Identification of a new polymorphism on the wild-type canine distemper virus genome: could this contribute to vaccine failures?

The canine distemper virus (CDV) is responsible for a multisystem infectious disease with high prevalence in dogs and wild carnivores and has vaccination as the main control measure. However, recent studies show an increase in cases including vaccinated dogs in different parts of the world. There are several reasons for vaccine failures, including differences between vaccine strains and wild-type strains. In this study, a phylogenetic analysis of CDV strains from samples of naturally infected, vaccinated, and symptomatic dogs in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil was performed with partial sequencing of the hemagglutinin (H) gene of CDV. Different sites of amino acid substitutions were found, and one strain had the Y549H mutation, typically present in samples from wild animals. Substitutions in epitopes (residues 367, 376, 379, 381, 386, and 388) that may interfere with the vaccine's ability to provide adequate protection against infection for CDV were observed. The identified strains were grouped in the South America 1/Europe lineage, with a significant difference from other lineages and vaccine strains. Twelve subgenotypes were characterized, considering a nucleotide identity of at least 98% among the strains. These findings highlight the relevance of canine distemper infection and support the need better monitoring of the circulating strains that contribute to elucidate if there is a need for vaccine update.

Hereditary myotonia in American Bulldog associated with a novel frameshift mutation in the CLCN1 gene

Hereditary myotonia (HM) is a genetic disorder that occurs due to mutations in the chloride channel and results in delayed relaxation of the skeletal muscles. HM has been described in 12 dog breeds, and in five of them, molecular studies of this disorder were performed and mutations in the CLCN1 gene were described. In this study, an affected American Bulldog with HM clinically characterized by muscle hypertrophy, myotonic discharges, and nondystrophic myotonia with a "warm-up" phenomenon was evaluated, and the candidate canine CLCN1 gene was sequenced. The molecular analysis revealed a frameshift mutation NM_001003124.2:c.436_437insCTCT that resulted in a frameshift and a premature stop codon NP_001003124.1:pTyr146SerfsTer49 . Two aberrant alternative CLCN1 transcripts were observed in an affected dog, the expected transcript with the 4 bp insertion, NM_001003124.2:r.436_437insctct, and an unexpected transcript containing parts of intron 6 in addition to the insertion in exon 4, NM_001003124.2:[r.436_437insctct;r.774_775ins79]. In conclusion, the frameshift mutation in the CLCN1 gene is associated with autosomal recessive HM in American Bulldog and this study constitutes the first description of the disease in this breed.

Identification and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella enterica isolated from live birds at commercial resellers

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the sanitary and management characteristics of live-bird resellers as well as identify and undertake an antigenic characterization of Salmonella enterica and its sensitivity to antimicrobials. Structured questionnaires were applied and 627 samples were collected from the cages, consisting 209 samples of excreta, 209 of feed and 209 drinker swabs. These were processed by conventional bacteriology. The obtained isolates were subjected to the susceptibility test and to 12 antimicrobial tests by the disk diffusion method. Of the studied resellers, 91.7% house Gallus gallus domesticus, together with other animal species; sell birds with little zoosanitary documentation; have unsatisfactory active surveillance; and use and sell antimicrobials indiscriminately. The presence of Salmonella enterica was detected in 1.4% (9/627) of the samples analyzed in the cages, with 1.9% (4/209) found in excreta, 0.95% (2/209) in feed and in 1.4% (3/209) in drinker swabs. These were characterized antigenically as Salmonella Heidelberg, Gallinarum, Risen, Ndolo, Saint Paul, Mbandaka and subsp enterica O:6,7. When susceptibility to antimicrobials was determined, 44.4% resistance (4/9) was detected for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 33.3% (3/9) for enrofloxacin, 22.2% (2/9) for ciprofloxacin, ceftiofur and amoxicillin and 11.1% (1/9) for tetracycline and fosfomycin. Salmonella Heidelberg, as well as serovars Gallinarum, Risen, Saint Paul and Mbandaka, showed resistance to at least one of the tested antimicrobials. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and enrofloxacin were the antimicrobials that showed the least efficacy. Serovars such as Heidelberg, Gallinarum and Mbandaka have multiresistance to antimicrobials commonly used in human and veterinary medicine, implying potential risks to One Health.

Intracameral tenecteplase during phacoemulsification in rabbits: clinical assessment of the anterior segment and biochemical analysis of the aqueous humor

Abstract To evaluate the use of tenecteplase in transoperative phacoemulsification in healthy rabbits, the study was carried out with fifteen New Zealand rabbits, divided into three groups: control group (CG), untreated group (UG) and treated group (TG). UG and TG were operated by phacoemulsification and TG received 50 µg / 0.3 mL of intracameral tenecteplase. The postoperative evaluations were 24 h, 72 h, 7 days, 15 days and 21 days. In TP21 the animals were submitted to euthanasia and aqueous humor samples were collected. No significant differences were observed in the clinical evaluations between CG and TG in relation to incidence rates of intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal edema, fibrin deposits, hyphema, aqueous flare and synechia. In the physicochemical evaluation of the aqueous humor, there were no significant differences between the three groups in relation to pH values and concentrations of chloride ions. The aqueous humor density values were statistically different between CG and the other groups. In the histological evaluation, there were no significant differences between the groups. The use of tenecteplase in transoperative phacoemulsification in rabbits did not present significant differences in terms of clinical, physicochemical and histological parameters.

