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Simple Summary: Antimicrobial resistance is a global health threat because microorganisms causing infections no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines, and this is particularly important in the case of resistance to last-resort antibiotics such as carbapenems. The role of dogs in the rise of antimicrobial resistance is under investigation. This study investigated the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) showing specific antimicrobial resistance patterns—defined as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC and carbapenemase (CP) production—in dogs' feces from Northern Italy. Out of 100 samples, 14 (14%) dogs showed the presence of these resistant E. coli, with one (1%) bacterium showing resistance to carbapenems. Different combinations of resistance patterns were observed in these 14 E. coli. The majority (13/14, 92.9%) of the E. coli were also resistant to three or more different classes of antibiotics and were classified as multidrug-resistant. The presence of the resistant bacteria in feces tended to be associated with antibiotic treatment. The identification of bacteria known as ESBL-/AmpC-producing E. coli in domestic dogs, along with the presence of a bacterium resistant to carbapenems, although still limited, emphasizes the need for the adequate control of antimicrobial therapy and administration of antibiotics and surveillance programs for carbapenem-resistant bacteria in companion animals. MDR bacteria are an emerging global threat to public health, and the role of dogs in the rise of antimicrobial resistance is under investigation. This study investigated the fecal shedding of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-, AmpC- and carbapenemase (CP)-producing Escherichia coli and associated risk factors in dogs admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Lodi, University of Milan, or other veterinary clinics and kennels in Northen Italy. Feces collected in 2020–2022 were microbiologically and molecularly analyzed. ESBL-/AmpC-/CP-producing E. coli was detected in 14/100 (14%) dogs. Eleven (11%), five (5%) and one (1%) dogs carried ESBL-, AmpC- and CP-producing E. coli phenotypes, respectively, supported by the PCR detection of blaCTX-M and/or blaTEM in ESBL-producing E. coli; blaCMY-2 and the presence of putative low-level AmpC production in AmpC-producing E. coli; and blaOXA-48 in CP-producing E. coli. Different combinations of resistance genes and genetic features were observed. Multidrug resistance was observed in 13/14 (92.9%) E. coli isolates. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that ESBL-/AmpC-/CP-producing E. coli fecal shedding tended to be associated with antibiotic treatment (p = 0.058; OR = 3.87). The detection of ESBL-/AmpC-producing E. coli, along with the presence of a carbapenemase-resistant E. coli isolate from domestic dogs, although still limited, emphasizes the need for antimicrobial stewardship and specific surveillance programs, particularly for CP-producing bacteria in companion animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Summa, Animali da Compagnia is the property of Point Veterinaire Italie s.r.l. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Simple Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of Leptospira antibodies in stray dogs and cats in Milan, Italy. The results showed that 21.7% of the dogs tested seropositive for Leptospira antibodies, particularly the serovars L. icterohaemorrhagiae and L. Australis. In contrast, none of the cats tested seropositive. The study highlights the importance of ongoing serological surveillance in shelter environments to mitigate the zoonotic risk posed by leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis recognised as a re-emerging infectious disease in both humans and dogs, yet the actual seroprevalence of Leptospira in pets in Italy is relatively unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate Leptospira antibody prevalence in dogs and cats from a shelter by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), the gold standard test in leptospiral serology, and to assess risk factors for Leptospira infection. This seroepidemiological study investigated the prevalence of leptospiral antibodies in a cohort of 106 dogs and 51 cats housed in a municipal shelter in Milan. Blood samples were collected from the animals during two sampling periods: spring/summer 2014 and autumn/winter 2016/2017. Eight serogroups were evaluated: L. Australis, L. Ballum, L. Canicola, L. Grippotyphosa, L. Icterohaemorrhagiae, L. Pomona, L. Sejroe, and L. Tarassovi. Antibody titres ranged from 1:100 to 1:6400. The results indicated that 21.7% of dogs had antibodies against serogroups L. Icterohaemorrhagiae and L. Australis, making them the most often found. Conversely, none of the cats showed any presence of antibodies. Seropositivity was higher in the spring/summer period (32.7%) than in autumn/winter (11.1%), and no statistically significant results were found regarding sex or age. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing serological surveillance and biosecurity measures in shelter environments to mitigate the zoonotic risk posed by leptospirosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Programmed Death-Ligand 1 is a well-known immune checkpoint molecule. Recent studies evaluated its expression in different canine cancer types through different laboratory techniques. The present study aims to evaluate the surface membrane protein expression (mPD-L1) by means of flow cytometry (FC) in different canine lymphoma immunophenotypes. Furthermore, in a subset of cases, mRNA and plasmatic soluble protein (sPD-L1) have been assessed in the same patient, and correlations among results from the three analyses investigated. Methods: Samples obtained for diagnostic purpose from untreated dogs with a confirmed lymphoma immunophenotype were included: surface protein was assessed via FC and quantified with median fluorescence index ratio (MFI ratio), gene expression was evaluated by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and plasmatic concentration of soluble protein (sPD-L1) measured with ELISA. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate any difference among FC immunophenotypes, updated Kiel cytological classes, and in the presence of blood infiltration. Results: Considering FC, most B-cell lymphomas (BCL) were positive, with higher MFI ratios than other subtypes (81%, median MFI ratio among positive samples = 1.50, IQR 1.21-2.03, range 1.01-3.47). Aggressive T-cell lymphomas had a lower percentage of positive samples (56%) and showed low expression (median MFI ratio in positive samples = 1.14, IQR 1.07-1.32, range 1.02-2.19), while T-zone lymphomas (TZL) were frequently positive (80%) but with low expression (median MFI ratio in positive samples = 1.19, IQR 1.03-1.46, range 1.02-6.03). Cellular transcript and sPD-L1 were detected in all samples, without differences among immunophenotypes. No correlation between results from different techniques was detected, but sPD-L1 resulted significantly increased in FC-negative lymphomas (p = 0.023). Discussion: PD-L1 molecule is involved in canine lymphoma pathogenesis, with differences among immunophenotypes detected by FC. Specifically, BCL have the highest expression and aggressive T-cell lymphomas the lowest, whereas TZL need further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Summa, Animali da Compagnia is the property of Point Veterinaire Italie s.r.l. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Feline core vaccines strongly recommended for all cats are against Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), Felid herpesvirus type 1 (FeHV-1), and Feline calicivirus (FCV), but cats can be classified as low- and high-risk based on their lifestyle. The aim of this study was to determine the actual seroprotection against FPV, FeHV-1, and FCV in a large cohort of Italian cats by using the VacciCheck test. A total of 740 cats (567 owned and 173 stray cats; 435 vaccinated and 305 unvaccinated) were analyzed for Protective Antibody Titers (PATs). Differences related to origin, sex, age, breed, FIV/FeLV status, health status, and time elapsed since last vaccination were evaluated. Less than half of the entire cohort (36.4%) had PATs for all three diseases simultaneously, increasing to 48.6% if weak positive values were also considered and 50.3% when considering only the 435 vaccinated cats. Particularly, antibodies were detected against FCV, FPV, and FeHV-1 at protective titers (PATs) in 78.6%, 68.1, and 49.1% of the cats, respectively. In general, owned, neutered, and adult FIV- and/or FeLV-negative cats were the most protected categories, even if not always for the three viruses. Most cats maintained high PATs for 3 years or longer after vaccination against FPV and FCV but not FeHV-1. Long-lasting protective immunity persisted for many years after the last vaccination (more than 18 years in the oldest cats). Nevertheless, since not all cats were protected after so many years and for all pathogens, checking protection via antibody titration could be the best choice to prevent immunity breakdowns. The discussion also focuses on the reliability of antibody titration for the two URTD (upper respiratory tract disease) viruses which, unlike for FPV, is not widely accepted as a valid index of protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Elderly dogs are increasingly present in households worldwide and have become routine patients in daily veterinary practice, with larger dogs aging earlier than smaller ones. Aging is not a disease but has several negative consequences on the organism in general and the immune system in particular, resulting in a decline in protection over time. Vaccines against parvovirus infection, distemper, and infectious hepatitis are highly recommended for dogs of any age, but their effectiveness in older dogs should not be assumed. The aim of this study was to measure the specific serum antibody titers against these vaccine-preventable diseases in three hundred fifty senior and geriatric dogs with the help of the rapid kit VacciCheck. More than half of the elderly population was well protected from all three diseases. Particularly, 88.6% of aging dogs were protected against parvovirus infection (in this case, larger aging dogs resulted as more protected than smaller ones), 82.3% against infectious hepatitis, and 66.0% against distemper. The advice to vaccinate on a three-year basis, properly adopted for adult dogs, should therefore be carefully considered by veterinarians for older dogs, for whom closer vaccination (every 1 to 2 years) might be more appropriate. Elderly dogs are steadily increasing worldwide as well as veterinarians' and owners' interest in their health and wellness. Aging is not a disease, but a combination of changes negatively affecting the organism in general and the immune system in particular, resulting in a decline in protection over time. The aim of this study was to measure the specific serum antibody titers against the main dangerous and widespread viral diseases preventable by core vaccinations in senior and geriatric dogs using the in-practice test VacciCheck. A cohort of three hundred fifty elderly dogs was analyzed for Protective Antibody Titers (PATs) against CPV-2, CDV and CAdV-1. The age ranged from 5 to 19 years, with two hundred fifty-eight seniors (73.7%) and ninety-two geriatrics (26.3%), and 97.4% of them were vaccinated at least once in their lives. More than half of the entire study population (52.9%) had PATs simultaneously for all three diseases, with 80.5% seniors and 19.5% geriatrics. Specific PATs were found in 88.6% of aging dogs for CPV-2, 82.3% for CadV-1 and 66.0% for CDV, demonstrating that unprotected aging dogs represent a minority. Unexpectedly, the larger elderly dogs resulted as more protected than smaller ones for CPV-2. Protection then decreases over time, with geriatric dogs less protected than senior ones. Veterinary practitioners should therefore always consider whether to maintain core vaccinations in aging dogs as in adults on a three-year basis or opt instead for closer boosters (every 1 or 2 years). PATs for core vaccines could then represent a good biomarker of protection and their titration could become a standard of care, especially in such a sensitive period of the dogs' life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Summa, Animali da Compagnia is the property of Point Veterinaire Italie s.r.l. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Simple Summary: The life expectancy of dogs has doubled in past decades. However, this positive effect has been accompanied by a concomitant increase in neoplasms. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of antiblastic chemotherapy on the specific antibody response toward core vaccines in cancer-bearing dogs. Twenty-one patients with different types of malignancies were sampled before, during, and after different chemotherapy protocols to determine their actual levels of seroprotection against CPV-2, CDV, and CadV-1. No statistically significant changes in antibody titration emerged for any of the chemotherapy protocols used, suggesting that chemotherapy does not have an evident immunosuppressive effect on the post-vaccine antibody response. The life expectancy of our pets has been getting longer in recent years due to new therapeutic opportunities, better nutrition, and better diagnostic approaches. This positive effect, however, has been accompanied by a concomitant increase in neoplasms, particularly in canine patients. Therefore, veterinarians inevitably face new issues related to these diseases, poorly or never investigated in the past, such as the possible side effects resulting from chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how chemotherapy influences the antibody response against CPV-2, CDV, and CAdV-1 in dogs vaccinated before starting chemotherapy. Twenty-one canine patients with different types of malignancies were sampled before, during, and after different chemotherapy protocols to determine their actual levels of seroprotection against CPV-2, CDV, and CadV-1 by using the in-practice test VacciCheck. Differences related to sex, breed size, type of tumor, and chemotherapy protocol were evaluated. No statistically significant changes in antibody protection emerged for any of the chemotherapy protocol used, suggesting that, contrary to expectation, chemotherapy does not have a marked immunosuppressive effect on the post-vaccine antibody response. These results, although preliminary, may be useful in improving the clinical approach to the canine cancer patient, helping veterinarians fully manage their patients, and enabling owners to feel more confident about their pets' quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine vaccination is the main tool for preventing dangerous and widespread diseases. The strongly recommended (core) dog vaccines are against Canine Parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), and Canine Adenovirus (CAdV-1), but vaccination protocols should be tailored to dog lifestyles. Vaccination guidelines suggest vaccinating adult dogs no more frequently than every 3 years using modified live (attenuated) vaccines (MLV), thus obtaining a long-lasting (sometimes throughout life) specific protection in many but not all animals. The aim of this study was to determine the actual levels of seroprotection against CPV-2, CDV and CAdV-1 in a cohort of Italian dogs by using the in-practice test VacciCheck. A total of 1,027 dogs (951 vaccinated and 76 unvaccinated) were analyzed for Protective Antibody Titers (PATs) against CPV-2, CDV, and CAdV-1. Differences related to sex, age, breed size, health status, and time elapsed since last vaccination were evaluated. Half of the entire canine cohort (50.6%) had PATs for all three viruses (68.5% considering only vaccinated dogs). In particular, 90.8% of dogs were protected against CPV-2, 68.6% against CDV, and 79.8% against CAdV-1. Most dogs remained protected for 3 years after vaccination or longer. Revaccination on a 3-year basis can then be recommended for core MLV vaccines without altering individual's seroprotection or even herd immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]