Influence of age and vaccination interval on canine parvovirus, distemper virus, and adenovirus serum antibody titers

Canine core vaccine titer screenings are becoming increasingly popular in veterinary practice as a tool to guide vaccination decisions, despite a lack of supportive, peer-reviewed evidence-based literature. Additionally, it has been suggested that the canine core vaccine duration of host protective immunity can persist past the currently recommended vaccination interval. Thus, this study evaluated serum antibody titers against three core antigens in dogs with known vaccination histories and lifestyles, analyzing the effect of life stage, exposure risk, and time since last vaccination (TSLV). Clinically healthy dogs (n = 188) presenting to the primary care services of three colleges of veterinary medicine were selected to represent a variety of ages, breeds, and vaccination history. Serum antibody titers for canine parvovirus (CPV), canine distemper virus (CDV), and canine adenovirus-2 (CAV2) were measured via virus neutralization and hemagglutination inhibition. CAV2 and CPV titers decreased, while CDV titers had a decreasing trend with increasing time since last vaccination or vaccination interval. When assessing circulating antibody levels historially associated with protective immunity across various vaccination intervals, 62% (95%CI 36-82%; 8/13) of dogs had positive titers for CDV 5 years post last vaccination, while 92% (95%CI 67-99%; 12/13) of dogs were positive for CAV2 and CPV. Both advanced age and life stage were associated with lower titers and thus, identify a canine population cohort likely at higher disease risk. The results of this study revealed that patient duration of core vaccine-mediated immunity changes with a number of variables, with animal aging and time since vaccination influencing host humoral immunity. This provides further support for the performance of canine core antibody titers to assess whether a vaccine booster and/or specific type of booster is warranted.

Cross-sectional characterization of renal function in cats with caudal stomatitis

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to compare renal functional biomarkers in cats and in caudal stomatitis (CS) and in age-matched control cats.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, case-control study was conducted on 44 client-owned cats with CS that were prospectively enrolled and evaluated for a Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment at one of four institutions. Renal function was assessed with measurement of serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, serum symmetric dimethylarginine, urinalysis, urine protein:creatinine ratio and urine protein electrophoresis. Affected gingiva was biopsied to confirm the diagnosis of stomatitis. Renal biochemical analyses from the experimental group were compared with those of 44 age-matched controls without CS enrolled prospectively or retrospectively after presenting to the primary institution for routine healthcare. Control cats were included if they were clinically stable, their chronic illnesses were well managed and minimal dental disease was present on examination. Renal biomarkers were compared between groups using a t-test or the Mann-Whitney U-test. Frequency of azotemia, proteinuria and the clinical diagnosis of renal disease were compared using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Relative to the control group, cats in the CS group had significantly lower serum creatinine (P <0.001) and albumin concentrations (P <0.001), urine specific gravity (P = 0.024) and hematocrit (P = 0.003), and higher serum phosphorus (P <0.001), potassium (P <0.001) and globulin concentrations (P <0.001), white blood cell count (P <0.001) and urine protein:creatinine ratio (P = 0.009). There were no significant differences in serum symmetric dimethylarginine or urea nitrogen concentrations. No clinically significant findings were noted on urine protein electrophoresis. There were no significant differences in the frequency of azotemia, proteinuria or renal disease categories between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The present study does not demonstrate a significant difference in the frequency of kidney disease between cats with and without CS. Longitudinal evaluation is warranted to investigate the relationship between renal disease and CS.

Perioperative analgesia associated with oral administration of a novel methadone-fluconazole-naltrexone formulation in dogs undergoing routine ovariohysterectomy

OBJECTIVE

To determine perioperative analgesia associated with oral administration of a novel methadone-fluconazole-naltrexone formulation in dogs undergoing routine ovariohysterectomy.

ANIMALS

43 healthy female dogs.

