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ABSTRACT: Lymphoma is one of the most common forms of cancer in dogs as it is in humans but, unlike humans, the cure rates in canines are still very low. Despite the fact that high grade B-cell lymphomas are considered to be chemotherapy responsive, almost all treated dogs ultimately relapse and die due to the residual malignant lymphocytes, namely minimal residual disease (MRD). It would be extremely valuable for clinicians to detect, monitor and quantify MRD for risk group stratification, effective treatment intervention and outcome prediction. The PCRs targeting the Ig gene rearrangements constitute one of the most reliable tools to this end. We have recently validated a method which exploits hairpin-shaped primers for quantifying MRD. In the present study, that method is conveniently used for retrospectively monitoring MRD in the peripheral blood of 8 dogs diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma who underwent chemotherapy. All dogs attained complete remission. The median disease-free interval was 254.5 days (range 63-774) while the median survival time was 313.5 days (range 143-817 days). At admission, all dogs, except one which had already been treated with prednisone, had circulating neoplastic cells. All dogs attained complete remission (CR) which was almost always matched with a complete MRD response. The persistence of MRD despite apparent CR indicated a worse prognosis and a short duration of CR. Finally, the relapse is consistently anticipated by the reappearance of MRD in the peripheral blood. The study confirmed the suitability of an MRD monitoring assay as a clinical decision-making tool.
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 03/2013; · 2.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Neurolymphomatosis is a very rare form of nervous system infiltration by lymphoma that can affect cranial and peripheral nerves and spinal nerve roots. The clinical appearance can mimic autoimmune or paraneoplastic neuropathies. To date, only 2 cases of neurolymphomatosis have been reported in the veterinary literature (1 dog and 1 cat). A case of neurolymphomatosis in a 5-year-old female Domestic Shorthair cat is reported. Two, whitish, bosselated, non-symmetric masses (1 cm × 1.2 cm × 0.5 cm) that incorporated almost all cranial nerves and semilunar ganglia occupying the basisphenoid depression were histologically composed of a proliferation of monomorphic lymphocytes. These lymphoid cells were positive for CD3 (T-cell lymphoma). Nested polymerase chain reaction detected feline leukemia provirus. Fragment analysis of feline T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements evidenced an oligoclonal pattern with few peaks of similar height. The integration of pathologic with biomolecular findings adds to the information concerning the role of Feline leukemia virus on TCRγ rearrangements in cases of feline lymphoma.
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation: official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc 09/2012; · 1.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A fundamental role for the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia pipientis in the pathogenesis of Dirofilaria immitis infections has emerged in recent years. Diagnostic opportunities arising from this breakthrough have not yet been fully exploited. This study was aimed at developing conventional and real-time PCR assays to carry out a molecular survey in a convenience sample of cats living in an area where D. immitis is endemic and to evaluate the detection of bacterial DNA in blood as a surrogate assay for diagnosing filaria-associated syndromes in cats. COI and FtsZ loci were used as targets for D. immitis and Wolbachia PCR assays, respectively, and real-time TaqMan PCR assays were used only for Wolbachia. A convenience sample of 307 disease-affected or healthy cats examined at a University facility were PCR tested, and their medical records were investigated. Conventional nested PCR for Wolbachia amplified the endosymbionts of both D. immitis and D. repens, while real-time PCR was highly specific only for the former. Observed prevalences of 0.3 and 10.4% were found using conventional nested PCR assays for D. immitis and real-time PCR for Wolbachia, respectively. Similar prevalences were established using the Wolbachia nested PCR (98% concordance with real-time PCR). The group of Wolbachia-positive samples had a significantly higher proportion of subjects with respiratory signs (29.0% versus 9.7%; P = 0.002). The findings of this study indicate that a highly sensitive PCR assay can be used to detect the Wolbachia organism in the peripheral blood of cats with respiratory signs.
