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Background: In farm animals, the main poisonings are due to the ingestion of toxic plants present in pastures, but their incidence is underestimated, even though they are responsible for serious damage to animal health and livestock production. Atractylis gummifera L. is a plant widespread in Mediterranean countries and in southern Italy that is responsible for serious and often fatal poisonings in both humans and animals. This investigation reports grazing cattle poisoning due to the ingestion of Atractylis gummifera L. roots present in a recently plowed pasture of a Sicilian farm. Methods: The investigation describes the clinical symptoms of poisoned cattle, especially the gastro-intestinal type, the alterations in liver and renal function, the course of poisoning (hyperacute–acute), and the necropsy examination of dead animals. In the surviving cattle, symptomatic drug therapy was administered, and hematological and biochemical analyses (blood, liver, and kidney profiles) were carried out during treatment. Results: The pharmacological therapy, although symptomatic, contributed to the recovery of the intoxicated cattle with a return to normal values of liver and kidney parameters and electrolyte profile 30–40 days after treatment. Conclusions: This investigation could be useful to veterinarians for the diagnosis of Astractylus gummifera L. root poisoning in cattle, which is also responsible for the death of some intoxicated animals, with a negative impact on livestock.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disease in the paediatric population. JIA comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders with different onset patterns and clinical presentations with the only element in common being chronic joint inflammation. This review sought to evaluate the most relevant and up-to-date evidence on current knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of JIA subtypes to provide a better understanding of these disorders. Despite significant improvements over the past decade, the aetiology and molecular mechanisms of JIA remain unclear. It has been suggested that the immunopathogenesis is characterised by complex interactions between genetic background and environmental factors that may differ between JIA subtypes. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes and non-HLA genes play a crucial role in the abnormal activation of both innate and adaptive immune cells that cooperate in causing the inflammatory process. This results in the involvement of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-21, IL-23, and others. These mediators, interacting with the surrounding tissue, cause cartilage stress and bone damage, including irreversible erosions. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the genetic background and molecular mechanisms of JIA.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratios have been proposed as diagnostic and prognostic markers for neoplastic and inflammatory diseases in dogs and cats. The aim of this retrospective preliminary study was to evaluate the relationship between these ratios and markers of inflammation routinely measured in cats. A total of 275 cats were enrolled. Complete blood count, serum amyloid A (SAA), albumin, globulin, and albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) data were analyzed, as well as the presence of leukocyte alterations considered suggestive of inflammation (LAI: neutrophils left shift, toxic neutrophils, and reactive lymphocytes) evaluated in blood smears. The NLR and MLR correlated positively with SAA and globulins and negatively with albumin and AGR. Higher NLR and MLR were found in cats with increased SAA and globulins and decreased albumin and AGR. The PLR correlated negatively with albumin and AGR. A higher PLR was found in cats with hypoalbuminemia. Cats with LAI had higher NLR, MLR, and PLR. In cats with no changes in parameters indicative of inflammation, 11.25, 0.42, and 528.3 were identified as upper limits for NLR, MLR, and PLR, respectively. In conclusion, the NLR, MLR, and PLR act as good inflammatory markers easily evaluated by routine hematology.

Background The accuracy of blood cell ratios (BCRs) as cost-effective and easily accessible diagnostic and prognostic markers of inflammatory conditions has been investigated in veterinary medicine in recent years. Methods Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratios were studied in 195 dogs clinically evaluated and tested for anti- Leishmania infantum ( Li ) antibodies ( Li -seronegative ( Li − ), n  = 10; Li -seropositive clinically healthy ( Li + healthy ), n  = 100; Li -seropositive with clinical and/or clinicopathological abnormalities ( Li + sick ), n  = 85). The Li + sick dogs were classified in LeishVet stages IIa/IIb ( Li + IIa/IIb ) ( n  = 66) and III/IV ( Li + III/IV ) ( n  = 19). BCR relationships with LeishVet clinical stage, antibody levels, and serum protein electrophoretic fraction concentrations were investigated. Results Higher NLR values were found in Li + , Li + healthy , and Li + IIa/IIb sick dogs compared to Li − dogs ( P  < 0.001). Higher NLR and MLR were found in Li + sick (NLR, P  < 0.001; MLR, P  = 0.034) and Li + III/IV dogs (NLR, P  < 0.001; MLR, P  = 0.005) compared to Li − dogs, and in Li + III/IV dogs (NLR, P  = 0.002; MLR, P  < 0.001) compared to Li + healthy . All three BCRs were higher in Li + sick (NLR, MLR, P  < 0.001; PLR, P  = 0.023) and Li + IIa/IIb dogs (NLR P  < 0.001; MLR P  = 0.001; PLR, P  = 0.012) compared to Li + healthy dogs. The BCRs failed to distinguish dogs with moderate ( Li + IIa/IIb ) and severe or very severe disease ( Li + III/IV ). BCRs demonstrated weak positive correlations with serum globulin fractions and antibody levels, and weak negative correlations with serum albumin level were found. Li + sick dogs presenting hypoalbuminemia showed higher MLR ratios ( P  = 0.001) than those with normal albumin values. Conclusions This study shows that BCR measures provide useful information for differentiating antibody-positive healthy and sick dogs at diagnosis. Dogs with hypoalbuminemia showed higher MLR values despite monocytosis being very rare. Graphical Abstract

