Alessia Luciani

Serum Cardiac Troponin I Concentration in Dogs with Precapillary and Postcapillary Pulmonary Hypertension

BACKGROUND Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a disease condition leading to right-sided cardiac hypertrophy and, eventually, right-sided heart failure. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a circulating biomarker of cardiac damage. HYPOTHESIS Myocardial damage can occur in dogs with precapillary and postcapillary PH. ANIMALS One hundred and thirty-three dogs were examined: 26 healthy controls, 42 dogs with mitral valve disease (MVD) without PH, 48 dogs with pulmonary hypertension associated with mitral valve disease (PH-MVD), and 17 dogs with precapillary PH. METHODS Prospective, observational study. Serum cTnI concentration was measured with a commercially available immunoassay and results were compared between groups. RESULTS Median cTnI was 0.10 ng/mL (range 0.10-0.17 ng/mL) in healthy dogs. Compared with the healthy population, median serum cTnI concentration was increased in dogs with precapillary PH (0.25 ng/mL; range 0.10-1.9 ng/mL; P < .001) and in dogs with PH-MVD (0.21 ng/mL; range 0.10-2.10 ng/mL; P < .001). Median serum cTnI concentration of dogs with MVD (0.12 ng/mL; range 0.10-1.00 ng/mL) was not significantly different compared with control group and dogs with PH-MVD. In dogs with MVD and PH-MVD, only the subgroup with decompensated PH-MVD had significantly higher cTnI concentration compared with dogs with compensated MVD and PH-MVD. Serum cTnI concentration showed significant modest positive correlations with the calculated pulmonary artery systolic pressure in dogs with PH and some echocardiographic indices in dogs with MVD and PH-MVD. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Serum cTnI is high in dogs with either precapillary and postcapillary PH. Myocardial damage in dogs with postcapillary PH is likely the consequence of increased severity of MVD.

Irreversible pulmonary hypertension associated with Troglostrongylus brevior infection in a kitten.

A four month-old kitten was referred at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Teramo, Italy. Physical examination, echocardiography, thoracic radiography, copromicroscopy and biomolecular assays led to a diagnosis of severe parasitic bronchopneumonia by Troglostrongylus brevior complicated by pulmonary hypertension. A single administration of a spot on solution containing imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 1% was effective in stopping larval shedding but clinical, radiographic and echocardiographic signs of bronchopneumonia and pulmonary hypertension still persisted after further follow-ups.While cases of pulmonary hypertension are known in infections by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, this is the first report of irreversible pulmonary hypertension in a kitten with troglostrongylosis.

Single and mixed feline lungworm infections: clinical, radiographic and therapeutic features of 26 cases (2013–2015):

Objectives The aim of this study was to retrospectively describe clinical, radiographic and therapeutic features of feline lungworm infection. Methods Medical records of cats with lungworm diagnosis, thoracic radiography and without concurrent diseases between 2013 and 2015 were reviewed. Collection of data included physical examination, haematology, serum biochemistry, therapy with a variety of anthelmintics and outcomes. Results Thirty-seven records were recovered and 26 were included in the study. Single infections by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (n = 15), Troglostrongylus brevior (n = 3) and Capillaria aerophila (n = 1) and coinfections by T brevior/A abstrusus (n = 6) and T brevior/C aerophila (n = 1) were diagnosed. The most common respiratory signs were coughing (n = 12), increased vesicular sounds (n = 10), dyspnoea (n = 9), such as laboured breathing, orthopnoea or open-mouth breathing, and tachypnoea (n = 6). Two cats were subclinically infected. The most common laboratory abnormality was anaemia (n = 7). Radiographic patterns recorded were interstitial (n = 24), bronchial (n = 21), alveolar (n = 10) and vascular (n = 2). Twenty-five cats had a complete recovery within 2–6 weeks of therapy. One kitten died 7 days after the diagnosis. Conclusions and relevance Lungworms should always be included in the differential diagnosis in cats living in endemic areas and presenting with respiratory signs and radiographic abnormalities. A copromicroscopic examination should be considered as the first diagnostic step for all cats at risk of lungworm infections. In most cases, timely therapy with a variety of anthelmintics guarantees recovery.

Red blood cell distribution width in dogs with chronic degenerative valvular disease.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate RBC distribution width (RDW) in dogs with chronic degenerative valvular disease (CDVD) with compensated or decompensated heart failure. DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. ANIMALS 27 healthy dogs and 135 dogs with CDVD (87 dogs with compensated heart failure and 48 dogs with decompensated heart failure). PROCEDURES The RDW and various CBC and serum biochemical variables were compared among groups. Correlations between RDW and various echocardiographic variables were evaluated. RESULTS Mean ± SD RDW in dogs with CDVD (13.1% ± 1.0%) was not significantly different from that of healthy dogs (12.8% ± 0.8%). The RDW of dogs with CDVD and compensated heart failure (13.0% ± 1.0%) was not significantly different from that of dogs with CDVD and decompensated heart failure (13.2% ± 1.1%). The RDW had a significant, weak, negative correlation with Hct (correlation coefficient, -0.250), hemoglobin concentration (correlation coefficient, -0.219), and mean corpuscular volume (correlation coefficient, -0.211). The RDW had a significant, weak, positive correlation with 1 echocardiographic index of CDVD severity (ie, the left atrium-to-aorta ratio [correlation coefficient, 0.183]). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In this study population, RDW did not seem to be associated with the presence of heart failure or CDVD.

