Canis Research Articles

Zoonotic helminth parasites in faecal samples of household dogs in Jimma Town, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted in Jimma town from October 2009 to April 2010 to determine the occurrence and prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal helminth parasites in household dogs. For the purpose, faecal samples from 334 dogs were collected and examined using faecal floatation and Mac-master egg counting parasitological tools. Among the animals examined, helminth parasite infection was detected in 215 (64.4%) dogs, and the species of helminth parasites found with their relative frequencies were: Ancylostoma caninum (58.8%), Toxocara canis (25.8%), Dipylidium caninum (25.8%), Taenia spp. (18.3%), Toxocara leonina (16.8%) and Trichuris vulpis (0.6%). There was a significant difference in the overall prevalence between adult and young animals (P < 0.05). The species specific prevalences similarly showed a significant variation between the two age groups, being high in young dogs. Both the overall and parasite specific prevalences were statistically insignificant between genders. The overall and parasites specific prevalence showed a decreasing trend as the host age increases. The overall mean faecal egg counts for T. canis, T. leonina, A. caninum and D. caninum were: 657.5 ± 76.4, 674.5 ± 96.2, 3368.2 ± 258.3 and 622.1 ± 51.8, respectively. In conclusion, the prevalence and intensity of gasterointestinal parasites were high; all of the parasites identified were potential public health risks. It implies the necessity of providing education to the public about the potential health risks associated with owning pet animals and how to prevent and minimizing the risk of acquiring helminth zoonotic parasites from dogs. Key words: Zoonotic, helminth parasites, dog, faeces, Ethiopia.

Utilization of Paw Prints for Species Identification in the Canidae Family

In this report, the bodies of six skinned animals were submitted to the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for necropsy examination as authorities were concerned these animals were domestic dogs. Given the condition of the animals, identification of the animal species could not be based on traditional physical characteristics such as size, fur characteristics, and ear characteristics. The paw prints from these animals were characterized based on size, heel pad architecture, and claw characteristics. The length of the forepaws measured 3-3.25 in., four toes were observed and only the claws of digits 3 and 4 were identified, and the heel pad had a pronounced three-lobed rear margin. The rear margin of the heel pad of the hind foot was of circular shape with two slightly forward-pointing crescents laterally. Based on the features of the paw print it was determined that the animals necropsied were coyotes.

Healing and remodeling of articular cartilage after reconstruction of acetabular posterior wall

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of small cylindrical cartilage autografts in repairing articular cartilage defects of the reconstructed posterior wall on the basis of analysis of the pathological characteristics of the articular surface. MethodsIn this experiment, 12 canis familiaris had a survival surgery to make animal models of posterior acetabular defects which were reconstructed with iliac crest autografts. The 24 hips were divided into 3 groups randomly. In group A, the small cylindrical cartilage autografts were seeded into the cartilage defects to anatomically reconstruct the posterior wall. In group B, the cartilage defects were anatomically reconstructed. In group C (control group), the cartilage defects were conventionally reconstructed. The animals were sacrificed to harvest the hips after 12 weeks. The new tissues were assessed according to Pineda criteria and a histological comparison was made between the 3 groups.Results The repaired cartilages in group A belonged to hyaline-cartilage-like repair with characteristics of fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage, but different from the adjourning normal cartilages. The repaired cartilage in the group B was morphologically similar to fibrocartilage cartilage whereas that in group C was fibrous tissue or lamellar bone repair. There were differences between the experimental groups and the control group, as well as between both experimental groups( P ＜ 0. 05 ) .Conclusions Anatomic reconstruction of the posterior wall may help repair the defects of articular cartilage. The small cylindrical cartilage autografts may distribute throughout the articular surface, providing an alternative method to repair articular cartilage defects. Key words: Acetabulum; Bone defect; Transplantion; Articular cartilage

The Sensitivity of Dermatophytes to the Antimicrobial Activity of Manuka Honey and Other Honey

Honey has been reported to have antifungal activity and so was tested against clinical isolates of the common dermatophyte species which cause tineas in man. A honey with an average level of hydrogen peroxide, and a manuka (Leptospermum scoparium J. R. and G. Forst, family Myrtaceae) honey with an average level of non-peroxide antibacterial activity were used. An agar well diffusion assay was used, the contents of the wells being replaced with freshly prepared honey solutions at 24-h intervals over the 3–4 days of incubation. The lowest concentrations (% v/v, in steps of 5%) of manuka honey with catalase added to remove hydrogen peroxide, and of the other honey (without catalase) showed that inhibition of growth around the wells were, respectively, Epidermophyton floccosum 25%, 10%; Microsporum canis 25%, 15%; Microsporum gypseum 55%, 20%; Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale 45%, 15%; Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes 25%, 15%; Trichophyton rubrum 20%, 5% and Trichophyton tonsurans 25%, 20%. No inhibitory activity was detected with the other honey at 50% (v/v) with catalase added. The results of this investigation show that the common dermatophytes are sensitive to the antimicrobial activity of honey, indicating that clinical evaluation of honey in the treatment of tineas is warranted. This would determine whether the hydrogen peroxide or the non-peroxide antifungal agent diffuses better into the skin.

