1,721,005 research outputs found
Aspetti clinici ed eziopatogenetici della dermatite ed otite da Malassezia sp. nel cane
Full text linkMalassezia spp. yeasts are commensal organisms of human and animal skin and occasionally act as pathogens.
The aim of this study was to get a further insight into pathogenetic and clinical aspects of Malassezia dermatitis and otitis in the dog through a comparison between patients with Malassezia overgrowth to those of a control group. All animals enrolled in the study were presented at the Department of Veterinary Clinical Science for a dermatological consultancy.
After a complete physical and dermatologic examination, samples were obtained from four regions: axilla, interdigital area, ear pinna and one skin lesion.
Citology was performed from the above regions in order to identify and count yeasts. In positive cases a yeast culture, phenotypic and genotypic identification were carried out.
Ninety-seven animals were enrolled in the study: 84 patients with Malassezia sp. overgrowth and 13 healthy dogs. German shepherd, labrador and boxer were overrepresented among breeds (10/11,9%; 6/7,1%; 5/5,9%, respectively) and females were more than males (50 vs 34).
The history of most patients (32/44,5%) revealed that they have not received any medication before examination. In fact, antibiotic or steroid therapy may affect Malassezia overgrowth in some way but there is still not enough evidence to confirm it.
In affected patients parasites were isolated more often from external auditory canal (33/ 46,5%), skin lesions (31/43,7%) and interdigital areas (29/40,8%).
The number of yeasts resulting from the skin cytology seems to be the most important predisposing factor for the clinical presentation of Malassezia dermatitis as evidenced by the comparison between pathological and healthy dogs.
The cytology, performed following the technique of the adhesive tape strips and stained with modified Diff-Quick®, seems to be more sensitive in detecting an overgrowth of Malassezia than culture. This result is in disagreement with previous studies.
The only species of the genus Malassezia, isolated in the present study, was Malassezia pachydermatis.
Further studies on yeast and host genotype could provide new insights into the etiopathogenetic aspects of Malassezia dermatitis and otitis in the dog.I lieviti appartenenti al genere Malassezia sono organismi commensali della cute umana ed animale che in talune condizioni predisponenti possono diventare patogeni. Obiettivo del presente lavoro è stato di approfondire le conoscenze di alcuni aspetti clinici ed eziopatogenetici di dermatite ed otite da Malassezia sp. nel cane. Per raggiungere tali obiettivi sono stati messi a confronto i risultati ottenuti da un gruppo di controllo e quelli di tutti gli animali che sulla base della visita clinica e degli esami citologici sono stati riconosciuti affetti da sovraccrescita di Malassezia sp. In tutti i soggetti, dopo visita dermatologica, sono state campionate tre regioni standard (ascella, interdigitale, padiglione) ed una coinvolta da lesioni. Di tali regioni è stato eseguito l’esame citologico per l’identificazione e la conta dei lieviti. Nei casi di positività citologica sono stati eseguiti l’esame colturale, l’identificazione fenotipica e genotipica.
Sono stati inclusi 97 animali di cui 84 affetti da sovraccrescita di Malassezia sp. Fra questi le razze maggiormente rappresentate sono state il pastore tedesco, il Labrador ed il boxer (10/11,9%; 6/7,1%; 5/5,9%, rispettivamente); le femmine sono risultate in numero superiore ai maschi (50 vs 34).
Un elevato numero di pazienti (32/44,5%) non aveva ricevuto, in precedenza alla visita, alcuna terapia farmacologica. I risultati non escludono che la somministrazione di antibiotici e/o cortisonici possa avere un’influenza parziale sulla sovraccrescita di Malassezia sp.
Negli animali malati la maggior frequenza d’isolamento si è avuta nel condotto uditivo esterno (33/46,5%), seguito dalle regioni coinvolte da lesioni (31/43,7%) e dagli spazi interdigitali (29/40,8%).
La maggior numerosità dei lieviti riscontrata con esame citologico nei cani malati rispetto ai sani sembra essere uno dei fattori sostanziali per lo sviluppo dei segni clinici della dermatite da Malassezia.
I risultati ottenuti dal confronto fra la citologia e l’esame colturale appaiono in disaccordo con quanto affermato in letteratura. L’esame citologico, realizzato con la tecnica del nastro adesivo e colorato con la tecnica Diff-Quick® modificata, sembra maggiormente sensibile nel rilevare una sovraccrescita di Malassezia rispetto all’esame colturale ottenuto secondo la tecnica adottata in questo studio.
L’unica specie del genere Malassezia isolata nel presente lavoro è stata Malassezia pachydermatis.
