The effect of a topical antioxidant formulation including N-acetyl carnosine on canine cataract: a preliminary study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of a topical antioxidant formulation including N-acetyl carnosine in the treatment of canine cataract in a preliminary nonplacebo, controlled, unmasked study. ANIMALS STUDIED: Thirty dogs of varying breeds and ages with a spectrum of lens opacities ranging from nuclear sclerosis to total mature cataract. METHODS: Dogs were treated three times daily with topical 2% N-acetyl carnosine in a buffered vehicle containing the antioxidants glutathione, cysteine ascorbate, L-taurine and riboflavin (Ocluvet, Practivet, Phoenix, AZ, USA). Dogs were examined prior to treatment and at 2, 4 and 8 weeks during treatment, by direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy and slit-lamp biomicroscopy after pharmacologic pupil dilation. Photographic documentation of lens opacity was achieved by retroillumination photography, with three photographs taken at each examination time-point. A lens opacification index (LOI), determined by integration of the grayscale level of each pixel across the image, was evaluated by computerized image analysis of digitized images. Alteration in mean LOI was determined for each animal, having normalized the initial LOI. RESULTS: Fifty-eight eyes of 30 dogs were evaluated, 22 with mature cataract, 13 with immature cataract, 9 with cataract associated with other intraocular disease such as uveitis and 14 with nuclear sclerosis alone. One dog was unilaterally anophthalmic after previous enucleation and one had a phthytic eye after previous uveitis-induced glaucoma. Image analysis showed a reduction in mean LOI in all cataract groups (mean resolution in opacity of 2.3 +/- 0.33% for all cataracts), although this was only statistically significant in those eyes with immature cataract (mean resolution of opacity 4.5 +/- 0.33%) or nuclear sclerosis (mean decrease in opacity 5 +/- 0.37%). Reduction in lens opacity was seen in eyes with mature cataract (0.5 +/- 0.4%) and in miscellaneous cataract associated with intraocular inflammation (1.3 +/- 0.4%), but these changes were not statistically significant. Owner evaluation of visual capability, however, suggested improvement in vision in 80% of cases by the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates some marginal reduction in lens opacification in a substantial number of cases of canine cataract with the use of a topical nutritional antioxidant formulation including N-acetyl carnosine. Lens opacification was improved with treatment in eyes with immature cataract or nuclear sclerosis while in eyes with mature cataract or cataract with associated intraocular inflammatory pathology less reduction was seen.     

The immunomodulatory effects of levamisole on the nonspecific immune system of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Sea water-adapted Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were given a 2-h bath in a 2.5 mg L⁻¹ levamisole (as levamisole hydrochloride) solution in fresh-water. Following bathing, the fish were held in full salinity sea water for 2 weeks before being subjected to a number of immunological assays. Heightened activity of the nonspecific defence system was demonstrated by increases in phagocytic index, phagocytic capacity and phagocytic activity, increased levels of the reactive oxygen intermediate, superoxide anion, and an increased lytic activity of both the mucus and the serum. These results indicate that levamisole is effective in augmenting parts of the nonspecific defence system of Atlantic salmon. This is the first record of the use and efficacy of levamisole as an immunomodulator in Atlantic salmon.     

Evaluation of feline oral squamous cell carcinomas for p16 protein immunoreactivity and the presence of papillomaviral DNA

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) develop commonly in cats. While the cause of the feline neoplasms is unknown, a quarter of human OSCCs are caused by papillomavirus (PV) infection. As PV DNA has been previously detected in a feline OSCC, it was hypothesised that PV infection could be a significant cause of feline OSCCs. Human OSCCs that are caused by PVs contain increased p16^CDKN2A protein (p16), which can be detected using immunohistochemistry. In cats, increased p16 immunoreactivity has been reported within PV-associated skin lesions. This study evaluated p16 immunoreactivity within 30 feline OSCCs. Additionally, PCR was used to amplify PV DNA from the OSCCs. Increased p16 immunoreactivity was present within 2 OSCCs. However, as PV DNA was not amplified from any OSCC in this study, it cannot be confirmed that the increased p16 was caused by PV infection. Therefore, these results do not support the hypothesis that PVs are a significant cause of OSCCs in cats. Loss of p16 expression is considered an important process in the development of human non-PV-induced OSCCs. In contrast, loss of p16 immunoreactivity was only present in 2 feline OSCCs. This suggests that human and feline OSCCs develop due to different molecular mechanisms.     

Investigation of humoral immune factors from selected groups of southern bluefin tuna, Thunnus maccoyii (Castelnau): implications for aquaculture

Serum immunoglobulin, lysozyme and classical and alternative complement activity were analysed in different groups of wild and captive southern bluefin tuna (SBT), Thunnus maccoyii (Castelnau), from ambient water temperatures of 12 ± 1 and 20 ± 1 °C. Groups held captive for the longest time were found to have the highest levels of these humoral immune mediators, despite a drop in ambient temperature from 20 ± 1 to 12 ± 1 °C during the captivity period. Therefore, it may be that the immune response in these endothermic fish is not inhibited by low temperature to the extent seen in poikilothermic fish. Also, length of time in captivity appears to be associated with increased antigen exposure to maintain high levels of humoral immune mediators in these groups. Lysozyme activity was optimal at pH 5.8 and 6.2, suggesting that two isoforms, with different pH optima, are present. The SBT serum was found to lyse sheep erythrocytes by both classical and alternative complement pathways. Classical pathway activity occurred in the absence of prior sensitization with antiserum to sheep red blood cells, suggesting that natural antibodies may be present (or lectin or C-reactive protein mediated activation). Complement activity was relatively resistant to freezing at −20 °C but heating at between 45 and 50 °C for 20 min destroyed all complement activity.     

Gill disease of marine fish caused by infection with Neoparamoeba pemaquidensis

Amoebic gill disease (AGD) of maricultured salmonids, turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.), European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), and sharpsnout seabream, Diplodus puntazzo (Cetti), caused by Neoparamoeba pemaquidensis has been reported from Australia (Tasmania), Ireland, France, Chile, North America (Washington State and California) and Spain. Of the salmonids, Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., appears to be the most susceptible with rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), also suffering significant disease. Only minor outbreaks have been reported in coho, O. kisutch (Walbaum), and chinook salmon, O. tshawytscha (Walbaum). The disease now accounts for 10–20% of production costs of Atlantic salmon in Tasmania and has lead to temporary abandonment of culture of this species in parts of Spain. It is of lesser, but still significant, importance in other countries. Much is known about the pathology of AGD but the pathophysiology of the disease is poorly understood. There is evidence that non-specific immunity is involved in fish acquiring resistance to AGD, but no unequivocal evidence exists for protection as a result of specific immune responses. To date, for salmonids, the only effective treatment for AGD is a freshwater bath. Control procedures based on modification of management strategies have been minimal and virtually unresearched.     

Suspected fatal venous air embolism during anaesthesia in a Pomeranian dog with pulmonary calcification

CASE HISTORY: Death occurred in a 1.25 kg, 9-month-old female Pomeranian dog undergoing anaesthesia for surgical repair of partially healed fractures of the radius and ulna.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: Following sedation, anaesthesia was induced using thiopentone and maintained with halothane in oxygen. An acute decrease in the dog's end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂) measurements was noted approximately 50 min after induction, immediately following delivery of a 5-ml bolus of lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) administered to flush a small (0.06 ml) volume of fentanyl via a pre-placed intravenous (I/V) catheter. Venous air embolism (VAE) was suspected and the dog died despite interventive therapy. On post-mortem examination, several air bubbles were noted when the right ventricle was opened under water. Histologically, the kidneys appeared abnormal with immature glomeruli, and the lungs appeared diffusely mineralised. The origin of the air was probably small bubbles and microbubbles that may have been present in the extension set and 20 ml syringe used for the administration of fentanyl and I/V fluids to the dog.

DIAGNOSIS: Renal dysplasia and diffuse pulmonary calcification, with VAE as the probable cause of death.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this case of VAE-associated anaesthetic death, it is further speculated that underlying pulmonary disease, in the form of pulmonary calcification, may have contributed to an increased sensitivity to the adverse effects of VAE.     

Multiple viral plaques with sebaceous differentiation associated with an unclassified papillomavirus type in a cat

Abstract

CASE HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS

A 15-year-old neutered male domestic short-haired cat was presented due to multiple 0.5–2?cm-diameter crusting plaques in the left preauricular region, over the bridge of nose, and in the right periocular region. The plaques did not appear to cause discomfort.