Phylogenetic analysis of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus type O circulating in the Andean region of South America during 2002-2008

At present, Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) has been successfully controlled in most territories of South America, where only Ecuador and Venezuela remain as endemic countries. In this context, the precise characterization of circulating viruses is of utmost importance. This work describes the first molecular epidemiology study performed with the complete VP(1)-coding region of 114 field isolates of FMD virus (FMDV) type O, collected in the Andean countries mainly during 2002-2008. Sequences were aligned and compared to isolates responsible for emergencies in the Southern Cone of the continent between the years 2000 and 2006, and to other representative type O viruses worldwide. The results showed that FMD type O viruses isolated in South America and analyzed up to date are placed in 11 different lineages within the Euro SA topotype. Five of these lineages included viruses circulating in Ecuador and Venezuela during 2002-2008. The last emergencies reported in already-free areas in the Andean region, showed close relationships with viruses circulating in these endemic countries. Andean lineages showed a clear separation from the unique lineage containing viruses responsible for the emergencies in the Southern Cone, reflecting the different livestock circuits and providing evidence that support the ecosystem dynamics in the region. A wide geographical dissemination of the same strain in short time intervals has been observed, pointing to animal movements as the most significant risk parameter. This fact, together with an important generation of viral variants in areas under weak control strategies, reinforce the need of stronger official controls, as well as for establishing multinational cooperative measures in the border areas.     

Selection of CMY-2 producing Escherichia coli in the faecal flora of dogs treated with cephalexin

Cephalexin is a first generation cephalosporin commonly used in dogs for treatment of pyoderma. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo effects of cephalexin on selection of Escherichia coli resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins. A cohort study was conducted on 13 dogs presenting clinical signs of pyoderma and treated with cephalexin and 22 healthy dogs that had not been treated with antibiotics during the previous six months. Selective plating of faeces on MacConkey agar plates containing cefotaxime (CTX) yielded growth of CTX-resistant E. coli for eight of the 13 treated dogs (62%), whereas no growth was observed for any of the control dogs (Fisher exact test, P<0.001). PCR and sequence analysis identified bla(CMY-2) in all eight dogs. PCR-based replicon typing and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of E. coli transformants revealed location of bla(CMY-2) on indistinguishable IncI1 plasmids in five of the eight dogs. One representative of these five epidemiologically related IncI1 plasmids was further characterized as sequence type (ST2) by plasmid multilocus sequence typing (pMLST). E. coli from the remaining three dogs harboured bla(CMY-2) on distinct plasmids with non-typeable replicons. A single isolate was classified as an extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) due to the presence of iutA, papC and sfa/foc. The results provide a strong indication that cephalexin selects for E. coli producing plasmid-borne CMY-2 β-lactamase. The isolation of a specific IncI1 plasmid carrying bla(CMY-2) from five epidemiologically unrelated dogs suggests that cephalexin use may contribute to the spread of this plasmid lineage among Danish dogs.     

The pathology of the external ear canal in dogs and cats

Summary

A survey of factors which predispose the canine ear to otitis externa is presented In restected ear specimens of 106 dogs, otitis externa without tumour was found on 58 occasions. In 46 dogs tumours were diagnosed in 15 cases with an ototis externa. In two dogs an inflammatory polyp was found.

In the resected ear specimens of 48 cats, otitis externa was diagnosed 27 times, in 6 cases combined with an inflammatory polyp. In 21 cases neoplasia was present.

The otitis externa was mainly a chronic proliferative inflammation characterised by hyperkeratinisation, hyperplasia of the sebaceous and ceruminous glands, fibrosis and infiltration with plasma cells, lymphocytes and macrophages, often containing ceroid pigment.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF PRIMARY AND CONCOMITANT FLEXOR ENTHESOPATHY IN THE CANINE ELBOW

