Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Leishmania infantum in dogs in Sardinia (Italy), an endemic island for leishmaniasis

AbstractLeishmaniasis is a widespread, vector-borne parasitosis causing clinical manifestations in animals and in humans. In dogs, Canine Leishmaniasis has been reported in as much as 50 countries and the Mediterranean basin is known to be one of the most affected zones. Within these areas, the Island of Sardinia (Italy) has long been considered endemic for leishmaniasis and the presence of two arthropod vectors has recently been reported there. Nevertheless, to date, no epidemiological surveys regarding CanL have been carried out on the island. Hence, for the first time, the seroprevalence and the risk factors were investigated. Blood samples, as well as clinical and general information from 1.147 dogs, were collected and analyzed. Dogs consisted of two distinct populations, namely “owned dogs” and “kennel dogs.” Anti-Leishmania IgG antibodies were detected using IFAT and samples were scored as positive at a cut-off dilution of 1:80. Data was analyzed using a Chi-squared test and bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Overall, 15.4% of dogs were found to be infected with CanL while only 44.1% of these animals exhibited clinical signs. Owned dogs (27.2%) were found to be infected more often than kennel dogs (10.6%); male dogs were found to be more frequently infected than female dogs and the number of infected animals increases with age. The present survey confirmed the endemic nature of leishmaniasis in Sardinia with a similar seroprevalence as mainland Italy. The results obtained serve as validation for the hypothesis that, in endemic areas, clinical CanL representations constitute only a fraction of the leishmaniasis cases.

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Investigating risk factors that predict a dog’s fear during veterinary visits

10.1101/598417 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Petra T. Edwards ◽

Susan J. Hazel ◽

Matthew Browne ◽

James Serpell ◽

Michelle L. McArthur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Behavioral Assessment ◽

Future Research ◽

Veterinary Clinic ◽

Companion Dogs ◽

Risk Of Injury ◽

Breed Group ◽

Chi Squared ◽

History Of ◽

First Time

AbstractAttending the veterinary clinic is an integral part of the physical welfare of every companion dog. However, some dogs experience their veterinary visits negatively, which poses a risk of injury to the veterinary staff, their guardian (owner) and themselves during veterinary examinations. It may also influence the regularity of non-urgent veterinary appointments. To date there has been conflicting data on the proportion of dogs that are fearful during their veterinary visits. In this study, we explored the risk factors associated with fear during veterinary examination and in novel situations (including first time at the veterinary clinic) from 26,555 responses in the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire database. According to their guardians, over half (55%) of companion dogs displayed some form of fearful behaviour (mild-extreme) when examined by a veterinarian, while 14% of dogs exhibited severe or extreme fear. A similar trend was observed with dogs responding fearfully in unfamiliar situations, including the dog’s first time at the veterinary clinic. Chi-squared tests showed every bivariate relationship was significant (p < 0.05). The most important predictors of fear in a veterinary examination were, in order: the dog’s breed group (27.1%), their history of roles or activities (16.7%), where they were sourced (15.2%), their weight (12%), the age of other dogs in the household (9.5%) and dog owner experience (6.3%). However, these risk factors accumulate to explain a total of 7% of variance of fear observed during veterinary examination. Results demonstrate that fear of veterinary visits is common in dogs, but that other factors (including the environment or human-animal interactions) are likely to contribute more to prevalence and severity of this problem than the demographic factors measured here. Finally, we highlight opportunities for future research aimed at facilitating less stressful veterinary visits for dogs and their guardians.

