Evaluation of the anesthetic depth and bispectral index during propofol sequential target-controlled infusion in dogs.

Background and Aim: The use of anesthetic infusions based on pharmacokinetic values associated with anesthetic plan and bispectral index in dogs have not been well-documented in the literature. This study aimed to evaluate the bispectral index (BIS) change based on pre-propofol and establish clinical anesthetic depth changes during propofol sequential target-controlled infusion (STCI) in dogs with a plasma target of 5 µg/mL. Materials and Methods: Twenty healthy male dogs aged 1-3 years and weighing 9.8-44 kg were recruited. These dogs were pre-medicated intramuscularly with methadone (0.2 mg/kg) and acepromazine (0.03 mg/kg). After 30 min, propofol anesthetic induction and maintenance were initiated using STCI according to dog pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters. Subsequently, the target plasma concentration of propofol was set at 5 µg/mL for both anesthetic induction and the 120 min maintenance. Then, TivaTrainer v.9.1 software was used to calculate anesthetic infusion rates in a TCI plasmatic concentration mode using the PKs model optimized by covariates for propofol TCI in dogs. The BIS value was recorded every 5 min from the beginning of induction until the end of anesthesia. Finally, analysis of variance was performed on numerical data using the Friedman test, followed by the Bonferroni adjustment (p<0.05). Results: A statistical difference was observed between the baseline BIS value (T0), with a median value of 84.5 (81-97), and BIS after every 15 min (T15) of inducing anesthesia. Surgical anesthetic depth was also reached in 18 of 20 dogs after 10 min of infusion and in all dogs after 20 min, with a median BIS value of 72 (53-89) at the time of surgical anesthesia depth. Results also showed no BIS variation (p<0.05) between anesthetic moments after anesthetic induction with a substantial amplitude of BIS in the surgical anesthetic depth. Moreover, the maximum depth of anesthesia in all dogs by clinical evaluation was reached after 20 min of anesthesia and then remained stable throughout the anesthetic period. Conclusion: This study suggested that most dogs (90%) attained a surgical depth of anesthesia within 15 min of STCI onset, with a plasma target of 5 µg/mL and no change in anesthetic depth throughout the period anesthesia lasted. Furthermore, median BIS values remained high even after dogs reached the surgical depth of anesthesia, indicating that the comparison of BIS values of dogs and humans should not be considered for classifying anesthetic and hypnotic depths in dogs.

Ehrlichia spp. infection in domestic cats from Rio de Janeiro State, southeast Brazil.

Ehrlichiosis is caused by agents belonging to Ehrlichia genus. Despite the frequent reports on the serological and molecular detection of E. canis in dogs in Brazil, there is scant data on ehrlichiosis in brazilian cats. This study aimed at investigating the occurrence of Ehrlichia spp. in domestic cats from Greater Rio de Janeiro, and evaluating hematological changes associated with this rickettsial infection. We searched for IgG antibodies against E. canis on blood samples of 216 cats by Indirect Fluorescence Assay (IFA). Additionally, we performed nested PCR (nPCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR) assays targeting E. canis-16S rRNA and dsb gene, respectively. Fifty-seven (26.4%) cats were seropositive for Ehrlichia spp. by IFA. Ehrlichia spp.-16S rRNA gene fragments were detected in 3 cats (1.4%). Although the obtained 16S rRNA sequences showed 99 to 100% identity with E. canis, cats were negative in qPCR. Anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, left shift neutrophil and hyperproteinemia were observed. Anemia was statistically associated with seropositivity to E. canis and kittens showed lower positivity rates (p<0.05). This study showed that Ehrlichia spp. occur in domestic cats from Greater Rio de Janeiro. Further studies involving culture isolation are much needed to more precisely characterize these organisms.

