Evaluation of Eosinopenia as a SIRS Biomarker in Critically Ill Horses

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a very common finding in critically ill patients. To accurately identify patients with SIRS and those who need intensive care, several markers have been evaluated, including cortisol, WBC or lactate. It is widely known that a stress leukogram includes eosinopenia as one of its main markers (neutrophilia, eosinopenia, lymphopenia and mild monocytes). It is known that cortisol concentration in plasma is the main stress biomarker and is strongly correlated with the severity of disease in horses. However, it is not possible to measure this parameter routinely in clinical conditions. Hence, in this study it was hypothesized that the eosinophil count could be a reliable parameter to identify critically ill horses. Horses included in this study were divided into three groups: Group A (sick horses received at the Emergency Unit which did not fulfil the criteria for SIRS), Group B (horses that meet two or more criteria for inclusion in the definition of SIRS) and a control group of healthy horses. In this study, horses with SIRS showed lower eosinophil counts than healthy horses. Moreover, non-surviving horses exhibited lower eosinophil counts than survivors. Eosinopenia could be used to identify horses with SIRS and can be useful as a prognostic marker

Acute upper airway obstruction due to retropharyngeal hematoma in a dog with Anaplasma species: a case study

Antecedentes: El hematoma retro-faríngeo es una rara afección que es difícil de diagnosticar y puede progresar rápidamente a la obstrucción de las vías respiratorias. Los autores reportan el primer caso conocido de la obstrucción aguda de la vía aérea superior resultante de hematoma retro-faríngeo en un perro. Causas documentadas en medicina humana han incluido coagulopatía, trauma, infección, adenoma paratiroideo ruptura, y la ingestión de cuerpo extraño. Síntomas vagos en los seres humanos como dolor de garganta, disfonía, disnea, disfagia y la hinchazón del cuello puede preceder a la obstrucción de las vías aéreas letales. Presentación de casos: Los autores presentan el caso de una paciente hembra Spaniel de agua, de 18 meses de edad, con trombocitopenia que desarrolló un gran hematoma retro-faríngeo y síntomas de compromiso de la vía aérea. El perro requiere intubación traqueal, seguida por la traque-ostomía quirúrgica. Radiografía cervical lateral y la resonancia magnética del cuello fue compatible con un hematoma retro-faríngeo comprometer la vía respiratoria. El hematoma retro-faríngeo fue gestionado de forma conservadora. Conclusión: El hematoma retrofaríngeo debe ser considerada en pacientes con dificultad respiratoria brusca. La resonancia magnética permite el diagnóstico específico de una rara afección que de otro modo es difícil de diagnosticar.Background: Retropharyngeal hematoma is a rare condition that is difficult to diagnose and may progress rapidly to airway obstruction. The authors report the first known case of acute upper airway obstruction resulting from retropharyngeal hematoma in a dog. Documented causes in human medicine have included coagulopathic states, trauma, infection, parathyroid adenoma rupture, and foreign body ingestion. Vague symptoms in humans such as sore throat, shortness of breath, dysphonia, dysphagia, and neck swelling may precede lethal airway obstruction. Case presentation: The authors report a case of an 18-month-old, intact female water spaniel with thrombocytopenia that developed a massive retropharyngeal hematoma and symptoms of airway compromise. The dog required tracheal intubation followed by surgical tracheostomy. Lateral cervical radiography and magnetic resonance imaging of the neck was consistent with a retropharyngeal hematoma compromising the airway. The retropharyngeal hematoma was managed conservatively. Conclusion: Retropharyngeal hematoma should be considered in patients presenting with abrupt respiratory distress.Magnetic resonance imaging allowed specific diagnosis of a rare condition that is otherwise difficult to diagnose

Osteomielitis maxilar debido a Halicephalobus gingivalis y diseminación fatal en un caballo

