Evaluation of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity of aminosidine (paromomycin)-allopurinol combination in dogs with leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum: A randomized, blinded, controlled study.

Canine leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum is a widespread zoonotic disease. Although aminosidine can be an effective treatment, current therapeutic recommendations do not advocate its use, mainly due to concerns regarding the potential nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity of this drug. The aim of this randomized, blinded, controlled study was to evaluate the nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity of aminosidine-allopurinol combination and compare it with that of meglumine antimonate-allopurinol combination in non-azotemic dogs with leishmaniosis. Forty dogs with leishmaniosis were randomly assigned to be treated with either aminosidine at 15 mg/kg, subcutaneously, once daily for 28 days (group A) or with meglumine antimonate at 100 mg/kg, subcutaneously, once daily for 28 days (group B). In addition to either drug, dogs in both groups were administered allopurinol at 10 mg/kg per os twice daily for 2 months. Kidney function was evaluated through measurement of serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, and cystatin-c concentrations and complete urinalysis, including protein-to-creatinine ratio, at baseline and after 14, 28, and 60 days from the beginning of the treatment. At the same time points, vestibular and auditory functions were evaluated through neurological examination and brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) recordings of wave I, wave V, inter-wave I-V latencies, and minimum hearing thresholds. None of the dogs developed clinicopathological evidence of kidney disease during the study. Serum creatinine concentration increased >0.3 mg/dl over baseline in 2 dogs in group A and in 5 dogs in group B. Parameters of kidney function were not significantly different or were improved compared to baseline and the only difference between the two groups was the lower concentration of serum creatinine in group A. None of the dogs developed peripheral vestibular syndrome or hearing impairment. At the end of the study, parameters of auditory function were not significantly different or were improved compared to baseline and there were no differences between the two groups. The results of this study show that the nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity of aminosidine, when administered to non-azotemic dogs with leishmaniosis at 15 mg/kg subcutaneously once daily for 28 days along with allopurinol, is minimal and does not differ from that of meglumine antimonate.

Investigation on the incidence of adverse reactions, viraemia and haematological changes following field immunization of cattle using a live attenuated vaccine against lumpy skin disease.

The present study was performed to investigate the clinical impact and certain virological and haematological parameters following immunization of cattle against lumpy skin disease (LSD). The study was conducted in a dairy cattle farm (215 animals), immunized with a Neethling strain-based live vaccine. Twenty-seven animals (14 lactating cows, four dry cows and nine calves) were randomly selected for repetitive blood and saliva samplings. An EvaGreen-based real-time PCR was designed to differentiate vaccine from field LSDVs. Vaccinated animals underwent examination for adverse reactions. Nodule samples were collected from two representative cases for histopathological testing and virus identification. Milk yield was calculated based on bulk-tank measurements of all lactating cows (79). Viral DNA was detected between days 6-15 post-vaccination (p.v.) at 63% of the sampled animals (17/27). Saliva and bulk-tank milk samples were LSDV-negative. Pronounced swelling was observed at injection sites of 12% of the immunized animals (26/215), starting at day 6 p.v., and was resolved after 2-4 days. Small-sized (<0.5 cm) cutaneous lumps were developed between days 8-18 p.v. at 9% of the vaccinated animals (19/215). These were observed in adult cows and not in calves/heifers. Resolution was observable 10 days post-development. The vaccine virus was also identified in nodules and injection-site aspirates. Haematological changes (e.g., lower leucocyte counts) were observed in cows and not in calves. Daily milk production was being reduced during the first 12 days p.v. LSD immunization of cows resulted in nodules and low viraemia levels. The fact that nodules and haematological changes were not observed in calves, along with the low viraemia, supports the reduced virulence of the Neethling vaccine strain. The characteristic nodules in vaccinated animals could allow clinical differentiation from those observed in LSD. The developed real-time PCR efficiently differentiates infected from vaccinated cattle, and should be further validated as a tool in LSD surveillance.

Mycotic encephalitis and nephritis in a dog due to infection with Cladosporium cladosporioides.

The dematiaceous fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides is a widely distributed saprophyte that is reported to occasionally infect the lung, skin, eye and brain of humans. This report describes a German shepherd dog with granulomatous encephalitis and nephritis due to C. cladosporioides infection. Although the fungal organisms appeared non-pigmented in haematoxylin and eosin stained sections, they were readily identified with histochemical stains. Semi-nested polymerase chain reaction using universal fungal primers amplified fungal DNA from fixed tissue that had identity to that of C. cladosporioides on sequencing.

Establishment of the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) and the current status of veterinary clinical pathology in Europe.

After 5 years of development, the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) was formally recognized and approved on July 4, 2007 by the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS), the European regulatory body that oversees specialization in veterinary medicine and which has approved 23 colleges. The objectives, committees, basis for membership, constitution, bylaws, information brochure and certifying examination of the ECVCP have remained unchanged during this time except as directed by EBVS. The ECVCP declared full functionality based on the following criteria: 1) a critical mass of 65 members: 15 original diplomates approved by the EBVS to establish the ECVCP, 37 de facto diplomates, 7 diplomates certified by examination, and 5 elected honorary members; 2) the development and certification of training programs, laboratories, and qualified supervisors for residents; currently there are 18 resident training programs in Europe; 3) administration of 3 annual board-certifying examinations thus far, with an overall pass rate of 70%; 4) European consensus criteria for assessing the continuing education of specialists every 5 years; 5) organization of 8 annual scientific congresses and a joint journal (with the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology) for communication of scientific research and information; the College also maintains a website, a joint listserv, and a newsletter; 6) collaboration in training and continuing education with relevant colleges in medicine and pathology; 7) development and strict adherence to a constitution and bylaws compliant with the EBVS; and 8) demonstration of compelling rationale, supporting data, and the support of members and other colleges for independence as a specialty college. Formal EBVS recognition of ECVCP as the regulatory body for the science and practice of veterinary clinical pathology in Europe will facilitate growth and development of the discipline and compliance of academic, commercial diagnostic, and industry laboratories in veterinary clinical pathology. Future needs are in developing sponsorship for resident positions, increasing employment opportunities, increasing compliance with laboratory, training, and continuing education standards, and advancing relevant science and technology.

Serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme activities in canine malignant mammary neoplasms with and without osseous transformation.

BACKGROUND: Increased serum activity of total alkaline phosphatase (TALP) has been found in dogs with mammary neoplasms, especially malignant mixed tumors. We hypothesized that the bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (BALP), a specific indicator of osteoblastic activity and bone formation, may contribute to increased TALP in dogs with mammary neoplasms with osseous transformation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare serum TALP, BALP, and other ALP isoenzyme activities in dogs with mammary malignant neoplasms with and without osseous transformation. METHODS: Twenty-one female dogs with malignant mammary neoplasms were compared with 21 clinically healthy, age-matched female control dogs. Physical, clinicopathologic (including preprandial and postprandial serum bile acids, ACTH stimulation, and low-dose dexamethasone suppression tests), radiographic, and ultrasonographic examinations were performed on all dogs with tumors to assess coexisting conditions. On the basis of histologic examination of excised tumors, dogs were further classified as having epithelial (n = 11) or mesenchymal/mixed (epithelial-mesenchymal) (n = 10) neoplasms, the latter of which had histologic and radiologic evidence of bone formation. Serum TALP, BALP, liver alkaline phosphatase (LALP), and corticosteroid-induced alkaline phosphatase (CALP) activities were measured using biochemical methods. RESULTS: Dogs with malignant mammary tumors had significantly higher (P < .05) median serum TALP (170 U/L), BALP (59 U/L), LALP (49 U/L), and CALP (24 U/L) activities, compared with control dogs (81, 32, 37, and 5 U/L, respectively). Significantly higher activities of BALP and LALP were found in dogs with epithelial neoplasms; whereas, only CALP activity was higher in dogs with mesenchymal/mixed neoplasms. There was no significant difference in TALP or isoenzyme activitities between epithelial and mesenchymal/mixed groups. CONCLUSION: BALP activity is increased in some dogs with malignant mammary tumors but does not account for the increase in TALP in dogs with neoplasms that have osseous transformation.

