Plasma biomarkers profile of female dogs with mammary carcinoma and its association with clinical and pathological features

The immunological biomarkers profiles were evaluated using Luminex as putative measures to monitor canine mammary carcinomas (MCs). Forty female dogs were categorized into benign mixed tumour (MC‐BMT = 28) and mammary carcinoma (MC=12). The ascendant biomarker signatures were used to compare the groups. For example, a higher frequency of MC‐BMT animals producing IL‐6, CXCL‐8 and CXCL‐10 was observed, whereas for the MC group IL‐2 and CXCL‐8 were detected. MC‐BMT animals without metastasis had an increase in the levels of IL‐2, CXCL‐8, CXCL‐10, IL‐6, TNF‐α, IL‐15 and a decrease in IL‐10 and CXCL‐8. MC‐BMT animals with metastasis showed only an increase in CXCL‐10 and a decrease in IL‐18. After comparing the ascendant signatures following the presence of metastasis in both groups, a higher frequency of dogs exhibiting IL‐10 production was observed. Pearson correlation (P = 0.0273) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that this pattern was associated with worse outcome and lower survival rates in MC animals.     

Isolation of Leptospira noguchii from sheep

The main goal of this study was to obtain new isolates of Leptospira spp. from sheep. A total of 10 kidney samples and 44 blood samples were collected from sheep slaughtered in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. One isolate was obtained which was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and serogrouping to be Leptospira noguchii serogroup Autumnalis. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) evaluation revealed that 4.5% of the sheep sera reacted against the Autumnalis serogroup. This is the first report of isolation of L. noguchii from sheep. Together these findings indicate that L. noguchii infections may be a potentially important veterinary problem in this domestic animal species.     

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Paenibacillus larvae isolates

Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent of American Foulbrood (AFB), a severe disease of honeybees (Apis melifera). The aim of this work was to develop a strategy for the subtyping and the epidemiological analysis of P. larvae. Phenotypic characterisation, susceptibility to several antibiotics, electrophoresis of whole bacterial proteins, rep-PCR, ribotyping and DGGE were assessed using a collection of P. larvae isolates from different Uruguayan and Argentinean locations. Results indicated that there are two P. larvae genotypes circulating in Uruguay ERIC I-BOX A (worldwide distributed) and ERIC I-BOX C (exclusively detected in Argentina until this study). These results suggest that P. larvae isolates had moved between Argentina and Uruguay, probably through the Uruguay River. Patterns of whole bacterial proteins, DGGE and ribotyping did not improve the P. larvae intraspecific discrimination. Antibiotic susceptibility assays showed that 100% isolates were OTC-sensitive and 22% (belonging to ERIC I-BOX A group) were sulfisoxazole-resistant. This work may contribute to the elucidation of basic aspects related to the epidemiology of AFB in Uruguay and in the region.     

In Vitro Assessment of the Equine Hoof Wall Strains in Flat Weight Bearing and After Heel Elevation

Horseshoeing is a common practice, but effects on the hoof wall are poorly understood. Strain gauges were used to document and compare hoof behavior in vitro during flat weight bearing and after artificial heel elevation. Ten front limbs of Thoroughbred race horses, shod with conventional flat shoes, were used. Eight strain gauges were symmetrically distributed around the toe, quarters, and heels. Each limb was mounted to a testing machine (Kratos K5002; Kratos Dynamômetros, Ltda., Cotia-SP-Brazil) and subjected to a load equivalent to 30% of the donor's body weight. Strains (μ) were acquired by means of a computerized system and the results compared using Friedman and Wilcoxon statistical tests. There was greater strain variation when the heels were elevated. Compression predominated during flat weight bearing, with a tendency to horizontal traction after heel elevation. The changes in strain caused by heel elevation were not always symmetrical. Elevation of the heels tensed the toe and the medial quarter horizontally, increased load at the posterior portion of the hoof capsule, and hindered its expansion.