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Objectives Leishmaniosis is a vector-borne disease and in European countries is caused by Leishmania infantum. Cats are considered secondary reservoirs of the infection in endemic areas. The objective of this retrospective study is to describe the clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of feline leishmaniosis (FeL) in 16 cats in Spain. Methods Medical records of cats diagnosed with leishmaniosis were retrospectively reviewed for cases that met the following inclusion criteria: identification of Leishmania organisms and/or DNA on cytological and/or histological specimens and/or a high anti- Leishmania antibody titre, compatible clinical findings and pathological abnormalities. Results Sixteen cats met the inclusion criteria, all of which were living in areas endemic for canine leishmaniosis. Systemic signs were present in 11 cases (68.8%). The most common clinical signs on presentation included cutaneous lesions in 12 cats (75%), ocular disease in six cats (37.5%) and anorexia in six cats (37.5%). A polyclonal gammopathy was noted in 12 cats (85.7%). Non-regenerative anaemia and renal abnormalities were present in six (37.5%) and five patients (31.3%), respectively. In nine cats (56.3%), immunosuppressive conditions/comorbidities were identified. The diagnosis was made in eight of the cats (50%) by cytology, but a combination of diagnostic tests was needed for definitive diagnosis in the remaining patients. Twelve cats (75%) were treated specifically for leishmaniosis. Five of the 12 cats (41.7%) did not improve with treatment. The median survival time in the group of patients treated specifically for leishmaniosis was 17 months. Median survival of patients treated with concomitant diseases was 13 months vs 41 months in those without, although this was not statistically significant ( P = 0.557). Conclusions and relevance Presentation of FeL appears to be similar to canine leishmaniosis but with some specific features: ulcerative and nodular skin lesions are the predominant cutaneous signs; cats with immunosuppressive conditions or coexisting diseases were more commonly present than typically seen in dogs (mainly feline immunodeficiency virus). A combination of diagnostic tests may be needed for definitive diagnosis.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto del hábitat en la aplicación de índices bióticos (BI) basados en macroinvertebrados bentónicos. Se muestrearon dos hábitats, (macrófitas y sedimentos), en dos sitios del río Dulce (Cuenca Salí-Dulce, Argentina): S1 (27° 31’ 5.82” S, 64° 52’ 41.37” O) y S2 (27° 28’ 36.21” S, 64°49’ 30.30” O). El muestreo se realizó con caudal bajo, octubre/2015. Se midió pH, conductividad eléctrica (CE μS/cm), temperatura (T °C), sólidos suspendidos totales (SST mg/L), oxígeno disuelto (OD mg/L) y demanda biológica de oxígeno (DBO5 mg/L). Los macroinvertebrados se filtraron con red de nylon de 250 μm y se identificaron al nivel taxonómico requerido para la aplicación de los IB. Se analizaron riqueza taxonómica y diversidad. Se aplicaron tres IB: el IBMWP, el BMWP’ adaptado al río Salí y el IMRP desarrollado para la ecoregión Pampa de Argentina. También se aplicó el ASPT asociado con los BMWP’. Los parámetros físicos y químicos mostraron buena calidad del agua, con un pH promedio de 8,57; CE 773 μS/cm; T 19,5°C; SST 9,27 mg/L; OD 7,49 mg/L y DBO5 3,29 mg/L. Los taxones registrados fueron 34 y la diversidad fue mayor en las macrófitas que en los sedimentos. Los IB mostraron resultados diferentes según el hábitat donde se aplicaron. Las macrófitas contribuyeron con el doble de taxones a los IB, en comparación con los sedimentos. Los valores de ASPT correspondieron a calidad del agua impactada. El IMRP fue el más inclusivo en cantidad de taxones para el cálculo. La conclusión es que el tipo de hábitats influye en la aplicación de los IB., The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of habitat on the application of biotic indices (BI) based on benthic macroinvertebrates. Two different habitats were sampled, (macrophytes patches and sediments), in two sites in the Dulce River (Salí-Dulce basin, Argentina): S1 (27° 31’ 5.82” S, 64°52’41.37” W) and S2 (27° 28’ 36.21” S, 64° 49’ 30.30” W). Sampling was conducted in a low-flow period, 2015-October. The variables measured were pH, electric conductivity (EC μS/cm), temperature (T °C), total suspended solids (TSS mg/L), dissolved oxygen (OD mg/L) and biological oxygen demand (BOD5 mg/L). Macroinvertebrates were filtered with a nylon net of 250 μm pore size and were identified at the required taxonomic level for BI application. Taxonomic richness and diversity were analyzed. Three BI were applied: the IBMWP for the Iberian Peninsula, the BMWP’ adapted for Salí River basin and the IMRP developed for the Pampean ecoregion from Argentina. Also score ASPT associated with BMWP’ was applied. Physical and chemical parameters showed good water quality, with a pH average of 8.57; EC 773 μS/cm; T 19.5°C; TSS 9.27 mg/L; DO 7.49 mg/L; and BOD5 3.29 mg/L. The registered taxa were 34 and the diversity was greater in macrophytes than in sediments. The BI showed different results according to the habitat where they were applied. Macrophytes contribute with twice of the taxa for the BI calculations, compared with sediments. The ASPT values corresponded to impacted water quality. The IMRP was the most inclusive in terms of the number of taxa for calculation. The conclusion is that the type of habitats influences the BI application., Instituto de Limnología "Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet"

OBJECTIVE To determine corneal thickness (CT), endothelial cell density (ECD), and morphological and morphometric features of caprine eyes and to assess effects of aging on these variables. SAMPLE 27 healthy eyes of 19 Murciano-Granadina goats. PROCEDURES Goats were classified into 2 age groups (kids, 14 months old [14 eyes]; and adults, 7 to 10 years old [13 eyes]). The ECD and CT were calculated in the central cornea and 4 peripheral quadrants. Mean cell area (MCA), pleomorphism (percentage of hexagonal cells), and polymegathism were evaluated in the central cornea. RESULTS Median values for kids were determined for ECD (3,831 cells/mm2; inter-quartile [25th to 75th percentile] range [IQR], 3,669 to 4,011 cells/mm2), CT (608 μm; IQR, 573 to 655 μm), MCA (255 μm2; IQR, 243 to 272 μm2), pleomorphism (80.53%; IQR, 78.83% to 83.30%), and polymegathism (19; IQR, 18 to 22). Median values for adults were determined for ECD (2,101 cells/mm2; IQR, 1,966 to 2,251 cells/mm2), CT (706 μm; IQR, 670 to 730 μm), MCA (466 μm2; IQR, 425 to 507 μm2), pleomorphism (67.80%; IQR, 65.50% to 70.00%), and polymegathism (21; IQR, 15 to 26). Values differed significantly between the 2 groups for all variables, except polymegathism. For both groups, the dorsal and temporal quadrants were the thickest and thinnest, respectively. Ventral ECD was the lowest for both groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE ECD decreased with age, whereas MCA, pleomorphism, and CT increased. Moreover, differences among regions of the cornea indicated that the central cornea should not be considered as representative of the entire cornea.

Objective To describe ocular findings associated with Rhodococcus equi bronchopneumonia in foals, and to determine whether severity of the ocular lesions is related with outcome. Animals studied Foals diagnosed with R equi infection at the VTH-UAB from January 2002 to December 2017. Procedure Rhodococcus equi infection was diagnosed by means of clinical signs, radiographic/ultrasonographic findings, and/or positive culture. In all the foals, a complete ophthalmic examination by a boarded ophthalmologist was performed and ocular signs were recorded and graded (0-4). Results Thirty-nine foals were included in the study, from which 12 showed signs of bilateral anterior uveitis (30.8%). Among these, three foals were classified as mildly uveitis-affected (MUA:7.7%) and nine as severely uveitis-affected (SUA:23.1%). Five SUA foals showed green aqueous flare (5/9;55.5%). Despite the systemic treatment, 9/39 sick foals died (23.1%), the fatality rate being different between groups: SUA (4/9;44.4%), MUA (0/3; 0%) and nonuveitis-affected foals (5/27;18.5%). Among SUA foals, only one with green aqueous flare died (1/5;20%). Conclusion Bilateral anterior uveitis is highly prevalent in foals with R equi pneumonia (30.8%). The severity of anterior uveitis might be considered a nonsurvival prognostic factor and, until proven otherwise, green aqueous flare could be taken as a strongly suggestive ocular sign of the disease. Findings of this study remark the clinical relevance of performing a complete ophthalmic examination in sick foals, in order to help in the diagnosis and prognosis of uveal diseases, as well as to guaranteeing visual soundness.

