Angiostrongylus vasorum causing meningitis and detection of parasite larvae in the cerebrospinal fluid of a pug dog

This case report describes the presence of Angiostrongylus vasorum larvae in cerebrospinal fluid in an 11-month-old pug dog and the relative magnetic resonance images compatible with a focal meningitis. Clinical signs were compatible with a cerebellar lesion, and diagnosis was confirmed by parasitological analysis on faecal and endotracheal lavage samples. Treatment with fenbendazole and prednisolone resulted in a complete resolution of the clinical signs in two months time. A vasorum infection should be considered a possible aetiology of intracranial inflammation in dogs

Neuropathological findings in a Staffordshire bull terrier with L-2-Hydroxyglutaric aciduria

L-2-Hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L-2-HGA) is a hereditary neurometabolic disorder reported in human beings and dogs. An 11-month-old Staffordshire bull terrier was suspected to have the disease, on the basis of clinical signs and magnetic resonance imaging findings. L-2-HGA was confirmed by urinary organic analysis and DNA testing and the dog was humanely destroyed. Post-mortem findings consisted only of microscopical lesions in the brain, characterized by marked spongiform changes and predominantly affecting the grey matter of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, cerebellum and brainstem. The spongiform changes were characterized by well-demarcated, clear vacuoles located at perineuronal and perivascular sites. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examination confirmed that the affected cells were astrocytes. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

The diagnostic accuracy of different natriuretic peptides in the investigation of canine cardiac disease

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to validate and determine the accuracy of a new sandwich ELISA for canine N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the discrimination of canine patients with cardiac disease from those with respiratory disease and to determine the effect of confounding variables on NT-proBNP concentrations. METHODS: Validation studies for the new assay were undertaken. Concentrations of N-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) and NT-proBNP in both ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) plasma and serum were estimated in samples from 77 dogs at a laboratory blinded to the clinical status of the patient. The diagnostic accuracy of the each sample type and test was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves. The effect of age, gender and indicators of renal function was evaluated using a multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Concentrations of NT-proBNP in both serum and plasma accurately discriminated dogs with respiratory disease from those with cardiac disease, with an optimum cut-off concentration of 210 pmol/l. NT-proBNP concentrations were unaffected by sample type. Increasing creatinine concentration is associated with increasing concentration of NT-proBNP. Age and gender were not found to have significant effects on natriuretic peptide concentrations in this population. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Canine NT-proBNP appears to be a useful marker of the presence of cardiac disease, although concentrations must be interpreted in the light of the patient's renal function