Grazia Guidi

Prevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus and other retroviral infections in sick cats in Italy

Two hundred and seventy-seven sick pet cats living in Italy were tested for antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen. Overall, 24% of the cats resulted positive for anti-FIV antibody and 18% for FeLV antigen. FIV was isolated from the peripheral mononuclear blood cells of ten out of 15 seropositive cats examined and from one out of eight saliva samples. No FIV isolations were obtained from six serum samples cultured. Feline syncytium forming virus (FeSFV) could be isolated from blood and/or saliva in ten out of 11 FIV seropositive cats examined, in six out of nine FeLV antigen positive cats, in two cats found positive for both infection markers, and in three out of 11 cats negative for both markers. Thus, the probability of isolating FeSFV was enhanced by infection with other exogenous retroviruses.

Renal involvement in feline immunodeficiency virus infection: a clinicopathological study

Renal tissues from 15 cats naturally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) were examined histologically, immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally. Renal function and urinary proteins were also studied. Kidney abnormalities were found in 12 cats and were characterized by mesangial widening with segmental to diffuse glomerulosclerosis and presence of IgM and C3, and scanty IgG deposits in the mesangium. Tubulointerstitial lesions were also present. In 6 cats the lesions were severe enough to cause marked increase in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, and heavy glomerular nonselective proteinuria. These findings suggest that a renal involvement is a frequent occurrence in FIV-infected cats. As the histopathological features observed were similar to those described in HIV-infected patients, FIV-infected cats may represent a valuable model for a better understanding of HIV-associated nephropathy in humans.

Comparison of aminosidine (paromomycin) and sodium stibogluconate for treatment of canine leishmaniasis

Twelve dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum were treated subcutaneously with aminosidine at a dose of 10 mg kg-1 per day for four weeks. Antimonial compounds were used as reference drugs in twelve Leishmania-infected dogs. Eleven of the twelve dogs submitted to aminosidine therapy responded within 30 days. The treatment with the aminoglycoside antibiotic presented a marked decrease of anti-Leishmania antibody titres than the controls. Aminosidine also reduced urinary protein, serum IgG, and circulating immune complex concentrations. Side effects were observed only in a dog with pre-existent renal lesions. This study proved that aminosidine is an effective, tolerable and safe drug for the treatment of canine leishmaniasis and that it could be used as a suitable substitute for antimonial therapy.

Renal Alterations in Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)-Infected Cats: A Natural Model of Lentivirus-Induced Renal Disease Changes

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with several renal syndromes including acute and chronic renal failures, but the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are unclear. HIV and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) share numerous biological and pathological features, including renal alterations. We investigated and compared the morphological changes of renal tissue of 51 experimentally and 21 naturally infected cats. Compared to the latter, the experimentally infected cats exhibited some mesangial widening and glomerulonephritis, milder proteinuria, and lower tubular and interstitial alterations. The numbers of giant protein tubular casts and tubular microcysts were also lower. In contrast, diffuse interstitial infiltrates and glomerular and interstitial amyloidosis were detected only in naturally infected cats. Similar alterations are found in HIV infected patients, thus supporting the idea of a causative role of FIV infection in renal disease, and underlining the relevance of the FIV and its natural host as an animal model for investigating lentivirus-associated nephropathy.

