Pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 antibodies in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires in Argentina

SummaryObjectiveTo estimate the infection prevalence in Buenos Aires during the outbreak of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus (A(H1N1)pdm09).MethodsA(H1N1)pdm09-specific antibodies were measured by hemagglutination inhibition assay in human serum samples collected 6 months after the outbreak and before the introduction of the A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine in Argentina. Baseline levels of cross-reactive antibodies to A(H1N1)pdm09 were determined by testing 162 serum samples collected before 2009.ResultsThe overall seroprevalence of A(H1N1)pdm09 in 150 children and 427 adults was 28.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 25–33%), with a 58.0% prevalence in children <19 years of age and an 18.7% prevalence in adults ≥19 years of age (p<0.001). The prevalence was 43.5% in children <5 years old and 60.6% among children aged 5–18 years. The prevalence in adults declined with increasing age: 24.9% in 19–39-year-olds, 9.7% in 40–59-year-olds, and 8.1% in those ≥60 years old. The prevalence of specific A(H1N1)pdm09 antibodies was higher compared with the baseline in children (p=0.014), adolescents (p<0.001), and adults <40 years old (p=0.017). Seroprevalence in health care workers was not different from the rest of the population (13.6% vs. 19.3%, respectively; p=0.421).ConclusionsThe prevalence of specific A(H1N1)pdm09 antibodies was high at 28.9%. The highest prevalence was observed in children, adolescents, and young adults

ACVIM consensus update on Lyme borreliosis in dogs and cats

An update of the 2006 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Small Animal Consensus Statement on Lyme Disease in Dogs: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention was presented at the 2016 ACVIM Forum in Denver, CO, followed by panel and audience discussion and a drafted consensus statement distributed online to diplomates for comment. The updated consensus statement is presented below. The consensus statement aims to provide guidance on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Lyme borreliosis in dogs and cats

Preliminary pharmacokinetics and cardiovascular effects of fenoldopam continuous rate infusion in six healthy dogs

Fenoldopam is a selective dopamine-1 receptor agonist that causes peripheral arterial vasodilation, increased renal blood flow, and diuresis. Enthusiasm exists for the use of fenoldopam in nonpolyuric kidney injury in dogs, although pharmacokinetic data are lacking. The purpose of this study was to collect basic pharmacokinetic and hemodynamic effect data for fenoldopam when administered to healthy awake dogs. Six healthy, awake beagles were given a 180-min fenoldopam constant rate infusion at 0.8 μg/kg per minute followed by a 120-min washout period. Citrated blood was collected during and after infusion for the measurement of plasma fenoldopam concentration by HPLC with mass spectrometry. Heart rate and indirect systolic blood pressure were concurrently measured. Mean ± SD, steady-state plasma fenoldopam concentrations of 20 ± 17 ng/mL were achieved within 10 min of starting the infusion. Area under the plasma concentration-time curve was 3678 ± 3030 ng/mL · min, and plasma clearance was 66 ± 43 mL/min per kg. Elimination was rapidly achieved in all dogs. Heart rate and systolic blood pressure were unaffected by the fenoldopam infusion. Based on the results of this study, further evaluation of the effects of fenoldopam in dogs at differing doses and in dogs with clinical conditions such as acute nonpolyuric kidney injury is warranted

Retrospective evaluation of 22 dogs with leptospirosis treated with extracorporeal renal replacement therapies (2018‐2021)

Abstract Background Outcomes of dogs with acute kidney injury secondary to leptospirosis (AKI‐L) treated using renal replacement therapies (RRT) are poorly characterized. Hypothesis/Objectives Describe survival to discharge, short (≤30 days) and long‐term (≥6 months) outcomes of AKI‐L dogs receiving RRT and determine if there is a significant difference in maximum blood urea nitrogen (maxBUN), maximum creatinine (maxCr), maximum bilirubin (maxBili) and the number of body systems affected between survivors and non‐survivors. Animals Twenty‐two client‐owned dogs with AKI‐L receiving RRT. Methods Retrospective medical record review of dogs with AKI‐L that received RRT between 2018 and 2021. Results Sixteen of 22 (73%) dogs survived to discharge. Of the survivors, 13 (81%) were alive >30 days from discharge and 12 (75%) were alive at 6 months from discharge. Factors significantly higher in non‐survivors included number of body systems affected (survivors: 1 (19%), 2 (50%), 3 (25%) and 4 (6%) vs non‐survivors: 3 (33.3%), and 4 (66.7%); P = .01) and median maxBili (survivors: 1.9 mg/dL; range, 0.1‐41.6 vs non‐survivors: 21.0 mg/dL; range, 12.3‐38.9; P = .02). There was no significant difference in median maxBUN (survivors: 153.0 mg/dL; range, 67‐257 vs non‐survivors: 185.5 mg/dL; range, 102‐218; P = .44) and median maxCr (survivors: 9.8 mg/dL; range, 6.2‐15.9 vs non‐survivors: 9.8 mg/dL; range, 8.4‐13.5; P = .69) between survivors and non‐survivors. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Regardless of azotemia severity, dogs with AKI‐L receiving RRT have a good survival rate to discharge. The number of body systems affected and hyperbilirubinemia might be associated with worse outcomes

