The neuropeptide PACAP alleviates T. gondii infection-induced neuroinflammation and neuronal impairment

Cerebral infection with the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is responsible for inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS) contributing to subtle neuronal alterations. Albeit essential for brain parasite control, continuous microglia activation and recruitment of peripheral immune cells entail distinct neuronal impairment upon infection-induced neuroinflammation. PACAP is an endogenous neuropeptide known to inhibit inflammation and promote neuronal survival. Since PACAP is actively transported into the CNS, we aimed to assess the impact of PACAP on the T. gondii-induced neuroinflammation and subsequent effects on neuronal homeostasis.Exogenous PACAP was administered intraperitoneally in the chronic stage of T. gondii infection, and brains were isolated for histopathological analysis and determination of pathogen levels. Immune cells from the brain, blood, and spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the further production of inflammatory mediators was investigated by intracellular protein staining as well as expression levels by RT-qPCR. Neuronal and synaptic alterations were assessed on the transcriptional and protein level, focusing on neurotrophins, neurotrophin-receptors and signature synaptic markers.Here, we reveal that PACAP administration reduced the inflammatory foci and the number of apoptotic cells in the brain parenchyma and restrained the activation of microglia and recruitment of monocytes. The neuropeptide reduced the expression of inflammatory mediators such as IFN-γ, IL-6, iNOS, and IL-1β. Moreover, PACAP diminished IFN-γ production by recruited CD4+ T cells in the CNS. Importantly, PACAP promoted neuronal health via increased expression of the neurotrophin BDNF and reduction of p75NTR, a receptor related to neuronal cell death. In addition, PACAP administration was associated with increased expression of transporters involved in glutamatergic and GABAergic signaling that are particularly affected during cerebral toxoplasmosis.Together, our findings unravel the beneficial effects of exogenous PACAP treatment upon infection-induced neuroinflammation, highlighting the potential implication of neuropeptides to promote neuronal survival and minimize synaptic prejudice

Free skin grafting with autogenous full thickness mesh-graft for treatment of distal limb skin defect in a cat - Case Study

SUMMARY Background: Skin grafting is especially useful in the management of wound involving the distal part of the limb, where local transfer of tissue is impossible. Indications of this surgical technique are skin defects which result from traumatic shearing injuries, surgical resections of large tumours or burn. Skin grafts are categorized according to their host donor relationship and by their thickness. Meshing the graft is an important factor for survival, prevents the accumulation of serum or blood under the graft, and provides more flexibility over uneven surfaces, ensuring that good contact between the graft and the recipient bed is maintained. Materials and Methods: A 6-year-old neutered cat arrived at our clinic with a traumatic injury on the left front limb. After debridement we decided to bandage the leg as long as needed and after to reconstruct the skin with an autogenous mesh graft. We performed the surgery on the 15th day, by then healthy granulation tissue has formed. Full-thickness skin were harvested from the lateral abdominal region, where abundant loose skin was available and the area could be closed primarily. The size of the graft and the direction of hair growth were noted. Before implantation subcutaneous fat was completely removed from the graft with scissors and incisions were made on it (meshing). We applied the graft to the recipient site with interrupted suture pattern using nonabsorbable, monofilament material. After surgery we used a special, two component band-age, which was changed on the fourth day.Results and Discussion: Approximately 90% of the graft remained viable. We saved the limb and despite of toe amputations the cat is able to walk with min-imal lameness. Cosmetic outcome of the surgery is acceptable with minor alterations (hair is longer and lighter in colour). Successful grafting requires asepsis, an adequately prepared recipient bed consisting of healthy granulation tissue, proper harvesting and preparation of the graft, meticulous surgical technique and strict postoperative care

