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Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) shows the distribution of protein fractions, helping clinicians to characterize some pathologic processes. Information is lacking in the literature about SPE alterations in dogs with chronic hepatitis (CH). Our aim was to describe SPE alterations in canine CH, to compare SPE results to histologic scores, and to study SPE trends during follow-up. We reviewed retrospectively case data from dogs with a histologic diagnosis of CH. Only cases with SPE, CBC, and serum chemistry results available were included. Dogs were divided into subgroups based on histologic necroinflammatory activity (A) and fibrosis (F) scores (groups A0-1 and A>1; groups F<2 and F≥2). We included 26 dogs; 15 had follow-up SPE. The most common SPE alterations at admission were hypoalbuminemia (n= 16), increases in α1-globulins (n= 11), γ-globulins (n= 11), α2-globulins (n= 8), β2-globulins (n= 7), and β1-globulins (n= 6), and decreased albumin:globulin (A:G) ratios (n= 20). Four of 11 dogs had β-γ bridging. Groups with higher A and F scores had higher β2-globulins. Eleven of 15 dogs with a post-treatment SPE had a decrease in γ-globulins and increase in A:G ratio compared to their T0, although there was no statistically significant difference. Although further studies are warranted, SPE may be useful for monitoring canine CH.

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to compare the effects of two different nitrogen-rich ingredients such as hydrolysed fish protein and autolysed yeast, on gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) growth performances and histological gut morphology. Animals were allocated to three experimental groups: the first received a fishmeal-based diet (FM), the second and the third received hydrolysed fish protein (HFP) and autolysed yeast (AY), respectively, to replace an equal amount of fishmeal. The experiment lasted 92 days. No significant differences in body weight and mortality were observed among the different groups. Villus branching, intraepithelial lymphocytes and inflammatory infiltrate of the submucosa were more prominent in AY than HFP and FM. The gut absorbent surface ratio was 5.94, 6.44 and 7.28 for group FM, HFP and AY, respectively, with statistical significant difference between FM and AY and between HFP and AY. A significant increment in the goblet cell density was observed for HFP and AY in comparison to FM. A statistically significant increase in small-sized goblet cells was observed in AY compared to FM. All our findings suggest that it is possible to use either HFP or AY, as partial replacer of FM in the S. auratadiet.HighlightsYeast-derived products as a suitable alternative nitrogen source.Autolyzed yeast as a novel approach in the use of yeast products.Use of autolysed yeast for replacing fishmeal in aqua feed.Use of hydrolysed fish protein for replacing fishmeal in aqua feed.

To investigate larval development of Acanthocheilonema reconditum in the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis, fleas were fed through an artificial feeding system with dog blood containing different concentrations of microfilariae (i.e. low, group L = 250; medium, group M = 500; high, group H = 1500 microfilariae per mL) or no microfilariae (group C). Fleas were sampled at 12 different time-points throughout the study period (D1–D28) and A. reconditum was detected by dissection, PCR and histology. Of 2105 fleas fed with infected dog blood, 891 (38·7%) died during the study before being sampled whilst the remaining (n = 1214) were examined for A. reconditum. Upon dissection, first-stage larvae (L1) were identified after 2 days post infection (D2), second-stage (L2) at D13 and infective third-stage larvae (L3) at D15. Eighteen (30%) of 60 pools of fleas molecularly examined tested positive. Histologically, L2 were detected at D13 in the sub-cuticle region embedded in the back muscle of one female flea. This study provides original data on larval development of A. reconditum in C. felis and reports on the usefulness of the artificial feeding system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current report, a case in Italy of disseminated Mycobacterium aviumsubsp. hominissuisinfection in a dog from an American lineage of Basset Hounds is described. A 2-year-old intact female Basset Hound presented with persistent lymphadenopathy, lameness, and a history characterized by coccidiosis, bacterial gastroenteritis, and alopecia. Lymphadenitis, with macrophages containing a few intracytoplasmic, negative staining, Ziehl–Neelsen-positive bacilli, was detected by a popliteal fine-needle aspirate leading to the diagnosis of mycobacteriosis. Ultrasound and X-ray examinations revealed visceral and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Because of the extent of the disease, the dog was humanely euthanized. Significant gross abnormalities, such as enlargement of the cranial mediastinal lymph nodes with encapsulated areas of caseous necrosis and generalized lymphadenopathy, were observed at necropsy. Granulomatous lesions were histopathologically detected in the liver and spleen. Ziehl–Neelsen-positive bacilli were observed in all examined lymph node, liver, spleen, lung, and bone marrow smears. Lymph nodes and liver were collected in order to pursue speciation by bacterial culture and molecular biology; multiplex polymerase chain reaction results classified the pathogen as M. aviumsubsp. hominissuis. Although an immune system deficiency was not investigated, anamnesis suggests that the dog was immunocompromised. Furthermore, the dog came from an American stock of Basset Hound, and for some of this breed, a predisposition to this infection has been hypothesized.

