Asymptomatic bacteriuria in puppies with canine parvovirus infection: a cohort study

Urinalysis and culture results of free-catch urine samples in dogs: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prevalence of bacterial presence in free-catch urine samples preceded by either a standardised prepped ("clean-catch") protocol versus unprepped (non-cleaned) voiding.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was a single-centre prospective single-blinded randomised controlled trial. Urine samples were obtained from 100 client-owned dogs presenting for routine evaluation. Dogs were randomly assigned to either the prepped group (preputial or peri-vulvar area cleaned with sterile saline before collection) or the unprepped group (no preliminary cleansing) stratified by sex. Urinalysis and urine culture (blood and MacConkey agar) were performed on all samples. Significant bacterial presence on urine culture was defined as >104 colony forming units (CFU)/mL.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant associations between prepped versus unprepped collection method or sex with a urinalysis positive for bacteriuria. However, on culture, significant bacterial growth was almost five times more likely to be associated with males relative to females (odds ratio 4.59, 95% confidence interval 1.61 to 13.10). The probability of finding a positive culture was not statistically associated with prep method (odds ratio 1.43, 95% confidence interval 0.50 to 4.08).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

For the majority of dogs without clinical signs of urinary tract infection, free-catch urine collection does not result in significant bacteriuria found on analysis or culture. The presence of bacteria found in free-catch samples may be secondary to sample contamination or subclinical bacteriuria. Sample contamination or subclinical bacteriuria may be more prevalent in male dogs.

A review of the current concepts in canine urinary tract infections

Traditionally, urinary tract infections (UTIs) have been categorised as either uncomplicated or complicated in veterinary medicine, with treatment differing for the two categories. In human medicine, there is an additional category: Asymptomatic bacteriuria, which is the presence of bacteriuria without symptoms of infection. Escherichia coli (E.coli) is the most common bacterial species involved in UTIs in dogs. Clinical signs can be absent in dogs with complicated UTIs, and this has been likened to asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in people and has been termed subclinical bacteriuria (SBU) with the treatment recommendations for SBU in dogs have been adapted from human recommendations. There is a shift in the current treatment of UTIs to help minimise the development of antimicrobial resistance. Routine screening of dogs with conditions that may predispose them to UTIs has been discouraged as has the treatment of SBU. This has been due to the increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Clinical and microbiological characterization of subclinical bacteriuria and sporadic bacterial cystitis in dogs with spontaneous hypercortisolism

Study's aims were to characterize subclinical bacteriuria (SB) and sporadic bacterial cystitis (SBC) in dogs with spontaneous hypercortisolism (HC). Prospective cross-sectional design divided patients as newly diagnosed (n = 27), poorly controlled (n  = 21), well controlled (n  = 34), and controls (n  = 19). Urine culture positive results were identified by MALDI-TOF and submitted to antibiogram. Escherichia coli was the most common microorganism (36%). The majority of positive cultures in HC were SB (12.2%). All 4.1% SBC cases were in well controlled HC cases. Bacteriuria correlated with low urine specific gravity and low lymphocyte count. HC degree of control correlated with leukocyturia. SB/SBC cases were treated based in antimicrobial susceptibility leading to microbiological cure in 75% of HC cases. Persistent infections occurred only in SB cases, all by E. coli which became more resistant. SB/SBC prevalence in canine HC is actually lower. Further evidence for current ISCAID guideline contraindication for SB treatment due to HC were provided.

[Bacterial urinary tract infection and subclinical bacteriuria in the dog: a current review]

Bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common clinical presentation in dogs and a frequent reason for the prescription of antimicrobial drugs. UTI refers to adherence, multiplication and persistence of an infectious agent within the urogenital system. This causes an associated inflammatory response as well as the pertaining clinical signs. Depending on the site of infection, UTI's may be classified as bacterial cystitis, prostatitis or pyelonephritis. In contrast, subclinical bacteriuria (SB) is defined as the presence of a significant number of bacteria in the urine of an individual not showing clinical signs referrable to UTI. UTI's typically occur as a consequence of ascending pathogen migration from the host's own fecal or distal urogenital microbial flora. The most commonly isolated pathogen in cases of UTI and SB is Escherichia coli. The diagnosis is based on clinical signs and the results of urine examination and culture. The recently revised guidelines of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases provide detailed recommendations for diagnosis and management of different forms of bacterial UTI's in dogs. Adherence to treatment guidelines will improve treatment success and is imperative in avoiding further deterioration of the antimicrobial resistance situation.

A clinical approach to multidrug-resistant urinary tract infection and subclinical bacteriuria in dogs and cats

Multidrug-resistant bacteria are increasingly isolated from the urinary tract of pets, particularly those that suffer from concurrent conditions, have been hospitalised, or were treated with antimicrobials in the recent past. Many of the multidrug-resistant bacteria encountered are resistant to all commonly used oral antibiotics. This poses both a therapeutic dilemma in the individual pet and a threat to public health. This article begins with an overview of multidrug resistance in organisms that are commonly isolated from the urinary tract of pets. This is followed by a proposed clinical approach to managing multidrug-resistant urinary bacteria, which summarises current knowledge regarding appropriate sampling and analysis, reviews the current guidelines regarding appropriate antimicrobial use and discusses treatment options that might be considered. The article highlights several shortcomings of the current knowledge to be considered when planning future clinical research and developing policies.