Ehrlichia spp. infection in domestic cats from Rio de Janeiro State, southeast Brazil / Infecção de Ehrlichia spp. em gatos domésticos da Grande Rio de Janeiro, sudeste do Brasil

Abstract Ehrlichiosis is caused by agents belonging to Ehrlichia genus. Despite the frequent reports on the serological and molecular detection of E. canis in dogs in Brazil, there is scant data on ehrlichiosis in brazilian cats. This study aimed at investigating the occurrence of Ehrlichia spp. in domestic cats from Greater Rio de Janeiro, and evaluating hematological changes associated with this rickettsial infection. We searched for IgG antibodies against E. canis on blood samples of 216 cats by Indirect Fluorescence Assay (IFA). Additionally, we performed nested PCR (nPCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR) assays targeting E. canis-16S rRNA and dsb gene, respectively. Fifty-seven (26.4%) cats were seropositive for Ehrlichia spp. by IFA. Ehrlichia spp.-16S rRNA gene fragments were detected in 3 cats (1.4%). Although the obtained 16S rRNA sequences showed 99 to 100% identity with E. canis, cats were negative in qPCR. Anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, left shift neutrophil and hyperproteinemia were observed. Anemia was statistically associated with seropositivity to E. canis and kittens showed lower positivity rates (p<0.05). This study showed that Ehrlichia spp. occur in domestic cats from Greater Rio de Janeiro. Further studies involving culture isolation are much needed to more precisely characterize these organisms.

Resumo A erliquiose é causada por agentes pertencentes ao gênero Ehrlichia . Apesar dos frequentes relatos de detecção sorológica e molecular de E. canis em cães no Brasil, existem poucos dados sobre a erliquiose em gatos brasileiros. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a ocorrência de Ehrlichia spp. em gatos domésticos do Grande Rio de Janeiro e avaliar as alterações hematológicas associadas a essa infecção rickettsial. Procuramos anticorpos IgG anti-E. canis em amostras de sangue de 216 gatos por Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI). Além disso, foram realizados ensaios de nested PCR (nPCR) e PCR em tempo real (qPCR) para detecção dos genes E. canis-16S rRNA e dsb , respectivamente. Cinquenta e sete (26,4%) gatos foram soropositivos para Ehrlichia spp. pela RIFI. Fragmentos do gene rRNA de Ehrlichia spp.-16S foram detectados em 3 gatos (1,4%) por ensaios de nPCR. Embora as sequências 16S rRNA obtidas tenham 99 a 100% de identidade com E. canis, os gatos foram negativos nos ensaios de qPCR. Anemia, trombocitopenia, leucocitose, desvio nuclear neutrofílico à esquerda e hiperproteinemia foram observados. Anemia foi estatisticamente associada à soropositividade para E. canis e filhotes apresentaram menores taxas de positividade (p <0,05). Este estudo demonstra que Ehrlichia spp. ocorrem em gatos domésticos da Grande Rio de Janeiro. Outros estudos envolvendo o isolamento por cultura são necessários para caracterizar com mais precisão esses organismos.

Ehrlichia spp. infection in domestic cats from Rio de Janeiro State, southeast Brazil / Infecção de Ehrlichia spp. em gatos domésticos da Grande Rio de Janeiro, sudeste do Brasil

Ehrlichiosis is caused by agents belonging to Ehrlichia genus. Despite the frequent reports on the serological and molecular detection of E. canis in dogs in Brazil, there is scant data on ehrlichiosis in brazilian cats. This study aimed at investigating the occurrence of Ehrlichia spp. in domestic cats from Greater Rio de Janeiro, and evaluating hematological changes associated with this rickettsial infection. We searched for IgG antibodies against E. canis on blood samples of 216 cats by Indirect Fluorescence Assay (IFA). Additionally, we performed nested PCR (nPCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR) assays targeting E. canis-16S rRNA and dsb gene, respectively. Fifty-seven (26.4%) cats were seropositive for Ehrlichia spp. by IFA. Ehrlichia spp.-16S rRNA gene fragments were detected in 3 cats (1.4%). Although the obtained 16S rRNA sequences showed 99 to 100% identity with E. canis, cats were negative in qPCR. Anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, left shift neutrophil and hyperproteinemia were observed. Anemia was statistically associated with seropositivity to E. canis and kittens showed lower positivity rates (p 0.05). This study showed that Ehrlichia spp. occur in domestic cats from Greater Rio de Janeiro. Further studies involving culture isolation are much needed to more precisely characterize these organisms.(AU)