En la presente comunicación se expone un caso de infestación parasitaria poco habitual causada por Halicephalobus gingivalis, cuya manifestación principal fue osteomielitis del hueso maxilar. El caballo mostraba inicialmente inflamación y dolor en la región de la cresta facial derecha. Las radiografías demostraron la presencia de osteolisis y ensanchamiento de la cresta facial. La biopsia del hueso mostraba inflamación granulomatosa y un gran número de larvas del nematodo. El caballo fue tratado con ivermectina. Inicialmente mejoraron los signos clínicos, pero dos meses y medio después el caballo desarrollo uveitis y fallo renal, por lo que fue eutanasiado. El estudio anatómico-patológico mostro múltiples granulomas parasitarios en los riñones y en la uvea. La infección por Halicephalobus gingivalis es poco frecuente en caballos y personas aunque presenta una distribución mundial. De acuerdo con los autores esta es la primera vez que se describe dicha infestación en un équido en España.This study reports a rare case of maxillary osteomyelitis in a horse caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis. The horse presented inflammation and pain in the region of the right facial crest and the radiographs detected osteolysis and widening of the facial crest. The biopsy revealed a granulomatous inflammation and a large amount of parasite larvae. The horse was treated with ivermectin but it developed uveitis and renal insufficiency 2.5 months later and was euthanised. The anatomopathological study found multiple parasitic granulomas in the kidneys and uveal tract. H. gingivalis is an infrequent infection in horses and people, and it has a worldwide distribution. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of H. gingivalis infection in an equid to be diagnosed in Spain.peerReviewe

Total intravenous anaesthesia in a goat undergoing craniectomy

Fondo La coenurosis cerebral es una enfermedad del sistema nervioso central en ovejas y cabras, y suele ser mortal a menos que se proporcione alivio quirúrgico. La información sobre la neuroanestesia en medicina veterinaria en cabras es escasa. Presentación del caso Describimos el manejo anestésico de una cabra hembra intacta (2 años; 16 kg) presentada para una craneotomía. La cabra se sedó con xilazina (0,05 mg kg − 1, i.m.) y morfina (0,05 mg kg − 1, i.m.). La anestesia general se indujo 20 min más tarde con propofol y se mantuvo con una infusión a velocidad constante de propofol (0,2 mg kg − 1 min − 1). Se colocó un tubo endotraqueal con manguito y se conectó a un sistema de recirculación (círculo) y se inició la ventilación mecánica con oxígeno al 100%. Se administró un bolo de lidocaína (1 mg kg − 1), midazolam (0,25 mg kg − 1) y fentanilo 2,5 μg kg − 1 por vía intravenosa seguida inmediatamente de una infusión a velocidad constante de lidocaína (50 μg kg − 1 min− 1), midazolam (0,15 mg kg − 1 h − 1) y fentanilo (6 μg kg − 1 h − 1) administrados por vía intravenosa a lo largo de la cirugía. Se realizó craniectomía y la cabra se recuperó sin problemas. Conclusión La anestesia intravenosa total con propofol, lidocaína, fentanilo y midazolam podría ser una opción aceptable para la anestesia durante la cirugía intracraneal en cabras.Background Cerebral coenurosis is a disease of the central nervous system in sheep and goats, and is usually fatal unless surgical relief is provided. Information regarding neuroanaesthesia in veterinary medicine in goats is scant. Case presentation We describe anaesthetic management of an intact female goat (2 years; 16 kg) presented for craniectomy. The goat was sedated with xylazine (0.05 mg kg−1, i.m.) and morphine (0.05 mg kg−1, i.m.). General anaesthesia was induced 20 min later with propofol and maintained with a constant rate infusion of propofol (0.2 mg kg−1 min−1). A cuffed endotracheal tube was placed and connected to a rebreathing (circle) system and mechanical ventilation with 100% oxygen was initiated. A bolus of lidocaine (1 mg kg−1), midazolam (0.25 mg kg−1) and fentanyl 2.5 μg kg−1 was delivered via the intravenous route followed immediately by a constant rate infusion of lidocaine (50 μg kg−1 min−1), midazolam (0.15 mg kg−1 h−1) and fentanyl (6 μg kg−1 h−1) administered via the intravenous route throughout surgery. Craniectomy was undertaken and the goat recovered uneventfully. Conclusion Total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol, lidocaine, fentanyl and midazolam could be an acceptable option for anaesthesia during intracranial surgery in goats.peerReviewe