Occurrence of Leishmania DNA In Urines of Dogs Naturally Infected with Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a common protozoal infection in dogs living in the Mediterranean area. In Italy it was once restricted to coastal areas and islands, but is now spreading towards northern and inner regions (Zaffaroni et al., 1999). Renal involvement is often reported in canine leishmaniasis. Glomerulonephritis is the main renal lesion and is caused by deposition of immune complexes and subsequent renal damage. Antigenuria is a common finding and has been investigated in visceral leishmaniasis (Sarkari et al., 2002): antigenuria is based on the release of soluble antigens from either living parasites or lysed dead parasites (Parija, 1998). The presence of viable Leishmania protozoa in urine was reported by Riera and Valladares (1996), who cultivated Leishmania from semen and urine samples from experimentally infected dogs. Mebrathu and colleagues (1993) also obtained positive cultures from human urine specimens. In the early years of the last century, amastigotes were observed in several human body fluids, including urine (Shortt, 1923). Furthermore, a cluster of Leishmania infantum amastigotes in urine of a severely affected dog was incidentally observed (Franceschi et al., 2004). The cluster was apparently free in the urine and was detected during microscopic observation of the urinary sediment for clinical purposes. The subject had been diagnosed as affected by leishmaniasis associated with a protein-losing nephropathy and primary renal azotaemia. PCR confirmed the presence of leishmanial DNA in urines. The origin of these parasites is uncertain, as well as their survival rate in the urine, although some component of human urine seems to be beneficial for parasite growth (Howard et al., 1991). This incidental finding raised the question whether the presence of Leishmania DNA in the urines is a constant feature of canine leishmaniasis and whether it may be related to the renal damage caused by the parasite. Recent studies have indicated that circulating DNA can be found in the urine and can act as a template for PCR reactions (Botezatu et al., 2000; Su et al., 2004). DNA fragments from either host cells or human cells inocula in rats have been identified by PCR in urines of both humans and experimental

Antifungal activity of tea tree oil from Melaleuca alternifolia against Trichophyton equinum: an in vivo assay.

Dermatophytes are a group of keratinophilic and keratinolytic molds, some of which are responsible for ringworm. Among them Trichophyton equinum, which mostly infects equids, can cause extensive outbreaks in stud farms. The conventional treatment of equine trichophytosis is topic, based upon medicated shampoos to reduce the spread of infection among the animals. Nevertheless the popularity of phytotherapy is at an all-time peak, and the interest for natural alternatives or complements to conventional drug therapy is challenging both in human and veterinary field. Among herbal remedia Tea Tree Oil (TTO) shows a wide range of antimicrobial activities. A randomized open clinical trial was carried out on 60 thoroughbred breeding horses affected by equine ringworm. The animals were randomly divided into 2 groups of 30 subjects. Diagnostic criteria were the presence of clinical signs and positive T. equinum culture. Specificity control using TTO mixture in 5 not dermatophyte affected animals was achieved also. The antimycotic activity against T. equinum of a mixture containing 25% TTO in sweet almond oil, was evaluated in vivo treating 30 subjects, the others were administered enilconazole 2% solution. The animals of both groups were topically treated twice a day for 15 days with a 25% mixture of TTO diluted in sweet almond oil and every 3 days, four times with enilconazole rinses, respectively. The clinical and mycological outcome were evaluated at day 30 from the start of the treatments. Data analysis was performed by chi square test. All the treated animals showed complete clinical and aetiological healing. Part of control subjects also, showed an improvement and none of them exacerbate the lesions. This therapeutic protocol appears to be effective and versatile, being applicable immediately after physical examination, prior to have the laboratory response. It could be an alternative for practitioners interested in herbal medicines, contributing to fulfill the gap existing between in vitro and clinical studies.

Redox status evaluation in dogs affected by mast cell tumour.

Oxidative stress status has been evaluated in depth in human medicine and its role in carcinogenesis has been clearly established. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate antioxidant concentrations and oxidative stress in dogs with mast cell tumours (MCTs) that had received no previous treatments, and to compare them to healthy controls. In 23 dogs with mast cell tumour and 10 healthy controls, oxidative status was assessed using the Reactive Oxygen Metabolites-derived compounds (d-ROMs) test, antioxidant activity was measured by the Biological Antioxidant Potential (BAP) test, and α-tocopherol levels were evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet analysis. At baseline, dogs with MCT had significantly higher d-ROMs (P < 0.00001) and lower BAP (P < 0.0002) compared with healthy controls. However, no significant difference was observed for α-tocopherol (P = 0.95). Results suggest that oxidative stress pattern and oxidative defence barrier are altered in dogs with newly diagnosed MCT compared with control dogs. Future studies are needed in order to assess the prognostic role of oxidative stress and to evaluate the impact of different therapeutic approaches.

