FENOMENI OSSIDATIVI IN CANI AFFETTI DA LEISHMANIOSI

Leishmania donovani può causare condizioni patologiche molto gravi ed estremamente variabili nei cani colpiti, sia a livello di sintomatologia clinica, che di alterazioni di laboratorio, oppure ricorrere in maniera asintomatica, albergando nel cane in forma latente. Lo sviluppo di una o dell’altra situazione dipende non solo dalla risposta immunitaria del singolo individuo, ma anche dalla leishmania stessa, che, una volta entrata attivamente nei macrofagi, ne inibisce l’attività fagocitaria deprimendo anche la produzione di radicali dell’ossigeno, i metaboliti ad azione ossidante coinvolti nella digestione delle particelle fagocitate. Nella presente tesi vengono analizzate le differenti reazioni dell’organismo alla leishmania, utilizzando degli indicatori sensibili di infiammazione: da un lato, i metaboliti reattivi dell’ossigeno attraverso d-ROMs test e, dall’altro, la proteina C reattiva (CRP), come indicatore della presenza di un eventuale stato infiammatorio latente nei cani infetti che non presentano segni clinici. Per valutare tali parametri i cani sono stati suddivisi in quattro gruppi: 1) cani clinicamente sani, utilizzati come controllo negativo; 2) cani con leishmaniosi “sintomatica”, che presentano i classici segni clinici ed alterazioni di laboratorio compatibili con tale malattia; 3) cani sottoposti a terapia eziologica: soggetti sieropositivi che non presentano segni clinici o alterazioni di laboratorio compatibili con leishmaniosi; 4) soggetti sieronegativi per leishmania, ma affetti da stati infiammatori/neoplastici in grado di simulare clinicamente forme di leishmaniosi, utilizzati come “controllo positivo”. I risultati ottenuti evidenziano la presenza di stati infiammatori evidenti, oltre che nel controllo positivo, solo nei cani con leishmaniosi manifesta, anche se alcuni soggetti del gruppo 3 presentavano comunque valori di CRP più alti del normale. Al contrario, alterazioni dello stato ossidativo sono state riscontrate non solo nel controllo positivo e nei cani affetti da leishmaniosi sintomatica, ma anche in alcuni soggetti sieropositivi ma non sintomatici

Aplasia medular idiopática en 2 gatos

La aplasia medular es una desaparición de las células de la médula ósea encargadas de la producción de sangre: puede ser total o parcial (afectando una o dos líneas celulares). En gato, se ha relacionado con diferentes etiologías (fármacos, agentes tóxicos o infecciosos). Sólo en casos muy raros la causa no se puede identificar y la aplasia es clasificada como idiopática. Aquí se presentan 2 casos

Prevalence of selected infectious disease agents in stray cats in Catalonia, Spain

The objective of the current study was to investigate the prevalence rates of the following infectious agents in 116 stray cats in the Barcelona area of Spain: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella species, Borrelia burgdorferi, Chlamydia felis, Dirofilaria immitis, Ehrlichia species, feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), haemoplasmas, Mycoplasma species and Rickettsia species. Serum antibodies were used to estimate the prevalence of exposure to A phagocytophilum, Bartonella species, B burgdorferi, Ehrlichia species and FIV; serum antigens were used to assess for infection by D immitis and FeLV; and molecular assays were used to amplify nucleic acids of Anaplasma species, Bartonella species, C felis, D immitis, Ehrlichia species, FCV, FHV-1, haemoplasmas, Mycoplasma species and Rickettsia species from blood and nasal or oral swabs. Of the 116 cats, 63 (54.3%) had evidence of infection by Bartonella species, FeLV, FIV or a haemoplasma. Anaplasma species, Ehrlichia species or Rickettsia species DNA was not amplified from these cats. A total of 18/116 cats (15.5%) were positive for FCV RNA (six cats), Mycoplasma species DNA (six cats), FHV-1 DNA (three cats) or C felis DNA (three cats). This study documents that shelter cats in Catalonia are exposed to many infectious agents with clinical and zoonotic significance, and that flea control is indicated for cats in the region

