Occupational swine exposure and Hepatitis E virus,Leptospira, Ascaris suum seropositivity and MRSA colonization in Austrian veterinarians, 2017–2018—A cross‐sectional study

We investigated the prevalence of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV), Leptospira and Ascaris suum (A. suum) seropositivity, and of nasal methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization among Austrian practising veterinarians, and assessed the association with occupational swine livestock exposure. The 261 participants completed a questionnaire on demographics, intensity of occupational swine livestock contact and glove use during handling animals and their secretions. Participants' blood samples were tested for HEV, Leptospira and A. suum seropositivity and nasal swabs cultured for MRSA. We compared swine veterinarians (defined as >3 swine livestock visits/week) to non‐swine veterinarians (≤3 swine livestock visits/week) with regard to the outcomes through calculating prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Furthermore, the relationship between occupational swine livestock contact and the study outcomes was examined by age (</≥55 years) and glove usage. The prevalence of nasal MRSA colonization was 13.4% (95% CI: 9.3–17.6), of HEV seropositivity 20.8% (95% CI: 15.8–25.7) and A. suum seropositivity 44% (95% CI: 37.7–50.2). The highest anti‐leptospiral antibodies titres were 1:200 (L. hebdomadis) and 1:100 (L. autumnalis, L. caicola) found in three non‐swine veterinarians. Compared to non‐swine veterinarians, swine veterinarians were 1.9 (95% CI: 1.0–3.4) and 1.5 (95%CI: 1.0–2.3) times more likely HEV seropositive and A. suum seropositive, respectively, and 4.8 (95%CI: 2.5; 9.3) times more likely nasally colonized with MRSA. Among glove‐using veterinarians, occupational swine contact was no longer a determinant for HEV seropositivity (PR 1.6; 95% CI: 0.8–2.9). Similar was found for A. suum seropositivity, which was no longer associated with occupational swine livestock contact in the subgroup of glove using, ≥55‐year‐old veterinarians (PR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.4–3.3). Our findings indicate that >3 occupational swine livestock visits per week is associated with HEV and A. suum seropositivity and nasal MRSA colonization and that glove use may play a putative preventive role in acquiring HEV and A. suum. Further analytical epidemiological studies have to prove the causality of these associations.     

Small intestine adenocarcinoma in conjunction with multiple adenomas causing acute colic in a horse.

An 11-year-old Andalusian stallion developed marked signs of colic associated with an acute small intestine obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a distal jejunum full-thickness wall induration and multiple small adherent intraluminal masses. Fifteen centimeters of jejunum, including the induration, and several intraluminal masses were resected. Histologic examination revealed an adenocarcinoma and multiple polypoid adenomas. The horse was discharged, and no complications were reported 12 months postoperatively. Colic was considered secondary to partial jejunal lumen obstruction by the adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma recurrence or transformation from remaining adenomas into an adenocarcinoma is still a major risk.     

A plant resource and experiment management system based on the Golm Plant Database as a basic tool for omics research

Background  

For omics experiments, detailed characterisation of experimental material with respect to its genetic features, its cultivation history and its treatment history is a requirement for analyses by bioinformatics tools and for publication needs. Furthermore, meta-analysis of several experiments in systems biology based approaches make it necessary to store this information in a standardised manner, preferentially in relational databases. In the Golm Plant Database System, we devised a data management system based on a classical Laboratory Information Management System combined with web-based user interfaces for data entry and retrieval to collect this information in an academic environment.     

Analytical validation of commercial immunoassays for the measurement of cardiovascular peptides in the dog

Immunoassays for the measurement of concentrations of the cardiovascular peptides pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (proANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNPPen and BNPPhoe), endothelin-1 (ET-1Bio, ET-1IBL and ET-1Phoe) and big endothelin-1 (Big-ETBio and Big-ETIBL) were validated in canine serum by determination of intra-assay variability and dilutional parallelism. Commercial kits that showed good results were further validated by determination of intra- and inter-assay variability, dilutional parallelism and spiking recovery. Assays for proANP, BNPPhoe, ET-1IBL and Big-ETIBL showed acceptable results in the preliminary validation and were fully validated. The intra- and inter-assay variability was acceptable for all four assays, linearity was demonstrated and recovery rates were acceptable. The performances of the different immunoassays varied considerably, underscoring the importance of validation. Of the assays studied, proANP, BNP(Phoe), ET-1IBL and Big-ETIBL produced precise, reproducible and accurate results and can be recommended for clinical application.     

The diagnostic relevance of NT‐proBNP and proANP 31–67 measurements in staging of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs

Background

There is no agreement in current publications regarding the reliability of serum concentrations of natriuretic peptides (NPs) to detect dogs with subclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and to differentiate between asymptomatic stages.

Objectives

We sought to compare N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide 31‐67 (proANP) concentrations between various stages of canine MMVD and to investigate the influence of age, weight, and sex.

