Reference intervals for reticulocyte indices, immature reticulocyte fraction, and the percentage of hypochromic red blood cells in adult large breed dogs using the ADVIA 2120 hematology analyzer

Reticulocyte indices are used to characterize anemia, including the identification of regeneration. In people, the immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF), percentage of hypochromic red blood cells (%HYPO-RBC), and other reticulocyte indices have been used as earlier indicators of erythropoiesis and as valuable monitoring tools in the assessment of various therapies. The reference intervals (RI) of the IRF and %HYPO-RBC have not been reported in dogs. The objective of this study was to establish RIs for novel variables (IRF, %HYPO-RBC, and CH-delta) and assess RIs for more commonly reported reticulocyte indices in healthy dogs. RIs were calculated from blood results retrospectively collected from 106 client-owned healthy dogs at the time of induction into a blood donor program using the ADVIA 2120 hematology analyzer (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics). For the calculation of RIs, appropriate tests were applied for outlier detection and normality assessment. For variables normally distributed, RIs and their respective 90% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using parametric methods, while for variables not normally distributed, robust methods were used and bootstrapping for calculating the 90% CIs. The following RIs were established: reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) 24.5-28 pg, mean reticulocyte volume (MCVr) 85.9-99.3 fL, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration of reticulocytes (CHCMr) 271.0-306.3 g/L, IRF 10.4%-43.5%, CH-delta 0.5-4.3 pg, and percentage of hypochromic red blood cells (%HYPO-RBC) 0.10%-0.80%. The results of this study provide RIs for novel reticulocyte variables. Further studies are required to determine the clinical utility of IRF, %HYPO-RBC, and CH delta as early indicators of erythropoietic activity in canine patients.

Pulmonary mass-like lesion caused by Toxoplasma gondii in a domestic shorthair cat

A 2-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat underwent investigations for acute onset of lethargy, hyporexia, and cough. Computed tomography of the thorax identified a large mass-like lesion in the left cranial lung lobe and bilateral pleural effusion. Thoracotomy and left cranial lung lobectomy were performed. Histopathology of the pulmonary mass was consistent with a localized Toxoplasma gondii pneumonia, confirmed by positive polymerase chain reaction on the affected lung lobe. After adjunctive medical management with a 28-day course of clindamycin (12.5 mg/kg PO q12h), clinical signs resolved and repeat thoracic radiographs documented no abnormalities. The cat remains clinically well 1 year after surgery.

Leishmaniosis in a dog with no travel history outside of the UK

A 3-year-old male neutered Shih Tzu cross was presented for investigation of a three-week history of weight loss, seborrhoea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Initial clinicopathological findings included pancytopenia, mild hypercalcaemia and marked hyperglobulinaemia. Subsequent bone marrow and skin biopsies revealed the presence of Leishmania amastigotes. Quantitative serology was positive for Leishmania species and PCR on the bone marrow sample confirmed a Leishmania infantum infection. The patient had been in the owner's possession since a puppy, had no travel history outside of the UK and had never received a blood transfusion or been used for breeding. However, another dog in the household that had been imported from Spain had been euthanased six months previously due to severe leishmaniosis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of canine leishmaniosis in the UK without a history of travel to an endemic area, and most likely represents a case of dog-to-dog transmission.

A comparison of once and twice daily administration of trilostane to dogs with hyperadrenocorticism

Objective: This retrospective study describes the use of trilostane given once versus twice daily in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (SID vs. BIDgroup) in separate clinical trials.

Material and methods: The groups were compared over a six month period using laboratory findings, dose required to suppress post-ACTH cortisol, and clinical scores from owner and clinician questionnaires.

Results: Ninety-three dogs enrolled the trials but for analysis of the final visit results only 56 dogs filled the inclusion criteria: 30 dogs in the SID-group and 26 dogs in the BID-group. Both treatment groups showed an improvement in clinical scores with time and no significant difference between them. In the BID-group post-ACTH cortisol concentrations went below 250 nmol/l sooner and in a higher proportion of dogs than in the SID-group.Twice-daily administration of trilostane also achieved a faster and more effective control for comparable daily doses. A higher individual tolerability (based on clinical scores) was found in the SID-group but there were no supporting laboratory findings. No dogs developed serious side-effects.

Conclusion: This study reveals only small practical differences between once and twice daily trilostane administrations in treating hyperadrenocorticism. And the overall benefits of twice daily dosing have to be considered against the effect on the owners and their compliance with treatment.

Chronic oesophageal foreign body in a cat

An 11-year-old cat was presented with an approximately 2-month history of dysphagia, intermittent regurgitation and weight loss. An oesophageal foreign body was identified on plain radiographs, and an oesophagotomy was performed to remove a large V-shaped bone from the caudal cervical oesophagus. A gastrostomy feeding tube was placed to allow nutritional support postoperatively. Medical treatment for oesophagitis was initiated after surgery. No complications were encountered and the cat was discharged 4 days after surgery.

Evaluation of hemostatic and fibrinolytic markers in dogs with ascites attributable to right-sided congestive heart failure

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether dogs with ascites secondary to right-sided congestive heart failure (CHF) have bleeding disorders associated with hypofibrinogenemia and discordant plasma fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs) and D-dimer assay results (ie, a circulating concentration of FDPs higher than the reference range and a circulating concentration of D-dimer within the reference range).

DESIGN

Retrospective case-control study.

ANIMALS

80 client-owned dogs.