Background Rabbits are currently not a good model for studying diseases of the corneal endothelium because their corneal endothelial cells (CECs) maintain a high proliferative capacity throughout almost all their life. Addressing this particular feature might allow the use of this species for such a purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the corneal endothelial injury after intracameral benzalkonium chloride (BAC) injection into rabbit eyes ex vivo, and to establish the most suitable starting dose for an in vivo study aimed at developing an animal model of corneal endothelial disease. Results Forty rabbit eyes obtained postmortem by transconjunctival enucleation were divided into 8 groups according to the injected compound: Control (no injection), BSS, and increasing BAC concentrations (0.005%, 0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2%). At 0, 6, 24 and 48 h, ophthalmologic examination of the anterior segment, pachymetry and specular microscopy were performed, and corneas were finally vital-stained and observed under the light microscope to assess the CECs morphology and mortality rate. When compared to BSS, CECs density started to decrease significantly at 0.025% BAC concentration, while mean cell area, corneal edema and corneal thickness began to increase significantly at 0.05%, 0.005% and 0.1% BAC concentrations, respectively. Concentrations of 0.05% BAC and above caused significant increases in CECs pleomorphism (decreased hexagonality) and mortality, compared to control and BSS. Conclusions Ex vivo intracameral BAC injection induces corneal endothelial toxicity in rabbits. However, confirmatory in vivo studies are required to develop the desired model, with 0.05% BAC being a suggested starting point.

Aim: Our aim in this study was evaluate the effects of flow regulation for irrigation on the macroinvertebrate assemblages in a semiarid river. Methods:We sampled two reaches in Dulce River; one placed upstream a weir that diverts flow into a network of irrigation channels and the other downstream that weir, in the assessment of the fluvial discontinuity. We assess the differences among reaches and sites, environmental variables, invertebrate density, richness and Shannon-Wiener index applying non-parametric analyses of variance Kruskal Wallis. The similarity percentage analysis (SIMPER) was used to identify which species contributed to the dissimilarities on macroinvertebrate assemblage structure. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was performed with the total set of samples to explore macroinvertebrate distribution in reaches and associations of the assemblages with habitat variables. Results .The density, richness and Shannon index values did not show differences between the reaches located upstream and downstream. Beta diversity (Whittaker) was 0.72 among upstream sites, 0.56 among downstream sites and higher species turnover (0.73) was obtained between both reaches. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis explained 46.71% of the variance differentiating upstream sites explained by higher values of organic matter of bottom sediments and discharge, high density of Nais communis, Bothrioneurum americanum, Pelomus, Stephensoniana trivandrana, Pristina menoni, P. jenkinae, P.longidentata, P. americana, Dero obtusa, Endotribelos, Heleobia and Turbellaria. The downstream sites were associated to coarser substratum and higher density of Lopescladius, Polypedilum, Cricotopus, Thienamaniella, Cryptochironomus, Baetidae, Nematoda and Corbicula fluminea. Conclusions: The low-flow disturbance had effects on the composition of the benthic invertebrate assemblages, but attributes (such as density and richness) showed a lower variability probably because of taxa replacement. Objetivo: Nosso objetivo neste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da regulação do fluxo de um rio semi-árido utilizado para irrigação sobre as assembleias de macroinvertebrados. Métodos: Nós amostramos