Correlating Gastrointestinal Histopathologic Changes to Clinical Disease Activity in Dogs With Idiopathic Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Prior studies have failed to detect a convincing association between histologic lesions of inflammation and clinical activity in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We hypothesized that use of a simplified histopathologic scoring system would improve the consistency of interpretation among pathologists when describing histologic lesions of gastrointestinal inflammation. Our aim was to evaluate the correlation of histopathologic changes to clinical activity in dogs with IBD using this new system. Forty-two dogs with IBD and 19 healthy control dogs were enrolled in this retrospective study. Endoscopic biopsies from the stomach, duodenum, ileum, and colon were independently scored by 8 pathologists. Clinical disease activity was scored using the Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index (CIBDAI) or the Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index (CCECAI), depending on the individual study center. Summative histopathological scores and clinical activity were calculated for each tissue (stomach, duodenum, ileum, and colon) and each tissue histologic score (inflammatory/morphologic feature). The correlation between CCECAI/CIBDAI and summative histopathologic score was significant (P < .05) for duodenum (r = 0.42) and colon (r = 0.33). In evaluating the relationship between histopathologic scores and clinical activity, significant (P < .05) correlations were observed for crypt dilation (r = 0.42), lamina propria (LP) lymphocytes (r = 0.40), LP neutrophils (r = 0.45), mucosal fibrosis (r = 0.47), lacteal dilation (r = 0.39), and villus stunting (r = 0.43). Compared to earlier grading schemes, the simplified scoring system shows improved utility in correlating histopathologic features (both summative histology scores and select histologic scores) to IBD clinical activity

Evaluating implementation of a fire-prevention injury prevention briefing in children's centres: cluster randomised controlled trial

Background: Many developed countries have high mortality rates for fire-related deaths in children aged 0–14 years with steep social gradients. Evidence-based interventions to promote fire safety practices exist, but the impact of implementing a range of these interventions in children’s services has not been assessed. We developed an Injury Prevention Briefing (IPB), which brought together evidence about effective fire safety interventions and good practice in delivering interventions; plus training and facilitation to support its use and evaluated its implementation. Methods: We conducted a cluster randomised controlled trial, with integrated qualitative and cost-effectiveness nested studies, across four study sites in England involving children’s centres in disadvantaged areas; participants were staff and families attending those centres. Centres were stratified by study site and randomised within strata to one of three arms: IPB plus facilitation (IPB+), IPB only, usual care. IPB+ centres received initial training and facilitation at months 1, 3, and 8. Baseline data from children’s centres were collected between August 2011 and January 2012 and follow-up data were collected between June 2012 and June 2013. Parent baseline data were collected between January 2012 and May 2012 and follow-up data between May 2013 and September 2013. Data comprised baseline and 12 month parent- and staff-completed questionnaires, facilitation contact data, activity logs and staff interviews. The primary outcome was whether families had a plan for escaping from a house fire. Treatment arms were compared using multilevel models to account for clustering by children’s centre. Results: 1112 parents at 36 children’s centres participated. There was no significant effect of the intervention on families’ possession of plans for escaping from a house fire (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) IPB only vs. usual care: 0.93, 95%CI 0.58, 1.49; AOR IPB+ vs. usual care 1.41, 95%CI 0.91, 2.20). However, significantly more families in the intervention arms reported more behaviours for escaping from house fires (AOR IPB only vs. usual care: 2.56, 95%CI 01.38, 4.76; AOR IPB+ vs. usual care 1.78, 95%CI 1.01, 3.15). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that children’s centres can deliver an injury prevention intervention to families in disadvantaged communities and achieve changes in home safety behaviours

Neurologic complications after melarsomine dihydrochloride treatment for Dirofilaria immitis in three dogs.

Melarsomine dihydrochloride is highly effective against both sexes of adult and L5 Dirofilaria immitis. Common adverse reactions include injection site irritation and reluctance to move. Neurologic complications associated with i.m. injection of melarsomine dihydrochloride for treatment of heartworm disease in 3 dogs are described. Different degrees of neurologic complications have been identified; the pathophysiologic features are unknown. It is speculated that the compound migrates out of the injection site via fascial planes and causes an ascending inflammation along nerve roots. The resulting extradural cord compression secondary to extensive inflammation and necrosis of epidural fat could induce a variety of neurologic deficits. Alternatively, inappropriate injection technique may result in direct contact of melarsomine with neural tissue. A heightened awareness of proper injection technique might prevent the development of most neurologic complications

Novel Poxvirus in Proliferative Lesions of Wild Rodents in East Central Texas, USA

Northern pygmy mice from 2 localities in East Central Texas, USA, had proliferative epidermal lesions on the tail and feet. Electron microscopy of lesion tissue revealed poxvirus. Phylogenetic analyses indicated the virus differed 35% from its closest relatives, the Chordopoxvirinae. Future research is needed to determine whether this virus could affect human health

Correlating Gastrointestinal Histopathologic Changes to Clinical Disease Activity in Dogs With Idiopathic Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Prior studies have failed to detect a convincing association between histologic lesions of inflammation and clinical activity in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We hypothesized that use of a simplified histopathologic scoring system would improve the consistency of interpretation among pathologists when describing histologic lesions of gastrointestinal inflammation. Our aim was to evaluate the correlation of histopathologic changes to clinical activity in dogs with IBD using this new system. Forty-two dogs with IBD and 19 healthy control dogs were enrolled in this retrospective study. Endoscopic biopsies from the stomach, duodenum, ileum, and colon were independently scored by 8 pathologists. Clinical disease activity was scored using the Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index (CIBDAI) or the Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index (CCECAI), depending on the individual study center. Summative histopathological scores and clinical activity were calculated for each tissue (stomach, duodenum, ileum, and colon) and each tissue histologic score (inflammatory/morphologic feature). The correlation between CCECAI/CIBDAI and summative histopathologic score was significant (P < .05) for duodenum (r = 0.42) and colon (r = 0.33). In evaluating the relationship between histopathologic scores and clinical activity, significant (P < .05) correlations were observed for crypt dilation (r = 0.42), lamina propria (LP) lymphocytes (r = 0.40), LP neutrophils (r = 0.45), mucosal fibrosis (r = 0.47), lacteal dilation (r = 0.39), and villus stunting (r = 0.43). Compared to earlier grading schemes, the simplified scoring system shows improved utility in correlating histopathologic features (both summative histology scores and select histologic scores) to IBD clinical activity.This is a manuscript of an article published as Allenspach, Karin A., Jonathan P. Mochel, Yingzhou Du, Simon L. Priestnall, Frances Moore, Michael Slayter, Aline Rodrigues et al. "Correlating gastrointestinal histopathologic changes to clinical disease activity in dogs with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease." Veterinary Pathology 56, no. 3 (2019): 435-443. DOI: 10.1177/0300985818813090. Copyright 2018 The Author(s). Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications