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The canine transmissible venereal tumour ( CTVT) is a transmissible cancer that is spread between dogs by the allogeneic transfer of living cancer cells. The infectious agents in CTVT are the living cancer cells themselves, which are transmitted between dogs during coitus. CTVT first arose several thousand years ago and the disease has a global distribution and is frequently observed in dogs from Brazil. We evaluated the utility of a LINE-MYC quantitative polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of CTVT cases in Brazil. Our analysis indicated that the LINE-MYC rearrangement was detectable in all CTVT samples but not in their corresponding hosts. This genetic assay proves to be a useful tool for providing a definitive molecular diagnosis of CTVT, which presents with varying degrees of aggressiveness and invasiveness in different host dogs and can therefore be a diagnostic challenge in some specific cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Subclinical stage of ehrlichiosis is characterized by absence of clinical or laboratory alterations; however, it could lead to silent glomerular/tubular changes and contribute significantly to renal failure in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate glomerular and tubular alterations in dogs with subclinical ehrlichiosis. We evaluated renal biopsies of 14 bitches with subclinical ehrlichiosis and 11 control dogs. Samples were obtained from the left kidney, and the tissue obtained was divided for light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy. Abnormalities were identified by light microscopy in 92.9% of dogs with ehrlichiosis, but not in any of the dogs of the control group. Mesangial cell proliferation and synechiae (46.1%) were the most common findings, but focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and ischemic glomeruli (38.4%), focal glomerular mesangial matrix expansion (30.7%), mild to moderate interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (23%), and glomerular basement membrane spikes (23%) were also frequent in dogs with ehrlichiosis. All animals with ehrlichiosis exhibited positive immunofluorescence staining for immunoglobulins. Transmission electron microscopy from dogs with ehrlichiosis revealed slight changes such as sparse surface projections and basement membrane double contour. The subclinical phase of ehrlichiosis poses a higher risk of development of kidney damage due to the deposition of immune complexes., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

This study aimed at evaluating the behaviour and understanding the diagnostic value of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in bitches with mammary carcinoma as a tool for monitoring and prognosis of canine cancer patients. Serum samples from 77 bitches were divided into four groups, G1 (n = 21), control group (healthy/neoplasia free bitches); G2 (n = 31), bitches with non-metastatic mammary carcinoma less than 3 cm; G3 (n = 12), bitches with non-metastatic mammary carcinoma greater than 3 cm; and, G4 (n = 13) bitches with mammary carcinoma and lymph node metastasis. The marker was dosed once in G1, whereas in G2, G3 and G4, CEA levels were determined before (M0) and 15 days after (M1) mastectomy, using the ELISA kit for humans while reading used ELISYS ONE human. A group of 11 bitches was followed up 45 days after mastectomy (M2). The results for the concentration of markers in blood serum samples at the evaluated times and their relationship with neoplasia biological behaviour and observed clinicopathological changes were evaluated by the Tukey test at 5% significance. The ROC curve was established to find the cut-off value and calculate the test sensitivity and specificity, the multivariate matching analysis was performed to confirm the association between CEA values and clinicopathological variables. CEA values increased significantly in bitches with mammary carcinoma, metastatic tumours with a diameter larger than 3.0 cm and high grade, compared with healthy ones. In addition, mastectomy reduced the CEA concentration in the blood (P < .05) whereas high CEA levels were associated with unfavourable prognostic factors (P < .05). The biomarker presented good diagnostic value, especially for more aggressive tumours. In conclusion, CEA serum concentrations allowed to follow efficiently the evolution of mammary tumours in bitches, since CEA values increased in bitches with mammary gland tumour and decreased after mastectomy while correlating with prognostic factors such as tumour size, nodal metastasis and histological grade. Further studies are still needed to confirm its diagnostic value for follow-up of relapse and early metastasis., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Mammary neoplasms are a heterogeneous form of disease, and in order to determine its course and biological features with more accuracy, investigations based on tumor phenotypes are required. The aim of the present study was to propose and validate a phenotypic classification for canine mammary tumors and to assess any association between clinicopathological characteristics, survival and prognosis. For the immunohistochemistry analysis, the primary antibodies against estrogen receptor-α, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)/neu and E-cadherin were used. A total of 110 canine mammary tumors were investigated; 42 tumors were classified as luminal A, 41 as luminal B, 17 as triple-negative and 10 as HER-2-positive. The luminal A and B phenotypes were associated with improved prognosis, whereas HER-2positive and triple-negative tumors were more aggressive, and exhibited a significant association with the occurrence of metastasis, a worse Tumor-Node-Metastasis classification and shorter survival time (P<0.05). In addition, there were different levels of E-cadherin expression intensity observed among the four tumor profiles investigated. Luminal A and B phenotypes presented an upregulation of E-cadherin compared with the HER-2 positive and triple-negative phenotypes (P<0.05). From the results of the present study, the proposed immunohistochemical panel and phenotypic classification techniques could be useful diagnostic tools with a good technical applicability in veterinary oncology. The analysis of E-cadherin expression in the panel of tumor markers allowed a more accurate classification for determining the biological features of the mammary tumor., (Copyright: © Varallo et al.)

A 10-year-old female American Pit Bull dog was diagnosed with metastatic undifferentiated carcinoma of the scapula. Immunohistochemistry showed positive immunoexpression for cytokeratins (AE1/AE3, 34BE12, CK7) and vimentin, confirming squamous cell carcinoma. No evidence of nodules was found in the complete physical examination and imaging procedures conducted. The patient was diagnosed with carcinoma of unknown primary origin. Amputation and adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin and piroxicam were performed, but the patient died of respiratory failure after 737 days of diagnosis. Necropsy confirmed undifferentiated carcinoma infiltrating the lungs and kidneys, and showing the same immunoexpression as the tumor in the scapula. Amputation associated with chemotherapy extended the overall survival time of this patient.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of lymphoma in dogs. We evaluated Ki67 immunoexpression and mitotic index (MI) in dogs diagnosed with DLBCL and treated with a 19-wk CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) protocol. Twenty-nine lymph node samples from dogs diagnosed with DLBCL were analyzed for Ki67 immunostaining, and positive cells present in 1 cm 2 were counted in a grid reticle for comparison of survival times above and below the means. The Ki67 mean was 107, and the MI mean was 21. There was a significant ( p < 0.05) difference in median survival time between Ki67 immunostaining above and below the mean, with no difference in MI groups. Ki67 values >107 positive cells per 5 HPF counted in a grid reticle were associated with shorter survival times in dogs with DLBCL treated with a 19-wk CHOP-based protocol.

Mast cell tumors are the most common malignant cutaneous tumors in dogs. Although there are several prognostic factors involved, the clinical and biological behavior of this type of tumor varies greatly, making the best choice of treatment challenging. Molecular techniques can be used to evaluate a large number of genes involved in the neoplastic process and aid in the selection of candidate genes related to prognostic and predicting factors. Identification of the genes associated with tumor development and progression can be performed through the analysis of numerical and structural changes in DNA isolated from tumor cells by array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). The aim of this study was to compare copy number variations (CNVs) in cutaneous mast cell tumors of dogs that survived less than six (ST<6) and >12months (ST>12) from the date of diagnosis. Ten animals were used: four from Group ST>12 and six from Group ST<6. Genomic DNA was extracted, and aCGH was performed using Agilent Canine Genome CGH Microarray 4×180 (ID-252 552 - Agilent, USA). Data analysis was carried out using Nexus program version 5.0 (Biodiscovery, USA). The group ST>12 presented 11±3.3 CNVs, while the ST<6 group presented 85±38.5 CNVs. Regions of loss in PTEN and FAS as well as regions of gains in MAPK3, WNT5B, FGF, FOXM1 and RAD51 were detected in mast cell tumors with shorter survival times, and thus, worst prognoses, allowing for the identification of potential candidate genes for more detailed studies., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor that could be associated with the induction of endothelial cell proliferation and metastasis. In this study, we evaluated VEGF gene and protein expression in canine mammary tumors (CMT), including metastatic carcinomas, to determine if there is an influence of this marker in the malignant processes and aggressiveness of CMT. We also compared VEGF protein levels with clinicopathological features. The VEGF gene and protein expression levels were evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively, in normal mammary gland samples, benign mammary tumors, nonmetastatic mammary carcinomas, and metastatic mammary carcinomas. High VEGF gene and protein levels were associated with malignant tumors compared with normal mammary glands (p = 0.0089 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Benign tumors showed an increased VEGF protein expression compared with normal samples (p = 0.0467). No significant differences in VEGF gene or protein levels were detected between benign and malignant tumors or between nonmetastatic and metastatic carcinomas, suggesting an absence in the correlation of VEGF with malignant processes and aggressiveness of CMT. No correlation of VEGF expression with clinical and histopathological parameters was observed, suggesting that VEGF could be important in the beginning of the mammary gland carcinogenic process and could be related to survival time., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The incidence and prevalence of paraneoplastic glomerulopathy, especially associated with carcinoma, are a matter of debate and the causal link between cancer and glomerular diseases remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate renal biopsies of selected bitches with spontaneous mammary gland carcinoma. We hypothesized that dogs with mammary carcinomas would show histologic evidence of glomerular pathology. A prospective study was performed in dogs with naturally occurring mammary carcinoma that were undergoing tumor resection and ovariohysterectomy. We evaluated renal biopsies of 32 bitches with spontaneous mammary gland carcinoma and 11 control dogs without mammary gland neoplasia. Samples were obtained from the left kidney and the biopsy material was divided for light microscopy (LM), immunofluorescence (IF) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Light microscopy abnormalities were identified in 78.1% of dogs with mammary carcinoma (n = 25) and in none of the dogs in the control group. Focal glomerular mesangial matrix expansion was the most common alteration (n = 15, 60.0%), but mesangial cell proliferation (n = 9, 36.0%) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (n = 9, 36.0%), synechiae (n = 7, 28.0%), and globally sclerotic glomeruli (n = 6, 24.0%) were also frequent in dogs with malignancy. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed strong IgM staining was demonstrated in 64.3% (n = 18) of carcinoma dogs. Transmission electron microscopy from dogs with carcinoma revealed slight changes, the most frequent of which was faint sub-endothelial and mesangial deposits of electron-dense material (78%). Mesangial cell interpositioning and segmental effacement of podocyte foot processes were identified in some specimens (45%). Changes in the glomerulus and proteinuria are common in dogs with naturally occurring mammary carcinoma and this condition appears to provide an excellent large animal model for cancer-associated glomerulopathy in humans., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Anaplasma platys and A. phagocytophilum are tick-borne pathogens that parasitize platelets and neutrophils, respectively, of humans and animals. The former is the etiological agent of canine cyclic thrombocytopenia, while the latter is that of canine granulocytic anaplasmosis. This work involved the detection and identification of Anaplasma species in blood samples from dogs in Colombia, using molecular techniques. Between December 2008 and April 2009, blood samples were drawn from the cephalic vein of 91 dogs in the central-western region of Colombia (cities of Bogota, Villavicencio and Bucaramanga) and stored in tubes containing EDTA. These samples were used in 16S rRNA-Anaplasma spp. nPCR and the preparation of blood smears. One (1.1%) of the 91 sampled dogs showed inclusions suggestive of Anaplasmataceae agents in the cytoplasm of platelets. Based on PCR followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, A. platys and Anaplasma sp. closed related to A. phagocytophilum were detected in two and one dog, respectively. Interestingly, all the samples were negative for specific msp-2-A. phagocytophilum real-time qPCR, suggesting the circulation of an Anaplasma species phylogenetically related to A. phagocytophilum in dogs in the aforementioned region. Hence, Anaplasma spp. circulates among dogs in Colombia, albeit with low frequency. To the best of authors' knowledge, this is the first molecular detection of Anaplasma spp. in dogs in Colombia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidant profile and iron metabolism in serum of dogs infected by Ehrlichia canis. Banked sera samples of dogs were divided into two groups: negative control (n = 17) and infected by E. canis on acute (n = 24), and subclinical (n = 18) phases of the disease. The eritrogram, leucogram, and platelet counts were evaluate as well as iron, ferritin, and transferrin levels, latent iron binding capacity (LIBC), and transferrin saturation index (TSI) concentration. In addition, the advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) in sera were also analyzed. Blood samples were examined for the presence of E. canis by PCR techniques. History and clinical signals were recorded for each dog. During the acute phase of the disease, infected animals showed thrombocytopenia and anemia when compared to healthy animals (P < 0.05) as a consequence of lower iron levels. Ferritin and transferrin levels were higher in both phases (acute and subclinical) of the disease. The AOPP and FRAP levels increased in infected animals on the acute phase; however, the opposite occurred in the subclinical phase. We concluded that dogs naturally infected by E. canis showed changes in the iron metabolism and developed an oxidant status in consequence of disease pathophysiology., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Dogs are the main host of Leishmania infantum, and the clinical presentation may range from asymptomatic to systemic manifestations. The immune mechanisms in infected, but clinically healthy dogs, prevails Th1 response mediated by cytokines. In this sense, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) are considered as key enzymes in several physiological processes, including the modulation of inflammatory process. Considering the variable immune response against