Oral cobalamin supplementation in cats with hypocobalaminaemia: a retrospective study

Objectives The objective of the study was to evaluate whether oral cobalamin supplementation can restore normocobal-aminaemia in cats with hypocobalaminaemia and clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease. Methods This was a retrospective study based on a computerised database search for client-owned cats treated at Evidensia Specialist Animal Hospital, Helsingborg, Sweden, during the period December 2013 to August 2016. Inclusion criteria were cats with clinical signs of chronic enteropathy, an initial serum cobalamin concentration ⩽250 pmol/l (reference interval 214–738 pmol/l) and oral treatment with cobalamin tablets. Results Twenty-five cats met the inclusion criteria. The cats were treated with 0.25 mg cyanocobalamin tablets once daily. Serum cobalamin concentration was rechecked 27–94 days after continuous oral cobalamin supplementation. All cats had serum cobalamin concentrations above the reference interval after oral cobalamin supplementation. Median (range) serum cobalamin concentration was 128 pmol/l (111–250 pmol/l) prior to treatment and 2701 pmol/l (738–16,359 pmol/l) after supplementation. This difference was statistically significant ( P <0.0001). Conclusions and relevance Our results suggest that oral cobalamin supplementation is effective in increasing serum cobalamin to supranormal concentrations in cats with hypocobalaminaemia. Thus, oral cobalamin supplementation is a promising alternative to parenteral administration. Prospective comparative studies in cats being treated with parenteral vs oral cobalamin supplementation in a larger number of patients are warranted before oral supplementation can be recommended for routine use.

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P1700CYTOMEGALOVIRUS DISEASE IN RENAL TRANSPLANTED PATIENTS: DETERMINING FACTORS AND ITS RELATION WITH GRAFT OUTCOME AND PATIENTS SURVIVAL

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation ◽

10.1093/ndt/gfaa142.p1700 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽

Author(s):

Carlo Maria Alfieri ◽

Paolo Molinari ◽

Maria Teresa Gandolfo ◽

Maria Rosaria Campise ◽

Donata Cresseri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Induction Therapy ◽

Graft Loss ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Female Gender ◽

First Year ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Dialysis Vintage ◽

Cmv Disease

Abstract Background CMV disease (CMVd) is a frequent complication in renal transplanted patients (RTxp), especially during the first year of transplantation (RTx). CMVd impacts on long term graft and patients outcomes is still debated. Our observational retrospective study aims to evaluate: 1) the prevalence of CMVd during the first year of RTx; 2) the factors related to CMVd; 3) the relationship between CMVd and early and long term graft and patients survival. Method In 505 RTxp (age: 50[41;58]yrs – 292 males), up to the 616 transplanted in our unit between 2004 and 2016, clinical, blood and urinary parameters were recorded after 1 (T1) and 12 (T12) months of RTx. eGFR was estimated by MDRD formula. Donor (D) and Recipient (R) CMV serology was tested at the moment of RTx. CMV IgG-D+/IgG-R- RTxp (12%) and high risk patients (second or more RTx, ATG induction therapy), received prophylaxis therapy until the 3rd month of RTx. CMVd, was defined by the presence either of CMVr (CMV replication without clinical signs of CMV disease) or CMVs (CMV replication with signs of disease and/or need of antiviral therapy/reduction of immunosuppressive therapy). Median follow up (FU) was 8[5-11]yrs. The following outcomes were investigated: 1) graft: reduction of eGFR >20% between T1 and T12; reduction of eGFR >50% between T1 and end of FU (eGFRr>50%); graft loss (GL); eGFRr>50% + GL.; 2) RTxp survival at the end of FU. Results Ninty percent of RTxp had a kidney from a deceased D; 73% and 21% received haemodialysis (HD+) and peritoneal dialysis before RTx. Dialysis vintage was 50[33-75] months. In 12% of RTxp, induction therapy included ATG. Cumulative steroids dose was 880[840-105]mg and 2272[2598-3223]mg at T1 and T12 respectively. During the first year of RTx, 45% of patients had CMVd (CMVd+). CMVd+ were older than CMV free RTxp (CMVd-). Female gender, HD+ and CMV IgG-D+/IgG-R- were more prevalent in CMVd+. In addition, at T1, CMVd+ had lower albumin, haemoglobin and higher PTH, uric acid and reactive C protein levels than CMVd- and, both at T1 and T12, received higher steroid dose. In multivariate analysis, albumin-T1 was the most significant modifiable factor in determining CMVd+ (p=0.009 OR 0.50 – IC 0.29-0.84). Albumin-T1 maintained its significance also after the addiction of CMV serology IgG-D+/IgG-R- to the model (albumin T1: p=0.008 OR 0.48 – IC 0.29-0.84; CMV serology IgG-D+/IgG-R-: p=0.01 OR 2.16 – IC 1,18 -3,95). Among CMVd, 19% and 25% had respectively CMVr and CMVs. CMVs were characterized by lower dialysis vintage and higher prevalence of CMV IgG-D+/IgG-R- than CMVr. GL and death were observed in 11% and 8% of RTxp respectively. In univariate and survival analyses, CMVd, CMVr and CMVs didn’t show any impact on the graft and patients outcomes examined. Conclusion Our retrospective study confirms the high prevalence of CMVd during the first year of RTx, and identifies albumin at T1 as the most impacting parameter in influence CMVd insurgence. This might reflect the importance of the pre-RTx status in CMVd development after RTx. Nevertheless, CMVd seems not impact significantly on early and long term outcomes, experienced however in a small part of the cohort studied. Future studies, possibly prospective and including higher number of patients might better elucidate this issue.

