327 research outputs found
Effects of arginine and ornithine supplementation to a high‐protein diet on selected cellular immune variables in adult cats
Background:
Dietary protein and amino acid intake and composition can modulate immune function.
Objectives:
To evaluate the effects of high‐protein intake and arginine and ornithine supplementation on feline immune cells.
Animals:
Ten healthy cats.
Methods:
Experimental study. Cats received a high‐protein basal diet as a single daily meal. A crossover design was applied with treatments being basal diet (w/o); basal diet with arginine supplementation (+50, 75, 100% compared to the arginine provision by the basal diet; Arg 1‐3); and basal diet with ornithine supplementation (+100, 150, 200% compared to the arginine provision by the basal diet; Orn 1‐3). Blood samples were collected at the end of each 11‐day treatment period.
Results:
Mitogen‐stimulated proliferative activity of blood leukocytes revealed a quadratic effect for the dietary supplementation of arginine (P = .02) and ornithine (P = .03) (means for ConA‐stimulation: w/o = 6.96; Arg 1 = 9.31; Arg 2 = 11.4; Arg 3 = 8.04; Orn 1 = 15.4; Orn 2 = 9.43; Orn 3 = 9.28; pooled SEM: 0.96). The number (% gated) of phagocytic granulocytes linearly decreased with increasing dietary concentrations of arginine (P = .05) and ornithine (P = .03) (means: w/o = 95.5; Arg 1 = 93.0; Arg 2 = 92.5; Arg 3 = 92.6; Orn 1 = 92.6; Orn 2 = 92.6; Orn 3 = 91.5; pooled SEM = 0.44).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance:
This study could demonstrate immunomodulating properties of dietary arginine and ornithine in cats
Successful Treatment of Pneumothorax in a Dog With Sterile Pleural Fibrosis Caused by Chylothorax
A 2-year-old, 12 kg, intact male crossbreed dog was presented with respiratory distress, exercise intolerance, and gagging. Plain thoracic radiographs revealed severe pleural effusion. Although bilateral needle thoracocentesis and chest tube placement were performed, no re-expansion of the lung lobes occurred. Pleural effusion was of chylous quality and led to lung entrapment. Computer tomography revealed a highly atrophic and atelectatic right middle lung lobe. The remaining lung lobes were only expanded to ~40%. Visceral pleura and pericardium showed a heterogeneous thickening consistent with pleural fibrosis. Partial pericardiectomy with resection of the middle lung lobe through a right lateral thoracotomy was performed. Ligation of the thoracic duct and ablation of the cisterna chyli was achieved through a single paracostal approach. Histopathology revealed chronic-active proliferative beginning granulomatous pleuritis, fibrotic pericarditis, and partial coagulative necrosis with incomplete granulomatous sequestration in the resected middle lung lobe. Chylothorax resolved after surgical intervention. Active pleural effusion resolved, and lung entrapment changed to trapped lung disease. The remaining lung lobes re-expanded to ~80% over the following 6 days. The dog was discharged 10 days later. Mild to moderate pleural effusion of non-chylic quality was present during the following 4 months. Meloxicam was administered for 4 months because of its anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Fifteen months later, thoracic radiographs revealed full radiologic expansion of the lungs with persistent mild pleural fibrosis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of pneumothorax due pleural fibrosis caused by chylothorax in a dog with an excellent clinical outcome
Clinical evaluation of the QuickVet®/RapidVet® canine dog erythrocyte antigen 1.1 blood-typing test
In transfusion medicine, blood typing is an integral part of pretransfusion
testing. The objective of the current study was the clinical evaluation of an
automated canine cartridge dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 1.1 blood-typing
method (QuickVet/RapidVet) and comparison of the results with a gel column-
based method (ID-Gel Test Canine DEA 1.1). Ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid-
anticoagulated blood samples from 11 healthy and 85 sick dogs were available
for typing. Before blood typing, all samples were tested for agglutination and
hemolysis. All samples were tested once or multiple times with both methods
according to the manufacturer's guidelines. With the gel method, 53 dogs
tested DEA 1.1 positive and 42 dogs DEA 1.1 negative; blood typing was not
possible due to erythrocyte autoagglutination in 1 dog. With the cartridge
test, 53 samples tested DEA 1.1 positive, 34 samples tested DEA 1.1 negative,
and 6 results were inconclusive (3 samples were not included due to
autoagglutination or severe hemolysis). Without taking the inconclusive
samples into account, the agreement between both methods was 96.5%. The
sensitivity and specificity for samples that were definitively typed by both
methods were 100% and 91.9%, respectively. The cartridge test was suitable for