Leishmania and the known participation of ADA and BChE, the aim of this study was to assess the relation between these two enzymes with the inflammatory response as well as hepatic function in dogs naturally infected with L. infantum. For this purpose, the activity of ADA and BChE was assessed in sera of 24 dogs naturally infected with L. infantum, plus 17 healthy dogs. The naturally infected dogs had clinical signs compatible with leishmaniasis and sera activities of ADA (P<0.01) and BChE (P<0.05) decreased, when compared to the healthy group. The reduction of ADA activity probably represented an effect on inflammatory response, especially due to the decreased hydrolysis of extracellular adenosine, might in order to protect against tissue damage and, also, setting a down-regulation on pro-inflammatory cytokines. BChE enzyme had no effect on modulating the immune response in leishmaniasis, but it decreased, a fact may related to deficiency of synthesis in the liver. Therefore, ADA and BChE activities reduced probably in order to protect against extra tissue damage and due failure in synthesis, respectively., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) as a marker of inflammation and liver injury in the acute and subclinical phases of canine ehrlichiosis. Forty-two serum samples of dogs naturally infected with Ehrlichia canis were used, of which 24 were from animals with the acute phase of the disease and 18 with subclinical disease. In addition, sera from 17 healthy dogs were used as negative controls. The hematocrit, BChE activity, hepatic injury (alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)), nitric oxide, and cytokines levels were evaluated. The BChE activity was significantly elevated (P<0.05) in dogs with the acute phase of the disease when compared to healthy animals. However, there was a reduction on BChE activity on dogs with subclinical disease compared to the other two groups. AST and ALT levels were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the acute phase, as well as the inflammatory mediators (NOx, TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-4, IL-6) when compared to the control group. On the other hand, IL-10 levels were lower in the acute phase. Based on these results, we are able to conclude that the acute infection caused by E. canis in dogs leads to an increase on seric BChE activity and some inflammatory mediators. Therefore, this enzyme might be used as a marker of acute inflammatory response in dogs naturally infected by this bacterium., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Mammary carcinoma is the most common cancer that affects dogs, and in many cases it leads to death. Thus, given the importance of this disease, to clarify its pathogenesis is an important measure. In this sense, the aim of this study was to investigate the levels of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO), oxidative and antioxidant status, as well as the activity of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in dogs diagnosed with mammary carcinoma. With this purpose, thirty-three (33) serum samples from female dogs with histopathological diagnosis of mammary carcinoma, without evidence of metastasis, were used (group B). The material was classified based on the degree of malignancy, as follows: subgroup B1 (low-grade malignancy; n=26) and subgroup B2 (high grade of malignancy; n=7). Serum samples from healthy females (group A; n=10) were used as negative control. Our results showed that levels of cytokines (TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-1, and IL-6), NOx (nitrite/nitrate), AOPP (protein oxidation), and FRAP (antioxidant power) were significantly (P<0.05) increased in dogs with mammary carcinoma (group B), when compared with group A. On the other hand, ADA activity was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in both subgroups B1 and B2, when compared with group A. BChE activity, however, was reduced (P<0.05) only in subgroup B2 when compared with group A and subgroup B1. Unlike other variables, NO, AOPP, and IFN-γ were influenced by the degree of tumor malignancy, i.e., their levels were even higher in subgroup B2. Therefore, based on these results, we can conclude that all variables investigated are related to the pathogenesis of this disease, since they were altered in dogs with mammary tumor. Additionally, we suggest that ADA activity had an anti-inflammatory effect on these tumor samples, probably in order to modulate the inflammatory response., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Lymphoma is one of the most common types of cancer in dogs, characterized by the proliferation of lymphoid cells. The treatment of this type of cancer is usually based on drugs with high toxicity, which can cause severe side effects., Objectives: Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in dogs with multicentric lymphoma before and after chemotherapy., Methods: For this purpose, serum samples of 25 dogs diagnosed with multicentric lymphoma and 15 healthy dogs were