5 research outputs found
Co-infection with Babesia canis and Borrelia burgdorferi S.L. in a dog from Northeastern Romania: a case report
This study describes a clinical
case of a 9-year-old mixed-breed dog coinfected
with Babesia canis and Borrelia
burgdorferi. This dog was referred to a
private clinic in northeastern Romania for a
recurrent perianal tumour and a mild
inflammation in the right elbow. The dog
showed mild haemolytic anaemia, as well as
increased alkaline phosphatase and glucose
levels. Despite surgery and therapy, after
four days, the patient had developed
hyperthermia, severe anaemia and an
inflammatory syndrome. The blood smear
revealed the presence of piroplasm
organisms identified as ‘large’ Babesia spp.
On the 9th day of hospitalization the patient
died during the blood transfusion, before
applying the specific therapy for babesiosis.
The blood collected before blood transfusion
was tested for the following vector-borne
diseases: Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp.,
Ehrlichia spp., Hepatozoon spp. and
Borrelia spp. using molecular analysis. The
final outcome indicated a co-infection with
Babesia canis and Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.
In conclusion, the introduction of vectorborne
disease screening approach prior any
surgical procedure can prevent lifethreatening
events and improve diagnostic
accuracy in dogs infected/co-infected
simultaneously with different vector-borne
diseases
Geographic distribution of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in stray dogs of eastern Romania.
A survey was conducted in the eastern part of Romania to assess the prevalence and geographical distribution of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs. Plasma samples were collected from 458 stray dogs hosted in shelters in 8 counties and tested serologically for the presence of heartworm. In addition, 45 blood samples from dogs of a shelter in Galati city were examined by the modified Knott and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. The immmunological assay showed a heartworm infection prevalence of 8.9% in the dogs. Optical density results for positive samples ranged between 0.217 and 2.683. Geographical information systems (GIS) were used to produce overlays of distribution maps of D. immitis prevalence and predictive maps based on temperature suitability. High prevalence of D. immitis was found in the central East up to the northern border of the country, i.e. Galati county (60%), followed by the counties of Vaslui (12.0%) and Iasi (7.7%). Out of 45 samples examined using the Knott test, 23 were positive for circulating microfilariae (51.1%), while 19 dogs were positive for D. immitis and 4 for both D. immitis and D. repens with the multiplex PCR test. The high prevalence for D. immitis shown in dogs in the Southeast (Galati, 42.2%) also by multiplex PCR gave strong support to the results achieved by the serological tests. The present study confirms the ability of GIS to predict the distribution and epidemiology of dirofilariosis in different geographical territories as has been already demonstrated by the empirical epidemiological data obtained at the continental, national and intraregional levels
First report of Dirofilaria repens infection in a microfilaraemic cat from Romania
The present study describes the first report of Dirofilaria repens infection with the presence of both microfilariae and adult nematodes in a cat from Northeastern Romania. Briefly, a 5-year-old male mixed breed cat was presented to a veterinary clinic in Iasi (Romania), for neutering, in early February 2020. During the surgery, two whitish worms were removed from the internal part of the scrotum. Two adult nematodes, one female and one male, were identified, on the basis of morphological features, as D. repens with whitish, cylindrical bodies, measuring 12.5 cm and 6.5 cm in length, respectively. At histology, the female nematode showed two cavitated structures containing myriads of variably arranged microfilariae. The male had a transversal diameter of 350 μm, a 10 μm thick cuticle and a ridge-period of 10 Мm. multiplex PCR confirmed the diagnosis of D. repens from both nematodes. The Knott’s test revealed the presence of microfilariae of D. repens. Routine biochemistry panel was within range with one exception, urea serum level slightly increased. The haematology results revealed an increased number of neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils. The cat had an infection with Otodectes cynotis as well. The cat was discharged with the following therapy recommended: oral doxycycline (10 mg/kg) for 30 days and topical moxidectin, monthly doses. After six months, the Knott’s test gave negative results. Further studies should include new insights of D. repens infection in cats concerning its epidemiology, diagnosis and control
Observations regarding in vitro hatching of Raillietina spp. (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) onchosphere
The study has been realised in May 2016 having as purpose the observation of the onchosphere hatching process. The eggs of Raillietina spp. were aquired from feces belonging to Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) that was naturaly infested. Initally, the samples were examined from a parasitological point of view using the Willis method. The egg concentrate has been obtained using the protocol described by VOGE and all. (1961) with some adjustments. The egg suspension was incubated at 30 oC for an hour. The hatching process of the oncosphere has been observed on the slide with the optical microscope (Motic B series) fitted with a Moticam 1000 camera, using the x400 magnification. Measuring has been realised with Motic Images Plus 2.0 software. The temperature of the slide in the moment of examination was 32oC. The whole hatching proces lasted 5 hours and went through the following stages: after half an hour the hexachant embryo has broken the basal membrane and entered the vitelline layer, the onchosphere was vigorously pushing and scraping the granular structure belonging to the vitelline layer, then the vitelline membrane and the egg shell was perforated after four and a half hours, thus completing the actual hatching process. After hatching, the onchosphere engaged in a series of swim-like motions in the liquid mass
Platelet-Rich Fibrin and its Emerging Therapeutic Benefits for Musculoskeletal Injury Treatment
New therapies that accelerate musculoskeletal tissue recovery are highly desirable. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin biomaterial that acts as a binding site for both platelets and growth factors. Through increasing the local concentration of growth factors at specific tissues, PRF promotes tissue regeneration. PRF has been frequently used in combination with bone graft materials to reduce healing times and promote bone regeneration during maxillofacial surgery. However, its benefits during muscle repair and recovery are less well-documented. Here, we perform a narrative review on PRF therapies and muscle injuries to ascertain its beneficial effects. We reviewed the factors that contribute to the biological activity of PRF and the published pre-clinical and clinical evidence to support its emerging use in musculoskeletal therapy. We include in vitro studies, in vivo animal studies and clinical articles highlighting both the success and failures of PRF treatment. PRF can promote the healing process when used in a range of orthopaedic and sports-related injuries. These include cartilage repair, rotator cuff surgery and anterior cruciate ligament surgery. However, conflicting data for these benefits have been reported, most likely due to inconsistencies in both PRF preparation protocols and dosing regimens. Despite this, the literature generally supports the use of PRF as a beneficial adjuvant for a range of chronic muscle, tendon, bone or other soft tissue injuries. Further clinical trials to confirm these benefits require consistency in PRF preparation and the classification of a successful clinical outcome to fully harness its potential