Methods

In this prospective study, dogs were classified in different disease stages using the modified Canine Heart failure International Expert Forum (CHIEF) system. Serum NP concentrations were compared between groups.

Results

A total of 559 samples from 116 healthy dogs and 236 dogs with MMVD were analyzed. Using cut‐off values (1207 pmol/L for NT‐proBNP, 1578 fmol/mL for proANP), dogs with MMVD with and without congestive heart failure (CHF) could be differentiated with a sensitivity of 83% for both and specificities of 85% and 86%, respectively. Dogs staged in CHIEF B1 and B2 could not be distinguished based on NP concentrations due to wide variation within the groups. Intact females (means 598 pmol/L and 1036 fmol/mL, respectively) had significantly higher values of both NPs than intact males (315 pmol/L and 836 fmol/mL).

Conclusions

NPs in canine MMVD are useful to discriminate between asymptomatic dogs and dogs with CHF. Due to a large overlap of NP‐concentrations between the groups, NPs do not seem to be useful to differentiate between dogs in stages B1 and B2. Interpretation of NT‐proBNP and proANP values should include consideration of sex‐specific differences.     

A Complementary Radiographic Projection of the Equine Maxillary Sinus

A complementary radiographic projection of the maxillary sinus, known as Wiener Schule, is not known outside of German-speaking countries as a potential complementary projection for a radiographic investigation. A cassette is held by a mechanical device parallel to the nose, with the upper margin above the eye and the head rotated 20° to the affected side. A radiographic angle for a ventral 30° lateral-dorsolateral oblique view, high kilovolt, and low milliampere techniques is recommended. The use of a grid is unnecessary. This oblique radiographic view is useful to image the orbit, the zygomatic bone, the maxillary sinus, the ventral conchal sinus, the conchofrontal sinus, the infraorbital canal, and the roots of the four caudal maxillary cheek teeth (Triadan 108-111 or 208-211). Well positioned, the nasolacrimal canal divides the maxillary sinus in two equal parts. Fluid lines and abnormalities within the named sinus can be detected, quantified, and related to the affected side. The Wiener Schule radiographic projection is a potential complementary tool for radiographic workup and control studies, especially to evaluate therapeutic progress in cases without access to computed tomography.     

Factors influencing the cell adhesion and invasion capacity of Mycoplasma gallisepticum

Background

The cell invasiveness of Mycoplasma gallisepticum, the causative agent of respiratory disease in chickens and infectious sinusitis in turkeys, may be a substantial factor in the well-known chronicity of these diseases and in the systemic spread of infection. To date, not much is known about the host factors and mechanisms involved in promotion or obstruction of M. gallisepticum adherence and/or cell invasion.In the current study, the influence of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as fibronectin, collagen type IV and heparin, as well as plasminogen/plasmin, on the adhesion and cell invasion levels of M. gallisepticum to chicken erythrocytes and HeLa cells was investigated in vitro. Two strains, R_high and R_low, which differ in their adhesion and invasion capacity, were analyzed by applying a modified gentamicin invasion assay. Binding of selected ECM molecules to M. gallisepticum was proven by Western blot analysis.

Results

Collagen type IV, fibronectin, and plasminogen exerted positive effects on adhesion and cell invasion of M. gallisepticum, with varying degrees, depending on the strain used. Especially strain R_high, with its highly reduced cell adhesion and invasion capabilities seemed to profit from the addition of plasminogen. Western and dot blot analyses showed that R_high as well as R_low are able to adsorb horse fibronectin and plasminogen present in the growth medium. Depletion of HeLa cell membranes from cholesterol resulted in increased adhesion, but decreased cell invasion.

Conclusion

ECM molecules seem to play a supportive role in the adhesion/cell invasion process of M. gallisepticum. Cholesterol depletion known to affect lipid rafts on the host cell surface had contrary effects on cell adherence and cell invasion of M. gallisepticum.     

Canine mammary gland tumors.

The National Consensus Group recommends that all women with tumors larger than 1 cm be offered chemotherapy regardless of tumor histology of lymph node status. This recommendation is to ensure that everyone at risk for failing, even though the risk may be low in women with relatively small tumors and favorable histology, has a choice and receives the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy. This type of treatment recommendation may also be made in dogs based on recognized, well-accepted prognostic factors such as tumor size, stage, type, and histologic differentiation. Based on the limited clinical information available in veterinary medicine, the drugs that are effective in human breast cancer, such as cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil, and doxorubicin, may also have a role in the treatment of malignant mammary gland tumors in dogs. Randomized prospective studies are needed, however, to evaluate the efficacy of chemotherapy in dogs with high-risk mammary gland tumors and to determine which drugs and protocols are the most efficacious. Until such studies are performed, the treatment of canine mammary gland tumors will be based on the individual oncologist's understanding of tumor biology, experience, interpretation of the available studies, and a little bit of gut-feeling. Table 2 is a proposal for treatment guidelines for malignant canine mammary gland tumors according to established prognostic factors, results from published veterinary studies, and current recommendations for breast cancer treatment in women.