Effect of urinary bladder lavage on in-hospital recurrence of urethral obstruction and durations of urinary catheter retention and hospitalization for male cats

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of urinary bladder lavage on in-hospital recurrence of urethral obstruction (UO) and durations of urinary catheter retention and hospitalization for male cats. DESIGN Randomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS 137 male cats with UO. PROCEDURES Following random allocation, cats either did (flush group; n = 69) or did not (no-flush group; 68) undergo urinary bladder lavage with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution after alleviation of the obstruction and placement of a urethral catheter. Signalment, prior history of UO, presence of crystalluria, difficulty of urinary tract catheterization, in-hospital UO recurrence rate, and durations of urinary catheter retention and hospitalization were compared between the flush and no-flush groups. RESULTS Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between the 2 treatment groups. The in-hospital UO recurrence rate (9/69 [13%]) and median durations of urinary catheter retention (37 hours; range, 3 to 172 hours) and hospitalization (3 days; range, 0.5 to 12 days) for the flush group did not differ significantly from the in-hospital UO recurrence rate (13/68 [19%]) and median durations of urinary catheter retention (36 hours; range, 1 to 117 hours) and hospitalization (3 days; range, 1 to 9 days) for the no-flush group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that, for male cats with UO, urinary bladder lavage at the time of urethral catheterization had no significant effect on in-hospital recurrence rate of the condition, duration of urinary catheter retention, or duration of hospitalization; however, additional studies are necessary to validate or refute these findings. In male cats, UO is a life-threatening emergency that occurs as a complication of feline lower urinary tract disorders. Although UO in male cats occurs commonly, consensus regarding the most appropriate way to medically manage affected cats is lacking, as is evidence to formulate standardized recommendations.1 Consequently, clinicians are likely to manage affected cats on the basis of procedures with which they are familiar or that are routinely performed at their place of employment. A frustrating complication associated with UO is recurrence of the obstruction, which can develop in the short or long term. Recurrence of UO can lead to prolonged or repeated hospitalization or surgical intervention (eg, perineal urethrostomy), resulting in an increase in morbidity, financial commitment, and risk for euthanasia.2–4 For male cats with UO, most clinicians recommend strategies for decreasing the risk for recurrence, such as dietary changes, pharmacological treatments, and environmental modifications, following initial treatment.1,5,6 Despite those recommendations, recurrence of UO is common, particularly in the short term while affected cats are hospitalized for the initial occurrence. Some clinicians believe that lavaging the urinary bladder with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution at the time the urinary tract is unblocked and a urinary catheter is placed may help to remove or dilute debris, mucous plugs, urinary crystals, bacteria, or blood clots, thereby decreasing the risk for recurrence of the UO. To our knowledge, the efficacy of urinary bladder lavage on in-hospital recurrence of UO in male cats has not been evaluated. The objective of the study reported here was to evaluate the effect of urinary bladder lavage at the time of urinary tract catheterization for treatment of UO in male cats on the in-hospital recurrence rate of the condition and durations of urinary catheter retention and hospitalization. The null hypotheses were that urinary bladder lavage would have no effect on in-hospital UO recurrence, duration of urinary catheter retention, and duration of hospitalization

IDENTIFYING REGIME CHANGES IN MARKET VOLATILITY

A casual inspection of a graph of volatility indexes over time indicates that volatility has undergone infrequent, but significant, shifts in its average level. The purpose of this article is to test for multiple structural breaks in the mean level of market volatility measured by the VIX and VXO, and to identify statistically the dates of these mean shifts. We find evidence of three distinct periods: pre-1992, 1992-1997, and post-1997. We find that the mean volatility, as well as its standard deviation, was lowest during 1992-1997. Our findings provide statistical evidence consistent with popular beliefs that market volatility changes over time. 2006 The Southern Finance Association and the Southwestern Finance Association.