Veterinary Quarterly最新文献

Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition associated with T helper 2 (Th2)-type immune responses, and recent evidence suggests that periostin, an extracellular matrix protein, may play a role in its pathogenesis. To investigate the significance of serum periostin concentrations in dogs with cAD, this study examined their relationship with disease severity and laboratory parameters, including eosinophil counts and Th2 cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. A total of 68 dogs diagnosed with cAD and 21 healthy controls were included, with serum periostin, IL-4, and IL-13 levels measured. Disease severity was assessed using the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI-04) and the Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS). The results showed that serum periostin concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with cAD compared to healthy controls and exhibited a positive correlation with CADESI-04 scores, reflecting disease severity. Treatment with prednisolone or oclacitinib led to a significant reduction in serum periostin, IL-4, and IL-13 levels, along with a decrease in eosinophil counts. These findings highlight the potential of serum periostin as a valuable biomarker for assessing cAD severity and monitoring treatment response, emphasizing its clinical relevance as an objective measure.

The aim of this study was to assess the beneficial effects of oral supplementation of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on improving and keeping sperm quality in dogs during storage, and to investigate its effect on changes in testosterone concentrations. Forty male dogs were enrolled in the study and divided into four groups of ten dogs each: two subfertile (control and treatment) and two normofertile (control and treatment) groups. The dogs in the treatment groups received Maca in a capsule formulation (75 mg/kg), while the control groups received placebo. The spermiogram and testosterone levels were assessed at three times of the sperm cycle: 0 (T0), 31 (T31), and 62 (T62) days. Ejaculates were processed for storage at 5 °C and evaluated for total and progressive motility and membrane integrity at 3 (T3h), 24 (T24h), 48 (T48h), and 72 h (T72h) post storage. The oral supplementation of 75 mg/kg of Maca extract in dogs can improve sperm parameters and increase serum testosterone concentrations, leading to improved reproductive capacity. The semen of subjects treated with oral Maca supplementation maintained its parameters stable for a longer period when stored compared to the semen of control subjects, demonstrating the beneficial effect of the use of this extract on male fertility.

Pond sliders (Trachemys scripta) is a common pet and invasive species in many countries. Its ability to thrive and reproduce in Mediterranean climates necessitates population control to prevent overpopulation. Ovariectomy is considered as a preventive strategy to limit reproduction and protect local biodiversity. This study compares two spaying techniques in Trachemys scripta: electrosurgery using the EnSeal^® tissue sealer (group E) and a conventional approach with manual ligation of blood vessels (group C). Statistical tests evaluated procedural differences, including ANOVA for duration (factoring in follicular stage, surgery type, and their interaction) and Chi-squared tests for the likelihood of single surgical access via the prefemoral fossa and post-surgical feeding. Pearson's Chi-squared test with Yates' correction was used to assess complications by surgery type and follicular stage. ANOVA assessed the effect of follicular stage on surgery time, with follicles classified as Class I (n = 17), Class II (n = 12), and Class III (n = 7). Both follicular stage and surgery type significantly impacted surgery time, while their interaction was not significant, indicating independent effects. The likelihood of single-access procedures was significantly linked to surgery type, with EnSeal^® procedures being faster and associated with earlier post-surgical feeding. Complications were not significantly linked to surgery type or follicular stage.

Bovine mammosphere-derived epithelial cell (MDEC) cultures are heterogeneous and enriched for stem and progenitor cells. We previously reported that the bovine MDEC secretome, comprised of all bioactive factors secreted by the cells, displays regenerative properties, exerts antimicrobial effects, and modulates neutrophil activity, positioning it as a promising non-antibiotic biologic therapy for infectious diseases important to the dairy industry, like mastitis. Mastitis is defined as inflammation of the udder, and it is typically caused by bacterial infection. The effect of the MDEC secretome on macrophages, a first line of defense against bacterial infections in the udder, is unknown and could impact the utility of the secretome as a therapy for mastitis. To address this, we isolated bovine monocytes from peripheral blood and maintained them as an unpolarized (M0) population or polarized them into M1 or M2 phenotypes. Macrophages cultured with the secretome of bovine MDECs were assessed for their ability to phagocytose labeled bacterial particles and accumulate reactive oxygen species (ROS). We used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to isolate a subpopulation of MDECs that exert enhanced effects on macrophages. We found that the secretome of MDECs that do not express cluster of differentiation (CD) 73, a cell surface enzyme used as a marker for mesenchymal stromal cells, most strongly increased macrophage phagocytosis and ROS accumulation. These findings will help optimize the generation of the bovine MDEC secretome as a suitable treatment option for mastitis.

