Evaluation of the accuracy of urine analyzers in dogs and cats.

The accuracy of urine analyzers used for dogs and cats has remained uncertain. This study examines the agreement between results of urine analysis obtained using two devices marketed for animals and for humans and the results of quantitative biochemical analysis. The degrees of concordance for bilirubin and ketones in the same category were ~80%, but for pH these were only ~60% in dogs and cats. Degrees of concordance for protein and the UP/C ratio clearly differed between the devices for animals and humans. We found that values for bilirubin and ketones obtained using urine analyzers may be reliable, but pH is unlikely to be accurate enough to be clinically useful for dogs and cats.

Structural analysis of a novel lipooligosaccharide (LOS) from Rhodobacter azotoformans.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are components of the Gram-negative bacterial cell surface that stimulate the host innate immune system through the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4-MD-2 complex. Rhodobacter sp. have been reported to produce LPS that lack endotoxic activity, and instead act as antagonists of other endotoxins. In this report, we focused on LPS, especially the lipooligosaccharide (LOS) fraction produced by Rhodobacter azotoformans that shows production of IL-8, but has an inverse correlation with IL-6 production. We analyzed their molecular structure by using mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and report a novel LOS consisting of a shorter glycan structure containing glucuronic acid but not heptoses. A novel glycan structure, Glcα(1 → 4)GlcAα(1 → 4)KDOα(2 → 4)[Glcα(1 → 5)]KDOα(2 → 6)[4-phosphate]GlcNß(1 → 6) GlcNα1-phosphate, was proposed using NMR methods. The structure was consistent with one obtained based on MS. The MS analysis further revealed the existence of structural variation caused by extension with hexoses. The acyl composition in lipid A was suggested to contain three C14 fatty acyl chains (3-OH-14:0 or 3-oxo-14:0 at N2 of GlcN-1, 3-OH-14:0 at N2 of GlcN-2, that carried another 14:1 Δ7 on its ß-hydroxyl group) and two C10 fatty acyl chains (3-OH-10:0 at O3 of both GlcN), which are same as those found in lipid A from Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

Change in peripheral blood lymphocyte count in dogs following adoptive immunotherapy using lymphokine-activated T killer cells combined with palliative tumor resection.

We evaluated changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) count in dogs following adoptive immunotherapy using lymphokine-activated T killer cells (T-LAK) in combination with surgery. Fifteen tumor-bearing dogs treated with T-LAK therapy combined with palliative resection of tumors were enrolled in the present study. T-LAK were generated from autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by culture with recombinant human interleukin -2 (rhIL-2) and solid phase anti-canine cluster of differentiation (CD)3 antibody. T-LAK were administrated intravenously at 2-4-week intervals. After the first administration of T-LAK, counts of PBL and T lymphocyte subsets (CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells) increased and the CD4/CD8 ratio decreased, with significant increases in CD8(+) cells (P<0.05). In 8 tumor-bearing dogs that were administered sequential T-LAK, available data on changes in PBL and T lymphocyte phenotypes until the fifth administration were also analyzed. In tumor-bearing dogs administered 5 rounds of T-LAK, CD8(+) cell counts were maintained high until the fifth administration of T-LAK. Moreover, the CD4/CD8 ratio remained low until the fifth administration of T-LAK. These results indicate that T-LAK therapy combined with surgery may increase peripheral blood T lymphocytes, particularly CD8(+) cells, in tumor-bearing dogs.

Elevation of serum surfactant protein-A with exacerbation in canine eosinophilic pneumonia.

A 7-year-old female spayed Labrador Retriever was admitted to our hospital, because of cough with sputum. She was diagnosed as having canine eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) based on blood eosinophilia, bronchial pattern and infiltrative shadow observed on thoracic radiography, bronchiolar obstruction and air-space consolidation predominantly affecting the right caudal lung lobe, as revealed by computed tomography (CT), predominant eosinophils in CT-guided fine needle aspiration and the clinical course. She exhibited a good response to steroid therapy, and the cough disappeared. The serum surfactant protein (SP)-A level increased with the aggravated symptom and decreased markedly with improvement compared with the C-reactive protein level and the number of eosinophils. We propose that serum SP-A level is a good biomarker in CEP.

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of thoracic chordoma in a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris).

A Bengal tiger was presented for evaluation of weakness, ataxia and inappetance. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass extending from the T7-8 vertebral body to the left rib and compressing the spinal cord. On CT, the bone destruction and sequestrum were shown. On MRI, the multilobulated mass appeared hypo- to isointense in T1-weighted and hyperintense in T2-weighted images. The tiger died after imaging, most likely from renal failure. Chordoma without metastasis was diagnosed on necropsy. The imaging characteristics were similar to those found in chordoma in humans. This report describes the use of CT and MRI in an exotic species.

The influences of hyperbaric oxygen therapy with a lower pressure and oxygen concentration than previous methods on physiological mechanisms in dogs.

Recently, hyperbaric oxygen therapy with a lower pressure and oxygen concentration (L-HBOT) than previous methods has been used for dogs in Japan; however, the influences of L-HBOT on dogs have not been clarified. To verify the influences of L-HBOT on physiological mechanism in dogs, we investigated blood gas parameters, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, heart rate variability, stress-related hormones and skin conductance (SC) in 4 clinically normal beagle dogs with catheters in their carotid arteries and jugular veins when they were quiet, after running, after receiving L-HBOT (30% oxygen concentration, 1.3 atmospheres absolute, 30 min) or after not receiving L-HBOT. The results showed there were no changes in blood gas parameters, heart rate variability and catecholamine levels after L-HBOT. GPx activity was significantly higher, and the SC and cortisol level were lower in dogs that received L-HBOT than those when they were quiet. These results suggested that L-HBOT may have a small influence on oxygenation dynamics, activate antioxidant enzymes such as GPx, restrain autonomic nervous activity and control the balance between oxidation and antioxidation inside the body.

In vivo evaluation of irinotecan-loaded QuadraSphere microspheres for use in chemoembolization of VX2 liver tumors.

PURPOSE: To investigate the pharmacokinetics and chemoembolization efficacy of irinotecan-loaded QuadraSphere microspheres (QSMs) in a rabbit VX2 liver tumor model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen rabbits with VX2 liver tumors were divided into two groups. In the irinotecan-loaded QSM group (n = 7), 3 mg of QSMs (30-60 µm) containing 12 mg of irinotecan (0.6 mL; 20 mg/mL) were injected into the left hepatic artery. In the control group (hepatic arterial infusion [HAI] and QSMs; n = 7), 3 mg of QSMs suspended in ioxaglic acid were injected following a bolus injection of 0.6 mL of irinotecan solution (20 mg/mL). Sequential irinotecan, SN-38, and SN-38G concentration changes were measured in plasma within 24 hours and at 1 week and in tissues at 1 week. The VX2 tumor growth rates at 1 and 2 weeks were calculated from computed tomographic images. RESULTS: All rabbits underwent successful embolization. Plasma irinotecan, SN-38, and SN-38G concentrations in the irinotecan-loaded QSM group showed significantly sustained release compared with the control group (P = .01). Compared with the control group, the irinotecan-loaded QSM group had significantly higher irinotecan concentration in liver tumors (P = .03) and a tendency toward higher SN-38 concentration in liver tumors (P = .29). The SN-38G tissue concentrations were below the limits of quantification. The tumor growth rate was significantly lower and the tumor necrosis rate significantly higher in the irinotecan-loaded QSM group (P = .02 and P = .01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Chemoembolization via irinotecan-loaded QSMs more effectively suppresses tumor growth than chemoembolization with unloaded QSMs after HAI. A clinical feasibility study is warranted.

Embolic effects of transcatheter mesenteric arterial embolization with microspheres on the small bowel in a dog model.

PURPOSE: To determine the arterial distribution and ischemic effects of various particle sizes after transcatheter embolization of the small bowel in a dog model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 10 dogs, selective microsphere embolization was performed in six branches of the superior mesenteric artery. Microspheres were allocated into three size ranges (100-300 µm, 300-500 µm, and 500-700 µm) and four volume concentrations (0.625%, 1.25%, 2.5%, and 5%). For each size and volume concentration, embolization was performed of five branches at the origin of the last arcade. The distribution of microspheres and the range of ischemic changes of mucosa were evaluated histologically. Angiograms were categorized into two groups: group A, only the vasa recta nonopacified; group B, the last arcade or more proximal branches nonopacified. RESULTS: Microspheres sized 100-300 µm penetrated into intramural arteries and 500-700 µm microspheres mainly blocked arteries in the mesentery. There was a significant difference among three sizes in terms of the locations within the vasculature (P < .0001). The larger volume and the smaller size resulted in more ischemia. The range of ischemic changes among three sizes and among four volume concentrations was significantly different (P = .004 and P < .0001, respectively). The range of ischemic changes with 500-700 µm microspheres in group B was significantly greater than in group A (0% in group A vs 83% in group B, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: In a dog model, embolization of the small bowel limited to the vasa recta with the use if 500-700 µm microspheres reduced the range of ischemic changes.

Relationship between major histocompatibility complex class I expression and prognosis in canine mammary gland tumors.

The aim of this study was to evaluate MHC class I expression and prognosis using tumor tissues surgically removed from 9 dogs with mammary gland carcinomas and from 13 dogs with complex carcinomas. We assessed MHC class I expression and its correlation with tumor size, B2M expression, infiltration of lymphocytes, histological grade and prognosis. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were histologically graded using the Elston and Ellis grading method. MHC class I expression on tumor cells was evaluated using the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method. Loss of MHC class I expression from canine mammary gland carcinomas was significantly correlated with poor prognosis (P<0.05). Loss of MHC class I expression showed no association with poor prognosis in canine mammary gland complex carcinomas, because the data were not balanced. Only 1 of 13 (7.6%) canine mammary gland complex carcinomas showed loss of MHC class I expression. All 13 of these dogs showed good prognosis. Thus, the low frequency of MHC class I expression loss from canine mammary gland complex carcinomas may be associated with good prognosis. Taken together, these results suggest that loss of MHC class I expression may be associated with poor prognosis in canine mammary gland carcinomas.

Surfactant protein-A concentration in sera from dogs with pulmonary parenchymal diseases.

Pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A) is used as a biomarker to understand the clinical features of pulmonary diseases and associated prognostic indices in human medicine. This study was conducted to investigate whether or not serum SP-A concentration can be used as a biomarker for identifying pulmonary parenchymal diseases in dogs. Thirty-two dogs with pulmonary parenchymal diseases, 34 with nonrespiratory diseases and 57 healthy dogs were included. Serum SP-A concentration was measured in all dogs using sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay with an anti-dog SP-A polyclonal antibody. Median serum SP-A concentration in healthy dogs was <2.0 ng/ml, whereas that in dogs with aspiration pneumonia (n=11), primary lung tumors (n=9) and blunt traumatic lung injury (BTLI; n=12) was 3.1, 7.2 and 2.6 ng/ml, respectively; these values were significantly higher than those in healthy dogs. The serum SP-A concentration in dogs with nonrespiratory diseases was comparable with that in healthy dogs. No correlation was observed between the serum SP-A and plasma C-reactive protein concentrations in dogs with aspiration pneumonia and BTLI. There was a significant correlation between the serum SP-A concentration and thoracic radiographic changes in dogs with BTLI. These findings suggest that the serum SP-A concentration may be a useful clinical biomarker of alveolar damage that can be used for differential diagnosis of pulmonary parenchymal diseases and nonrespiratory diseases in dogs.

A spayed female cat with squamous cell carcinoma in the uterine remnant.

A 7-year-old spayed female domestic short-haired cat presented with dysuria and hematuria that had been unresponsive to medical therapy. Imaging tests such as ultrasonography, urethrocystography and computed tomography revealed a pelvic mass compressing the urethra. Based on histological examination of the mass following surgical resection, the cat was diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) derived from the uterine remnant. After surgery, dysuria was resolved, but on instead, urine and fecal incontinence were observed. Then, about four months after surgery, recurrence of the mass and the symptoms was observed. Consequently, the cat was ultimately euthanized. This is the first report of SCC arising from the uterine remnant in a spayed female cat.

Spinal cord trauma in a cat caused by ingestion of a splinter.

A 5-month-old male Abyssinian presented with right hemiplegia. Cervical radiographs, haematology and serum biochemistry were normal. A foreign body was identified on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Removal of the foreign body was carried out via a dorsal approach between the occipital bone and the C1 vertebral body using intra-operative CT. No complications were encountered. Thirty days after surgery, the cat was ambulatory.

Acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AML-M4) in a dog with the extradural lesion.

A two-year-old dog having presented with neurological signs showed marked leukocytosis and appearance of blast cells in the peripheral blood. Hematological and bone marrow examination showed an increase in blasts having both myeloid and monocytic cells characteristics. The dog was diagnosed with acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AML-M4) on the basis of bone marrow findings. Although the dog was treated with a multi-combination chemotherapy, the neurological abnormalities progressed and the dog was euthanized. Myelographic examination and necropsy revealed the extradural lesion formed by AML-M4 around the cervical spinal cord and this lesion was considered as a cause of the neurological signs.