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A Retrospective Study of Small Animal Poisoning at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from South Region of Brazil

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae ◽

10.22456/1679-9216.84787 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

pp. 7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Luciana Zang ◽

Rafaela Scheer Bing ◽

Ana Cristina Pacheco De Araujo ◽

Marcio Poletto Ferreira

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Teaching Hospital ◽

Medical Records ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Small Animal ◽

Medical Teaching ◽

Specific Patient ◽

Cleaning Product ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Antiparasitic Drugs

Background: Poisoning cases are a challenge for the veterinary practitioner, since many agents can be involved. The incomplete patient history associated with advanced poisoning stage often leads to death. Since lacking information is common, it is essential to be aware of principal poisoning agents and their associated symptomatology. The aim of this study is to describe the major agents involved in small animal poisoning, the causative agent, poisoning route, time to search veterinary care, clinical signs and ancillary tests of canine and feline patients treated at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from January 2010 to June 2016.Materials, Methods & Results: Forty-four medical records with poisoning history were found and reviewed, but only 30 medical records had complete data to be evaluated. There were 24 dogs and 6 cats, 17 female and 13 male. Six females were spayed. Poisoning agent identification was possible in 29 cases and was food, molluscicide, cleaning product, ornamental plants, medication, rodenticide and antiparasitic drugs. Fourteen poisonings were caused by the owner and 16 were accidental. There was a higher poisoning incidence in dogs than cats. Most of the patients were young and unneutered/unspayed.Discussion: In this study there was a higher poisoning prevalence in dogs than cats, as occurred in other studies published in Europe, Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Austria and other Brazilian regions. Most of the patients were young, which is in agreement with previous studies in which young animals were more affected. Domestic antiparasitic drugs were the most common poisoning agents (33%), as reported in studies from France and Spain. In southern Brazil, the most common poisoning agent was medication, whereas in southeast Brazil, organophosphates were the most prevalent poisoning agent. Considering this, the geographic localisation seems to influence the poisoning agent. It is known that many owners give unprescribed medication to their pets and this also happened in this study, as 46% of the poisoning cases were caused by the owner. The most common clinical signs were gastrointestinal (76%, emesis and anorexia) and neurological (63%, depression). This is in agreement with another study that showed a high number of patients poisoned by medications leading to severe gastrointestinal clinical signs. Despite a history of eating spiced food, our food-poisoned patient did not show clinical signs compatible with pepper poisoning. In fact, clinical signs were more compatible with salt or onion and garlic poisoning, but there was no history to support that our patient had eaten these foods. The patient who ate fern and busy Lizzie (Impatiens walleriana) did not show clinical signs compatible with these agents but showed gastrointestinal clinical signs that could have occurred due to plant indigestion. This fact emphasises the need for more studies in this area. One dog with rodenticide poisoning presented with normal blood test results, but the blood sample was collected a few hours after exposure. This can occur after brodifacoum poisoning, which has a longer half-life than warfarin. In brodifacoum poisoning cases, clinical signs can appear days after exposure. In one dog, it was not possible to indentify the poisoning agent and this specific patient case exemplifies the challenge to diagnose the exact poisoning agent and concomitant diseases when the history is incomplete. This retrospective study shows the heterogeneity of the causative agents and the associated symptomatology, which highlights the need for further studies in this area. In this study, antiparasitic drugs were the most common poisoning agents, especially pyrethroids. Dogs were more affected than cats. Most of the patients were young and unneutered/unsprayed, indicating these characteristics could be a risk factor in this study.