Duration and severity of clinical signs as prognostic indicators in 30 dogs with thoracolumbar disk disease after surgical decompression.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the duration and severity of neurological dysfunction as prognostic indicators for the final outcome in 30 dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease, treated surgically with hemilaminectomy without concurrent prophylactic fenestration. The lesion localization was assessed comparing plain radiographic, myelographic and surgical findings and success rates were evaluated during case follow-up. Evidence of a single disk extrusion existed in 17 dogs on survey spinal radiographs, while myelography revealed definite spinal cord compression in 28 cases and was inconclusive in the remaining two cases. Case follow-up continued for a period ranging from 3 months to 2 years post-operatively, depending on the degree of neurological dysfunction on presentation and owner compliance. The severity of clinical signs and the interval elapsing prior to decompressive surgery did not correlate with the case outcome, with 12 of 20 dogs (60%) that exhibited the most pronounced neurological dysfunction (paraplegia with or without analgesia) regaining voluntary motor function during the follow-up period. Recurrences proven to be disk-related did not occur in any dog throughout the post-surgical observation period. It was concluded that the time elapsing from loss of motor function and the severity of clinical signs is not an objective method to predict the case outcome.

Correlation of serum alkaline phosphatase activity with the healing process of long bone fractures in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Bone healing is monitored mainly by physical and serial radiologic examinations of the fracture site. However, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish a delayed union from a nonunion, and advanced imaging techniques may not be available. Serum biochemical markers of bone formation, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, may be clinically useful in evaluating the progress of healing. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to correlate serial values of serum ALP activity with the process of fracture healing in dogs and to assess its potential as a postsurgical prognostic indicator. METHODS: Changes in serum ALP activity were studied in 83 dogs with closed long bone diaphyseal fractures treated surgically. Physical and radiologic examinations of the fracture site and determination of serum ALP activity and calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) concentrations were performed on admission (day 0); postoperatively on days 10, 20, and 30; and subsequently on a monthly basis until bone union was completed or signs of nonunion were evident. The dogs were allocated into 3 groups with respect to the fracture healing progress as documented by physical and serial radiologic examination. RESULTS: Group A dogs (n=35) developed a medium-sized callus that led to bone union within 2 months. Group B dogs (n=36) had a hypertrophic callus and delayed union, within 3-5 months. Group C dogs (n=12) had slow progress in fracture healing, with minimal callus formation during a 2-month period. Changes in mean serum ALP activity followed the same pattern in groups A and B, reaching a maximum level on day 10. Group A values returned to normal within 2 months, at which point bone union was complete, whereas group B values remained increased and returned to normal within 3-5 months, thus correlating with delayed union. In Group C, mean serum ALP activities showed no significant changes during the 2-month follow-up period, consistent with failure of bone union (nonunion). Serum P and Ca changes followed a proportional and inverse pattern to ALP changes, respectively. CONCLUSION: Serial determination of serum ALP activity during fracture healing could be an additional tool in predicting fractures at risk of developing a nonunion, helping the clinician to choose the appropriate intervention.

Diagnostic correlation of CT-MRI and histopathology in 10 dogs with brain neoplasms.

