Dietary arachidonate in milk replacer triggers dual benefits of PGE_2 signaling in LPS-challenged piglet alveolar macrophages

Background: Respiratory infections challenge the swine industry, despite common medicinal practices. The dual signaling nature of PGE_2(supporting both inflammation and resolution) makes it a potent regulator of immune cell function. Therefore, the use of dietary long chain n-6 PUFA to enhance PGE_2 effects merits investigation.Methods: Day-old pigs(n = 60) were allotted to one of three dietary groups for 21 d(n = 20/diet), and received either a control diet(CON, arachidonate = 0.5% of total fatty acids), an arachidonate(ARA)-enriched diet(LC n-6,ARA = 2.2%), or an eicosapentaenoic(EPA)-enriched diet(LC n-3, EPA = 3.0%). Alveolar macrophages and lung parenchymal tissue were collected for fatty acid analysis. Isolated alveolar macrophages were stimulated with LPS in situ for 24 h, and m RNA was isolated to assess markers associated with inflammation and eicosanoid production.Culture media were collected to assess PGE_2 secretion. Oxidative burst in macrophages was measured by: 1)oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification(via Seahorse), 2) cytoplasmic oxidation and 3) nitric oxide production following 4, 18, and 24 h of LPS stimulation.Results: Concentration of ARA(% of fatty acids, w/w) in macrophages from pigs fed LC n-6 was 86% higher than CON and 18% lower in pigs fed LC n-3(P 0.01). Following LPS stimulation, abundance of COX-2 and TNF-α mRNA(P 0.0001), and PGE_2 secretion(P 0. 01) were higher in LC n-6 PAM vs. CON. However, ALOX5 abundance was1.6-fold lower than CON. Macrophages from CON and LC n-6 groups were 4-fold higher in ALOX12/15 abundance(P 0.0001) compared to LC n-3. Oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rates increased over 4 h following LPS stimulation(P 0.05) regardless of treatment. Similarly, increases in cytoplasmic oxidation(P 0.001)and nitric oxide production(P 0.002) were observed after 18 h of LPS stimulation but were unaffected by diet.Conclusions: We infer that enriching diets with arachidonic acid may be an effective means to enhance a stronger innate immunologic response to respiratory challenges in neonatal pigs. However, further work is needed to examine long-term safety, clinical efficacy and economic viability.     

Corynebacterium urealyticum urinary tract infection in a cat with urethral obstruction

Corynebacterium urealyticum is an uncommon cause of urinary tract infections in cats. However, it is difficult to diagnose and if left untreated it may result in irreversible bladder lesions. C urealyticum is a multiantibiotic-resistant bacterium whose culture requires special care. Risk factors for the occurrence of this infection include urological procedures, foreign bodies, bladder mucosa abnormalities, immuno-suppressed states and antibiotic treatment. This report describes an unusual case of C urealyticum urinary infection in a young cat with pre-existing urethral obstruction. C urealyticum was isolated in pure cultures from two urine samples. Clinical and ultrasound features, results of the urinalysis and urine culture are described as well as therapeutic treatment and eventual favourable outcome to treatment with amoxycillin-clavulanic acid.     

Extranodal gammadelta-T-cell lymphoma in a dog with leishmaniasis

An 8-year-old intact male mongrel dog with alopecia and weight loss was referred to the Veterinary Faculty of Naples. The dog had pale mucous membranes, enlarged prescapular lymph nodes, and splenomegaly. Laboratory abnormalities included anemia, thrombocytopenia, and hyperglobulinemia. Bone marrow aspirate smears contained numerous Leishmania amastigotes and an immunofluorescent antibody titer was strongly positive (1:1280) for leishmaniasis. The dog was treated with a combination of meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol for 60 days and showed clinical improvement. Two months after the end of treatment the dog was again referred because of relapse of leishmaniasis and the presence of a firm subcutaneous mass on the medial right thigh. Based on cytologic examination of fine needle aspirates of the mass, a diagnosis of large-cell lymphoma was made. Flow cytometry of tumor cells revealed gammadelta-T-cell lymphoma with a CD5+, CD3+, TCRgammadelta+, CD4-, CD8-, CD45RA+ immunophenotype. Using nested PCR, amastigotes were not detected in the neoplastic tissue. An association between leishmaniasis and hematopoietic tumors has been described rarely. gammadelta-T cells may be involved in the host response to this parasite, and prolonged antigenic stimulation and chronic immunosuppression (typical of leishmaniasis) play a crucial role in the etiopathogenesis of T-cell lymphoma.     

Impact of the botanical insecticide Neem Azal on survival and reproduction of the biting louse Damalinia limbata on angora goats

Secondary metabolites present in the neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Meliaceae), exhibit a wide range of biological activities in insects. However, few studies have been undertaken to assess the potential of neem products as insecticides for the control of ectoparasites of domestic animals. This study was undertaken to estimate the efficacy of Neem Azal, an azadirachtin-rich extract of neem seeds, in controlling Damalinia limbata (Phthiraptera) louse infestation of angora goats. The study was conducted on a fibre animal farm situated in Central Italy. Groups of 11-12 goats were treated with Neem Azal at an azadirachtin concentration of 650ppm or 125ppm, with Neguvon or were left untreated. Their louse burden was assessed fortnightly to monthly for 22 weeks. A reduction in louse densities of 76-96% was observed from week 2 to week 18 after treatment with the neem solution containing azadirachtin at a concentration of 650ppm. At the lower test concentration (125ppm) a reduction of 60-92% could be recorded from week 2 to week 14. Neem Azal was found to reduce the survival of both adult and nymph stages of D. limbata and to interfere with oviposition and oogenesis of female lice. A decrease in oviposition was observed in neem exposed female lice and the examination of their ovaries revealed morphological alterations in both vitellogenic and previtellogenic ovarioles at the follicular and germinal level. Since neem compounds target different life stages and physiological processes of D. limbata, the development of insecticide resistance by biting lice exposed to neem-based insecticides appears unlikely. For this reason and for its prolonged activity, which in principle allows angora goats to be protected for a large part of the mohair production cycle, neem-based insecticides may have a potential interest for mohair producing breeders.     

Marine Demospongiae: A Challenging Treasure of Bioactive Compounds

In the last decades, it has been demonstrated that marine organisms are a substantial source of bioactive compounds with possible biotechnological applications. Marine sponges, in particular those belonging to the class of Demospongiae, have been considered among the most interesting invertebrates for their biotechnological potential. In this review, particular attention is devoted to natural compounds/extracts isolated from Demospongiae and their associated microorganisms with important biological activities for pharmacological applications such as antiviral, anticancer, antifouling, antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, antifungal and antioxidant. The data here presented show that this class of sponges is an exciting source of compounds, which are worth developing into new drugs, such as avarol, a hydroquinone isolated from the marine sponge Disidea avara, which is used as an antitumor, antimicrobial and antiviral drug.