Fatal systemic phaeohyphomycosis in a cat due to Cladophialophora bantiana

We report a case of fatal systemic mycosis in a 9-year-old cat. Diagnosis of phaeohyphomycosis was made by histology. Morphological and molecular identification of the fungus isolated from the lesions yielded the species Cladophialophora bantiana. This species is well known to be a neurotropic fungus causing cerebral pyogranulomatous lesions in humans. In this case, the lesions were widespread, distributed without the involvement of central nervous system. The origin of systemic manifestation is still unknown and no evidence of immunosuppression was found. It is the first feline case of C. bantiana infection reported in Europe.     

Spontaneous regression of osteosarcoma in four dogs

Spontaneous regression of primary malignant bone tumors is rare but has been reported in the human literature. To the authors' knowledge, spontaneous regression of primary bone tumors in dogs or cats has not been reported. Osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common primary bone tumor in humans, and it has been reported that the incidence of OSA is 40 to 50 times greater in dogs than humans. In this report, high-grade OSA was diagnosed in biopsy specimens obtained from 4 dogs that subsequently underwent spontaneous regression without tumor-specific treatment. Osteosarcoma in dogs has characteristics similar to that of OSA in humans.     

Brucella suis in three dogs: presentation,diagnosis and clinical management

Brucella suis is an emerging, zoonotic disease predominantly affecting dogs and humans that engage in feral pig hunting in Australia and other countries. Although B. suis infection in dogs shares some clinical similarities to the host-adapted species (B. canis), B. suis remains an incompletely understood pathogen in dogs with limited published data on its pathogenesis and clinical features. This case series describes the presentations, diagnosis, and clinical management of B. suis infection in three dogs: (1) a bitch with dystocia, abortion and mastitis; (2) an entire male dog with septic arthritis and presumptive osteomyelitis; and (3) a castrated male dog with lymphadenitis. Unique features of these cases are reported including the first documented detection of B. suis from milk and isolation from lymph nodes of canine patients, as well as the follow-up of pups born to a B. suis-infected bitch. Consistent with previous reports, all three dogs showed a favourable clinical response to combination antibiotic therapy with rifampicin and doxycycline. Individually tailored drug regimens were required based on the clinical presentation and other factors, including owner expectations and compliance with therapy as well as a zoonotic risk assessment (generally considered low, except around time of whelping). The authors include their recommendations for the clinical management of dogs that are at-risk or seropositive for B. suis with or without clinical signs or laboratory-confirmed infection.     

Eyeworm infections in dogs and in a human patient in Serbia: A One Health approach is needed

Thelazia callipaeda eyeworm has been frequently reported parasitizing humans in Asia. In Europe, the parasite is endemic in wild and domestic carnivores and only eight cases have been reported in humans so far. We describe the first case of human thelaziosis in Serbia, along with two cases in dogs from the same area. A One Health approach, based on cooperation amongst veterinarians and physicians, is strongly advised for this emerging infection in order to assess the risk for and prevent of the zoonotic infection.     

Feline cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Cladophyalophora bantiana

A case of feline cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Cladophyalophora bantiana is described. The cat was presented with breathing difficulty and a swollen, ulcerated nodule on the dorsal nose and left nostril. Histological examination of the nodule revealed a cystic granulomatous dermatitis characterised by neutrophils, macrophages and giant cells. Pigmented, yeast-like fungus cells and hyphal elements were easily identified in haematoxylin-eosin stained tissue sections. Cladophyalophora bantiana was isolated from a tissue specimen. This organism, primarily known to cause cerebral infection in humans and cats, only rarely causes cutaneous infection. Despite anti-fungal chemotherapy two relapses occurred. The cat was feline immunodeficiency virus- and feline leukemia virus-negative and even if the owner was unaware of trauma, the hypothesis of wound contamination is the most likely.     

Identification of genotypes of Giardia intestinalis isolates from a human and calf in Japan

Giardia intestinalis is recognized as a significant pathogen in humans and animals, causing diarrhea. Recent molecular studies indicate that G. intestinalis is composed of genetically distinct multiple genotypes. Therefore, it is valuable to distinguish among genotypes in the epidemiology of Giardia infection in humans and animals. Although G. intestinalis has been found in humans and animals in Japan, the genotype of isolates remains unclear except for several isolates from dogs, because identification has been performed only by conventional microscopy. We report herein the genotypes of G. intestinalis isolates distinguished by a phylogenetic analysis. G. intestinalis isolates originated from a patient and a calf were found to have Assemblage B and E, respectively.     

