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Background Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is an inducible isoform by cellular activation, proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors. The aims of the current study were to evaluate COX-2 immunoexpression in epithelial and lamina propria (LP) of cats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and low grade alimentary lymphoma (LGAL), as well as to correlate them with clinical signs and histopathological scoring. Cats diagnosed with IBD and LGAL (2007–2013) were included in the current study. Feline chronic enteropathy activity index (FCEAI) was calculated for all cases. Control group was composed by 3 healthy indoor cats and 5 sick cats died or were euthanized (non-gastrointestinal illness). Diagnosis and classification of IBD and LGAL was established according to the WSAVA gastrointestinal standardization group template and the National Cancer Institute formulation, respectively. Furthermore, a modified WSAVA template was applied for LGAL evaluation. Immunolabelling for COX-2 (polyclonal rabbit anti-murine antibody) was performed on biopsy samples. Epithelial and LP (inflammatory or neoplastic cells) COX-2 immunolabelling was calculated according to the grade and intensity. The most representative segment scored by the WSAVA and the modified WSAVA were used for statistical analysis. Results Significant difference was found regarding COX-2 intensity overexpression in the epithelial cells of IBD and LGAL groups when compared to control cats, but not between the groups of sick cats, whereas no differences were found regarding the grade of immunoreactivity between groups. No difference was found for COX-2 immunoexpression at the LP between all groups. However, 3 cats from LGAL group showed COX-2 expression in neoplastic cells at the LP. There were no correlations between epithelial or LP COX-2 expression and FCEAI and histological alterations. Conclusions Increased COX-2 intensity at the epithelial cells observed in cats with IBD and LGAL may be secondary to the inflammatory response or a protective function in the intestinal reparation. COX-2 expression at the LP was presented in 33% of LGAL. This result provides a reason for further investigation concerning the role of COX-2 expression in feline alimentary lymphoma.

The aims of the study were to determine whether symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) was increased in dogs with leishmaniosis and to assess its relationship with creatinine concentration and urinary protein : creatinine ratio (UPC) to determine its utility as a marker of early excretory dysfunction. Fifty-three dogs with leishmaniosis classified according to the LeishVet clinical staging (stage I, n=5, stage II, n=30; stage III, n=12; stage IV, n=6) were selected and compared with 41 clinically healthy dogs. Thirty-nine dogs with leishmaniosis were also followed up for six months. SDMA concentrations on the day of diagnosis were significantly higher in dogs with leishmaniosis with respect to control dogs and in dogs from LeishVet stage IV when compared with the other stages. Increased UPC (>0.5), SDMA (>19 μg/dL), and creatinine concentrations (≥1.4 mg/dL) were found in 47.1%, 15.1%, and 9.4% of dogs with leishmaniosis, respectively. SDMA concentration was increased in 24% of proteinuric dogs, in 7% of nonproteinuric dogs, and in four of five dogs with increased creatinine. SDMA concentration ≥ 25 μg/dL was associated with clinical chronic kidney disease (CKD) after six months. Our results did not demonstrate advantages in using SDMA concentration as an early marker of CKD when compared to creatinine and UPC in canine leishmaniosis.

Background Brachycephalic dogs have unique upper respiratory anatomy with abnormal breathing patterns similar to those in humans with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between anatomical components, clinical signs and several biomarkers, used to determine systemic inflammation and myocardial damage (C-reactive protein, CRP; Haptoglobin, Hp; cardiac troponin I, cTnI), in dogs with brachycephalic upper airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS). Results Fifty brachycephalic dogs were included in the study and the following information was studied: signalment, clinical signs, thoracic radiographs, blood work, ECG, components of BAOS, and CRP, Hp and cTnI levels. A high proportion of dogs with BAOS (88%) had gastrointestinal signs. The prevalence of anatomic components of BAOS was: elongated soft palate (100%), stenotic nares (96%), everted laryngeal saccules (32%) and tracheal hypoplasia (29.1%). Increased serum levels of biomarkers were found in a variable proportion of dogs: 14% (7/50) had values of CRP > 20 mg/L, 22.9% (11/48) had values of Hp > 3 g/L and 47.8% (22/46) had levels of cTnI > 0.05 ng/dl. Dogs with everted laryngeal saccules had more severe respiratory signs (p<0.02) and higher values of CRP (p<0.044). No other statistical association between biomarkers levels and severity of clinical signs was found. Conclusions According to the low percentage of patients with elevated levels of CRP and Hp, BAOS does not seem to cause an evident systemic inflammatory status. Some degree of myocardial damage may occur in dogs with BAOS that can be detected by cTnI concentration.

A six-month-old male entire golden retriever was presented with an umbilical mass noted by the owners four days before. Clinical examination revealed fever (39.7°C) and an umbilical fistulised abscess. Abdominal palpation revealed a solid mass in the caudal abdomen. The ultrasonographic study confirmed the presence of an abdominal mass (7 cm in diameter) adhered to several abdominal organs, mild localised peritonitis and an umbilical defect. The mass was compatible with an abscess or a granuloma potentially associated with an urachal remnant. An exploratory laparotomy confirmed the suspicion. The mass was removed and the urachal remnant corrected. Histopathology revealed the presence of a granuloma with multiple necrotic areas and basophilic structures suggestive of bacterial infection. Few days after surgery, all clinical signs resolved completely. Urachal remnants are rarely reported in small animals. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report describing such a severe presentation with complete resolution.

