Clinical and histopathological features of pemphigus foliaceus with and without eosinophilic infiltrates: a retrospective evaluation of 40 dogs

The importance of cellular infiltrates in tissues has been investigated as a diagnostic tool, mechanism of pathogenesis, and prognostic indicator in certain human diseases. Eosinophils, in particular, have a distinct role in the development of cutaneous lesions in human autoimmune diseases. Identification of an eosinophilic infiltrate can aid the diagnosis of immunobullous disease in the early stages of the disease process. In canine pemphigus foliaceus, eosinophils are present to a variable degree within lesional tissue. This study retrospectively evaluated 40 dogs with pemphigus foliaceus, and examined clinical and histologic features and final outcomes in cases with and without eosinophilic infiltrates. Twenty‐five of 40 dogs (63%) had an eosinophilic infiltrate in either the pustules/crust, follicular infundibulum or dermis. There was no statistically significant difference in clinical distribution or appearance of dermatological lesions, response to treatment, or disease outcome in dogs with or without an eosinophilic infiltrate. However, dogs with concurrent disease were significantly more likely to have an eosinophilic infiltrate (P = 0.01). Dogs with adverse effects associated with immunosuppressive therapy were significantly more likely to have an eosinophilic infiltrate (P = 0.05). Fifteen of 40 dogs (38%) had a history of allergic disease and a significantly higher proportion of these dogs had an eosinophilic infiltrate (P = 0.04). An eosinophilic infiltrate was found in more than half of the dogs in this study. These findings justify further studies to investigate the role of eosinophils in the pathogenesis, therapy and prognosis in dogs with pemphigus foliaceus.     

Impact on beef cattle productivity of infection with anthelmintic-resistant nematodes

ABSTRACT

Aims: The main goal of the current study was to evaluate, on a commercial beef cattle farm, the impact of infection with gastrointestinal nematodes resistant to both ivermectin (IVM) and moxidectin (MXD) on the productivity of calves.

Methods: Male Aberdeen Angus calves, aged 9–11 months, with faecal nematode egg counts (FEC) ≥200 epg and body weight ≥190?kg, were allocated to two herds. Herd A (n?=?90) grazed a maize-winter forage crop rotation and Herd B (n?=?90) grazed a 2-year-old Agropyrum pasture. On Day 0 in each herd, calves were randomly allocated into five groups (n?=?18), which were treated with 0.2?mg/kg IVM; 0.2?mg/kg MXD; 3.75?mg/kg ricobendazole (RBZ), both IVM and RBZ, or remained untreated. Faecal samples collected on Days ?1 and 19 were used to determine the percentage reduction in FEC, and genera of the nematodes were determined by the identification of the third-stage larvae recovered from faecal cultures. Total weight gain was determined from body weights recorded on Days ?1 and 91.

Results: Overall mean reduction in FEC was 42% for IVM, 67% for MXD, 97% for RBZ and 99% for IVM?+?RBZ. The reduction in FEC for Cooperia spp. was ≤78% for IVM and MXD, and for Haemonchus spp. was 0 and 36% for IVM and MXD, respectively, confirming the presence of parasites resistant to both anthelmintics. Only IVM?+?RBZ treatment resulted in 100% efficacy against Haemonchus spp. The overall estimated mean total weight gain for calves treated with IVM was 15.7 (95% CI?=?11.9–19.7) kg and for calves treated with IVM?+?RBZ was 28.8 (95% CI?=?25–32.5) kg (p?<?0.001). Mean total weight gain for calves treated with MXD was 23.5 (95% CI?=?19.7–27.2) kg.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: In calves naturally infected with resistant nematodes, under the production system assessed here, weight gains were lower in calves treated with anthelmintics that were moderately or highly ineffective compared to those treated with highly effective anthelmintics. These results demonstrate to farmers and veterinarians the importance of a sustainable and effective nematode control under field conditions.     

A variant of the HTRA1 gene increases susceptibility to age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss in the developed world and has a strong genetic predisposition. A locus at human chromosome 10q26 affects the risk of AMD, but the precise gene(s) have not been identified. We genotyped 581 AMD cases and 309 normal controls in a Caucasian cohort in Utah. We demonstrate that a single-nucleotide polymorphism, rs11200638, in the promoter region of HTRA1 is the most likely causal variant for AMD at 10q26 and is estimated to confer a population attributable risk of 49.3%. The HTRA1 gene encodes a secreted serine protease. Preliminary analysis of lymphocytes and retinal pigment epithelium from four AMD patients revealed that the risk allele was associated with elevated expression levels of HTRA1 mRNA and protein. We also found that drusen in the eyes of AMD patients were strongly immunolabeled with HTRA1 antibody. Together, these findings support a key role for HTRA1 in AMD susceptibility and identify a potential new pathway for AMD pathogenesis.     

Preference Mapping of Commercial Whole Wheat Breads

Whole wheat breads are becoming a dominant presence in the market; however, the sensory qualities that drive consumer liking have not been well described. The purpose of this study was to identify sensory attributes and consumer acceptance of commercial whole wheat breads. Six whole wheat breads were evaluated for 26 attributes by a trained panel (N = 8). Two distinct groups of attributes were noted for the breads: those that were sweet, moist, and sticky versus those with characteristics associated with whole wheat such as wheaty, earthy, and bitter. In the consumer panel (N = 75), three clusters were formed. Cluster 1 (n = 28) had higher mean hedonic scores for all attributes compared with the other clusters (P < 0.01), although these consumers did not distinguish well among samples. Significant differences were found in all attributes in clusters 2 (n = 33) and 3 (n = 14). Cluster 2 preferred samples with sweet flavors and moist, cohesive textures, whereas cluster 3 preferred samples with earthy, roasted, and whole wheat flavors. A portion of consumers appeared to prefer breads not only with sweet and moist characteristics but also with some of the more hearty attributes like roasted and fermented. These data may be useful in developing new whole wheat products.     

Regulation of Anti‐Müllerian Hormone and Its Receptor Expression around Follicle Deviation in Cattle

The anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) is an important marker of ovarian reserve and for predicting the response to superovulatory treatments in several species. The objective of this study was to investigate whether AMH and its receptor (AMHR2) are regulated in bovine granulosa cells during follicular development. In the first experiment, granulosa cells were retrieved from the two largest follicles on days 2 (before), 3 (at the expected time) or 4 (after deviation) of follicular wave. In the second experiment, four doses of FSH (30, 30, 20 and 20 mg) or saline were administered twice a day starting on Day 2 of the first follicular wave of the cycle. Granulosa cells and follicular fluid were collected from the two largest follicles 12 h after the last injection of FSH or saline. AMH mRNA abundance was similar in granulosa cells of the two largest follicles (F1 and F2) before deviation (Day 2), but greater in dominant (DF) than subordinate follicles (SF) at the expected time (Day 3) and after (Day 4) deviation (p < 0.05). In experiment 1, AMH mRNA levels declined in both DF and SF near the expected time and after deviation when compared to before deviation. There was no difference in AMHR2 mRNA levels before and during follicular deviation (p > 0.05), but they tended to be greater in DFs than SFs (p < 0.1) after deviation. Experiment 2 showed that AMH and AMHR2 mRNA in granulosa cells and AMH protein abundance in follicular fluid were similar (p > 0.05) between both co‐dominant follicles collected from the FSH‐treated cows. These findings indicate the followings: AMH mRNA levels decrease in both DFs and SFs during follicular deviation; granulosa cells from heathy follicles express more AMH mRNA compared to subordinate follicles undergoing atresia and FSH stimulates AMH and AMHR2 mRNA expression in granulosa cells of co‐dominant follicles.