Ten dogs with primary (n = 8) and metastatic (n = 2) brain tumours were studied in an attempt to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity of computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Of the clinical signs noticed, seizures (seven of 10), behavioural abnormalities and cognition dysfunction (seven of 10), compulsive walking and circling (six of 10), sensorimotor (five of 10) and neuro-opthalmological (two of 10) dysfunction were the most common. In all 10 animals that finally died of the disease or were killed, the histopathological diagnosis that followed necropsy was taken as a golden standard in the CT or MRI prediction of the histological type of brain neoplasms. In every instance, tumour detection, morphology and histological differentiation were possible with the aid of either CT (seven of 10) or MRI (three of 10) imaging especially after contrast enhancement. Only one CT-evaluated dog, diagnosed as meningioma, was found to be astrocytoma on histopathology. Interestingly, a rare case of cerebellar medulloblastoma was correctly identified in MRI scans.

A field study on the effect of the dietary use of a clinoptilolite-rich tuff, alone or in combination with certain antimicrobials, on the health status and performance of weaned, growing and finishing pigs.

This study was conducted to assess the effect of dietary use of a clinoptilolite-rich tuff (Cp) on health status and performance of weaned, growing and finishing pigs and its compatibility during simultaneous oral administration of antimicrobials (AM) such as enrofloxacin (E) or salinomycin (S). Weaners (720) were assigned in 2 experimental groups and 4 subgroups based on the inclusion or not of Cp and AM in their feed (subgroups: NC, ES, Cp, Cp+ES) in order to evaluate their health status, under PWDS prevailing herd conditions. A second part of the trial aimed to the evaluation of piglet performance under conditions with minimized PWDS herd risks. For this purpose, a second set of 264 weaners were assigned in 2 groups and 4 subgroups, in a respective manner. All piglets remained on-trial until slaughtering age; Cp was incorporated in their feed at a rate of 2% from the day of weaning until slaughtering. The health status evaluation consisted in monitoring piglets for adverse effects related to Cp consumption, average daily diarrhoea scoring during weaning and mortality rate calculations throughout. Performance evaluation included individual weighing at the end of weaning, growing and fattening periods and feed consumption assessments. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ration (FCR) on a pen basis were further calculated. Cp ingestion was well tolerated by the piglets. Simultaneous administration of Cp and AM in feed, resulted in less severe forms of PWDS, which had a shorter clinical course (P<0.05). Mortality decreased (P<0.05) during the weaning period due to AM administration. Concerning mean pig body weight at the end of each production phase, both Cp and AM had favorable effects (P<0.05). ADG estimated for the whole observation period was improved (P<0.05) by Cp-use along with AM. FCR improvements (P<0.05) were noticed during the different stages of growth due to AM or Cp administration, while Cp/AM interaction was noticed only at weaning (P<0.05).

Juvenile laryngeal paralysis in three Siberian husky x Alaskan malamute puppies.

Three three-month-old Siberian husky x Alaskan malamute crossbreds had suffered episodic inspiratory dyspnoea and stridor for four to eight weeks and their endurance had decreased. In two of them bilateral, and in the other unilateral, laryngeal paralysis was diagnosed by laryngoscopy. In the nucleus ambiguus of the dogs there was a depletion of motor neurons, neuronal degeneration and mild gliosis, but there were no lesions in the root and peripheral segments of the recurrent laryngeal nerves.

Total serum alkaline phosphatase activity in dogs with mammary neoplasms: a prospective study on 79 natural cases.

Increased total alkaline phosphatase (TALP) activity in the serum, long noticed in canine mammary tumours among other neoplasms, has not been yet associated with malignancy, osseous transformation of neoplastic tissue or histopathological typing. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to correlate this biochemical abnormality with the above-mentioned parameters, in 79 adult to elderly female dogs with mammary neoplasms, without evidence of metastatic or any other disease. Histopathology disclosed that 64 (81%) of these neoplasms were malignant and 15 (19%) benign, belonging to various histological types. Radiology and histopathology revealed the presence of osseous tissue in 18 (22.8%) cases. The malignant neoplasms were subsequently allocated into group A including 46 (74.2%) of epithelial origin and group B with 16 (25.8%) neoplasms of both epithelial and mesenchymal origin ('malignant mixed' tumours). In addition, their benign counterparts were divided into group C (adenomas, fibroadenomas) and group D (benign mixed tumours) that included seven (46.7%) and eight (53.3%) tumours, respectively. Almost 55% of the dogs with malignant and 47% with benign tumours had increased serum-TALP activity. However, no significant difference in serum-TALP activity was found between the dogs with malignant (mean +/- SE: 243.7 +/- 37.4 U/l) and benign (167.9 +/- 38.4 U/l) neoplasms, with (238.9 +/- 45.3 U/l) and without (226.5 +/- 38.3 U/l) osseous transformation, with (298.5 +/- 85.6 U/l) or without (201.2 +/- 30.5 U/l) myoepithelial cell proliferation and with different tumour size (T1/T2: 175.1 +/- 34.9 and T3: 254.5 +/- 42.5 U/l). In histopathological typing, the only difference noticed involved the malignant neoplasms of group A (190.5 +/- 25.5 U/l) compared with group B (378 +/- 124.6 U/l) dogs. The higher increase of serum-TALP activity in 'malignant mixed' tumours could not be attributed to osseous transformation or new ALP isoenzyme production by myoepithelial cells. Increased serum-TALP activity is of no apparent diagnostic (as to tumour type) or prognostic value.

Presumed localized tetanus in two cats.

In this report two cases of localised tetanus in two young (<1 year) intact male and outdoor DSH cats, which had been missing, are described. Clinical examination revealed severe muscular spasms on the right (case 1) or both thoracic limbs (case 2). In the latter cat, wrinkling of the forehead and mild trismus were also seen. The routine diagnostic workup (CBC, survey radiographs of the spine, CSF analysis) did not reveal any abnormalities in both cats. EMG testing on the affected muscles in the second animal showed persistent spontaneous motor unit potentials, strongly indicating tetanus. The treatment, that was symptomatic (diazepam, metronidazole) and supportive (physical therapy, assist feeding and intravenous fluid therapy) resulted in the progressive improvement of limb rigidity and the restoration of motor dysfunction in a period of 5- (case 1) and 2- (case 2) month duration.

Relation of clinical signs to pathological changes in 19 cases of canine distemper encephalomyelitis.

In an attempt to associate the clinical neurological syndromes with the neuropathological features of canine distemper (CD), 19 spontaneous cases with neurological involvement were examined, before and after euthanasia. Seventeen dogs were less than one year of age and all except two (89.4%) were unvaccinated against CD. Various extraneural signs associated with CD encephalomyelitis (CDE) were seen in 15 dogs. Generalized or localized myoclonus was the most common sign observed (13/19). Seventeen of the dogs presented with signs suggestive of one neuroanatomical location of lesions. Of these animals, seven had signs of cerebral, two of cerebellar, four of cervical, one of cervicothoracic, two of thoracolumbar and two of lumbosacral syndrome. The diagnosis of CD was confirmed immunohistochemically (detection of CD viral antigen), serologically (neutralizing serum antibody titre > or = 16) and histopathologically (CDV inclusion bodies, type of central nervous system lesions). An association of the neuroanatomical lesion location and the histopathological findings was noted in 14 out of 17 dogs (82.3%). Myoclonus could be attributed to lower motor neuron damage in eight out of 13 dogs (61.5%).

Papillary meningioma in the dog: a clinicopathological study of two cases.

Two cases of canine papillary meningioma are reported. The first animal, an 11-year-old male Boxer, presented with vestibular ataxia and the tumour was located in the left pontomedullary region. The second animal, a 15-year-old female cross-bred Miniature Poodle, presented with dementia, truncal ataxia and hypermetria, and the tumour was located in the right semilunar ganglion of Gasser. In the first case, histopathological examination showed that the papillary pattern merged with a typical syncytial meningioma, with extensive areas of necrosis. In the second case, the multilobular tumour had lobules with a purely syncytial, fibrous or transitional histological pattern, and lobules with intermingling papillary and secretory histological patterns. Both tumours exhibited histological features of malignancy, but evidence of remote metastasis was not found.

Papillary meningioma in the cerebellum of a cat.

An unusual papillary meningioma in a cat with progressive cerebellar ataxia is described. Computed tomography revealed the presence of a primary tumour. Microscopically, the tumour was seen to arise from the cerebellar pia mater, forming perivascular structures composed of a single layer of cuboidal to columnar epithelial cells. By immunolabelling, the neoplastic cells appeared positive for cytokeratin, vimentin and S-100 protein. Ultrastructural examination, together with the immunocytochemical findings, indicated the mesenchymal and epithelial nature of the tumour.

Clinical and laboratory observations in 91 dogs infected with Dirofilaria immitis in northern Greece.

The medical records of 91 dogs with heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection were reviewed, and diagnoses were established by using parasitological and immunological methods. Twenty-one animals were asymptomatic (stage I), 57 had mild to moderate clinical signs (stage II), and 13 had the severe form of the disease including right congestive heart failure and the caval syndrome (stage III). Thoracic radiography revealed right ventricular enlargement in 38 of the dogs, pulmonary vascular enlargement in 43, and parenchymal lesions in 27. Only the cardiac and vascular changes were correlated positively with the clinical stages. D. immitis microfilaraemia was detected in 75 of 85 dogs. Occult infection occurred only in eight stage II and two stage III dogs. Thirty-two of the dogs were treated with thiacetarsamide and 39 were treated with melarsomine, and no differences were found in terms of drug efficacy or complication rate; nine stage II dogs suffered pulmonary thromboembolism and one suffered acute liver disease and there were six fatalities. The 50 treated dogs in stages II and III which were followed up for six months all recovered completely. The performance of 38 of 61 working dogs was completely restored, and the performance of another four was partially restored.

Clinical considerations on canine visceral leishmaniasis in Greece: a retrospective study of 158 cases (1989-1996).

The medical records of 158 dogs with visceral leishmaniasis confirmed cytologically and/or serologically were reviewed. Ages of affected dogs varied from nine months to 15 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.3. The most common clinical manifestations of the disease were variable cutaneous lesions such as exfoliative dermatitis and skin ulcerations, chronic renal failure, peripheral lymphadenopathy or lymph node hypoplasia, masticatory muscle atrophy (i.e., chronic myositis), ocular lesions (i.e., conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, blepharitis, and uveitis), and poor body condition. Ascites, nephrotic syndrome, epistaxis, polyarthritis, and ulcerative stomatitis were seen only in a small number of cases. Clinical splenomegaly was not a common finding. The clinicopathological abnormalities were nonregenerative anemia, hyperproteinemia, glomerular proteinuria, and symptomatic or asymptomatic azotemia. In this study, an indirect immunofluorescence assay's diagnostic sensitivity was found to be higher than that of lymph node aspiration cytology.

Whole blood lead concentration and erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity in selected canine populations in Greece.

In a total number of 275 dogs of various ages, sex and breed, blood lead concentrations (BLC) and erythrocyte ALAD activity were measured. Sixty-six of the dogs were living in lead mining areas (Group A), 157 in urban areas (Group B) and 52 in rural areas (Group C) of Greece. Mean BLC differed significantly (P < 0.05) between locations and were 326,97 and 68 micrograms/L, respectively. Mean ALAD activity was significantly different (P < 0.05) only between Groups A and B as between groups A and C. A significant (P < 0.05) negative correlation existed between BLC and ALAD activity. A normal range of erythrocyte ALAD activity of 807-992 mumol/PBG/LRBC/h was established for dogs. None of the 33 Group A dogs and 2 of the Group B dogs that had a BLC of 350 micrograms/L presented clinical signs indicating acute or chronic lead intoxication. No erythrocyte basophilic stippling or large number of nucleated red blood cells were seen in the 30 dogs of Group A with BLC > 350 micrograms/L.