Background Feline leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is often associated with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection; however, the role and clinical significance of this coinfection remain unknown. This study aimed to assess whether FIV is associated with L. infantum infection in cats from canine leishmaniosis endemic areas and to report the clinical signs and hematological alterations associated with coinfection. Methods A retrospective matched case-control study (ratio 1:2) was conducted. Data of clinical examination and complete blood count (CBC) were selected from a cohort of 705 cats examined for epidemiological studies on feline leishmaniosis conducted between 2012 and 2019. Ninety-one FIV seropositive cases and 182 FIV seronegative control cats were selected. Matching was done according to age, sex, lifestyle and geographic provenience of case cats. Rapid ELISA devices were mainly used to detect anti-FIV antibodies. Anti- Leishmania IgG antibodies were detected by indirect-immunofluorescence test (IFAT). Leishmania DNA was searched in blood, oral and conjunctival swabs by quantitative real-time PCR. Results Feline immunodeficiency virus seropositive cats had no hematological abnormalities suggestive of an advanced stage of FIV infection and were statistically more frequently IFAT positive, and their risk of being L. infantum antibody positive was 2.8 greater than in the FIV seronegatives. The association of FIV seropositivity with L. infantum antibody positivity was confirmed in the univariable model of logistic regression. A multivariate model found FIV infection and L. infantum PCR positivity as predictors of a positive L. infantum IFAT result. Male outdoor cats from rural or suburban areas were at risk for FIV and L. infantum antibody positivity. Clinical signs more frequently associated with the coinfection were oral lesions, pale mucous membranes and low body condition score (BCS). Conclusions This study documents that FIV seropositive cats with no hematological abnormalities suggestive of an advanced stage of FIV infection are more prone to be L. infantum seroreactive by IFAT in endemic areas. Therefore, FIV seropositive cats should be tested for L. infantum antibodies and treated for preventing sand fly bites. Pale mucous membranes, low BCS and oral lesions but no CBC abnormalities were significantly associated with the coinfection. Graphical abstract

Background Domperidone (Leisguard ® ) is an immunomodulatory drug used as a preventive measure in healthy dogs. However, no studies have been published in healthy Leishmania infantum -seropositive dogs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of domperidone as immunotherapy in Leishmania -seropositive healthy dogs. Methods Sixty-seven dogs were treated with domperidone at 0.5 mg/kg and 44 dogs received placebo, once daily for 4 consecutive weeks. Monthly treatments were repeated every 4 months until the end of the 1-year follow-up period. Veterinary examinations were performed on days 0, 30, 120, 150, 240, 270 and 360. Samples of blood and urine were collected on days 0, 120, 240 and 360 for routine laboratory tests and quantitative in-house ELISA for the detection of L. infantum -specific antibodies. Furthermore, Leishmania real-time PCR and IFN-γ ELISA were performed at day 0 and the end of the study. Dogs that developed disease were withdrawn from the study and classified as sick dogs. Adverse drug reactions were reported. Results Thirty dogs developed disease during the follow-up period: 13/67 (19.4%) in the group treated with domperidone and 17/44 (38.6%) in the placebo-treated group ( P  = 0.03). Low-seropositive dogs treated with domperidone (4/40, 9.1%) were significantly less likely to develop disease compared to low-seropositive dogs treated with placebo (7/24, 29.2%; P  = 0.04), while no differences were found between domperidone (9/23, 39.1%) and placebo (10/20, 50%) in medium- to high-seropositive dogs. At the end of the study, a higher proportion of Leishmania PCR-positive dogs was observed in the placebo-treated group (16/33, 48.5%) compared to the domperidone group (13/51, 25.5%; P  = 0.04). Furthermore, low-seropositive dogs treated with domperidone with an increase of IFN-γ concentration presented a higher increase than those treated with placebo at the end of the study. Four dogs treated with domperidone presented self-limiting diarrhea. Conclusions Healthy dogs with low L. infantum antibody levels treated with domperidone were less likely to develop disease compared to placebo-treated dogs. Furthermore, domperidone presented a good safety profile. Graphical abstract