The emergence of multidrug-resistance (MDR) in Pasteurella multocida, a major contributor to bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is being increasingly reported, often linked to the carriage of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) on integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs). The resistance phenotype for 19 antimicrobials was determined using broth microdilution in 75 Pasteurella multocida isolates from healthy and BRD-affected cattle from five feedlots. The genomes of 32 isolates were sequenced to identify ARG) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and assess their genetic diversity. MDR isolates (with phenotypic resistance to aminoglycosides, macrolides, fluoroquinolones and/or tetracyclines) were primarily found among BRD-affected compared to healthy animals. Non-susceptible isolates, belonging to ST79 and ST13, harbored point mutations and four to nine ARGs, including rarely reported mechanisms in Europe (mph(E), msr(E) and aadA31 ARGs and newly described mutations in the gyrA/parC genes). All ARGs were linked to the presence of MGEs including two ICEs, Tn7407 and the novel Tn7809, a prophage and a putative composite transposon. Clonally related isolates were found in different batches from the same feedlot, suggesting maintenance of MDR strains. Our findings demonstrate the diverse genetic basis of AMR in P. multocida from BRD-affected cattle in Spain, emphasizing the role of MGEs in the ARG dissemination.

Canine mammary tumor (CMT) is a prevalent and destructive disease often diagnosed at an advanced stage, leading to poor outcomes. Currently, there is a lack of effective biomarkers for early detection and prognostic prediction of CMT. To improve CMT detection, we established a multiplexed immunoassay using a fluorescence bead-based suspension array system to measure serum levels of autoantibodies against four CMT-associated proteins (AGR2, HAPLN1, IGFBP5, and TYMS) in CMT patients. Our data revealed that serum levels of the four autoantibodies (anti-AGR2, anti-HAPLN1, anti-IGFBP5, and anti-TYMS) were significantly elevated in CMT patients (n = 158) compared to healthy individuals (n = 39). Notably, serum levels of anti-AGR2, anti-HAPLN1, and anti-TYMS in the dogs with stage I CMT (n = 56) were higher than those in the healthy group. Using a marker panel consisting of the four autoantibodies for detecting malignant CMT (n = 125) achieved a sensitivity of 50.4% and a specificity of 90%. Furthermore, higher levels of anti-AGR2, anti-HAPLN1, anti-IGFBP5, and anti-TYMS were associated with poorer survival in CMT patients. Collectively, we established a multiplexed immunoassay platform to detect serum autoantibodies and demonstrated that a tailored autoantibody marker panel shows potential clinical applicability for the diagnosis and prognosis of CMT.

Current vaccines for canine leishmaniosis (CanL) provide limited protection, underscoring the need for improved immunization strategies. Multi-epitope peptide vaccine delivered via nanoparticle systems represents a promising alternative but remains underexplored in canine clinical trials. Here, we report the results of a double-blind clinical trial (499/ECV) evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of HisDTC, a peptide vaccine targeting Leishmania infantum, encapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) PLGA nanoparticles and adjuvanted with Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR3 ligands. Forty healthy dogs were immunized with different vaccine formulations and monitored over 12 months. Immune responses were assessed by flow cytometry, ELISA, and in vitro macrophage infection assays, while safety was evaluated through clinical follow-up. Vaccination with HisDTC elicited a protective cellular response, including sustained IFN-γ production by CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, an IgG2a-skewed humoral response, and expansion of CD4⁺CD8α⁺ double-positive memory T cells. Notably, only HisDTC-vaccinated dogs exhibited a >80% reduction in in vitro macrophage infection, with protective effects persisting for up to 8 months post-immunization. Importantly, the formulation was well tolerated, with no adverse effects reported. These findings demonstrate that HisDTC delivered via PLGA nanoparticles induces durable, protective immunity against L. infantum in dogs and supports its further evaluation under natural exposure conditions.

