Calcineurin inhibitors: a novel approach to canine atopic dermatitis

The introduction of calcineurin inhibitors represents a major addition to the armamentarium of drugs available to veterinary clinicians for the management of allergic skin diseases. Both cyclosporine and tacrolimus have been proven to be well tolerated and effective for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in dogs. Although broad spectrum in their mechanism of action, they lack the major adverse effects of glucocorticoids and provide an appealing alternative to traditional therapies. The purposes of this article are to review clinically relevant information regarding these agents and to provide tips for maximizing the benefit obtained from these therapies.     

Solid shelter tubes alleviate summer stresses during outplanting in drought-tolerant species of Mediterranean forests

New Forests - The effect of shelter tubes on plant performance has been widely studied. Although, the role of shelter tubes in alleviating the effects of drought and high-irradiance stresses during...     

Bacteriological investigation on “Mauro” sold in Catania

Seaweeds known as “Mauro” are traditionally used fresh or to prepare omelettes in Sicily (Italy). Twenty samples sold in Catania between May 2005 and September 2007 were analyzed for Escherichia coli, Total Enterobacteria, Aeromonas spp., Pseudomonas spp., Vibrio spp., and Salmonella spp. Thirty Vibrio strains were examined for the presence of the virulence genes, toxR, toxRS, tl, tdh, and trh in the genomes of the isolates. Total Enterobacteria ranged between 2.23 and 6.85 log CFU/g, and in six samples, E. coli ranged between 0.70 and 2.74 log CFU/g. Aeromonas spp. was present in samples between 1.0 and 5.90 log CFU/g, while Pseudomonas spp. ranged between 2.70 and 7.27 log CFU/g. Vibrio spp. was present in 75% of samples at values between 1.30 and 4.60 log CFU/g. The most frequently isolated species was V. alginolyticus (76.66% of isolates), of which 82.60% were positive for toxR and the remaining 17.40% of strains were positive for toxRS. V. parahaemolyticus was identified in 13.33% of strains; all were positive for toxR and, in one case, for both toxR and toxRS. V. coralliitycus was isolated in 6.66% of strains (all positive for toxR), and one was identified as V. mimicus (positive for toxRS). The results of this study suggest that there is need for stringent quality control during harvesting and distribution of Mauro.

     

Comparison of serum dexamethasone concentrations in cats after oral or transdermal administration using pluronic lecithin organogel (PLO): a pilot study

The objective of this study was to measure and compare the serum concentrations of dexamethasone after oral and transdermal administration using pluronic lecithin organogel in six healthy cats. The study was designed as a crossover, in which the cats were randomly assigned to two groups. The cats received a single dose (0.05 mg kg(-1)) of dexamethasone either orally or transdermally on the inner pinna. Blood samples were taken at 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min, and 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24, 48 and 72 h post dexamethasone administration. A mean peak serum concentration of 30.1 ng mL(-1) was detected 15 min after oral administration. Serum concentrations were below detection limits by 24 h. In contrast, there was no significant increase in serum concentrations of dexamethasone after transdermal administration. In cats, transdermal administration of a single dose of dexamethasone did not result in significant serum concentrations compared to oral administration.     

Molecular characterisation and pathogenicity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus</Emphasis> Sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nigri</Emphasis> causing Aspergillus vine canker of table grapes in Italy

Thirty-two isolates belonging to black aspergilli (Aspergillus section Nigri) associated to vine canker disease of grapevine were collected in seven vineyards located in southeastern Sicily (Italy). Molecular analysis was performed to identify the isolates by multilocus sequence analysis. Amplification of part of the β-tubulin gene (benA) and partial calmodulin (CaM) gene were performed using the Bt2a, Bt2b and CL1, CL2A primers, respectively. Molecular characterisation showed a high distribution of Aspergillus niger “aggregate” species on grapes in Sicily and in particular of A. niger (21 isolates), A. tubingensis (9 isolates), and A. carbonarius (2 isolates). The 21 isolates of A. niger found to belong within the newly described cryptic species A. awamori. Six isolates (3 of A. tubingensis, 2 of A. carbonarius, and 1 of A. niger) were used in pathogenicity studies on mature canes of cv. Italia grape. All species caused Aspergillus vine canker equally well, with no differences in virulence.     

Performance characteristics of a monoclonal antibody cocktail-based ELISA for detection of allergen-specific IgE in dogs and comparison with a high affinity IgE receptor-based ELISA

The purpose of this study was to define the operational and performance characteristics of a commercially available monoclonal antibody based (mac) ELISA for detection of allergen-specific IgE in dogs. The average intra-assay variance over 1 year was 9.7% (range 2.5–62.7%), while the interassay variance averaged 10.8% (range 8.1–13.8%). The average positive control responses observed for grass, weed, tree and mite allergens during each month remained relatively constant; the average monthly variance was 11.6% (range 8.3–19.2%) for grass pollens, 13.3% (range 9.1–20.4%) for weed pollens, 13.3% (range 9.8–18.2%) for tree pollens and 13.6% (range 8.9–18.7%) for mite allergens. The interlaboratory concordance of results for the macELISA was approximately 91%. The interlaboratory concordance of results comparing the macELISA and a high affinity IgE receptor-based ELISA was approximately 92%. The results demonstrate that the macELISA is reproducible and the results are comparable to the high affinity IgE receptor based ELISA within and between laboratories.     

Tight junction proteins in the canine epidermis: A pilot study on their distribution in normal and in high IgE-producing canines

Epidermal tight junctions (TJ) have been well-described in human medicine and are involved in many skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD). In dogs, there are no data regarding the implication of TJ in skin diseases including canine AD.The aim of this study was to compare the expression and the distribution of ZO-1, occludin and claudin-1 in the epidermis of healthy and atopic dogs.Skin biopsies from 6 high IgE-producing beagles sensitized to house dust mite (atopic group) were used. Skin specimens from nine healthy dogs without skin issues were sampled (healthy group).Immunoperoxydase staining was used to study the staining pattern of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin and claudin-1 in the epidermis of healthy and atopic dogs. Positive controls were healthy human skin samples.Labeling patterns were assessed by 2 examiners blinded to the identities of the specimens. Comparisons between groups were performed using an exact Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test.The mean total expression score of claudin-1 was lower in atopic dogs as compared to healthy subjects. Occludin and ZO-1 expression remained unchanged within each group.These results suggest a defect in claudin-1 expression in the nonlesional epidermis of atopic dogs.