Canine leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is a disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations. Epidemiological serosurveys performed in Europe often lack a thorough assessment of clinical health status of studied dogs. The aim of this study was to evaluate signalment, immunological and parasitological status and clinicopathological findings of L. infantum-seropositive apparently healthy dogs (n = 212) living in endemic areas. Routine laboratory tests, endpoint in-house ELISA to quantify the anti-Leishmania antibodies, blood Leishmania qPCR and IFN-γ ELISA were performed. All dogs enrolled were L. infantum-seropositive and were classified as healthy (n = 105) or sick (n = 107) according to LeishVet guidelines. The sick group presented a higher proportion of medium to high antibody levels and positive qPCR and lower IFN-γ concentration compared to the healthy group. Sick dogs were mostly classified in LeishVet stage IIa. Biochemical alterations (98%) were the most common clinicopathological findings, with fewer urinary tract (46%) and hematological (40%) alterations. Apparently healthy L. infantum-seropositive dogs can be classified between truly healthy dogs and sick dogs with clinicopathological findings. Sick dogs presented medium to high seropositivity and parasitemia and low IFN-γ concentrations, and their most common clinicopathological abnormalities were serum protein alterations followed by proteinuria and lymphopenia.

Previous studies have evaluated the association between different blood groups and human infection with Toxoplasma gondii. No similar studies exist in cats. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of some risk or protective factors, including the AB blood type system phenotypes, in T. gondii infection in cats. Feline sera and surplus EDTA anticoagulated blood samples, for which AB blood group system phenotypes had been determined, were analyzed for T. gondii antibodies (ELISA, cut-off S/P% ≥ 50% and IFAT, cut-off ≥ 1:64) and DNA (nested and real-time PCR). T. gondii status and the characteristics of signalment (gender, breed, and age), lifestyle (stray, shelter, privately-owned), origin (Northern or Southern Italy), and retroviral infection serostatus of the population were evaluated using the Chi-square test, with calculation of the Odds Ratio (OR) in cases of statistically significant association (p < 0.05). A total of 199 samples were analyzed, of which 178 were phenotype A, 15 were phenotype B, and 6 were phenotype AB. Of these, 57/199 (28.6%) were positive for T. gondii: 5 were positive at PCR, 33 at ELISA, and 19 at IFAT. Of the 57 positive cats, 52/57 were phenotype A, 3/57 phenotype B, and 2/57 phenotype AB, with no significant association with T. gondii infection. FIV seropositive cats had a higher risk (OR = 3.1, p = 0.0043) of testing T. gondii positive. This study did not find an association between T. gondii infection and the feline blood types investigated; therefore, based on our results, AB blood group system phenotypes do not seem to play a role in Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats. These findings contribute to our knowledge of the role of blood types in disease susceptibility in cats.

The aim of this study was to assess the beneficial effects of oral supplementation of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on improving and keeping sperm quality in dogs during storage, and to investigate its effect on changes in testosterone concentrations. Forty male dogs were enrolled in the study and divided into four groups of ten dogs each: two subfertile (control and treatment) and two normofertile (control and treatment) groups. The dogs in the treatment groups received Maca in a capsule formulation (75 mg/kg), while the control groups received placebo. The spermiogram and testosterone levels were assessed at three times of the sperm cycle: 0 (T0), 31 (T31), and 62 (T62) days. Ejaculates were processed for storage at 5 °C and evaluated for total and progressive motility and membrane integrity at 3 (T3h), 24 (T24h), 48 (T48h), and 72 h (T72h) post storage. The oral supplementation of 75 mg/kg of Maca extract in dogs can improve sperm parameters and increase serum testosterone concentrations, leading to improved reproductive capacity. The semen of subjects treated with oral Maca supplementation maintained its parameters stable for a longer period when stored compared to the semen of control subjects, demonstrating the beneficial effect of the use of this extract on male fertility.

Bone is an extremely dynamic and adaptive tissue, whose metabolism and homeostasis is influenced by many different hormonal, mechanical, nutritional, immunological and pharmacological stimuli. Genetic factors significantly affect bone health, through their influence on bone cells function, cartilage quality, calcium and vitamin D homeostasis, sex hormone metabolism and pubertal timing. In addition, optimal nutrition and physical activity contribute to bone mass acquisition in the growing age. All these factors influence the attainment of peak bone mass, a critical determinant of bone health and fracture risk in adulthood. Secondary osteoporosis is an important issue of clinical care in children with acute and chronic diseases. Systemic autoimmune disorders, like juvenile idiopathic arthritis, can affect the skeletal system, causing reduced bone mineral density and high risk of fragility fractures during childhood. In these patients, multiple factors contribute to reduce bone strength, including systemic inflammation with elevated cytokines, reduced physical activity, malabsorption and nutritional deficiency, inadequate daily calcium and vitamin D intake, use of glucocorticoids, poor growth and pubertal delay. In juvenile arthritis, osteoporosis is more prominent at the femoral neck and radius compared to the lumbar spine. Nevertheless, vertebral fractures are an important, often asymptomatic manifestation, especially in glucocorticoid-treated patients. A standardized diagnostic approach to the musculoskeletal system, including prophylaxis, therapy and follow up, is therefore mandatory in at risk children. Here we discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in skeletal homeostasis and the influence of inflammation and chronic disease on bone metabolism.