La neumografia retroperitonealdirecta frente a otras técnicas radioloógicas de contraste negativo para la visualización del riñón en la especie canina

Proponemos el uso de una nueva técnica radiológica para la visualización de los riñones, la neumografia retroperitoneal directa, una técnica sencilla y segura, en la que se obtienen imágenes de gran calidad y que nos permite visualizar selectivamente uno o ambos riñones a partir de un único punto de insuflación. Desarrollarnos un modelo experimental en el que se compara esta técnica con la neumoperitoneografía y la neumografía retroperítoneal presacra, valorando la calidad de las imágenes, el grado de dificultad y la seguridad de las mismas.The use of a new radiological technique for kidneys visualization isproposed, the direct retroperitoneal pneumograpby; an easy and safe technique which gives high qua lity images, visualizing selectively one or both kidneys starting from only one insufflation point. An experimental model of comparison between the direct retroperitoneal pneumograpby, the pneumoperitoneograpby and the pararectal retroperitoneal neumography is carried out; estimating the images qua lity, the difficulty level and the security ofthis techniques

Perineal hernia in the dog, a prevalence study of 81 cases

Este estudio se llevó a cabo con el fin de analizar la prevalencia de la hernia perineal en la población, describir las características de la misma y evaluar las distintas técnicas empleadas para la herniorrafia y sus resultados. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de los casos de hernia perineal en el Hospital Clínico Veterinario de la Universidad de Extremadura. Los casos de hernia perineal representan 0,96% de la población. Los machos constituyen un 98,2% y las hembras 1,2%. Los pacientes tienen una edad media de 8,69 años, y una desviación típica de 2,19 años. El peso fue de 16,4 kg ± 11,44 kg (media ± desviación típica). Se encontraron 18 hernias perineales bilaterales, 40 unilaterales derechas y 20 unilaterales izquierdas, con 96 hernias perineales. Fueron intervenidos 67 pacientes, sumando 80 hernias perineales operadas. Presentaron retroflexión de vejiga el 13,6% de los casos y afectación de la próstata el 21%. Se observó que los pacientes con hernia perineal bilateral tenían mayor predisposición a tener la vejiga en retroflexión. Las técnicas empleadas fueron las siguientes: anatómica o convencional (7,55%), transposición del obturador interno (67,92%), anatómica con malla (11,32%), transposición del obturador interno con malla (13,22%). La técnica de transposición del obturador interno obtuvo 2,8% de recidivas. La tasa de complicaciones y de recidiva tras la herniorrafia perineal se eleva al 9,84% y 14,8%, respectivamente.The aim of this is study was to analyse perineal hernia’s prevalence in the population, describe its characteristics and to evaluate different surgical techniques used and their results. The study design is a retrospective study of perineal hernia’s cases in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Extremadura. Perineal hernia cases are 0.96% of the population. Males and females represent 98.2% and 1.2%, respectively. Our population with perineal hernia has an average age of 8,69 years, and a standard deviation of 2.19 years. The average weight body was 16.4 kg ± 11.44 kg. We found 18 bilateral perineal hernias, 40 right unilateral hernias and 20 left unilateral; the total number was 96 perineal hernias. Sixty seven patients underwent surgery, and a total of 80 perineal hernias were repaired. The most frequent clinical signs were perineal bulge and defecation difficulty. Bladder retroflexion appeared in 13.6% of the cases and the prostate was affected in the 21%. It was noted that bilateral perineal hernia patients had increased susceptibility to bladder retroflexion. The techniques used were as follows: anatomical or conventional (7.55%), transposition of the internal obturator muscle (67.92%), anatomical with polypropylene mesh (11.32%), transposition of the internal obturator muscle with polypropylene mesh (13.22%). The transposition of the internal obturator muscle obtained a recurrence’s rate of 2.8%. Complications’s rate and recurrence’s rate on perineal herniorraphy were 9.84% and 14.8%, respectively.peerReviewe

Computational flow cytometry reveals that cryopreservation induces spermptosis but subpopulations of spermatozoa may experience capacitation-like changes