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CD45+, CD68+ and E-cadherin+ Expressions in Skin Dogs Naturally Infected by Leishmania infantum

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae ◽

10.22456/1679-9216.79402 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 7

Author(s):

Társsila Mara Vieira Ferreira ◽

Tiago Cunha Ferreira ◽

Fernanda Maria Aragão Ximenes Porto ◽

Conceição Da Silva Martins ◽

Berlamino Eugênio Lopes Neto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Leishmania Infantum ◽

Mononuclear Cells ◽

Plasma Cells ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Canine Leishmaniasis ◽

Control Group ◽

Asymptomatic Group ◽

G Ratio ◽

E Cadherin

Background: In canine leishmaniasis (CanL), infection occurs through phlebotomine vectors that inoculate the protozoan Leishmania infantum into the skin that infected macrophages and activated dendritic cells (CD). Dogs with CanL present variable clinical manifestations, being common the presence of cutaneous lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of CD45+, CD68+ and E-cadherin+ associating the skin sentinels cells and to compare the clinical-dermatological manifestations in the skin of dogs naturally infected by L. infantum.Materials, Methods & Results: Dogs infected (n = 22) by L. infantum were divided into asymptomatic group (AD, n = 9), and symptomatic group (SD, n = 13), according criteria based on the presence or absence of skin changes. Dogs non-infected (CD, n = 5) were included as control group. Samples of skin biopsies collected from scapular region were processed by routine histology and labeled by immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies against CD45+, CD68+ and E-cadherin+, and were described as none, mild, moderate and intense. SD presented keratoconjunctivitis, onychogryphose, lichenification, depigmentation, alopecia, hypotrichosis, erythematous dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, ulcerative dermatitis and crusted dermatitis, and the frequency these alterations was expressed as percentage. The results of hematological and biochemical parameters were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test followed by the Dunn’s test and expressed as mean ± standard deviation, with values P < 0.05. Leukocytosis (not significant), red blood cells, hematocrit and hemoglobin (P < 0.05), total protein serum (P < 0.05), globulins (P < 0.05), albumin and A/G ratio (P < 0.01) were altered in SD in relation to CD. Cutaneous cellular infiltration, composed by macrophages, plasma cells, lymphocytes and neutrophils, was observed in CD. There was an increase of expression of the markers in SD when compared to the other groups, as moderate CD68+ expression and L. infantum, and intense CD45+ and E-cadherin+ expressions.Discussion: Cutaneous involvement is very important in CanL, as it corresponds to where is the first interaction between the parasite and the immune system. Dermatological clinical signs, leukocytosis, anemia, globulins levels have been reported for dogs naturally infected by L. infantum. Inflammatory infiltrate was distributed at superficial and deep dermis, which was composed by mononuclear cells as macrophages, plasma cells, lymphocytes and neutrophils. To characterize the immune sentinels cells in the skin it was evaluated CD45+, CD68+ and E-cadherin+ expressions. In syntomatic dogs, our results revelead an increase of expression of these markers. CD45+ is one of the most abundant molecules expressed on the white blood cell surface in various mammals, while CD68+ is a myelomonocytic marker that seems to be retained during monocyte differentiation. In the skin, increased numbers of CD68+ are related to dendritic epidermal cells, which can be expressed as CD45+/CD1a-/HLA-DR+. DCs of the skin, particularly epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs), form networks anchored to neighboring keratinocytes via E-cadherin. Thus, CD45+, CD68+ and E-cadherin+ expressions may be related to activation of skin sentinels cells in dogs naturally infected by L. infantum. Our results indicated that CanL modify the CD45+, CD68+ and E-cadherin+ expressions, which characterize the immune sentinels cells activation that promove the recruitment the cellular infiltrate, which was composed by macrophages, plasma cells, lymphocytes and neutrophils. Thus, these informations may contribute to the follow-up of CanL progression in skin.

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Molecular and serological detection of Ehrlichia canis in naturally exposed dogs in Iran: an analysis on associated risk factors

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612014002 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 16-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Nadi Maazi ◽

Abdolali Malmasi ◽

Parviz Shayan ◽

Seyed Mahdi Nassiri ◽

Taghi Zahraei Salehi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Ehrlichia Canis ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Serological Detection ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Associated Risk Factors ◽