Journal of clinical microbiology 05/2012; 50(8):2624-30. · 4.16 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Procalcitonin (PCT), recognised as a marker of sepsis, was investigated in a porcine model of endotoxic shock. The results showed that continuous IV infusion (1-4 h) of LPS (40 μg/kg) in pigs was able to induce a generalised increase of PCT expression in lung, heart, kidney and liver. The increase in PCT was significant only in kidney and was accompanied by an increase in IL-6 gene expression. In vitro results demonstrated that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), as well as endothelial cells, were potentially capable of contributing to in vivo extrathyroidal PCT production. These findings support previous data from pigs concerning the occurrence of widespread activation of PCT extrathyroidal gene expression during endotoxic shock in pigs. Nevertheless, the levels of PCT detected were very low, suggesting the need for additional studies to validate the pig as a reliable animal model for investigating the role of PCT in sepsis.
Research in Veterinary Science 10/2011; 93(2):921-7. · 1.65 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Inflammatory bowel disease has a multifactorial etiology in dogs as it does in humans. Evidence has been accumulated showing an abnormal response of the immune system, mostly represented by lymphocyte infiltration in the lamina propria of the gastrointestinal tract and in the epithelium, likely driven by chronic antigenic stimulation against luminal microorganisms. A relevant role is also ascribed to the genetic predisposition typical of some canine breeds. The role of chronic antigenic stimulation is still under debate. It may be responsible for selective pressure on the lymphoid population, favouring the emergence of some lymphocyte clones. This cross-sectional study is aimed at investigating the immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor gene rearrangements in a group of dogs affected by inflammatory bowel disease. The database of a referral Veterinary Laboratory was investigated. Based upon the histological evaluation of the bioptic samples collected during endoscopy, 54 canine cases met the WSAVA criteria for diagnosing IBD and were included in the study. The histological slides were retrieved and the gDNA was purified using protocols for formalin-fixed tissue. The gDNA was PCR amplified using fluorescent-labelled primers specific for canine immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor gene rearrangements; the PCR products were analysed with fragment analysis by means of capillary electrophoresis on an automatic sequencer (GeneScanning). In 47/54 (87.3%) cases, it was possible to amplify the gDNA. Twenty-one patients out of 47 (44.7%) showed polyclonal patterns in both the immunoglobulin and the T-cell receptors, 18/47 (38.3%) showed at least one oligoclonal pattern without monoclonal ones while 8/47 (17.0%) cases showed an Ig (7/47; 14.9%) or TCR (1/47: 2.1%) monoclonal pattern. These findings indicate that reduced diversity of the immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor repertoire occurs in canine inflammatory bowel disease. The reduced diversity correlated significantly with the severity of the histological lesions and carried a significantly increased risk of death. Beside its possible role as a reliable ancillary assay, immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor GeneScanning analysis points to the possible role of aberrant chronic antigenic stimulation, leading to clonal expansion of certain lymphocyte subsets in the pathogenesis of canine IBD.
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 08/2011; 144(3-4):337-45. · 2.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Centronuclear myopathy (CNM) is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease affecting Labrador Retriever dogs. The disease is characterized by muscle lesions, typically encompassing reduction in the number and atrophy of type II fibers, and is caused by a short interspersed repeat element insertion in exon 2 of the protein tyrosine phosphatase-like member A. The actual allele frequency is unknown; a study was undertaken to ascertain it using a convenience-sample population composed of 217 Labrador Retrievers. In addition to 3 subjects already diagnosed with CNM, used as positive controls for polymerase chain reaction, only 2 unrelated dogs were heterozygous wild-type/mutation (wild-type/mut). Thus, the frequency of the CNM allele observed in the present study was 1.8% and 0.47% when including and excluding the 3 mut/mut homozygous cases, respectively. Based on the Hardy-Weinberg exact test (P = 1.00), the genotype frequency without the CNM-affected dogs was in agreement with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Assuming the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law, the expected frequency of the homozygous mutated genotype was calculated to be approximately 0.00005, which corresponds to 1 case of CNM out of 20,000 dogs. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the CNM allele is present but rare in a convenience sample of Labrador Retrievers in Italy.
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation: official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc 01/2011; 23(1):124-6. · 1.21 Impact Factor
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Marilisa Novacco,
Marina L Meli, Fabio Gentilini,
Fulvio Marsilio,
Chiara Ceci,
Maria Grazia Pennisi,
Gabriella Lombardo,
Albert Lloret,
Laura Santos,
Tiago Carrapiço,
Barbara Willi,
Godelind Wolf,
Hans Lutz,
Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
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ABSTRACT: Two hemoplasma species are known in dogs: Mycoplasma haemocanis (Mhc) and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum' (CMhp). Although their transmission routes are poorly understood, Rhipicephalus sanguineus has been suggested as a potential tick vector. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical importance of canine hemoplasmas in countries with a Mediterranean climate where R. sanguineus is highly prevalent using TaqMan real-time PCR, and to molecularly characterize the identified isolates. DNA (canine glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) was successfully amplified from all samples collected from 850 dogs in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, and 82 (9.6%) were PCR-positive for canine hemoplasmas (43 Mhc, 34 CMhp and 5 co-infected). The hemoplasma sample prevalence was significantly higher in Portugal (40%) than in Italy (9.5%) and Spain (2.5%). Risk factors for infection included living in kennels, young age, crossbreeding, and mange infection. No association was found with anemia. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA and RNase P genes revealed >99% identity to other European isolates. In conclusion, canine hemoplasma infections were readily encountered in Mediterranean countries. The climate and living conditions seemed to influence canine hemoplasma prevalence. The clinical importance of canine hemoplasma infections appeared to be low, but the infection stage of the presented dogs was unknown.
Veterinary Microbiology 10/2009; 142(3-4):276-84. · 3.33 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Progressive rod-cone degeneration (prcd) is a late onset, autosomal recessive, inherited disease in dogs caused by a G > A substitution in the PRCD locus. prcd has been reported in more than 18 breeds, including Labrador Retriever dogs. In this study, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, exploiting the features of locked nucleic acid (LNA) fluorescent-labeled probes, was developed to genotype the sequence variants responsible for the disease. Two Labrador Retrievers were diagnosed with prcd by ophthalmological examination performed by a panelist of the Italian hereditary eye disease control program. The 2 dogs, as well as 8 related and 14 unrelated Labrador Retrievers, were genotyped with both direct sequencing of the disease locus and real-time LNA TaqMan PCR assay. Even though the region surrounding the mutation was predicted to be highly structured, making probe annealing difficult, the real-time PCR assay allowed researchers to correctly genotype the dogs in all cases with a sensitivity threshold of 4 ng/reaction of genomic DNA. A real-time PCR assay will allow a high-throughput analysis of a larger cohort of dogs, thereby enabling researchers to investigate the prevalence of the mutated allele in the affected breeds.
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation: official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc 09/2009; 21(5):689-92. · 1.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A multitude of molecular techniques for monitoring minimal residual disease in lymphoproliferative disorders have been described to date. Real-Time Quantitative PCR targeting Immunoglobulin Heavy chain patient-specific sequences is increasingly being used for molecular detection of residual neoplastic B-cells using allele-specific oligos. The establishment of individually tailored PCR assays with the extensive use of patient-specific fluorescent-labeled oligos may be cumbersome and expensive. The present study was aimed at evaluating the usefulness of recently described hairpin-shaped allele-specific primers, originally intended for typing single-nucleotide polymorphisms, for the assessment of minimal residual disease using SYBR Green intercalating dye. Three cloned and 2 sequenced clonogenic Ig heavy chain rearranged gene loci, obtained from 5 cases of canine spontaneous B-cell lymphoma, were used as an experimental model. Both standard linear and hairpin-shaped forward and reverse clone-specific primers were evaluated in terms of specificity, sensitivity and PCR efficiency. Hairpin-shaped primers were demonstrated to have achieved accurate results more consistently than the respective linear primers allowing the specific and sensitive quantification of minimal residual disease of lymphoproliferative disorders with fewer validation procedures and more flexibility on the assay design.
