Timoleon S. Rallis

Factors affecting the occurrence, duration of hospitalization and final outcome in canine parvovirus infection

The objectives of this matched case-control study in a veterinary teaching hospital were to investigate the influence of signalment and historical data on the odds of occurrence of canine parvovirus (CPV) enteritis and the potential usefulness of the clinical signs and clinicopathologic abnormalities recorded on admission as prognostic indicators of mean duration of hospitalization (DOH) and outcome of the disease. Ninety-four puppies with natural CPV enteritis and 188 age-matched controls were studied. The odds to develop CPV enteritis were higher in purebreds compared to mixed-breed puppies. Vomiting and depression at the time of admission were associated with a prolongation of DOH by 2 and 1.75 days, respectively. The lymphopenic and hypoalbuminemic dogs were hospitalized for 1.9 and 2.5 more days, respectively, compared to those without these abnormalities. The odds of non-survival were higher in those puppies with evidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) at the time of admission.

A cross-sectional sero-epidemiological study of canine leishmaniasis in Greek mainland.

Canine leishmaniasis is endemic in Greece as in other countries of the Mediterranean basin. In this study, the regional prevalence of canine seropositivity to Leishmania spp. in Greek mainland was simultaneously assessed in 7 different regions. A total of 2620 serum samples were collected from clinically healthy dogs and were tested for anti-L. infantum antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A high degree of agreement (κ=0.96) was observed between these two tests. The seroprevalence rate in the whole study population was nearly 20%, being highest among dogs living in Attiki (30.12%) and lowest for those living in Florina (2.05%). There was no difference in terms of the gender of the dogs, their length of hair coat or their utility; on the contrary, seroprevalence rates were significantly higher among dogs in the age groups of 1-3 years (23.39%) and 3-9 years (23.35%) than in younger (2.26%) or older (6.03%) dogs. Epidemiological data on the seroprevalence of canine leishmaniasis provide indirect information on the prevalence of the infection and the disease and are necessary to implement and then to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures.

Cytological and molecular detection of Leishmania infantum in different tissues of clinically normal and sick cats

Natural infection of domestic cats by Leishmania infantum (synonym: L. chagasi) has been demonstrated in several European, Latin American, and Asian countries, and the estimated prevalence of infection, based mainly on blood PCR, ranges from 0.3% up to 60.6%. In this study we aimed to: (a) estimate the prevalence of the infection by L. infantum in clinically normal cats (group A; n=50) and in cats with various clinical signs (group B; n=50), living in an endemic region, by both cytological examination of four different tissues (lymph node, skin, bone marrow, and conjunctiva) and by PCR in four different tissues (blood, skin biopsies, bone marrow, and conjunctiva); (b) compare the diagnostic sensitivity of the above methods and evaluate for possible associations between their results; and (c) investigate the possible associations between infection by L. infantum and signalment, living conditions, season of sampling, and health status of the cats. The prevalence of the infection in the study population was 41% and did not differ (P=0.839) between group A (42%) and B (40%) cats. Lymph node, skin, bone marrow and conjunctiva cytology was always negative. Therefore, the diagnosis of the infection was based only on PCR in blood, skin biopsy, bone marrow and conjunctiva, which was positive in 13%, 18.2%, 16% and 3.1% of the cats, respectively. PCR was positive in only one of the four tissues in 80.5% of the infected cats. The results differed (P=0.014) among the four tissues and were less frequently positive in conjunctiva compared to skin biopsies and bone marrow (P=0.007 for both comparisons), thus highlighting the need for multiple tissue PCR testing in order to minimize false-negative results. More PCR-positive cats were found when sampling was performed during the period of sandfly activity (odds ratio: 2.44; P=0.022). Also, in group B cats, the likelihood of PCR-positivity was higher (odds ratio: 3.93; P=0.042) among those presenting at least one systemic clinical sign that had been previously reported in cats with leishmaniosis.

The effect of pre-anaesthetic fasting time and type of food on gastric content volume and acidity in dogs

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of pre-anaesthetic fasting time and variety of food on gastric content (GC) volume and pH in dogs. STUDY DESIGN Randomized, cross-over, prospective experimental study. ANIMALS Fifteen mongrel dogs (nine females and six males 1-4 years old, weighing 10-24.5 kg). METHODS Each dog received the same seven treatments in random order: dry food 3 hours before anaesthesia (BA) (treatment 3D), canned food (half daily rate) 3 hours BA (treatment 3C), 0% fat cow milk 3 hours BA (treatment 3M), dry food 10 hours BA (treatment 10D), canned food 10 hours BA (treatment 10C), low fat canned food 10 hours BA (treatment 10F) and low protein canned food 10 hours BA (treatment 10P). All animals were pre-medicated with propionyl promazine and anaesthesia was induced with thiopental sodium and maintained with halothane. GC was aspirated using an orogastric catheter and its volume and pH were measured. RESULTS Treatment 10F had significantly lower GC pH than all the 3-hour treatments. Treatments 10D and 10P had significantly lower pH than treatments 3D and 3C. Treatment 3M had significantly lower pH than the other 3-hour treatments. Treatment 3D had significantly greater gastric volume than treatments 3M, 10C, 10F and 10P. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Canned food at half the daily rate administered 3 hours before anaesthesia did not increase significantly the GC volume compared to the other types of food used. The GC pH was also high. This type of food fed 3 hours before induction of anaesthesia may be of benefit in reduction of the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux during anaesthesia in dogs.