Pharmacogenetics of opioid analgesics in dogs

Genetic variation causes interindividual variability in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. These pharmacokinetic processes will influence the observed efficacy and toxicity of a drug. Polymorphisms in the genes encoding the metabolizing enzymes, transport proteins and receptors have been linked to the inconsistency in responses to opioid treatment in humans and laboratory animals. Pharmacogenetics is relatively less developed field in veterinary medicine compared to significant advances in knowledge on genetic basis of variation in drug responses and clinical applications in human medicine. This review discusses the opioid drug metabolism and possible genetic polymorphism of metabolizing enzymes in dogs. Polymorphism of genes encoding opioid drug transporter proteins and its effect on opioid response and opioid receptor gene variants are also discussed. Due to the scarcity of studies reported on opioid pharmacogenetics in dogs, relevant studies in humans and rodents have also been discussed to indicate current trends and potential targets for research in dogs.     

Immunopathology of Bartonella vinsonii (berkhoffii) in experimentally infected dogs.

Following natural infection with Bartonella, dogs and humans develop comparable disease manifestations including endocarditis, peliosis hepatis, and granulomatous disease. As the immunologic response to infection in these hosts has not been clearly established, data presented here was derived from the experimental infection of six specific pathogen free (SPF) beagles with a known pathogenic strain of Bartonella. Six dogs were inoculated intravenously with 10(9)cfu of B. vinsonii ssp. berkhoffii and six control dogs were injected intravenously with an equivalent volume of sterile saline. Despite production of substantial levels of specific antibody, blood culture and molecular analyses indicated that Bartonella established chronic infection in these dogs. Flow cytometric analysis of monocytes indicated impaired bacterial phagocytosis during chronic Bartonella infection. There was also a sustained decrease in the percentage of CD8+ lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. Moreover, modulation of adhesion molecule expression (downregulation of L-selectin, VLA-4, and LFA-1) on CD8+ lymphocytes suggested quantitative and qualitative impairment of this cell subset in Bartonella-infected dogs. When compared with control dogs, flow cytometric analysis of lymph node (LN) cells from B. vinsonii infected dogs revealed an expanded population of CD4+ T cells with an apparent na?ve phenotype (CD45RA+/CD62L+/CD49D(dim)). However, fewer B cells from infected dogs expressed cell-surface MHC II, implicating impaired antigen presentation to helper T cells within LN. Taken together, results from this study indicate that B. vinsonii establishes chronic infection in dogs which may result in immune suppression characterized by defects in monocytic phagocytosis, an impaired subset of CD8+ T lymphocytes, and impaired antigen presentation within LN.     

Cobalamin deficiency associated with erythroblastic anemia and methylmalonic aciduria in a border collie.

Anemia due to cobalamin deficiency is a rare genetic disorder that has been recognized in dogs only recently. This report concerns a 14-month-old border collie that presented for chronic, nonregenerative anemia. Cytological examination of a peripheral blood smear showed the presence of erythroblasts. Serum cobalamin levels were below reference ranges reported for clinically normal dogs. A methylmalonic aciduria was found on urinalysis. These signs are consistent with the anemia in Imerslund-Graesbeck syndrome reported in humans. Anemia due to cobalamin deficiency responds to parenteral vitamin B12 therapy, and affected animals have a good prognosis for recovery.     

