Bacterial and fungal colonisation of peripheral intravenous catheters in dogs and cats.

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of intravenous catheter colonisation in a routine clinical setting, to identify pathogens involved and to explore factors associated with an increased risk of colonisation. METHODS: A prospective study of 100 peripherally placed intravenous catheters from 13 cats and 78 dogs was conducted. The distal two-thirds were removed and submitted for bacterial and fungal cultures. Antimicrobial susceptibility of each isolate was determined. RESULTS: Nineteen peripheral catheters were positive for microbiologic culture from 14 animals. Twenty organisms were isolated among which Staphylococcus species was the most common. Isolates displayed lower levels of resistance against the antimicrobial agents amoxicillin-clavulanate, cephalosporins and gentamicin than against other agents tested. Major risk factors predisposing to catheter-related colonisation included dextrose infusion, duration of catheter placement, local complications and immunosuppressive diseases or drugs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In a routine clinical setting, the prevalence of microbial colonisation of peripheral intravenous catheters is comparable to that found in an intensive care unit. However, consequences on morbidity and mortality rates differ.

A multicentric retrospective study of serum/plasma urea and creatinine concentrations in dogs using univariate and multivariate decision rules to evaluate diagnostic efficiency.

BACKGROUND: Urea and creatinine are the most frequently used indirect markers in plasma and serum of glomerular filtration rate in dogs. Both have been shown to lack sensitivity but their diagnostic efficiency for the diagnosis of kidney disease has been minimally investigated. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the influence of possible factors of variation on both analytes and to determine whether specific decision rules should be drawn up for subpopulations of dogs. METHODS: The results of urea and creatinine measurements, breed, sex, age, and health status (healthy, renal disease, or nonrenal disease) of 3822 dogs were collected from the archives of 5 veterinary clinics. Data were analyzed with univariate and multivariate decision rules with and without adjustment. RESULTS: There were significant effects and interactions of almost all of the sources of variation. Slight improvements in diagnostic efficiency were obtained by adjusting the decision rules to these sources of variations. Univariate decision rules gave approximately the same diagnostic efficiency for urea and creatinine concentrations, with sensitivity and specificity in the range of 70% and 90%, respectively, using the upper limit of the reference interval as the threshold value. Multivariate decision rules provided only minor improvements in diagnostic efficiency. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous measurement of both urea and creatinine is of limited diagnostic value over the analysis of a single variable. Creatinine is the preferred analyte as it is affected by fewer extrarenal factors of variation.

Comparison of four methods for determination of total protein concentrations in pleural and peritoneal fluid from dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare 4 techniques for determination of total protein concentrations in peritoneal and pleural effusions from dogs. SAMPLE POPULATION: 23 peritoneal and 12 pleural fluid samples from 35 dogs with various abnormalities. PROCEDURE: Samples were collected into tubes containing EDTA, centrifuged, and stored at -20 C until total protein concentrations were assessed. Protein concentration in each sample was determined by use of urine test strips, refractometry, and Bradford and biuret techniques. Accuracy of each method was determined, using dilutions of human control sera. RESULTS: There was good correlation among results of all quantitative procedures. Results of the biuret technique were more accurate than results of the Bradford assay. Refractometry underestimated protein concentration in samples with < 20 g of protein/L. Results of urine test strips correctly classified effusion samples into 2 groups on the basis of total protein concentrations less than or greater than 20 g/L. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of any of these 4 techniques can be used to rapidly and efficiently differentiate peritoneal and pleural fluid from dogs into transudates and exudates on the basis of total protein concentration less than or greater than 20 g/L, respectively.

Comparative study of marbofloxacin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in the treatment of urinary tract infections in dogs.

One hundred and four dogs with clinical signs of urinary tract infection were selected by 15 practitioners in a multicentric, controlled and randomised study. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by urinalysis and imaging. Each dog received either marbofloxacin (2 mg/kg orally once daily or 4 mg/kg by subcutaneous injection every four days) or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid tablets (12.5 mg/kg twice daily) for 10 or 28 days, depending on the clinical diagnosis. Rectal temperature, general condition, appetite, urinary signs, defecation disorders and pain on abdominal palpation were monitored at each visit, the timetable depending on diagnosis: three urinalyses and at least three examinations per case were performed. Side effects were also thoroughly sought at each examination. Marbofloxacin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid both yielded good bacteriological cure rates (96.2 per cent versus 85.0 per cent, respectively) and clinical cure rates (83.3 per cent versus 69.7 per cent). Fewer relapses were observed in those dogs that received marbofloxacin. Few mild side effects were recorded with both products.

Social perception of AIDS in the general public: a French study.

The paper presents the results of the first national survey about social perception of AIDS in a representative sample of the French general public (which was carried out in June 1987). A large majority of the French public (73.1% of respondents) support mandatory screening for HIV, and a significant part (21.9% of respondents) even favours isolation of AIDS patients. Results show the relations between false beliefs on transmission of AIDS by casual contact and willingness to agree with measures that carry a great danger of stigmatization for AIDS patients and HIV carriers; but strong correlations between support of coercive measures for prevention of AIDS and similar opinions on other controversial issues suggest that, for a fraction of the public, attitudes about AIDS are rather determined by a priori ideological and ethical values than by risk perception of the disease per se. Results also suggest that any ambiguity in scientific information about AIDS may increase social pressure, even among the most educated part of the population, for unnecessary measures. Tentative conclusions for public policy on prevention and information about AIDS are drawn.

[Blood proteins in African trypanosomiasis: variations and statistical interpretations]. / Les protéines sériques dams la trypamosomose africaine humaine: variations et interprétation statistique.

The estimation of blood orosomucoid, haptoglobin, C-reactive protein and immunoglobulins levels, has enable us to prove a specific proteic profile in the human african trypanosomiasis, as compared with other that of parasitic diseases, and with an healthy african reference group. Data processing informatique by principal components analysis, provide a valuable pool for epidemiological surveys.

[Use of multidimensional technics of analysis in the study of specific immunoglobulins in human African trypanosomiasis]. / Utilisation des techniques d'analyse multidimensionnelle dans l'étude des immunoglobulines spécifiques au cours de la trypanosomose africaine humaine.

In human african trypanosomiasis, the quantitative studies of specific immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) complement fixing antibody, and multivariate analysis methods (discriminant analysis allocation of cases with a Jacknife procedure) enable to assert the immunological profiles evolution through the different stages of the disease.