Atypical forms of canine leishmaniosis.

Canine leishmaniosis is a common disease in the Mediterranean area, but sporadic cases in dogs having travelled through endemic regions are also reported. The disease's evolution is usually chronic and symptoms are either non-specific (fever, weight loss, lethargy, enlarged lymph nodes), dermatological, renal or ocular. The purpose of this article is to review the literature and to describe our own experience of certain atypical forms of canine leishmaniosis. These include specific skin lesions, monoclonal gammopathy, renal failure (without any other signs), chronic colitis, haemostatic problems and disorders of the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculo-skeletal systems.

Combination allopurinol and antimony treatment versus antimony alone and allopurinol alone in the treatment of canine leishmaniasis (96 cases).

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term clinical outcome for dogs with leishmaniasis that were treated with 3 different protocols: combined treatment with antimony and allopurinol, antimony alone, or allopurinol alone. Ninety-six dogs included in this study were determined to have leishmaniasis on the basis of (1) clinical features, (2) identification of the parasite in smears of lymph node, bone marrow aspirates, or skin biopsies, and (3) specific immunofluorescent assay. Three groups of dogs were defined: 45 dogs (group 1) were treated with antimony (100 mg/kg s.c. q24h) given concurrently for 1 month with allopurinol (15 mg/kg p.o. q12h), and then allopurinol alone for 8 months at the same dosage; 40 dogs (group 2) were treated with antimony alone according to the manufacturer's instructions (200 mg/kg s.c. q24h at 2-day intervals for 3-6 months); and 11 dogs (group 3) were treated with allopurinol alone (15 mg/kg p.o. q12h for 1-20 months). Information concerning signalment, history, physical examination findings, serologic testing and number of dogs becoming seronegative, outcome for each treated dog (clinical cure versus failure), and long-term survival were recorded. The numbers of the clinical cures versus failures were significantly different among the 3 groups (chi2 = 17.77, P < .001), between groups 1 and 2 (chi2 = 8.02, P < .01), between groups 2 and 3 (chi2 = 11.00, P < .01), and between groups 1 and 3 (chi2 = 16.52, P < .001). No significant difference between groups 1 and 2 was noted in the type of failure (relapse or death), serologic test results, and number of survival years (chi2 = 2.79, P > .05). The results of the present study indicate that antimony in combination with allopurinol produces better results than antimony alone or allopurinol alone for the treatment of the canine leishmaniasis. With combination treatment, duration of treatment with antimony is shorter and long-term administration of allopurinol is well tolerated.

Lymphocyte subset abnormalities in German shepherd dog pyoderma (GSP).

Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations were studied in 12 German shepherd dogs suffering from deep pyoderma (GSP). Twelve other healthy but matched dogs were used as controls. GSP was found to be associated with an imbalance in the CD4 and CD8 subsets (respectively 37.3 +/- 8.7% and 28.6 +/- 6.6%, as compared to 47.5 +/- 8.8% and 19.3 +/- 4.0% in the controls). The activation markers were not affected by GSP. Moreover, analysis of the B-cell populations showed a striking decrease in the level of CD21 cells (5.5 +/- 3.3% of CD21+ lymphocytes, compared to 12.2 +/- 6.0 in the controls). This study suggests that the immunological imbalance observed in GSP may be associated with defective helper cells, and provides further evidence that dogs suffering from GSP are not immunologically normal reactors.

Use of isotretinoin and etretinate for the treatment of benign cutaneous neoplasia and cutaneous lymphoma in dogs.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the synthetic retinoids isotretinoin and etretinate to treat dogs with intracutaneous cornifying epitheliomas (ICE), other benign skin neoplasias, and cutaneous lymphoma. Twenty-four dogs were used. All tumors were diagnosed by histologic examination. Ten dogs with multiple (at least 5) benign skin tumors (7 with ICE, 1 each with inverted papillomas, sebaceous adenomas and epidermal cysts) were treated with isotretinoin (n = 7) and/or etretinate (n = 5). Twelve dogs with cutaneous lymphoma were treated with isotretinoin, and 2 dogs with cutaneous lymphoma were initially treated with etretinate. Successful treatment with isotretinoin was achieved in 1 dog with ICE, 1 with inverted papillomas, and 1 with epidermal cysts. Partial improvement with isotretinoin was seen in 2 dogs with ICE. Successful treatment was achieved with etretinate in 4 dogs with ICE (Norwegian Elkhound was the predominant breed with ICE). Remission was achieved in 6 of the 14 dogs with cutaneous lymphoma. Adverse effects developed in 7 of the 24 dogs, so treatment was stopped in 2 dogs.

Plasma cell stomatitis-pharyngitis in cats: 40 cases (1973-1991).

Clinical signs, laboratory findings, and treatment results of 40 cats with the histologic diagnosis of plasma cell stomatitis-pharyngitis are discussed. Median age was 7.1 years, with no discernable sex predilection. Anorexia and difficulty prehending food were the most common clinical signs. Hyperproteinemia with associated hyperglobulinemia was the most common laboratory finding. Of various treatments, administration of corticosteroids or injectable gold (aurothioglucose) proved most effective in controlling the clinical signs.