Epidemiology of canine cutaneous round cell tumours on the canary archipelago in Spain.

In this study we undertook a comprehensive analysis of a Pet Tumour Registry of the Canary Archipelago (PTR-CA) in Spain to investigate the epidemiology of canine cutaneous round cell tumours. From a database of 2526 tumours collected from 2003 to 2020, we conducted a longitudinal analysis of the main trends in diagnosis, age, multiplicity and anatomical distribution as well as a case-control study comparing these cases with the contemporaneous canine population of the Canary Archipelago to analyse breed distribution. In line with former studies, we found histiocytomas mostly affect young dogs (2, IQR 1-5) and mast cell tumours affect middle-to-old dogs (8, IQR 6-10) with grade 1 affecting at younger ages (6.5, IQR 6-8) than both grade 2 (8, IQR 6-10 years) and grade 3 (9, IQR 7-11). Histiocytomas and plasmacytomas showed a similar anatomical distribution appearing mainly on the face, head and neck regions while mast cell tumours occur mainly on limbs and trunk. Higher risk for mast cell tumours and histiocytomas were found for Bulldog-related breeds such as Boxer (ORMCT = 23.61, CI95%: 19.12-29.15, ORHCT = 10.17, CI95%: 6.60-15.67), Boston Terrier (ORMCT 19.47, CI95%: 7.73-49.05, ORHCT 32.61, CI95%: 11.81-90.07) and Pug (ORMCT 8.10, CI95%: 5.92-11.07, ORHCT 7.87, CI95%: 4.66-13.28) while Chihuahua dogs showed significantly less risk (ORMCT 0.18, CI95%: 0.09-0.33, ORHCT 0.41, CI95%: 0.21-0.78). Notably, the Canarian Mastiff, a local breed, had a low risk of suffering from a mast cell tumour which raises the question of whether this relates to a genetic peculiarity of this breed or some husbandry and environmental factor.

Reconstructing the geological provenance and long-distance movement of rectangular, fishtail, and croisette copper ingots in Iron Age Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The southern third of Africa is unusually rich in copper ore deposits. These were exploited by precolonial populations to manufacture wound-wire bangles, other forms of jewelry, and large copper ingots that were used as stores of copper or as forms of prestige. Rectangular, fishtail, and croisette ingots dating between the 5th and 20th centuries CE have been found in many locations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Zambia, and Zimbabwe, with isolated finds in Malawi and Mozambique. Molds for casting these ingots have been found mostly in the Central African Copperbelt, but also around the Magondi Belt copper deposits in northern Zimbabwe. For years, scholars have debated whether these ingots were exclusively made in the Copperbelt or if the molds found in Zimbabwe indicate that local copies were produced from Magondi Belt copper ore (Garlake 1970; Bisson 1976). Before the recent application of lead isotopic and chemical methods to provenance copper in central and southern Africa, there was no way to discern between these hypotheses. Rademakers et al. (2019) and Stephens et al. (2020) showed that copper artifacts from southern DRC (mostly from Upemba) and from northwestern Botswana (Tsodilo Hills) match the lead isotope ratios of ores from the Copperbelt. Building upon these previous studies, we present here the first results from a copper provenance project across the southern third of Africa, from the Copperbelt to northern South Africa. We apply lead isotopic analysis (LIA) and chemical analyses to establish the provenance of 29 croisette ingots recovered in Zimbabwe, 2 fishtail and 1 rectangular ingot recovered from sites in Zambia, and an "X" shaped ingot smelted in an experiment in Zambia in the 1970's. Our chemistry and lead isotopic results indicate that 16 of these objects were smelted with copper from the Copperbelt, 16 objects source more specifically to the Kipushi deposit within this geological district, and only one HXR ingot sources to the Magondi Belt in Zimbabwe. Taken together, we clearly illustrate that croisette ingots were traveling significant distances to reach their eventual sites of deposition, and that there was also local production of these objects in Zimbabwe.