PROCEDURES

Dogs with ascites secondary to right-sided CHF (group 1; n = 20), unhealthy dogs without cardiac disease (group 2; 40), and dogs with left-sided CHF (group 3; 20) were included in the study. Urine bile acids-to-creatinine concentration ratios were calculated as a marker of liver function. Differences among groups regarding coagulation profile analysis results and prevalence of discordant FDPs and D-dimer assay results were determined.

RESULTS

No significant differences were detected among the 3 groups regarding urine bile acids-to-creatinine concentration ratios. Plasma fibrinogen concentration was significantly lower for group 1 versus groups 2 or 3. Prevalence of discordant FDPs and D-dimer assay results was significantly higher for group 1 versus groups 2 or 3. Eighteen group 1 dogs had discordant FDPs and D-dimer assay results. Ten of these dogs had concurrent hypofibrinogenemia, 2 of which had clinical signs of bleeding. Only 10 dogs in groups 2 or 3 had discordant FDPs and D-dimer assay results; none of these dogs had hypofibrinogenemia or clinical signs of bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Dogs with right-sided CHF and ascites may be at increased risk for primary hyperfibrinogenolysis (ie, hypofibrinogenemia and discordant FDPs and D-dimer assay results).

A comparison of once and twice daily administration of trilostane to dogs with hyperadrenocorticism

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study describes the use of trilostane given once versus twice daily in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (SID vs. BID-group) in separate clinical trials.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The groups were compared over a six month period using laboratory findings, dose required to suppress post-ACTH cortisol, and clinical scores from owner and clinician questionnaires.

RESULTS

Ninety-three dogs enrolled the trials but for analysis of the final visit results only 56 dogs filled the inclusion criteria: 30 dogs in the SID-group and 26 dogs in the BID-group. Both treatment groups showed an improvement in clinical scores with time and no significant difference between them. In the BID-group post-ACTH cortisol concentrations went below 250 nmol/l sooner and in a higher proportion of dogs than in the SID-group. Twice-daily administration of trilostane also achieved a faster and more effective control for comparable daily doses. A higher individual tolerability (based on clinical scores) was found in the SID-group but there were no supporting laboratory findings. No dogs developed serious side-effects.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals only small practical differences between once and twice daily trilostane administrations in treating hyperadrenocorticism. And the overall benefits of twice daily dosing have to be considered against the effect on the owners and their compliance with treatment.

ANTS’ ROLE (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE) AS POTENTIAL VECTORS OF MYCOBACTERIA DISPERSION

ABSTRACT Ants are found worldwide playing an important environmental role. Some species are considered as agricultural pests and potential risk to human life and public health acting as pathogens carriers. Ants as Paratrechina longicornis and Camponotus spp. have been found inside hospitals. The aim of this study was the research of mycobacteria in 138 samples of ants (137 Paratrechina longicornis and only one Camponotus spp.) which got into the laboratories of tuberculosis diagnosis. These ants were suspended in sterile saline solution and inoculated into Petragnani and Stonebrink media, incubated at 37° C until 90 days and the isolates were identified as environmental mycobacteria (1 Mycobacterium fortuitum peregrinum, 1 Mycobacterium smegmatis) and 1 Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. These results showed that ants should also act as mechanical vectors of mycobacteria dissemination in risk environments, reinforcing their significance in public health.

[Electron canon computed tomography. Technique and clinical applications in cardiac imaging]

Electron Beam CT (EBCT) was initially devoted to both dynamic and morphological cardiac studies. ECG gated slices acquired in 100 milliseconds produce cardiac images without motion artefacts. Intracavitary tumors and thrombus are clearly detected and EBCT contributes to the stagging and follow-up of masses. Exploration of congenital abnormalities such as pulmonary atresia can be performed even in newborns. EBCT allows the diagnosis of tiny modifications of coronary arteries, endocardium or pericardium. EBCT offers a new modality of cardiac imaging which gives complementary informations to other modalities.

[Depression and anxiety in general practice and family medicine consultation]

The aim of this work was to study depression and anxiety in outpatients of Family Practice, namely: definition of cases, caseness, point-prevalence, clinical features, correlations with social demographic factors and identification of risk groups for those psychological disorders. Therapeutic attitudes displayed by family practitioners were also evaluated. The results of the study reveal a high prevalence of depression in family medicine settings and a relative tendency of family doctors to underdiagnose case of depression. Such an evidence allows the authors to conclude that steps should be taken in order to provide training programs for family practitioners and to plan appropriate treatment programmes at public Health Centres.

Experiência de integração docente assistencial na área de pediatria social desenvolvida em uma comunidade da periferia de São Paulo, abrangendo assistência, ensino e pesquisa

O trabalho consiste em uma experiência de integração docente assistencial abrangendo assistência, ensino e pesquisa. Vem sendo realizado desde 1974 pelo grupo de professoras de Enfermagem Pediátrica do Departamento de Enfermagem da Escola Paulista de Medicina. A filosofia adotada é a do Prof. Robert Debré (fundador do Centro Internacional da Infância), que compreende "uma técnica individualizada e uma atitude que acompanha o gesto preventivo e curativo, resultando na assistência integral da criança". A metodologia aplicada, inclui técnicas científico - pedagógicas e de intervenção comunitária. A evolução do trabalho tem demonstrado melhoria do nível de saúde e social da comunidade. Como campo de estágio, vem oferecendo às alunas, ao longo dos anos, oportunidade de participação na assistência integral à criança e à família na comunidade, de implantação de novas áreas de assistência, participação em programas educativos e de vigilância epidemiológica e nutricional. O nível de atendimento tem sido verificado através da realização de pesquisas. O trabalho vem preenchendo os objetivos da OMS - Organização Mundial da Saúde -"Saúde para todos no ano 2000".