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Simple Summary: Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) is a commensal and opportunistic pathogen of canine skin and mucosal surfaces that rapidly gained attention due to its increasing antibiotic resistance. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous biological product, which has antibacterial properties, obtained from blood using a centrifugation process. The aim of this study was evaluating the antimicrobial effect of canine leucocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) against two field strains of SP isolated from dogs affected by pyoderma: one MDR strain and one non-MDR strain, using the micro-inhibition in broth method. L-PRP and PPP had a similar significant antimicrobial effect against both non-MDR and MDR SP strains. More studies are necessary to confirm these results, considering the rise in MDR and pan-drug-resistant bacteria. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) is a commensal and opportunistic pathogen of skin and mucosal surfaces, isolated from healthy dogs and from canine pyoderma cases. It has recently gained attention due to its increasing antibiotic resistance. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biological product, obtained through a blood centrifugation process, which has antibacterial properties evidenced by in vitro and in vivo studies conducted in both the human and veterinary field. This in vitro study evaluated the antimicrobial effect of canine non-activated and activated leucocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) against two strains of SP isolated from dogs with pyoderma: one a multidrug-resistant strain (MDR) and one a non-MDR strain. Twenty healthy un-sedated adult blood donor dogs were enrolled for L-PRP and PPP production via a closed semi-automatic system for veterinary use. The evaluation of antimicrobial effect was performed using the micro-inhibition in broth method, exposing SP strains to 10 L-PRP, 10 activated L-PRP and 10 PPP samples, respectively. Bacterial growth was evaluated using CFU count at three timepoints (immediately after incubation T0, after 1 h T1 and after 2 h T2). L-PRP and PPP had a significant antimicrobial effect at all three timepoints which was similar against both non-MDR and MDR SP strains. Activation appeared to reduce the duration of the antimicrobial effect in L-PRP. More studies are necessary to confirm these preliminary results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Simple Summary: Commensal bacteria in the vaginal canal are vital to reproductive health. Infertility or severe urinary tract infections may result from vaginal dysbiosis. This research examined the aerobic bacterial flora in vaginal samples from bitches during antepartum, postpartum, and Lactatio sine graviditate. The 100 vaginal samples analyzed yielded 82% positive microbiological results and 18% negative. Microbiologic profile revealed 17 genera. Micrococcaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Morganellaceae, Bacillaceae, and Rhizobiaceae were the most isolated bacteria. The first strains of Agrobacterium radiobacter, Ochrobactrum anthropi, Chromobacterium violaceum, Burkholderia mallei, Bacillus pumllus, and Staphylococcus xylosus were recovered from vaginal secretions. Microbiological studies show that breastfeeding bitches' vaginal discharge is variable and may be impacted by coitus, sampling season, age, and reproductive status. The vaginal tract comprises commensal microorganisms, which play an essential role in the health of the reproductive tract. Any dysbiosis in the vaginal microenvironment may lead to severe urinary tract infections or even infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the aerobic bacterial flora isolated from vaginal samples from 100 lactating bitches in the antepartum period (n = 3), postpartum period (n = 80), and with Lactatio sine graviditate (n = 17). Before vaginal swabs, all the bitches went through a gynecology consult, along with milk and blood sampling. Standard microbiological techniques were used for bacterial isolation. Among the 100 vaginal samples analyzed, 82% had a positive microbiological outcome, while 18% were negative. The microbiologic profile listed 17 different genera. The main isolated bacterial families were Micrococcaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Morganellaceae, Bacillaceae, and Rhizobiaceae. At the same time, strains like Agrobacterium radiobacter, Ochrobactrum anthropi, Chromobacterium violaceum, Burkholderia mallei, Bacillus pumllus, or Staphylococcus xylosus were isolated for the first time from the vaginal secretion of lactating bitches. The microbiological data demonstrates that lactating bitches' vaginal discharge is heterogeneous and may be affected by coitus, sampling season, age, and reproductive status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral colon delivery systems based on a dual targeting strategy, harnessing time- and microbiota-dependent release mechanisms, were designed in the form of a drug-containing core, a swellable/biodegradable polysaccharide inner layer and a gastroresistant outer film. High-methoxyl pectin was employed as the functional coating polymer and was applied by spray-coating or powder-layering. Stratification of pectin powder required the use of low-viscosity hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in water solution as the binder. These coatings exhibited rough surfaces and higher thicknesses than the spray-coated ones. Using a finer powder fraction improved the process outcome, coating quality and inherent barrier properties in aqueous fluids. Pulsatile release profiles and reproducible lag phases of the pursued duration were obtained from systems manufactured by both techniques. This performance was confirmed by double-coated systems, provided with a Kollicoat® MAE outer film that yielded resistance in the acidic stage of the test. Moreover, HM pectin-based coatings manufactured by powder-layering, tested in the presence of bacteria from a Crohn's disease patient, showed earlier release, supporting the role of microbial degradation as a triggering mechanism at the target site. The overall results highlighted viable coating options and in vitro release characteristics, sparking new interest in naturally occurring pectin as a coating agent for oral colon delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate dietary supplementation with different copper sulphate (CuSO4) forms on small intestine microanatomy and large intestine microbiota. Ninety weaned piglets were divided into three experimental groups: control diet (CTR), with no added CuSO4 and diets supplemented with 150 ppm of CuSO4 in protected (150P) and unprotected form (150UP). After 18 days of dietary treatment, six piglets per treatment were randomly selected and sacrificed. Duodenum villi length and crypt depths were higher (P < 0.001) in the animals fed 150UP than other groups. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker for enteric glial cells, was unaffected by dietary treatments. The total bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae bacteria counts were lower (P < 0.05) in cecum of animals fed 150P in comparison with the other two groups. In the colon the Streptococci spp were lower (P < 0.001) in both CuSO4 supplemented groups than controls. The obtained results revealed a modulation of intestinal structure and microbiota exerted by the studied CuSO4 dietary supplementation. The present data show that dietary supplementation with 150UP in the first period post‐weaning may assist in restoring the gut morphology, improving duodenal structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]