A erliquiose é causada por agentes pertencentes ao gênero Ehrlichia . Apesar dos frequentes relatos de detecção sorológica e molecular de E. canis em cães no Brasil, existem poucos dados sobre a erliquiose em gatos brasileiros. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a ocorrência de Ehrlichia spp. em gatos domésticos do Grande Rio de Janeiro e avaliar as alterações hematológicas associadas a essa infecção rickettsial. Procuramos anticorpos IgG anti-E. canis em amostras de sangue de 216 gatos por Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI). Além disso, foram realizados ensaios de nested PCR (nPCR) e PCR em tempo real (qPCR) para detecção dos genes E. canis-16S rRNA e dsb , respectivamente. Cinquenta e sete (26,4%) gatos foram soropositivos para Ehrlichia spp. pela RIFI. Fragmentos do gene rRNA de Ehrlichia spp.-16S foram detectados em 3 gatos (1,4%) por ensaios de nPCR. Embora as sequências 16S rRNA obtidas tenham 99 a 100% de identidade com E. canis, os gatos foram negativos nos ensaios de qPCR. Anemia, trombocitopenia, leucocitose, desvio nuclear neutrofílico à esquerda e hiperproteinemia foram observados. Anemia foi estatisticamente associada à soropositividade para E. canis e filhotes apresentaram menores taxas de positividade (p 0,05). Este estudo demonstra que Ehrlichia spp. ocorrem em gatos domésticos da Grande Rio de Janeiro. Outros estudos envolvendo o isolamento por cultura são necessários para caracterizar com mais precisão esses organismos.(AU)

Hematological changes associated with hemoplasma infection in cats in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Alterações hematológicas associadas à infecção por hemoplasmas em gatos do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract This study aimed to detect Mycoplasma spp. in naturally infected cats from Rio de Janeiro and to evaluate hematological abnormalities and factors associated with this infection. Out of the 197 cats sampled, 11.2% presented structures compatible with hemoplasma organisms on blood smears. In contrast, 22.8% were positive for Mycoplasma spp. by means of 16S rRNA gene real-time polymerase chain reaction, which reflects the weak concordance between techniques. The infection rates, by means of 16S rRNA gene conventional polymerase chain reaction, was 4.6%, 4.6% and 11.7% for Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis (CMt) and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (CMhm), respectively. Mhf and CMhm infections are more frequent in the summer (p>0.05). Presence of anemia (p 0.02), lymphocytosis (p 0.03), thrombocytopenia (p 0.04) and activated monocytes (p 0.04) was associated with Mhf infection. No hematological abnormality was associated with CMt or CMhm infection. Male cats were more prone to be infected by Mhf or CMhm (p 0.01). Adult cats had more chance to be infected by CMhm. Three hemoplasma species occur in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro and Mhf seems to be the most pathogenic of them. Anemia is the most important hematological abnormality.(AU)

Resumo Este estudo teve por objetivo detectar Mycoplasma spp. em gatos naturalmente infectados do Rio de Janeiro e avaliar as alterações hematológicas e fatores associados à infecção. Dos 197 gatos amostrados, 11,2% apresentaram estruturas compatíveis com hemoplasmas em esfregaços de sangue. Em contraste, 22,8% foram positivas para Mycoplasma spp. por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real (qPCR), baseado no gene 16S rRNA, o que reflete a fraca concordância entre as técnicas. As taxas de infecção, por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase convencional baseada no gene 16S rRNA, foi de 4,6%, 4,6% e 11,7% para Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' (CMt) e 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' (CMhm), respectivamente. Infecção por Mhf e CMhm foram mais frequentes no verão (p> 0,05). Anemia (p 0,02), linfocitose (p 0,03), trombocitopenia (p 0,04), e presença de monócitos ativados (p 0,04) foram associados à infecção por Mhf. Nenhuma alteração hematológica foi associada à infecção por CMt ou CMhm. Gatos machos estão mais propensos à infecção por Mhf ou CMhm (p 0,01). Gatos adultos têm maiores chances de se infectarem por CMhm. Há ocorrência de três espécies de hemoplasmas na Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro e Mhf parece ser o mais patogênico, tendo a anemia como principal alteração hematológica.(AU)