Search

Objective--To develop a real-time PCR assay for the quantification of mucin gene expression in tracheobronchial brushing specimens from dogs and compare mucin gene expression in specimens from dogs with naturally occurring chronic bronchitis with that in specimens from healthy dogs. Animals--7 healthy dogs and 5 dogs with chronic bronchitis. Procedures--Primers that were designed to span the predicted intron-exon boundaries of a canine MUC5AC-like gene were used to develop a real-time PCR assay for quantification of expression of that gene. Total mRNA was isolated from tracheobronchial brushing specimens obtained from dogs with and without bronchitis during anesthesia; MUC5AC-like gene expression in those samples was quantified by use of the real-time PCR assay. Results--The PCR assay was sensitive and specific for the target sequence, the predicted amino acid sequence of which had greatest homology with human, porcine, and rat MUC5AC. The assay was able to quantify the target over a wide dynamic range, Dogs with chronic bronchitis had a 3.0-old increase in the quantity of MUC5AC-like mRNA, compared with healthy dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance--The ability to measure mucin gene expression from tracheobronchial brushing specimens collected from client-owned dogs during routine bronchoscopy should prove to be a useful tool for the study of bronchitis in dogs and expand the usefulness of airway inflammation in dogs as a model for bronchitis in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective—To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of feline cytauxzoonosis in the mid-Atlantic states and compare the Cytauxzoon felis 18S rRNA gene sequences from affected cats with sequences reported from affected cats in other regions Design—Retrospective case series. Animals—34 cats with C fells infection. Procedure—Medical records of cats in which C felis infection was diagnosed from May 1998 through June 2004 were reviewed; data collected included signalment, month of diagnosis, geographic location, clinicopathologic abnormalities, medical treatments, outcome, and necropsy findings when applicable Cytauxzoon fells DNA was amplified, cloned, and sequenced from 4 of these cats and compared with previously reported C felis DNA sequences. Results—Of 34 C felis-infected cats, 28 resided in North Carolina, 3 resided in South Carolina, and 3 resided in Virginia; in 32 cats, a diagnosis of C felis infection was made in April through September Pancytopenia and icterus were the most common clinicopathologic abnormalities Thirty-two cats either died or were euthanatized, and 2 cats survived. At 5 veterinary hospitals, multiple cases were identified, and 4 multicat households had > 1 cat infected with C felis. The 18S rRNA gene sequences characterized in organisms obtained from 4 cats were nearly identical to C fells DNA sequences reported from other US regions Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Data indicate that veterinarians in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States should consider C fells infection in cats that become ill with fever, icterus, and pancytopenia or bicytopenia, especially in the spring and summer months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective-To identify the geographic distribution of babesiosis among dogs in the United States and determine, for dogs other than American Pit Bull Terriers (APBTs), whether infection was associated with a recent dog bite. Design-Retrospective study. Animals-150 dogs. Procedure-Canine blood samples submitted to the North Carolina State University Vector-Borne Disease Diagnostic Laboratory between May 2000 and October 2003 for which results of a Babesia-specific polymerase chain reaction assay were positive were identified, and breed and geographic origin of dogs from which samples were obtained were recorded. History and hematologic abnormalities for dogs that were not APBTs were recorded, and possible associations with a recent dog bite were examined. Results-Dogs positive for Babesia DNA were located in 29 states and 1 Canadian province (Ontario). Babesia gibsoni was the most commonly detected species, with B gibsoni DNA detected in blood samples from 131 of 144 (91%) dogs. Of the 131 dogs positive for B gibsoni DNA, 122 (93%) were APBTs. Of the 10 dogs positive for Babesia canis vogeli DNA, 6 were Greyhounds. In dogs other than APBTs, there was an association between having recently been bitten by another dog, particularly an APBT, and infection with B gibsoni. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results document an expansion of the known geographic range for babesiosis among dogs in the United States. Testing for babesiosis should be pursued in dogs with clinico mediated hemolytic anemia or thrombocytopenia, particularly if there is a history of a recent dog bite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective--To determine whether apparently healthy captive-born wild felids that were not native to North America and were housed in an area endemic for Cytauxzoon felis harbored the pathogen. Design--Prospective observational case series. Animals--11 captive-born wild felids that were (1 bobcat [Lynx rufus] and 1 cougar [Puma concolor]) or were not (1 lion [Panthera leo] and 8 tigers [Panthera tigris]) native to North America and 6 domestic cats (5 pets and 1 feral). Procedures--Blood was collected, and a PCR assay for C felis was performed. The