International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bacterial urinary tract infections in dogs and cats

Urinary tract disease is a common clinical presentation in dogs and cats, and a common reason for antimicrobial prescription. This document is a revision and expansion on the 2011 Antimicrobial Use Guidelines for Treatment of Urinary Tract Disease in Dogs and Cats, providing recommendations for diagnosis and management of sporadic bacterial cystitis, recurrent bacterial cystitis, pyelonephritis, bacterial prostatitis, and subclinical bacteriuria. Issues pertaining to urinary catheters, medical dissolution of uroliths and prophylaxis for urological procedures are also addressed.

Prevalence and clinical outcome of subclinical bacteriuria in female dogs

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of subclinical bacteriuria and its natural clinical course over a 3-month period in healthy female dogs.

DESIGN

Observational, prospective, cross-sectional study.

ANIMALS

101 healthy client-owned female dogs.

PROCEDURES

In all dogs, screening clinicopathologic tests and bacteriologic culture of urine were performed. In culture-positive dogs, subclinical bacteriuria was confirmed by 2 positive culture results within 2 weeks and dogs were reevaluated at 3 months.

RESULTS

The prevalence of subclinical bacteriuria in healthy female dogs was 9 of 101 (8.9%). Three-month follow-up data were available for 8 of 9 dogs with subclinical bacteriuria. Four dogs had persistent bacteriuria, and 4 had transient bacteriuria. No dogs with subclinical bacteriuria developed clinical signs during the 3-month observation period. Subclinical bacteriuria was diagnosed in 6 of 51 (12%) young and middle-aged dogs and 3 of 50 (6.0%) senior and geriatric dogs. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of subclinical bacteriuria with age.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggested that subclinical bacteriuria is a nonprogressive condition in healthy female dogs and can be persistent or transient. No significant difference in the prevalence of subclinical bacteriuria in young and middle-aged dogs versus senior and geriatric dogs was detected. No dogs with subclinical bacteriuria developed clinical signs requiring antimicrobial treatment during the 3-month observation period. Healthy female dogs with subclinical bacteriuria may be a population of dogs in which antimicrobial treatment is unnecessary.

Prevalence of bacteriuria in dogs without clinical signs of urinary tract infection presenting for elective surgical procedures

OBJECTIVES

To determine the frequency of bacteriuria in dogs presenting for elective surgery, to compare the frequency of bacteriuria in dogs presenting for orthopaedic (non-neurological) procedures to that of dogs presenting for soft tissue procedures and to measure the agreement of microscopic visualisation of bacteria in urine sediment with the occurrence of bacterial growth on culture.

METHODS

Prospective cohort study of 140 client-owned dogs. Urine was collected via prepubic cystocentesis prior to or immediately after induction of anaesthesia. Urine was submitted for quantitative bacteriological culture and urinalysis. The dogs' age, sex, weight and breed were recorded, as well as the surgical procedure performed.

RESULTS

In total, 80 orthopaedic and 60 soft tissue surgical cases were included in the study; 3 dogs (2.1%) returned bacterial growth on culture (positive urine culture) and 19 (13.6%) recorded urine sediment with pyuria and/or bacteriuria on urinalysis (positive urinalysis). All dogs with positive urine culture were female and two of them underwent orthopaedic procedures. Each bitch had growth of Escherichia coli >10(5)  CFU/mL. The agreement between positive urinalysis and positive urine culture was poor (κ = 0.15).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of bacteriuria in dogs without clinical signs of urinary tract infection in this population was low (2.1%). An at-risk population could not be identified because of the small number of positive outcomes. A positive urinalysis showed poor agreement with urine culture results and therefore the decision to treat without performing a urine culture is not advised.

Neutrophil survival factors (TNF-alpha, GM-CSF, and G-CSF) produced by macrophages in cats infected with feline infectious peritonitis virus contribute to the pathogenesis of granulomatous lesions

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a feline coronavirus (FCoV)-induced fatal disease of domestic and wild cats. The infiltration of neutrophils into granulomatous lesions is unusual for a viral disease, but it is a typical finding of FIP. This study aimed to investigate the reason for the lesions containing neutrophils in cats with FIP. Neutrophils of cats with FIP were cultured, and changes in the cell survival rate were assessed. In addition, the presence or absence of neutrophil survival factors was investigated in specimens collected from cats with FIP. Furthermore, it was investigated whether macrophages, one of the target cells of FIPV infection, produce neutrophil survival factors (TNF-alpha, GM-CSF, and G-CSF). We showed that virus-infected macrophages overproduce neutrophil survival factors, and these factors act on neutrophils and up-regulate their survival. These observations suggest that sustained production of neutrophil survival factors by macrophages during FCoV infection is sufficient for neutrophil survival and contributes to development of granulomatous lesions.

Urinary tract infection caused by Corynebacterium urealyticum in a dog

Urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by Corynebacterium urealyticum is a rarely recognised condition in veterinary medicine. This report describes a case in a 13-month-old dog which presented with a history of dysuria and haematuria. C urealyticum was identified as the cause of UTI. The clinical, radiological and ultrasonographic features and the results of urinalysis and urine bacteriological culture are described, as are the therapeutic challenges presented by this particular infection.