Andrea Boari

Diagnosis and risk factors of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Nematoda, Strongylida) infection in cats from Italy

Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Nematoda, Strongylida) in cats and associated risk factors have been investigated by classical coprology in central (site A) and southern (site B) Italy, i.e. by floatations with sugar and zinc sulphate solutions and a Baermann technique. Overall, 227 individual stool samples (i.e. 162 from site A and 65 from site B) were processed and risk factors were related to infection by binary logistic multiple-regression models. The presence of A. abstrusus was used as the dependent variable and the epidemiological data as independent variables. Twenty-eight (17.3%) and 12 (18.5%) cats were positive for A. abstrusus in sites A and B, respectively, both using the Baermann and flotation with zinc sulphate solution methods. Six and three (from site A and B, respectively) of the infected cats were negative for A. abstrusus when faeces were processed with sugar solution. Stray and free-ranging (P=0.357), young cats (P=0.008) and the presence of respiratory symptoms (P=0.000) were risk factors for A. abstrusus infection. The results suggest that A. abstrusus is spread in Italy. Furthermore, these results possibly include infection in the differential diagnosis of feline respiratory diseases and offer a correct diagnostic approach by using either a Baermann method or flotation with zinc sulphate solution in suspected cases.

Autochthonous foci of canine and feline infections by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in central Italy

This survey was conducted to investigate the presence of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in native dogs and cats living in an area of Italy where animal and human dirofilarioses have been sporadically reported in the past few years. From May 2008 to March 2009 individual blood samples were collected from 300 native cats and 300 native dogs in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. All 600 samples were subjected to a Knott modified method, to a test for the detection of circulating D. immitis antigen and to two species-specific PCR-coupled sequencing protocols. Epidemiological data were collected and then correlated with the filarial prevalence by univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. Twenty-five dogs (8.3%) and six cats (2%) were positive for filariae in at least one diagnostic test, with an overall prevalence rate for D. immitis and D. repens of 2.3% and 5.6% in dogs and 0.3% and 1.6% in cats, respectively. Male and large sized dogs resulted more likely to be infected by Dirofilaria spp., possibly due to the fact that animals living outdoor and of large size are more exposed to mosquito bites. However these factors were not confirmed as convincing risk factors by multivariate analysis. The results are discussed, together with the origin of these new autochthonous foci in central Italy and the present expansion southward of canine and feline filariae in Italy.

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC AND PATHOLOGIC FEATURES OF INTESTINAL SMOOTH MUSCLE HYPERTROPHY IN FOUR CATS

The ultrasonographic findings for four cats with intestinal smooth muscle hypertrophy are described. In two cats, intestinal smooth muscle hypertrophy was associated with chronic enteritis. In the remaining two cats, intestinal smooth muscle hypertrophy affected the intestinal tract proximal to stenosis due to alimentary lymphoma and an intestinal foreign body, respectively. Moderate increased thickness of the affected intestinal wall, measuring 7–8 mm, was evident on abdominal ultrasonographic examination of all subjects. In addition, the ultrasonographic five‐layered feature of the intestinal wall was maintained, and only the muscular layer appeared thickened. Abdominal ultrasound allowed a presumptive diagnosis of intestinal smooth muscle hypertrophy that was confirmed histologically in all cats.

Evaluation of a portable meter to measure ketonemia and comparison with ketonuria for the diagnosis of canine diabetic ketoacidosis.

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of canine diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) usually is based on measurement of urinary acetoacetate (ketonuria). In humans, this test is less sensitive and specific than blood 3-beta-hydroxybutyrate (ketonemia) evaluation. HYPOTHESIS Ketonemia measurement using a portable meter is more accurate than ketonuria determination with a dipstick to diagnose canine DKA. ANIMALS Seventy-two client-owned diabetic dogs with ketonemia, ketonuria, or both. METHODS Prospective observational study. Based on blood bicarbonate concentration and anion gap, dogs were divided into 2 groups: patients with DKA (n= 25); patients with diabetic ketosis (n= 47). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR) at different cut-off points were determined for both ketonemia and ketonuria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the accuracy of each diagnostic test to diagnose DKA. RESULTS With regard to ketonemia, cut-off values of 2.3 and 4.3 mmol/L revealed 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity, respectively, whereas cut-off values of 2.8 and 3.5 mmol/L showed a -LR of 0.05 and a + LR of 13.16, respectively. With regard to ketonuria, a cut-off value of 1+ revealed 92% sensitivity, 40% specificity, and -LR of 0.20, whereas a cut-off value of 3+ revealed 44% sensitivity, 94% specificity, and +LR of 6.89. The areas under the ROC curves for the ketonemia and ketonuria tests were significantly different (0.97 and 0.81, respectively, P= .003). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Measurement of ketonemia is accurate and more effective than measurement of ketonuria to diagnose canine DKA.