duas seções no rio Dulce River, um trecho localizado a montante da barragem de desvio em Los Quiroga e outro a justante, para avaliação da descontinuidade fluvial. Nós avaliamos as diferenças entre os trechos e sítios de amostragem com relação às variáveis ambientais, a densidade de invertebrados, a riqueza e o índice de Shannon aplicando análise de variância não-paramétrica de Kruskal-Wallis. A Análise de Porcentagem de Similaridade (SIMPER) foi usada para identificar quais espécies contribuiram para as dissimilaridades da estrutura das assembleias de macroinvertebrados. A Análise de Correspondência Canônica (CCA) foi executada com o conjunto total de amostras para explorar a distribuição dos macroinvertebrados nos trechos e as associações das assembleias com as variáveis do habitat. Resultados: Os valores da densidade, da riqueza e do índice de Shannon não mostraram diferenças entre os trechos a montante e a jusante da barragem de desvio. A diversidade beta (Whittaker) foi de 0,72 entre os locais à montante, 0,56 entre os locais a justante e a maior taxa de reposição de espécies (0,73) foi obtida ente ambos os trechos. A Análise de Correspondência Canônica explicou 46,71% da variância diferindo os locais a montante explicados pelos altos valores de matéria orgânica do sedimento e descarga, altas densidades de Nais communis, Bothrioneurum americanum, Pelomus, Stephensoniana trivandrana, Pristina menoni, P. jenkinae, P.longidentata, P. americana, Dero obtusa, Endotribelos, Heleobia e Turbellaria. Os sítios de amostragem a jusante estiveram associadas a substrato mais grosseiro e densidade maior de Lopescladius, Polypedilum, Cricotopus, Thienamaniella, Cryptochironomus, Baetidae, Nematoda e Corbicula fluminea. Conclusão: O distúrbio de baixo fluxo teve efeitos sobre a composição das assembleias de invertebrados bentônicos, mas também atributos (tais como densidade e riqueza) apresentaram menor variabilidade provavelmente devido à reposição de táxons. Fil: Leiva, Marta Elisabeth. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Cs.forestales. Instituto de Protección Forestal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Marchese Garello, Mercedes Rosa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; Argentina Fil: Diodato, Maria Estela Liliana. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Cs.forestales. Instituto de Protección Forestal; Argentina Fil: Tévez, Héctor. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Ciencias Forestales; Argentina

Purpose To establish the dose of subretinal sodium iodate (NaIO3) in order to create a toxin-induced large animal model of selective circumscribed atrophy of outer retinal layers, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and photoreceptors, by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and immunocytochemistry. Methods Fifteen male and female healthy Yorkshire pigs received unilateral subretinal escalating doses of NaIO3 under general anesthesia. In all the animals, volumes of 0.1 to 0.2 mL NaIO3 were injected into the subretinal space of the area centralis through a 23/38-gauge subretinal cannula. Control SD-OCTs were performed 1 and 2 months after the surgery, at which time pigs were euthanized and eyes enucleated. Globes were routinely processed for histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation. Results Spectral-domain OCT and immunohistochemistry revealed circumscribed and well-demarcated funduscopic lesions, limited to the outer retinal layers in pigs treated with 0.01 mg/mL subretinal sodium iodate. Conclusions The swine model of a controlled area of circumscribed retinal damage, with well-delimited borders, and selectively of the outer layers of the retina presented herein shows several clinical and histologic features of geographic atrophy in AMD. Therefore, it may represent a valuable tool in the investigation of new emerging regenerative therapies that aim to restore visual function, such as stem cell transplantation or optogenetics.