Proteomics-Driven Analysis of Ovine Whey Colostrum

The aim of this study was to shed light in to the complexity of the ovine colostrum proteome, with a specific focus on the low abundance proteins. The ovine colostrum is characterized by a few dominating proteins, as the immunoglobulins, but it also contains less represented protein species, equally important for the correct development of neonates. Ovine colostrum, collected immediately after lambing, was separated by 1D SDS-PAGE. Proteins bands were digested with trypsin and the resulting peptides were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. On the basis of the Swiss-Prot database, a total of 343 unique proteins were identified. To our knowledge, this study represents the most comprehensive analysis of ovine colostrum proteome.

Haemodynamic effects in healthy horses treated with an ACE-inhibitor (Ramipril).

Luciani, A., Civitella, C., Santori, D., Sconza, S. and Guglielmini, C. 2007. Haemodynamic effects in healthy horses treated with an ACE-inhibitor (ramipril). Veterinary Research Communications, 31(Suppl. 1), 297–299

Accelerated Idioventricular Rhythm in 9 Dogs

Accelerated idioventricular rhythm (AIVR) is an ectopic cardiac rhythm characterized by three or more consecutive premature ventricular complexes with a faster rate than the normal ventricular intrinsic escape rate of 30 to 40 bpm, but slower than the rate of ventricular tachycardia (VT) (Grimm and Marchlinski, 2000). Accelerated idioventricular rhythm is usually associated with abnormalities of the ventricular myocardium and altered automatism of the Purkinje’s fibres is thought to be the underlying electrophysiological mechanism (Olgin and Zipes, 2001). The difference between VT and AIVR depends on the rate at which the ectopic focus depolarizes (Grimm and Marchlinski, 2000; Olgin and Zipes, 2001). In humans, a heart rate limit of 110–120 bpm has been established as a cut-off for differentiating AIVR from VT (Grimm and Marchlinski, 2000). In the dog, an exact demarcation between AIVR and VT cannot be precisely established, owing to the extreme variability of the normal heart rate in this species. Some authors, after experimental induction of AIVR by injecting the myocardium of normal dogs with formalin, considered a ventricular rate limit of around 180 bpm to differentiate between VT and AIVR (Vassalle et al., 1977; Ilvento et al., 1982). Conversely, upper limits ranging from 110 to 160 bpm have been reported in veterinary textbooks based on subject size (Kittleson, 1998; Moı̈se, 1999; Coté and Ettinger, 2005). Owing to the scarce description of specific cases of AIVR in the canine literature, the aim of this paper is to report the clinical findings and outcome for nine dogs with AIVR recently brought to our attention.

Evaluation of the cardiac toxicity of N-methyl-glucamine antimoniate in dogs with naturally occurring leishmaniasis ☆

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiotoxic effects of pentavalent antimonial compounds in dogs with leishmaniasis. Twenty-eight dogs with clinical disease due to natural infection with Leishmania infantum were treated with 75 mg/kg meglumine antimoniate SC every 12h for 60 days. Serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations were determined and routine and 24h ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring was performed before the onset (T0) and at the end of treatment (T60). No abnormalities were found in routine and 24h electrocardiographic tracings before and after treatment. No statistical difference was found between serum cTnI concentrations or corrected QT intervals at T0 and T60. There was no evidence of laboratory or electrocardiographic features of cardiac toxicity in dogs with leishmaniasis treated with a therapeutic dose of meglumine antimoniate for 60 days.

Evaluation of TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-10 Transcriptional Activity in Milk from Healthy Dairy Cows During Lactation Period

The central role of cytokines in the immunoregulation of bovine mammary gland is documented (Sordillo et al., 1997) and demonstrates their involvement in the observed susceptibility to intramammary infection during specific times of the lactation cycle, including the periparturition period (Godson et al., 1997). However, it is still necessary to clarify several points because data obtained from different studies are not always in agreement and results have been obtained using technologies with different characteristics and sensibility (Shuster et al., 1996; Shafer-Weaver et al., 1999; Alluwaimi and Cullor, 2002). The main goal of this study was to measure the levels of normal transcriptional activity of three important cytokines in milk from healthy cows and, additionally, to determine the lactation stage-dependent changes in levels of these mediators. The cytokines investigated are representative of acute-phase response (TNF-α, pro-inflammatory factor), neutrophils recruitment (IL-8, chemoattractive factor), and immune-regulation (IL-10, regulatory and anti-inflammatory factor).

Sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver variability of survey thoracic radiography for the detection of heart base masses in dogs

OBJECTIVE To determine the sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver variability of survey thoracic radiography (STR) for the detection of heart base masses (HBMs) in dogs. DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. ANIMALS 30 dogs with an HBM and 120 breed-matched control dogs (60 healthy dogs and 60 dogs with heart disease and no HBM). PROCEDURES In a blinded manner, 2 observers (designated as A and B) evaluated STR views from each dog for a mass-like opacity cranial to the heart, tracheal deviation, cardiomegaly, findings suggestive of pericardial effusion or right-sided congestive heart failure, and soft tissue opacities suggestive of pulmonary metastases. Investigators subsequently provided a final interpretation of each dogs HBM status (definitely affected, equivocal, or definitely not affected). RESULTS Considering equivocal interpretation as negative or positive for an HBM, the sensitivity of STR for diagnosis of an HBM was 40.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.5% to 57.5%) and 56.7% (95% CI, 38.9% to 74.4%), respectively, for observer A and 63% (95% CI, 46.1% to 80.6%) and 80.0% (95% CI, 65.7% to 94.3%), respectively, for observer B. The corresponding specificity was 96.7% (95% CI, 93.5% to 99.9%) and 92.5% (95% CI, 87.8% to 97.2%), respectively, for observer A and 99.2% (95% CI, 97.5% to 100%) and 92.5% (95% CI, 87.8% to 97.2%), respectively, for observer B. The presence of a mass-like opacity cranial to the heart or tracheal deviation, or both, was significantly associated with a true diagnosis of HBM. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that STR is a highly specific but not a highly sensitive predictor of HBM in dogs.