Epidemiology of canine mammary tumours on the Canary Archipelago in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Mammary gland tumours are the most frequently diagnosed tumours in the female dogs but just a few studies have analysed their epidemiology. Therefore, we set out to describe the epidemiology of canine mammary cancer in the Canary Archipelago, Spain. We analysed a pathology tumour registry (PTR) and identified 7362 samples obtained from 5240 female dogs resident on the Canary Archipelago during an 18-year period (2003-2020). Using a case-control study design, we compared mammary tumour affected dogs with the Canarian canine population registry in order to elucidate the breed associations for these tumours. RESULTS: The frequency of a diagnosis of mammary tumours relative to all tumour diagnoses in female dogs decreased during the study period from 62.7% to 48.9%. Contemporaneously, the proportion of dogs diagnosed with mammary tumours who were also neutered increased from 13.6% to 26.9%. There was a negative correlation (R = -0.84) between these changes. Additional findings were that: the proportion of female dogs diagnosed with multiple tumours increased by 23.5% and that the proportion of malignant tumours 89.2% diagnosed has remained stable through the period. Benign mammary tumours were diagnosed at younger ages (9.2 years old) than carcinomas (9.7 years old) and sarcomas (10.4 years old). Epithelial mammary tumours were diagnosed at younger ages in entire female dogs. Samoyed, Schnauzer, Poodle, German Pinscher and Cocker Spaniel were the breeds with the highest odds-ratios (OR) in comparison with the reference (crossbreeds) while Miniature Pinscher, American Staffordshire Terrier, English Pointer as well as some local breeds such as the Canary Warren Hound and the Majorero had the lowest ORs. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a description of the changing epidemiology of canine mammary cancer in the Canary Archipelago over the last two decades. We found high rates of CMT with a significant predominance of malignant tumours. Exact risk factors are uncertain, but a combination of environmental, regional socioeconomic affecting human and their pets, and animal management factors are likely to play a part. Specifically, neutering was negatively associated with the proportion of epithelial mammary gland tumours and breeds native to the region were at lower risk of mammary tumours. A deeper analysis of all these factors will facilitate a deeper understanding of the epidemiology of mammary gland tumours in both the canine and the human population.

UK veterinary professionals' perceptions and experiences of adverse drug reaction reporting.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is the cornerstone of pharmacovigilance. Despite this, it is believed that there is significant under-reporting in the veterinary setting. Low reporting rates delay marketing authorisation holders (MAHs) and regulators taking mitigating action in the case of safety concerns. METHOD: We designed a survey to explore the perceptions, attitudes and experiences of UK veterinary professionals towards ADR reporting. The survey was advertised widely through conventional and social media and at several conferences. RESULTS: In total, 260 respondents completed the survey, including 210 veterinary surgeons, 49 veterinary nurses and one suitably qualified person. Respondents generally understood the need to report ADRs. The main barrier to reporting was the suspected ADR being well known, and the most popular potential facilitator identified was the ability to report via the practice management system. Facilitation via education in the form of a pharmacovigilance themed continuing professional development event was particularly popular among veterinary nurses, who reported time as being less of a barrier to reporting than their veterinary surgeon counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that technological interventions to facilitate reporting and empowerment of veterinary nurses to report through a tailored training event should be explored further.

Do socioeconomic factors impact management of suspected canine multicentric lymphoma in UK first opinion practice?

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the management of cases of suspected and confirmed canine multicentric lymphoma (ML) in first opinion practice (FOP) and investigate whether socioeconomic factors are associated with initial management. METHODS: Clinical narratives from electronic health records collected by the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) were searched to identify dogs with peripheral lymphadenomegaly in which ML was the major differential. Cases were grouped as either ML confirmed (ML-C) or ML suspected but not confirmed (ML-S). Associations between initial management and socioeconomic factors were assessed via multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-four cases with ML-C and 410 with ML-S were identified. There was an increased probability that owners of ML-C cases resided in less deprived areas. Moreover, a diagnosis was made more commonly in insured dogs. Only insured pets were more likely to be treated with chemotherapy following diagnosis. The majority of dogs in both groups were treated with corticosteroids alone (ML-S, n = 256/410; ML-C, n = 123/264). A small minority were referred (n = 30/674). CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic inequalities appear to be associated with the diagnosis and management of dogs with suspected or confirmed ML in FOP. Most dogs with suspected multicentric lymphoma (in the UK) are managed in FOP (n = 644/674). Consequently, expanding the knowledge base relevant to this setting offers an opportunity to improve the management of canine lymphoma.

Clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of canine malignant mesothelioma: A retrospective study of 34 cases.

Canine malignant mesothelioma (CMM) is a rare and aggressive tumour associated with a poor prognosis. Limited information is available regarding effective treatment options and prognostic factors. The purpose of this retrospective case series was to describe the clinical presentation, treatment and survival in a cohort of dogs with this disease and to investigate possible prognostic factors. Thirty-four dogs were included. Tachypnoea and dyspnoea due to pleural effusion were the most common presenting clinical signs. Twenty-two dogs had a subcutaneous access port placed and 25 dogs were treated with intracavitary and/or intravenous chemotherapy. The main protocols used were single-agent 5-FU (n = 14) and carboplatin single-agent or alternated with mitoxantrone (n = 10). The overall response rate (defined as more than 25% reduction in effusion volume) to chemotherapy treatment was 37% after 3-weeks and 24% after 15-weeks. The median survival time (MST) for all dogs was 195 days (95% CI 53-324). MST was 234 days for dogs receiving chemotherapy and 29 days for dogs not receiving chemotherapy. The 1-year survival rate was 22% for all dogs. Treatment with chemotherapy was the only significant prognostic factor associated with survival (p = .001). Further studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment approach for malignant mesothelioma in dogs. Nevertheless, effusion recurrence should be expected and the prognosis for these patients in the long-term is poor.

Temporospatial distribution and country of origin of canine transmissible venereal tumours in the UK.

BACKGROUND: Transmissable venereal tumour (TVT) is a tumour transplanted by physical contact between dogs. Lesions typically affect the genitalia. TVT is not considered enzootic in the United Kingdom (UK), with cases seen in imported dogs. We sought to determine the patient characteristics, temporal and spatial distribution and country of origin of affected dogs in the UK. METHODS: Electronic pathology records (EPRs) from four UK veterinary diagnostic laboratories collected between 2010 and 2019 were searched for the terms 'venereal' or 'TVT'. Reports were reviewed for statements confirming a TVT and descriptive statistics collated. RESULTS: Of 182 EPRs matching the search terms, a diagnosis of TVT was confirmed in 71. Country of origin was noted in 36 cases (50.7%) with Romania being the most common (n = 29). Cases were reported in each UK constituent country, with the majority being in England (64, 90.1%). The incidence of TVT diagnosis increased over the last decade (z = 2.78, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: The incidence of TVT diagnosed in the UK is increasing. The majority of cases were known to have been imported. Autochthonous transmission cannot be excluded due to study design. Vets are encouraged to carefully examine the genitalia of dogs imported to the UK from countries with enzootic TVT.

A text-mining based analysis of 100,000 tumours affecting dogs and cats in the United Kingdom.

Cancer is a major reason for veterinary consultation, especially in companion animals. Cancer surveillance plays a key role in prevention but opportunities for such surveillance in companion animals are limited by the lack of suitable veterinary population health infrastructures. In this paper we describe a pathology-based animal tumour registry (PTR) developed within the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) built from electronic pathology records (EPR) submitted to this network. From an original collection of 180232 free text (non-structured) EPRs reported between April 2018 and June 2019, we used specific text-mining methodologies to identify 109895 neoplasias. These data were normalized to describe both the tumour (type and location) and the animal (breed, neutering status and veterinary practice postcode). The resulting PTR, the largest of its kind for companion animals to date, is an important research resource being able to facilitate a wide array of research in areas including surveillance, clinical decision making and comparative cancer biology.

Immunohistochemical expression and prognostic significance of MAGE-A in canine oral malignant melanoma.