Background: Septicemia in humans is described as a leading cause of uveitis, which eventually can induce blindness. Hypothesis/Objectives: Uveal inflammatory findings could be related to sepsis severity in newborn foals and might be used as an indirect indicator for survival. Animals: Seventy-four septic foals, 54 nonseptic foals, and 42 healthy foals. Methods: Prospective observational clinical study. A detailed blinded, ophthalmic examination was performed by boarded ophthalmologists on all admitted newborn foals. Foals were grouped as septic (when blood culture resulted positive or the sepsis score was ≥14), nonseptic, and controls. Based on blood culture results, the septic group was subdivided into bacteremic and nonbacteremic foals. Results: Blood culture was performed in 62/74 septic foals, from which 35 (56%) were bacteremic and 27 (44%) were nonbacteremic. Anterior uveitis was diagnosed in a significantly (P < .005) higher number of septic/bacteremic foals (14/35, 40%) than in septic/nonbacteremic foals (5/27, 19%), nonseptic foals (4/54, 7%), and control foals (0%). Anterior chamber fibrin was only observed in 4/14 (29%) septic/bacteremic foals with anterior uveitis. Anterior uveitis was also associated with posterior uveitis in 6/35 (19%) septic/bacteremic foals. The diagnosis of uveitis was related to nonsurvival (P= .001, odds ratio = 6.2, 95% confidence interval = 2.1–18.2). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Anterior uveitis is highly prevalent in septic newborn foals, especially in those with a positive blood culture, and it should be considered as a survival prognostic factor.

Cryptosporidiosis has been reported in more than 30 avian species worldwide. Although some cases of cryptosporidiosis have been described in captive birds of prey in the order Falconiformes, to date there have been no reports of the disease in wild raptors. Here we describe for first time an ocular and respiratory disease associated with Cryptosporidium baileyi in wild scops owl (Otus scops, order: Strigiformes). Sixteen otus owl fledglings born in the wild during the summer of 2008 were admitted to the Torreferrussa Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (Catalonia, northern Spain) in July and August of the same year. In the middle of September, blepharoedema, conjunctival hyperaemia and mucopurulent ocular discharge were diagnosed unilaterally in 75% (12/16) of the birds and bilaterally in 25% (4/16). Moreover, five birds (31%) developed diffuse epithelial corneal oedema, one owl (6%) displayed mild anterior exudative uveitis and another developed rhinitis (6%). Two birds were euthanized because of the severity of disease. The histopathology demonstrated cryptosporidia-like structures in the conjunctival cells and in the nasal respiratory epithelium of one owl. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts (6.5 to 7.0 x 5.0 to 5.5 microm) were identified by immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) in histological sections from eyelids, trachea and respiratory sinuses and in swab samples from the glottis, choanal slit and conjunctival sac. Polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequence analysis confirmed the presence of C. baileyi. Birds were treated orally with azithromycin (40 mg/kg) once a day for 15 days, and by the end of the treatment all owls tested negative for the parasites, by IFAT, and did not display further signs of disease.

Background and aims:Psychosis with onset prior to 18 years of age, or early-onset psychosis (EOP), have a poorer prognosis than adult-onset psychosis. Further, a worse functional outcome of patients with EOP has been related to diagnosis of schizophrenia, severity of negative symptoms, behavioral problems, premorbid functioning, childhood onset, and insidious onset. We aim to examine the functional outcome of patients with EOP over a two-year follow-up.Methods:A total of 24 patients with first episode psychosis were enrolled. Subjects underwent a cross-sectional evaluation at the baseline visit that consisted of collecting sociodemographic data, including parental socioeconomic status as measured by the Hollingshead-Redlich Scale. Psychotic symptoms were assessed using the Spanish version of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Social disability was measured with the Global Assessment of Functioning disability scale (GAF). Patients were assessed at a two-year follow-up. A linear regression analysis was used to predict the level of functioning (based on GAF scores) over the two-year follow-up. Variables entered into this equation were: GAF at two-year follow-up (as dependent variable), and gender, age at first onset, parental socioeconomic status, diagnosis, positive symptoms at baseline, and negative symptoms at baseline (as independent variables).Results:Negative symptoms at baseline were the only significant variable that predict the functional outcome at the two-year follow-up (p= 0.010).Conclusions:Functional prognosis of early-onset psychosis depends on the severity of negative symptoms, independently of diagnosis.