Marine Hugonnard

Prevalence and genetic diversity of the intestinal parasites Blastocystis sp. and Cryptosporidium spp. in household dogs in France and evaluation of zoonotic transmission risk

Several parasites including the protozoa Blastocystis sp. and Cryptosporidium spp. may be causative agents of gastrointestinal symptoms in domestic dogs, and there may be a potential risk of transmission to owners. While France is one of the largest European countries in terms of its canine population, little data is available about the molecular epidemiology of these two parasites. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in household dogs in France, and to evaluate the zoonotic risk of Blastocystis sp. and Cryptosporidium spp. by genotyping the corresponding isolates. To this end, 116 faecal samples were collected from household dogs regardless of breed, age or gender, living in the Lyons area, France. Various intestinal protozoa and helminths were identified by light microscopy. Screening for Blastocystis sp. and Cryptosporidium spp. were subsequently performed by PCR targeting the small subunit (SSU) rDNA coding region, followed by direct sequencing of the PCR products and analysis of the sequences obtained for genotyping. The overall prevalence of dogs infected with at least one gastrointestinal parasite was 42.2% (49/116). After light microscopy examination of faecal samples, the most common parasites found were the protozoa Giardia sp. (25.0%) and Cystoisospora sp. (19.8%). Using molecular methods, four dogs (3.4%) were shown to be infected by Blastocystis sp. and carried either subtype (ST) 2, commonly identified in various animal groups, or ST10, frequently found in bovids. Three dogs (2.6%) were positive for C. canis, infecting humans episodically. The low prevalence of both parasites, combined with the identification of C. canis and Blastocystis sp. ST2 and ST10 in the canine population, strongly suggests that dogs play a negligible role as zoonotic reservoirs for both parasites and do not seem to be natural hosts of Blastocystis sp.

Occurrence of bacteriuria in 18 catheterised cats with obstructive lower urinary tract disease: a pilot study.

The incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections in cats catheterised for an obstructive lower urinary tract disease (LUTD) has not previously been evaluated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of significant bacteriuria in cats with obstructive LUTD managed for 48 h with a closed urine collection system. Eighteen male cats admitted for a non-infectious obstructive LUTD were evaluated. This was a prospective study. A standard protocol was used for aseptic catheter placement and maintenance. Three urine samples were collected from each animal through the catheter immediately after placement, 24 h after placement and just before removal. All samples underwent complete urinalysis, including bacterial culture. Catheter tips were tested by bacterial culture. Six cats (33.3%) developed significant bacteriuria during catheterisation. The causative bacteria were common feline uropathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus species) in five cases, and Streptococcus bovis in one. One cat developed a fungal infection. The presence of bacteria in urinary sediment was correlated strongly with positive urine culture results. The catheter tips from 10/18 cats (55.5%) were positive for culture. The positive predictive value of a positive culture from the urinary catheter tip was 87.5%. The specificity was 53.8%. The same infectious agents were cultured from both urine and catheter tip in six cases. In summary, one-third of cats developed significant bacteriuria during catheterisation. Silent bacteriuria could not be clearly differentiated from true urinary tract infection. The presence of bacteria in the urinary sediment was strongly indicative of bacteriuria. The specificity of urinary catheter tip culture was low.

Prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus infections in French catteries.

Recently, Tritrichomonas foetus, the known etiologic agent of bovine trichomonosis was identified in domestic cats in many countries around the world. In felids, this parasite would be a significant cause of large-bowel diarrhoea. Therefore the aim of the present study was to determine for the first time the prevalence of T. foetus infection in French catteries. In this epidemiological survey, rectal swabs from 140 cats participating in three international shows were tested for the presence of motile parasites by microscopy after culturing. The prevalence of T. foetus infection was 14.3% among cats (20/140) and 15.9% among catteries (18/117). These values were similar to those previously obtained in other European countries. Except for the age, no significant associations were found between the presence of T. foetus and various risk factors of infection such as the size of the cattery, the type of food, or the vicinity of a dog. Internal transcribed region of the ribosomal DNA unit was sequenced from the 20 T. foetus isolates identified in this study. They exhibited 100% identity and are homologous with other sequences of strains isolated from domestic cats in other countries.

Hemorrhagic, Hemostatic, and Thromboelastometric Disorders in 35 Dogs with a Clinical Diagnosis of Leptospirosis: A Prospective Study

Background Leptospirosis in dogs is occasionally associated with a hemorrhagic syndrome, the pathophysiology of which is not fully understood. Hypothesis/Objectives To characterize hematologic, hemostatic, and thromboelastometric abnormalities in dogs with leptospirosis and to study their association with hemorrhagic diatheses and outcomes. Animals Thirty‐five client‐owned dogs. Methods A prospective observational single cohort study was conducted. Results from the CBC, coagulation tests (prothrombin, activated partial thromboplastin and thrombin times, fibrinogen, fibrin(ogen) degradation products, and D‐dimer concentrations), rotational thromboelastometry (TEM), signalment, hemorrhagic diatheses, occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) at admission, and survival to discharge were recorded. Results The most common hematologic and hemostatic abnormalities were anemia (30/35), thrombocytopenia (21/35), and hyperfibrinogenemia (15/35). Eight dogs were diagnosed with DIC. A normal TEM profile was found in 14 dogs, a hypercoagulable profile in 14 dogs, and a hypocoagulable profile in 7 dogs. The 8 dogs with hemorrhagic diatheses at admission had significantly decreased platelet counts (P = .037) and increased D‐dimer concentrations (P = .015) compared with other dogs. Dogs with a hypocoagulable profile exhibited more hemorrhagic diatheses compared with the dogs that had normal and hypercoagulable profiles (P = .049). The mortality rate was lower in dogs with a hypercoagulable profile than in those with a hypocoagulable profile (21% vs 57%; P = .043). Disseminated intravascular coagulation was not a significant prognostic factor. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Thromboelastometric parameters were altered in dogs with both hypercoagulable and hypocoagulable profiles. A hypocoagulable profile was significantly correlated with hemorrhagic diathesis and higher mortality rate.