Numerous canine papillomaviruses (CPVs) have been identified (CPV1–23). CPV1, 2, and 6 have been associated with inverted papillomas (IPs). We retrieved 19 IPs from 3 histopathology archives, and evaluated and scored koilocytes, inclusion bodies, giant keratohyalin granules, cytoplasmic pallor, ballooning degeneration, and parakeratosis. IHC targeting major capsid proteins of PV was performed, and CPV genotyping was achieved by PCR testing. Tissue localization of CPV DNA and RNA was studied by chromogenic and RNAscope in situ hybridization (DNA-CISH, RNA-ISH, respectively). IPs were localized to the limbs (50%), trunk (30%), and head (20%), mainly as single nodules (16 of 19). In 15 of 19 cases, immunopositivity was detected within the nuclei in corneal and subcorneal epidermal layers. PCR revealed CPV1 in 11 IPs and CPV2 DNA in 3 IPs. Overall, 14 of 17 cases were positive by both DNA-CISH and RNA-ISH, in accord with PCR results. A histologic score >5 was always obtained in cases in which the viral etiology was demonstrated by IHC, DNA-CISH, and RNA-ISH. IHC and molecular approaches were useful to ascertain the viral etiology of IPs. Although IHC is the first choice for diagnostic purposes, ISH testing allows identification of PV type and the infection phase. RNA-ISH seems a promising tool to deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis of different PV types in animal species.

Acute toxicity and histological damage derived from exposure of Danio rerio(zebrafish) to several ionic liquids have been evaluated.

Feline viral plaques are uncommon skin lesions clinically characterized by multiple, often pigmented, and slightly raised lesions. Numerous reports suggest that papillomaviruses (PVs) are involved in their development. Immunosuppressed and immunocompetent cats are both affected, the biological behavior is variable, and the regression is possible but rarely documented. Here we report a case of a FIV-positive cat with skin fragility syndrome and regressing multiple viral plaques in which the contemporary presence of two PV types (FcaPV2 and FcaPV3) was demonstrated by combining a quantitative molecular approach to histopathology. The cat, under glucocorticoid therapy for stomatitis and pruritus, developed skin fragility and numerous grouped slightly raised nonulcerated pigmented macules and plaques with histological features of epidermal thickness, mild dysplasia, and presence of koilocytes. Absolute quantification of the viral DNA copies (4555 copies/microliter of FcaPV2 and 8655 copies/microliter of FcaPV3) was obtained. Eighteen months after discontinuation of glucocorticoid therapy skin fragility and viral plaques had resolved. The role of the two viruses cannot be established and it remains undetermined how each of the viruses has contributed to the onset of VP; the spontaneous remission of skin lesions might have been induced by FIV status change over time due to glucocorticoid withdraw and by glucocorticoids withdraw itself.