Iron, Zinc, and Copper Concentration in Serum, Various Organs, and Hair of Dogs with Experimentally Induced Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

The concentration of iron, zinc, and copper in serum, pancreas, liver, duodenum, kidneys, myocardium, brain, and hair was studied in dogs with experimentally induced exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was performed surgically in eight healthy, 8-month-old, mongrel dogs (group I). An equal number of dogs, of the same breed and age, were used as controls (group II). One month postoperatively, the dogs in group I showed symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, confirmed by the serum Trypsin-like immunoreactivity test, and on autopsy, by histological examination of the pancreas. At the end of the experiment (20-week duration) the dogs in both groups were sacrificed. The values of serum iron, percentage transferrin saturation, and iron concentration in pancreas, duodenum, and kidneys in group I dogs were significantly higher than those in control animals. The concentrations of zinc in serum, pancreas, and myocardium and of copper in serum, pancreas, duodenum, myocardium, and hair in group I dogs were significant lower than those in control animals. Histological examination of various organs of group I dogs revealed severe atrophy and fibrosis of the pancreas, fatty infiltration of the liver, destruction and reduction in height of the villi of the duodenal epithelium, and diffuse infiltration of the duodenal lamina propria with lymphocytes and plasmocytes.

Evaluation of indirect immunofluorescence antibody test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the diagnosis of infection by Leishmania infantum in clinically normal and sick cats.

Abstract Cats that live in areas where canine and human leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum is endemic may become infected and may develop anti-Leishmania antibodies. In this study 50 clinically normal and 50 cats with cutaneous and/or systemic signs that lived in an endemic area and had been previously examined for infection by L. infantum using PCR in four different tissues were serologically tested for the presence of anti-Leishmania IgG (IFAT and ELISA) and IgM (IFAT). The aim was to compare the results of IFAT, ELISA and PCR and to investigate the possible associations between seropositivity to Leishmania spp and signalment, living conditions, season of sampling, health status of the cats, and seropositivity to other infectious agents. Low concentrations of anti-Leishmania IgG were detected by IFAT in 10% of the cats and by ELISA in 1%, whereas anti-Leishmania IgM were detected by IFAT in 1%. There was disagreement between the results of IFAT and ELISA for anti-Leishmania IgG (P = 0.039) and between all serological tests and PCR (P < 0.001). The diagnostic sensitivity of all serological tests, using PCR as the gold standard, was very low, but ELISA and IFAT for anti-Leishmania IgM had 100% specificity. The diagnostic sensitivity of all serological tests could not be improved by changing the cut-off values. Seropositivity for Leishmania spp was not associated with signalment, living conditions, season of sampling and health status of the cats or with seropositivity to feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline coronavirus, Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella henselae. In conclusion, because of their low sensitivity and very high specificity two of the evaluated serological tests (ELISA for anti-Leishmania IgG and IFAT for anti-Leishmania IgM) may be useless as population screening tests but valuable for diagnosing feline infection by L. infantum.

Canine bronchomalacia: a clinicopathological study of 18 cases diagnosed by endoscopy.

Canine bronchomalacia (BM) is characterized by weakness leading to collapse of the bronchial wall. A prospective study of 18 affected dogs (age range: 1-15 years) was undertaken to characterize the clinicopathological and histological features of BM. Poodles and Yorkshire terriers were commonly affected. Half of the dogs were overweight or obese. The clinical presentation was a mild, wheezing, chronic cough and pulmonary crackles were heard in 28% of the dogs. Compatible radiographic changes were present in 61% of the dogs. Using bronchoscopy, both lungs were affected in half of the animals, whereas in the others the disease appeared to affect predominantly the left lung. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and biopsies of bronchial mucosa revealed pure or mixed neutrophilic inflammation. Underlying infectious bronchitis was considered possible in 56% of the dogs. It was concluded that canine BM may present as an isolated clinical entity associated with infection and/or inflammation.

Treatment of canine leishmaniosis with aminosidine at an optimized dosage regimen: a pilot open clinical trial.

Leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum (Syn: L. chagasi) is one of the most common diseases of dogs in Mediterranean countries and also has zoonotic potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an optimized dosage regimen of aminosidine for the treatment of canine leishmaniosis (CanL) in terms of clinical remission, restoration of clinicopathological abnormalities, evolution of antibody titer, lymph node and bone marrow parasitic density and of PCR-based parasitological cure. Twelve non-uremic dogs without proteinuria, presenting clinical signs of CanL were included in the study. The diagnosis was confirmed by serology, microscopy and PCR of lymph node and bone marrow samples. Aminosidine was administered subcutaneously at the dose of 15 mg/kg body weight, once daily, for 21 consecutive days. A partial remission of the clinical signs, amelioration of clinicopathological abnormalities such as anemia, lymphopenia, hyperproteinemia, hyperglobulinemia, and reduced albumin/globulin ratio and reduced lymph node and bone marrow parasitic density were witnessed, although parasitological cure was not achieved. Since data are not supportive enough for the use of aminosidine as an alternative treatment, a large-scale controlled clinical trial using this optimized dosage regimen of aminosidine is warranted to compare efficacy against currently used drugs.

Remifentanil/isoflurane anesthesia in five dogs with liver disease undergoing liver biopsy.

Remifentanil is a synthetic opioid with direct action on μ opioid receptors. It has an ultrashort duration of action, and its elimination is independent of hepatic or renal function. The anesthetic management of five dogs with nonuniform liver disease and requiring liver biopsy via celiotomy is described. Remifentanil and isoflurane were used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Intraoperative analgesia was provided by a constant rate infusion of remifentanil. Remifentanil, in combination with isoflurane, was safely and successfully used in five cases for the balanced anesthesia of dogs with hepatic diseases requiring liver biopsy via celiotomy.

Effect of endogenous progesterone and oestradiol‐17β on the incidence of gastro‐oesophageal reflux and on the barrier pressure during general anaesthesia in the female dog

OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential effect of increased blood progesterone (P4) and oestradiol-17β (E2) concentrations on the barrier pressure (BrP) and the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) in female dogs under general anaesthesia. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, blinded experimental trial. ANIMALS Seven female, adult, healthy dogs weighing 14-21 kg and aged 1-7 years. METHODS Each of the animals was studied under the influence of high blood E2 and basal P4 (study O), basal E2 and high P4 (study P) and basal E2 and P4 (study C) concentrations. Animals were premedicated with acepromazine and anaesthesia was induced with thiopental and maintained with halothane. Lower oesophageal pH was monitored continuously for 1 hour after induction. GOR was defined as oesophageal pH >7.5 or <4. Manometry of the posterior oesophageal sphincter (POS) was then performed using the slow pull-through technique. RESULTS Acid GOR was detected in only one animal of study O. The three studies did not differ significantly in GOR. Mean BrP was 11.2 (study O), 9.1 (study P) and 11.6 mmHg (study C). No significant differences were detected with respect to mean BrP, intra-gastric pressure and POS pressure. CONCLUSIONS It is unlikely that the increased concentrations of E2 or P4 during the normal ovarian cycle influence the functional efficiency of the POS as a major barrier to GOR in healthy, female dogs under general anaesthesia. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The fact that female dogs undergoing obstetrical surgery represented a substantial sub-group of the animals which developed postoperative benign oesophageal stricture, should probably not be attributed to the effects of increased concentrations of female sex steroid hormones.OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential effect of increased blood progesterone (P(4)) and oestradiol-17beta (E(2)) concentrations on the barrier pressure (BrP) and the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) in female dogs under general anaesthesia. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, blinded experimental trial. ANIMALS Seven female, adult, healthy dogs weighing 14-21 kg and aged 1-7 years. METHODS Each of the animals was studied under the influence of high blood E(2) and basal P(4) (study O), basal E(2) and high P(4) (study P) and basal E(2) and P(4) (study C) concentrations. Animals were premedicated with acepromazine and anaesthesia was induced with thiopental and maintained with halothane. Lower oesophageal pH was monitored continuously for 1 hour after induction. GOR was defined as oesophageal pH >7.5 or <4. Manometry of the posterior oesophageal sphincter (POS) was then performed using the slow pull-through technique. RESULTS Acid GOR was detected in only one animal of study O. The three studies did not differ significantly in GOR. Mean BrP was 11.2 (study O), 9.1 (study P) and 11.6 mmHg (study C). No significant differences were detected with respect to mean BrP, intra-gastric pressure and POS pressure. CONCLUSIONS It is unlikely that the increased concentrations of E(2) or P(4) during the normal ovarian cycle influence the functional efficiency of the POS as a major barrier to GOR in healthy, female dogs under general anaesthesia. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The fact that female dogs undergoing obstetrical surgery represented a substantial sub-group of the animals which developed postoperative benign oesophageal stricture, should probably not be attributed to the effects of increased concentrations of female sex steroid hormones.