Genes of Congenital Dermatologic Disorders in Dogs—A Review

This article presents an overview of up-to-date identified genes responsible for congenital canine skin diseases of dogs and the characteristics of these diseases. Congenital skin diseases constitute a specific group of dermatologic disorders that plays an important role in breeding of purebred dogs. They include primary seborrhoea, ichthyosis, hereditary nasal parakeratosis, dermatomyositis, colour dilution alopecia, skin mucinosis, dermoid sinus, lethal acrodermatitis, acral mutilation syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, ichthyosiform dermatosis, bullous epidermolysis, exfoliative dermal lupus erythematosus, congenital footpad hyperkeratosis and sebaceous adenitis. In the majority of cases, their occurrence is linked to particular breeds. In more than half of these diseases a specific defective gene variant responsible for the disease has been identified. Genetic tests for identification of the relevant defective genes serve as an important tool in the diagnostics of diseases in veterinary practice and in breeding of purebred dogs.

Medicinal Mushrooms Ophiocordyceps Sinensis and Paecilomyces Hepiali

The fungi of the genus Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) belong to entomopathogenic fungi. Ophiocordyceps sinensis has been used as a tonic and medicinal product in China for more than 2,000 years. A number of scientific papers have described the clinical use of this parasitic fungus with subsequent biological and pharmacological effects. The various chemical compounds identified in these fungi are responsible for a wide range of biological activity: cordycepin, cordycepic acid, D-mannitol, polysaccharides, nucleotides, proteins, amino acids, and unsaturated fatty acids. Our research focused on the determinations of the biologically active chemical compounds in extracts from cultivated Ophiocordyceps fungi using UV/VIS (Ultraviolet/Visible) spectrophotometry and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy. The testing of antimicrobial activity of extracts against the collection strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus demonstrated that the percentage of RIZD (relative inhibition zone diameter) ranged from 83 % to 166 %. The increased antimicrobial activity against E. coli was observed in comparison with that against S. aureus.

A Field Study Evaluating Humoral Immunity in Calves Vaccinated with Multivalent Bovine Respiratory Pathogen Vaccines

Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV), Bovine Parainfluenza 3 (BPI3) and Mannheimia haemolytica (Mh) are major respiratory pathogens in the bovine respiratory disease complex. It is important to optimize passive and active immunity to these pathogens early in life to reduce clinical and subclinical productivity losses. The administration of inactivated, adjuvanted and multivalent vaccines, such as Bovilis® Bovipast RSP (Bovipast), and Bovalto® Respi 3 (Bovalto) to calves, may enhance cellular and humoral immunity against BRSV, BPI3 and Mh. A field trial evaluated the immune responses to these three agents in the first year of life in 12 Bovipast and 13 Bovalto vaccinated calves, and 5 negative control calves. Calves were vaccinated starting at 2 weeks of age and revaccinated 4 weeks later (primo vaccination). A booster vaccination was given at approximately 10 months of age. Serum samples were taken at time intervals up to 6 months after primo vaccination and up to 1 month after the booster vaccination. BRSV serum titres were evaluated using a serum neutralisation assay (SN), and BRSV, BPI3 and Mh titres were evaluated using a commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. Serum antibodies after primo and booster vaccinations in the individual calves were evaluated by calculating the areas under the curve (AUC) of the Log2 transformed BRSV SN titres and the optic density measures of the ELISA tests for BRSV, BPI3 and Mh. Multivariate general linear models were used to evaluate the influence of the vaccination on the AUC of the serum measures within 6 months after the primo vaccination. Similarly, models evaluated the AUC of the serum measures after the booster vaccination. The Bovipast vaccinated calves had significantly higher SN and ELISA titres AUC following the primo vaccination and booster vaccinations compared to the negative control calves and the Bovalto vaccinated calves. The Bovalto vaccinated calves did not have a significantly different BRSV SN and ELISA titres AUC response after the primo or booster vaccinations compared to the negative control calves. The serum antibody responses to BPI3 and Mh in the vaccinated calves were less pronounced than the Bovipast BRSV antibody response. Bovipast and Boval- to vaccinated calves mounted a significantly higher AUC ELISA OD for both BPI3 and Mh and the highest AUC was measured in the Bovipast vaccinated calves. This study indicated that early vaccinations of calves with multivalent adjuvanted inactivated BRD vaccines, such as Bovilis® Bovipast RSP can elicit a humoral response with a cellular-mediated memory effect as indicated by the booster vaccination.