This study evaluated the impact of vaccine diluents (peptone or water) on the protective effects of Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) vaccine. Vaccinated broilers were challenged with different doses of wild-type S. Typhimurium through dust. At the time of cull, vaccine load was highest in caeca and lowest in spleen. Wild-type S. Typhimurium was detectable after 24 hrs only in the vaccinated birds challenged with 108 CFU and positive control. S. Typhimurium load was lower in the organs of the groups challenged with 104 and 106 compared to the 108 CFU group. The caecal microbiota alpha diversity of the vaccinated or vaccinated and challenged chickens differed from the positive and negative control groups. Beta diversity of the positive control clustered separately from all other treatment groups, showing that vaccine caused minimal changes in gut microbiota structure. The vaccinated and/or wild-type challenged chickens showed significantly higher abundance of Anaerostignum, Lachnoclostridium, Intestinimonas, Colidextribacter, Monoglobus, Acetanaerobacterium and Subdoligranulum. Outcomes from this study demonstrate that the vaccine effectively protected broiler chickens from S. Typhimurium infection and helped maintain a more stable gut microbiota structure, reducing the impact of S. Typhimurium on gut health. Vaccine diluent did not affect gut microbiota composition.

Accurate diagnosis of bloodstream infections is crucial for survival and antimicrobial de-escalation in veterinary medicine. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry enables faster identification of bacteria in BSIs. This study aimed to compare diagnostic accuracy of two Sepsityper^® methods (Rapid Sepsityper^® and Sepsityper^® Extraction) with conventional culture method for bacterial identification in clinical samples. Mean time-to-positivity and frequency of bacteria in BSIs were also determined. This diagnostic test study used bloodstream infection samples from 385 critically ill animals (121 dogs, 119 foals, and 145 calves) admitted to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent (October 2021-February 2024). Accuracy was compared using Bayesian latent class model with priors for sensitivity (99.9%) and specificity (96.0%) based on literature, and a prevalence of 26.0%.

Conventional culture method identified 173 bacteria with Escherichia coli (19.1%,33/173), Staphylococcus spp. (12.1%,21/173) and Streptococcus spp. (8.1%,14/173) being most common. Sensitivity of Rapid Sepsityper^®, Sepsityper^® Extraction, and conventional culture method was 62.1%, 86.1%, and 97.4%, respectively. Specificity was 94.3%, 90.4% and 92.3%, and accuracy was 85.8%, 89.3%, and 93.6%, respectively. Mean time-to-positivity and ±standard deviation for blood cultures flagging positive was 21h25min ±17.8h. Rapid Sepsityper^® identified bacteria in approximately 30min, while Sepsityper^® Extraction method required around 50min, and conventional culture method needed 12-48h. Altogether, Sepsityper^® Extraction shows promise given the sensitivity and results were delivered more rapidly than conventional culture. Enhancing diagnostic workflow, resulting in a better prognosis, reduced hospital stays, and lower healthcare costs due to more rational use of (critically important) antimicrobials.

This study introduces Raman imaging technique for diagnosing skin cancer in veterinary oncology patients (dogs and cats). Initially, Raman spectral bands (with specificity to certain molecular structures and functional groups) were identified in formalin-fixed samples of mast cell tumors and soft tissue sarcomas, obtained through routine veterinary biopsy submissions. Then, a custom-built Raman macro-imaging system featuring an intensified CCD camera (iXon Ultra 888, Andor, UK), tunable narrow-band Semrock (USA) optical filter compartment was used to map the spectral features at 1437 cm^-1 and 1655 cm^-1 in ex vivo tissue. This approach enabled wide-field (cm²), rapid (within seconds), and safe (< 400 mW/cm²) imaging conditions, supporting accurate diagnosis of tissue state. The findings indicate that machine learning classifiers - particularly support vector machine (SVM) and decision tree (DT) - effectively distinguished between soft tissue sarcoma, mastocytoma and benign tissues using Raman spectral band imaging data. Additionally, combining Raman macro-imaging with residual near-infrared (NIR) autofluorescence as a bimodal imaging technique enhanced diagnostic performance, reaching 85 - 95% in accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and precision - even with a single spectral band (1437 cm^-1 or 1655 cm^-1). In conclusion, the proposed bi-modal imaging is a pioneering method for veterinary oncology science, offering to improve the diagnostic accuracy of malignant tumors.