È auspicabile che in futuro, ulteriori informazioni possano giungere dall’approfondimento di aspetti clinici correlati al genotipo dei lieviti e dell’ospite per chiarire definitivamente gli aspetti irrisolti dell’eziopatogenesi della dermatite da Malassezia
Lawfulness of the administration in beef cattle medicines registered for use restricted to calves
No full textDermatiti pruriginose nel cane: rivalutazione clinica di casi con presunta diagnosi di reazione avversa al cibo (RAC)
No full textIn questo studio sono stati considerati cani con sospetto diagnostico di RAC che, nonostante una dieta controllata, continuavano a presentare prurito. Questi sono stati sottoposti ad un rigoroso iter diagnostico e terapeutico e ad una o due diete di eliminazione seguite da provocazione con la vecchia dieta. La sospetta diagnosi di RAC è stata confermata solo in 2 su 12 pazienti valutabili (16,7%), evidenziando che tale procedura è lunga e richiede particolare attenzione nella raccolta dell’anamnesi alimentare e nell’eliminazione delle altrecause di prurito
Study of the chemical and nutritional characteristics of commercial dog foods used as elimination diet for the diagnosis of canine food allergy
No full text“Hypoallergenic” pet foods are commercial dietary products for dogs and cats used as elimination diets for the diagnosis of adverse food reactions. Aim of this study was to compare chemical and nutritional characteristics of this kind of dog foods with regular maintenance diets. Twenty-nine dry pet foods (pellets) were collected and divided into classes on the basis of the type (H: hypoallergenic; R: regular), source of fat (with or without fish oil) and source of protein (with or without fish protein) used in their composition. Labels of the H pet foods identified 8 products (44%) with one protein in their formula, suggesting that only few commercial manufacturers concern about the number of protein sources included in their products. Samples of the two groups showed different chemical profiles with lower levels of protein, gross energy, phosphorus and better fatty acid profile (expressed as % of total fatty acids) for H products in comparison to R foods: PUFA, 38.91 vs 24.03, P<0.01; ω3, 5.70 vs 2.58, P<0.01; ω6, 33.22 vs 21.63, P<0.01; DHA, 2.85 vs 0.16, P<0.05; CLA, 0.24 vs 0.08, P<0.05, for H and R respectively. This study suggests that the differences observed in the fatty acids composition may be attributed to fish proteins addition, but not to fish oil, in H pet foods production
TRICUSPID ANNULAR PLAN SYSTOLIC EXCURSION (TAPSE) EVALUATION IN DOGS WITH CHRONIC DEGENERATIVE VALVULAR DISEASE WITH AND WITHOUT PULMONARY HYPERTENSION
No full textAIM OF THE STUDY:
The aim of the study was to investigate the TAPSE in dogs with chronic degenerative valvular disease (CDVD) at different
stages of heart failure (HF) and pulmonary hypertension (PH).
MATERIAL & METHODS:
Dogs were prospectively enrolled and underwent a complete cardiologic evaluation, including physical examination, thoracic
radiography, EKG, and trans-thoracic echocardiographic examination (TTE). The TTE included 2D and M-mode evaluation of
the left ventricle, Doppler interrogation of trans-valvular blood flows and Tissue Doppler Interrogation (TDI) of the lateral and
septal mitral annulus and the tricuspid annulus. Healthy (control) dogs and dogs with CDVD with combined mitral and tricuspid
regurgitation (TR) but without other cardiovascular disorders were selected. Evidence of PH was based on TR jet Peak velocity
(TRVMax) >2.8 m/s. In dogs with CDVD, HF severity was classified according to proposed guidelines (Atkins C., 2009). Dogs
with CDVD were also subdivided in: No PH, if TRVMax ≤2.8 m/s; Mild PH, if TRVmax >2.8 m/s and ≤3.5 m/s; Moderate PH, if
TRVMax >3.5 m/s and ≤4.5 m/s; and Severe PH, if TRVMax >4.5 m/s. To obtain TAPSE, a 4-chamber apical view, optimized
for right ventricular inflow was used, and an M-mode cursor was placed through the lateral tricuspid annulus. TAPSE was
measured on M-mode images as the total displacement of the tricuspid annulus from the deepest point in diastole to the
highest point on systole. The parameter was measured three times and the average value was used for statistical analysis.
Correlations between TAPSE and body weight (BW), body surface area (BSA), heart rate and other echocardiographic
parameters were investigated using Pearson coefficient and those normally distributed, were analyzed using an analysis of
covariance (ANCOVA) to assess the differences among PH groups and HF groups, corrected for BSA. P values < 0.05 were
considered significant.
RESULTS:
103 dogs were recruited: 8 were free from heart disease, 56 had CDVD but No-PH, 25 had CDVD and Mild-PH, 11 had CDVD
and Moderate-PH and 3 CDVD and had Severe-PH. According to the ACVIM classification of HF, 8 dogs were in class A, 53 in
class B1, 22 in class B2, 17 in class C and 3 in class D. Average BW was 14.5 Kg (Range 2.6 – 72 kg); the average age was
9.5 years (range 0.7- 16.1 years). TAPSE values were significantly correlated with BW and BSA, (Pearson correlation
coefficient 0.49 and 0.52, respectively). TAPSE values were also correlated with some echocardiographic indices of left and
right ventricular systolic and diastolic function. ANCOVA analysis did not evidence any significant difference in TAPSE values
among dogs of different PH and HF groups.
