Background
There is no commonly shared severity score for myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) based on routinely acquired echocardiographic variables.
Hypothesis/Objectives
To propose an ...easy‐to‐use echocardiographic classification of severity of MMVD in dogs.
Animals
Five hundred and sixty dogs with MMVD.
Methods
This was a retrospective, multicenter, observational study. The proposed Mitral INsufficiency Echocardiographic (MINE) score was based on 4 echocardiographic variables: left atrium‐to‐aorta ratio, left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter normalized for body weight, fractional shortening, and E‐wave transmitral peak velocity. Specific echocardiographic cutoffs were defined based on previous prognostic studies on MMVD, and severity scores were assigned as follows: mild (score: 4‐5), moderate (score: 6‐7), severe (score: 8‐12), late stage (score: 13‐14).
Results
Median survival time was significantly different (P < .05) between the proposed severity classes: mild (2344 days, 95% confidence interval CI 1877‐2810 days), moderate (1882 days, 95% CI 1341‐2434 days), severe (623 days, 95% CI 432‐710 days), and late stage (157 days, 95% CI 53‐257 days). A MINE score >8 was predictive of cardiac death (area under the curve = 0.85; P < .0001; sensitivity 87%, specificity 73%). In the multivariable analysis, all the echocardiographic variables of the MINE score were independent predictors of death because of heart disease (P < .001).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance
The MINE score is a new easy‐to‐use echocardiographic classification of severity of MMVD, which has been proven to be clinically effective as it is associated with survival. This classification provides prognostic information and could be useful for an objective echocardiographic assessment of MMVD.
The presented global retrospective study on human cases of tetrodotoxin (TTX) intoxication caused by seafood consumption was aimed at updating the relative risk according to seafood product ...categories (fish, gastropods, cephalopods, arthropods) and geographical areas. Overall, 3032 cases from five continents were collected, mainly from Asia. Over half of them were attributed to fish, followed by gastropods, arthropods and cephalopods. In South East and East Asia, intoxications derived from all the aforesaid seafood product categories, locally sourced; in Oceania, Sub-Saharan Africa and Central-South America, intoxication were from local pufferfish. In Europe, dated cases were caused by imported Asian products, as in North America. However, recent intoxications in Spain, Middle East and North Africa, caused by locally caught products, confirm the occurrence of TTX even in areas previously not affected by this public health issue.
•Higher metabolic capacity in mussels under salicylic acid (SA) or warming.•No changes on mussel’s metabolic capacity when exposed to SA and higher temperature.•Higher SOD activity in mussels exposed ...to the combination of both stressors.•Inhibition of CAT in mussels exposed to SA.•Loss of redox balance in the presence of SA or/and increased temperature.
While many studies have been conducted on drug-inducing alterations in the aquatic environment, little is known about their interaction with climate change, such as rising temperatures. To increase knowledge on this topic, Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels were exposed to two different temperatures 17 ± 1 °C (control) and 21 ± 1 °C in the absence and presence of salicylic acid (SA) (4 mg/L) for 28 days. Salicylic acid in the water and tissues was measured and its impact reported through biomarker responses including: energy metabolism (electron transport system (ETS) activity, glycogen (GLY), protein (PROT) and lipids (LIP) contents), oxidative stress markers (activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)), glutathione balance between the reduced and the oxidized forms (GSH/GSSG), and damage to membrane lipids (lipid peroxidation - LPO). The mussels responded differently if the stresses imposed were single or combined, with greater impacts when both stressors were acting together. Contaminated mussels exposed to high temperatures were unable to increase their metabolic capacity to restore their defence mechanisms, reducing the expenditure of LIP. In the presence of SA and increased temperature antioxidant defences respond differently, with higher SOD levels and inhibition of CAT. The present study highlights not only the negative impact of warming and SA, but especially how temperature increase will promote the impact of SA in M. galloprovincialis, which under predicted climate change scenarios may greatly impair population maintenance and ecosystem biodiversity.
Background
Plasma clearance of iohexol is a reliable method to assess the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The relationship between aging and GFR in horses is unclear.
Hypothesis/Objectives
To ...compare GFR estimated by iohexol clearance in horses of different ages.
Animals
Twenty‐one clinically healthy horses were enrolled.
