A review of the underlying genetics and emerging therapies for canine cardiomyopathies

Cardiomyopathies such as dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy are common in large breed dogs and carry an overall poor prognosis. Research shows that these diseases have strong breed predilections, and selective breeding has historically been recommended to reduce the disease prevalence in affected breeds. Treatment of these diseases is typically palliative and aimed at slowing disease progression and managing clinical signs of heart failure as they develop. The discovery of specific genetic mutations underlying cardiomyopathies, such as the striatin mutation in Boxer arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 and titin mutations in Doberman Pinschers, has strengthened our ability to screen and selectively breed individuals in an attempt to produce unaffected offspring. The discovery of these disease-linked mutations has also opened avenues for the development of gene therapies, including gene transfer and genome-editing approaches. This review article discusses the known genetics of cardiomyopathies in dogs, reviews existing gene therapy strategies and the status of their development in canines, and discusses ongoing challenges in the clinical translation of these technologies for treating heart disease. While challenges remain in using these emerging technologies, the exponential growth of the gene therapy field holds great promise for future clinical applications.     

Veterinary aspects of ecological monitoring: the natural history of emerging infectious diseases of humans,domestic animals and wildlife

Proliferation of disease pathogens capable of affecting humans, domestic livestock and wildlife increasingly threatens environmental security and biodiversity. Livestock and wild animals in proximity to human beings are often in the chain of transmission and infection. Globalization of industrial livestock production (especially poultry upon which so much of the burgeoning human population depends) often permits transcontinental disease spread. Rapidly expanding (and often illegal) international trade in wild and domestic animals and their products are increasingly involved in the emergence of new diseases that may have the ability to transmit among humans, livestock and wildlife. Rapidly increasing urbanization has led in many places to overcrowded townships that rely on “bushmeat” for sustenance and has contributed to the emergence of virulent zoonotic pathogens. The emergence and proliferation of pathogens are exacerbated by anthropogenic transformation of natural landscapes in order to increase agricultural and livestock production. This paper posits that data gathered by veterinary ecologists should be interpreted and used by other disciplines. The importance of a thorough knowledge of the “natural history” (ecology) of the disease agent and its human, domestic and wild hosts is stressed.     

Circulation of emerging NDM‐5‐producing Escherichia coli among humans and dogs in Egypt

The emergence of NDM‐producing Escherichia coli has considerably threatened human and animal health worldwide. This study describes for the first time in Egypt, the draft genome sequences of emerging NDM‐5‐producing E. coli from humans and dogs, and investigates genetic relatedness between isolates from both sources. Two E. coli from human urine and seven from environmental clinical samples of dogs exhibited resistance to carbapenems and harbouring bla_NDM were subjected to Illumina Miseq whole‐genome sequencing (WGS). Assembly and analysis of the reads were performed to identify resistance genes, multilocus sequence types (MLST), plasmid replicon types (Inc) and insertion sequences (IS) of the bla_NDM region; core genome MLST (cgMLST) analysis was also performed. Two different NDM alleles were identified; bla_NDM‐5 in E. coli HR119 from the urine of a healthy person and environmental samples of dogs, and bla_NDM‐1 in E. coli HR135 from a human patient's urine. Multiple mobilizable resistance genes to different antimicrobial classes were identified except the colistin resistance gene, mcr. E. coli isolates from humans and dogs were assigned to different sequence types (STs). Using cgMLST, dog isolates clustered together with only 1–2 allellic differences; however, human E. coli showed 1,978 different allelles compared with dog isolates. Plasmidfinder results indicated the presence of an IncX3 replicon in bla_NDM‐5‐producing E. coli; however, bla_NDM‐1 was linked to IncCoIKP3. Notably, the NDM region (3 Kb) in all isolates from humans and dogs was highly similar with variable flanking sequences that represented different IS elements. This study reports the first emergence of NDM‐5‐producing E. coli from dogs in Egypt that shared some genetic features with human isolates and could be considered potential public health threats.     

The emerging pathophysiology of age-related testicular degeneration with a focus on the stallion and an update on potential therapies

Studies in laboratory rodents are shedding light on the pathophysiology of testicular ageing and now suggest a complicated basis for age-related declines in testicular function. A highly significant contributor to infertility may involve failure of specific and complex testicular microenvironments (niches) comprised of a variety of cellular and molecular components. Our laboratory has applied testis tissue xenografting to the study of testicular ageing in the stallion. Using this technique, we have confirmed that the disease is tissue autologous. As would be expected from a tissue autologous disease, hormonal and non-hormonal therapies designed to drive the function of the diseased testis are ineffective. However, we have some evidence that contact with young, normal testicular tissue may improve the condition of aged, degenerate testes. Perhaps, paracrine factors from young testicular cells may partially restore a young microenvironment and allow for the maintenance of testicular function. These findings form the basis for future studies designed to determine whether cells, genes or proteins from a normal testis can aid the function of a degenerate testis.     

Rabies, an emerging disease in Korea

Since the first rabies case was reported in a dog in 1907, the disease was enzootic up to 1975 in Korea. After a steady decrease in the number of rabies cases from 1976 to 1984, no case was reported for 8 years from 1985 to 1992. Then, a resurgence of the disease was noted in 1993, and a continuous increase of rabies cases was observed during the following years. This report provides information on rabies in South Korea during the reemerging period 1993-2003. A total of 364 rabies cases in five different animal species and five deaths in human beings as a result of rabies were reported. Cattle and dogs accounted for 46.4% and 40.4% of total animal cases, respectively, and raccoon dogs commanded an overwhelming majority (44/48) of rabies cases in wildlife animal species. All animal and human rabies cases occurred only in two provinces, Gyeonggi and Gangwon; majority of them in two counties of Gyeonggi and one county of Gangwon province that border the demilitarized zone. From the three counties, the disease continued to expand to the other areas of the two provinces. The average monthly frequency of animal rabies cases during the 11-year period peaked in January, and the incidence was highest during winter. There were three major rabies outbreaks in animals and the number of animal rabies cases increased with time. Data indicate that the temporal patterns were attributable to the ethology of raccoon dogs in the areas of outbreak.     

Echinococcosis in sub-Saharan Africa: emerging complexity

Cystic echinococcosis occurs in most regions of sub-Saharan Africa, but the frequency of this zoonosis differs considerably among and within countries. Especially human cases seem to be focally distributed. A number of environmental and behavioural factors partially explain this pattern, i.e. density of livestock, presence of dogs, uncontrolled slaughter, and hygiene. In addition, the various taxa of Echinococcus spp. are known to differ considerably in infectivity to different host species including humans. Genetic characterizations of isolates, which are necessary to evaluate the impact of this factor - so far done in only a few countries - indicate that the diversity of Echinococcus spp. in Sub-Saharan Africa is greater than on any other continent. The very incomplete data which are available show that sympatrical taxa may infect different hosts, others may be geographically restricted, some life cycles involve livestock, others wild animals. Possible implications of this complexity for public health, livestock economy and conservation are briefly discussed.     

Buffalopox: an emerging and re-emerging zoonosis

Outbreaks of buffalopox or pox-like infections affecting buffaloes, cows and humans have been recorded in many parts of the world. Since the first outbreak in India, a large number of epidemics have occurred. Unlike in the previous years, generalized forms of the disease are now rare; however, there are severe local forms of the disease affecting the udder and teats, leading to mastitis thereby undermining the productivity of milk animals. The causative agent buffalopox virus (BPXV) is a member of the Orthopoxvirus, and is closely related to Vaccinia virus (VACV), the type-species of the genus. Earlier studies with restriction fragment length polymorphism and recent investigations involving sequencing of the genes that are essential in viral pathogenesis have shown that BPXV is phylogenetically very closely related to VACV and may be considered as a clade of the latter. The review discusses the epidemiology, novel diagnostic methods for the disease, and molecular biology of the virus, and infers genetic relationships of BPXV with other members of the genus.     