Molecular and Cellular Probes 08/2009; 24(1):6-14. · 2.08 Impact Factor
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Marco Busnelli,
Alberto Froio,
Maria Laura Bacci,
Massimo Giunti,
Maria Grazia Cerrito,
Roberto Giovannoni,
Monica Forni, Fabio Gentilini,
Alessandra Scagliarini,
Gaetano Deleo,
Cristian Benatti,
Biagio Eugenio Leone,
Giorgio Maria Biasi,
Marialuisa Lavitrano
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ABSTRACT: Most strategies against intimal hyperplasia developed in several preclinical models failed in terms of clinical application, often due to a discrepancy between animal and human disease. The aim of this study was to setup for the first time a porcine vascular injury model with mild hypercholesterolemia able to significantly increase the degree of stenosis resembling human settings and investigate the pathogenetic role of hypercholesterolemia on protective genes and inflammatory response affecting matrix deposition and cell proliferation.
Pigs were fed with standard (SD, n=7) or high-cholesterol diet (HCD, n=7) for 120 days. A balloon angioplasty injury was induced in carotid arteries.
Hypercholesterolemia induced a mild significant increase of total and LDL cholesterolemia. HCD significantly increased the degree of stenosis (48+/-3% vs. 13+/-4%, p=0.001), with induction of cell proliferation, matrix deposition, TGF-beta1/TGFbetaRII and MMP2 expression and reduction of collagen. The reduced expression of the protective gene heme oxygenase-1 and inducible-nitric oxide synthase in HCD was associated to a systemic inflammation with a significant increase in circulating leukocytes, serum IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha and a local inflammatory response with an increase of CD3-positive cell infiltrates. There was a significant correlation between CD3 infiltrates and the degree of stenosis.
We developed for the first time a porcine vascular injury model with mild hypercholesterolemia able to significantly increase the degree of stenosis and showed the pathogenetic role of hypercholesterolemia on intimal hyperplasia. New therapeutical strategies to prevent restenosis can be tested in this preclinical hypercholesterolemic model resembling human disease.
Atherosclerosis 06/2009; 207(2):384-90. · 3.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein is considered a "caretaker" of the genome integrity and a defective ATM has been correlated with increased cancer risk in human beings. In an effort to explore the reliability of dog as a spontaneous animal model of genetic susceptibility to lymphoid malignancies, we have carried out the complete sequencing of the canine ATM mRNA. 5' RACE analysis and sequencing were used to obtain the full-length canine cDNA. The transcription start site was found at CFA5: 27307661 (Dog Genome assembly 2.0, release 49). Two exons were found in the 5'UTR. A putative TATA-less bi-directional promoter region was found in the region 5' upstream of the cap site. The core promoter harbours different conserved regulatory motifs: CREB, CCAAT boxes (NF-binding sites), Sp1, AP-2, GCF, XRE, Ets, Cre and c-Myb. The major ORF, corresponding to the ortholog human and pig ATM isoform 1, has 64 exons and codes a protein of 3056 aa. The homology between dog and human ATM at the aa level was 89% identities-93% positives, even higher than the homology between pig and human. When compared with the canine genomic sequences, 3 sequence variants yielding to aa substitution were found. Canine ATM is highly conserved and may represent a candidate gene to evaluate lymphoid malignancies predisposition in dogs.
