Canine nasal aspergillosis: Results of treatment using clotrimazole as a topical agent

This case series describes the response of canine nasal aspergillosis to topical clotrimazole treatment in 11 dogs. The antifungal agent was administered to affected dogs by one of three methods: A) twice daily administration for 10 days via surgically implanted, indwelling catheters into the frontal sinuses and nasal cavity (three dogs); B) a single treatment consisting of one-hour contact-time with the drug immediately following catheter placement (three dogs); and C) non-invasive intranasal single infusion via the nostrils with a one-hour contact time (five dogs). All dogs were assessed for recurrence of the disease (follow-up time range two to 24 months). In one of the three dogs and two of the three dogs treated by method A and B respectively, clinical signs of aspergillosis recurred. However, four of the five dogs treated by method C were free of disease at the fourth week post-treatment assessment. The remaining dog required one further intranasal infusion before complete resolution occurred. From this small case series, it appears that non-invasive intranasal infusion of topical clotrimazole appears to be an effective treatment for canine nasal Aspergillus infections. This simple non-surgical treatment can be easily performed by veterinarians in general practice

Selenium status of cats in four regions of the world and comparison with reported incidence of hyperthyroidism in cats in those regions

Objective: To assess selenium (Se) status of cats in 4 regions of the world and to compare results for Se status with reported incidence of hyperthyroidism in cats in those regions. Animals: 50 cats (30 from 2 regions with an allegedly high incidence of hyperthyroidism and 20 from 2 regions in which the disease is less commonly reported). Procedure: Hematologic samples (heparinized whole blood, plasma, and RBC fractions) were obtained from 43 healthy euthyroid cats and 7 hyperthyroid cats. Plasma concentration of Se and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in whole blood and plasma were determined. Results: Plasma concentration of Se and GPX activity in whole blood or plasma did not differ significantly among cats from the 4 regions. However, cats had a plasma concentration of Se that was approximately 5 times the concentration reported in rats and humans. The GPX activity in whole blood or plasma in cats generally was higher than values reported in rats or humans. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Cats have higher Se concentrations in plasma, compared with values for other species. However, Se status alone does not appear to affect the incidence of hyperthyroidism in cats. High Se concentrations may have implications for health of cats if such concentrations are influenced by the amount of that micronutrient included in diets

FHIT gene therapy prevents tumor development in Fhit-deficient mice

The tumor suppressor gene FHIT spans a common fragile site and is highly susceptible to environmental carcinogens. FHIT inactivation and loss of expression is found in a large fraction of premaligant and malignant lesions. In this study, we were able to inhibit tumor development by oral gene transfer, using adenoviral or adenoassociated viral vectors expressing the human FHIT gene, in heterozygous Fhit(+/−) knockout mice, that are prone to tumor development after carcinogen exposure. We therefore suggest that FHIT gene therapy could be a novel clinical approach not only in treatment of early stages of cancer, but also in prevention of human cancer