Small intestinal intussusception in five dogs with acute renal failure and suspected leptospirosis (L. australis)

Objectives – This case series describes 5 dogs with small intestinal intussusception and acute kidney injury due to infection with Leptospira interrogans serovar Australis.
Case Series Summary – Small intestinal intussusception was observed in 4 dogs diagnosed with acute kidney injury due to leptospirosis presented between 1997 and 2005. Intussusception was diagnosed at initial presentation or later during hospitalization. An additional dog fulfilling our inclusion criteria was presented to a small animal specialty clinic nearby and was included. Upon admission, all dogs were severely azotemic and thrombocytopenic. All 5 dogs showed the strongest microscopic agglutination test serology reaction to L. interrogans serovar Australis. Two dogs survived with no apparent residual renal damage, 1 survived with subsequent mild chronic kidney disease, and 2 dogs were euthanized at the owners' request due to a guarded prognosis.
New or Unique Information Provided – Intussusception can occur or may be seen in dogs with leptospirosis due to L. interrogans serovar Australis and patients should be monitored closely for this potential complication. As all 5 dogs described in this case series showed the highest titer for L. interrogans serovar Australis, these precautions may be especially applied in geographic areas where this particular serovar is seen.     

Microbiological and serological study of leptospirosis in horses at slaughter: first isolations

A bacteriological survey of kidneys from 145 abattoir horses was performed, which resulted in the isolation of two Leptospira strains. The isolates were serologically typed as belonging to serogroups Australis and Pomona, and REA identified them as L. interrogans serovar Bratislava and L. kirschneri serovar Tsaratsovo, respectively. These are the first Leptospira isolates obtained from horses in Portugal and the Bratislava strain is the first serogroup Australis strain to be isolated in this country. The 145 horses were also serologically tested for leptospiral antibodies, and 37% had MAT titres #10878;1:10.     

Use of C-reactive protein to predict outcome in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis

Background – There is a high mortality rate in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis. Therefore, an early diagnosis and prognostic assessment is important for optimal therapeutic intervention. The objective of the study was to evaluate if baseline values and changes in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) might predict survival in dogs with SIRS and sepsis.
Design – Prospective study; July 2004 to July 2005.
Setting – Small Animal Clinic, Berlin, Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Munich.
Animals – Sixty-one dogs.
Measurements and Main Results – For the CRP analysis blood was drawn on day 0, 1, and 2; CRP was measured using a commercial ELISA test kit. Thirteen dogs suffered from nonseptic SIRS and 48 dogs from sepsis. The 14-day survival rate was 61% (69% nonseptic SIRS, 58% sepsis). Serum CRP was higher in sick dogs compared with controls ( P <0.001). Over the 3-day period surviving dogs ( n =31) displayed a significantly greater decrease in CRP than nonsurvivors ( n =10) ( P =0.001). No correlation was found between the initial CRP concentrations and the survival rate. The changes in CRP corresponded to the survival rate ( P =0.01).
Conclusion – There was no significant relationship between the survival rate in dogs with nonseptic SIRS or sepsis and the initial serum CRP concentrations. There was a correlation between decreasing CRP concentrations and recovery from disease. However, the changes in CRP concentrations over a 3-day period correctly predicted survival in 94% of dogs and death in 30% of the dogs (false positive rate 22%).     

Influence of infecting serogroup on clinical features of leptospirosis in dogs

The purpose of this study was to review recent cases of leptospirosis seen at referral centers in New York State and to identify differences in clinical or clinicopathologic aspects of the disease among different suspected infecting serogroups. Medical records at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals and the Animal Medical Center in New York City were reviewed to identify dogs diagnosed with leptospirosis from September 1996 to August 2002. Records of 55 dogs met the inclusion criteria for the study. The suspected infecting serogroups included 21 occurrences of Grippotyphosa, 12 of Pomona, 6 of Autumnalis, 5 of Bratislava, 2 of Hardjo, and 1 of Canicola. Five dogs had equal titers to serogroups Grippotyphosa and Pomona, and 3 had equal titers to 2 other serogroups. Common clinical signs included lethargy, anorexia, and vomiting. Common clinicopathologic findings included anemia, thrombocytopenia, azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, high liver enzyme activity, and hyperbilirubinemia. Forty-three of 55 dogs were discharged from the hospital. Serogroup-specific analysis indicated that dogs with suspected serogroup Pomona infection were more likely to suffer from vomiting (P = .01), thrombocytopenia (P = .009), severe azotemia (P = .04), and hyperphosphatemia (P = .006) than dogs with other serogroups and were less likely to be discharged alive from the hospital (P = .03). This study suggests that only minor clinically relevant differences exist among serogroups. Leptospira serogroup Pomona caused more severe renal disease and was associated with a worse outcome compared with disease caused by other serogroups.     