in-clinic canine DEA 1.1 blood typing, although some discrepancies compared to
the gel method existed. The cartridge test is software-directed, is easy to
use, and does not require user interpretation, but preanalytical guidelines
(sample evaluation for agglutination and hemolysis) have to be followed. For
inconclusive results, an alternate blood-typing method should be performed
Measurement of β-hydroxybutyrate in cats with nonketotic diabetes mellitus, diabetic ketosis, and diabetic ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of diabetes
mellitus (DM). The standard method of detection of ketone bodies is the
dipstick method, which detects semiquantitatively acetoacetate, but not
β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB). The objectives of the current study were to assess
the diagnostic utility of β-HB to diagnose diabetic ketosis (DK) and DKA in
cats and to establish a cut-off value for the diagnosis of DKA. Sixty-two cats
were included in the study. Eleven cats were healthy (group 1); in the
remainder of cats (51), a diagnosis of DM was based on hyperglycemia,
glucosuria, and increased fructosamine concentrations. Nineteen of 51 cats
suffered from nonketotic diabetes mellitus (group 2). In 11 cats, plasma
ketone bodies were detected with the dipstick method (diabetic ketosis, group
3). In 21 cats, plasma ketone bodies and metabolic acidosis were present (DKA,
group 4). Plasma β-HB was measured in all cats by an enzymatic method
(spectrophotometry). A cut-off value for the diagnosis of DKA was calculated
based on the receiver operating characteristic curve. In healthy cats, the
β-HB concentration ranged from 0 to 0.1 mmol/l; in cats of group 2, from 0 to
0.9 mmol/l (median: 0.1 mmol/l); in cats of group 3, from 0.6 to 6.8 mmol/l
(median: 1.7 mmol/l); and in cats of group 4, from 3.8 to 12.2 mmol/l (median:
7.9 mmol/l). A cut-off value of 2.4 mmol/l revealed 100% sensitivity and 87%
specificity to diagnose DKA. Beta-hydroxybutyrate is a useful parameter for
the diagnosis of diabetic ketosis and DKA in cats
C-reactive protein concentrations in serum of dogs with naturally occurring renal disease
The current study was undertaken to investigate the relation between serum
C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and parameters of renal function in
dogs with naturally occurring renal disease. Dogs were assigned to groups
according to plasma creatinine concentration, urinary protein-to-creatinine
ratio (UP/UC), and exogenous plasma creatinine clearance (P-Cl(Cr)) rates.
Group A (healthy control dogs; n = 8): non-azotemic (plasma creatinine <125
µmol/l) and nonproteinuric (UP/UC 90 ml/min/m(2);
group B (n = 11): non-azotemic, nonproteinuric dogs with reduced P-Cl(Cr)
rates (50-89 ml/min/m(2)); group C (n = 7): azotemic, borderline proteinuric
dogs (P-Cl(Cr) rates: 22-67 ml/min/m(2)); and group D (n = 6): uremic,
proteinuric dogs (not tested for P-Cl(Cr)). The serum CRP concentrations were
measured via commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The CRP
concentrations in the clinically healthy dogs (group A) ranged from 2.09 mg/l
to 8.60 mg/l (median: 3.21 mg/l). In comparison with dogs of group A, median
CRP concentrations were significantly (P < 0.01) elevated in dogs of group B
(17.6 mg/l, range: 17.0-19.2 mg/l), group C (24.8 mg/l, range: 18.0-32.5
mg/l), and group D (59.7 mg/l, range: 17.7-123 mg/l). Serum CRP was
significantly related to P-Cl(Cr) (r = -0.83; P < 0.001), plasma creatinine (r
= 0.81; P < 0.001), UP/UC (r = 0.70; P < 0.001), and leukocytes (r = 0.49; P <
0.01). The significant relations between serum CRP concentrations and
biochemical parameters of kidney function in plasma and urine suggest that a
stimulation of the acute phase response is implicated in the pathogenesis of
canine renal disease
Retrospective evaluation of vector-borne pathogens in cats living in Germany (2012-2020)
Background:Blood-feeding arthropods can transmit parasitic, bacterial, or viral pathogens to domestic animals and wildlife. Vector-borne infections are gaining significance because of increasing travel and import of pets from abroad as well as the changing climate in Europe. The main objective of this study was to assess the percentage of cats with positive test results for selected vector-borne pathogens in Germany and explore any possible association of such results with time spent abroad.
Methods: This retrospective study included test results from cats included in the "Feline Travel Profile" established by the LABOKLIN laboratory at the request of veterinarians in Germany between April 2012 and March 2020. This diagnostic panel includes the direct detection of Hepatozoon spp. and Dirofilaria spp. via PCR as well as indirect detection assays (IFAT) for Ehrlichia spp. and Leishmania spp. The panel was expanded to include an IFAT for Rickettsia spp. from July 2015 onwards.
