Search

Babesia canis and Dirofilaria immitis are emerging and geographically overlapping vector-borne pathogens in dogs. Infection with B. canis leads to acute-phase response (APR) that can be mild to severe and results in either non-complicated or complicated forms of the disease. The aim of this study was to determine whether acute B. canis infection is more severe in dogs with underlying asymptomatic D. immitis infection. Dogs of both sexes, different ages and breeds, with naturally occurring mono-infections with B. canis (n = 13) and D. immitis (n = 18) and co-infected dogs (n = 7) were enrolled as well as healthy controls (n = 15). Routine haematology and biochemistry, agarose gel electrophoresis (agEF) protein fraction separation and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serum amyloid A (SAA) were performed. Based on clinical and laboratory findings, sepsis was diagnosed in the majority of dogs with acute B. canis infection with or without underlying asymptomatic D. immitis infection. Overall, haematology, biochemistry and agEF pattern changes were induced and dictated by acute B. canis infection whether or not the dogs had an asymptomatic D. immitis infection. D. immitis infection slightly influenced the level of anaemia, slightly aggravated the level of dehydration and increased the concentration of γ-globulins in acute-phase B. canis infection. D. immitis infection prevented B. canis- induced leukopenia. SAA equally increased in dogs with acute B. canis infection with or without underlying D. immitis infection. The level of SAA was not changed in dogs with asymptomatic D. immitis when compared to the controls. In conclusion, asymptomatic D. immitis infection does not influence overall APR after acute B. canis infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Increased serum amyloid A and total proteins mark dysproteinaemia. • Higher dominant α-lipoproteins' diameter indicates the associated dyslipidaemia. • Lower paraoxonase-1 indicates oxidative stress. • In contrast to overt babesiosis, leukocyte count is close the upper reference limit. Asymptomatic outdoor dogs can be carriers of Babesia canis , but data describing the development of an acute phase response (APR) are not available. We hypothesised that these dogs have a moderate APR that could be detected by hematological and biochemical changes. Two groups of Babesia -exposed dogs were represented by nine B. canis PCR-positive and twenty B. canis PCR-negative, seroreactive dogs. The control group consisted of ten Babesia -naïve dogs. Serum amyloid A (SAA), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), complete blood count, and biochemistry parameters were analysed by standard methodologies. Protein and lipoprotein fractions were separated using agarose gel electrophoresis (GE), and the dominant diameters of lipoproteins were assessed on gradient GE. Results were evaluated using non-parametric tests and the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve. SAA (median 39.0 μg/mL, range 2.2–48.8 μg/mL), total protein (median 74.7 g/L, range 57.1–98.3 g/L) and the dominant diameter of α-lipoproteins (median 13.31 nm, range 12.09–14.17 nm) in B. canis PCR-positive dogs were higher relative to dogs in the control group or dogs that were PCR-negative but seroreactive (p < 0.001 for both groups). Mild to moderate anemia (4/29), thrombocytopenia (7/29), and leukocyte counts that were close to the upper limit of the reference range were encountered in both Babesia -exposed groups. When compared to controls, Babesia -exposed dogs displayed decreased a PON-1 activity and protein GE pattern consistent with low-grade chronic inflammation (p < 0.001 for both groups). Dogs with detectable amounts of B. canis DNA in blood contain increased levels of SAA and total protein along with α-lipoproteins that display an increased diameter relative to those dogs with positive Babesia serology but undetectable levels of B. canis DNA in blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Radiolabeled micro–sized liposomes can be used in RSO. • Simple and efficient liposome synthesis and radiolabeling is achieved. • High synovium retention rate is observed in rats for a prolonged period. • No observable leakage of 177Lu from the joints. • Low range of β particles associated with 177Lu is ideal for small joints. Micro–sized multivesicular liposomes were prepared, radiolabeled with 177Lu, and tested in vitro and in vivo to evaluate the potential of 177Lu–labeled micro liposomes in radiosynoviorthesis (RSO) therapy. A standard reverse–phase procedure of liposome preparation with a lipid mixture of DPPC: CHOL (80:20%) was used for the synthesis. TEM and fluorescence microscopy imaging were performed to determine the size, shape, and structure of the prepared liposomes. Both measurements are in good agreement while TEM micrographs additionally indicate to a large multivesicular inner structure of prepared liposomes. A simple and straightforward procedure was used for liposome radiolabeling with 177Lu, a well–known and commonly used radionuclide in radiotherapy with favorable properties, that can be exploited in RSO therapy. Radiolabeled 177Lu–liposomes were tested in vitro for stability and then injected into the knee joints of Wistar rats where liposome in vivo behavior was followed up to 30 days post injection. Results from both ex vivo biodistribution and in vivo imaging studies presented a high stability and retention (>94 %ID) of 177Lu–micro liposomes in the synovial liquid for the entire observation period. Leakage of free 177Lu or 177Lu–liposomes from the synovial fluid has not been detected, indicating to a possible application of 177Lu–liposomes in radiosynoviorthesis (RSO) therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

J. nigra leaf contains mixture of various pharmacologically active compounds and it is assumed that they may have the potential radioprotective effect. The purpose of this work was to predict radioprotective doses by correlating changes in organ distribution of radiopharmaceuticals with extract dose levels and rat body weight using response surface methodology (RSM) based on a second-order polynomial equation. The extract was administered daily by oral gavage to rats at dose of 6.9, 10.3, or 13.7 mg kg−1 body weight (bw) day−1 for 10 days. On the eleventh day, 0.1 ml of the one radiopharmaceutical (Na99mTcO 4 , 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid and 99mTc-tin colloid) was injected into the tail vein. The statistical parameters: the coefficient of determination (0.81–0.95), the coefficient of variation (3.05–11.1), the adequate precision (8.82–19.12) and the mean relative percentage deviation (± 2.3–8.2) were indicated the precision and reliability of RSM. Using RSM, the predicted daily dose of leaf extract ranging from 11.19 to 11.99 mg kg−1 bw may be considered as an optimal daily radiopotective dose for protection of organs from radiation in cases of planned radiation exposures. • Extract of J. nigra was alter the biodistribution of 99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals. • Extract of J. nigra was absence of the systemic toxicity. • Optimization of operational variables was performed using RSM model. • RSM determined optimal daily radiopotective dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]