Comparative adverse cardiac effects of pimobendan and benazepril monotherapy in dogs with mild degenerative mitral valve disease: a prospective, controlled, blinded, and randomized study

BACKGROUND: Pimobendan (PIMO) is an inodilator that may have some beneficial effects in canine degenerative mitral valve disease (MVD). However, little information is available about its cardiac effects in dogs without systolic myocardial dysfunction. HYPOTHESIS: Compared to benazepril (BNZ), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, PIMO may worsen valve regurgitation in early canine MVD. ANIMALS: Twelve Beagles with asymptomatic MVD were randomized into 2 groups (n = 6) receiving BNZ or PIMO at dosages of 0.25 mg/kg PO q24h and q12h respectively, for 512 days. METHODS: The study followed a blinded, randomized, prospective, and parallel group design. After day 512, the dogs were necropsied, and cardiac histopathology was performed in a blinded manner. RESULTS: A significant treatment effect was observed as soon as day 15 with increased systolic function in the PIMO group by comparison to baseline value as assessed by fractional shortening (P < .0001) and tissue Doppler variables (P = .001). Concurrently, the maximum area and peak velocity of the regurgitant jet signal increased (P < .001), whereas these variables remained stable in the BNZ group. Histologic grades of mitral valve lesions were more severe in the PIMO group than in the BNZ group. Moreover, acute focal hemorrhages, endothelial papillary hyperplasia, and infiltration of chordae tendinae with glycosaminoglycans were observed in the mitral valves of dogs from the PIMO group but not in those of the BNZ group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: PIMO has adverse cardiac functional and morphologic effects in dogs with asymptomatic MVD. Additional investigation in dogs with symptomatic MVD is now warranted.     

A multi-gene analysis of diversity of bartonella detected in fleas from Algeria

We report the molecular detection of several Bartonella species in 44 (21.5%) of 204 fleas from Algeria collected from 26 rodents and 7 hedgehogs. Bartonella elizabethae and B. clarridgeiae were detected in the fleas collected on hedgehogs. Bartonella tribocorum and B. elizabethae were detected in fleas collected from rats and mice, and sequences similar to an unnamed Bartonella sp. detected in rodents from China were detected in rats as well as a genotype of Bartonella closely related to Bartonella rochalimae detected in fleas collected on brown rats (Rattus norvegicus).     

Comparative effects of fumonisins on sphingolipid metabolism and toxicity in ducks and turkeys

Fumonisins (FBs) are mycotoxins that are found worldwide in maize and maize products. Their main toxic effects have been well characterized in poultry, but differences between species have been demonstrated. Ducks appeared very sensitive to toxicity, whereas turkeys are more resistant. At the same time, alterations of sphingolipid metabolism, with an increase of the concentration of the free sphinganine (Sa) in serum and liver, have been demonstrated in the two species, but the link between the toxicity of FBs and Sa accumulation remains difficult to interpret. The aim of the present work was to compare the effects of FBs (10 mg FB1 + FB2/kg body weight) on sphingolipid metabolism in ducks and turkeys. Growth, feed consumption, and serum biochemistry were also investigated to evaluate toxicity. The main results showed that FBs increased Sa concentrations in liver and serum in ducks and turkeys, but these accumulations were not directly correlated with toxicity. Sa accumulation was higher in the livers of turkeys than in ducks, whereas Sa levels were higher in the sera of ducks than in turkeys. Hepatic toxicity was more pronounced in ducks than in turkeys and accompanied a decrease of body weight and an increase of serum biochemistry in ducks but not in turkeys. So, although FBs increase Sa concentration in the livers of both species, this effect is not directly proportional to toxicity. The mechanisms of FB toxicity and/or the mechanisms of protection of ducks and turkeys to the Sa accumulation within the liver remain to be established.     