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Breech Presentation: Vaginal Delivery or Caesarean Section?

European Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies ◽

10.26417/ejis.v2i1.p153-157 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 153

Author(s):

Tomescu Cezar Laurentiu ◽

Rodica Sîrbu ◽

Emin Cadar ◽

Brezeanu Dragos ◽

Aneta Tomescu

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Caesarean Section ◽

Vaginal Delivery ◽

Total Population ◽

Population Sample ◽

Breech Presentation ◽

Current Paper ◽

Clinical Hospital ◽

Obstetrics And Gynaecology ◽

Number Of Patients

The incidence of breech presentation is approximately 3,97%. Breech presentation is considered as being “borderline eutocic” and it requires carefully monitoring both the foetus and the mother. The aim of the current paper is to evaluate the preffered method of delivery in case of breech presentation. The paper presents a retrospective study performed in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Departments of the County Emergency Clinical Hospital “Sf. Apostol Andrei” in Constanta, during a period of 5 years (2010-2014). The methods of birth were analyzed for a lot of 1104 patients with breech presentation with ages ranging between 16 and 44 years old. The total number of patients who gave birth through vaginal delivery was of 139 patients, amounting to 12.59% of the total population sample. The number of patients that gave birth through C-section was 965, which amounts to 87.4% of the total population sample. Birth through C-section is preferred by both obstetricians and patients alike, due to the fact that vaginal delivery is associated with a higher foetal risk in breech presentation.

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Skeletal and Dental Correction and Stability Following LeFort I Advancement in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate With Mild, Moderate, and Severe Maxillary Hypoplasia

The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal ◽

10.1177/1055665621996108 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 105566562199610

Author(s):

Buddhathida Wangsrimongkol ◽

Roberto L. Flores ◽

David A. Staffenberg ◽

Eduardo D. Rodriguez ◽

Pradip. R. Shetye

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Cleft Lip ◽

Outcome Measure ◽

Cleft Lip And Palate ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Maxillary Hypoplasia ◽