First Time ◽

The 16S Rrna Gene

The general aim of this study, which was conducted for the first time in Iran, was to evaluate the seroprevalence and geographical distribution of Ehrlichia canis in a dog population in Iran, followed by molecular confirmation using PCR and sequencing. Blood samples were collected from 240 dogs in different areas of Alborz and Tehran Provinces and initially analyzed using the immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test to detect anti-Ehrlichia canis IgG antibodies. Subsequently, nested PCR was performed based on a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene of E. canis on serologically positive samples. The results showed that 40/240 dogs (16.6%) presented anti-Ehrlichia canis IgG antibodies and that nine of the blood samples from the 40 seropositive dogs (22.5%) contained E. canis DNA, which was confirmed by sequencing. The seroprevalence of E. canis tended to be higher in purebred, one to three-year-old male dogs living in the Plain zone, in rural areas; however, this difference was not statistically significant.

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Variants of Novel Immunomodulatory Fc Receptor Like 5 Gene Are Associated With Multiple Sclerosis Susceptibility in the Polish Population

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2021.631134 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Monika Chorazy ◽

Natalia Wawrusiewicz-Kurylonek ◽

Edyta Adamska-Patruno ◽

Agata Czarnowska ◽

Olga Zajkowska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Age Of Onset ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Polish Population ◽

Single Nucleotide Variants ◽

Single Nucleotide ◽

Exact Test ◽

Chi Squared ◽

First Time

Fc receptors have been shown to play a role in several autoimmune diseases. We aimed to test, for the first time, whether some of the single nucleotide variants in the FCRL5 gene were associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility and clinical manifestations in the Polish population. The case-control study included 94 individuals with MS and 160 healthy subjects. We genotyped two single nucleotide variants of the FCRL5 gene: rs2012199 and rs6679793. The age of onset, disease duration, and clinical condition of the MS subjects were analyzed. For statistical analysis, we used the chi-squared test confirmed with Fisher's exact test. We observed the significant differences in the distribution of investigated FCRL5 genotypes between MS subjects and healthy controls. The CC and CT genotypes, as well as the C allele of rs2012199, were significantly more common in the MS subjects, as were genotypes AA and AG, and allele A of rs6679793. We noted that decreased MS susceptibility was associated with the T allele rs2012199 (OR = 0.37, p = 0.0002) and G allele rs6679793 (OR = 0.6, p = 0.02). Our results support the role of the FCRL5 locus in MS predisposition and extend the evidence of its influence on autoimmunity.

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The outbreak of the new coronavirus infection in pediatric TB department

Tuberculosis and lung diseases ◽

10.21292/2075-1230-2020-98-10-6-10 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (10) ◽

pp. 6-10

Author(s):

M. F. Gubkina ◽

I. Yu. Petrakova ◽

N. V. Yukhimenko ◽

S. S. Sterlikova ◽

Yu. Yu. Khokhlova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Viral Infections ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Lung Damage ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Pediatric Tb ◽

Coronavirus Infection ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Body Temperature Increase ◽

Observation Period

The objective: to analyze the course of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in children with active respiratory tuberculosis. Subjects and methods. The article describes results of retrospective analysis of the course of the new coronavirus infection in 25 children (3-12 years old) with active respiratory tuberculosis during the outbreak of COVID-19 in an in-patient TB unit.Results. 24 (96%) persons got infected after the close exposure to the coronavirus infection, and 1 (4%) child didn't get infected. The diagnosis was verified by polymerase chain reaction (detection of RNK of SARS-CoV-2) in 33.3%, by enzyme immunoassay (detection of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in 1 month after quarantine removal) in 100%. 58.3% of children with respiratory tuberculosis (14 people) infected with coronavirus infection had minimal respiratory symptoms, that did not differ from signs of other respiratory viral infections; clinical manifestations of the disease were completely absent in 41.7% (10) patients. Coronavirus pneumonia was diagnosed in 4 (16.7%) children who suffered from COVID-19, they had no clinical signs of lower respiratory tract disorders and no body temperature increase; 3 patients had no signs of respiratory viral infection; in all cases, the lung damage detected by computed tomography didn't exceed 10%. In 2 months after the removal of quarantine, no IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 2 out of 10 examined children (20.0%), thus there was a chance for re-infection. No mutual aggravating effect of coronavirus infection and tuberculosis was revealed in their combination over the entire observation period (4 months).

