Euthyroid Sick Syndrome and Changes in Thyroid Hormones in Dogs with Hemoparasitosis

Background: Hemoparasitoses are extremely important in the clinical routine because they affect a large number of dogs. In spite of the abundance of studies on this topic, hormonal alterations caused by infection with these agents are still poorly known. Therefore, the goal of this work was to assess the serum levels of thyroid hormones of dogs infected with Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) alone, and dogs infected with E. canis and Babesia canis vogeli (B. vogeli) and/or Anaplasma platys (A. platys) before and after treatment with doxycycline chlorohydrate. This study also aimed at checking for presence of euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS) in these animals.Materials, Methods & Results: The concentrations of the thyroid hormones total triiodothyronine (TT3), total tetraiodothyronine (TT4), free tetraiodothyronine (FT4), and canine thyroid-stimulating hormone (cTSH) were assessed by chemiluminescence in 12 dogs. Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was used to confirm diagnoses. The dogs were divided into 2 groups: G1, which comprised animals infected by E. canis alone, and G2, which included animals simultaneously infected by E. canis and B. vogeli and/or A. platys. The serum concentrations of the thyroid hormones were measured at two time points: before (D1) and after (D2) the 28-day treatment with generic doxycycline chlorohydrate (DC) at a dose of 10 mg/kg SID. On D2, another nPCR was carried out to check the efficacy of the treatment. On D2, in both groups, all dogs became negative for E. canis; however, 8 animals remained infected or were reinfected by other hemoparasites. On D1, 4 dogs in G1 exhibited low TT3 in conjunction with low TT4; one of the dogs had increased TT3 alone, and another dog had an increased TT3 accompanied by decreased TT4. In G2, on D1, one dog exhibited high TT3 accompanied by a decreased concentration of TT4; 2 dogs had decreased TT4; 2 dogs had increased TT3; and one dog had both TT3 and TT4 decreased. On D2, with only one exception, the animals in G1 that became negative for all hemoparasites under study exhibited normal serum levels of TT3 and TT4. Three dogs in G1, which were reinfected on D2, sustained decreased TT4 serum concentrations. Whereas, in G1 on D2, only one dog remained with a reduced serum TT4 concentration.Discussion: DC was effective at eliminating infection by E. canis in all dogs on D2. Even though this drug was unable to prevent reinfection of the animals by other hemoparasites, and in spite of divergent results on its efficacy at eliminating babesiosis and anaplasmosis, a clinical improvement was observed in all patients. A decrease in the serum concentrations of thyroid hormones (ESS) may occur in dogs with severe non-thyroid related diseases. Different authors have demonstrated the presence of ESS in dogs with hemoparasitoses; however, this is the first study to provide evidence on the existence of this syndrome in dogs with hemoparasitoses in Brazil, including dogs simultaneously infected by E. canis and B. vogeli and/or A. platys.We observed a reduction in TT3 and/or TT4 in dogs infected by E. canis, B. vogeli, and A. platys. We believe these results may help assessment of prognosis and patient follow-up, as TT4 concentrations returned to normal levels in all dogs that became negative for all hemoparasites after treatment; and only one dog in G1 sustained increased TT3, albeit lower than observed on D1. In animals of G1 that were reinfected after treatment started, TT3 returned to normal, even though TT4 levels remained decreased. In sum, all dogs in G1 and G2 exhibited TT3 and/or TT4 concentrations outside of the reference value ranges on D1, which indicates that alterations in the levels of thyroid hormones were due to infection by the hemoparasites. The animals infected by E. canis alone or simultaneously infected by B. vogeli and/or A. platys exhibited ESS

Avaliação colostral de cabras acometidas por mastite e sua influ~encia nos níveis imunes séricos de cabrito: Jefferson Filgueira Alcindo. -