Main Outcome Measure ◽

Lateral Cephalograms

Objective: This study evaluates skeletal and dental outcomes of LeFort I advancement surgery in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) with varying degrees of maxillary skeletal hypoplasia. Design: Retrospective study. Method: Lateral cephalograms were digitized at preoperative (T1), immediately postoperative (T2), and 1-year follow-up (T3) and compared to untreated unaffected controls. Based on the severity of cleft maxillary hypoplasia, the sample was divided into 3 groups using Wits analysis: mild: ≤0 to ≥−5 mm; moderate: <−5 to >−10 mm; and severe: ≤−10 mm. Participants: Fifty-one patients with nonsyndromic CLP with hypoplastic maxilla who met inclusion criteria. Intervention: LeFort I advancement. Main Outcome Measure: Skeletal and dental stability post-LeFort I surgery at a 1-year follow-up. Results: At T2, LeFort I surgery produced an average correction of maxillary hypoplasia by 6.4 ± 0.6, 8.1 ± 0.4, and 10.7 ± 0.8 mm in the mild, moderate, and severe groups, respectively. There was a mean relapse of 1 to 1.5 mm observed in all groups. At T3, no statistically significant differences were observed between the surgical groups and controls at angle Sella, Nasion, A point (SNA), A point, Nasion, B point (ANB), and overjet outcome measures. Conclusions: LeFort I advancement produces a stable correction in mild, moderate, and severe skeletal maxillary hypoplasia. Overcorrection is recommended in all patients with CLP to compensate for the expected postsurgical skeletal relapse.

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Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ampreloxetine, a novel, selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, in symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension

Clinical Autonomic Research ◽

10.1007/s10286-021-00800-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Arthur Lo ◽

Lucy Norcliffe-Kaufmann ◽

Ross Vickery ◽

David Bourdet ◽

Jitendra Kanodia

Keyword(s):

Orthostatic Hypotension ◽

Sympathetic Neurons ◽

Oral Treatment ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Treatment Phase ◽

Target Population ◽

Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension ◽

Open Label ◽

Once Daily ◽

Norepinephrine Reuptake

Abstract Purpose Ampreloxetine is a novel, selective, long-acting norepinephrine reuptake (NET) inhibitor being investigated as a once-daily oral treatment for symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) in patients with autonomic synucleinopathies. The purpose of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of ampreloxetine in this target population. Methods Patients with nOH were enrolled in a multicenter, phase II clinical trial of ampreloxetine (NCT02705755). They received escalating doses over 5 days in the clinical research unit, followed by 20 weeks of open-label treatment and then a 4-week withdrawal. As neurochemical biomarkers of NET inhibition, we assayed plasma concentrations of norepinephrine (NE) and its main intraneuronal metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) pre- and post-ampreloxetine. Results Thirty-four patients with nOH were enrolled. Plasma ampreloxetine concentrations increased with repeated escalating doses, with peak concentrations observed 6–9 h post-drug administration. The median ampreloxetine dose in the 20-week treatment phase was 10 mg once daily. Plasma ampreloxetine concentrations reached steady state by 2 weeks, with stable plasma levels over 24 h. No influence of age or renal function on ampreloxetine plasma concentrations was observed. On treatment, compared to baseline, plasma NE significantly increased by 71% (p < 0.005), plasma DHPG significantly declined by 22% (p < 0.05), and the NE:DHPG ratio significantly increased (p < 0.001). Conclusions Persistent elevation of plasma NE levels accompanied by reduced DHPG levels after ampreloxetine suggests reduced neuronal reuptake and metabolism of NE in postganglionic efferent sympathetic neurons. The findings are consistent with long-lasting NET inhibition, which may increase vasoconstrictor tone, supporting once-daily ampreloxetine dosing in patients with nOH.

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The Assessment of Ventricular Arrhythmia Indicators Based on Electrocardiography in Patients With Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Followed Up With Levothyroxine Suppression

Angiology ◽

10.1177/0003319721993343 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000331972199334

Author(s):

Sema Hepsen ◽

Davut Sakiz ◽

Hilal Erken Pamukcu ◽

Ismail Emre Arslan ◽

Hakan Duger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Thyroid Cancer ◽

Ventricular Arrhythmia ◽

Differentiated Thyroid Cancer ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Male Gender ◽

Qtc Interval ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Raising Awareness ◽