Methods
Prospective study. Groups: (A) composed by 8 young horses (≤14 years old) with serum creatinine <1.5 mg/dL, (B) by 7 aged horses (≥20 years old) with serum creatinine <1.5 mg/dL, and (C) by 6 aged horses (≥20 years old) with serum creatinine ≥1.5 mg/dL. Iohexol was injected (75.5 mg/kg) through an IV catheter, and plasma samples were collected 5, 30, and 90 minutes later. Plasma clearance of iohexol was obtained by the high‐performance liquid chromatography‐ultraviolet method.
Results
The GFR was 2., 2.1, and 1.45 mL/min/kg (median value) in Groups A, B, and C, respectively. Statistical analysis showed differences between Group A versus C for urea, Group A versus B and A versus C for creatinine, and A versus C for GFR.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance
Glomerular filtration rate was significantly reduced in aged horses with serum creatinine ≥1.5 mg/dL compared to young horses with creatinine <1.5 mg/dL; no differences were obtained between young and aged horses with creatinine <1.5 mg/dL. Glomerular filtration rate evaluation should be considered in aged horses even if the plasma creatinine values are normal.
Background
Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been proposed as a severity marker in humans with acute pancreatitis (AP).
Objectives
To evaluate ADMA in dogs with AP compared with healthy dogs and ...its association with severity of disease, mortality, and indicators of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), including serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentration, WBC count, and band neutrophils.
Animals
Fifty‐four dogs with AP and a control group (CG) of 28 healthy dogs.
Methods
Cohort study including dogs with AP diagnosed using clinical and laboratory variables, abnormal canine pancreatic lipase (cPL) concentration, and compatible abdominal ultrasound examination findings performed within 48 hours of admission. Canine AP severity (CAPS) was calculated. Serum concentration of ADMA was measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Blood donor‐, staff‐, and student‐owned dogs were enrolled in the CG.
Results
Dogs with AP had higher median admission serum ADMA concentrations compared with the CG (62 versus 48.5 μg/dL; P = .003). Dogs with CAPS ≥11 had higher serum ADMA concentrations than did dogs with CAPS <11 (92 versus 54.6 μg/dL P = .009). Univariable analysis for mortality, CAPS score, band neutrophils, CRP, and ADMA were included in multivariable logistic regression, in which only ADMA was associated with mortality (P = .02). Survivors had a significant decrease in ADMA at first reevaluation compared to admission (P = .02).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance
Because serum ADMA concentrations were higher in AP dogs compared with the CG, it may have value as a biomarker in the diagnosis of AP in dogs. In addition, because ADMA was associated with mortality, it may have prognostic value.
Intervertebral disc extrusion associated with extensive epidural hemorrhage (DEEH) is a well-documented pathological condition in veterinary medicine. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the ...prevalence and clinical features of DEEH in a population of French Bulldogs affected by intervertebral disc extrusion (n=75), compare the findings with those from a group of Dachshunds (n=98) and identify possible predictive factors of DEEH and outcomes in surgically treated patients. The study showed that the prevalence of DEEH observed in Dachshunds (11.2% 95% confidence interval CI: 5.7–19.2%) was significantly lower than that observed in French Bulldogs (41.3% 95% CI: 30.1–53.3%). The multiple logistic regression model highlighted that the patients presenting with an acute onset of clinical signs (>24 hr) (odds ratio OR: 13.08; 95% CI: 4.63–37.03, P=0.00), presence of clinical signs progression (OR: 5.04; P=0.01), and French Bulldogs (OR: 5.15; 95% CI: 1.71–15.54, P=0.00) were at increased risk of developing DEEH. Secondary analysis showed that patients with DEEH were at an increased risk of being non-ambulatory at discharge (OR: 3.43; P=0.017). Overall, the surgically treated patients had favorable outcomes.
While the passive transfer of immunity in horse and donkey foals has been extensively studied, there is limited information for mule foals. Immunoglobulin type G (IgG) and serum total protein ...concentration (TP) were assessed at different sampling times to evaluate the correlation between serum radial immunodiffusion (SRID) with electrophoresis, refractometry, and dry chemistry analyzer (Biuret), and to estimate serum IgG concentrations using serum TP in mule foals. We analyzed a total of 30 samples collected at birth, and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h of life from 6 mule foals by SRID, electrophoresis TP, biuret TP, and refractometry TP.
