In Vitro Study of Benzimidazole Derivatives, Tetrahydropyrimidines and Macrocyclic Lactones Therapeutic Efficacy in Dog Hookworms

The study was conducted using faecal samples from 62 dogs. We tested the ovicidal and larvicidal effects of albendazole (ABZ), mebendazole (MBZ), fenbendazole (FBZ) and flubendazole (FLU) by Egg hatch assay (EHA) and larval development assay (LDA). For pyrantel (PYR) and selamectin (SEL) we tested the larvicidal effects by LDA. In all in vitro tests, benzimidazoles efficacy was low, with a high risk of inducing resistance phenomena. In EHA more than 50% of the hookworm eggs hatched, revealing a low efficacy of all tested benzimidazoles. The regression line was positive for all benzimidazoles, FBZ having the smallest value of the Y parameter (62.62), and lower risk of resistance. When testing the larvicidal effects, a superior efficacy of benzimidazoles was observed. The lowest MIC was for MBZ (0.8672μg/ml). ABZ had a very poor effect (8.46750 μg/ml). The Y parameter showed a lower risk of inducing resistance for MBZ (Y= -64.14) and FBZ (Y= -27.89). Pyrantel and Selamectin were very effective, presenting also a very low risk of inducing resistance phenomena. For PYR and SEL, MIC was 0.2131 μg/ml and 2.7921 μg/ml, respectively. The Y parameter was -448.37 for PYR and -62.74 for SEL, with minimal risk of inducing the adaptive phenomena

Canine Bite-Mark Evidence in Veterinary Necropsy: Case Studies Featuring the Bite-Mark Examination

Forensic veterinary medicine tends to gain increasing importance in veterinary pathology, the number of such cases being still limited. The paper describes cases with multiple cutaneous wounds, with emphasis on bite-mark analysis. The material was represented by corpses (deer and dogs) brought by local authorities to Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca (Romania), along with preliminary reports issued by the competent organs. A complete medicolegal survey was done. The cases analyzed by us displayed numerous usually symmetrical (opposed) wounds, with angular margins and elongated aspect (somehow specific to bite wounds). All cases assessed presented laceration of the skin from the subcutaneous tissue, rupture of muscle and (in some cases) perforation of internal organs. The features of the bite-marks described were typical for carnivores. Depending on the species involved, the topography of lesions varied. In deer, the ventrolateral area of the neck and the lumbar/dorsal region were more commonly affected. The distribution suggests the hunting instinct of carnivores by trying to induce suffocation of the prey. In the analyzed dog corpses, the most affected areas were the auricular, limbs, sternal region, abdominal region. Investigation of bite-marks is an evolving field of forensic veterinary science and remains a provocation for veterinary pathologists

Ascites Syndrome Associated with Hypothyroidism in a Brahma Chicken: a Case Study and Review of the Literature

Ascites syndrome (AS) in chickens represents a major cause of mortality and the most frequent metabolic-related cause of abattoir carcass condemnation in broilers. Susceptibility of broiler chickens to ascites is determined by a complex interaction between genetically-controlled factors (as high-rate metabolism and peculiarity of the cardiovascular system) and exogenous factors such as nutrition, and temperature. Endocrine imbalances, especially thyroid-gland dysfunctions, are currently regarded as key-elements in the development of AS. The current case represents the first spontaneous case of hypothyroidism (goiter) associated with AS in broilers, bringing additional arguments to the theory which claims the role of thyroid dysfunction in this syndrome. Further studies of spontaneous cases which must include assessment of the thyroid hormones need be performed in order to better understand the link between thyroid gland dysfunction and the cardiopulmonary changes in the context of AS in birds

Epidemiological Aspects and Differential Diagnosis of the Cutaneous Round Cell Tumors in Dogs