Multilocus sequence typing of human and canine C. upsaliensis isolates

Risk of Campylobacter infection in humans has been associated with many sources, including dogs. C. upsaliensis is the most common species found in canines, and has been occasionally isolated from symptomatic humans. This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of 41 C. upsaliensis isolates carried by dogs and from nine isolates carried by humans using Multilocus sequence typing (MLST). We identified considerable genetic diversity amongst the C. upsaliensis isolates from both dogs and humans, identifying 45 different sequence types (STs). All STs were new, apart from that of the reference strain. Only three STs were found in more than one isolate: ST-72 (2 isolates), ST-98 (2 isolates) and ST-104 (3 isolates). ST-104 was the only ST to be encountered in both dogs and humans. Thirty-one of the 45 STs were assigned to one of 13 clonal complexes (CCs). Four of these CCs contained STs originating from both humans and dogs. None of the CCs contained exclusively human isolates, and two isolates from dogs within the same kennel belonged to the same CC. The large amount of diversity found in both dog and human isolates of C. upsaliensis, combined with the relatively small database, made it difficult to assign strains to sources of infection. This emphasizes the need to increase the size of the database. Dog and human isolates occasionally grouped together, however there were insufficient human-derived isolates to determine whether or not dogs are a common source of infection. Although C. upsaliensis infection is rare in humans, dogs still remain a potential source, and are therefore a possible zoonotic risk. Further work is needed to investigate the epidemiology of C. upsaliensis infection in humans.     

SARS-CoV-2 infection in farmed minks,associated zoonotic concerns,and importance of the One Health approach during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has now affected over 72.5 million people worldwide, with nearly 1.6 million deaths reported globally as of December 17, 2020. SARS-CoV-2 has been implicated to have originated from bats and pangolins, and its intermediate animal hosts are being investigated. Crossing of the species barrier and exhibition of zoonosis have been reported in SARS-CoV-2 in farm (minks), domesticated (cats and dogs), and wild animals (tigers, puma, and lions). Recently, the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported in mink farms, which led to the death of a myriad minks. The clinical and pathological findings of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the rapid animal-to-animal transmission in minks are almost similar to the findings observed in patients with COVID-19. Additionally, the rapid virus transmission among minks and the associated mutations resulted in a new mink-associated variant that was identified in both minks and humans, thereby providing evidence of mink-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The new mink-associated SARS-CoV-2 variant with a possible reduced sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies poses serious risks and is expected to have a direct effect on the diagnostic techniques, therapeutics, and vaccines that are currently under development. This article highlights the current evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in farmed minks, and provides an understanding of the pathogenesis of COVID-19 in minks and the associated zoonotic concerns of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from minks to humans with an emphasis on appropriate mitigation measures and on the necessity of adopting the One Health approach during the COVID-19 pandemic.     

Epidemiology of trichinellosis in Mexico, Central and South America

Trichinella species are widely distributed throughout the world and are found in a large number of carnivorous animals, humans and incidental hosts. The data presented in this review show that Trichinella infection has been reported in both humans and animals in Mexico, Argentina and Chile since the end of the 19th century, and more recently in Bolivia. This parasitic infection is still a public health problem in countries such as Argentina and Chile. Although efforts have focused on the control and prevention of trichinellosis in these countries, there were still human cases and outbreaks of trichinellosis reported. Diagnosis of infection in animals such as pigs still includes, in many endemic areas, the use of trichinoscopy. In Argentina, however, artificial digestion has been recently introduced in slaughterhouses to detect Trichinella infection in pigs. In some endemic areas in Mexico, the use of serological assays for human trichinellosis and pig infections have resulted in improved detection. Most of the outbreaks of human trichinellosis in Mexico, Argentina and Chile have occurred as a result of the consumption of undercooked pork or pork products from animals raised under poor hygienic conditions and which are clandestinely slaughtered. In several studies, rats, dogs and cats have been found to be infected with Trichinella and may be considered a risk for transmission of the infection to pigs or other animals intended for human consumption. Another potential source of transmission of Trichinella to humans is horsemeat; however, information related to horse trichinellosis in Latin-American countries is scarce. In most cases the etiological agent of human trichinellosis in Central and South America has been reported to be Trichinella spiralis; however, only in a few cases has the parasite species been properly identified. Based on the reports available, it is clear that there is a need to carry out better controlled epidemiological studies to determine the true prevalence of the infection in this region of the world. Also, more sensitive methods of diagnosis and improvements in conditions for pig production as well as better sanitary inspection systems, are needed for controlling and preventing transmission of trichinellosis in these countries.     