Treatment of 46 cats with porcine lente insulin – a prospective, multicentre study

This prospective, multicentre, non-blinded, open study followed 46 cats with diabetes mellitus during treatment with porcine lente insulin (also known as porcine insulin zinc suspension, Caninsulin®, Intervet) for 16±1 weeks (stabilization phase), with additional monitoring of some cats (n=23) for a variable period. At least three of the following were present at initial presentation: appropriate history of clinical signs consistent with diabetes mellitus, glucosuria, blood glucose greater than 15 mmol/l and fructosamine greater than 380 μmol/l. Insulin treatment was started at a dose rate of 0.25–0.5 IU/kg body weight twice daily, with a maximum starting dose of 2 IU/injection. Twenty-eight of the cats were classed as reaching clinical stability during the study, in 23 of these cats this was during the stabilization phase. Seven cats went into remission during the stabilization phase and one of the cats in week 56. Clinical signs of hypoglycaemia, significantly associated with a dose of 3 units or 0.5 IU/kg or more per cat (twice daily), were observed in nine of the 46 cats during the stabilization phase and concomitant biochemical hypoglycaemia was recorded in most cases. Biochemical hypoglycaemia, recorded in 6% of the blood glucose curves performed during the stabilization phase, was significantly associated with a dose rate of 0.75 IU/kg or more twice daily. This further highlights the need for cautious stepwise changes in insulin dose. The protocol used in the present study is suitable for and easy to use in practice. This study confirmed the efficacy and safety of porcine lente insulin (Caninsulin®) in diabetic cats under field conditions.

Efficacy of a single administration of a spot-on solution containing imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 2.5% in eliminating Dirofilaria repens microfilariae in naturally infected dogs

In the past decade reports of canine subcutaneous dirofilariosis, caused by the mosquito-transmitted nematode Dirofilaria repens, increased in number in several countries in Europe, along with a rise of human cases. Given the merit to the new approaches for the control and treatment of this infection, the present study evaluated the efficacy of a single application of the spot-on formulation containing imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 2.5% (Advocate(®), Bayer Animal Health) in the elimination of D. repens microfilariaemia in naturally infected dogs. In September 2009, 18 dogs with a natural infection by D. repens were enrolled in the study. In October 2009 all the dogs were treated once with Advocate(®) and the presence/absence of circulating MF and skin lesions after treatment was evaluated monthly until April 2010. From November 2009 to April 2010 15 dogs scored negative for D. repens while one dog remained negative till March 2010 when it died. Two dogs had a recurrence of microfilariaemia in December 2009 and January 2010 respectively. Nine infected dogs showed skin lesions at the beginning of the trial, which disappeared after treatment in 7 dogs, whereas the other two symptomatic dogs did not show any dermatological improvement until the end of the trial even though they scored negative for D. repens microfilariae. This study demonstrated that a single dermal administration of Advocate(®) is effective in eliminating microfilariae of D. repens and likely has a certain degree of activity in killing subcutaneous adult worms as well. This study demonstrates the efficacy of Advocate(®) in the treatment of dermatitis caused by D. repens. Also, these results are of importance towards further control programs aiming to reduce the number of bites infectious for mosquitoes and the risk of infection for both humans and dogs.

Breed distribution of canine diabetes mellitus in Italy.

F. Fracassi1, M. Pietra1, A. Boari2, G. Aste2, M. Giunti1 and P. Famigli-Bergamini1* 1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Internal Medicine Section, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, V ia T olara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia (Bo), Italy; 2Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Internal Medicine Section, University of T eramo, V.le Crispi 212, 64020 T eramo, Italy; *Correspondence: Dipartimento Clinico Veterinario, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, via T olara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (Bo), Italy E-mail:FAMIGL I@vet.unibo.it

Pancreatitis associated with N-methyl-glucamine therapy in a dog with leishmaniasis.

G. Aste1,∗, M. Di Tommaso1, J.M. Steiner2, D.A. Williams2 and A. Boari1 1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Section of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; 2Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Cinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station TX 77843-4474, USA ∗Correspondence: E-mail: gaste@unite.it

Superoxide dismutase and Glutathione peroxidase in the blood of dogs with Leishmaniasis

Superoxide dismutase and Glutathione peroxidase in the blood of dogs with Leishmaniasis D. Britti & S. Sconza & V. M. Morittu & D. Santori & A. Boari Published online: 8 August 2008 # Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2008

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.