Round cell neoplasms (RCNs) are frequent cutaneous lesions in dogs, with high percentages among skin tumors. In this category are included histiocytoma, mast cell tumor, plasmacytoma, lymphoma and transmissible venereal tumor. The aim of the study was to perform an epidemiological study with reference to the cutaneous round cell tumors in a period of 10 years in the Department of Pathology (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania). Additionally, in the recorded cases with round cell tumors (mast cell tumor, histiocytoma and lymphoma) we described the main histological and cytological features. The epidemiological data were collected from the records of Pathology Department between 2005-2014. The investigation included dogs diagnosed with cutaneous round cell neoplasms, following necropsy analysis or assessment of biopsies or cytological samples. All collected specimens were analyzed by histopathological and/or cytological techniques. The staining used for histological investigation were Hematoxylin-eosin, Masson’s trichrome and Toluidine blue, whereas Diff Quik and Wright methods were utilized in cytological specimens. The distribution of the cutaneous round cell tumors in relation to age, breed and sex was also assessed. The most frequent round cell tumor type was the mast cell tumor (19.54%) followed by histiocytoma (11.33%) and lymphoma (1.98%). The round cell tumors recorded were equally distributed in both males and females. Concerning the distribution of cutaneous RCNs by age (average age), histiocytoma occurred in 5 years old subjects, mast cell tumor in 11.9 years old subjects, and lymphoma in 6 years old subjects. Mast cell tumor was more frequent in stray dogs and Boxer breed, while histiocytoma occurred more commonly in stray dogs. Histological and cytological analysis was mandatory to perform the differential diagnosis between RCNs. Microscopic details concerning cytoplasm and nucleus of tumoral cells, together with the displaying mode in histological specimens may reveal the type of RCN. Cutaneous round cell tumors had an increased incidence, aspect observed in other reports too. The differential diagnosis has to rely on some specific microscopical features that can suggest the type of RCN

Imported Canine leishmaniasis in Romania: a Case Report

Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is a zoonotic disease considered endemic in the Mediterranean region. Romania is traditionally regarded as a non-endemic country.Considering the zoonotic character of the disease, this study aims to increase the knowledge on diagnostic aspects of CanL.A 2-year-old, mix breed male dog, recently returned from Italy had a history of progressive weight loss and skin lesions. The clinical examination was followed by hematology and serum biochemistry, fine-needle aspiration of lymph nodes, impression smears, VetExpert® rapid test Leishmania Ab, and PCR. The clinical examination revealed muscle atrophy, non-pruritic crusting dermatitis, ulcers, and lymphadenopathy. Hematology showed severe anemia. The serum biochemistry revealed hyperproteinaemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia. Cytological exams evidenced the intracellular amastigotes in macrophages, confirmed by rapid test and PCR.In Romania, under the light of the new case reports, leishmaniasis should be reconsidered from both veterinary and public health perspective

Pathological Findings in Accidental Electrocution in a Horse (Case Report)

Recently, the veterinarians are dealing with a number of cases that require forensic expertise. Such a circumstance could be the accidental electrocution in animals, one of the causes of unnatural death. There is a scarcity with reference to the pathological findings in veterinary forensic medicine. In this paper, we present the main lesions that occurred in a horse with accidental electrocution that was presented for complete necropsy survey. A horse corpse was sent to the Pathology Department (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania) for a full medical survey. Preliminary results and external examination: the body was in rigor mortis; from the nasal cavities drained out reddish foam and in the mouth was observed the presence of ingested feed (straw) that was not chewed, suggesting a quick death. The findings detected after internal examination of the carcass were poor blood coagulability, haemorrhagic diathesis throughout the body, with haemorrhages of various sizes in different body regions (e.g., muscles of the withers, in the gluteal muscle, the mucosa of epiglottis, larynx, trachea, in the interstitium of the lung, and ecchymosis in the left kidney). Some other lesions detected were infarcts and haemorrhages in the fundic region of the stomach’s mucosa. In electrocution, haemorrhages are most often located in the respiratory tract, aspect observed in our case too. However, the diagnosis of electrocution has to corroborate the necropsy findings (which are not specific), with some other data such as the fulminant death and inspection of power source

Ubiquitous neurocognitive dysfunction in familial adenomatous polyposis: proof-of-concept of the role of APC protein in neurocognitive function

Background: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by germline mutations in the APC gene. Patients with FAP have multiple extraintestinal manifestations that follow a genotype-phenotype pattern; however, few data exist characterizing their cognitive abilities. Given the role of the APC protein in development of the central nervous system, we hypothesized that patients with FAP would show differences in cognitive functioning compared to controls. Methods: Matched case-control study designed to evaluate cognitive function using the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence-4, the Bateria III Woodcock-Munoz, and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions-Adult. Twenty-six individuals with FAP (mean age = 34.2 +/- 15.0 years) and 25 age-gender and educational level matched controls (mean age = 32.7 +/- 13.8 years) were evaluated. Results: FAP-cases had significantly lower IQ (p = 0.005). Across all tasks of the Bateria III Woodcock-Munoz, FAP-cases performed significantly lower than controls, with all of the summary scores falling in the bottom quartile compared to controls (p \u3c 0.0001). Patients with FAP scored within the deficient range for Long-Term Retrieval and Cognitive Fluency. Conclusion: APC protein has an important role in neurocognitive function. The pervasive nature of the observed cognitive dysfunction suggests that loss or dysfunction of the APC protein impacts processes in cortical and subcortical brain regions. Additional studies examining larger ethnically diverse cohorts with FAP are warranted