Number Of Patients

Levothyroxine suppression therapy (LST) can cause some unfavorable effects on the cardiovascular system in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). The aim of this study was to evaluate ventricular arrhythmia predictors based on electrocardiography (ECG) in patients with DTC with LST. The ECG parameters including QT, corrected QT (QTc), Tp-e intervals, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTC ratios of 265 patients with DTC who met the inclusion criteria were compared with 100 controls. No difference was observed in the number of patients with DTC and controls with prolonged and borderline QTc interval ( P = .273). Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios were significantly higher in patients ( P = .002, P = .02, P = .003; respectively). Linear regression analysis suggested that male gender was a predictor of higher Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios (β = 4.322, R 2 = 0.024, P = .042; β = 0.016, R 2 = 0.048, P = .005; β = 0.015, R 2 = 0.044, P = .006, respectively). A higher serum fT4 level was found to be associated with a higher Tp-e/QT ratio (β = 0.018, R 2 = 0.089, P = .007). Ventricular arrhythmia indicators were found to be higher in patients with DTC with LST. Defining ventricular arrhythmia predictors through ECG, an easily accessible cardiac diagnostic tool, can be potentially useful in raising awareness of the possible cardiac harm of LST.

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Oral Azithromycin Pulse Therapy and Daily Topical Adapalene in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: An Open Randomized Noncomparative Study

Medicine Today ◽

10.3329/medtoday.v28i2.32925 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 52-56

Author(s):

Mohammod Abu Hena Chowdhury ◽

Shameem Al Mamun ◽

Mohammad Jamal Uddin ◽

Rashed Md Khan ◽

M Mujibul Hoque ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cystic Lesion ◽

Acne Vulgaris ◽

Severity Index ◽

Pulse Therapy ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Noncomparative Study ◽

Percent Reduction ◽

Once Daily ◽

Acne Lesion ◽

Oral Azithromycin

The safety and efficacy of oral azithromycin and topical adapalene are well documented. In this study, concomitant use of oral azithromycin pulse therapy and daily topical adapalene in the treatment of acne vulgaris is assessed. A total of 37 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Azithromycin, 500 mg orally once daily first 3 days of 10 days' cycle for 9 cycle & topical Adapalene (0.5%) at night. Patients evaluated at 4 weeks' interval by using Michaelsson acne severity index. The overall assessment was made by percent reduction of acne lesions and severity score. At the end of 12 weeks' treatment 99.8% of comedones, 98.7% papular lesion, 94.3% pustular lesion and 88.8% infiltrated lesion were cleared. Only 2.9% cystic lesion responded to the regimens. Percent reduction of Michaelsson acne severity index was 87%, which was statistically highly significant. Overall assessment revealed acne lesion cleared in 22% cases, excellent improvement observed in 65% and 13% showed good response. Adverse effect was minimal. So, azithromycin pulse therapy and topical adapalene is indeed effective and safe in the treatment of acne vulgaris.Medicine Today 2016 Vol.28(2): 52-56

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Does thyroid-sparing total laryngectomy decrease the risk of hypothyroidism?

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215120002479 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

G Viljoen ◽

J K McGuire ◽

A Alhadad ◽

S Dalvie ◽

J J Fagan

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Retrospective Study ◽

Laryngeal Carcinoma ◽

Adjuvant Radiotherapy ◽

Total Laryngectomy ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Nccn Guidelines ◽

Thyroid Lobectomy ◽

Cancer Network ◽

Advanced Laryngeal Carcinoma

Abstract Background Thyroid lobectomy is recommended with total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (‘NCCN’) guidelines. However, it is associated with a 32–89 per cent risk of hypothyroidism, with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. Objective The study aimed to determine whether preserving the whole thyroid, compared to a single lobe, does indeed significantly lower the incidence of hypothyroidism in the setting of total laryngectomy. Method A retrospective study was conducted at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. Results Eighty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. The overall incidence of hypothyroidism was 45.2 per cent. The incidence of hypothyroidism was significantly reduced in patients who underwent thyroid-sparing total laryngectomy compared to hemithyroidectomy (p = 0.037). Adjuvant radiotherapy was associated with a higher incidence of hypothyroidism (p = 0.001). Conclusion Thyroid-preserving laryngectomy should be advocated in carefully selected patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma, as it reduces the incidence of hypothyroidism.

