV) determinantes dos índices de função arterial obtidos pela segunda derivada da fotopletismografia digital (SDPTG) em uma população de funcionários de uma instituição de ensino privado da cidade de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Foram obtidos dados antropométricos e clínicos, medidas de pressão arterial (PA) com aparelho automático Microlife em 238 indivíduos de 23 a 72 anos (média 40,1 ± 9), 105 mulheres / 133 homens. A SDPTG foi registrada automaticamente pelo dispositivo Dynapulse, com o sensor localizado no 2º dígito da mão direita; da SDPTG obtivemos ondas a, b, c e d na sístole e e na diástole, e foram calculados as relações b/a, d/a e o índice de envelhecimento vascular (AGI) = [(b-c-d-e)/a], respectivamente, marcadores de distensibilidade arterial, intensidade das ondas de reflexão e envelhecimento vascular. A idade vascular (IVS) foi estimada a partir de dados comparativos do AGI obtido e valores de uma população normal. Os indivíduos foram considerados com índices vasculares piores, se tivessem valores superiores à média mais o desvio padrão. Hipertensão arterial (HA) foi definida como PA>140x90mmHg ao exame ou referida pelo paciente. RESULTADOS: Na análise de regressão logística, a possibilidade de AGI elevado relacionou-se positiva e independentemente com idade > 50anos (Odds Ratio-OR = 17,24), tabagismo (O.R. = 3,82) e sexo feminino (O.R. = 6,05); menor relação b/a com idade > 50 anos (O.R. = 6,37), enquanto a relação d/a relacionou-se com sexo feminino (O.R. = 3,90). A maior IVS relaciona-se à idade (OR = 8,85), sexo feminino (OR= 4,0) e HAS (OR = 2,42). A análise multivariada mostrou que altura se relaciona com AGI (Mean Square – MS = 0,701) e D/A (MS = 0,279), enquanto que este último parâmetro também é influenciado pela PA diastólica (MS = 0,168) e PA média. CONCLUSÕES: Os índices vasculares obtidos pela SDPTG têm influência dos principais fatores de RCV e outros fatores a serem considerados em sua análise. A distensibilidade arterial (b/a) é relacionada à idade enquanto a intensidade da reflexão das ondas de pulso (d/a) tem influência do sexo feminino, altura e PA. O envelhecimento vascular sofre influências da HA, do tabagismo, idade e altura.Objectives: To evaluate the cardiovascular risk (CR) determinants of the arterial function indices obtained by the second derivative photopletysmogram (SDPTG) in a agent population from a private teaching institution of São Paulo. Methods: antropometric and clinical data, arterial pressure (AP) by na automatic device Microlife were obtained from 238 individuals from 28 to 72 years (mean 40,1 ± 9), 105 women / 133 men. The SDPTG was automatically registered by the Dynapulse device through its sensor placed on the 2nd finger of the right hand; from SDPTG were obtained the a, b, c and e waves during the systole and the e wave during diastole and were calculated the b/a, d/a and the aging index (AGI) = [(b-c-d-e)/a], respectively, markers of arterial distensibility, wave reflection intensity and vascular aging. The vascular age (IVS) was estimated from comparison of the AGI data obtained and values of a normal population. The individuals were considered as worse vascular indices if their analysed values were higher than mean plus standard deviation. Arterial hypertension (AH) was defined as AP > 140x90mmHg at the examination or referred by the patient. Results: at the logistic regression, the possibility of high AGI was positively and independently related to age > 50 years (Odds Ratio-OR = 17,24), tabagism (O.R. = 3,82) and feminine sex (O.R. = 6,05); low b/a relation with age> 50 years (O.R. = 6,37), while high d/a was related to feminine sex (O.R. = 3,90). Higher IVS was related to age (OR = 8,85), feminine sex (OR = 4,0), and AH (OR = 2,42). At multivariate analysis, height was related to AGI (Mean Square – MS = 0,701) and D/A (MS = 0,279), while this last parameter was also influenced by diastolic AP (MS = 0,168) and mean AP. Conclusions: the vascular indices obtained by SDPTG are influenced by main CR and other factors to be considered at their analysis. The arterial distensibility (b/a) is related to age, while the intensity of pulse wave reflection to feminine Sex, height and AP. Vascular aging is influenced by AH, tabagism and height

Detection of Leishmania infantum DNA mainly in Rhipicephalus sanguineus male ticks removed from dogs living in endemic areas of canine leishmaniosis

Background: Sand flies are the only biologically adapted vectors of Leishmania parasites, however, a possible role in the transmission of Leishmania has been proposed for other hematophagous ectoparasites such as ticks. In order to evaluate natural infection by Leishmania infantum in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks, taking into account its close association with dogs, 128 adult R. sanguineus ticks removed from 41 dogs living in endemic areas of canine leishmaniosis were studied. Methods: Individual DNA extraction was performed from each tick and whole blood taken from dogs. Dog sera were tested for IgG antibodies to L. infantum antigen by ELISA and L. infantum real-time PCR was performed from canine whole blood samples and ticks. Results: Leishmania infantum PCR was positive in 13 ticks (10.1%) including one female, (2.0%) and 12 males (15.2%), and in only five dogs (12.2%). Male ticks had a significantly higher infection rate when compared to female R. sanguineus. The percentage of L. infantum seroreactive dogs was 19.5%. All but two PCR positive dogs were seroreactive. Leishmania infantum PCR positive ticks were removed from seropositive and seronegative dogs with a variety of PCR results. Conclusions: This study demonstrates high prevalence of L. infantum DNA in R. sanguineus ticks removed from L. infantum seropositive and seronegative dogs. The presence of L. infantum DNA was detected mainly in male ticks possibly due to their ability to move between canine hosts and feed on several canine hosts during the adult life stage. Additional studies are needed to further explore the role of R. sanguineus ticks and in particular, male adults, in both the epidemiology and immunology of L. infantum infection in dogs in endemic areas

Effect of clinical signs, endocrinopathies, timing of surgery, hyperlipidemia, and hyperbilirubinemia on outcome in dogs with gallbladder mucocele

Gallbladder mucocele (GBM) is a common extra-hepatic biliary syndrome in dogs with death rates ranging from 7 to 45%. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the association of survival with variables that could be utilized to improve clinical decisions. A total of 1194 dogs with a gross and histopathological diagnosis of GBM were included from 41 veterinary referral hospitals in this retrospective study. Dogs with GBM that demonstrated abnormal clinical signs had significantly greater odds of death than subclinical dogs in a univariable analysis (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 2.14–8.23; P < 0.001). The multivariable model indicated that categorical variables including owner recognition of jaundice (OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.19–3.77; P = 0.011), concurrent hyperadrenocorticism (OR 1.94; 95% CI, 1.08–3.47; P = 0.026), and Pomeranian breed (OR, 2.46; 95% CI 1.10–5.50; P = 0.029) were associated with increased odds of death, and vomiting was associated with decreased odds of death (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.30–0.72; P=0.001). Continuous variables in the multivariable model, total serum/plasma bilirubin concentration (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01– 1.04; P < 0.001) and age (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.08–1.26; P < 0.001), were associated with increased odds of death. The clinical utility of total serum/plasma bilirubin concentration as a biomarker to predict death was poor with a sensitivity of 0.61 (95% CI, 0.54–0.69) and a specificity of 0.63 (95% CI, 0.59–0.66). This study identified several prognostic variables in dogs with GBM including total serum/plasma bilirubin concentration, age, clinical signs, concurrent hyperadrenocorticism, and the Pomeranian breed. The presence of hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus did not impact outcome in this study