Retrospective study of 14 cases of canine arthritis secondary to Leishmania infection.

OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical appearance, laboratory findings and response to treatment of dogs with inflammatory joint disease associated with Leishmania infection. METHODS Retrospective analysis of case records of dogs with serologically confirmed leishmaniasis and concurrent inflammatory joint disease presented between 2005 and 2011. RESULTS In total, 14 cases met the inclusion criteria. Of these, five (36%) dogs were presented with monoarthritis, five (36%) with oligoarthritis and four (28%) with polyarthritis. The most frequently affected joint was the carpus. Both erosive and non-erosive disease was identified on radiographic examination. All dogs had an inflammatory synovial fluid with a high white cell count and a preponderance of neutrophils, and in eight (57%) cases Leishmania amastigotes were found in the synovial fluid smears. Dogs were treated with 50 mg/kg N-methylglucamine antimoniate twice a day for 1 month and 10 mg/kg allopurinol twice a day for 6 to 9 months combined with prednisolone in five cases. At the 6-month follow-up, eight (57%) dogs showed improvement in general and orthopaedic signs and four (28%) dogs were stable. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Leishmaniasis should be considered a differential diagnosis in dogs with inflammatory arthritis in endemic areas.

Anticardiolipin antibodies in healthy and diseased dogs

The concentrations of anticardiolipin immunoglobulin G (IgG) were measured in 134 healthy dogs and 63 diseased dogs by an ELISA. The mean (sd) concentration in the healthy dogs was 5·40 (2·60) IgG phospholipid (GPL) units, and concentrations greater than 11 GPL were considered as above the normal range. On this basis, 30 (47·6 per cent) of the diseased dogs were within the normal range, with a mean of 5·45 (3·07) GPL and the other 33 had levels above the normal range (P<0·001); 19 of them had a mean level of 22·2 (5·66) GPL, 10 had a mean level of 49·1 (11·2) GPL, and four had a mean level of 85·8 (9·64) GPL. Levels above the normal range were more frequent in females (59·4 per cent) than in males (45·1 per cent), but were higher in males (45·5 [34·71] v 42·91 [22·0] GPL). In addition, they were more frequent and higher in older dogs (66·7 per cent, 40·4 [24·0] GPL) than in younger dogs (33·3 per cent, 33·5 [21·4] GPL).

Plasma Procalcitonin Concentration in Healthy Horses and Horses Affected by Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

Background The diseases most frequent associated with SIRS in adult horses are those involving the gastrointestinal tract. An early diagnosis should be the goal in the management of horses with SIRS. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the plasma procalcitonin (PCT) concentration in healthy and SIRS horses to assess differences between the two groups. Animals Seventy‐eight horses (30 healthy and 48 SIRS). Methods Prospective in vivo multicentric study. Horses were classified as SIRS if at least 2 of the following criteria were met: abnormal leukocyte count or distribution, hyperthermia or hypothermia, tachycardia, tachypnea. Healthy horses showed no clinical or laboratory signs of SIRS. Plasma PCT concentrations were measured with a commercial ELISA assay for equine species. Results were expressed as mean±standard deviation. T‐test for unpaired data was performed between healthy and SIRS group. SIRS group was divided in 4 subgroups and t‐test was performed between healthy versus each subgroup. Results PCT concentrations in healthy and SIRS horses were 18.28 ± 20.32 and 197.0 ± 117.0 pg/mL, respectively. T‐test showed statistical differences between healthy versus SIRS group and between healthy versus all subgroups. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Results showed an increase in PCT concentration in SIRS horses as previously reported in humans and dogs. PCT could be used as a single assay in equine practice for detection of SIRS.