Serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in apparently healthy cats regarding age, gender, breed, diet type, reproductive status, and housing condition.

BACKGROUND: Optimal vitamin D levels for an effective role in immune function and rickets prevention are thought to vary, but have not yet been definitively determined. Reports on reference values of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in cats are limited. AIMS: The study provides information about serum 25(OH)D values in cats with different age, gender, breed, diet type, reproductive status, housing condition, and also the relationship between these levels and various hematological and biochemical parameters. METHODS: Clinically healthy cats (88) were included in the study. Physical examination and assessment of hematological and biochemical parameters were performed on cats in order to confirm their health status. Reference value of serum 25(OH)D was assayed by ELISA method and the effects of age (under six months and above six months), gender, breed, diet (only commercial diet, only homemade food, mixture of commercial and homemade food), reproduction status, and housing conditions on serum 25(OH)D was determined. RESULTS: The median, 2.5% and 97.5% of 25(OH)D in sampled cats were 19.74 ng/ml, 3.12 ng/ml, and 92.1 ng/ml, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was lower when homemade diet was used compared to commercial and mixed diets as well as in cats under six months of age compared to older cats. CONCLUSION: Diet type and age can affect serum 25(OH)D levels in healthy cats while other parameters had no significant effects.

Clinical, bacteriological and histopathological aspects of first-time pyoderma in a population of Iranian domestic dogs: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococci are the most common cause of pyoderma in dogs. AIMS: The purpose of the present study was to investigate clinical, bacteriological and histopathological aspects of bacterial skin infections in a population of Iranian domestic dogs with first-time pyoderma. METHODS: The study animals were 61 clinical cases of Iranian domestic dogs with first-time pyoderma. The diagnosis of pyoderma was based on the history, the presence of variable gross cutaneous lesions, positive findings on microscopic examination of surface cytology and histopathological findings. RESULTS: Detection of pyoderma amongst adult dogs was significantly higher than puppies (P=0.001). Large breed dogs were presented more frequently for pyoderma in comparison to small breeds (P=0.002). Bacterial species were recovered from 43 of the 61 (70.49%) studied animals. No isolates were recovered from 18 studied dogs. The most frequently recovered bacterial genus was Staphylococcus (32/43 isolates, 74.41%) including: S. epidermidis (22/43 isolates, 51.16%), S. aureus (7/43 isolates, 16.27%), and S. pseudintermedius (3/43 isolates, 6.97%). Staphylococci species resistance was most commonly seen against amoxicillin (94.11%), penicillin (83.35%), and ampicillin (76.47%). Resistant to cephalexin and cefoxitin was 5.88% and 2.94%, respectively. A total of 27 of the staphylococci isolated (84.37%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent and 19 isolates (59.37%) were resistant to three or more antimicrobial drugs. CONCLUSION: A better understanding of this microbial population is critical for clarification of the pathophysiology of bacterial skin diseases.

Canine visceral leishmaniosis: the relationship of blood serum thyroid hormones, lipids, and lipoproteins with clinical status.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of thyroid hormones and lipid profile in development and outcome of canine visceral leishmaniosis (CVL). We therefore studied the relationships between blood serum thyroid hormones [total T4, free T4, total T3, and free T3], lipids, and lipoproteins [total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] and clinical status in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum. Two groups of Leishmania-infected dogs [with no clinical signs (NCS; n = 15), and with clinical signs (CS; n = 16)] were assessed and compared with a group of healthy control dogs (n = 15). A significant decrease in serum total T4 (p < 0.05) concentration in the CS group was observed when compared to the NCS and control groups. The dogs in CS group revealed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in free T4 concentration in comparison to the control group. The CS group presented a significant decrease in HDL-C (p < 0.01) concentrations, when compared to NCS and control groups. The observed findings in the present study suggested that thyroid hormone and lipoprotein alterations may have a role in susceptibility of dogs with Leishmania infection.

A Molecular and Serological Study on Visceral Leishmaniasis in Asymptomatic Stray Dogs in Mashhad, Iran.

Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis is caused by Leishmania infantum (L. infantum),and its major reservoir hosts are domestic dogs, most of which are asymptomatic. This study aimed to detect L. infantum spp. in asymptomatic stray dogs by molecular and serological methods in Mashhad, Iran, during 2011-12. In this study, 94 asymptomatic stray dogs were randomly selected and their blood samples were collected for indirect fluorescent antibody testing. Furthermore, tissue samples from all the L. infantum seropositive stray dogs were examined using semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Accordding to the results, 11.7 %(11/94) of the dogs were L. infantum seropositive. The PCR positivity rate of L. infantum was 63.6% (7/11) in at least one of the collected specimens of the seropositive dogs. The L. infantum kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) was detected in the liver of 36% (4/11), the spleen of 27% (3/11), and the skin of 54.5 %(6/11) of the stray dogs. In this study, based on the molecular and serological examinations, visceral leishmaniasis infection among the stray dogs in Mashhad was confirmed.

A serological study of Leishmania infantum in dogs of Khorasan Razavi province, Iran.

Leishmania infantum is the principal agent of visceral leishmaniosis (kala-azar) in all areas of Iran. The disease is endemic in Fars, Ardabil, East Azerbaijan and Bushehr provinces while it is sporadic in other parts of the country. Dog as a member of canidae family is the main animal reservoir host of kala-azar. The present study was carried out to determine the sero-prevalence of canine leishmaniosis in Mashhad, the capital city of Khorasan Razavi Province, in the north east of Iran. Two-hundred and nine dogs in two different classes including stray and sheepdogs were selected for this cross-sectional study. The blood samples were collected and tested by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test for detection of anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies. The results showed that 16/209 (7.6 %) of blood samples were positive. The sero-prevalence rates in stray and sheepdogs were 11/94 (11.7 %) and 5/115 (4.3 %), respectively (p < 0.05). Based on the results obtained, it is concluded that visceral leishmaniosis is distributed among dogs of this area, also sero-prevalence of canine leishmaniosis in stray dogs higher than sheepdogs.

Canine visceral leishmaniasis: relationships between oxidative stress, liver and kidney variables, trace elements, and clinical status.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of oxidative stress in the pathology of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). We therefore studied the relationships between oxidative stress markers, liver and kidney variables, trace elements, and clinical status in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum. Two groups of Leishmania-infected dogs [asymptomatic (AD, n = 14) and symptomatic (SD, n = 16)] were assessed and compared with a group of non-infected control dogs (CD, n = 30). A significant decrease (p < 0.001) in serum total antioxidant status (TAS) and albumin concentration (p < 0.05) and a significant increase in serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations (p < 0.001), in the SD group, were observed when compared to CD and AD groups. Dogs of the AD group presented a significant decrease in copper (p < 0.01) and zinc (p < 0.001) concentrations, when compared to CD group, while the SD group presented a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in copper and zinc concentrations, when compared to CD and AD groups. Oxidative stress markers (MDA and TAS) showed significant correlations (p < 0.001) with trace elements (copper and zinc) and liver (alanine aminotransferase) and kidney (BUN and creatinine) variables. The results of the present study revealed that symptomatic dogs showed more severe oxidative stress than asymptomatic and non-infected dogs and enhanced lipid peroxidation may be linked to liver and kidney damage in canine visceral leishmaniasis.

A preliminary parasitological survey of hepatozoon spp. Infection in dogs in mashhad, iran.

BACKGROUND: We attempted to determine the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. infection in Mashhad, northeast of Iran, via blood smear parasitology. METHODS: The prevalence was investigated by examination of blood smear parasitology, using blood samples collected from 254 dogs (51 strays and 203 privately owned-dogs). RESULTS: Two stray dogs (2/51; 3.92%) and two privately-owned dogs (2/203; 0.98%) were infected with Hepatozoon spp. Therefore, as per blood smear parasitology, the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. infection was 1.57% (4/254). Sixteen out of 254 dogs (6.29%) were infested with ticks; all of which were Rhipicephalus sanguineus. One of the dogs infected with Hepatozoon spp. exhibited ticks at the time of examination. Concurrent infection with Ehrlichia canis and Leishmania infantum was not detected in the four Hepatozoon spp. infected dogs. CONCLUSION: This is the first epidemiological study on the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. infection in dogs in Iran.