[EN] The reduced lifespan of cryopreserved spermatozoa in the mare reproductive tract has been attributed to both capacitative and apoptotic changes. However, there is a lack of studies investigating both phenomena simultaneously. In order to improve our knowledge in this particular point, we studied in raw and frozen-thawed samples apoptotic and capacitative markers using a wide battery of test based in flow cytometry. Apoptotic markers evaluated were caspase 3 activity, externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS), and mitochondrial membrane potential. Markers of changes resembling capacitation were membrane fluidity, tyrosine phosphorylation, and intracellular sodium. Conventional and computational flow cytometry using nonlinear dimensionally reduction techniques (t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE)) and automatic classification of cellular expression by nonlinear stochastic embedding (ACCENSE) were used. Most of the changes induced by cryopreservation were apoptotic, with increase in caspase 3 activation (P < 0.01), PS translocation to the outer membrane (P < 0.001), loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (P < 0.05), and increase in intracellular Na+ (P < 0.01). Average values of markers of capacitative changes were not affected by cryopreservation; however, the analysis of the phenotype of individual spermatozoa using computational flow cytometry revealed the presence of subpopulations of spermatozoa experiencing capacitative changes. For the first time advanced computational techniques were applied to the analysis of spermatozoa, and these techniques were able to disclose relevant information of the ejaculate that remained hidden using conventional flow cytometry.SIThe authors received financial support for this study from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad-FEDER, Madrid, Spain, grant AGL2013-43211-R, Junta de Extremadura-FEDER (GR 15029). PMM is supported by a pre-doctoral grant from the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, Madrid Spain FPU13/03991. COF is supported by a post-doctoral grant from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad “Juan de la Cierva” IJCI-2014-21671

Safety and efficacy of ribociclib plus letrozole in patients with HR+, HER2– advanced breast cancer: Results from the Spanish sub-population of the phase 3b CompLEEment-1 trial

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Spanish women. Ribociclib in combination with endocrine therapy (ET) has shown superiority in prolonging survival in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer (ABC) vs. ET alone.Methods: CompLEEment-1 is a single-arm, open-label phase 3b trial evaluating ribociclib plus letrozole in a broad population of patients with HR+, HER2- ABC. The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability. Here we report data for Spanish patients enrolled in CompLEEment-1.Results: A total of 526 patients were evaluated (median follow-up: 26.97 months). Baseline characteristics showed a diverse population with a median age of 54 years. At study entry, 56.5% of patients had visceral metastases and 8.7% had received prior chemotherapy for advanced disease. Rates of all-grade and Grade >= 3 adverse events (AEs) were 99.0% and 76.2%, respectively; 21.3% of patients experienced a serious AE, and 15.8% of AEs led to treatment discontinuation. AEs of special interest of neutropenia, increased alanine aminotransferase, increased aspartate aminotransferase and QTcF prolongation occurred in 77.8%, 14.8%, 11.4% and 4.0% of patients, respectively. Patients aged >70 years experienced increased rates of all-grade and Grade >= 3 neutropenia and anemia. Efficacy results were consistent with the global study.Conclusions: Results from Spanish patients enrolled in CompLEEment-1 are consistent with global data showing efficacy and a manageable safety profile for ribociclib plus letrozole treatment in patients with HR+, HER2-ABC, including populations of interest (NCT02941926).Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0294192

Linfosarcoma transmisible venéreo canino: presentación inguinal en un pastor alemán adulto

El Linfosarcoma transmisible venéreo canino tradicionalmente ha sido descrito como una neoplasia única o múltiple lobulada, constituída por masas compactas de células linfoblásticas envueltas por un delicado estroma conectivo no neoplásico (2, 5, 6). Sin embargo, nosotros lo hemos detectado a nivel de la región inguinal con un proceso fistuloso con salida de un líquido seromucoso de ligera tonalidad rojiza.Canine Transmissible Venereal Lymphosarcoma has traditionally been described as a single or multiple lobulated neoplasm, made up of compact masses of lymphoblastic cells surrounded by a delicate non-neoplastic connective stroma (2, 5, 6). However, we have detected it at the level of the inguinal region with a fistulous process with output of a slightly reddish seromucous fluid.peerReviewe