Cerebrospinal fluid glutamine,tryptophan, and tryptophan metabolite concentrations in dogs with portosystemic shunts

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether glutamine (GLN), tryptophan (TRP), and tryptophan metabolite concentrations are higher in cerebralspinal fluid (CSF) dogs with naturally occurring portosystemic shunts (PSS), compared with control dogs. ANIMALS: 11 dogs with confirmed PSS and 12 control dogs fed low- and high-protein diets. PROCEDURE: Cerebrospinal fluid and blood samples were collected from all dogs. Serum and CSF concentrations of GLN, alanine, serine, TRP, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and quinolinic acid (QUIN) were measured. RESULTS: Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of GLN, TRP, and 5-HIAA were significantly higher in PSS dogs, compared with control dogs fed high- or low-protein diets. Cerebrospinal fluid QUIN concentration was significantly higher in PSS dogs, compared with control dogs fed the low-protein diet. Serum QUIN concentration was significantly lower in PSS dogs, compared with control dogs fed either high- or low-protein diets. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An increase in CNS GLN concentration is associated with high CSF concentrations of TRP and TRP metabolites in dogs with PSS. High CSF 5-HIAA concentrations indicate an increased flux of TRP through the CNS serotonin metabolic pathway, whereas high CSF QUIN concentrations indicate an increased metabolism of TRP through the indolamine-2,3-dioxygenase pathway. The high CSF QUIN concentrations in the face of low serum QUIN concentrations in dogs with PSS indicates that QUIN production from TRP is occurring in the CNS. High concentrations of QUIN and other TRP metabolites in the CNS may contribute to neurologic abnormalities found in dogs with PSS and hepatic encephalopathy.     

Frequency of isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Staphylococcus intermedius and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from canine skin and ear samples over a 6-year period (1992-1997)

Staphylococcus intermedius (S. intermedius) was isolated from 88.6% and 49.4% of skin and ear samples, respectively, during the years 1992 through 1997, and frequency of isolation remained unchanged. More than 95% of all S. intermedius isolates were susceptible to cephalothin and oxacillin, providing support for empirical treatment of canine skin and ear infections with cephalexin. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) was isolated from 7.5% and 27.8% of skin and ear samples, respectively. The frequency of isolation from skin samples increased over the study period. Because of multidrug-resistant profiles for P. aeruginosa isolates, especially for ear isolates, empirical treatment of P. aeruginosa infections is not advisable.     

An assessment of external biosecurity on southern Ontario swine farms and its application to surveillance on a geographic level

Risk-based surveillance is becoming increasingly important in the veterinary and public health fields. It serves as a means of increasing surveillance sensitivity and improving cost-effectiveness in an increasingly resource-limited environment. Our approach for developing a tool for the risk-based geographical surveillance of contagious diseases of swine incorporates information about animal density and external biosecurity practices within swine herds in southern Ontario. The objectives of this study were to group the sample of herds into discrete biosecurity groups, to develop a map of southern Ontario that can be used as a tool in the risk-based geographical surveillance of contagious swine diseases, and to identify significant predictors of biosecurity group membership. A subset of external biosecurity variables was selected for 2-step cluster analysis and latent class analysis (LCA). It was determined that 4 was the best number of groups to describe the data, using both analytical approaches. The authors named these groups: i) high biosecurity herds that were open with respect to replacement animals; ii) high biosecurity herds that were closed with respect to replacement animals; iii) moderate biosecurity herds; and iv) low biosecurity herds. The risk map was developed using information about the geographic distribution of herds in the biosecurity groups, as well as the density of swine sites and of grower-finisher pigs in the study region. Finally, multinomial logistic regression identified heat production units (HPUs), number of incoming pig shipments per month, and herd type as significant predictors of biosecurity group membership. It was concluded that the ability to identify areas of high and low risk for disease may improve the success of surveillance and eradication projects.     

Interleukin‐31: its role in canine pruritus and naturally occurring canine atopic dermatitis

Background – Interleukin‐31 (IL‐31) is a member of the gp130/interleukin‐6 cytokine family that is produced by cell types such as T helper 2 lymphocytes and cutaneous lymphocyte antigen positive skin homing T cells. When overexpressed in transgenic mice, IL‐31 induces severe pruritus, alopecia and skin lesions. In humans, IL‐31 serum levels correlate with the severity of atopic dermatitis in adults and children. Hypothesis/Objective – To determine the role of IL‐31 in canine pruritus and naturally occurring canine atopic dermatitis (AD). Animals – Purpose‐bred beagle dogs were used for laboratory studies. Serum samples were obtained from laboratory animals, nondiseased client‐owned dogs and client‐owned dogs diagnosed with naturally occurring AD. Methods – Purpose‐bred beagle dogs were administered canine interleukin‐31 (cIL‐31) via several routes (intravenous, subcutaneous or intradermal), and pruritic behaviour was observed/quantified via video monitoring. Quantitative immunoassay techniques were employed to measure serum levels of cIL‐31 in dogs. Results – Injection of cIL‐31 into laboratory beagle dogs caused transient episodes of pruritic behaviour regardless of the route of administration. When evaluated over a 2 h period, dogs receiving cIL‐31 exhibited a significant increase in pruritic behaviour compared with dogs that received placebo. In addition, cIL‐31 levels were detectable in 57% of dogs with naturally occurring AD (≥13 pg/mL) but were below limits of quantification (<13 pg/mL) in normal, nondiseased laboratory or client‐owned animals. Conclusions – Canine IL‐31 induced pruritic behaviours in dogs. Canine IL‐31 was detected in the majority of dogs with naturally occurring AD, suggesting that this cytokine may play an important role in pruritic allergic skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, in this species.     