Occurrence of Biting Midges (Diptera: Culicoides) on Dairy Farms in Eastern Slovakia in Relation to Abiotic Factors

Within the scope of our research, we have performed 59 trapping sessions and collected 15,756 biting midges from 20 species at four farms (Kluknava, Ostrov, Turňa nad Bodovou and Zemplínska Teplica), The most frequent types of captured insects were representatives of the Avaritia subgenus, C. obsoletus/C. scoticus, representing on average 85.1 % (13,295 individuals) of the fauna of the biting midges, with the exception of the farm in Ostrov where this group represented only 41.7 % of the fauna. At this particular farm, the most frequently trapped insects belonged to the Culicoides subgenus (54.1 %), in particular the C. bysta, C. lupicaris, C. newsteadi, C. Pulicaris and C. Punctatus species. During the trapping sessions, we monitored factors affecting the number of trapped biting midges, such as the temperature, relative air humidity and airflow rate: the air temperature during the trapping of the biting midges ranged from 9.8 to 26.2 °C; the relative air humidity ranged from 35.1 to 100 %; and the air flow rate ranged from no wind to a wind velocity of 8.2 m.s-1. However, in the final evaluation, we failed to observe a statistically significant correlation between the air flow and the number of trapped biting midges. The largest amounts of biting midges were trapped at temperatures ranging from 15.8 to 24.6 °C and at a relative air humidity ranging from 54.2 % to 68.6 %. While monitoring the seasonal dynamics of the physiological conditions of biting midge females at the selected farms, we confirmed that during the period from June to August, the most frequently trapped females were parous (50.1 %; 7,826 individuals). In addition, nulliparous females comprised 43.8 % (6,842 individuals) and were continuously trapped throughout the season (April— November).

Fascinating Dendritic Cells—Sentinel Cells of the Immune System a Review

Dendritic cells (DC) are specialized antigen presenting cells which have the unique ability to activate naive T-lymphocytes. Their role in the immune system is much more sophisticated than it seems, as they do not kill the pathogens directly, but provide a long-lasting antigen specific immune response thanks to that sufficiently bridging the innate and the adaptive immunity. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in studies of their role in immune regulation, autoimmune reactions, as well as in immune responses against pathogens and tumours. Processing and presentation capabilities of a highly specific and unique tumour antigen makes them an interesting tool for stimulating effective anti-tumour immunity. In vitro generations of DC represent a preferred model for more detailed studies of DC biology in other fields. The aim of this review was to discuss the main role of dendritic cells in the body as well as their current use as experimental models for further scientific studies.

Selection of the Most Reliable Method for the Analysis of Inhibitory Substances in Raw and Skimmed Milk

Milk used for human consumption must comply with the European Union legislative requirements for residues of inhibitory substances in milk, the values of which must not exceed the established maximum residue limit. In order to ensure the quality and safety of milk and milk products placed on the market, the presence of residues of inhibitory substances should be monitored and verified. The aim of our study was to select the most reliable method for the analysis of residues of inhibitory substances in milk. In the search for the most reliable method, a total of 49 milk samples were tested in the form of raw milk, skimmed milk and skimmed-milk powder throughout the agri-food chain. For comparison, the microbial inhibition tests Eclipse 50, Eclipse Farm, Explorer 2.0, Delvotest®, Premi®Test and the fast receptor screening test TwinSensor were used. The most relevant results were obtained by the Eclipse 50 and Eclipse Farm tests, the reliability of which were also confirmed by the Explorer 2.0 and Premi®Test tests. Moreover, according to the State Veterinary and Food Administration of the Slovak Republic, Eclipse 50 is an official reference method for the determination of residues of inhibitory substances in milk. Therefore, we can only state that of all the methods used, the Eclipse 50 seems to be the most reliable for routine control analysis of residues of inhibitory substances in all types of milk.