Flexor enthesopathy is a recently recognized elbow disorder in dogs and considered to be an important differential diagnosis for elbow lameness. Primary and concomitant forms of the disease have been previously described and treatments differ for the two forms. The goal of this prospective study was to compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for dogs with primary flexor enthesopathy (n = 17), concomitant flexor enthesopathy (n = 23), elbow dysplasia alone (n = 13), and normal elbows (n = 7). Each elbow joint underwent MRI using the same low‐field scanner. Sequences included transverse and sagittal T1‐weighted (before and after IV contrast), transverse and sagittal T2‐weighted, and dorsal STIR. For each elbow, MRI lesions were recorded based on a consensus of two observers unaware of group status. Magnetic resonance imaging lesions involving flexor tendons were found in 100% of clinically affected joints with primary flexor enthesopathy and 96% of clinically affected joints with concomitant flexor enthesopathy. Thickened flexor muscles were the most common lesions, followed by hyperintense tendon signal and contrast enhancement. Irregular, thickened medial humeral epicondyle, edema, and calcified body lesions were less frequently observed. Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of flexor enthesopathy were not found in normal joints or those affected by elbow dysplasia alone. No significant differences in frequencies and details of individual MRI characteristics were found between primary and concomitant flexor enthesopathy groups. Findings indicated that MRI is a sensitive technique for detection of flexor enthesopathy lesions in dogs, however, MRI characteristics do not allow differentiation of primary versus concomitant forms of the disease.     

Effects of carprofen on renal function and results of serum biochemical and hematologic analyses in anesthetized dogs that had low blood pressure during anesthesia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of IV administered carprofen on indices of renal function and results of serum biochemical and hematologic analyses in dogs anesthetized with acepromazine-thiopentone-isoflurane that had low blood pressure during anesthesia. ANIMALS: 6 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURE: A randomized crossover study was conducted, using the following treatments: saline (0.9% NaCl solution)-saline, saline-carprofen, and carprofen-saline. Saline (0.08 ml/kg) and carprofen (4 mg/kg) were administered IV. The first treatment was administered 30 minutes before induction of anesthesia and immediately before administration of acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg, IM). Anesthesia was induced with thiopentone (25 mg/ml, IV) and maintained with inspired isoflurane (2% in oxygen). The second treatment was administered 30 minutes after onset of inhalation anesthesia. Blood gases, circulation, and ventilation were monitored. Renal function was assessed by glomerular filtration rate (GFR), using scintigraphy, serum biochemical analyses, and urinalysis. Hematologic analysis was performed. Statistical analysis was conducted, using ANOVA or Friedman ANOVA. RESULTS: Values did not differ significantly among the 3 treatments. For all treatments, sedation and anesthesia caused changes in results of serum biochemical and hematologic analyses, a decrease in mean arterial blood pressure to 65 mm Hg, an increase of 115 pmol/L in angiotensin II concentration, and an increase of 100 seconds in time required to reach maximum activity counts during scintigraphy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Carprofen administered IV before or during anesthesia did not cause detectable significant adverse effects on renal function or results of serum biochemical and hematologic analyses in healthy Beagles with low blood pressure during anesthesia.     

Effects of meloxicam on renal function in dogs with hypotension during anaesthesia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of meloxicam on renal function in dogs anaesthetized and rendered hypotensive with acepromazine-thiopental-isoflurane. ANIMALS: Eight healthy beagles, four males and four females, 25.6 +/- 19.3 months old and weighing 12.8 +/- 2.0 kg. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Either meloxicam suspension at a dose of 0.133 mL kg(-1) (0.2 mg kg(-1)) or 0.133 mL kg(-1) saline solution (control), were given by mouth (PO) in a randomized, cross-over fashion. The treatment or control was given 3 hours before anaesthesia. Dogs were sedated with intramuscular acepromazine 0.1 mg kg(-1). Anaesthesia was induced with intravenous thiopental, followed by tracheal intubation and maintenance with isoflurane in oxygen and air, delivered using a semi-closed breathing system. Renal function was quantified using serum biochemistry, urinalysis and glomerular filtration rate measured by scintigraphy. Analysis of variance or Friedman anova were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Values (mean +/- SD) for mean arterial blood pressure did not differ significantly between treatments but was low (54 +/- 7 mmHg) during anaesthesia. Glomerular filtration rate did not differ significantly between treatments or over time, and results of urine and serum analysis were within reference ranges after meloxicam treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Meloxicam caused no adverse effects on renal function when given to healthy dogs anaesthetized and rendered hypotensive with acepromazine, thiopental and isoflurane.