PROCEDURES

Dogs were randomly assigned to receive the methadone-fluconazole-naltrexone formulation at 1 of 2 dosages (0.5 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg, and 0.125 mg/kg, respectively, or 1.0 mg/kg, 5.0 mg/kg, and 0.25 mg/kg, respectively, PO, q 12 h, starting the evening before surgery; n = 15 each) or methadone alone (0.5 mg/kg, SC, q 4 h starting the morning of surgery; 13). Dogs were sedated with acepromazine, and anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. A standard ovariohysterectomy was performed by experienced surgeons. Sedation and pain severity (determined with the Glasgow Composite Pain Scale-short form [GCPS-SF]) were scored for 48 hours after surgery. Rescue analgesia was to be provided if the GCPS-SF score was > 6. Dogs also received carprofen starting the day after surgery.

RESULTS

None of the dogs required rescue analgesia. The highest recorded GCPS-SF score was 4. A significant difference in GCPS-SF score among groups was identified at 6:30 am the day after surgery, but not at any other time. The most common adverse effect was perioperative vomiting, which occurred in 11 of the 43 dogs.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Oral administration of a methadone-fluconazole-naltrexone formulation at either of 2 dosages every 12 hours (3 total doses) was as effective as SC administration of methadone alone every 4 hours (4 total doses) in dogs undergoing routine ovariohysterectomy. Incorporation of naltrexone in the novel formulation may provide a deterrent to human opioid abuse or misuse.

[Group B streptococcal infections in adults, excluding genital infections]

Group B streptococcus (GBS) or Streptococcus agalactiae is recognized as a mayor cause of neonatal meningitis, sepsis and infections during pregnancy. However, in recent years there have been several reports concerning GBS infections in non pregnant adult population, specially in immunocompromised hosts and in patients with severe underlying diseases such as diabetes mellitus and cancer. We report a series of 45 cases which occurred in nonpregnant adult population during a period of two years. The average age was 50.8 years and most patients (38/44) had one or more risk factors: diabetes mellitus was the most significant underlying disease. The most frequent infection localization was skin and soft tissues followed by urinary tract infection. Several isolated cases of pneumonia, bacteremia, endocarditis, endometritis and peritonitis were observed. GBS infections should no longer be exclusively considered as perinatal and peripartum events. New clinical presentations are arising in non pregnant adult population with special incidence in immunocompromised hosts. We are obliged to keep this in mind and remember that SGB may be a possible etiologic agent for infections, particularly in skin and soft tissues of diabetic patients.

Immunochemical and biological characterization of three capsular polysaccharides from a single Bacteroides fragilis strain

Although Bacteroides fragilis accounts for only 0.5% of the normal human colonic flora, it is the anaerobic species most frequently isolated from intra-abdominal and other infections with an intestinal source. The capsular polysaccharides of B. fragilis are part of a complex of surface polysaccharides and are the organism's most important virulence factors in the formation of intra-abdominal abscesses. Two capsular polysaccharides from strain NCTC 9343, PS A1 and PS B1, have been characterized structurally. Their most striking feature is a zwitterionic charge motif consisting of both positively and negatively charged substituent groups on each repeating unit. This zwitterionic motif is essential for abscess formation. In this study, we sought to elucidate structural features of the capsular polysaccharide complex of a commonly studied B. fragilis strain, 638R, that is distinct from strain 9343. We sought a more general picture of the species to establish basic structure-activity and structure-biosynthesis relationships among abscess-inducing polysaccharides. Strain 638R was found to have a capsular polysaccharide complex from which three distinct carbohydrates could be isolated by a complex purification procedure. Compositional and immunochemical studies demonstrated a zwitterionic charge motif common to all of the capsular polysaccharides that correlated with their ability to induce experimental intra-abdominal abscesses. Of interest is the range of net charges of the isolated polysaccharides-from positive (PS C2) to balanced (PS A2) to negative (PS 3). Relationships among structural components of the zwitterionic polysaccharides and their molecular biosynthesis loci were identified.