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INFLUENCE OF MATERNAL CHORIOAMNIONITIS ON NEWBORNS MORBIDITY

PEDIATRIA Journal named after G N SPERANSKY ◽

10.24110/0031-403x-2021-100-1-75-83 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 100 (1) ◽

pp. 75-83

Author(s):

E.A. Shevareva ◽

◽

D.O. Ivanov ◽

O.V. Nevmerzhitskaia ◽

L.A. Fedorova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

Scientific Literature ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Neonatal Morbidity ◽

Current Data ◽

Present Review ◽

Intraamniotic Infection

In recent decades, the problem of chorioamnionitis (CA) (or intra-amniotic infection) takes a leading place in modern obstetrics and perinatology. It is known that CA is one of the main risk factors for preterm birth and increases neonatal morbidity. Intraamniotic infection is a polyetiology condition. It is characterised by the variety of clinical manifestations absence of clearly association between the infection`s clinical signs in mother and infants injury. In present review we defined current data about chorioamnionitis, based on the last evidence of international scientific literature.

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Serological diagnosis of leishmaniasis: on detecting infection as well as disease

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268800051074 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 110 (3) ◽

pp. 647-656 ◽

Cited By ~ 69

Author(s):

C. Dye ◽

E. Vidor ◽

J. Dereure

Keyword(s):

Sensitivity And Specificity ◽

Fluorescent Antibody ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Canine Leishmaniasis ◽

High Threshold ◽

Selective Treatment ◽

Serological Tests ◽

Serological Method ◽

Epidemiological Surveys ◽

Short Period

SUMMARYSerological tests are very frequently used in epidemiological surveys of leishmaniasis and other parasitoses. Their sensitivity and specificity are generally defined with respect to parasitism and diseases, rather than infection. The reason is that known positives are those individuals most likely to yield parasites, or who have distinctive clinical signs, and concomitantly high antibody titres. This paper investigates the performance of one serological method, the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), in detectingLeishmania infantuminfection during an intensive 2-year cohort study of dogs in southern France. The results show that sensitivity and specificity with respect to infection can be simultaneously high, but maximum sensitivity is probably <80%, and lasts for a relatively short period of 2–3 months after a lengthy incubation period. The IFAT gave the incidence of infection as 18–65% in the first year, whereas the best estimate of incidence based on parasite isolation and clinical observation was 72%. But data from the second year suggest that the 72% was itself an underestimate. We argue that, during epidemiological surveys, the IFAT in particular, and serological tests for leishmania in general, will underestimate prevalence, incidence and hence the scale of the control problem. However, there is evidence that tests for canine leishmaniasis employing high threshold titres will identify the most infectious animals, allowing selective treatment or culling of those which contribute disproportionately to transmission.

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Preclinical predictors of arterial hypertension

Clinical Medicine (Russian Journal) ◽

10.30629/0023-2149-2021-99-2-91-97 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (2) ◽

pp. 91-97

Author(s):

V. N. Dorogovtsev ◽

V. B. Simonenko

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Arterial Hypertension ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Vascular Wall ◽