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 01/2009; 128(4):437-40. · 2.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The diagnosis of canine lymphoma is achieved using morphological and immunological methods. In a certain percentage of cases, difficulties in making a definitive diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders may occur despite extensive immunophenotyping. Therefore, additional diagnostics, such as molecular assessment of Ig/TCR gene rearrangements clonality, may confirm the final diagnosis. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and heteroduplex analysis have already been proven to be suitable for detecting clonality but are cumbersome and labor-intensive. In the present study, GeneScanning analysis of PCR products originating from different primer sets targeting different regions of Ig and TCR was validated in improving sensitivity as well as in reducing the turnaround time of gene rearrangement assays. GeneScanning exploits 5' fluorescently labelled primers for the automated and fast analysis of PCR products either as singleplex or multiplex runs. Initially, the assay was set up using DNA purified from normal tissues (n=6), hyperplastic/reactive tissues (n=10) and a small set of immunophenotyped lymphoma samples (n=12). The optimized methods were then used in a large set of 96 canine lymphoma samples. Normal and hyperplastic/reactive lymphoid tissues showed typically polyclonal or, occasionally, oligoclonal PCR products. Lymphoma samples showed monoclonal peaks arranged as a single or, occasionally, a double narrow base peak sometimes embedded in a polyclonal background. In all immunophenotyped cases, an Ig or TCR clonal finding corresponded to B- and T-cell lymphomas, respectively. Overall, 94/96 (97.9%) samples showed clonal Ig/TCR clonal rearrangements among which clonal Ig was found in 61/96 (63.5%) of samples and clonal TCR in 33/35 Ig negative samples (34.4% of all cases). In one out of ten randomly chosen cases, both Ig and TCR clonal gene rearrangements were found. Among the factors affecting assay accuracy, DNA quality has been shown to be critical and the amplification of DNA controls of different size are recommended to evaluate DNA integrity. Frozen material such as that which remained inside the hub of the needle used for diagnostic procedures is optimal for the analysis herein described. In conclusion, GeneScanning represents a versatile tool for routinely assessing Ig/TCR clonal rearrangements and supporting the diagnostic protocol of canine lymphomas.
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 10/2008; 127(1-2):47-56. · 2.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Although knowledge of feline haemotropic mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas) has dramatically improved in recent years, some issues still remain to be elucidated. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence of feline haemoplasma infections in blood samples collected from cats in northern Italy. A convenience-sample of 307 cats (40 anaemic; 258 non-anaemic; nine with unknown haematocrit [HCT]) was investigated using polymerase chain reaction assays. Furthermore, the date of blood collection, signalment and clinicopathological data were retrospectively evaluated to assess predictors and risk factors for infection. Haemoplasma infections were highly prevalent in the sample investigated with an overall prevalence of 18.9% (95% confidence interval: 14.5-23.3%). The prevalence for the three feline haemoplasmas was 17.3% for 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' (CMhm), 5.9% for Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) and 1.3% for 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' (CMt). Feline immunodeficiency virus-positive status represented a risk factor for infection with an odds ratio of 4.19 (P=0.02). Moreover, a higher prevalence was observed in summer (odds ratio 1.78; P=0.04) which may be consistent with arthropod-borne disease transmission. Cats infected with Mhf showed significantly lower HCT (P=0.03), haemoglobin values (P=0.02) and red blood cell counts (P=0.04), lower mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (P<0.01) and higher white blood cell counts (P<0.01) when compared with non-infected cats.
Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 10/2008; 11(4):277-85. · 1.38 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Semen quality assessment represents a fundamental step for obtaining successful artificial insemination (AI). In commercial settings, the semen employed for AI should be of high quality but traditional semen quality estimates are not sufficiently sensitive to discriminate between differences among samples in terms of fertilising ability. Therefore, more discriminative sperm characteristics need to be identified in order to better predict fertility outcome. In the present study, a series of molecular aspects of semen, represented by heat shock proteins, oxidative stress status, antioxidant potential and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were evaluated and analysed. Several relationships between traditional and investigated molecular semen quality estimates were found by using a multivariate analysis approach. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was identified in boar seminal plasma resulting in positive correlations with several sperm quality aspects and particularly with motility. The protective roles of antioxidant molecules and heat shock proteins have been demonstrated confirming the data previously published in the literature.
