A correlation between the canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index score and the histopathological evaluation of the small intestinal mucosa in canine inflammatory bowel disease.

The aim of this study was to assess the degree of correlation between the intensity of clinical symptoms and the macroscopic and histopathological evaluation of the small intestinal mucous membrane in dogs. The results point to a statistically significant correlation between the values of the CIBDAI index and the histopathological assessment of the duodenum mucous membrane in patients with minor and moderate intensity of the disease. The lowest correlation coefficient was obtained for the indicator comparing macroscopic and histopathological evaluations. A positive correlation between the CIBDAI score and the histopathological index offers a base for applying it in the monitoring and treatment of mild, moderate and severe cases of canine inflammatory bowel disease.

A population of nesfatin 1-like immunoreactive (LI) cells in the mucosal layer of the canine digestive tract.

The aim of this study was to investigate for the first time nesfatin-1-like immunoreactive (LI) cells in the mucosal layer of the canine digestive tract. Distribution of nesfatin-1 - LI cell bodies and the co-localization of nesfatin-1 with somatostatin (SOM), cocaine-and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART), protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were studied by immunohistochemistry in the selected parts of the canine digestive tract. Evaluation of the nesfatin 1-LI cells number has been based on the counting of cell bodies per observation field. Nesfatin-1-LI cells amounted to 0.87±0.06, 1.06±0.02, 0.85±0.11 and 0.56±0.13 in gastric fundus, duodenum, jejunum and descending colon, respectively. The co-localization of nesfatin-1 with the other substances studied was not observed. Functions of nesfatin-1 - LI cells in the canine digestive tract are unknown.

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in dogs and cats.

The treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) possesses numerous difficulties owing to the unclear etiology of the disease. This article overviews the drugs used in the treatment of IBD depending on the intensity of clinical symptoms (Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index and Canine Chronic Enterophaty Clinical Activity Index). Patients demonstrating mild symptoms of the disease are usually placed on an appropriate diet which may be combined with immunomodulative or probiotic treatment. In moderate progression of IBD, 5-aminosalicylic acid (mesalazine or olsalazine) derivatives may be administered. Patients showing severe symptoms of the disease are usually treated with immunosuppressive drugs, antibiotics and elimination diet. Since the immune system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease, the advancements in biological therapy research will contribute to the progress in the treatment of canine and feline IBD in the coming years.

Usefulness of laparoscopy guided renal biopsy in dogs.

Renal biopsies were carried out in 25 mixed-breed dogs of both sexes, aged 6 to 11 years, using an automatic, laparoscopy-guided method. The aim of the study was to apply and evaluate the usefulness of this technique in the diagnosis of renal pathologies in dogs. Twenty biopsy specimens were obtained from the right kidney and five--from the left kidney. As many as 24 of the 25 effectively collected biopsy specimens were classified as excellent (96%). Significant histopathological changes were found in 23 of the 25 biopsies performed. The results of histopathological analyses show a predominance of glomerular lesions over interstitial lesions, mostly mesangial glomerulonephritis, membranous and membrane-proliferative glomerulonephritis. The study confirmed that laparoscopy-guided biopsy of the kidney in dogs is a safe and a highly useful diagnostic technique. The results of histopathological analyses of biopsy specimens correlated with clinical history, clinical examination results, blood and urine tests and ultrasound examination results have a great diagnostic value and they significantly affect treatment and prognosis. Laparoscopy-guided biopsy supports the diagnosis and differentiation of glomerular and interstitial lesions and renal neoplasia in dogs.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in canine liver examination.

Ultrasonography is a noninvasive diagnostic tool used to image size, shape, parenchyma and vascularization of various body organs. Unfortunately, the ultrasonographic image is characterized by a low contrast due to similar acoustic properties of the soft tissue. The Doppler mode provides information about blood flow, but is incapable of imaging small vessels and capillaries because of their low blood flow velocity (1 mm/s). However, a possibility to increase the effectiveness of ultrasonographic diagnostics exists, thanks to intravenous ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) consisted of gas microbubbles. The purpose of this review paper is to characterize specific imaging techniques necessary to conduct a contrast-enhanced liver examination and indications for CEUS as an alternative diagnostic method.

Macroscopic and histopathological examination of the gastric mucosa in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with mesalazine.

The objective of this study was to carry out a macroscopic and histopathological examination of the gastric mucosa in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease and to evaluate the effect of mesalazine therapy on histopathological changes in the gastric mucosa. The treatment was performed on 18 dogs with histopathologically confirmed inflammation of the duodenum and the jejunum. The animals were administered mesalazine at 12.5 mg/kg b.w. bid over a six-week period. The dogs investigated were diagnosed with chronic catarrhal gastritis with intense lymphocytic/plasmocytic infiltration. In 83% of the dogs, intestinal metaplasia had been noted in bioptates before examination. The results of macroscopic and microscopic examinations revealed that the applied treatment had a positive effect on gastric mucosal morphology. Cellular infiltration of the gastric mucosa was significantly inhibited, most probably, due to the anti-inflammatory effect of mesalazine.

Usefulness of endoscopic examination for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease in the dog.

The usefulness of endoscopic examination for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic enteritis in dogs was determined in this study. It was demonstrated, based on a clinical case, that endoscopy is essential for IBD diagnosis in dogs. Endoscopy also helps to estimate the efficiency of the treatment strategy applied. Nonspecific clinical examination results as well as a predominating lack of deviation in laboratory parameters make endoscopy the basic examination technique in mild and moderately advanced forms of chronic enteritis in the dog.