CONCLUSIONS:
Although TAPSE is significantly correlated with some right ventricular parameters it does not seem to play an important role in
dogs with CDVD and P
Ventricular septal defect and double-chambered right ventricle in an alpaca
No full textA 20-month-old male alpaca was referred for evaluation of a cardiac murmur evident since birth. Echocardiography identified a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and a fibro-muscular band causing a stenosis of the right ventricular outflow tract. Right ventricular catheterization and selective angiography confirmed the diagnosis of VSD and double-chambered right ventricle with bidirectional shunting
Magnetic resonance and computed tomographic features of four cases of canine congenital thoracic vertebral anomalies.
No full textMagnetic resonance and computed tomography features of four cases of canine congenital vertebral anomalies (CVAs) are discussed. Two subjects reported here represent unusual presentations for such anomalies that commonly affect screw-tail or toy breeds. Moreover, the combination of CVAs and a congenital peritoneo-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia has never before been imaged
Survey of Methicillin-resistant coagulase positive Staphylococcus spp. carriage in healthy dogs and dogs with skin disease
Full text linkCanine skin diseases (SD) are very common in the veterinary practice and are often complicated by recurrent bacterial infection. Affected dogs usually need multiple cycles of antibiotic treatments (AT) that can lead to development of multidrug resistant strains [1]. Coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) are the most often isolated pathogens from canine SD.
The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of multidrug and methicillin resistant coagulase-positive staphylococci (MRScp) isolated from healthy dogs and dogs with SD, and to evaluate the correlation with clinical scores and previous AT. Forty-nine dogs were enrolled: 25 healthy and 24 with SD. Clinical history and previous AT were recorded. After a complete physical examination, clinical scores (CADESI-3 and pruritus) were calculated. Skin swabs from mouth, ear, genitalia, axilla and skin lesions, when present, were cultured in a nutrient and in a selective medium for MRScp. Suspected Staphylococcus colonies were identified by Maldi-Tof MS and specific PCR; methicillin resistance was confirmed by a PCR targeting mecA gene. Susceptibility tests and genetic typing, including spa-typing, SCCmec-typing and MLST were performed on isolates. Normal distribution of data was tested with Shapiro-Wilk test. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and z-test if normally distributed, otherwise with Mann-Whitney Test. Correlations between bacterial resistance and clinical scores or previous AT were assessed by Spearman test. P-value <0.05 was considered significant.
Ninety-five strains of CPS were isolated from 229 samples. A total of 13/95 strains were MRScp and were identified as Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. Among them, 10 were multidrug resistant and two were isolated from healthy dogs. The Sequence Type 71, spa-type t02 e SCCmec type II-III, which represents the main clonal strain in Europe [2], was the most frequently identified genetic type (11/13) also in this study. Staphylococci were more commonly isolated from axilla, genitalia and ear conduct of dogs with SD compared with healthy dogs (p<0.001). Four out of the 6 MRScp positive dogs had received AT in the previous 6 months. No significant correlations between clinical scores or previous AT and methicillin resistance was found.
Although the low number of dogs included in the study could have affected the results of the investigated correlations, this study confirms the role of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in canine pyoderma and shows that pet dogs may play a significant role as MRScp carriers. Furthermore, close attention should be also paid also to the control of healthy dogs
Malassezia overgrowth in dogs in northern Italy: frequency, body distribution, clinical signs and effects of pharmacologic treatments
Full text linkThe present study describes Malassezia populations in clinically healthy dogs (HD) and dogs with Malassezia overgrowth (MO), and evaluates the correlation with clinical signs and previous treatments. Thirteen clinically HD and 84 dogs with MO were enrolled. Clinical history and previous treatments were recorded. After a complete physical and dermatological examination, Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index_03 scores were calculated. Samples for cytology and mycological cultures were obtained from four body regions and from skin lesions. Malassezia overgrowth was diagnosed by cytology. A global score (GS) for quantitative evaluation of the population of Malassezia was calculated. In dogs with MO, the highest frequency of yeast detection was found in skin lesions (82%, P < 0.001). Sum of GS (GSs) obtained from dogs with MO (68, 0‐621) was significantly higher compared to those of HD (3, 0‐48, P < 0.001). GSs in dogs previously treated with antibiotics (312.5, 30‐975) was significantly higher compared to those of dogs that not have received antibiotics (80, 0‐975, P = 0.015). No difference was found between dogs treated and those not treated with steroids
Red blood cell distribution width in dogs with chronic degenerative valvular disease
No full textObjective: To evaluate RBC distribution width (RDW) in dogs with chronic degenerative valvular disease (CDVD) with compensated or decompensated heart failure.
Study design: Retrospective case-control study.
Animals: 27 healthy dogs and 135 dogs with CDVD (87 dogs with compensated heart failure and 48 dogs with decompensated heart failure).
Procedures: The RDW and various CBC and serum biochemical variables were compared among groups. Correlations between RDW and various echocardiographic variables were evaluated.
Results—Mean ± SD RDW in dogs with CDVD (13.1% ± 1.0%) was not significantly different from that of healthy dogs (12.8% ± 0.8%). The RDW of dogs with CDVD and compensated heart failure (13.0% ± 1.0%) was not significantly different from that of dogs with CDVD and decompensated heart failure (13.2% ± 1.1%).
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: In this study population, RDW did not seem to be associated with the presence of heart failure or CDVD
- …