Canine oral malignant melanoma (COMM) is considered a chemo-resistant cancer with a poor long-term prognosis. The melanoma-associated antigen A (MAGE-A) genes, which belong to the cancer-testis antigen family, are expressed in several different canine cancers but not in normal somatic tissue. This study evaluates the expression of MAGE-A proteins and their prognostic role in COMM. The study was conducted in 2 parts. During the first part, biopsies from oral malignant melanomas from 43 dogs were examined and immunohistochemically assessed for expression of MAGE-A proteins. For the second part, the association between MAGE-A expression and outcome was assessed using follow-up data which was available for 20 dogs whose primary tumour had been controlled with surgery +/- radiation therapy. MAGE-A proteins were expressed in 88.4% (38/43) of oral malignant melanomas and had a predominantly cytoplasmic expression pattern. Immunopositivity was observed in more than 50% of the cells in 21 dogs (48.8%). Immunostaining intensity was classified as weak, moderate and intense in 16 (37%), 16 (37%) and 6 (14%) cases, respectively. No staining for MAGE-A was seen in 5 dogs (11%). Dogs whose COMM had weak MAGE-A staining intensity had a median survival time (MST) of 320 days while this was 129 days for dogs with moderate and intense immunostaining (p = 0.161). Dogs whose COMM had >50% of positive staining neoplastic cells had an MST of 141 days and dogs with a staining <50% had an MST of 320 days (p = 0.164). MAGE-A expression did not influence survival in our cohort.

Investigating cat predation as the cause of bat wing tears using forensic DNA analysis.

Cat predation upon bat species has been reported to have significant effects on bat populations in both rural and urban areas. The majority of research in this area has focussed on observational data from bat rehabilitators documenting injuries, and cat owners, when domestic cats present prey. However, this has the potential to underestimate the number of bats killed or injured by cats. Here, we use forensic DNA analysis techniques to analyze swabs taken from injured bats in the United Kingdom, mainly including Pipistrellus pipistrellus (40 out of 72 specimens). Using quantitative PCR, cat DNA was found in two-thirds of samples submitted by bat rehabilitators. Of these samples, short tandem repeat analysis produced partial DNA profiles for approximately one-third of samples, which could be used to link predation events to individual cats. The use of genetic analysis can complement observational data and potentially provide additional information to give a more accurate estimation of cat predation.

Evaluation of a multi-agent chemotherapy protocol combining dexamethasone, melphalan, actinomycin D, and cytarabine for the treatment of resistant canine non-Hodgkin high-grade lymphomas: a single centre's experience.

The DMAC protocol (dexamethasone, melphalan, actinomycin-D, cytarabine) has been evaluated in American studies for the treatment of relapsed canine lymphoma, comparing similarly to other rescue protocols. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of DMAC, in a larger UK cohort of resistant canine lymphomas. Medical records of dogs with resistant non-Hodgkin high-grade lymphomas that received DMAC as a rescue protocol were reviewed from 2007 to 2017. Response, time from initiation to discontinuation (TTD) and toxicity (Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group criteria) were assessed. One hundred dogs were included; 86 received CEOP (modified CHOP including epirubicin) as first-line treatment. Thirty-five dogs (35%) responded: 21 complete responders (CRs) and 14 partial responders (PRs). Responders had significantly longer TTD (P < 0.001) compared with non-responders: 62 days (range 28-952) for CR vs 32 days (range 20-70) for PR. Six CR received more than six cycles of DMAC (range 7-36 cycles) and experienced a longer TTD (median 508, range 126-952 days). Thrombocytopenia occurred in 45% (24 grade 1-2, 21 grade 3-4) and neutropenia in 36% of cases (29 grade 1-2, 7 grade 3-4). Gastrointestinal toxicity occurred in 42% of dogs (40 grade 1-2, 2 grade 3-4). Owing to chemotherapy toxicity, treatment was discontinued in five, and hospitalization required in six cases. In this study, response to DMAC was lower and of generally shorter duration than previously reported. Toxicity was high, but infrequently led to hospitalization or discontinuation of treatment.

Was Aztec and Mixtec turquoise mined in the American Southwest?

Archaeologists have long suggested that prehispanic states in Mesoamerica acquired turquoise through long-distance exchange with groups living in what is now the American Southwest and adjacent parts of northern Mexico. To test this hypothesis, we use lead and strontium isotopic ratios to investigate the geologic provenance of 43 Mesoamerican turquoise artifacts, including 38 mosaic tiles from offerings within the Sacred Precinct of Tenochtitlan (the Mexica or Aztec capital) and 5 tiles associated with Mixteca-style mosaics currently held by the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. Most of these artifacts have isotopic signatures that differ from turquoise deposits in the American Southwest, but closely match copper deposits and crustal rocks in Mesoamerica. We thus conclude that turquoise used by the Aztecs and Mixtecs likely derives from Mesoamerican sources and was not acquired through long-distance exchange with the Southwest.