The effects of additive solutions on the development of storage lesions in canine platelet concentrates stores at 4°C

Canine platelet transfusions are an essential tool to treat acute bleeding or prevent surgical complications in dogs with platelet disorders. Currently long-term storage is not advised, limiting the options for a potentially life-saving treatment, especially in emergency situations. The goal of this study was to demonstrate that platelet additive solutions (PAS) can be used in place of plasma and that these solutions, when combined with cold storage at 4⁰C, reduce the occurrence and degree of platelet storage lesions, maintain platelet function, delay pathogen proliferation, and extend storage time of platelet concentrate for up to 7 days. Platelet concentrates obtained from canine blood donors, were aliquoted into 4 separate bags containing 100% plasma (control) or 35% plasma and 65% of a PAS (Plasma-Lyte A, Isoplate, or InterSol). Samples were stored at 4⁰C without agitation. At days 0, 3, 5, and 7 samples were analyzed to determine the degree of platelet storage lesion as evaluated by measurement of metabolic markers, platelet activation markers, platelet aggregometry assessment; and bacterial growth. Platelet count and mean platelet volume, glucose, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, pO2, pCO2, aggregation percentage via light aggregometry, activation percentages via flow cytometry detection of surface P-selectin, and bacterial contamination via culture were assessed to compare the 4 storage solutions. Development of storage lesions was minimal, as demonstrated by maintenance of a mean pH >7.2 (p < 0.05) and mean lactate values < 6 mmol/L at day 7 in all solutions (p < 0.05). There were differences in the activation percentage between the units, but was overall low in all the solutions. Glucose utilization did not vary significantly between any of the solutions. No significant difference was found between plasma and platelet additive solutions for PO2 and PCO2. No bacterial growth was found in any of the solutions. Overall the PAS were comparable to plasma for the cold storage of platelets. Cold stored platelets showed minimal storage lesion development with no bacterial growth. Plasma, Plasma-lyte A and Isoplate stored platelets maintained function for up to 7 days at 4⁰C

Aplasia medular idiopática en 2 gatos

La aplasia medular es una desaparición de las células de la médula ósea encargadas de la producción de sangre: puede ser total o parcial (afectando una o dos líneas celulares). En gato, se ha relacionado con diferentes etiologías (fármacos, agentes tóxicos o infecciosos). Sólo en casos muy raros la causa no se puede identificar y la aplasia es clasificada como idiopática. Aquí se presentan 2 casos

Prevalence of selected infectious disease agents in stray cats in Catalonia, Spain

The objective of the current study was to investigate the prevalence rates of the following infectious agents in 116 stray cats in the Barcelona area of Spain: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella species, Borrelia burgdorferi, Chlamydia felis, Dirofilaria immitis, Ehrlichia species, feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), haemoplasmas, Mycoplasma species and Rickettsia species. Serum antibodies were used to estimate the prevalence of exposure to A phagocytophilum, Bartonella species, B burgdorferi, Ehrlichia species and FIV; serum antigens were used to assess for infection by D immitis and FeLV; and molecular assays were used to amplify nucleic acids of Anaplasma species, Bartonella species, C felis, D immitis, Ehrlichia species, FCV, FHV-1, haemoplasmas, Mycoplasma species and Rickettsia species from blood and nasal or oral swabs. Of the 116 cats, 63 (54.3%) had evidence of infection by Bartonella species, FeLV, FIV or a haemoplasma. Anaplasma species, Ehrlichia species or Rickettsia species DNA was not amplified from these cats. A total of 18/116 cats (15.5%) were positive for FCV RNA (six cats), Mycoplasma species DNA (six cats), FHV-1 DNA (three cats) or C felis DNA (three cats). This study documents that shelter cats in Catalonia are exposed to many infectious agents with clinical and zoonotic significance, and that flea control is indicated for cats in the region