Feline Tooth Resorption - Literature review

SUMMARY The present article is a literature review of Feline Tooth Resorption (TR). Today TR is the most prevalent and most significant feline dental condition. Despite having been described as early as the beginning of the last century, the aetiology of TR remains unknown to this day. In the past, TR was known by the terms as ,Neck Lesion’, ,Cervical-line Lesion’, ,Cervical-line Erosion’, ,Cervical-line Resorption’, ,External Root Resorption’, ,Feline Dental Resorptive Lesion’, Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesion (FORL)’ in an effort to characterise the nature or the location of the condition. The American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) advocates the use of the term Tooth Resorption, as lesions may originate from internal odontic structures instead of the cervical region, and may affect other species but cats. The initially non-painful TR progresses to a severely painful condition. History including increased salivation, halithosis, tongue contortions, recurrent jaw tremors, head shaking, anorexia, exsiccation, weight loss, apa-thy or behavioural changes, may suggest advanced TR and oral pain. Diagnosis is usually based on physical examination, but staging requires radiography. Therapy is aimed to provide a better quality of life and pain control. At an early stage, affected but non-painful teeth are not removed in order to preserve function, but regular monitoring is highly recommended. Painful TR lesions usually indicate extraction, but in a limited number of cases crown amputation with root sparing could be a feasible option. Regardless of the treatment of choice, perioperative analgesia and gentle surgical manipulation are of utmost importance. With the aetiology being unknown, prevention is not possible. Client education is crucial for early detection and therapy of feline TR, and regular dental screening is recommended in all cats

Evaluation of the most important anaerobic bacteria in the pathogenesis of canine periodontitis

SUMMARY Background: The oral hygiene in dogs depends mostly on the quality of con sumed food and plaque removal performed by the owner. In neglected cases severe, irreversible periodontitis with pockets containing anaerobic bacterial flora could evolve in months or years. Objectives: The aim of this study was to isolate Porphyromonas spp. and Prevotella spp. from subgingival samples taken from dogs with moderate to severe clinical periodontal diseases, and the susceptibility testing of these strains, with special regard to pradofloxacin. Materials and Methods: Samples for the study were collected while the dogs were under general anaesthesia. We collected 150 periodontal samples from 59 dogs. The samples were shipped directly to Duo-Bakt Laboratórium, Budapest, Hungary. At Duo-Bakt Laboratórium the samples were inoculated on a Wilkins– Chalgren (incl. 8% sheep blood) plate and on another plate, which included nalidixic acid and colistin. All plates were incubated in an anaerobic environment at 35 °C for 5–7 days, after which all pigmented colonies and the suspected non-pigmented Prevotella spp. colonies were selected. The identification was performed by analysing the morphology of the colonies, pigmentation, and the results of the presumptive tests. Final identification was performed by MALDITOF-mass spectroscopy. Results and Discussion: During the study, 74 Porphyromonas and 2 Prevotella isolates were isolated, identified and transported to Laboklin, Bad Kissingen, Germany for antibacterial susceptibility testing. According to our results, pradofloxacin could be a promising choice in the treatment of periodontitis as in most cases the MIC values were under 0.1 mg/l. Based on our clinical experiences and the MIC values, amoxicillin-clavulanic-acid is still an appropriate antibiotic for the treatment of periodontal diseases in dogs, however, resistant strains to clindamycin and metronidazole were found. These antibacterial susceptibility test results could help veterinarians to create the best protocols for the treatment of periodontitis

Experimental assessment of three electrosurgical tissue-sealing devices in a porcine model

Three electrosurgical tissue-sealing devices (EnSeal ETSDRC-01, LigaSure LS1500 and Thunderbeat TB-0535PC) were compared regarding sealing time (ST), maximum working temperature (WTmax) and the total (MTZ(total)) as well as the collateral microscopic thermal injury zone (MTZ(collat)) using laparoscopic handpieces 5 mm in diameter on four types of tissue (liver, mesentery, cross striated muscle and spleen) in an in vivo porcine model. LigaSure had the lowest mean ST in spleen, mesentery, muscle and liver, followed by Thunderbeat and EnSeal with significant differences between all types of tissues and devices. The significantly lowest mean WTmax was obtained for EnSeal in mesentery, muscle and liver. LigaSure and EnSeal operated at the lowest temperature in spleen without a significant difference between them. Thunderbeat produced significantly higher temperature peaks in all cases. The lowest mean MTZ(total) was caused by LigaSure and EnSeal in spleen, mesentery and muscle without significant differences between them, followed by the significantly higher values of Thunderbeat. Nevertheless, Thunderbeat produced the significantly lowest mean MTZ(total) in the liver. EnSeal produced the lowest mean MTZ(collat) in the liver, followed by LigaSure and Thunderbeat showing significant differences. EnSeal and LigaSure produced the lowest mean MTZ(collat) in the spleen, mesentery and muscle without significant differences between them, followed by the significantly higher values of Thunderbeat. Based on the results of this study, Thunderbeat seems to be more invasive to tissue integrity (even without the activation of the ultrasonic scissor function) than EnSeal or LigaSure, that operate at lower temperatures and were found to cause negligible collateral thermal damage

