Effects of different levels of sanguinarine on antioxidant indices,immunological responses,ileal microbial counts and jejunal morphology of laying hens fed diets with different levels of crude protein

This study was carried out to assess the effects of different levels of sanguinarine on antioxidant indices, immunological responses, serum biochemical parameters, ileal microbial counts and jejunal morphology of laying hens fed on diets with different levels of crude protein (CP). A total of 180 laying hens were subjected into nine dietary treatments with four cages of five birds each. Experimental treatments consisted of three levels of CP (85.0, 92.5 and 100% of Hy‐Line W36 manual recommendation) and three levels of sanguinarine (0.00, 3.75 and 7.50 mg/kg) as a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of laying hens which fed during a 70‐day feeding trial. The in vitro study showed that sanguinarine exhibited sevenfold and threefold decreased antioxidant activities to inhibit 2‐2‐diphenyl‐1‐picric hydrazyl free radical as well as ferric ion reducing rather than butylated hydroxyl toluene. Although using the decremental levels of CP caused the increase in heterophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (p < 0.01), dietary administration of sanguinarine could suppress the serum cholesterol and malondialdehyde concentrations as well as heterophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (p < 0.05). Additionally, decreasing CP content resulted in the decreased percentage of albumin (p < 0.05); however, it had no negative effects on humoral immunity. Nonetheless, feeding of at least 3.75 mg/kg sanguinarine led to the remarkable increases in serum gamma globulin concentration (p < 0.01) and secondary (p < 0.05) antibody titres against sheep red blood cells. Moreover, a decline in dietary CP content led to higher villi height and crypt depth (p < 0.05; p < 0.001) and consequently decreased villi height‐to‐crypt depth ratio (p < 0.001) than the optimum level (100% CP). In spite of the effects of sanguinarine on the suppression of Escherichia coli and Salmonella counts (p < 0.05), it markedly enhanced villi height‐to‐crypt depth ratio as well as lamina propria lymphatic follicles extent, simultaneously (p < 0.001). Therefore, in spite of the detrimental effects of feeding low‐CP diets on lymphocytes and serum albumin percentages, and villi height‐to‐crypt depth ratio, the administration of incremental levels of sanguinarine could improve cellular and humoral immunity, decrease ileal microbial counts and in turn improve the intestinal health indices in laying hens.     

Autochthonous Chagas disease in the southern United States: A case report of suspected residential and military exposures

Chagas disease is a parasitic infection that can result in a progressive dilated cardiomyopathy. Here, we present the epidemiologic details of a suspected locally acquired transmission case originating from the southern United States. This is the first published report of Chagas disease in a young, healthy United States veteran with repeat triatomine exposures in Arizona. Military personnel and Arizona residents should be aware of their Chagas disease transmission risks.     

Multiple progressive piloleiomyomas in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo): a case report

A 2.5‐year‐old ovariectomized female ferret developed multiple progressive linear and raised nodules on the skin. The first lesions occurred on the tail, which was then amputated. Over the following 3 years, additional lesions appeared in the vicinity of the scar and then further rostrally on the flanks and thorax. Histological and immunohistochemical investigation led to a diagnosis of multiple piloleiomyomas. The unique characteristics of this ferret disease are described and compared with those of multiple piloleiomyomas in humans and with those of other cutaneous smooth muscle cell tumours reported in the veterinary literature.     

Distribution of Galanin and Galanin Receptor 2 in the Pre‐optic Area of the Female Guinea Pig

This study describes the distribution of galanin (Gal) and galanin receptor 2 (GalR2) in the pre‐optic area (POA) of the female guinea pig. Frozen sections were undergone for a routine immunofluorescence labelling. Gal and GalR2 display immunoreactivity in all parts of the pre‐optic area. Gal shows reactivity both in perikarya and fibres, whereas GalR2 was observed only in perikarya. Gal‐ and GalR2‐immunoreactive (‐ir) perikarya were the most numerous in the medial pre‐optic area (MPA) with the highest reactivity in its dorsal part. In the median pre‐optic nucleus (MPN) and periventricular pre‐optic nucleus (PPN), only single Gal‐ and GalR2‐ir neurons were observed. The highest density of Gal‐ir fibres was revealed in the PPN and the lowest in the lateral pre‐optic area (LPA). The results of this study indicate that the distribution pattern of Gal containing neurons overlaps well with the distribution pattern of GalR2‐positive neurons, especially in the MPA. This may suggest GalR2‐dependent activity in this brain region.     

