Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide for the treatment of canine lymphoma: a randomized,placebo‐controlled study*

Median survival times (STs) for doxorubicin‐treated canine lymphoma range from 5.7 to 9 months. Because dogs treated with multi‐agent protocols have longer STs, we sought to evaluate whether adding cyclophosphamide would improve outcome in canine lymphoma patients while maintaining an acceptable level of toxicity. Thirty‐two dogs with stage III–V multicentric lymphoma were treated with doxorubicin every 3 weeks for five total cycles and prednisone at a tapering dose for the first 4 weeks. Dogs were randomized to receive either cyclophosphamide or placebo concurrently. Seventeen dogs received doxorubicin and placebo, while 15 dogs received doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. Response, toxicity, progression‐free interval (PFI) and ST were evaluated. The combination of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide was well tolerated, causing no increase in adverse events over doxorubicin alone. Despite a numeric improvement in outcome in cyclophosphamide treated dogs, the addition of cyclophosphamide did not result in statistically improved response rate, PFI or ST.     

Prevalence,number and morphological types of multinucleated histiocytic giant cells in equine inflammatory dermatoses: A retrospective light microscopic study of skin‐biopsy specimens from 362 horses

Reasons for performing study: Multinucleated histiocytic giant cells (MHGC) are seen frequently in skin‐biopsy specimens from horses with inflammatory dermatoses. However, the prevalence, number and morphological types of these cells have not been reported. Objective: To determine the prevalence, number and morphological types of MHGC in equine inflammatory dermatoses, and the association of these cells with specific conditions. Methods: Skin‐biopsy specimens from 335 horses with inflammatory dermatoses and from 27 horses with normal skin were evaluated for the prevalence, number and morphological types of MHGC. Results: The prevalence and number of MHGC were greater in granulomatous dermatoses than in nongranulomatous dermatoses. Infectious and noninfectious dermatoses were not different in terms of prevalence or morphological types of MHGC. Foreign‐body MHGC were the predominant type in almost all cases. MHGC were not seen in normal skin. Conclusions: MHGC are seen in a wide variety of equine inflammatory dermatoses, especially those that are granulomatous. Number and morphological types of MHGC are of no apparent diagnostic significance. Potential relevance: MHGC are frequently present in a wide variety of inflammatory dermatoses in the horse. Because the prevalence, number and morphological types of MHGC are of minimal diagnostic significance, special stains and tissue cultures are necessary to confirm specific diagnoses.     

A cross‐sectional study of intestinal parasitoses in dogs and children of the periurban area of La Plata (Buenos Aires,Argentina): Zoonotic importance and implications in public health

A cross‐sectional study was performed between school term dates 2014 and 2015 to diagnose intestinal parasites in dogs and children living with them. The socio‐environmental characteristics and hygiene practices of the children were also evaluated in terms of risk factors for parasitic infection of periurban neighbourhoods of La Plata (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Serial coproparasitological samples of 78 dogs and 211 children were analysed by means of concentration and flotation techniques. Socio‐environmental variables and hygiene practices of children were evaluated through semi‐structured questionnaires which were answered by every family. The study showed that 82.1% of dogs were parasitized. The specific richness was of 11 species; Ancylostoma caninum (69.2%), Uncinaria stenocephala (41.0%), Trichuris vulpis (28.2%) and Toxocara canis (21.8%) were the most prevalent. The study also revealed that 67.8% of children were positive. Also, 11 species were identified and the most prevalent were Blastocystis sp. (36.0%), Enterobius vermicularis (27.5%) and Giardia lamblia (21.3%). The risk for parasitosis was higher in 6‐year‐old children and older (OR = 1.9, 95% IC: 1.0–3.7) and in those who did not wash their hands or did it occasionally after playing with their pets (OR = 2.8, 95% IC: 1.4–5.5). Blastocystis sp. and Entamoeba coli infection risks were greater in children whose parents had a basic level of education (OR = 3.4, 95% IC: 1.3–8.7 and OR = 3.6, 95% IC: 0.8–15.9, respectively). In addition, the risk of infection for E. coli was higher in children who lived in floodable houses (OR = 4.4, 95% IC: 0.9–16.6). Likewise, the risk of infection for E. vermicularis was greater in children with onychophagia (OR = 1.6, 95% IC: 0.7–3.7) and in 6 year olds and older whose parents completed only primary studies (OR = 3.6, 95% IC: 1.4–9.1). The results obtained show the existence of a worrying epidemiological scenario that stresses the importance of zoonotic parasitosis as a serious problem of public health.