The objective of this work was in addition to avaluate the occurrence of mastitis in goats in the postpartum period as well as monitor the quality and colostral transfer of immunity to goats that ingested colostrum and milk of goats suffering from mastitis. Colostrum and blood samples were collected immediately after delivery, 24 and 48 hours after delivery / birth. Physical examination of the mammary glands and the macroscopic evaluation of mammary secretions were also performed at these times. The presence of mastitis in this period was low (16.90%), and the most prevalent form was asymptomatic. The coagulase negative staphylococcus (CNS) were present in most isolations performed (11/12). Physical examination of mammary glands revealed no major changes over the periods evaluated, however the test of CMT (California Mastitis Test) was effective for the diagnosis of asymptomatic mastitis in the immediate postpartum period. The somatic cell count was higher in the positive lactocultura animals when compared to those who had a negative result on this test. There was no difference between the concentrations of IgG in whey after calving between animals with and without mastitis, however the levels of lactoferrin and albumin were increased secretions in the positive microbiological examination compared to samples without isolation. The kids fed colostrum and milk of goats with and without mastitis, showed no failure of transfer of immunity, as evidenced by concentrations of IgG found. The other protein fractions evaluated, did not differ between goats fed or not fed colostrum and mastitic milk over the periods evaluatedO objetivo desse trabalho avaliar a ocorrência de mastite em cabras no período pós-parto e monitorar a qualidade colostral e a transferência de imunidade para cabritos que ingeriram colostro e leite de cabras portadoras de mastite. Foram coletadas amostras de secreções lácteas e sangue imediatamente após o parto, bem como às 24 e 48 horas após o parto/nascimento. O exame físico das glândulas mamárias e a avaliação macroscópica das secreções lácteas também foram realizados nesses momentos. A presença de mastite nesse período foi baixa (16,90%), e a forma mais prevalente foi à assintomática. Os Staphylococcus coagulase negativo (SCN) tiveram presentes na maioria dos isolamentos realizados (11/12). O exame físico das glândulas mamárias não revelou grandes alterações ao longo dos momentos avaliados, entretanto o teste de CMT (California Mastitis Test) mostrou-se eficaz para o diagnóstico das mastites assintomáticas no período pós-parto imediato. A contagem de células somáticas foi maior nos animais positivos à lactocultura quando comparados àqueles que tiveram resultado negativo à esse teste. Não houve diferença entre as concentrações de IgG no soro lácteo logo após a parição entre os animais com e sem mastite, entretanto os teores de lactoferrina e albumina estiveram aumentados nas secreções positivas no exame microbiológico em comparação às amostras sem isolamento. Os cabritos alimentados por colostro e leite de cabras, com e sem mastite, não apresentaram falha de transferência de imunidade. As demais frações proteicas avaliadas, não diferiram entre os cabritos alimentados com colostro e leite de cabras com e sem mastite ao longo do experimento

Physical, laboratory, and microbiological parameters of mammary gland secretions in postpartum does

Mastitis is a multifactorial disease whose prevalence is affected by the type of pathogenic agent involved, the constitution of the animal, and environmental conditions. This study evaluated the physical and laboratory characteristics of colostrum from dairy goats in the postpartum period, and the physical characteristics of the mammary glands in the same period. Of the 71 mammary glands evaluated, 12 were positive for bacterial isolates and the most frequent pathogenic agents were coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) (n = 11). Median somatic cell counts (SCC) in animals positive for bacterial isolates were greater than in animals without bacterial isolates at parturition (696.0 vs. 256.0 x 103 mL –1) and 48 h postpartum (1,350 vs. 437.0 x 103 mL-1). In addition, 34 samples were positive for the California Mastitis Test (CMT; score >1+), indicating a positive relationship between this test and bacterial isolation. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were the most prevalent pathogenic agents, resulting in increase in SCC. Postpartum changes in mammary secretions were not good predictors of bacterial mastitis. Physical examination of mammary glands did not reveal significant changes for the diagnosis of mastitis in the postpartum period

Bispectral index assessment in calves subjected to the continuous infusion of propofol combined with fentanyl administration