Effect of Chronic Administration of Phenobarbital,or Bromide,on Pharmacokinetics of Levetiracetam in Dogs with Epilepsy

Background

Levetiracetam (LEV) is a common add‐on antiepileptic drug (AED) in dogs with refractory seizures. Concurrent phenobarbital administration alters the disposition of LEV in healthy dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of LEV in dogs with epilepsy when administered concurrently with conventional AEDs.

Animals

Eighteen client‐owned dogs on maintenance treatment with LEV and phenobarbital (PB group, n = 6), LEV and bromide (BR group, n = 6) or LEV, phenobarbital and bromide (PB–BR group, n = 6).

Methods

Prospective pharmacokinetic study. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after LEV administration. Plasma LEV concentrations were determined by high‐pressure liquid chromatography. To account for dose differences among dogs, LEV concentrations were normalized to the mean study dose (26.4 mg/kg). Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed on adjusted concentrations, using a noncompartmental method, and area‐under‐the‐curve (AUC) calculated to the last measured time point.

Results

Compared to the PB and PB–BR groups, the BR group had significantly higher peak concentration (C _max) (73.4 ± 24.0 versus 37.5 ± 13.7 and 26.5 ± 8.96 μg/mL, respectively, P < .001) and AUC (329 ± 114 versus 140 ± 64.7 and 98.7 ± 42.2 h*μg/mL, respectively, P < .001), and significantly lower clearance (CL/F) (71.8 ± 22.1 versus 187 ± 81.9 and 269 ± 127 mL/h/kg, respectively, P = .028).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Concurrent administration of PB alone or in combination with bromide increases LEV clearance in epileptic dogs compared to concurrent administration of bromide alone. Dosage increases might be indicated when utilizing LEV as add‐on treatment with phenobarbital in dogs.     

Behavioral Abnormalities in Lagotto Romagnolo Dogs with a History of Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy: A Long‐Term Follow‐Up Study

Background

Lagotto Romagnolo (LR) dogs with benign juvenile epilepsy syndrome often experience spontaneous remission of seizures. The long‐term outcome in these dogs currently is unknown. In humans, behavioral and psychiatric comorbidities have been reported in pediatric and adult‐onset epilepsies.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The objectives of this study were to investigate possible neurobehavioral comorbidities in LR with a history of benign familial juvenile epilepsy (BFJE) and to assess the occurrence of seizures after the remission of seizures in puppyhood.

Animals

A total of 25 LR with a history of BFJE and 91 control dogs of the same breed.

Methods

Owners of the LR dogs in the BFJE and control groups completed an online questionnaire about each dog''s activity, impulsivity, and inattention. Principal component analysis (PCA) served to extract behavioral factors from the data. We then compared the scores of these factors between the 2 groups in a retrospective case–control study. We also interviewed all dog owners in the BFJE group by telephone to inquire specifically about possible seizures or other neurological problems after remission of seizures as a puppy.

Results

Lagotto Romagnolo dogs with BFJE showed significantly higher scores on the factors Inattention and Excitability/Impulsivity than did the control group (P = .003; P = .021, respectively). Only 1 of the 25 BFJE LR exhibited seizures after remission of epilepsy in puppyhood.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Although the long‐term seizure outcome in BFJE LR seems to be good, the dogs exhibit behavioral abnormalities resembling attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in humans, thus suggesting neurobehavioral comorbidities with epilepsy.