Young Population ◽

Adaptive Processes ◽

Prevention Of Hypertension ◽

Hypertension Development

Arterial hypertension (AH) remains one of the most common diseases and a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the 21st century. It determines the importance of a search for new factors provoking an increase in blood pressure. This review focuses on studies of preclinical predictors of hypertension. Orthostatic circulatory disorders with clinical signs of cardiovascular deconditioning are risk factors for the development of hypertension and CVD, accompanied by a more rapid increase in vascular stiff ness. Such abnormalities, even minor ones without clinical manifestations, increase the risk of hypertension development in the young population. The review deals with orthostatic changes in hemodynamics and features of neurohormonal change. It has been shown that adaptive processes counteracting an increase in hydrostatic pressure contribute to a significant transient increase in vascular stiff ness. The evolution of orthostatic hemodynamic disorders from preclinical to clinical forms accelerates the process of vascular wall remodeling, leading to a spontaneous increase in its rigidity — one of the significant risk factors for hypertension and CVD. To identify preclinical predictors, a new protocol of passive orthostatic test (POT) was developed. It was standardized not by the tilt angle, but by the height of the hydrostatic column. Further research is needed to evaluate the prognostic capabilities of predictors, to reveal the pathogenetic connection of orthostatic disorders with the development of hypertension, and to remodeling the vascular wall, which causes an increase in its rigidity. It is also required to search for ways to correct preclinical orthostatic disorders in healthy young population for early prevention of hypertension.

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Feline Morbillivirus in Southern Italy: Epidemiology, Clinico-Pathological Features and Phylogenetic Analysis in Cats

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13081449 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 1449

Author(s):

Giulia Donato ◽

Marisa Masucci ◽

Eliana De De Luca ◽

Angela Alibrandi ◽

Massimo De De Majo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Southern Italy ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Urine Samples ◽

Urine Specific Gravity ◽

Pathological Features ◽

Retroviral Infection ◽

Blood And Urine Samples ◽

First Time ◽

The Relationship

Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) was isolated for the first time in 2012 with an association with chronic kidney disease (CKD) suggested. This study aimed at investigating in cats from southern Italy FeMV prevalence and risk factors for exposure to FeMV, including the relationship with CKD; sequencing amplicons and analyzing phylogeny of PCR positive samples. Blood serum, K3EDTA blood and urine samples from 223 cats were investigated. Ten carcasses were also evaluated. FeMV RNA was detected in 2.4% (5/211) blood and 16.1% (36/223) urine samples. One carcass tested positive by qPCRFeMV from kidney, urinary bladder, and submandibular lymph nodes. Antibodies against FeMV were detected in 14.5% (28/193) cats. We followed up 27 cats (13 FeMV positive cats) and documented in some cases urine shedding after up to 360 days. Older and foundling cats and cats living in rescue catteries, were more frequently infected with FeMV. A significant correlation between FeMV and higher serum creatinine values or low urine specific gravity was found. FeMV positivity was significantly associated with retroviral infection, and the presence of some clinical signs apart from CKD clinicopathological markers. Our study highlights the possibility of a link between FeMV exposure and CKD and a general impairment of feline health.

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Relationship betweenLeishmaniaIFAT Titer and Clinicopathological Manifestations (Clinical Score) in Dogs

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/412808 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Daniela Proverbio ◽

Eva Spada ◽

Giada Bagnagatti de Giorgi ◽

Roberta Perego ◽

Emanuela Valena

Keyword(s):

Medical Records ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Antibody Test ◽

Clinical Score ◽

Canine Leishmaniasis ◽

Creatinine Concentration ◽

Clinical Scores ◽

Soluble Immune Complexes

During canine leishmaniasis (CanL) due toLeishmania infantum,high levels of antibodies production are associated with the presence of various clinical signs, because of the deposition of soluble immune complexes in organs and tissues. The immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) is one of the most commonly used techniques for detection of anti-Leishmaniaantibodies. The purpose of this study was to assess whether there is a correlation between clinical signs and IFAT titers in dogs naturally infected withLeishmania. A retrospective study was performed on medical records of 49 dogs diagnosed with CanL. Information extracted from the medical records of each dog with CanL was clinical score, IFAT titer, serum total protein (TP), gamma globulin (IgG) and creatinine concentration, and protein creatinine ratio in urine sample (UP/UC) at each follow-up examination. Results show that dogs with highest IFAT titers recorded had higher mean clinical scores indicating a positive relationship (P<0.0001) between anti-Leishmaniaantibodies (IgG) and clinical manifestations, which becomes more evident in severe clinical forms of canine leishmaniasis. Higher TP and IgG serum concentrations were recorded in dogs with higher clinical scores. Significant association was observed between UP/UC and the IFAT titer (P=0.004).

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