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The pathogenesis of anal sacculitis has not been extensively investigated, although atopic dogs seem to be predisposed to the disease. The aim of this study was therefore to characterize and compare the bacterial microbiota and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the anal sacs of dogs from three groups (healthy dogs, untreated atopic dogs and atopic dogs receiving antipruritic treatment or allergen-specific immunotherapy) in order to determine whether changes could be at the origin of anal sacculitis in atopic dogs. Bacterial populations of anal sac secretions from fifteen healthy dogs, fourteen untreated and six treated atopic dogs were characterized by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene using Illumina technology. Proinflammatory cytokines were analyzed with the Luminex multiplex test. Community membership and structure were significantly different between the anal sacs of healthy and untreated atopic dogs (P = 0.002 and P = 0.003, respectively) and between those of untreated and treated atopic dogs (P = 0.012 and P = 0.017, respectively). However, the community structure was similar in healthy and treated atopic dogs (P = 0.332). Among the proinflammatory cytokines assessed, there was no significant difference between groups, except for interleukin 8 which was higher in the anal sacs of untreated atopic dogs compared to treated atopic dogs (P = 0.02), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha which was lower in the anal sacs of healthy dogs compared to treated atopic dogs (P = 0.04). These results reveal a dysbiosis in the anal sacs of atopic dogs, which may partially explain the predisposition of atopic dogs to develop bacterial anal sacculitis. Treatments received by atopic dogs (oclacitinib, desloratadine and allergen-specific immunotherapy) shift the microbiota of the anal sacs towards that of healthy dogs. Further studies are required to identify significant cytokines contributing to anal sacculitis in atopic dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine distemper virus (CDV) can cause fatal infections in giant pandas. Vaccination is crucial to prevent CDV infection in giant pandas. In this study, two bacterium-like particle vaccines F3-GEM and H4-GEM displaying the trimeric F protein or tetrameric H protein of CDV were constructed based on the Gram-positive enhanced-matrix protein anchor (GEM-PA) surface display system. Electron microscopy and Western blot results revealed that the F or H protein was successfully anchored on the surface of GEM particles. Furthermore, one more bacterium-like particle vaccine F3 and H4-GEM was also designed, a mixture consisting of F3-GEM and H4-GEM at a ratio of 1:1. To evaluate the effect of the three vaccines, mice were immunized with F3-GEM, H4-GEM or F3 and H4-GEM. It was found that the level of IgG-specific antibodies and neutralizing antibodies in the F3 and H4-GEM group was higher than the other two groups. Additionally, F3 and H4-GEM also increased the secretion of Th1-related and Th2-related cytokines. Moreover, F3 and H4-GEM induce IgG and neutralizing antibodies' response in dogs. Conclusions: In summary, F3 and H4-GEM can provoke better immune responses to CDV in mice and dogs. The bacterium-like particle vaccine F3 and H4-GEM might be a potential vaccine candidate for giant pandas against CDV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Photobiomodulation is the use of red or near-infrared light to produce beneficial effects in living biological tissue. Several studies in humans have demonstrated the beneficial effects of photobiomodulation in improving tissue healing, reducing inflammation and edema, restoring blood flow, and inducing analgesia. Growing evidence suggests that photobiomodulation may influence the skin microbiome. The dog skin microbiome has been previously investigated in healthy and allergic dogs, but only limited information is available on this topic. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of photobiomodulation on the skin microbiome of atopic dogs by employing a high-power, dual-wavelength near-infrared laser source (Multiwavelength Locked System laser, MLS®). The results showed that while the microbiome composition and diversity are not significantly affected, photobiomodulation could induce an overall reduction in specific bacterial species, in particular Staphylococcus, that represent a major pathogenic skin strain. This observation could be a potential jumpstart for further analysis in larger populations to test the beneficial effects of photobiomodulation in dog skin. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a newly adopted consensus term to replace the therapeutic application of low-level laser therapy. It has been suggested that PMB influences the microbiome which, in turn, has increasingly been shown to be linked with health and disease. Even though the use of PBM has also grown dramatically in veterinary medicine, there is still a lack of evidence supporting its effect in vivo. Our objective was to investigate the impact of a dual-wavelength near-infrared laser source (Multiwavelength Locked Laser System, MLS®) on the skin microbiome in atopic dogs. Twenty adult-client-owned atopic dogs were enrolled in the study. The dogs were treated with MLS® laser therapy on one half of the abdominal region, whereas the contralateral side was left untreated and served as a control. Skin microbiome samples were collected before and after MLS® treatments, and then subjected to NGS-based ITS and 16S rRNA analysis. The results showed that while microbiome composition and diversity were not significantly affected, PBM could play a role in modulating the abundance of specific bacterial species, in particular Staphylococcus, that represent a major skin pathogenic strain. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the potential impact of MLS® laser therapy on the skin microbiome in atopic dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the richness, abundance, and diversity of bacteria in stray dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) infested by ticks in Comarca Lagunera, northern Mexico, and to establish their pathogenic and or/zoonotic potential. Materials and Methods: Blood samples from 12 dogs were collected, and their deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted. The V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal ribunocleic acid gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on a MiSeq Illumina platform, and the data were analyzed using quantitative insights into microbial ecology. Results: The operational taxonomic units resulted in 23 phyla, 54 classes, 89 orders, 189 families, 586 genera, and 620 bacterial species; among them, 64 species and/or bacterial genera with pathogenic or zoonotic potential were identified, some of which have been reported in the literature as relevant