C felis 18S rRNA gene sequence was characterized in samples that tested positive. Blood smears were evaluated microscopically for intraerythrocytic organisms consistent with C felis. Blood smears from an additional 6 feral domestic cats found dead on the study premises were also evaluated. Results--4 tigers and 6 domestic cats without clinical signs of disease tested positive for C felis infection via PCR assay; intraerythrocytic organisms consistent with C felis were identified in smears from 1 C felis-infected tiger (which also had azotemia) and in smears from 11 of 12 domestic cats. Possible erythrocytic inclusions were identified in 1 tiger that tested negative for C felis. Sequences of C felis 18S rRNA amplicons from all infected tigers shared > 99.8% identity with reported C felis sequences from North American domestic cats and were identical to amplicons from domestic cats on the premises. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance--Captive tigers without clinical signs of disease tested positive for C felis. The PCR assay for C felis appeared to be more reliable than cytologic detection of piroplasms in tigers. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2012;241:1088-1092) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective-To determine the prevalence of infectious diseases of animal and zoonotic importance in cats and dogs rescued and transferred from the Gulf Coast region following Hurricane Katrina. Design-Cross-sectional study. Animals-414 dogs and 56 cats rescued and transferred from the Gulf Coast region within 4 months after the hurricane. Procedures-EDTA-anticoagulated blood and serum samples were tested via PCR and serologic assays for infectious diseases. Results-In dogs, prevalence was highest for anti-West Nile virus (WNV) antibodies (218/390 [55.9%]), Dirofilaria immitis antigen (195/400 [48.8%]), anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (92/366(25.1%]), and hemotropic mycoplasma DNA (40/345 (11.9%]). The DNA of Bartonella spp, Ehrlichia spp, or Babes/a spp or anti-canine influenza virus antibodies were identified in < 2% of dogs. In cats, prevalence was highest for antibodies against Bartonella spp and DNA of Bartone/la spp combined (49/55 [89.1 %]), anti-Tgondiiantibodies (13/55 (23.6%]), hemotropic mycoplasma DNA (5/47 [10.6%]), anti-WNV antibodies (5/48 (10.4%]), D immitis antigen (4/50 (8.0%]), and anti-FIV antibodies (4/56 [71 %]). A total of 308 (74.4%) dogs and 52 (92.9%) cats had evidence of previous or current vector-borne infections. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Cats and dogs rescued from the disaster region had evidence of multiple infectious diseases. The dispersal of potentially infectious animals to other regions of North America where some infections were not typically found could have contributed to new geographic ranges for these organisms or to underdiagnosis in affected animals because of a low index of suspicion in regions with low disease prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case Description-2 cats were examined because of congestive heart failure secondary to heartworm infection. Clinical Findings-One cat had severe abdominal distention and the other had dyspnea secondary to chylothorax. Both had loud right-sided heart murmurs, precordial thrills, and jugular distension. Thoracic radiography revealed cardiomegaly and enlarged caudal pulmonary arteries. Echocardiography revealed tricuspid regurgitation and multiple hyperechoic structures consistent with adult Dirofifaria immitis within the right atrium, right ventricle, and main pulmonary artery. Pulmonary hypertension was documented by means of Doppler echocardiography in 1 cat. Treatment and Outcome-Cats were anesthetized, and a nitinol gooseneck snare catheter was introduced into the right side of the heart via a jugular venotomy. In the first cat, the snare was used to retrieve 5 female and 2 male adult D immitis.The catheter was then passed into the main pulmonary artery in an unsuccessful attempt to retrieve remaining heartworms. In the second cat, 2 adult female 0 immitis were removed from the right atrium with the nitinol snare. In both cats, clinical signs resolved within 4 weeks after the procedure. Clinical Relevance-Findings suggested that use of a nitinol gooseneck snare catheter may be a safe and effective technique for removing adult 0 immitis from the right atrium and ventricle in cats and that successful removal of adult heartworms in infected cats may resolve clinical signs of right-sided congestive heart failure and chylothorax. In addition, findings in 1 cat suggested that removal of all adult heartworms may not be necessary for clinical signs to resolve. (J Am Vet MedAssoc 2008;233:1441-1445) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective—To determine whether basal serum or plasma cortisol concentration can be used as a screening test to rule out hypoadrenocorticism in dogs. Design—Retrospective case-control study. Animals—110 dogs with nonadrenal gland illnesses and 13 dogs with hypoadrenocorticism. Procedures—Sensitivity and specificity of basal serum or plasma cortisol concentrations of either ≤ 1 μg/dL or ≤ 2 μg/dL to detect dogs with hypoadrenocorticism were estimated by use of the ACTH stimulation test as the gold standard. Results—Basal cortisol concentrations of ≤ 1 μg/dL had excellent sensitivity (100%) and specificity (98.2%) for detecting dogs with hypoadrenocorticism. For basal cortisol concentrations of ≤ 2μg/dL, sensitivity was 100% but specificity was 78.2%. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—On the basis of sensitivity and specificity, basal serum or plasma cortisol concentrations had high negative predictive values over a wide range of prevalence rates and can be used to rule out a diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism. Dogs with basal cortisol concentrations > 2 μg/dL that are not receiving corticosteroids, mitotane, or ketoconazole are highly unlikely to have hypoadrenocorticism. However, if the basal cortisol concentration is > 2 μg/dL, little to no information regarding adrenal gland function can be obtained and an ACTH stimulation test should be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective—To determine whether infection with or exposure to Bartonella spp was associated with idiopathic rhinitis in dogs. Design—Case-control study. Animals—44 dogs with idiopathic nasal discharge and 63 age- and weight-matched control dogs without nasal discharge and no clinical signs of bartonellosis. Procedures—Serum was tested for antibodies against Bartonella henselae and Bartonella vinsonil subsp berkhoffii with indirect fluorescent antibody assays. Blood was tested for Bartonella DNA with a PCR assay. Results—Results of the antibody and PCR assays were negative for all 44 dogs with idiopathic nasal discharge. One control dog had antibodies against B henselae; a second control dog had positive PCR assay results. We did not detect a significant association between assay results and group designation. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The present study failed to confirm an association between idiopathic rhinitis and exposure to or infection with Bartonella spp in dogs. Findings do not rule out the possibility that Bartonella infection may cause nasal discharge in some dogs, but the failure to find any evidence of exposure to or infection with Bartonella spp in dogs with idiopathic nasal discharge suggested that Bartonella infection was not a common cause of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.

A 12-year-old castrated male West Highland White Terrier was referred because of recurrent episodes of collapsing. The dog was mildly anemic and severely thrombocytopenic and had high serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Infection with Bartonella vinsonii (berkhoffii) was initially diagnosed on the basis of serologic testing. Despite treatment with a series of antimicrobials and prolonged use of immunosuppressive drugs, thrombocytopenia persisted. After 5 months of treatment, Babesia canis organisms were seen during examination of a direct blood smear. The dog was treated with imidocarb dipropionate for babesiosis, after which thrombocytopenia resolved, and administration of immunosuppressive drugs was discontinued. Retrospective review of blood smears failed to identify organisms; however, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of multiple stored blood samples obtained during the 5-month period of persistent thrombocytopenia identified DNA of B. canis vogeli. Babesiosis may cause persistent, unexplained thrombocytopenia in dogs that are not anemic. A PCR assay can facilitate a diagnosis of babesiosis when organisms are not evident or when serologic testing fails to detect Babesia-specific antibodies.

A 2.5-year-old spayed female German Shepherd Dog was referred for evaluation of progressive anemia, lethargy, and weight loss. Seventeen days earlier, the dog had received a whole blood transfusion to manage hemorrhage after ovariohysterectomy. Mild fever, splenomegaly, and thrombocytopenia were also identified. Von Willebrand disease and Babesia gibsoni infection were diagnosed. Because of the serologic cross-reactivity of B gibsoni and B canis in the immunofluorescent antibody assay for IgG antibodies against these organisms, polymerase chain reaction amplification of parasite DNA was required to identify the infecting Babesia sp. The source of the B gibsoni infection was traced to an apparently healthy American Pit Bull Terrier blood donor. Despite resolution of clinical signs in the dog of this report, a series of antiparasitic treatments failed to eliminate the B gibsoni infection. Screening of potential blood donor dogs for Babesia spp is becoming increasingly important in the United States.

Objective: To determine whether Haemobartonella canis and Mycoplasma haemofelis (formerly known as H felis [large form]) can be differentiated by use of comparative analysis of gene sequences., Sample Population: Blood samples obtained from 3 dogs infected with H canis and 2 cats infected with M haemofelis., Procedure: The partial 16S rDNA and ribonuclease P RNA (RNase P) genes were amplified, cloned, and sequenced in blood samples obtained from H canis-infected dogs and M haemofelis-infected cats. The DNA sequences were subjected to comparative analysis., Results: The 16S rDNA sequences of H canis and M haemofelis were nearly identical (homology of 99.3 to 99.7%). In contrast, RNase P gene sequences had a lower degree of sequence homology between the 2 organisms (94.3 to 95.5%)., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Haemobartonella canis and M haemofelis are not identical organisms. Molecular differentiation of H canis and M haemofelis is more clearly evident by use of comparative analysis of RNase P gene sequences than by comparative analysis of 16S rDNA gene sequences.