Incidence of Toxocarosis in Synanthropic Caninds in Urban Ecosystem Chisinau

In synanthropic canids in the urban ecosystem of Chisinau 14 parasitic species (including 10 species with zoonotic impact) have been detected. They were classified by localization as follows: 6 species are ectoparasites and 8 species are endoparasites with cavitary habitat, 1 species with cavitary/ tissular habitat, 1 species with tissulary habitat and 1 species with intracellular habitat. The dynamic seasonal evaluation of imaginal toxocariasis in Canis familiaris shows approximately the same incidence level: in spring – 34,6%, in summer – 34,3%, in autumn – 35,3%, in winter – 38,5%. The appraisal by age category of imaginal toxocariasis shows a higher incidence in small dogs – 53,9%, compared to adults – 25,7%. The high incidence (35,7%) of toxocariasis in synanthropic canids in the urban ecosystem of Chisinau represents an imminent danger of human pollution infestation and pollution of the environment with the free invasive forms, a phenomenon which is out of control.

CAMP and IP3 Signaling Pathways in HEK293 Cells Transfected with Canine Olfactory Receptor Genes

Olfactory receptors (ORs) expressed at the cell surface of olfactory sensory neurons lining the olfactory epithelium are the first actors of events leading to odor perception and recognition. As for other mammalian ORs, few dog OR have been deorphanized, mainly because of the absence of good methodology and the difficulties encountered to express ORs at the cell surface. Within this work, our aim was 1) to deorphanize a large subset of dog OR and 2) to compare the implication of the 2 main pathways, namely the cAMP and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) pathways, in the transduction of the olfactory message. For this, we used 2 independent tests to assess the importance of each of these 2 pathways and analyzed the responses of 47 canine family 6 ORs to a number of aliphatic compounds. We found these ORs globally capable of inducing intracellular calcium elevation through the IP3 pathway as confirmed by the use of specific inhibitors and/or a cAMP increase in response to aldehyde exposure. We showed that the implication of the cAMP or/and IP3 pathway was dependent upon the ligand-receptor combination rather than on one or the other partner. Finally, by exposing OR-expressing cells to the 21 possible pairs of C6-C12 aliphatic aldehydes, we confirmed that some odorant pairs may have an inhibitory or additive effect. Altogether, these results reinforce the notion that odorant receptor subfamilies may constitute functional units and call for a more systematic use of 2 complementary tests interrogating the cAMP and IP3 pathways when deorphanizing ORs.

Implications of craniofacial form for performance of the canid skull during prey killing and feeding

Implications of craniofacial form for performance of the canid skull during prey killing and feeding

Antifungal activity of Peganum harmala seeds extract in vitro

Peganum harmala (Zygophyllaceae) is an intriguing herb with a long history of medicinal use. Antifungal activity of P. harmala seed extract against certain fungal species was investigated in vitro. Antifungal activity of the extract of P. harmala seeds was investigated against several fungal species using in vitro agar dilution technique. The fungal species included: Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton tonsurans and Fonsecaea pedrosoi. P. harmala extract, diluted 2.5:1000, produced complete inhibition against microsporum and trichophyton species. The extract had a considerable antifungal activity. Further purification and extraction of the active principles (alkaloids) of P. harmala seeds might show a true antifungal activity comparable to standard antifungal drugs.

Methods of Age Estimation by Dentition in Sus scrofa ferus sp.

In this study we present the practical method of ag e estimation by dentition in European wild boar Sus scrofa ferus . The dentition age estimation at this species is e xtremely important for establishing correlations between it and aspects of the body conformation and trophy value, in a strong linkage with the area bonitation , with the population genetic value and veterinary health status. We present the deciduous and permanent teeth aspect, at different ages: four months, six months, one year, one and a half years, two years, two and a half years, three years, five years, seve n years, nine years and more. There are illustrated the aspects of incisors, cani nes, premolars and molars. Those aspects were confirmed by estimations made on 234 wild boars collected from Transylvania, in 2008 and 2009.