C-reactive protein in dogs

Serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) in dogs with various diseases or undergoing various procedures were measured by specific immunoassay. In 20 healthy dogs from various sources, values were all less than 5 mg/L, but in 22 healthy dogs from a single source, values ranged from less than 5 mg/L in 14 dogs and from 8 to 67 mg/L in 8 dogs. Increased concentrations of serum CRP were attained 24 hours after injection of casein (n = 9; median 188 mg/L), ovariohysterectomy (n = 11; median, 144 mg/L), or elective, nonacute orthopedic surgery (n = 10; median, 83 mg/L). After inoculation of Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola (n = 5), the behavior of serum CRP as an acute-phase reactant provided a sensitive and precise objective reflection of in vivo response. The CRP concentration in random single-serum samples from 73 dogs with other inflammatory and noninflammatory disorders ranged from normal (less than 5 mg/L) to 246 mg/L and generally correlated with the extent and activity of disease.     

Serum and vitreous humor antibody titers in and isolation of Leptospira interrogans from horses with recurrent uveitis

OBJECTIVE: To measure antibody titers against Leptospira interrogans in serum and vitreous humor and determine the prevalence of L interrogans in vitreous humor of horses with recurrent uveitis. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 242 horses (270 eyes) with recurrent uveitis undergoing vitrectomy and 39 control horses (54 eyes) without any history or clinical signs of recurrent uveitis undergoing euthanasia or enucleation for unrelated reasons. PROCEDURE: Serum and vitreous humor were tested for antibodies against 13 serovars of L interrogans. Vitreous humor was submitted for leptospiral culture; isolates were typed to the serogroup level. RESULTS: Leptospira interrogans was isolated from vitreous humor from 120/229 (52%) horses (126/252 [50%] eyes) with recurrent uveitis but was not isolated from vitreous humor from 36 eyes of 21 control horses. Duration of recurrent uveitis was > or = 1 year for 45 of the 120 (38%) horses from which the organism was isolated. Geometric mean antibody titers against L interrogans in the vitreous humor and serum of horses with recurrent uveitis were 1:1,332 and 1:186, respectively. Only 91 of 120 (76%) horses from which the organism was isolated had a 4-fold or greater difference between serum and vitreous humor antibody titers. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that persistent ocular infection with L interrogans is common in horses with recurrent uveitis. A 4-fold increase in vitreous humor versus serum antibody titers may not be a sensitive test for the diagnosis of L interrogans-induced recurrent uveitis. We hypothesize that the immune component of recurrent uveitis can be directly induced and maintained by persistent infection of the eye with L interrogans.     

An old disease with a new face: canine leptospirosis does not lose its relevance

The clinical features of the disease are presented based on retrospective analysis of the records of eleven dogs diagnosed with leptospirosis using clinical signs and results of the microagglutination test (MAT) between 1991 and 1996. Additionally, Leptospira titres were determined in 30 healthy dogs and 20 hospitalised dogs without clinical or laboratory evidence of leptospirosis. A positive titre for L. grippotyphosa, L. pomona, L. bratislava, L. australis, L. icterohaemorrhagiae and/or L. canicola was found in 16 normal dogs and only one hospitalised patient. Eight of these dogs had titres of > or = 1:800. Only one of them had been vaccinated shortly before sampling. These results suggest that many dogs from the surroundings of Bern, Switzerland have contact with various Leptospira interrogans serovars. In ten healthy dogs, the Leptospira titre was determined before and four weeks after vaccination with leptospiral antigen. Only two of the dogs showed a serologically measurable response to the antigen contained in the vaccine. In dogs MAT titers presumably do not reliably reflect the immune status against leptospiral infections.     