used. The animals were exposed to CHOP chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and prednisone) and serum samples were collected 5 weeks after treatment., Results: High levels of TBARS, AOPP, and FRAP were observed in sera of dogs with multicentric lymphoma when compared to healthy dogs (P < 0.01), and even higher levels (TBARS and AOPP) were found after chemotherapy i.e. treatment exacerbated the oxidative stress levels. On the other hand, FRAP levels did not differ statistically between animals with lymphoma before and after treatment (P > 0.05). Exacerbated oxidative stress was observed in dogs with multicentric lymphoma Group II (Stage IV-V: involvement of lymph nodes and organs) compared to those in Group I (Stage I-III: only affected lymph nodes) of the disease, as well as the dogs with clinical signs and T immunophenotype. Another important result was observed after chemotherapy, where FRAP levels were higher in dogs that showed complete disease remission compared to animals with progressive disease., Conclusions: Therefore, dogs with lymphoma showed protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation, as well as increased total antioxidants before and after chemotherapy compared to the control group.

The aim of this study was to evaluate adenosine deaminase activity and purines levels in serum of dogs experimentally infected by Ehrlichia canis. Banked serum samples of dogs divided into two groups with five animals each: healthy animals and animals infected by E. canis. The concentration of purines (adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine, inosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine and uric acid), and adenosine deaminase (E-ADA) activity in sera were evaluated. Samples were collected on days 12 and 30 post-infection (PI). The E-ADA activity showed a significant reduction on day 12 PI, and increased on day 30 PI in dogs infected with E. canis. On day 12, an increase in seric concentration of ATP, ADP and adenosine was verified, and different levels of hypoxanthine, xanthine and uric acid had a drastic reduction in infected compared healthy dogs (P<0.05). However, on day 30 PI, the levels of seric ADP and AMP decreased, unlike the concentration of xanthine and uric acid that increased significantly in infected dogs (P<0.05). Therefore, the activity of E-ADA and purine levels are altered in experimental canine ehrlichiosis, probably with the purpose of modulating the pathogenesis of the disease related to immune response, oxidative stress and coagulation disorders in acute phase., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate nitric oxide levels, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and glutathione reductase activity in serum of dogs experimentally infected by Ehrlichia canis. Banked serum samples of dogs divided into two groups were used: negative control (n=5) and infected by E. canis (n=5). The concentration of nitrite/nitrate (NOx), lipid peroxidation (TBARS), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and glutathione reductase (GR) activity in sera were evaluated. Samples were collected on days 0, 3, 6, 18 and 30 post-infection (PI). NOx and TBARS levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the infected group at 18 and 30 days PI, as well as AOPP levels at 30 days PI when compared to samples from control group. The GR activity was significant (P<0.05) increased in serum of dogs infected by E. canis on days 18 and 30 PI. Based on the increased levels of NOx, TBARS, AOPP and GR activity we concluded that dogs experimentally infected by E. canis develop a state of redox imbalance and that these changes might be involved in the pathophysiology of the disease., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Early diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis favors prompt institution of treatment and improves the prognosis for the animal, since this disease causes mortality among dogs. Studies have shown that determining the concentration of acute-phase proteins (APPs) may contribute towards early detection of disease and aid in predicting the prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the APP profile in dogs experimentally infected with Ehrlichia canis, at the start of the infection and after treatment. It also investigated whether any correlation between APP levels and the clinical and laboratory alterations over the course of the disease would be possible. The results obtained showed abnormal levels of all the APPs on the third day after infection (D3), with the highest levels being reached on D18, with the exception of ceruloplasmin and acid glycoprotein, which presented their peaks on D6 and D12 respectively. We concluded that assessment of APP levels could contribute towards establishing an early diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis, particularly regarding acid glycoprotein and ceruloplasmin, since these proteins were detected at increased levels even before the onset of clinical and laboratory findings of the disease.