Animal Reproduction Science 06/2007; 99(1-2):72-81. · 1.75 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 are enzymes known to degrade several protein components of the extracellular matrix. In humans, increased concentrations of these enzymes have been demonstrated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of subjects affected by many neurological conditions including brain tumours; nevertheless comparative data in dogs are completely lacking. Aim of this study was to investigate these molecules in CSF of dogs diagnosed with CNS neurological diseases. Higher activity of MMP 2 and 9 was revealed in dogs with space occupying lesions of likely neoplastic origin in comparison to dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. Statistical modelling reveals that increased MMP 9 activity is mainly due to leukocytes recruitment and local synthesis.
Journal of Neuro-Oncology 02/2007; 81(2):123-9. · 3.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Canine non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is considered to be a good animal model for its human counterpart; nevertheless, comparative data on neo-angiogenesis are completely lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate the levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 in lymphoma-affected dogs. Circulating levels of VEGF and both MMP 2 and 9 activities significantly correlate with the WHO sub-stage b prognostic factor; moreover, VEGF at admission have an independent influence on the length of the disease free interval. As in humans, serum VEGF concentration and most likely also MMPs plasma activity have prognostic value in canine NHL spontaneous model.
Leukemia Research 12/2005; 29(11):1263-9. · 2.92 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to validate an automated immunoturbidimetric assay used to quantify human albumin in urine and to accurately measure canine albumin concentrations in both urine and cerebrospinal fluid. The partial homology existing between human and canine albumin limited the accuracy of the human assays in measuring canine albumin without method modifications. Thus, the assay was modified by calibrating the analyzer with calibrators made in the laboratory containing known concentrations of canine albumin. To prepare the set of calibrators, the albumin concentration of pooled sera of healthy dogs was assessed in 5 replicates using the BromocresolGreen assay. Pooled samples were aliquoted and serially diluted to obtain the expected concentrations of albumin (0.5, 1, 5, 13, and 30 mg/dl) for establishing the canine calibration curve. Thereafter, the performance was assessed by analyzing canine urine and CSF The modified assay accurately quantified canine albumin in both specimens, as indicated by the following. Intra- and interassay variability was 0.92% and 2.74%, respectively; recovery was 99.66% and 99.07% in urine and 105.02% in CSF No interference was detected when hemolysate and glucose were added to urine. The test was linear within the verified range (0-225 mg/dl). These results demonstrate that the modified human albumin immunoturbidimetric assay can be a useful tool in the veterinary diagnostic laboratory. It is accurate and tends itself to automatization on chemistry analyzers.
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation: official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc 04/2005; 17(2):179-83. · 1.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We retrospectively evaluated the clinicopathologic findings and outcome predictors in dogs with Leptospira interrogans Australis serogroup infections.
The medical records of 159 dogs that had a leptospiral microscopic agglutination test (MAT) performed between 2001 and 2004 were reviewed.
Twenty dogs met serologic criteria for either symptomatic (16 dogs) or asymptomatic (4 dogs) infection caused by Leptospira interrogans Australis serogroup. Seven of 16 symptomatic dogs died or were euthanized and 9/16 recovered. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was observed in 9/16 dogs. The presence of SIRS did not affect prognosis (P = .357). C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin (Hpt) concentrations were altered in all symptomatic dogs, but results did not differ significantly between survivors and nonsurvivors (P = .08 and P = .055, respectively). Conversely, the CRP to Hpt ratio (CRP/Hpt) was significantly increased in nonsurvivors. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was diagnosed in 7/16 dogs. DIC did not significantly affect outcome (P = .126). Multiple organ involvement was present with renal failure in 16/16, liver damage in 12/16, cardiac damage in 11/16, and muscular damage in 8/16 dogs.
Among the evaluated clinicopathologic biomarkers, serum albumin, cardiac troponin I, CRP/Hpt, urinary albumin, and urinary total protein to creatinine ratio were found to predict outcome and warrant evaluation in larger prospective studies.
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 21(1):3-10. · 1.99 Impact Factor