Small-colon rupture attributable to granulosa cell tumor in a mare

A large granulosa cell tumor was believed to be responsible for causing obstruction and subsequent rupture of the small colon in a 10-year-old Quarter Horse mare. Two months earlier, a mass, tentatively diagnosed as granulosa cell tumor of the left ovary, had been identified by means of rectal palpation and ultrasonography. The mare was evaluated for clinical signs of acute, severe, abdominal pain, increased heart rate, cyanotic mucous membranes, clinical dehydration, with high PCV, leukopenia, and extreme abdominal distension. A large soft tissue mass and taut band that constricted the lumen of the small colon were palpable per rectum. Septic peritonitis was diagnosed on the basis of results of abdominocentesis. Exploratory surgery revealed extensive fecal contamination of the abdominal viscera, and the mare was euthanatized because of the resultant poor prognosis. At necropsy, the small colon was occluded by a taut, left broad ligament and the ovarian mass that was proved to be a granulosa cell tumor. The occlusion had caused impaction of the small colon, with subsequent perforation at the level of the broad ligament.     

The preanalytic phase in veterinary clinical pathology

This article presents the general causes of preanalytic variability with a few examples showing specialists and practitioners that special and improved care should be given to this too often neglected phase. The preanalytic phase of clinical pathology includes all the steps from specimen collection to analysis. It is the phase where most laboratory errors occur in human, and probably also in veterinary clinical pathology. Numerous causes may affect the validity of the results, including technical factors, such as the choice of anticoagulant, the blood vessel sampled, and the duration and conditions of specimen handling. While the latter factors can be defined, influence of biologic and physiologic factors such as feeding and fasting, stress, and biologic and endocrine rhythms can often not be controlled. Nevertheless, as many factors as possible should at least be documented. The importance of the preanalytic phase is often not given the necessary attention, although the validity of the results and consequent clinical decision making and medical management of animal patients would likely be improved if the quality of specimens submitted to the laboratory was optimized.     

Molecular detection of rickettsial agents in ticks and fleas collected from a European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Marseilles, France

The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is a synanthropic nocturnal insectivore commonly found in the countryside and in the parks and gardens. Because hedgehogs are already involved in the transmission of a number of zoonoses, including salmonellosis and ringworm, we decided to study their possible role in the epidemiology of the spotted fever group of Rickettsia. We collected ticks and fleas from a hedgehog that was captured in the city of Marseilles in France. Using a genus-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis followed by a species-specific qPCR analysis for positive samples, we observed that 91.7% (11/12) of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks were positive for Rickettsia massiliae and 99.2% (128/129) of the Archaeopsylla erinacei fleas were positive for Rickettsia felis. Hedgehogs carry infected ectoparasites and then likely ensure the dissemination of spotted fever group Rickettsiae, and their epidemiological role requires further investigation.     

Myeloperoxidase in Equine Semen: Concentration and Localization during Freezing Processing

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a pro-oxidant enzyme contained in and released by neutrophils during degranulation or after lysis. Post-thaw semen contains MPO, and concentration of this enzyme is associated with decreased motility. The aim of this study was to determine kinetics of MPO concentration during freezing, its origin, and its impact on frozen-thawed semen. Forty ejaculates were used. Semen was frozen using the classical freezing procedure. MPO concentrations were assayed in fresh semen, after centrifugation, and after cooling down to 4°C. Post-thaw MPO assay results and spermogram characteristics were determined. MPO immunocytochemistry was performed on 4 different ejaculates at each step of freezing procedure. MPO concentration increased after cooling down to 4°C and thawing compared with fresh semen. As temperature decreased, MPO was higher or tended to be higher in post-thaw poor quality samples. Nonsperm cells showed various degrees of MPO immunostaining and were observed as epithelial cells with nuclear pyknosis and keratinization. MPO immunostaining increased in medium and decreased in nonsperm cells during freezing. Our study shows that MPO concentration in equine semen increases when temperature decreases. We hypothesize that nonsperm cells present in fresh semen could release MPO.