Results: A total of 624 cats were tested using the "Feline Travel Profile." Serum for indirect detection assays was available for all 624 cats; EDTA samples for direct detection methods were available from 618 cats. Positive test results were as follows: Ehrlichia spp. IFAT 73 out of 624 (12%), Leishmania spp. IFAT 22 out of 624 (4%), Hepatozoon spp. PCR 53 out of 618 (9%), Dirofilaria spp. PCR 1 out of 618 cats (0.2%), and Rickettsia spp. IFAT 52 out of 467 cats (11%) tested from July 2015 onwards. Three cats had positive test results for more than one pathogen before 2015. After testing for Rickettsia spp. was included in 2015, 19 cats had positive test results for more than one pathogen (Rickettsia spp. were involved in 14 out of these 19 cats).
Conclusions: At least one pathogen could be detected in 175 out of 624 cats (28%) via indirect and/or direct detection methods. Four percent had positive test results for more than one pathogen. These data emphasize the importance of considering the above-mentioned vector-borne infections as potential differential diagnoses in clinically symptomatic cats
Conscience Sensitive Psychiatric Diagnosis of Maltreated Children and Adolescents
The sequelae of maltreatment are conceptualized according to the DSM IV multiaxial system expanded for heuristic purposes. Axis I and Axis IV are expanded to take into account important variables of maltreatment. Differential Axis I diagnoses are identified with special emphasis placed on PTSD, Dissociation, Depression and Disruptive Behavior Disorders. Axes II and III are heuristically expanded to call attention to developmental psychopathology, particularly in the domains of conscience, and associated putative neurobiological sequelae of maltreatment, indicating a pathway to the psychobiology of conscience. Conscience sensitive assessment of maltreated children is illustrated with two case vignettes and selected conscience drawings. A ‘transaxial,’ conscience sensitive approach to DSM nosology is recommended as a corrective. There will likely be additional implications for the psychobiology of conscience as neuroimaging and assessment of conscience functions in health and psychopathology become more refined.Support for this and other work by the I.U. Conscience Project conducted in collaboration with Pleasant Run Inc. has been generously provided by Mr. and Mrs. Jim Irsay and The Indianapolis Colts, The Moore Foundation and other individual anonymous donors
Treatment of 5 dogs with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia using Romiplostim
Background Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in dogs is analogous to that in
humans. Romiplostim, a novel thrombopoietin receptor (TPO-R) agonist, is
currently used for the treatment of refractory ITP in humans, but not in dogs.
Here, we describe the response to romiplostim in five dogs with refractory
ITP. Five dogs with severe and refractory ITP (three primary and two
secondary) received romiplostim subcutaneously. Four dogs were administered
3–5 μg/kg and one dog received 10–13 μg/kg body weight once weekly. Results
Romiplostim was well-tolerated and administration was associated with an
increase in platelet counts in all five dogs. Four of the five dogs entered
remission and relapses were not observed over a follow-up period of 3–10
months. Conclusions Romiplostim is effective in the treatment of ITP in dogs
at least as well as in humans. This finding may help to develop and use new
therapeutics for ITP in dogs and humans
Distribution of Leptospira Serogroups in Dogs from Berlin, Germany
Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonosis in which dogs can act as a reservoir for
human infection. The annual vaccination of dogs can prevent leptospirosis
caused by serovars included in the vaccine. To date, all available vaccines in
Germany include only the serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola, the most
commonly found serovars prior to the introduction of the leptospirosis
vaccines. Yet, the involvement of additional serovars in the clinical
presentation of leptospirosis in dogs has been described. The objective of
this sero-epidemiological study was to examine the different Leptospira
serovars currently circulating in a population of dogs suspicious for
leptospirosis from Berlin. In 329 dogs presenting at the Small Animal Clinic
in Berlin, the predominant serogroup was Australis (24%), followed by
Grippotyphosa (20%) and Pomona (9%). A total of 18% of the dogs were diagnosed
with clinical leptospirosis; here the most prevalent serogroups were also
Australis (28%), Grippotyphosa (18%), and Pomona (14%). The serovar prevalence
data presented here confirm that a change of pattern of infecting Leptospira
serovars in dogs has taken place in Berlin. This data corresponds to further
sero-epidemiological studies from other regions in Germany. To ensure human
and canine health, available vaccines should be adapted to include the most
important circulating serovars
Exploration of serum- and cell culture-derived exosomes from dogs
Exosomes are defined as extracellular membrane vesicles, 30–150 nm in diameter, derived from all types of cells. They originate via endocytosis and then they are released through exocytosis to the extracellular space, being found in various biological fluids as well as in cell culture medium. In the last few years, exosomes have gained considerable scientific interest due to their potential use as biomarkers, especially in the field of cancer research. This report describes a method to isolate, quantify and identify serum- and cell culture-derived exosomes from dog samples, using small volumes (100 μL and 1 mL, respectively)
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