to public health (Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Brucella spp., Clostridium spp., Corynebacterium affermentants, Cutibacterium spp., Dietzia spp., Ehrlichia canis, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Leptotrichia spp., Mycobacterium spp., Paracoccus spp., and Roseomonas gilardii). Conclusion: This research offers relevant information on the prevalence of tick-borne diseases as well as other potential zoonotic diseases in the blood of stray dogs parasitized by ticks in northern Mexico. New molecular biology and massive NGS techniques may play an important role in the study and documentation of bacterial profiles from animals in close proximity to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Given that skin allergies and pruritic dermatitis are highly prevalent in dogs, with a lack of reliable treatment methods, a dietary supplement containing a blend of probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins, nutrients and a yeast-derived postbiotic was developed with the potential to promote symptom reduction through dermatological, immune, and gastrointestinal support. To assess the impact of this supplement on clinical signs of allergy and the gut microbiome, which may influence such symptoms, in companion dogs with pruritic dermatitis, a 10-week trial was conducted. The supplement supported faster improvements and resolution of pruritus, with differences seen compared to a placebo group after 2 weeks. Simultaneously, at the end of the trial, the gut microbiome in treated dogs was enriched with three of the supplemented probiotic species, and unhealthy species were reduced. The enrolled client-owned dogs represented a variety of breeds, ages, and sizes with diverse pruritus severity, which may make the results of this trial more applicable to a larger population of dogs with pruritic dermatitis. Future trials should expand upon the use of dietary supplements with multimodal capabilities for the relief of pruritic dermatitis under stricter cohort definitions. Pruritic dermatitis (PD) is a common presentation of canine allergic skin diseases, with diversity in severity and treatment response due to complex etiopathogenesis. Evidence suggests the gut microbiota (GM) may contribute to the development of canine allergies. A 10-week double-blind randomized controlled trial evaluated a novel probiotic and nutraceutical blend (PNB) on clinical signs of skin allergy, health measures, and the GM of privately owned self-reported pruritic dogs. A total of 105 dogs were enrolled, with 62 included in pruritus and health analysis and 50 in microbiome analysis. The PNB supported greater improvement of owner-assessed clinical signs of PD at week 2 than the placebo (PBO). More dogs that received the PNB shifted to normal pruritus (digital PVAS10-N: <2) by week 4, compared to week 7 for the PBO. While a placebo effect was identified, clinical differences were supported by changes in the GM. The PNB enriched three probiotic bacteria and reduced abundances of species associated with negative effects. The PBO group demonstrated increased abundances of pathogenic species and reduced abundances of several beneficial species. This trial supports the potential of the PNB as a supplemental intervention in the treatment of PD; however, further investigation is warranted, with stricter diagnostic criteria, disease biomarkers and direct veterinary examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a hereditary pruritic and inflammatory allergic skin disease associated with elevated IgE levels. Although, several treatments for CAD exist, allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is the only treatment that induces tolerance to pathogenic allergens. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is effective, convenient, and safe. This case report describes the successful treatment of a dog with atopic dermatitis using SLIT, emphasizing the efficacy and safety of SLIT as a long-term management strategy for CAD. Case: A 3-year-old spayed female Dachshund presented with non-seasonal chronic pruritus and generalized alopecia. The onset of pruritus occurred at 6 months of age, and its severity, measured by the pruritus visual analog scale, score was 5 out of 10. Dermatological examination revealed alopecia and scales on the dorsum and tail, and alopecia, lichenification, and crust on the medial side of the forelimbs. Diagnostic tests confirmed superficial pyoderma and Malassezia dermatitis. Initial treatment included amoxicillin/clavulanate, itraconazole, and a shampoo containing chlorhexidine gluconate and miconazole nitrate. An elimination diet trial was performed using a commercial diet to diagnose canine adverse food reaction (CAFR). However, 11 days after treatment initiation, the microbial and fungal skin infections and pruritus did not improve. Prednisolone was subsequently prescribed to alleviate pruritus and evaluate the response to glucocorticoids. At 24 days after the administration of prednisolone, pruritus reduction and lesion improvement were observed. Thereafter, prednisolone was tapered to 0.5 mg/kg EOD and discontinued 38 days after the initial administration. After prednisolone discontinuation, cytology did not reveal any cocci or Malassezia sp. Therefore, treatment with amoxicillin/clavulanate and itraconazole was discontinued. Two weeks after the discontinuation of prednisolone, pruritus relapsed, and cytology revealed no infection. The dog was initially treated with oclacitinib and planned to be managed with ASIT following an intradermal skin test at 2 weeks later. A provocative challenge was performed after the pruritus, and the lesions were well managed with oclacitinib. Because the clinical signs did not worsen, CAFR was excluded. The Favrot criteria was used to diagnose CAD by ruling out other skin conditions. An intradermal skin test was performed for 27 allergens, and oclacitinib was administered for SLIT, with allergens showing a positive reaction. After the administration of SLIT and oclacitinib, pruritus was well controlled and no recurrence was observed. At 763 days and 1638 days after the commencement of SLIT, oclacitinib and SLIT were discontinued, respectively. Notably, 9 months after discontinuing SLIT, complete remission of CAD was observed. Discussion: ASIT is used in veterinary medicine to treat CAD. A comprehensive clinical study found that SLIT has a success rate of 55%. The oral mucosa's low pro-inflammatory cell counts underscores SLIT's safety. Considering its efficacy and safety, ASIT was initiated with SLIT. ASIT can take > 12 months to improve CAD. Therefore, oclacitinib was prescribed to control pruritus. Complete remission of CAD was confirmed at the time of writing 9 months after SLIT discontinuation. This case indicates that SLIT could be an effective and safe therapeutic option for the long-term management of CAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]