Assessment of serum enzymatic markers of cardiomyocytes injury in female dogs submitted to ketamine S(+), atropin and xylazine association

PURPOSE

To assessment of the aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase isoenzyme fraction MB (CK-MB) serum activity in female dogs anesthetized with ketamine S (+), atropine and xylazine in several associations.

METHODS

Twenty three healthy female dogs randomly distributed in four groups named as GI (n=6), GII (n=6), GIII (n=6) and GIV (n=5) were treated respectively with atropine and ketamine S(+) (0.04 mg/kg; 10 mg/kg); ketamine S(+) (10 mg/kg); atropine, xylazine and ketamine S(+) (0.04 mg/kg; 1.1 mg/kg; 10 mg/kg) and xylazine and ketamine S(+) (1.1 mg/kg; 10 mg/kg). AST, CK and CK-MB serum activity measurement before pre-medication (M0) and one, two, three, six, 12, 24, 36 hours after.

RESULTS

There was no significant change in AST, CK e CK-MB serum activity among groups. However, CK serum activity in relation to moments within the groups was increased in all groups over the time in spite of treatment, except GI. In relation to CK-MB activity, in the moments within the group, it was observed an increase compared to baseline in all groups.

CONCLUSION

Creatine kinase and creatine kinase fraction MB isoenzyme showed changes in their mean values remained higher than baseline for a longer time in GIII and GIV.

Pododermatite séptica em bovinos: evolução clínica da fase inicial

Esse estudo objetivou caracterizar clinicamente a fase inicial da pododermatite séptica em bovinos. Foram utilizadas 30 fêmeas bovinas, Girolando, de propriedades rurais do Estado de Goiás, submetidas às mesmas condições de manejo. Após o diagnóstico, foram submetidas a exame clínico específico dos dígitos, diariamente, por um período de quinze dias. Considerou-se o término da fase inicial a presença de fístula no espaço interdigital ou quando se completava o período de observação. Foram identificados o tipo de solo e o período do ano (chuvoso e seco). Durante a evolução da doença, o edema e a sensibilidade intensificaram de forma progressiva. Em 73,33% dos casos, a enfermidade ocorreu no membro pélvico. Em 50,00% observou-se edema moderado e 26,67%, edema acentuado, considerando ambos os membros. A fistulação ocorreu em 83,33% animais doentes até o sexto dia, em 10% entre o sétimo e o décimo primeiro dia e em 6,67% não ocorreu. As áreas de fistulação ocorreram no ponto médio do espaço interdigital em 63,33%; na região dorsal do espaço interdigital em 16,67% e no cório-coronário da região abaxial do estojo córneo em 10,00% e na porção palmar/plantar entre os talões em 3,33% dos casos. A pododermatite séptica apresentou os mesmos sinais clínicos nas propriedades avaliadas e nos diferentes períodos do ano, variando apenas o tempo e o local de fistulação. O tempo médio transcorrido entre o diagnóstico e o a fistulação foi de cinco dias, sendo que o local de maior ocorrência foi o ponto médio do espaço interdigital.

CYR61, a cellular proliferation marker in dogs with prostatic disease

The life expectancy of dogs is increasing and is associated with a greater frequency of age-related disease, including that of the prostate gland. A marker of cell proliferation, CYR61, may be detected in a number of conditions in humans, including hyperplasia and neoplasia. The objective of the present study was to investigate the degree of CYR61 expression in a number of different prostate diseases in dogs in order to understand the potential of this marker for diagnosis of prostatic disease. Immunohistochemistry with a CYR61 antibody was performed on prostatic tissue from 22 dogs with different diseases. Intense stromal staining was observed in cases of prostatic dysplasia and benign prostate hyperplasia. In contrast, CYR61 staining was very intense in alveolar epithelial cells in cases of epithelial benign prostate hyperplasia and one case of adenocarcinoma. An obvious CYR61 staining pattern was absent in cases of prostatitis. In conclusion, CYR61 may be a useful marker of cell proliferation in a number of prostatic pathologies, although further studies of normal tissue are warranted.

Reconstrução uretral com retalho autógeno de mucosa bucal após uretrostomia, em cães

OBJETIVO: Verificar se fragmentos de mucosa bucal autógena poderiam ser adequados para reconstrução uretral na presença de tecido fibroso, e se tal procedimento poderia determinar a formação de fístulas e ou saculações nos sítios implantares. MÉTODOS: Sete cães adultos foram submetidos à uretrostomia pré-escrotal. Após 40 dias, a uretrostomia foi corrigida por meio da implantação de fragmentos de mucosa bucal na parede ventral da uretra. Os animais foram observados durante 40 dias, quando então, foram submetidos a exames radiográficos e sacrificados para estudo histológico. RESULTADOS: Todos os animais apresentaram cistite e fístulas uretro-cutâneas de duração média de vinte dias foram observadas em seis deles. O aspecto radiográfico aos 40 dias após a reconstrução uretral mostrou: continuidade luminal em sete animais e presença de saculações na parede ventral da uretra em seis, sem interferência na qualidade do jato urinário. As características histológicas indicam integração completa da mucosa bucal ao sítio receptor. CONCLUSÃO: O implante em retalho ventral, com fragmentos de mucosa bucal autógena é adequado para correção de defeito uretral produzido por uretrostomia no cão embora possa ocorrer a formação de saculações no sítio do selamento.