Utility of measuring plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in detecting hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and differentiating grades of severity in cats

Background: Cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) often have no clinical signs or subtle signs. Measurement of N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) has been demonstrated in people to be highly specific for heart disease and also correlates with severity of HCM. NT‐proBNP may also be valuable in detecting and grading HCM in cats, but results to date have been equivocal. Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate NT‐proBNP as a screening test for diagnosis of HCM in cats and determine an appropriate cut‐off value and to determine if NT‐proBNP concentrations correlated with severity of HCM in cats. Methods: Plasma NT‐proBNP concentrations were measured in 201 cats using an ELISA designed for use in cats. Cats were classified using echocardiography as clinically healthy controls (n=99) or cats with equivocal (n=9), mild (n=15), moderate (n=17), or severe (n=61) HCM. Results: NT‐proBNP concentrations (median; 25th–75th interquartile percentiles) in mildly (216.1; 87.6–392.5 pmol/L), moderately (282.7; 131.9–466.6 pmol/L), and severely (839.5; 655.3–1046.4 pmol/L) affected cats were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (18.9; 3.4–62.4 pmol/L). Concentrations in severely affected cats were significantly higher than in cats from other HCM groups. There was no significant difference between mild and moderate HCM. Cut‐off values >49 pmol/L had a sensitivity of 97.8% and specificity of 66.7%; >100 pmol/L had a sensitivity of 92.4% and specificity of 93.9%; and >150 pmol/L had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 100%. Conclusions: NT‐proBNP with a cut‐off value of >100 pmol/L was useful in detecting even mild HCM. Cats with increased NT‐proBNP concentrations should be examined by echocardiography.     

Evaluation of Erysiphe graminis f sp tritici field isolates for resistance to strobilurin fungicides with different SNP detection systems

A single nucleotide polymorphism (snp) in the cytochrome b gene confers resistance to strobilurin fungicides in Erysiphe graminis DC fsp tritici Marchal. On the basis of this point mutation three different types of molecular markers have been developed. Cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences and allele-specific PCR were used to score resistant and sensitive isolates from specifically selected regional populations across Europe. The results of molecular tests were in total agreement with the resistance phenotypes revealed by in vivo tests. Serial dilutions of mixed samples (resistant/sensitive) delimited the detection for strobilurin-resistant alleles to a range of 10-50% for both marker classes. Due to these detection limits no mixture of mitochondria within individual isolates was found. Denaturing high performance chromatography was used to increase the detection sensitivity for the mutant allele. Although the detection limit was lowered to 5-10%, there was no evidence for the existence of mixed mitochondrial genotypes.     

Synthesis of anthelmintically active N-methylated amidoxime analogues of the cyclic octadepsipeptide PF1022A

The N-methylated amidoxime analogues of the cyclic octadepsipeptide PF1022A represent novel derivatives with activity against Trichinella spiralis Owen and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis Lane in vitro and against parasitic nematodes in mice and sheep. Some of them show better activity against Hymenolepis nana Siebold, Heterakis spumosa Schneider and Heligmosomoides polygyrus Dujardin in mice than the natural product PF1022A. In particular an improved efficacy against Haemonchus contortus Rudolphi and Trichostrongylus colubriformis Giles in sheep compared to the potent cyclic octadepsipeptide PF1022A and its mono-thionated derivative has been observed. Here we report on a specific modification at the N-methyl amide linkage by using the mono-thionated PF1022A, resulting in novel anthelmintically active backbone analogues of PF 1022A.     

Amphidial structure of ivermectin-resistant and susceptible laboratory and field strains of Haemonchus contortus

The development of anthelmintic resistance by nematode parasites is a growing problem for veterinarians, pet owners, and producers. The intensive use of the macrocyclic lactones for the treatment of a variety of parasitic diseases has hastened the development of resistance to this family of parasiticides. As a result, resistance to ivermectin, moxidectin, nemadectin, and doramectin by Haemonchus contortus has been documented throughout the world.

Sensory neurons located in the cephalic end of nematodes are in close contact with the external environment. Through these neurons, important chemical and thermal cues are gathered by the parasite. Examination of serial electron micrographs of ivermectin-susceptible and ivermectin-resistant H. contortus allows for comparison of neuronal structure, arrangement of neurons within the amphidial channel, and distance of the tip of the dendritic processes to the amphidial pore. The latter of these characteristics provides a useful means by which to compare the association between the neurons and the external environment of the worm.

Comparison of parental laboratory strains of ivermectin-susceptible strains of H. contortus with related selected, ivermectin-resistant strains and with a wild-type ivermectin-susceptible field strain of H. contortus from Louisiana reveal that the ivermectin-resistant worms examined have markedly shorter sensory cilia than their ivermectin-susceptible parental counterparts. Additionally, the amphidial neurons of ivermectin-resistant worms are characterized by generalized degeneration and loss of detail, whereas other neurons outside of the channels, such as the labial and cephalic neurons, are normal in structure. These findings raise a number of questions regarding the relationship between amphidial structure and ivermectin resistance as well as the role of amphids as a means of entry for ivermectin. While shortened amphidial sensilla are associated with ivermectin resistance, it remains unclear if such a structural modification facilitates survival of nematodes exposed to macrocyclic lactones.     

Antibody titer against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in bulk milk samples from Bavaria

A total of 5204 bulk milk samples were tested for antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) classified according to the scheme after Alenius. Forty-five percent of the samples from 2002 were classified as class 0 and class 1, 55% as class 2 and 3. 6420 bulk milk samples from 1997 were classified in an independent study in 65.6% class 0 and 1 and 34.4% in class 2 and 3. In class 0 and class 1 farms only very rarely persistent viremic animals have been found, whereas in class 2 and 3 their presence is highly likely. Our studies with non-selected sera defined the serological screening of bulk milk samples as a promising tool for a possible BVDV eradication program in Bavaria.     

Measurement of capillary blood glucose concentrations by pet owners: a new tool in the management of diabetes mellitus

Recently a new method for capillary blood sampling from the ears of dogs and cats was described, which allows the measurement of glucose concentration by means of portable glucose meters. The authors of this report evaluated the suitability of this method for use by pet owners and the potential technical problems. The owners of seven healthy dogs and seven healthy cats were asked to perform two glucose curves (measuring blood glucose concentration every 2 hours for a total of 12 hours). All dog owners and three cat owners were able to perform a reliable blood glucose curve. The most frequently encountered problems were inadequate formation of a blood drop due to excessive digital pressure on the pinna, repeatedly depressing the plunger of the lancet device instead of allowing the negative pressure to slowly build up, and failure to fill the test strip up to the mark. The authors conclude that these steps of the procedure need to be stressed during technique demonstration and that home monitoring of blood glucose concentrations may serve as a new tool in the management of diabetic dogs and cats.