Hepatozoonosis is a tick-borne disease whose transmission to dogs occurs by ingestion of oocysts infected ticks or feeding on preys infested by infected ticks. Until now, there is no previous report of molecular characterization of Hepatozoon sp. in dogs from Colombia. EDTA blood samples were collected from 91 dogs from central-western region of Colombia (Bogotá, Bucaramanga, and Villavicencio cities) and submitted to 18S rRNA Hepatozoon sp. PCR and blood smears confection. Phylogenetic analysis was used to access the identity of Hepatozoon species found in sampled dogs. From 91 sampled dogs, 29 (31.8%) were positive to Hepatozoon sp. (25 dogs were only positive in PCR, 1 was positive only in blood smears, and 3 were positive in both blood smears and PCR). After sequencing, the found Hepatozoon sp. DNA showed 100% of identity with Hepatozoon canis DNA isolates. The phylogenetic tree supported the identity of the found Hepatozoon sp. DNA, showing that the isolates from Colombia were placed in the same clade than other H. canis isolates from Venezuela, Spain, and Taiwan. This is the first molecular detection of H. canis in dogs from Colombia.

Canine ehrlichiosis is caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia canis and is characterized by a systemic febrile disease of unknown pathogenesis. This study evaluated the expression of cytokines TNF-α, IL-10, IFN-γ, in splenic cells and blood leukocytes during the acute phase of ehrlichiosis and after treatment with doxycycline hyclate in dogs experimentally infected with the E. canis Jaboticabal strain. The study results showed a significant expression of TNF-α 18 days post-inoculation, reducing by approximately 70% after treatment. There was a unique peak of expression of IL-10 and IFN-γ 18 and 30 days post-inoculation, respectively. This study suggests that TNF-α plays a role in the pathogenesis of the acute phase of canine ehrlichiosis and that treatment with doxycycline hyclate reduces the systemic effects of this cytokine, possibly by reducing or eliminating parasitemia.

A 5-year-old Brazilian Fila dog was presented with a history of vision loss, alopecia, and generalized depigmentation of the skin and hair. Clinical examination confirmed generalized depigmentation and pyodermitis. On ophthalmic examination there was depigmentation at the eyelid mucocutaneous junction, associated with anterior uveitis, and bilateral posterior synechia at 360 degrees. Both the complete blood count and skin scraping were normal. Skin biopsy showed histiocytary lichenoid interface dermatitis with an absence of pigment within the queratinocytes, and a moderate lymphomononuclear infiltrate and predominance of histiocytes in the papilar derma suggestive of uveodermatologic syndrome. Clinical management consisted of oral and topical administration of prednisone, associated with 1% indometacine eye drops. Methylprednisone was also used twice via the subconjunctival route, at an interval of 15 days. To prevent the development of secondary glaucoma due to posterior synechiae, dorzolamide and timolol eye drops were indicated. Both dermatologic and ophthalmic signs showed good improvement, vision was preserved, and some repigmentation of the skin and hair occurred.

Amphetamine abuse in human beings has increased, resulting in many reports of toxicity and death. In the US over 4 million people have abused amphetamines at least once, thus small animals are exposed to increased accidental poisoning risk. This report describes an acute amphetamine poisoning in a dog due to ingestion of 15 mg/kg fenproporex, leading to typical signs of catecholamines release and effects in different organ systems. Similar clinical and laboratory findings observed in human beings are reviewed and physiopathogenic mechanisms discussed, as well as the therapeutic approaches available in veterinary medicine.