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the bispectral index (BIS) effects in calves through continuous infusion of propofol with or without fentanyl. Eight Holstein male calves (ages from six to twelve months old) with an average weight of 123±18kg were used. All animals participated in both groups, always keeping a minimum interval of one week between the anesthetic procedures; the calves were randomly distributed between groups. Anesthesia was induced with an intravenous (IV) dose of propofol of 5mg kg-1 in control group (GP) or with propofol (4mg kg-1) associated with IV fentanyl 0.001mg kg-1(GF). All the calves were positioned in right lateral recumbency and were allowed to spontaneously breathe room air. Subsequently, the anesthesia was maintained by continuous infusion of propofol at the rate of 0.6mg kg-1 min-1 IV in GP, and associated with the infusion of fentanyl 0.001mg kg-1 hour-1 in GF. Measurements of BIS, signal quality index (SQI) and electromyography (EMG) were evaluated before anesthesia induction (TB), and at 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after the beginning of continuous drugs infusion (T15, T30, T45 and T60, respectively). The heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (f), end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (ETCO2) and recovery times were evaluated as well. No significant differences were observed between the groups in the BIS variables and the recovery time was longer in GF. Co-administration of propofol and fentanyl infusions, at the doses reported here, did not change the values of BIS in cattle, but delayed the recovery time

Euthyroid Sick Syndrome and Changes in Thyroid Hormones in Dogs with Hemoparasitosis

Background: Hemoparasitoses are extremely important in the clinical routine because they affect a large number of dogs. In spite of the abundance of studies on this topic, hormonal alterations caused by infection with these agents are still poorly known. Therefore, the goal of this work was to assess the serum levels of thyroid hormones of dogs infected with Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) alone, and dogs infected with E. canis and Babesia canis vogeli (B. vogeli) and/or Anaplasma platys (A. platys) before and after treatment with doxycycline chlorohydrate. This study also aimed at checking for presence of euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS) in these animals.Materials, Methods & Results: The concentrations of the thyroid hormones total triiodothyronine (TT3), total tetraiodothyronine (TT4), free tetraiodothyronine (FT4), and canine thyroid-stimulating hormone (cTSH) were assessed by chemiluminescence in 12 dogs. Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was used to confirm diagnoses. The dogs were divided into 2 groups: G1, which comprised animals infected by E. canis alone, and G2, which included animals simultaneously infected by E. canis and B. vogeli and/or A. platys. The serum concentrations of the thyroid hormones were measured at two time points: before (D1) and after (D2) the 28-day treatment with generic doxycycline chlorohydrate (DC) at a dose of 10 mg/kg SID. On D2, another nPCR was carried out to check the efficacy of the treatment. On D2, in both groups, all dogs became negative for E. canis; however, 8 animals remained infected or were reinfected by other hemoparasites. On D1, 4 dogs in G1 exhibited low TT3 in conjunction with low TT4; one of the dogs had increased TT3 alone, and another dog had an increased TT3 accompanied by decreased TT4. In G2, on D1, one dog exhibited high TT3 accompanied by a decreased concentration of TT4; 2 dogs had decreased TT4; 2 dogs had increased TT3; and one dog had both TT3 and TT4 decreased. On D2, with only one exception, the animals in G1 that became negative for all hemoparasites under study exhibited normal serum levels of TT3 and TT4. Three dogs in G1, which were reinfected on D2, sustained decreased TT4 serum concentrations. Whereas, in G1 on D2, only one dog remained with a reduced serum TT4 concentration.Discussion: DC was effective at eliminating infection by E. canis in all dogs on D2. Even though this drug was unable to prevent reinfection of the animals by other hemoparasites, and in spite of divergent results on its efficacy at eliminating babesiosis and anaplasmosis, a clinical improvement was observed in all patients. A decrease in the serum concentrations of thyroid hormones (ESS) may occur in dogs with severe non-thyroid related diseases. Different authors have demonstrated the presence of ESS in dogs with hemoparasitoses; however, this is the first study to provide evidence on the existence of this syndrome in dogs with hemoparasitoses in Brazil, including dogs simultaneously infected by E. canis and B. vogeli and/or A. platys.We observed a reduction in TT3 and/or TT4 in dogs infected by E. canis, B. vogeli, and A. platys. We believe these results may help assessment of prognosis and patient follow-up, as TT4 concentrations returned to normal levels in all dogs that became negative for all hemoparasites after treatment; and only one dog in G1 sustained increased TT3, albeit lower than observed on D1. In animals of G1 that were reinfected after treatment started, TT3 returned to normal, even though TT4 levels remained decreased. In sum, all dogs in G1 and G2 exhibited TT3 and/or TT4 concentrations outside of the reference value ranges on D1, which indicates that alterations in the levels of thyroid hormones were due to infection by the hemoparasites. The animals infected by E. canis alone or simultaneously infected by B. vogeli and/or A. platys exhibited ESS