Results from the treatment of advanced stage squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal planum in cats, using a combination of intralesional carboplatin and superficial radiotherapy: a pilot study

Six cats with an advanced stage squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasal planum were treated with a combination of superficial radiotherapy and intralesional carboplatin therapy. This multimodality protocol was well tolerated by the majority of cats and resulted in complete responses in all cats (100%). Median follow‐up for all cats is 268 days, and the median time‐to‐recurrence, time‐to‐progression and overall survival have not yet been reached. Our study, although limited in number of animals and with a relatively short median follow‐up compared to other studies for this disease, suggests that a combination of radiotherapy and intralesional carboplatin is a useful treatment option for an advanced stage SCC of the nasal planum in cats and warrants further application of the multimodality approach presented here.     

Noninvasive monitoring of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity: a pilot study of two dogs

The cardiotoxicity of anthracycline anticancer agents, most notably doxorubicin, limits their use in treating a wide variety of cancers. Currently available methods for assessment of anthracycline‐induced cardiotoxicity (AIC) often lack specificity and sensitivity. The purpose of this pilot investigation was to determine noninvasive diagnostic methods that are predictive for AIC. Two mongrel dogs were anesthetized for injection of doxorubicin (22.5 mg) directly into the left coronary artery. Doxorubicin injection was repeated 2 weeks later. Dogs were followed for 12 weeks or until heart failure was documented. Dogs were monitored before and at serial time points after doxorubicin using echocardiography and signal‐averaged electrocardiography as well as ambulatory ECG monitoring. Blood was also collected for measurement of cardiac troponin I and T concentrations. Doxorubicin was readministered at 6 and 12 weeks after the second injection, as interim data analysis did not reveal adequate evidence of cardiomyopathy. Dog‐1 appeared to be more sensitive than Dog‐2 to AIC based upon gradual changes in variables of cardiac function and earlier time to failure (113 days). In contrast, Dog‐2 had inconsistent changes in cardiac function and a longer time to failure (139 days). Dog‐1 also had greater peak plasma cardiac troponin I levels (17.96 ng/ml) as compared to peak levels in Dog‐2 (4.08 ng/ml). In addition, Dog‐1 had increased ventricular extrasystolic contractions (VE)(0/day at baseline, 443/day one week prior to death), whereas dog‐2 showed very few VE's throughout. Spectral analysis of ECG data also revealed a significant decrease over time in total spectral power in Dog‐1 from 37,148 at baseline to 603 msec²/Hz one week prior to death, indicating decreased parasympathetic tone. Endomyocardial biopsies revealed minor changes despite significant clinical abnormalities. These data indicate differences in susceptibility to AIC between Dog‐1 and Dog‐2, and suggest a role for these noninvasive measures in monitoring the heart during chemotherapy.     

Cardiac troponin I in canine patients with lymphoma and osteosarcoma receiving doxorubicin: comparison with clinical heart disease in a retrospective analysis

The cumulative cardiotoxicity that occurs as a result of doxorubicin chemotherapy is irreversible and can affect both quality and quantity of life for the cancer patient. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a sensitive and specific marker of cardiomyocyte death. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate serum concentrations of cTnI in dogs with lymphoma or osteosarcoma given doxorubicin chemotherapy, and with known cardiac outcome, based on a minimum assessment by physical examination and thoracic radiography. Serum samples were also available for cTnI measurement from seven healthy dogs given intracoronary doxorubicin. Serial serum samples obtained before, during and after doxorubicin chemotherapy showed increased cTnI concentrations in some clinical patients following chemotherapy (P = 0.0083 compared to baseline), but this did not correlate with clinical signs of cardiomyopathy. In dogs that subsequently developed cardiomyopathy however, serum cTnI concentrations were elevated before clinical signs became evident (confirmed with echocardiography).     

Adherence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 to swine buccal epithelial cells involves fibronectin

The swine pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 was investigated for its ability to adhere to swine, rat, and human buccal epithelial cells (BEC). The highest number of bacteria adhered was to swine BEC. This binding ability was affected by heating, extreme pH, treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate, ethylenediamine tetraacetate, or periodate, and proteolysis, suggesting that cell-surface glycoproteins participate in adherence and that adherence is based mostly on ionic interactions. Mannose and swine fibronectin may play a direct role in this interaction. Convalescent-phase serum from naturally infected pigs inhibited the adhesion. There was a correlation between bacterial pathogenicity as well as host specificity and the capacity for adherence to swine BEC. Adhesion to swine BEC provides a convenient method to study in vitro the adherence of A. pleuropneumoniae and other pathogens of the pig respiratory tract.     

