Increased circulating concentrations of PDGF-BB and TGF-?1 in canine generalised demodicosis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of circulating concentrations of platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-?1) in dogs with generalised demodicosis. Fifteen dogs with generalised demodicosis diagnosed on clinical findings and microscopic examination of the cutaneous scrapings and 10 healthy dogs were included in the study. Circulating concentrations of PDGF-BB and TGF-?1 were measured by commercial specific ELISA assays. Marked and significant increases in plasma PDGF-BB and in serum TGF-?1 concentrations were evidenced in diseased dogs. Circulating PDGF-BB concentrations were closely and positively associated with TGF-?1 concentrations in affected dogs (r = 0.92, p < 0.001). These results indicate that the increased concentrations of circulating PDGF-BB and TGF-?1 play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of the canine demodicosis

Toltrazuril treatment for acute clinical coccidiosis in hair goat kids: Clinical, pathological, haematologic and biochemical findings

This study was conducted to evaluate effectiveness and safety of oral administration of toltrazuril at a dose of 25 mg/kg/day for two consecutive days. The present study was carried out in a goat flock, reared in Kirikkale province of Turkey. Faeces samples were collected from 26 goat kids (6,716 ±1.11 weeks old) exhibiting the clinical sings of acute clinic coccidiosis including dysentery, tenesmus, inappetence, and weakness. The diseased kids were randomly allocated into two groups: group I (n = 16); toltrazuril treatment and group II (n = 10); no treatment. An additional group was included as a healthy control (group III; n = 10). Prior to toltrazuril treatment, the number of oocysts was 8350 ±4009 and 6295 ±1490 in groups I and II, respectively. Eimeria arloingi (67.8%), E. ninakohlyakimovae (21.7%), E. apsheronica (6.4%), E. alijevi (4.1%) were determined in faeces. After toltrazuril treatment in group I, the number of oocysts reduced significantly down to 0 to 250 oocysts per gram faeces (p < 0.001). In contrast, the number of oocysts in untreated group (group II) did not declined, but even increased slightly. At the end of the study, all goat kids treated with toltrazuril (group I) recovered from clinical signs of coccidiosis. At necropsy carried out on two kids, one died prior to the beginning of the study and the other one died from group II, typical nodular coccidia lesions were encountered in intestinal tract. In goat kids with coccidiosis, a mild hypochromic macrositer anaemia developed which was determined on the basis of normal RBC count, increased MCV, lower Hb and PCV near the lower limit of the reference value. In addition, monocytosis and lymphopenia are also associated with coccidiosis in goat kids. Based upon clinical findings and a significant decrease in the number of oocysts in faeces (p < 0.001), it is concluded that oral administration toltrazuril at a dose of 25 mg/kg/day for two consecutive days provides an effective treatment for acute clinical coccidiosis in goat kids. As ALT, AST, BUN, and serum creatinine levels remain within the reference limits after the treatment; toltrazuril at the scheduled dose does not result in acute liver and kidney damage

The first report of cabergoline-induced immune hemolytic anemia in an adolescent with prolactinoma

PubMedID: 23945126Prolactinomas are common pituitary tumors that can cause gonadal dysfunction and infertility related to hyperprolactinemia. Dopamine agonists are the first-line treatment in these patients. Cabergoline leads to significant reduction in serum prolactin levels and tumor size in patients with prolactinoma. Dopamine agonists have been associated with adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting and psychosis. We report here a case with cabergolineinduced immune hemolytic anemia. The patient had cabergoline treatment history for prolactinoma and presented with weakness, fatigue, nausea, and paleness. Laboratory findings revealed severe anemia-related immune hemolysis. There were no causes identified to explain hemolytic anemia except cabergoline. Therefore, cabergoline therapy was stopped and subsequently hemolytic anemia resolved and did not occur again. This is the first reported pediatric case with prolactinoma and cabergoline-induced hemolytic anemia. Clinicians should be watchful for this rare side effect induced by cabergoline

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum and coexistence with Toxoplasma gondii in dogs.

PubMed: 19598086Neospora caninum is a protozoal agent causing abortion and infertility problems in dairy cattle. The objective of the present study was to detect the seroprevalence of N.caninum in dogs and its co-existence with Toxoplasma gondii in some rural and urban regions of Kirikka-le province. A total of 121 blood samples were examined with indirect immunoflorescent antibody test to detect the presence of N.caninum IgG antibodies. The seropositivity of N.caninum was 28.9% in dogs. The seropositivity rate was higher in male dogs than that of females (p 0.05). There was no significant difference amongst the age groups and location of the dogs (rural or urban) (p > 0.05). The N.caninum positive serum samples were also examined for the presence of antibodies for T.gondii by Sabin-Feldman Dye test in order to identify the possible serological co-infection, 1/16 and higher titres were evaluated as positive. According to test results, 19 out of 35 N.caninum seropositive dogs (54.3%) showed T.gondii seropositivity