Neuropathic Pain in Dogs and Cats: Current Evaluation and Treatment Perspectives: Review

Abstract: During the past decade, the number of scientific papers on the recognition and multimodal management of pain in small animals increased exponentially. However, the variable of neuropathic pain, or adaptive disorder, has not yet been characterized completely. Its genesis is related to several diseases and injuries of the nervous system that change the neuroanatomical structures that participate in pain processing. Finding novel neurobiological mechanisms and the development of techniques for diagnosis and treatment in Human Medicine, are opening great opportunities for research and the understanding of neuropathic pain in pets

Descripción morfológica de Haemonchus contortus y Mecistocirrus digitatus de ovinos y bovinos en Tabasco, México

In epidemiological studies are needed to identify the species of nematodes that parasitize ruminants, so the aim of this study was to describe morphologically two species of gastrointestinal nematodes found in abomasum of sheep and cattle in southeastern Mexico. Haemonchus contortus specimens were recovered from sheep from the states of Tabasco, Veracruz and Chiapas, and Mecistocirrus digitatus was obtained from Zebu cattle, from Tabasco. Identification of H. contortus was performed using a discriminant function measures the hooks of the male spicules. The morphology of the females of both species was recorded taking measures in an optical microscope at 10 and 40 X. Females and males of M. digitatus were larger (28.1 and 21.7 mm, respectively) than those of H. contortus (21.5 and 13.9 mm, respectively), with very contrasting morphological differences. Morphological measurements are in the ranges given in the literature.Para los estudios epidemiológicos se requiere de la identificación de las especies de nematodos que parasitan a los rumiantes, por lo que el objetivo de este trabajo fue describir morfológicamente dos especies de nematodos gastrointestinales encontradas en abomaso de ovinos y bovinos en el sureste de México. Los especímenes de Haemonchus contortus fueron recuperados de ovinos provenientes de los estados de Tabasco, Veracruz y Chiapas y Mecistocirrus digitatus se obtuvo de ganado Cebú de Tabasco. La identificación de H. contortus se realizó usando una función discriminante con las medidas de los ganchos de las espículas de los machos. La morfología de las hembras de ambas especies se registró tomando las medidas en un microscopio óptico a 10 y 40 X. Las hembras y machos de M. digitatus fueron más grandes (28.1 y 21.7 mm, respectivamente) que los de H. contortus (21.5 y 13.9 mm, respectivamente), con diferencias morfológicas muy contrastantes. Las medidas morfológicas se encuentran en los rangos indicados en la literatura

Optimum timing for assessing phenotypic resistance against gastrointestinal nematodes in Pelibuey ewes

The objective was to identify the optimal stage of production to evaluate the resistance of Pelibuey ewes against gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). Faecal egg count (FEC) was used to classify the ewes as resistant, sensible or intermediate against GIN. Forty-seven ewes were mating during 30 d. The gestation was verified by ultrasonography, and the breeding date was used to calculate the productive stages. Faeces were taken weekly to determine the FEC. Blood samples were taken to determine the packed cell volume (PCV), the peripheral eosinophils count (PEC), plasma protein concentration (PP), and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) against Haemonchus contortus. The body condition score (BCS) was recorded at each visit. Six moments during the study (early, mid and late gestation; early, mid and late lactation) were considered. The ewes were classified according to FEC (mean FEC ± three standard errors). The higher FEC occurred during all lactation stages than during early and mid-gestation stages (P<0.05). PCV, PP, and BCS during early gestation stage were higher than shown during the lactation stages (P<0.01). The PEC and IgA were higher during all lactation stages than early and mid-gestation stages (P<0.05). Concerning the type of birth, double births showed higher FEC than single birth (P<0.01). The highest values of accuracy (100 %) and concordance (Youden's J = 1.0) were found during early lactation. Therefore, it is concluded that the optimal stage of production to evaluate phenotypic resistance against GIN infections in Pelibuey ewes was during the early lactation

Antibodies of Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania mexicana and Leishmania braziliensis in domiciled dogs in Tabasco, Mexico