Veterinary Toxicovigilance: Objectives,Means and Organisation in France

Veterinary Research Communications -     

P‐81 A retrospective study of equine sarcoidosis

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate six cases of equine sarcoidosis for initial presenting symptoms, response to therapy and actual outcome. Dermatologists and dermatopathologists from Europe, the United States, Australia and Canada were contacted to obtain these six cases, as this is a rare disease. Signalment, clinical signs, histological findings, clinical management and outcome were determined via a questionnaire and compared to former reports. There was no age or breed predilection, and four of six horses were geldings. Age of onset ranged from 3 months to 17 years. Onset of the disease was insidious or rapid. Interestingly, in five of six cases, scaling began on the trunk (girth and shoulder). Scaling, crusting and alopecia were seen in all six horses. In one horse, clinical signs of systemic disease were reported and included intermittent fever, prescapular lymphadenopathy, depression, poor body condition and nasal discharge. Treatment included phenylbutazone, deworming agents, antibiotics, short‐term low‐dose corticosteroids, and 1–1.5 mg/kg of prednisolone. One horse showed a partial response to trimethoprim and sulfonamide, and five of six went into clinical remission with corticosteroid treatment. Five of six horses were still alive 1 year after diagnosis; one horse was diagnosed <12 months ago. Two horses are in complete remission 4 and 8 years after diagnosis. In both horses, clinical signs recurred after cessation of therapy and went into remission again with reintroduction of treatment. Both of these horses have been in remission for several years without therapy. Funding: Self‐funded.     

FC‐14 Clonality studies of feline cutaneous lymphocytosis

A previous study described cutaneous lymphocytosis (CL) in 23 cats. The process resembles cutaneous pseudolymphoma in humans, a heterogeneous group of benign reactive proliferations of well‐differentiated lymphocytes in the skin of humans. Morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics do not offer reliable criteria to accurately predict the clinical outcome of feline CL or pseudolymphoma in humans. Presence of clonal cell populations is more consistent with a neoplastic process. In a previous study, feline CL lesions (20 cats) were evaluated for clonality using PCR, and only two cats had monoclonal T‐cell populations. Because false‐negative results may occur, the purpose of this study was to repeat the PCR using a revised primer set based on analysis of additional feline T‐cell receptor γ (TCRγ) sequences. DNA was isolated from 29 skin lesions and six internal organs of 20 cats. DNA integrity was assessed by glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase PCR. Polymerase chain reaction clonality was performed using the revised primer set specific for feline TCRγ, and duplicate samples were evaluated. The PCR products were assessed by heteroduplex analysis. Clonal rearrangement of TCRγ was detected in 14 cats (24 of 35 tissues: 21 of 29 skin lesions and three of six internal organs); eight of these cats are still alive and six were euthanized. Monoclonal populations were seen in three of five cats that had involvement of internal organs. These findings indicate that feline CL is best considered as a slowly progressive process which may be reactive, but often evolves into a low‐grade indolent lymphoma. Funding: George H. Muller Fund for Research in Dermatology.     

Germination ecology of Leptochloa chinensis: a new weed in the Italian rice agro-environment

Leptochloa chinensis is a new weed that has been found with increasing frequency in Italian rice paddies. The germination ecology of L. chinensis seeds was studied in order to investigate the development mechanisms and survival strategy of this weed in rice paddies of northern Italy. Leptochloa chinensis seeds showed no dormancy and exhibited germination even in anoxic conditions. Germination was strongly influenced by temperature (minimum around 15°C; optimal 25–35°C) and light (phytochrome dependent). Temperature fluctuation caused an increase of seed germination in the dark. Seed burial also strongly inhibited germination and emergence of this species. At 5 cm seed burial only 5% of seedlings emerged in flooded conditions, while at the same depth, but with no flooding, no seedling emergence was observed. This phenomenon was not due to oxygen depletion, as germination was not inhibited by complete anoxia, as demonstrated by the fact that some seedlings did emerge in flooding conditions when water was no deeper than 6 cm. Seed burial and concomitant flooding induced an unusual germination: first coleoptile emergence and subsequently emergence of the radicle was observed. The possible exploitation of this knowledge for weed management is discussed.