Seroprevalence of leptospirosis in domesticated Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in north and west Thailand in 2004

Serum samples from Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in the Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai and Lampang provinces of Thailand were tested using the microscopic agglutination test against 22 serovars of Leptospira interrogans. A titre of more than 1:100 was used as evidence of infection. In northern Thailand, the seroprevalence was 58 per cent and the prevalent serovars were Leptospira interrogans serovar Sejroe, Leptospira interrogans serovar Tarassovi, Leptospira interrogans serovar Ranarum and Leptospira interrogans serovar Shermani. In western Thailand, the seroprevalence was 57 per cent and the prevalent serovars were L Tarassovi, L Sejroe, L Ranarum, Leptospira interrogans serovar Bataviae and L Shermani. These results were similar to studies in domestic livestock and stray dogs in the Bangkok district. Among the elephants from Kanchanaburi there were significant associations between seropositivity and between the camp and between the prevalent serovars and the camp.     

Association of canine obesity with reduced serum levels of C-reactive protein.

The prevalence of obesity is increasing in dogs as well as in humans. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an important tool for the detection of inflammation and/or early tissue damage and is linked to obesity in humans. The objective of the present study was to determine if serum CRP levels are altered in obese dogs. Fifteen lean (control group) and 16 overweight (obese group) dogs were examined. Blood samples were collected under fasted conditions for serum determination of CRP, glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, and fructosamine. Results indicated that obese dogs were insulin resistant because serum insulin and insulin/glucose ratios were higher than in lean dogs (P < or = 0.05). Serum CRP concentrations were lower in obese dogs than in controls (P < or = 0.001). C-reactive protein was negatively correlated with insulin/glucose ratio (R = -0.42) and cholesterol (R = -0.39; P < or = 0.05). Furthermore, levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and fructosamine were increased in the obese group compared with the control group. Based on these results, it can be postulated that CRP production is inhibited by obesity and insulin resistance in dogs.     

Clinical Leptospira interrogans serogroup Australis serovar lora infection in a stud farm in The Netherlands

A Leptospira interrogans serogroup australis serovar lora infection in a stud farm is reported. During three successive years (1984-1986) clinical leptospirosis with a severe often rapid, fatal course was seen in 12 foals. Clinical examination revealed severe respiratory distress, depression and pyrexia. Other symptoms were diarrhea (2), jaundice (1), and an unsteady gait (1). Morphological characteristics of the disease were massive pulmonary haemorrhage and haemorrhagic-thrombotic or extracapillary glomerulonephritis with tubulonephrosis and interstitial oedema. In most foals high or increasing MAT titres to serovar bratislava were found; from one foal Leptospira interrogans serovar lora was isolated. Serological examination of all 56 mares at the farm (August 1986) revealed antibodies to serovar bratislava in 64 per cent of the animals. These findings support the idea that Leptospira interrogans serovar bratislava and closely related strains (in this study serovar lora) may be adapted to and maintained by the horse population.     

The role of the common vole (Microtus arvalis) in the epidemiology of bovine infection with Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo

Control of leptospirosis in cattle depends on the presence of other possible maintenance hosts, with which cattle may have contact. Twenty-seven common voles (Microtus arvalis) were trapped on a dairy farm where the cattle were infected with Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo (hardjo). In the sera of 11 voles, titres greater than or equal to 100 against serogroup Grippotyphosa were measured with the microscopical agglutination test (MAT). From 8 of these 11 voles, which also showed interstitial lymphoplasmacellular nephritis, Leptospira interrogans serovar grippotyphosa was isolated. We found no evidence that the common vole is a maintenance host for hardjo in this biotope.     

Comparison of the efficacy of three commercial bacterins in preventing canine leptospirosis

Twenty-four specific pathogen-free beagles were randomly allocated into four groups (three vaccinated groups and one control group) and inoculated at nine and 12 weeks of age with one of three commercial inactivated Leptospira vaccines: A (Vanguard 7; Pfizer Santé Animale), B (Dohyvac 7L; Fort Dodge), and C (Nobivac DHPPi + Lepto; Intervet International); the control group received Nobivac DHPPi (Intervet International). Seven weeks after the second vaccination all the dogs were challenged with Leptospira interrogans serogroup canicola. All the vaccinated dogs developed a mild serological response (microscopic agglutination titres) after the booster vaccination. A significant serological response after the challenge was observed, particularly in the controls. The challenge induced fever and clinical disorders in the control group, whereas in the vaccinated groups the clinical signs were mild. Blood cultures became positive in all control dogs, and in one of six dogs vaccinated with vaccine A and two of four dogs vaccinated with vaccine B; none of the six dogs vaccinated with vaccine C was leptospiraemic at any stage of the experiment. Urine cultures were positive in all the control dogs two weeks after the challenge. One of six dogs vaccinated with vaccine A and two of four dogs vaccinated with vaccine B shed bacteria in their urine after the challenge, but none of the dogs vaccinated with vaccine C shed bacteria in their urine at any time during the experiment.     

Thromboelastographic evaluation of hemostatic function in dogs with disseminated intravascular coagulation

BACKGROUND: There is considerable variation in the coagulation profile of dogs with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), making it difficult to assess overall hemostatic function. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the overall hemostatic state in dogs with DIC, by use of tissue factor-activated thromboelastography (TF-TEG), and to determine whether there is an association between hemostasis and outcome. ANIMALS: 50 dogs with DIC. METHODS: Dogs admitted to the intensive care units, with an underlying disease known to predispose to DIC, were prospectively assessed with TF-TEG. Citrated blood samples were collected daily during hospitalization and an extended coagulation panel and TF-TEG were performed. Diagnosis of DIC was based on expert opinion. RESULTS: Hemostatic dysfunction was observed on the TF-TEG profile in 33/50 of the dogs, of which 22/50 were hypercoagulable and 11/50 were hypocoagulable based on the TF-TEG G value alone. There were significant differences in k, alpha, and MA values (P < .0001) among hypo-, normo-, and hypercoagulable dogs. There was a significant difference in case fatality rate between hypo- (64%) and hypercoagulable (32%) dogs (relative risk = 2.38; P= .04). Dogs that died had significantly lower antithrombin activity (P= .03) and higher d-dimer concentration (P= .03) than survivors. CONCLUSIONS: The most common overall hemostatic abnormality in dogs diagnosed with DIC was hypercoagulability, and there was significant difference in survival between hyper- and hypocoagulable dogs. The results suggest TF-TEG is valuable in the assessment of hemostatic function in dogs diagnosed with DIC.     

Animal- and herd-level risk factors for leptospiral seropositivity among sows in the Mekong delta, Vietnam

In 1998, a total of 424 sows had sera collected in the Mekong delta in Vietnam. Of these, 283 sows were from 151 small-scale family farms in 19 villages, and 141 from seven large-scale state farms. The sera were subjected to the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for antibodies to 13 Leptospira serovars. The overall leptospiral seroprevalence for titres > or =1:100 and > or =1:400, was 73 and 29%, respectively, and was higher (P=0.001) at small- than at large-scale farms. The highest seroprevalence was recorded for Leptospira interrogans serovar (sv) bratislava (52%). At small-scale farms, higher prevalences were found to serovars L. interrogans sv icterohaemorrhagiae (P=0.04) and L. interrogans sv pomona (P=0.02).Epidemiological information (at the individual-animal and herd-levels) was collected with a questionnaire. The data were analysed using logistic multiple regression. At the animal-level, sows seropositive for L. interrogans sv australis and sv autumnalis had less direct contact with sows in neighbouring pens (odds ratio (OR)=0.3 and 0.4, respectively) and sows seronegative for L. interrogans sv bratislava were of lower age (OR=0.1 for seropositivity). Also, sows seropositive for L. interrogans sv icterohaemorrhagiae had higher odds (OR=5.8) if they had not been born on the farm (had been introduced to it as gilts).Herds seropositive for sv javanica showed association with farms not taking measures to control the local rodent population (OR=7.8). Serovar pomona was also linked to the use of artificial insemination (AI), as opposed to natural-breeding services (OR=11.2).These results indicate that housing and management could affect the seroprevalence of Leptospira infection in pigs.     

Experimental canine leptospirosis caused by Leptospira interrogans serovars pomona and bratislava

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate gross, histopathologic, and serum biochemical findings caused by Leptospira interrogans serovars pomona and bratislava inoculated in dogs. ANIMALS: Twenty-seven 8-week-old female Beagles. PROCEDURE: Dogs were randomly assigned to challenge or control groups. Challenge groups were conjunctivally inoculated on 3 successive days with 5 x 10(7) L interrogans serovar pomona (n = 12) or serovar bratislava (11). Clinical signs were recorded throughout the experiment, and clinical pathology assays, bacteriologic culture, and necropsies (6 or 7 dogs necropsied at each time point) were done on postinoculation day (PID) 7, 10, 14, and 20. RESULTS: Infection could not be confirmed in any serovar bratislava-inoculated dog, and control dogs remained healthy throughout the experiment. Positive culture and fluorescent antibody test results were confirmed in 11 of 12 serovar pomona-inoculated dogs. Fever and lethargy starting at PID 7 were the most common clinical signs in serovar pomona-infected dogs. On day 10, gross lesions included multifocal renal and pulmonary hemorrhage and perirenal edema. Serovar pomona-inoculated dogs had histopathologic lesions including hepatitis, interstitial nephritis, and pneumonia at PID 7, 10, 14, and 20. Increases in BUN, anion gap, and bilirubin concentration occurred on PID 10, 14, and 20. Platelet counts in dogs with positive results of bacteriologic culture were decreased from baseline values on PID 10, 12, and 14. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Conjunctival inoculation with L interrogans serovar pomona resulted in a high rate of infection with concomitant hemorrhagic and inflammatory lesions of the kidneys, liver, and lungs.     

Relationship among Plasma Amino Acids, C-Reactive Protein, Illness Severity, and Outcome in Critically Ill Dogs

Background: Alterations in circulating amino acids have been documented in animal models and in critically ill people but have not been evaluated in dogs with spontaneously occurring disease.
Hypothesis/Objectives: To compare amino acid concentrations in critically ill dogs and healthy controls and to investigate potential relationships among amino acids, markers of inflammation, illness severity, and clinical outcome.
Animals: Forty-eight critically ill dogs and 24 healthy control dogs.
Methods: Plasma was analyzed for amino acids and C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured in serum. The Fischer ratio (the molar ratio of branched chain amino acids [BCAA] to aromatic amino acids [AAA]) and survival prediction index (SPI2) were calculated.
Results: Median CRP concentrations were significantly higher in the critically ill dogs compared with controls ( P < .001). Critically ill dogs had significantly lower concentrations of alanine ( P = .001), arginine ( P < .001), citrulline ( P < .001), glycine ( P < .001), methionine ( P < .001), proline ( P < .001), and serine ( P = .001) but significantly higher concentrations of lysine ( P = .02) and phenylalanine ( P < .001; Table 1 ). This pattern resulted in a significantly lower Fischer ratio ( P = .001) in the critically ill group. Median SPI2 score was significantly higher in dogs that survived ( P = .03). Concentrations of arginine ( P = .02), isoleucine ( P = .01), leucine ( P = .04), serine ( P = .04), valine ( P = .04), total BCAA ( P = .03), and the Fischer ratio ( P = .03) were significantly higher in survivors compared with nonsurvivors.  

  Table 1.   Comparison between critically ill and healthy control dogs and among different subgroups of diseases within the critically ill group.     

18.

Serodiagnosis of canine leptospirosis by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay   总被引：3，自引：0，他引：3  

E G Hartman  M van Houten  J A van der Donk  J F Frik 《Veterinary immunology and immunopathology》1984,7(1):33-42

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies to Leptospira interrogans serotype canicola in dogs was developed and evaluated. Comparison of the ELISA with the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) showed that, during the first two weeks after an experimental infection with serotype canicola, the ELISA detected antibody at higher dilutions than the MAT. After the second week post-infection both tests detected antibody at almost equal titres (r = 0.89). The outer envelope (OE) antigen of serotypes icterohaemorrhagiae, copenhageni and canicola was fairly serotype-specific, whereas the pellet (P) antigen showed more cross-reactivity. Both OE and P antigen of Leptospira biflexa strain Patoc I could be used as cross-reacting antigen in the ELISA. Compared to the MAT, the ELISA has some technical advantages. It is suggested that the ELISA would be useful as a screening test.     

19.

Serologic responses of dogs given a commercial vaccine against Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona and Leptospira kirschneri serovar grippotyphosa     

Barr SC  McDonough PL  Scipioni-Ball RL  Starr JK 《American journal of veterinary research》2005,66(10):1780-1784

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum titers obtained by use of the microscopic agglutination test (ie, MAT titers) to Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona and autumnalis and Leptospira kirschneri serovar grippotyphosa in dogs given a commercial vaccine against serovars pomona and grippotyphosa. ANIMALS: Forty 12-week-old puppies and 20 mature Beagles. PROCEDURE: Puppies received a commercial vaccine against serovars pomona and grippotyphosa at 12 weeks of age, then received a booster vaccine and 3 weeks later; mature dogs received the vaccine once. Serum MAT titers to serovars pomona, autumnalis, and grippotyphosa were measured before vaccination and at 2, 4, 6, 10, and 16 weeks after the first or only vaccination. RESULTS: Of the 40 puppies vaccinated, 40, 0, and 40 developed MAT titers of > 100 after vaccination to serovars pomona, grippotyphosa, and autumnalis, respectively. Microscopic agglutination test titers to serovar autumnalis were higher than MAT titers to serovars pomona and grippotyphosa and persisted in some dogs for 16 weeks (6 weeks longer than for titers to serovar pomona). Of the 20 mature dogs, 13, 5, and 20 developed MAT titers of > 100 at 2 weeks to serovars pomona, grippotyphosa, and autumnalis, respectively. Titers to serovar pomona were higher and persisted in some dogs beyond 16 weeks after vaccination, compared with titers to serovars pomona and grippotyphosa, which persisted for 10 and 6 weeks, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Subunit vaccines against serovars pomona and grippotyphosa induce MAT titers not only to homologous antigens but also to serovar autumnalis, which could lead to a misdiagnosis of leptospirosis caused by serovar autumnalis.     

20.

High‐mobility group box 1 as a surrogate prognostic marker in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome     

Do‐Hyeon Yu PhD  DVM  Dong‐Ho Nho DVM  Ru‐Hui Song DVM  Sue‐Hee Kim PhD  DVM  Mi‐Jin Lee PhD  DVM  Jean A. Nemzek DVM  MS  DACVS  Jinho Park PhD  DVM 《Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care》2010,20(3):298-302

Objective – To evaluate various surrogate markers associated with the inflammatory and counter‐inflammatory responses with respect to mortality in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Design – Prospective observational study. Setting – Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Animals – Twenty‐eight dogs with naturally occurring diseases and SIRS from January 2007 to May 2009. Interventions – Upon admission to the veterinary hospital, history and baseline data from the physical examination, including parameters previously defined for meeting SIRS criteria, were documented. Heparinized blood samples were collected and plasma cytokines interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐10, and high‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) were measured by sandwich ELISA. Measurements and Main Results – In nonsurvivors, median plasma HMGB1 concentrations (0.718 μg/L, interquartile range [IQR]; 0.300–1.626 μg/L) and the ratio of HMGB1 to IL‐10 (2.236, IQR; 0.972–5.367) were significantly increased as compared with those found in survivors (0.300 μg/L, IQR; 0.300–0.312 μg/L for HMGB1; 1.017, IQR; 0.862–1.126 for the ratio of HMGB1 to IL‐10, P=0.007 and 0.024, respectively). Plasma IL‐6, IL‐10, and the ratio of IL‐6 to IL‐10 were not significantly different between groups. Among the parameters studied, HMGB1 and the ratio of HMGB1 to IL‐10 performed the best in discriminating outcome in dogs with SIRS according to receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. Conclusions – Increases in plasma HMGB1 concentration and the ratio of HMGB1 to IL‐10 may predict poorer outcomes in dogs with SIRS. The approach described may lead to reliable prognostic biomarkers and new therapeutic concepts in the study of SIRS in dogs.     

Serodiagnosis of canine leptospirosis by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies to Leptospira interrogans serotype canicola in dogs was developed and evaluated. Comparison of the ELISA with the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) showed that, during the first two weeks after an experimental infection with serotype canicola, the ELISA detected antibody at higher dilutions than the MAT. After the second week post-infection both tests detected antibody at almost equal titres (r = 0.89). The outer envelope (OE) antigen of serotypes icterohaemorrhagiae, copenhageni and canicola was fairly serotype-specific, whereas the pellet (P) antigen showed more cross-reactivity. Both OE and P antigen of Leptospira biflexa strain Patoc I could be used as cross-reacting antigen in the ELISA. Compared to the MAT, the ELISA has some technical advantages. It is suggested that the ELISA would be useful as a screening test.     

Serologic responses of dogs given a commercial vaccine against Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona and Leptospira kirschneri serovar grippotyphosa

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum titers obtained by use of the microscopic agglutination test (ie, MAT titers) to Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona and autumnalis and Leptospira kirschneri serovar grippotyphosa in dogs given a commercial vaccine against serovars pomona and grippotyphosa. ANIMALS: Forty 12-week-old puppies and 20 mature Beagles. PROCEDURE: Puppies received a commercial vaccine against serovars pomona and grippotyphosa at 12 weeks of age, then received a booster vaccine and 3 weeks later; mature dogs received the vaccine once. Serum MAT titers to serovars pomona, autumnalis, and grippotyphosa were measured before vaccination and at 2, 4, 6, 10, and 16 weeks after the first or only vaccination. RESULTS: Of the 40 puppies vaccinated, 40, 0, and 40 developed MAT titers of > 100 after vaccination to serovars pomona, grippotyphosa, and autumnalis, respectively. Microscopic agglutination test titers to serovar autumnalis were higher than MAT titers to serovars pomona and grippotyphosa and persisted in some dogs for 16 weeks (6 weeks longer than for titers to serovar pomona). Of the 20 mature dogs, 13, 5, and 20 developed MAT titers of > 100 at 2 weeks to serovars pomona, grippotyphosa, and autumnalis, respectively. Titers to serovar pomona were higher and persisted in some dogs beyond 16 weeks after vaccination, compared with titers to serovars pomona and grippotyphosa, which persisted for 10 and 6 weeks, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Subunit vaccines against serovars pomona and grippotyphosa induce MAT titers not only to homologous antigens but also to serovar autumnalis, which could lead to a misdiagnosis of leptospirosis caused by serovar autumnalis.     

High‐mobility group box 1 as a surrogate prognostic marker in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome

Objective – To evaluate various surrogate markers associated with the inflammatory and counter‐inflammatory responses with respect to mortality in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Design – Prospective observational study. Setting – Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Animals – Twenty‐eight dogs with naturally occurring diseases and SIRS from January 2007 to May 2009. Interventions – Upon admission to the veterinary hospital, history and baseline data from the physical examination, including parameters previously defined for meeting SIRS criteria, were documented. Heparinized blood samples were collected and plasma cytokines interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐10, and high‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) were measured by sandwich ELISA. Measurements and Main Results – In nonsurvivors, median plasma HMGB1 concentrations (0.718 μg/L, interquartile range [IQR]; 0.300–1.626 μg/L) and the ratio of HMGB1 to IL‐10 (2.236, IQR; 0.972–5.367) were significantly increased as compared with those found in survivors (0.300 μg/L, IQR; 0.300–0.312 μg/L for HMGB1; 1.017, IQR; 0.862–1.126 for the ratio of HMGB1 to IL‐10, P=0.007 and 0.024, respectively). Plasma IL‐6, IL‐10, and the ratio of IL‐6 to IL‐10 were not significantly different between groups. Among the parameters studied, HMGB1 and the ratio of HMGB1 to IL‐10 performed the best in discriminating outcome in dogs with SIRS according to receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. Conclusions – Increases in plasma HMGB1 concentration and the ratio of HMGB1 to IL‐10 may predict poorer outcomes in dogs with SIRS. The approach described may lead to reliable prognostic biomarkers and new therapeutic concepts in the study of SIRS in dogs.