ABSTRACT Objective. To determine Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), Leishmania mexicana (L.mexicana) and Leishmania braziliensis (L.braziliensis) circulating antibodies in dogs from Chontalpa region in Tabasco, Mexico using ELISA diagnostic techniques Fe-SOD and Western blot. Materials and methods. For this study, 119 serums were obtained from domiciled dogs. Serums were tested for antibodies against T. cruzi, L. mexicana and L. braziliensis, using ELISA and Western Blot sod as diagnostic test. The antigenic fraction used in both tests was the Fe-SOD excreted by the species of Leishmania and Trypanosoma. Results. The obtained frequency in this study was 3.36% for T. cruzi, 9.24% for L. mexicana and 10.08% for L. braziliensis. Conclusions. The present study has demonstrated the presence of antibodies to these parasites in Chontalpa region from Tabasco, Mexico.RESUMEN Objetivo. Determinar la frecuencia de anticuerpos circulantes de Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), Leishmania mexicana (L. mexicana) y Leishmania braziliensis (L. braziliensis) en una población de perros usando ELISA Fe-SOD y Western blot en la región Chontalpa del estado de Tabasco, México. Materiales y métodos. Para este estudio se obtuvieron 119 sueros de perros domiciliados, con el consentimiento previo de los propietarios. Los sueros fueron analizados para detectar anticuerpos contra T. cruzi, L. mexicana, y L. braziliensis, usando como prueba diagnóstica ELISA-sod y Western Blot. La fracción antigénica utilizada en las dos pruebas fue la Fe-SOD excretada por las especies de Trypanosoma y Leishmania. Resultados. La frecuencia obtenida en este estudio fue de 3.36% para T. cruzi, 9.24% para L. mexicana y 10.08% L. braziliensis. Conclusiones. El presente estudio demostró la presencia de anticuerpos para estos parásitos en la región Chontalpa del estado de Tabasco, México

Molecular detection of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs and mosquitoes in Tabasco, Mexico

Background & objectives: Dirofilaria immitis is a filarial nematode that causes heartworm disease in domestic as well as wild canines and felines; and cutaneous or pulmonary infections in humans. The purpose of the study was to estimate the prevalence of D. immitis in domestic dogs in Tabasco, Mexico and to assay mosquitoes temporally and spatially associated with dogs for evidence of infection. Methods: Blood was collected from 1050 dogs in 1039 houses during a random household survey performed in 2016 and 2017. Genomic DNA was extracted and assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using pan-filarial primers and various species-specific primers. Dog owners were interviewed using a structured questionnaire designed to collect information on factors that may impact the occurrence of filarial infection. The association between canine dirofilariasis prevalence and factors likely to impact infection was determined by univariate logistic regression analysis, followed by multivariate binomial logistic regression analysis. Indoor and outdoor resting mosquitoes were collected from houses by manual aspiration. Mosquitoes were identified according to species, homogenized and tested by PCR for filarial nematodes. Results: A total of 84 (8%) dogs were positive for D. immitis DNA, while 3 (0.3%) dogs contained Acanthocheilonema reconditum DNA. Several factors were significantly associated with D. immitis infection. For example, dogs that lived <100 m from a large source of open standing water were significantly more likely (p = 0.002) to become infected with D. immitis than other dogs. Additionally, dogs with infrequent or no anthelmintic treatment were significantly more likely (p = 0.0) to become infected than dogs that were regularly treated. The entomologic investigation yielded 2618 female mosquitoes from 14 species. Four pools of Culex quinquefasciatus were positive for D. immitis DNA and the minimum infection rate, calculated as the number of positive pools per 1000 mosquitoes tested, was 2.9. Interpretation & conclusion: The study identified several factors positively associated with an increased risk of D. immitis infection in domestic dogs in Tabasco and provides evidence that Cx. quinquefasciatus is potentially an important vector in this region. This information can be used by local veterinarians and dog owners to reduce the burden of D. immitis on canine health