Porcine epidemic diarrhea: an emerging disease in Tibetan pigs in Tibet,China

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a devastating cause of diarrhea in pigs worldwide, and has caused enormous economic losses in the pork industry. To...     

Gastric carcinoma in canines and humans,a review

Gastric carcinoma (GC) is the most common neoplasm in the stomach of dogs. Although incidence in the general population is reported to be low, breed‐specific GC has a high incidence. Median age at presentation ranges from 8 to approximately 10 years. The disease is mostly located in the lesser curvature and antropyloric region of the stomach. Unfortunately, diagnosis is usually made when the disease is at an advanced stage and, therefore, prognosis is poor. Due to similarities in clinical presentation, diagnosis, histology and prognosis, canine GC may serve as a valuable model for human GC. Extensive pedigrees of canine gastric carcinoma cases could reveal insights for human gastric carcinoma. Putative species differences include the role of Helicobacter in pathogenesis, the wide array of genetic data and screening available for humans, and treatment protocols that are available for human GC.     

Gene therapy: future therapies in osteoarthritis.

The field of equine veterinary practice is in an ever-evolving state, requiring current technologies to be constantly evaluated for new applications. The specific use of gene therapy in the horse is a novel application. The authors want to help familiarize the equine practitioner with the concept of gene therapy, and introduce its use and potential future benefits for the equine industry in the treatment of osteoarthritis.     

Wound management in teleost fish: biology of the healing process, evaluation, and treatment.

Wound healing, although similar to terrestrial vertebrates, occurs faster in fish species in a proper aquatic environment. Wound management must involve identification and correction of potential noninfectious and/or infectious causes of disease. Wound evaluation includes assessment of the wound as well as systematic examination of the patient, water quality conditions, and husbandry practices. Diagnostic evaluation should, at a minimum, include physical examination, skin/cornea (if indicated) scraping, and lesions cultures. The clinician should also consider full thickness wound biopsies, gill and fin biopsies, blood collection, and radiographs for systemic evaluation as well. Local wound management should follow basic principles of wound care including cleaning and lavage, debridement, primary closure if indicated, and local and/or systemic antiinfectives. Monofilament absorbable or nonabsorbable sutures are commonly used for primary closure of wounds. Diagnostic results, patient and client compliance, and economic impact should guide systemic methods of treatment for wound care. Options for systemic therapy include oral or gavage, parenteral, bath, or prolonged immersion treatments. With bath or prolonged immersion therapies, aquatic systems must be properly prepared for treatment. Treatment of identified pathogens, proper water quality and husbandry, supportive care and nutrition must all be provided to promote an ideal wound healing environment for the teleost fish.     

Canine angiostrongylosis: an emerging disease in Europe

Objective – The aim of this article is to review Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in dogs, including the life cycle, signalment, clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment. Apparent changes in the epidemiology of this unique parasite are considered, alongside information available regarding its recent geographic spread.
Etiology – A. vasorum is a metastrongyloid parasite capable of causing an array of clinical problems in dogs, including cardiorespiratory, coagulopathic, and neurologic signs. Currently, the parasite has a worldwide distribution; however, it usually arises in small pockets of enzootic foci. Recent reports suggest a changing distribution of this parasite, which has renewed interest in its epidemiology and in the risk of expansion to new areas including mainland North America.
Diagnosis – A definitive diagnosis of angiostrongylosis is usually made using the modified Baermann technique either using feces or tracheobronchial secretions; however, this review also discusses novel methods such as serologic and molecular techniques.
Therapy – Once a diagnosis of angiostrongylosis is made, prompt treatment should follow with anthelmintic drugs (such as moxidectin/imidacloprid, milbemycin oxime, or fenbendazole) and supportive care dependent upon the patient's clinical signs. Currently, there is no proven prophylactic regime.
Prognosis – The prognosis appears to be very dependent upon the severity of clinical signs at presentation. A. vasorum can be fatal and death may be sudden. However, if a prompt diagnosis is made and appropriate treatment is administered complete clinical resolution is possible.