Giovanni Aste

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.

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.

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.

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

Genome characterization of feline morbillivirus from Italy

Abstract Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) has been recently identified by RT-PCR in the urine sample of a nephropathic cat in Italy. In this report, we describe the whole genome sequence of strain Piuma/2015 obtained by combination of sequence independent single primer amplification method (SISPA) and next generation sequencing (NGS) starting from RNA purified from the infected urine sample. The existence in Germany and Turkey of FeMVs from cats divergent from Piuma/2015, suggests the presence of FeMV heterogeneity in Europe as it has been described previously in Japan and China.

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.

Diffuse Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma with Micropapillary Growth Pattern in a Cat

A 12-year-old female European shorthair cat was presented with severe dyspnoea. Echocardiography revealed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and pleural effusion. The cat died from acute decompensated left heart failure. At necropsy examination, the lungs were diffusely congested and firm, with multifocal grey areas and sparse haemorrhages. No solid masses were detected. Histopathology revealed a diffuse neoplastic proliferation characterized by irregular growth along alveolar walls with a micropapillary pattern. Tumour cells were large, highly pleomorphic and intensely positive for pan-cytokeratin and CAM 5.2. Tumour growth was obscured by simultaneous lesions related to chronic pulmonary congestion and interstitial lung disease. Histological features were consistent with a diffuse invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma with a micropapillary pattern of tumour growth. Differential diagnosis included large cell carcinoma, which is usually characterized by rosettes or solid clusters of cells occupying alveolar lumen. Extensive cytokeratin immunolabelling was helpful in the differentiation from histiocytic proliferative disease.