Background Leishmania infantum -specific antibodies are used extensively for the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment in canine leishmaniosis. Different views have been described for the measurement of L. infantum antibody levels for the monitoring of anti-leishmanial treatment. In addition, molecular techniques using blood are frequently employed in the clinical setting. However, there are not enough studies to prove the usefulness of PCR in diagnosis, treatment monitoring and in assessing the prognosis of the disease. The objectives of this study were to evaluate L. infantum -specific antibodies and blood parasitemia at the time of diagnosis and during treatment and to correlate these with the dog’s clinical status. Methods Thirty-seven dogs were diagnosed and followed-up during treatment (days 30, 180 and 365). The treatment protocol consisted of a combination of meglumine antimoniate for one month and allopurinol for at least one year. Leishmania infantum -specific antibodies and blood parasitemia were assessed by an end point sera dilution ELISA and by real-time PCR, respectively. Results The majority of dogs were classified as LeishVet stage II (moderate disease) at the time of diagnosis (86 %) and the rest as stage III. Results showed variable levels of specific antibodies at the time of diagnosis [median ± interquartile range (IQR): 1372 ± 8803 ELISA units (EU)]. Twenty-three seropositive dogs (64 %) were detected as PCR-positive at the time of diagnosis. Interestingly, a rapid significant antibody level reduction was observed by day 30 of treatment (median ± IQR: 604 ± 2168 EU). A continuing significant decrease of specific antibodies was also found at days 180 (median ± IQR: 201 ± 676 EU) and 365 (median ± IQR: 133 ± 329 EU) in association with clinical improvement. A significant blood parasitemia reduction was also observed at all time points studied. Mean parasites/ml ± SD were 19.4 ± 79.1 on day 0, 2.2 ± 11.7 on day 30, 0.9 ± 2.9 on day 180, and 0.3 ± 0.7 on day 365. Conclusions This study reports a significant reduction of L. infantum antibodies measured by an end point sera dilution ELISA method after 30 days of treatment associated with clinical improvement. A low proportion of sick dogs with moderate disease were negative by blood real-time PCR at the time of diagnosis.

Foodborne pathogens are an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. To assess the presence of Salmonella, Campylobacter and Arcobacter spp. in livestock, wildlife, and humans from different regions across western Uganda, 479 faecal samples were tested by PCR. Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. were more frequently detected in livestock (5.1% and 23.5%, respectively) compared to wildlife (1.9% and 16.8%, respectively). Wildlife from remote areas showed lower Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. occurrence than in areas where interactions with livestock are common, suggesting that spill-over may exist from livestock or humans. Further studies are needed to better understand the transmission dynamics of these pathogens at the wildlife–livestock–human interface in western Uganda.

A 10-year-old, male neutered domestic shorthair cat was referred for reddish discolouration of its abdominal skin with serosanguineous discharge. The affected skin was bruised, nodular and had fluid-filled cavities. It was painful on palpation. A final diagnosis of lymphangiosarcoma was made by prospero-related homeobox gene-1 (PROX-1) immunohistochemistry. Metronomic chemotherapy treatment was instaured with toceranib phosphate, chlorambucil and meloxicam. Partial remission was achieved at 18 days and stable disease was maintained for 36 days (survival time: 54 days). Afterward, the tumour began to regrow aggressively and the patient developed anorexia; owners elected for euthanasia. Total survival time achieved was 63 days. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report of feline caudoventral abdominal lymphangiosarcoma treated with metronomic chemotherapy.

BackgroundSocial cognition and metacognition have emerged as cornerstones of research and treatment of schizophrenia. Both constructs are known to influence the onset of psychosis, to predict functional outcome and to be associated with symptoms. However, whether the deficits in first-episode psychosis are homogeneous or group in patterns remains to be studied. This study aimed to analyze patterns of social cognitive and metacognitive variables in a sample of subjects with first-episode psychosis.MethodsWe recruited 192 subjects with first-episode psychosis from ten public mental-health services in Spain. We collected: demographic information, measures of functioning, performance in social cognition (the Faces Test, IPSAQ and the Hinting Task), a battery of metacognitive tasks (BCIS, and the Beads Task) and a neuropsychological assessment. We performed a Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) with the metacognitive and social-cognitive variables. The variable importance was assessed via a classification tree (CART) and the mean differences among the resulting groups for clinical, neuropsychological and functioning variables were calculated with ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests.ResultsOur sample was comprised of 192 (62 women) with first-episode psychosis. The mean age of the sample was 27.93(1.39). The mean PANSS total score of the sample was 58.48 (17.79). The average GAF score was 58.93 (12.25). We included 174 cases with complete social-cognitive and metacognitive data in the cluster analysis. We identified three type-VEE clusters (i.e. ellipsoidal clusters with equal shape and orientation) according to BIC (BIC=-3600.651). The 85-15 condition of the Beads Task and the Hinting Task emerged as the most important variables in determining the clustering structure. The first cluster (60.9%) was characterized by average scores in most of the metacognitive and social cognitive variables, but the presence of the jumping to conclusions bias. The second cluster (5.7%) was characterized by low self-reflectiveness, presence of personalizing bias and an excessive number of trials in the beads task. The third cluster (33.5%) was characterized by average scores in all metacognitive tasks but low scores in the social cognitive tasks.DiscussionWe found three clusters in a large sample of subjects with first-episode psychosis. Our results indicate that the three groups differ in the proneness to present deficits in specific domains. Furthermore, in our sample, patients may not exhibit a homogeneous deficit in all social-cognitive and metacognitive variables. Instead, the impairment may be particularly prominent in either social-cognitive or metacognitive variables. Subjects in different clusters may present differences in their clinical characteristics, what could be relevant in the treatment. Therefore, with further research, a thorough assessment of social cognition and metacognition may help personalize the treatment according to the person’s subtype of the deficit.