The SRID IgG concentration significantly increased from birth until T6 (p < 0.001). Serum TP analyzed with refractometry revealed differences between T0 and T12, T24 and T48 (p < 0.05), while a significant difference was observed with the biuret method between T0 and all the other sampling times (p < 0.001).
A strong correlation was found between IgG SRID and biuret TP (r = 0.69, p < 0.001), and a good correlation existed between IgG SRID, refractometry TP, and electrophoresis TP (r = 0.44, p < 0.01 and r = 0.39, p < 0.05, respectively).
All methods can be used to estimate the passive transfer of immunity in mule foals. TP refractometry and biuret TP values can be used to determine serum IgG concentrations in the blood of mule foals on their first day of life through the application of a specific equation.
Background
Although the influence of copper (Cu) on chronic hepatitis (CH) has been widely studied in dogs, little information is available about the accumulation of other metals.
...Hypothesis/Objectives
We assessed the concentration of lead (Pb) in the livers of dogs with CH with or without abnormal hepatic Cu to establish if any association existed between Pb and either hematologic or biochemical variables, fibrosis, necrosis and inflammation of the liver on histology.
Animals
Thirty‐four dogs with CH that had hepatic Cu and Pb determined.
Methods
Retrospective review of medical records of dogs with CH and hepatic Cu and Pb. Chronic hepatitis was defined using current American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine consensus statement guidelines. Hepatic Cu and Pb were determined using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. Dogs were divided into 2 groups based on Cu: <400 ppm (LoCu) and ≥400 ppm (HiCu).
Results
The median Cu and Pb were 357 ppm (range, 100‐7743 ppm) and 58.7 (range, 6.89‐224.4 ppm), respectively. Nineteen dogs had LoCu and 15 dogs had HiCu. Median Pb was significantly higher in HiCu compared to LoCu dogs (P < .001). Hepatic Pb and Cu were significantly correlated (rho = 0.7; P < .001). Dogs with microcytosis had higher Pb than did dogs with normal red cell volume (P = .02). Hepatic Pb was not correlated with either necroinflammatory or fibrosis scores.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance
Although additional studies are needed to better understand the clinical role of hepatic Pb, dogs with abnormal hepatic Cu may also have higher hepatic Pb. In addition, in dogs with high hepatic Pb, microcytosis may be present.
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by secondary metabolism of several fungi belonging to the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium. OTA is potentially nephrotoxic, neurotoxic, immunotoxic and ...carcinogenic in several animal species and in humans. This toxin has been detected in several human food and animal feed. The aim of this study was to determine OTA in blood samples of healthy and affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) dogs. CKD group showed higher incidence of OTA-positivity than healthy dogs (96 vs. 56%) and a significantly higher median value of OTA plasma concentration (0.008 vs. 0.144 ng/ml). No significant correlation was observed between OTA levels and creatinine values in CKD dogs. This is the first study regarding OTA detection in plasma samples of healthy and CKD dogs; the presence of this toxin is higher in nephropatic patients but is not yet clear, if it is correlated with progression of the disease.
Procalcitonin (PCT) and protein carbonylated content (PCC) are promising biomarkers for bacterial infection and inflammation in veterinary medicine. This study examined plasma PCT and PCC levels in ...healthy cows (H) and cows with subclinical mastitis (SCM). A total of 130 cows (65 H and 65 SCM) were included in this study. Blood samples were collected, and plasma was frozen at -80 °C. PCT levels were determined using a bovine procalcitonin ELISA kit, while PCC was measured following the methodology of Levine et al. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in PCT levels between H (75.4 pg/mL) and SCM (107.3 pg/mL) cows (
< 0.001) and significantly lower concentrations of PCC in the SCM group (H: 0.102 nmol/mL/mg, SCM: 0.046 nmol/mL/mg;
< 0.001). The PCT cut-off value for distinguishing healthy and subclinical mastitis animals was >89.8 pg/mL (AUC 0.695), with a sensitivity of 66.2% and specificity of 69.2%. PCT showed potential value as a diagnostic tool to help in decision making for subclinical mastitis cases, while PCC requires further studies to investigate the trend of this biomarker during localized pathology.
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