Eosinophilic cystitis, a rare cause of persistent haematuria in a diabetic dog

A cistite eosinofílica é uma doença inflamatória rara caracterizada por infiltração eosinofílica de todas as camadas da parede da bexiga. Essa enfermidade já foi descrita em adultos, crianças e cães. No entanto, não há um consenso de diretrizes sobre o seu tratamento. Mesmo que as literaturas humana e veterinária mostrem alguma eficácia no manejo com corticosteroides, anti-histamínicos e antibióticos, uma variedade de efeitos colaterais graves e frequentes estão associados à terapia com esteróides. Dessa forma, seu uso é relativamente contra-indicado para pacientes com diabetes mellitus e síndrome de Cushing, por exemplo. Um chow-chow, macho, castrado, de cinco anos e diabético estável foi encaminhado para atendimento com histórico de urina fétida, hematúria macroscópica e disúria não responsiva a antibióticos há 18 meses. A avaliação dos parâmetros físicos estava dentro dos padrões, exceto por desconforto abdominal suprapúbico. O hemograma e o perfil bioquímico estavam dentro dos valores de referência, exceto por eosinofilia periférica leve. Embora a ultrassonografia, a radiografia contratada da bexiga e os achados da urinálise indicassem malignidade, a histopatologia confirmou o diagnóstico definitivo de cistite eosinofílica. O manejo com ciclosporina foi satisfatório, com remissão completa da hematúria. Este relato de caso apresenta o primeiro uso documentado de ciclosporina para o tratamento de cistite eosinofílica, com sucesso, em um cão com diabetes.

Production, Characterization, and Function of Pseudoislets from Perinatal Canine Pancreas

We evaluated the cell composition and function of canine pancreatic pseudoislets (PIs) produced from 42- to 55-day-old fetuses, 1- to 21-day-old pups, and an adult dog pancreas. After mild collagenase treatment, partially digested tissues were cultured for 2–3 weeks. PI production started on culture day 3, was marked for 6 to 9 days, and then stopped. PI production was greatest with the neonatal specimens, reaching about 12 million aggregates per litter (55-day-old fetus) or per pancreas (1-day-old pup). Cell composition at all stages was similar to that in adult pancreatic islets, with predominant β cells, scant α cells and, most importantly, presence of δ cells. Among pancreatic markers assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) mRNA assay, insulin showed the highest expression levels in PIs from newborn and adult pancreas, although these were more than 1000 times lower than in adult islets. Pdx1 mRNA expression was high in PIs from 55-day-old pancreases and was lower at later stages. Consistent with the qRT-PCR results, the insulin content was far lower than reported in adult dog pancreatic islets. However, insulin release by PIs from 1-day-old pups was demonstrated and was stimulated by a high-glucose medium. PIs were transplanted into euglycemic and diabetic SCID mice. In euglycemic animals, the transplant cell composition underwent maturation and transplants were still viable after 6 months. In diabetic mice, the PI transplants produced insulin and partially controlled the hyperglycemia. These data indicate that PIs can be produced ex vivo from canine fetal or postnatal pancreases. Although functional PIs can be obtained, the production yield is most likely insufficient to meet the requirements for diabetic dog transplantation without further innovation in cell culture amplification.

Clinical, Laboratory and Ultrasonographic Findings of Diabetic Dog with Emphysematous Cystitis

Background: Emphysematous cystitis is a rare inflammatory disease of the lower urinary tract characterized by the accumulation of gas within the wall and lumen of the urinary bladder. The clinical manifestations of emphysematous cystitis resemble those of bacterial cystitis, often hindering the differentiation between the two. In this work, we report a case of emphysematous cystitis in a diabetic dog. The diagnosis of cystitis was followed by ultrasonography for the early detection of emphysematous cystitis, which showed the presence of multifocal and irregular hyperechoic interfaces forming a distal reverberation artifact. Case: A 9-year-old female dog was referred to VETCLINIC Veterinary Hospital 24 hours with a history of urinary incontinence, polydipsia, polyuria, and diabetes mellitus. At first, the blood glucose was measured and found to be 376 mg/dL. Blood count, biochemical measurements of alkaline phosphatase (AF), urea, creatinine, and alanine aminotransferase (AAT), urinalysis, urine culture with antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and abdominal ultrasonography were performed. The hematological exams showed that the serum was lipemic and with hemolysis; the values of AAT, AF, and total plasma proteins were above the reference values; hematocrit was below the normal level; erythrocyte rouleaux and thrombocytosis with platelet aggregates were present. Urinalysis showed the presence of traces of proteins, glucose, and occult blood as well as granular and hyaline cylinders and transitional epithelial cells. In urine culture, growth of the aerobic bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae was observed, being sensitive to most of the antimicrobials. Ultrasonography showed the presence of gas in the wall of the urinary bladder, besides a discrete thickening of the wall, compatible with the diagnosis of emphysematous cystitis. Discussion: The first report of emphysematous cystitis in dogs was made in 1926 in a diabetic dog. Emphysematous cystitis is complicated, characterized by the presence of gas in the wall and lumen of the urinary bladder. It is usually reported in patients with diabetes mellitus. The patient presented with a very high glycemic index (376 mg/dL), in addition to having a history of urinary obstruction and presence of bladder stones, which may have acted as predisposing factors for the onset of emphysematous cystitis. In the present case, ultrasonography was the examination of choice. Hyperechoic reverberation-forming lines, identified as gas present in the topography of the urinary bladder, were easily visualized, as described in the literature. For the treatment of this condition, adequate management of the diet and the correct use of antimicrobials are of fundamental importance since the presence of diabetes mellitus in this patient can present serious complications in the future. This report shows the importance of the use of a combination of diagnostic tools to arrive at the correct diagnosis of the patient.

Insulin-producing Cells from Adult Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Could Control Chemically Induced Diabetes in Dogs

Ten mongrel dogs were used in this study. Diabetes was chemically induced in 7 dogs, and 3 dogs served as normal controls. For each diabetic dog, 5 million human bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells/kg were differentiated to form insulin-producing cells using a trichostatin-based protocol. Cells were then loaded in 2 TheraCyte capsules which were transplanted under the rectus sheath. One dog died 4 d postoperatively from pneumonia. Six dogs were followed up with for 6 to 18 mo. Euglycemia was achieved in 4 dogs. Their glucose tolerance curves exhibited a normal pattern demonstrating that the encapsulated cells were glucose sensitive and insulin responsive. In the remaining 2 dogs, the fasting blood sugar levels were reduced but did not reach normal values. The sera of all transplanted dogs contained human insulin and C-peptide with a negligible amount of canine insulin. Removal of the transplanted capsules was followed by prompt return of diabetes. Intracytoplasmic insulin granules were seen by immunofluorescence in cells from the harvested capsules. Furthermore, all pancreatic endocrine genes were expressed. This study demonstrated that the TheraCyte capsule or a similar device can provide adequate immunoisolation, an important issue when stem cells are considered for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus.