Feline large granular lymphocyte lymphoma: An Italian Society of Veterinary Oncology (SIONCOV) retrospective study

Feline large granular lymphocyte (LGL) lymphoma is an uncommon subtype of lymphoma characterized by a grave prognosis and scarce response to chemotherapy. There are limited reports on clinico-pathological and prognostic factors. One-hundred and 9 cats with newly diagnosed LGL lymphoma that underwent initial staging (including hematology, serum biochemistry, thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasound), and followed-up were retrospectively evaluated. LGL lymphoma was localized within the gastrointestinal tract with or without extra-intestinal involvement in 91.7% of the cases, and at extra-gastrointestinal sites in 8.3%. Symptoms were frequent. Anemia (31.2%) and neutrophilia (26.6%) were commonly observed, and 14 (12.8%) cats had neoplastic circulating cells. Frequent biochemistry abnormalities included elevated ALT (39.4%) and hypoalbuminemia (28.4%). Twenty (54.1%) of 37 cats had elevated serum LDH. Treatment varied among cats, and included surgery (11%), chemotherapy (23%), corticosteroids (38.5%) and no treatment (27.5%). Median time to progression (MTTP) was 5 days, and median survival time (MST) 21 days. MST was significantly shorter in the case of substage b, circulating neoplastic cells, lack of chemotherapy administration, and lack of treatment response. A small subset of cats (7.3%) survived more than 6 months, suggesting that a more favorable clinical course can be found among LGL lymphoma patients

Aplicación de PCR-RFLP para subtipificar Campylobacter jejuni PCR-RFLP for Campylobacter jejuni subtyping

Diez cepas de Campylobacter jejuni aisladas de fetos porcinos abortados fueron identificadas por pruebas bioquímicas: 8 como C. jejuni biotipo II de Lior, y 2 como C. jejuni biotipo I. Para poder subtipificarlas se utilizó la técnica de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) para amplificar el gen flaA y al producto obtenido se lo digirió con la enzima de restricción DdeI (RFLP). Se pudieron obtener 6 subtipos a partir de C. jejuni biotipo II, mientras que los dos aislamientos de biotipo I correspondieron a un mismo subtipo. Aunque existe una amplia variedad de técnicas de biología molecular que son aplicadas con fines epidemiológicos para Campylobacter, PCR-RFLP, demostró ser una técnica simple y accesible, capaz de subtipificar a C. jejuni.<br>Ten Campylobacter jejuni isolates, 8 identified as C. jejuni biotype II of Lior and 2 as C. jejuni biotipe I, were recovered from aborted pig fetuses. In order to discriminate among strains, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using DdeI of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of flaA gen was used. C. jejuni biotype II strains could be diferenciated in 6 by PCR-RFLP, and one subtype was obtained from C. jejuni biotype I. Although there is great variability of molecular techniques applied to the Campylobacter epidemiological studies, PCR-RFLP demonstrated to be a simple and accessible technique to discriminate Campylobacter jejuni isolates

Clinicopathological features and outcome for dogs with mast cell tumors and bone marrow involvement

BACKGROUND: Mast cell tumors (MCTs) with bone marrow (BM) involvement are poorly documented in dogs and are associated with a poor prognosis. Successful treatment strategies have not been described. HYPOTHESIS: Clinicopathologic findings of affected dogs are not specific. Administration of lomustine or imatinib is beneficial. ANIMALS: Fourteen dogs with MCT and BM involvement. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory evaluations were performed in each dog on admission and during follow-up. All dogs received prednisone. Additionally, 8 dogs received lomustine and 3 dogs received imatinib. Imatinib was administered if tumor-associated tyrosine kinase KIT was aberrant. RESULTS: On admission, 11 dogs had a single cutaneous nodule and 3 dogs had multiple nodules. Involvement of regional lymph nodes, liver, or spleen was observed in each dog. BM infiltration with mast cells (MCs) was observed in all dogs. On CBC, nonregenerative anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia was common. Four dogs had circulating MCs. Increased alkaline phosphatase or alanine transferase activity was observed in 12 and 10 dogs, respectively. Treatment with lomustine induced partial remission in 1 of 8 dogs. Median survival time was 43 days (range, 14-57). Dogs on imatinib experienced complete remission. Two dogs survived for 117 and 159 days, and the third was alive after 75 days. Dogs treated symptomatically did not improve and were euthanized after 1, 14, and 32 days. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: A combination of clinical and laboratory evaluation helps in identifying dogs with MCT and BM infiltration. Administration of lomustine is not helpful in affected dogs. The beneficial effect of imatinib warrants further investigation

Resistencia a los antimicrobianos en bacterias indicadoras y zoonóticas aisladas de animales domésticos en Argentina Antimicrobial resistance in indicator and zoonotic bacteria isolated from domestic animals in Argentina

Se estudiaron los patrones de resistencia a diversos antimicrobianos en bacterias indicadoras y zoonóticas aisladas de muestras fecales de individuos sanos, sin signología clínica, pertenecientes a los siguientes grupos animales: bovinos, equinos, ovinos, porcinos, gallinas ponedoras y caninos. Los antimicrobianos seleccionados fueron los empleados con mayor frecuencia en medicina veterinaria y humana, y el método de evaluación utilizado fue el de difusión en agar con discos. Los resultados obtenidos a partir de 240 Escherichia coli, 189 Enterococcus spp., 11 Campylobacter spp. y 2 Salmonella Gaminara (16:d:1,7), revelaron un mayor porcentaje de resistencia y multirresistencia en porcinos y aves, esto es, en animales de cría intensiva. El perfil de resistencia observado en los aislamientos de E. coli incluyó a la ampicilina, la estreptomicina, la tetraciclina y el ácido nalidíxico, en coincidencia con los antimicrobianos más utilizados en las explotaciones animales, al igual que lo detectado en Enterococcus spp. respecto a la tetraciclina y la eritromicina. Las cepas de Salmonella Gaminara (16:d:1,7) fueron sensibles a todos los antimicrobianos probados. En Campylobacter spp., si bien el número de aislamientos evaluados fue reducido, se observó una mayor resistencia a tetraciclina y quinolonas. Teniendo en cuenta la falta de datos en nuestro país sobre resistencia a los antimicrobianos en bacterias indicadoras y zoonóticas en animales domésticos, consideramos que la información obtenida podría utilizarse como punto de partida para futuros programas de monitoreo.Antimicrobial resistance profiles in indicator and zoonotic bacteria isolated from faeces of healthy animals without clinical signs of the following species: bovine, equine, ovine, porcine, layer hens, and canine, were studied. The chosen antimicrobials are frequently used in veterinary and human medicine. The agar diffusion was the method used. The obtained results of 240 Escherichia coli, 189 Enterococcus spp., 11 Campylobacter spp. and 2 Salmonella Gaminara (16:d:1,7) showed a greater percentage of resistance and multiresistance in intensive breeding animals, porcines and layer hens. The observed resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline and nalidixic acid in E. coli coincides with the antimicrobials most commonly used on animal farms, the same as tetracycline and erithromycin in Enterococcus spp. The strains of Salmonella Gaminara (16:d:1,7) were susceptible to the antimicrobials tested. In Campylobacter spp. the scarce number of isolates hindered an adequate interpretation of the results. Owing to the lack of data in our country on antimicrobial resistance in indicator and zoonotic bacteria in domestic animals, we consider that the obtained values could be used as a starting point for a future monitoring program

Clinico-pathological features and treatment options for canine mast cell tumor with bone marrow involvement in the imatinib era: disappointment or challenge?

Background: Canine mast cell tumor (MCT) with bone marrow (BM) involvement is scarcely documented and is associated with a poor prognosis. Successful treatment strategies have not been described. Hypothesis: Clinico-pathologic findings of affected dogs are not specific. Administration of lomustine or imatinib mesylate, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is beneficial. Animals: 13 dogs affected by MCT with BM involvement. Methods: Clinical and laboratory evaluations were performed in each dog on admission and during follow-up. Eight dogs received lomustine, 2 imatinib and 3 were treated symptomatically. Imatinib was administered if the tumor-associated tyrosine kinase KIT was aberrant. Results: On admission 10 dogs had a single cutaneous nodule while 3 had multiple nodules. Involvement of regional lymph nodes, liver or spleen was observed in each case. BM infiltration with mast cells was observed in all dogs. On blood work, nonregenerative anemia, leukopenia or thrombocytopenia were common. Four dogs had circulating mast cells. Increased alkaline phosphatase and alanine transferase were observed in 11 and 10 dogs, respectively. Treatment with lomustine induced partial remission in one out of 8 dogs. Median survival time was 43 days (range, 14-57). Both dogs on imatinib experienced complete remission. Survival time was 117 and 159 days, respectively. Dogs treated symptomatically did not improve and were euthanized after 1, 14 and 32 days

Serovariedades de Salmonella enterica subespecie enterica en porcinos de faena y su resistencia a los antimicrobianos Serovars of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica and its antimicrobial resistance in slaughterhouse pigs