The Role of Lymphatic Marker Prox-1 in Relation to Brain Tumours

The homeobox gene, Prox-1 is a transcription factor essential for lymphatic development (lymphangiogenesis) during embryogenesis. It also performs different functions in various tissues such as: retina, lens, liver, pancreas and the central nervous system. Intense expression of Prox-1 has been demonstrated in the developing spinal cord and brain. In adulthood its expression continues in the hippocampus and cerebellum. In adult tissues the process of lymphatic vasculature formation is accompanied under certain pathological conditions such as inflammation, tissue repair and tumour growth. Prox-1 expression is typical for lymphatic vessels; thus it belongs to one of the most specific and widely used mammalian lymphatic endothelial marker in the detection of lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic vessel invasion in oncogenesis. It has been shown that Prox-1 is involved in cancer development and progression. It’s tumour suppressive and oncogenic properties are proven in several human cancers, including brain tumours. Among all body cancers the brain tumours represent the most feared tumours with very limited treatment options and a poor diagnosis. The aim of this paper was to show the current knowledge of the gene Prox-1 with an emphasis on brain tumours, especially in gliomas.

Effect of Nutrition on the Morphometric Markers in Spayed Dogs

Obesity and overweight have been frequently observed in dogs in recent years as in humans. The compositions of fatty acids in the accumulated lipids in tissues of obese animals may have important roles in the process and mechanisms related to the onset of metabolic disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a vegetarian diet, which contained a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids on individual morphometric parameters in spayed dogs. Seven mongrel dogs without ideal body condition scores (average: 7.42) were fed vegetarian dog kibbles and received the daily amount of energy calculated with the following formula: 130 kcal × weight (kg) 0.75. The animals were evaluated on days 0 and 60 in relation to the body measurements, such as: body weight, metabolic body weight, body fat percentage, nape, rib, tail base, chest, and abdomen, using a plicometer. Also determined were the body condition scores (scale from 1—thin to 9—obese), canine body mass index, and their waist circumference. These data were analysed by the Student’s t-test. The body measurement variation of body fat percentage, waist circumference, body condition score and thickness values of the abdomen differed significantly (P < 0.01).

Ultrasound Application in Physical Therapy of Dogs: Comparative Study

The application of ultrasonic methods in veterinary medicine, especially in the therapy of dogs, is the main objective of this study. We compared the frequency of therapeutic ultrasound using in rehabilitation as well as in microsurgical interventions of dogs in Slovakian and Hungarian veterinary practices. Regarding to the evaluation of survey realized in restricted regions, the ultrasound therapies and interventions are currently used in Slovakia less than in Hungary. Our study could start a change in this unfavourable aspect in Slovakian veterinary medicine and contribute to a better promotion of ultrasound application in the therapy of animals.

Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosed Post Caesarean Surgery in a Three Year Old Boerboel Bitch

A three year old nulliparous Boerboel bitch presented with complaints of fever and inappetence six weeks after an elective caesarean section was diagnosed with an extrauterine foetus. A per-cutaneous abdominal ultrasound revealed a foetal sac showing a well-developed skeletal structure and the absence of foetal movement or heartbeat. During laparotomy, a foetal sac containing a dead foetus was located between the spleen and the stomach. The foetal sac was excised following ligation of its mesenteric attachment to the spleen. The previously operated uterus was observed to have involuted but revealed a small bud observed on the middle portion of the left uterine horn. The histological findings of the foetal sac revealed fibro-adipose tissue with numerous congested vessels. It was concluded that the Boerboel bitch had a secondary abdominal ectopic pregnancy and recommended that owing to the difficulty of diagnosing the condition before or during routine elective caesarean surgery, post-operative abdominal ultrasound would have been instructive.