The role of Acinetobacter baumannii as a nosocomial pathogen for dogs and cats in an intensive care unit

Acinetobacter baumannii is a nosocomial pathogen associated with high morbidity and mortality in humans. Whereas infections with strains of Acinetobacter species have been reported in various situations, the importance of A baumannii as a nosocomial pathogen in veterinary hospitals has not been studied so far. In this retrospective case series, we describe 17 dogs and 2 cats from which A baumannii had been isolated during a 21/2-year period. In 7 dogs, A baumannii induced systemic signs of illness, whereas 12 animals showed signs of local infection. In all animals with systemic infection, and in 2 with localized infection, A baumannii contributed to the death of the animal or contributed to euthanasia; the remaining 8 dogs and both cats recovered. Molecular typing of the isolates with restriction polymorphisms of ribosomal DNA provided evidence of nosocomial spread of this pathogen and for the presence of several strains of A baumannii in the hospital environment.     

Infection with Basidiobolus ranarum in two dogs

Basidiobolus ranarum is a saprophytic fungus in the environment that also is a part of the endogenous microflora in the gastrointestinal tract of several vertebrates. These organisms may penetrate skin or muscosa of humans and other animals, causing granulomatous inflammation. Two dogs infected with B. ranarum had prolonged or repeated exposure to water or soil in their environment. One dog had progressive subcutaneous infection of all the limbs, and the other dog had recurrent coughing and dyspnea caused by tracheobronchitis. In both dogs, secondary bacterial infection of the lesions was evident. Treatment of the dog with subcutaneous infection involved cutaneous dressings and sequential use of enrofloxacin and itraconazole; however, this resulted in suspected liver damage without clinical improvement. Subsequent treatment with potassium iodide and a lipid formulation of amphotericin B was also unsuccessful, and the dog was euthanatized. The other dog was treated alternately with enrofloxacin and itraconazole. When the clinical signs and infection returned, combination treatment with both drugs was more effective; however, the dog developed liver damage. Subsequent treatment with enrofloxacin on an intermittent basis controlled the dog's coughing during a 3-year period.     

Increased erythrophagocytic activity of macrophages in dogs with Babesia gibsoni infection

To elucidate the mechanism of anemia caused by Babesia gibsoni infection in dogs, the erythrophagocytic activity of macrophages in infected dogs was investigated in vitro. In the present study, macrophages obtained from peripheral blood (PB-macrophages) and bone marrow (BM-macrophages) of splenectomized dogs with chronic B. gibsoni infection were examined. The BM-macrophages in the splenectomized dogs with chronic babesiosis exhibited an increased erythrophagocytic activity compared with those from splenectomized, non-infected dogs. In the infected dogs, erythrophagocytic activities of macrophages against both auto- and iso-erythorcytes from normal dogs were almost the same. Administration of an anti-protozoal drug, diminazene diaceturate, resulted in a decrease of the erythrophagocytic activity of BM-macrophages associated with an increase of the hematocrit value in splenectomized dogs with chronic babesiosis. In splenectomized dogs with acute babesiosis, erythrophagocytic activity of BM-macrophages was also elevated. Such a phenomenon was not, however, observed in splenectomized dogs with onion-induced hemolytic anemia. These results suggest that the erythrophagocytic ability of macrophages in the infected dogs might be accelerated by parasites per se through an unknown mechanism, resulting in severe anemia in spite of low parasitemia.     

First evidence and molecular characterization of Babesia vogeli in naturally infected dogs and Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks in southern France

Babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease of animals and humans caused by intraerythrocytic protozoa of the genera Babesia and Theileria. In France canine babesiosis has a high prevalence with Babesia canis thought to be the main aetiological agent of the disease. Babesia vogeli has already been reported to occur in Europe and in other countries around the Mediterranean Sea. The tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the main known vector of B. vogeli, occurs in southern France. However, only one case of a B. vogeli infected dog has been reported to date in France. To gain further insight into the prevalence of Babesia and Theileria infections in dogs and ticks of the R. sanguineus complex, a study was conducted in a veterinary practice in the south of France from January to September 2010. Twelve bloods from dogs and 36 R. sanguineus ticks were analyzed using PCR and sequencing. For the analysis of ticks, a new primer was designed to specifically amplify the B. vogeli 18S rRNA gene. Four dogs (33.3%) and 8 ticks (22.2%) were found to be infected with B. vogeli. This approach has thus revealed for the first time a cluster of cases of canine babesiosis caused by B. vogeli in France and highlights the need to systematically screen for pathogens potentially responsible for canine babesiosis at the species level using suitable molecular tools.     

