Efficacy and safety of transdermal methimazole in the treatment of cats with hyperthyroidism

The objective of this study was to determine whether transdermal methimazole was as safe and effective as oral methimazole for the control of hyperthyroidism in cats. Forty-seven cats with newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism were randomized to receive either transdermal methimazole in pluronic lecithin organogel (PLO; applied to the inner pinna), or oral methimazole (2.5 mg q12h for either route). Cats were evaluated at weeks 0, 2, and 4 with a physical exam, body weight determination, CBC, biochemical panel, urinalysis, measurement of total levothyroxine (T4) concentration, indirect Doppler blood pressure determinaiton, and completion of an owner questionnaire. Data between the 2 groups and over time were compared by nonparametric methods. Forty-four cats followed the protocol (17 oral and 27 transdermal). Significantly more cats treated with oral methimazole had serum T4 concentrations within the reference range after 2 weeks (14 of 16 cats) compared to those treated by the transdermal route (14 of 25; P = .027). This difference was no longer significant by 4 weeks of treatment (9 of 11 for oral versus 14 of 21 for transdermal), possibly because of inadequate numbers evaluated by 4 weeks. Cats treated with oral methimazole had a higher incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects (4 of 17 cats) compared to the cats treated with transdermal methimazole (1 of 27; P = .04), but no differences were found between groups in the incidence of neutropenia, hepatotoxicity, or facial excoriations. Although the overall efficacy of transdermal methimazole is not as high as that of oral methimazole at 2 weeks of treatment, it is associated with fewer GI adverse effects compared to the oral route.     

化脓隐秘杆菌TaqMan实时荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

本试验旨在建立检测化脓隐秘杆菌(Arcanobacterium pyogenes,A.pyogenes)特异、灵敏的TaqMan实时荧光定量PCR检测方法。根据GenBank公布的化脓隐秘杆菌溶血素(pyolysin,PLO)基因高保守序列,设计特异性引物和探针建立检测体系,用于化脓隐秘杆菌的快速检测,并对该方法的特异性和灵敏度进行检测。结果显示,本试验建立的TaqMan实时荧光定量PCR方法仅对化脓隐秘杆菌的检测结果为阳性;该方法最低检测DNA浓度为77.6 fg,最低检测细菌浓度为63 CFU/mL。采用本研究建立的方法检测23份林麝临床病例样品,共鉴定出16株化脓隐秘杆菌,与API Coryne生化鉴定方法的结果相同。本研究为化脓隐秘杆菌的检测提供了一种灵敏、特异、快速的检测方法,其可用于化脓隐秘杆菌的诊断和流行病学调查。     

Establishment of TaqMan Real-time PCR Assay for Detection of Arcanobacterium pyogenes

The study was aimed to establish a specific and sensitive TaqMan Real-time PCR assay for detection of Arcanobacterium pyogenes (A.pyogenes).Based on the conservative sequence of pyolysin (PLO) gene of A.pyogenes published in GenBank, specific primers and TaqMan probes were designed. The TaqMan Real-time PCR assay was established, and the specificity and sensitivity were tested.The specificity test results showed that only A.pyogenes exhibited typical curves.The detection sensitivity of this assay was 77.6 fg genomic DNA per 20 μL reaction, and 63 CFU/mL for pure cultures.16 out of 23 clinical samples were positive detected by the TaqMan Real-time PCR assay, which were consistent with API Coryne identification.The TaqMan Real-time PCR assay developed in this study was specific and sensitive for detection of A.pyogenes, and it could be used for identification and epidemiological investigation of A.pyogenes.     

Comparison of serum dexamethasone concentrations in cats after oral or transdermal administration using pluronic lecithin organogel (PLO): a pilot study

The objective of this study was to measure and compare the serum concentrations of dexamethasone after oral and transdermal administration using pluronic lecithin organogel in six healthy cats. The study was designed as a crossover, in which the cats were randomly assigned to two groups. The cats received a single dose (0.05 mg kg(-1)) of dexamethasone either orally or transdermally on the inner pinna. Blood samples were taken at 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min, and 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24, 48 and 72 h post dexamethasone administration. A mean peak serum concentration of 30.1 ng mL(-1) was detected 15 min after oral administration. Serum concentrations were below detection limits by 24 h. In contrast, there was no significant increase in serum concentrations of dexamethasone after transdermal administration. In cats, transdermal administration of a single dose of dexamethasone did not result in significant serum concentrations compared to oral administration.     

化脓隐秘杆菌溶血素蛋白的原核表达及其溶血活性鉴定

为研究化脓隐秘杆菌致病机制及其病原学诊断方法,本研究克隆了编码化脓隐秘杆菌溶血素蛋白的plo基因,并构建重组表达质粒pET-plo,转化大肠杆菌Rosetta (DE3)感受态细胞中诱导表达.SDS-PAGE检测结果显示,表达的重组蛋白约为62 ku,western blot分析表明表达的重组蛋白可以与鼠抗化脓隐秘杆菌血清发生反应.采用重组蛋白免疫新西兰白兔制备的多克隆抗体效价达到1∶128 000,western blot和琼脂双扩散试验表明制备的多克隆抗体能够与天然PLO蛋白发生反应.溶血试验表明重组蛋白能够溶解红细胞,制备的多克隆抗体能有效中和重组蛋白的溶血活性.