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Serum cobalamin concentrations and small intestinal ultrasound changes in 75 cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease: a retrospective study

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1177/1098612x15598184 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 48-56 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Maria C Jugan ◽

John R August

Keyword(s):

Small Intestine ◽

Gastrointestinal Disease ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Small Animal ◽

Abdominal Ultrasound ◽

Wall Layer ◽

Normal Serum ◽

Definitive Diagnosis ◽

Albumin Concentration ◽

Small Intestinal

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate ultrasonographic changes in the small intestine of cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease and low or low–normal serum cobalamin concentrations. Methods Records for client-owned cats presenting to the small animal hospital with signs of gastrointestinal disease and in which serum cobalamin concentrations were measured from 2000–2013 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were cobalamin concentrations <500 ng/l, abdominal ultrasound within 1 month of cobalamin testing and definitive diagnosis. Results Of 751 serum cobalamin measurements, hypocobalaminemia or low–normal cobalamin was identified in 270 cats, abdominal ultrasound was performed in 207 of those cats and a diagnosis was available for 75 of them. Small intestinal ultrasound changes were detected in 49/75 (65%) cats. Abnormalities included thickening, loss of wall layer definition, echogenicity alterations and discrete masses. Serum cobalamin concentrations <500 ng/l were observed with diagnoses of inflammatory disease, neoplasia, infectious disease and normal histopathology. Cobalamin concentration was significantly lower in cats with lymphoma or inflammatory bowel disease compared with other gastrointestinal neoplasia ( P = 0.031). No difference was found between cobalamin concentration and the presence of ultrasound abnormalities, specific ultrasound changes or albumin concentration. Conclusions and relevance One-third of symptomatic cats with hypocobalaminemia or low–normal cobalamin concentrations may have an ultrasonographically normal small intestine. For the majority of cats in this study, histopathologic abnormalities were observed in the small intestine, regardless of ultrasound changes. These findings suggest gastrointestinal disease should not be excluded based on low–normal cobalamin concentrations, even with a concurrent normal ultrasound examination. Additional studies are needed in cats with low–normal serum cobalamin concentrations, as a definitive diagnosis was not pursued consistently in those cats. However, data from this study suggest that careful monitoring, histopathologic evaluation and future cobalamin supplementation may be warranted.

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Comparison of Three Rapid Commercial Canine Parvovirus Antigen Detection Tests with Electron Microscopy and Polymerase Chain Reaction

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation ◽

10.1177/104063870902100306 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 344-345 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Silke Schmitz ◽

Christina Coenen ◽

König Matthias ◽

Thiel Heinz-Jürgen ◽

Reto Neiger

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Chronic Diarrhea ◽

Gastrointestinal Disease ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Canine Parvovirus ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Group A ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Group B

Different antibody-based tests for rapid detection of Canine parvovirus antigens in feces are commercially available, allowing quick diagnosis in a clinical setting. However, the diagnostic accuracy of these tests compared with standard methods has not been evaluated so far. In the current study, 3 commercial tests were compared with immune-electron microscopy (IEM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Dogs were divided into 3 groups: group A, samples from dogs with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea ( n = 50); group B, dogs with chronic diarrhea ( n = 10); and group C, dogs with no evidence of gastrointestinal disease ( n = 40). Specificity of all 3 commercial tests versus PCR and IEM was good to excellent (92.2–100%). Sensitivity, in contrast, was poor: 15.8–26.3% versus PCR and 50–60% versus IEM. In group A, 10 dogs were positive by IEM and 24 dogs were positive by PCR. Positive PCR results were also obtained from animals in control groups (group B, 1 dog; group C, 5 dogs). No dog in group B or C was positive by IEM. In conclusion, the rapid tests are useful to diagnose canine parvoviral enteritis, but they do not rule out parvovirus infection in an animal with typical clinical signs. In addition, a small percentage of healthy dogs and dogs with chronic diarrhea showed positive PCR results; this may be due to asymptomatic/persistent infection or intestinal passage of virus. The significance of this finding remains unclear.

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