The use of ciclosporin A in veterinary dermatology

Ciclosporin A (CsA) has potent immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory activity that has been exploited in human medicine to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs and to manage atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Over the past decade, CsA has been employed more frequently in veterinary dermatology and its value in the management of several canine and feline dermatoses is now well established. CsA inhibits calcineurin phosphatase, suppressing T cell activation and the synthesis of T cell cytokines consequently impairing the activity of B cells, antigen-presenting cells, mast cells, basophils and eosinophils. The pharmacokinetics of CsA are similar in humans, dogs and cats and the drug has a wide safety margin in dogs, cats and rabbits. Adverse effects, principally transient vomiting and soft faeces/diarrhoea, may be seen shortly after instituting treatment but often resolve despite continuing treatment. Gingival hyperplasia and cutaneous effects such as hirsutism may occur after prolonged treatment.     

Context-sensitive half-time of fentanyl in dogs

Context-sensitive half-times (CSHTs) of fentanyl in dogs were determined using pharmacokinetic models reported by Murphy et al. and Sano et al., and compared with a human model. The CSHT was defined as the time required for a 50% decrease in drug concentration in the central compartment after the termination of infusion. Although CSHTs increased gradually as the infusion time increased, the CSHTs in dogs were shorter than those in humans. The CSHTs at steady-state were 31.3 and 69.2 min in dogs, and 306.5 min in humans. The CSHTs of fentanyl in dogs are apparently shorter than those in humans; therefore, a continuous infusion of fentanyl may be a rational regimen in dogs, even if duration of infusion is extended.     

Clinicopathologic findings in dogs seroreactive to Bartonella henselae antigens

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential clinical relevance of seroreactivity to Bartonella henselae antigens in dogs. ANIMALS: 40 dogs seroreactive to B henselae and 45 dogs that did not seroreact to B henselae. PROCEDURE: A case-control study was conducted. Clinical and clinicopathologic findings were extracted from medical records of each dog. RESULTS: Statistical differences were not detected between dogs seroreactive or nonseroreactive to B henselae when analyzed on the basis of disease category or results of hematologic, biochemical, urine, or cytologic analysis. However, seroreactivity to B henselae antigens was detected in 2 of 4 dogs with a clinical diagnosis of granulomatous meningoencephalitis, 3 of 4 dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, 3 of 4 dogs with infective endocarditis, 2 of 3 dogs with lymphoid neoplasia, and 5 of 10 dogs with polyarthritis. Additionally, seroreactivity to B henselae antigens was detected in 18 of 34 thrombocytopenic dogs and 14 of 27 dogs with neutrophilia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Significant associations were not detected between seroreactivity to B henselae and various diseases. Prospective epidemiologic studies investigating specific diseases, such as meningoencephalitis or polyarthritis, and specific hematologic abnormalities, such as immunemediated hemolytic anemia or thrombocytopenia, should be conducted to further define the potential clinical relevance of antibodies against B henselae in dogs. IMPACT FOR HUMAN MEDICINE: Bartonella organisms are increasingly reported as pathogens that induce are increasingly reported as pathogens that induce chronic infections in humans and dogs. Dogs may serve as natural candidates for future study of the disease in humans.     

Rheumatoid arthritis subsequent to Borrelia burgdorferi infection in two dogs

Two dogs with clinical signs of polyarthritis developed rheumatoid arthritis subsequent to Borrelia burgdorferi infection. In both dogs, the diagnosis of B burgdorferi infection was based on clinical signs of disease and high serum B burgdorferi titer. After antibiotic administration, both dogs had decreased B burgdorferi titer, but clinical response was temporary or was lacking. The dogs subsequently were rheumatoid factor-positive (antinuclear antibody- and anti-globulin-negative) and responded to anti-inflammatory drug administration. Development of rheumatoid arthritis in both dogs after B burgdorferi infection implicates the Borrelia organism as an infective agent leading to the development of rheumatoid arthritis in dogs. Dogs with clinical signs suggestive of B burgdorferi infection should have antiglobulin, anti-nuclear antibody rheumatoid factor, and B burgdorferi tests performed to aid definitive diagnosis.