Effects on intraoperative body temperature in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)and guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)by heating the inhalational gas mixture

SUMMARY Background: Anaesthetic risk is composed of factors that can (e.g. hypothermia) and cannot (e.g. old age) be influenced. The maximal heat loss from a patient occurs in the first stadium of anaesthesia and it is easier to prevent hypothermia than reheat an animal.Objectives: The aim of the authors was to test a fast and effective way to heat the anaesthetic mixture to help to reduce the heat loss from patients. The method needs to be easy, cheap and usable in everyday veterinary practise.Materials and Methods: 20 rabbits and 20 guinea pigs were examined during the study. Surgery was performed on all the animals and age, sex and weight were noted. All animals were anaesthetised using inhalational anaesthesia via a facemask. 10 animals from each group inhaled normal unheated anaesthetic mixture, while 10 animals inhaled heated anaesthetic mixture. To heat the gas, 80 cm of the inhalational breathing tube was immersed in a 40±1 °C heated water chamber. Rectal temperature was measured from each animal every 10 minutes. Results: The rectal temperature of the examined rabbits breathing heated anaesthetic mixture was an average of 1.01°C warmer than those rabbits breathingthe non-heated gas. In guinea pigs this average difference was 0.6 °C.Discussion: The study only examined the first 40 minutes of inhalational anaesthe-sia, since most surgeries are finished after 40 minutes. Due to facemasks being used in many practises, with the whole head of the animal being exposed to the cold anaesthetic mixture, that method of anaesthesia was tested. There are various heating and humidifying products on the market, but all are quite expensive. The technique used here is simple and cheap, and has proved to be an effective way to prevent hypothermia in rabbits and guinea pigs during anaesthesia

Neutering of dogs and cats using LigaSure device

SUMMARY Background: The most common surgical procedures in small animals are neutering surgeries. Electrosurgical tissue-sealing can reduce blood loss, duration of surgery and anaesthesia, and thereby complication rate.objectives: This study was written to introduce a neutering method using LigaSure tissue-sealing device (Medtronic, Boulder, CO). Tissue-sealing by LigaSure is an acknowledged technique which has been used since 1998 in human surgery. It is different from conventional coagulating systems that can cause uncontrollable heat production and tissue carbonization. LigaSure generates structural changes in collagen in tissues treated resulting in safe and permanent sealing of vessel walls. The LigaSure system detects the impedance of tis-sues treated, applies adequate level of energy and also controls time of delivery. An acoustic signal informs the surgeon when the vessel has been sealed and optional manual division is safe. The sealing system has minimal thermal effect on surrounding tissues.Materials and Methods: In this study 68 dogs and cats have been neutered between 2015 and 2017. 30 animals underwent traditional neutering method using ligatures and 38 animals underwent electrosurgical neutering method using LigaSure device with Small Jaw or Impact handpieces. Duration of procedures, intraoperative bleeding and postoperative complication rates have been evaluated in both groups.Results and Discussion: Tissue-sealing was significantly quicker (p<0,0001) than ligating vessels manually. Ovariectomy was 9.70 (18.57, 28.27) minutes shorter in dogs and 5.16 (7.73, 12.89) minutes shorter in cats. Ovariohysterectomy was 14.92 (25.88, 40.80) minutes shorter in dogs and 9.07 (10.83, 19.90) minutes shorter in cats. Castration of male dogs was 3.91 (4.19, 8.10) minutes shorter using LigaSure. None of the patients had noticeable bleeding or postoperative complications

cTTA: A new treatment method for cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs - Part 1.: preoperative planning

SUMMARY The first part of this study presents the preoperative planning for circular Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (cTTA), a novel method for the treatment of canine cranial cruciate ligament rupture. The first section of the present article is a brief summary of the condition and the surgical techniques used. cTTA was developed by Massimo Petazzoni, an Italian veterinary surgeon as a modification of Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA). Both correction techniques are based on the same principle, the planning methods are very similar. To the authors’ knowledge, there are only two studies available on cTTA to date, both of which providing little information on preoperative planning. The authors’ planning method is based on the common tangent and tibial plateau slope techniques (normally used for TTA) with modifications, in order to determine the ideal degree of correction more accurately