Insect resistance to insecticides

The past 40 years have seen insect resistance to insecticides develop from a scientific curiosity to an immense practical problem that threatens man's ability to control not only the insect pests of agriculture but also the insect vectors that transmit major human and animal diseases. The spread of genes for cross and multiple resistance among insect pests has rendered most of our present insecticides obsolescent and very few novel insecticides are under development as substitutes. The most feasible strategy to maintain adequate control of insect pests is integrated pest management or I P M, in which insecticide management is a useful component. However, much of our present planning for the future of insect control is carried out in ignorance of past failures. We must learn from the past if we are to retain the use of chemical insecticides as a viable component of IPM.     

Absorption and fate of imazapyr in leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula)

Imazapyr absorption, translocation, root release and metabolism were examined in leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.). Leafy spurge plants were propagated from root cuttings and [¹⁴C]imazapyr was applied to growth-chambergrown plants in a water + 28% urea ammonium nitrate + nonionic surfactant solution (98.75 + 1 + 0.25 by volume). Plants were harvested two and eight days after herbicide treatment (DAT) and divided into: treated leaf, stem and leaves above treated leaf, stem and leaves below the treated leaf, crown, root, dormant and elongated adventitious shoot buds. Imazapyr absorption increased from 62.5% 2 DAT to 80.0% 8 DAT. Herbicide translocation out of the treated leaf and accumulation in roots and adventitious shoot buds was apparent 2 DAT. By the end of the eight-day translocation period only 14% of applied ¹⁴C remained in the treated leaf, while 17% had translocated into the root system. Elongated and dormant adventitious shoot buds accumulated 3.2- and 1.8-fold more ¹⁴C, respectively, 8 DAT than did root tissue based on Bq g^?1 dry weight. Root release of ¹⁴C was evident 2 DAT, and by 8 DAT 19.4% of the ¹⁴C reaching the root system was released into the rooting medium. There was no metabolism of imazapyr in crown, root or adventitious shoot buds 2 DAT; however, imazapyr metabolism was evident in the treated leaf 2 and 8 DAT. Imazapyr phytotoxicity to leafy spurge appears to result from high imazapyr absorption, translocation to underground meristematic areas (roots and adventitious shoot buds), and a slow rate of metabolism.     

Quinone accumulation in S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate-treated wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Holley) was grown for 15 days in sand into which S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC) (0, 15.6, 31.25, 62.5, or 125.0 μg/kg) had been incorporated. Growth was decreased more by EPTC under high light intensity (270 μein/m²/sec) than under low light (20 μein/m²/sec) intensity. Wheat grown in the dark did not respond to EPTC at these concentrations. In high light intensity, plastoquinone-9, plastohydroquinone-9, α-tocopheroquinone, and α-tocopherol contents (nanomoles per gram fresh weight) increased as EPTC concentration increased. Similar but less marked results occurred at the low light intensity. Plastohydroquinone-9/plastoquinone and α-tocopherol/α-tocopheroquinone ratios increased at both light intensities as EPTC concentration increased. This indicated an EPTC-induced inhibition of plastohydroquinone and α-tocopherol epoxidation. Chlorophyll a and b and total carotenoid contents increased as EPTC concentration increased in plants grown at high light intensities. Changes in the membrane electron carriers contents per unit of chlorophyll or carotenoid (micrograms per milligram of pigment) occurred. As a tentative hypothesis, it is suggested that transmembrane electron transport systems were inhibited, but growth in size (fresh weight per pot) was inhibited more than was synthesis of the various pigments and quinones. Thus, a separation of growth and metabolic response to EPTC was demonstrated.     

Radiographic characterization of enlarged sternal lymph nodes in 71 dogs and 13 cats

In this retrospective study, radiographically enlarged sternal lymph nodes (LNs) were evaluated in 71 dogs and 13 cats for average size, location, and most representative radiographic view. Concurrent clinical diagnoses were also noted and grouped into one of three following categories: neoplastic, inflammatory, or hematologic. There were no statistically significant differences in LN size between lateral views within each species. Enlarged sternal LNs were more cranially positioned in dogs than cats. No statistical difference was noted between right and left laterals, as to on which projection the enlarged sterna lymph nodes was seen best. Neoplastic disease (78.9%) was the most prevalent condition seen in association with LN enlargement in dogs, followed by primary infectious or inflammatory diseases (14.1%) and various hematologic conditions (7.0%). In cats, neoplasia was also most common (69.2%), followed by inflammatory diseases (30.8%). No hematologic conditions were noted in cats. The most common etiologic agent seen concurrently with enlarged sternal LNs in both dogs (33.8%) and cats (38.5%) was malignant lymphoma. The results of this study provide a clinically useful representation of the average size and location of radiographically enlarged sternal LNs for dogs and cats. The diseases represented demonstrate the wide spectrum of potential causes of sternal lymphadenopathy.     

Geriatric heart diseases in dogs.

A discussion of the diagnosis and therapy of heart disease in an aged pet does not differ significantly from that in a pet of any age. Mitral regurgitation constitutes by far the most important geriatric heart disease, and the selection of drugs to treat heart disease of aging pets is based on identification of specific pathologic features (eg, atrial fibrillation, left atrial enlargement) for which each aspect of treatment (eg, diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, spironolactone) is specific.