Se realizó un estudio para determinar la prevalencia de Salmonella y sus serovariedades en cerdos de faena, para evaluar sus perfiles de resistencia a los antimicrobianos y para conocer la presencia de integrones de clase 1 como posibles reservorios de resistencia. A partir de un total de 386 muestras de porcinos provenientes de cuatro frigoríficos de las provincias de Buenos Aires y de Santa Fe (Argentina), se identificaron 93 (24,1%) cepas de Salmonella enterica subespecie enterica, 52 (55,9%) de contenido cecal y 41 (44,1%) de nódulo linfático ileocecal. Se hallaron 13 serovariedades de S. enterica, las más prevalentes fueron S. Schwarzengrund, S. Heidelberg, S. subespecie I 6,8:e,h:-, S. Derby y S. Bredeney. Se probaron 15 antimicrobianos por el método de dilución en agar: amikacina, gentamicina, ciprofloxacina, cefalotina, cefotaxima, enrofloxacina, fosfomicina, polimixina-B, tetraciclina, cloranfenicol, estreptomicina, trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol, ampicilina, nitrofurantoína y ácido nalidíxico. Según se estableció mediante la determinación de la CIM, el 73% de las cepas de S. enterica subespecie enterica fueron sensibles a todos los antimicrobianos probados. Se observó resistencia a tetraciclina en 24 (25,8%) de las 93 cepas, a cloranfenicol en 22 (23,7%), a estreptomicina en 22 (23,7%) a trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol en 20 (21,5%), a ampicilina en 18 (19,4%), a nitrofurantoína en 3 (3,2%) y a ácido nalidíxico en 3 (3,2%). Algunos aislamientos de S. Typhimurium, S. Heildelberg, S. Derby y S. Orion presentaron multirresistencia y portaban el gen de la integrasa clase 1. Los mayores porcentajes de resistencia correspondieron a los antimicrobianos habitualmente utilizados en veterinaria y en las explotaciones porcinas.A study was carried out in order to determine the prevalence of Salmonella and its serovars among porcine slaughterhouses, to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance profiles and to know the presence of class 1 integrons as possible reservoir of resistance. From a total of 386 samples from four porcine slaughterhouses of Buenos Aires and Santa Fe Provinces (Argentina), 93 (24,1%) Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica strains were identified, 52 (55,9%) from cecal contents and 41 (44,1%) from ileocecal lymph nodes. Thirteen serovars of S. enterica were found, the most prevalent were: S. Schwarzengrund, S. Heidelberg, S. subspecie I 6,8:e,h:-, S. Derby and S. Bredeney. Fifteen antimicrobials by the agar dilution method were tested: amikacin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, cephalotin, cefotaxime, enrofloxacin, fosfomycin, polimixin-B, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin, nitrofurantoin, and nalidixic acid. According to the CIM determination, 73% Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica strains were sensible to all the antimicrobials tested. Antimicrobial resistance was observed to tetracycline in 24 (25,8%) of 93 strains, to chloramphenicol in 22 (23,7%), to streptomycin in 22 (23,7%), to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in 20 (21,5%), to ampicillin in 18 (19,4%), to nitrofurantoin in 3 (3,2%) and to nalidixic acid in 3 (3,2%). Some isolates of S. Typhimurium, S. Heidelberg, S. Derby, S. Orion showed multidrug resistance and carried the class 1 integrase gene. The highest percentage of resistance corresponded to the antimicrobials currently used in veterinary and porcine farms

Antimicrobial resistance and molecular epidemiology of <i>Staphylococcus pseudintermedius</i> strains isolated from dog clinical samples

Twenty-eight strains isolated from dog clinical samples identified as Staphylococcus pseudintermedius by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) were studied to assess antimicrobial sus-ceptibility by the diffusion method and clonal relationship by pulsed field gel electrophoresis(PFGE). Methicillin resistance (3/28 isolates; 10,7 %) was evaluated by mecA PCR. Fifteen strains(53.6 %) were resistant to at least one of the antibiotics tested, and eleven of them (39.3 %)showed multiple resistance (3 or more antimicrobial families). Eleven isolates (39.3 %) wereresistant to erythromycin due to the presence of ribosomal methylase ermB, whereas clindamy-cin inducible resistance was not detected. Twenty-seven (27) clonal types were differentiatedby PFGE, suggesting high clonal diversity. We emphasize that the finding of multiresistant S. pse-dintermedius strains is an emerging problem to be considered in veterinary diagnostic laboratorytreatment of canine infections and in public health settings.Se estudiaron 28 aislamientos obtenidos de muestras clínicas de perros e identificados por espectrometría de masas (MALDI-TOF) como Staphylococcus pseudintermedius; el objetivo fue evaluar la sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos por el método de difusión y establecer la relación clonal entre aislamientos por electroforesis en campo pulsado (PFGE). La resistencia a meticilina se evaluó mediante PCR por amplificación del gen mecA y se observó en 3/28 aislamientos (10,7 %). Quince aislamientos (53,6 %) presentaron resistencia a alguno de los antibióticos ensayados y 11 de ellos (39,3 %) presentaron resistencia múltiple (resistencia a 3 o más familias de antibióticos). Once aislamientos (39,3 %) presentaron resistencia a eritromicina, debido a la presencia de metilasa ribosomal ermB, y no se detectó resistencia inducible a clindamicina. Por PFGE se pudieron diferenciar 27 tipos clonales, lo cual demuestra gran diversidad clonal. Se destaca el hallazgo de aislamientos de S. pseudintermedius multirresistentes como una eventual problemática a considerar en el diagnóstico veterinario de laboratorio, el tratamiento de las infecciones caninas y el ámbito de la salud pública.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria