Comparison of carpet and toothbrush techniques for the detection of Microsporum canis in cats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic concordance between the toothbrush and carpet techniques for the detection of Microsporum canis in cats in a field study. METHODS: Thirty-nine Persian cats from a cattery were used. Fungal culture samples from the haircoat of each cat were collected by stroking the coat with a sterile toothbrush and a 5 × 5 cm-sized sterile carpet square (n = 78 total samples). Specimens were inoculated onto Mycosel Agar and incubated at 25°C for 21 days. Both techniques were compared using the following parameters: number of plates without fungal growth, number of plates with contaminant growth and number of plates positive for dermatophytes. RESULTS: The feline population in the study cattery was 39. Thirty (77%) were symptomatic and nine (23%) asymptomatic. The diagnosis was made via carpet and toothbrush methods and 78 cultures were performed. On day 21, M canis was detected in all culture plates. No contaminant molds were observed. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The concordance rate between the carpet and toothbrush techniques among the 78 evaluable culture plates was 100%. Both methods are equally effective for collecting material for Mcanis culture. Additionally, both techniques are inexpensive and easy to perform in feline clinical practice.

Longitudinal assessment of T-lymphocyte subpopulations during generalized demodicosis in dogs and their relationship with remission.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of canine generalized demodicosis is poorly understood but is thought to involve dysfunction of the immune system. Previous studies showed diminished CD4+ T lymphocyte counts in affected dogs, but none has evaluated this subpopulation through resolution of the disease. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: In this longitudinal study, we tested whether quantification of CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells and the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ cells are good indicators of immunological status and could be used as biomarkers of treatment efficacy and prognosis. ANIMALS: Sixteen dogs of several breeds with diagnoses of generalized demodicosis, plus 30 age/breedmatched healthy dogs. METHODS: Total lymphocytes, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+:CD8+ ratio were quantified at four time points: at diagnosis, 30 days after diagnosis (during treatment), at first negative parasitological examination and at clinical cure. RESULTS: Absolute numbers of CD4+ cells were significantly lower in affected dogs at the time of diagnosis. Absolute numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ cells were significantly augmented in affected animals compared with control dogs after treatment was established, and this persisted until the first negative parasitological examination, at which time the CD4+ counts equalled those of the control group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Our findings suggest that longitudinal quantification of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes is a useful indicator of the efficacy of demodicosis treatment.

Pênfigo foliáceo canino: estudo retrospectivo de 43 casos clínicos e terapia (2000-2005) / Canine Pemphigus foliaceus: a retrospective study of 43 clinical cases and therapy (2000-2005)

No período de agosto de 2000 a julho de 2005 foram atendidos 43 casos de Pênfigo Foliáceo (PF) canino no Serviço de Dermatologia do Hospital Veterinária, Universidade de São Paulo. Com este estudo retrospectivo visou-se atualizar dados referentes à caracterização sexual, definição racial e raça, idade, tipo e topografia lesional, quadro sintomático e resposta aos tratamentos isolados com prednisona e com a associação desta à azatioprina, além de demonstrar o aumento na ocorrência do PF relativamente à série histórica pretérita (1986-2000) do mesmo Serviço.

From August 2000 to July 2005 were attended 43 cases of canine Pemphigus foliaceous (PF) by the Dermatology Service of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of São Paulo. The aim of the present study was to update the records referred to sex, breed, age, type and location of the lesions, clinical signs, and response to treatments with prednisone or combination with prednisone and azathioprine, and also to demonstrate the increase of occurrence of PF compared with the former series (1986-2000) observed in the same Service.

Canine infection by rickettsiae and ehrlichiae in southern Brazil.

This study evaluated the infection caused by Rickettsia and Ehrlichia agents among dogs in southern Brazil. A total of 389 dogs were tested by the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri, Rickettsia amblyommii, Rickettsia rhipicephali, Rickettsia bellii, and Ehrlichia canis. Overall, 42.4% (165/389) of the dogs were seroreactive to at least one Rickettsia species, but only 11 canine sera reacted with another Rickettsia species without reacting with R. parkeri. A total of 100 (25.7%) canine sera showed titers to R. parkeri at least 4-fold higher than those to any of the other rickettsial antigens, allowing us to consider that these dogs were infected by R. parkeri. Dogs that had direct contact with pasture or forest areas were > 2 times more likely to be seroreactive to Rickettsia than dogs with no such direct contact. Only 19 (4.8%) of the 389 dogs were seroreactive to E. canis.