Structural characterization and expression of five novel canine kallikrein-related peptidases in mammary cancer

Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) constitute a major family of proteolytic enzymes implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cancer. Recently, we have suggested that the dog might represent a useful animal model for in vivo KLK studies and sought to investigate the expression patterns of the largely unknown canine KLK family. Along the same lines, in the present report we experimentally characterized five previously unidentified (CANFA)KLKs and investigated their expression in normal and tumorous mammary tissues. We demonstrated that the GenBank sequences that were predicted in silico to represent the canine orthologs of human KLK5, KLK6, KLK7, and KLK8 mRNAs were correct, whereas the one corresponding to the canine KLK4 had a major inconsistency within its 5'-terminus. More specifically, two internal segments of the first intron of KLK4, 78 and 97 bp long, respectively, were wrongfully determined to constitute the initial 175-nucleotide sequence of the KLK4 coding region. (CANFA)KLK8 was further shown to undergo alternative splicing that generated an mRNA transcript missing exon 4 (variant 1). All five (CANFA)KLKs were almost ubiquitously expressed in both cancerous and noncancerous mammary tissues. Lower positivity rates were identified for (CANFA)KLK8 variant 1. A trend for upregulation in tumors was observed for (CANFA)KLK5, (CANFA)KLK7, and (CANFA)KLK8, whereas (CANFA)KLK8 variant 1 tended to be downregulated in cancer. Moreover, a parallel expression of the studied canine KLKs was observed, which suggested a possible participation of the encoded enzymes in interrelated proteolytic cascades taking place in the mammary gland.

Angiostrongylus vasorum: the ‘French Heartworm’

Angiostrongylus vasorum which is commonly known as 'French heartworm' is a snail-born parasitic disease affecting the members of the Canidae family. This parasite has a cosmopolitan distribution covering tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. However, its distribution is characterised by isolated endemic foci, with only sporadic occurrences outside this areas. During the last two decades, several sporadic occurrences in old and new endemic areas have been documented by the researchers. However, the spread of infection and dynamic consequences of this parasite in final host has not been clarified yet. Therefore, this review will focus on the morphology, biology, clinical significant as well as management of this parasitic disease.

Establishment of identification database of six common dermatophytes using Biolog automatic analyzer for microbes

Objective To investigate the application prospect of Biolog automatic analyzer for microbes in the identification of common dermatophytes. Methods Clinical isolates of dermatophyte were identified to species level based on phenotypes and DNA sequence. The strains of Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophyte, Trichophyton tonsurans, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum and Epidermophyton floccosum were inoculated into FF microplates, and the utilization of 95 different carbon sources were recorded.The growth and reaction spectrum of these strains were described and identification database was set up. Results There was a great difference in the utilization of carbon sources among different fungal species. The utilization of raffinose could differentiate Trichophyton mentagrophyte and Trichophyton tonsurans from the other four Trichophyton. Sebacic acid could differentiate Trichophyton mentagrophyte from Trichophyton tonsurans.Meanwhile, Trichophyton rubrum could be differentiated from Microsporum gypseum, Epidermophyton floccosum and Microsporum canis by utilization of fumarate and succinate. Microsporum gypseum could be identified by use of alanine and phenylalanine. The utilization of dextrin could distinguish Epidermophyton floccosum from Microsporum canis. Conclusion The Biolog automatic analyzer for microbes has the ability to identify common dermatophytes to species level based on their specific phenotype. Key words: Dermatophytes; Biological assay; Autoanalysis; Databases

Evolutionary history of African mongoose rabies

Two biotypes or variants of rabies virus (RABV) occur in southern Africa. These variants are respectively adapted to hosts belonging to the Canidae family (the canid variant) and hosts belonging to the Herpestidae family (the mongoose variant). Due to the distinct host adaptation and differences in epidemiology and pathogenesis, it has been hypothesized that the two variants were introduced into Africa at different times. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular phylogeny of representative RABV isolates of the mongoose variant towards a better understanding of the origins of this group. The study was based on an analysis of the full nucleoprotein and glycoprotein gene sequences of a panel of 27 viruses. Phylogenetic analysis of this dataset confirmed extended evolutionary adaptation of isolates in specific geographic areas. The evolutionary dynamics of this virus variant was investigated using Bayesian methodology, allowing for rate variation among viral lineages. Molecular clock analysis estimated the age of the African mongoose RABV to be approximately 200 years old, which is in concurrence with literature describing rabies in mongooses since the early 1800s.

Morphofunctional analysis of the postcranium ofAmphicyon major(Mammalia, Carnivora, Amphicyonidae) from the Miocene of Sansan (Gers, France) compared to three extant carnivores:Ursus arctos, Panthera leo,andCanis lupus

ABSTRACT The postcranial skeleton of the amphicyonid Amphicyon major from the middle Helvetian of Sansan (Gers, France) is described and compared to extant taxa belonging to the families Ursidae (Ursus arctos), Felidae (Panthera leo), and Canidae (Canis lupus). From the perspective of the forelimb, the scapula is very similar to that of a bear, as well as the elbow joint suggesting habitually abducted postures of the arm and the ability to supinate the forefoot. The mobile shoulder joint and massive triceps are features shared by both extant ursids and felids. A powerful hand musculature, short and divergent metacarpals, and an important range of dorsiflexion of the wrist recall the forefoot of an ursid and indicate good grasping ability. On the axial skeleton, the complex atlas/axis, the shape of the lumbar vertebrae, and a long, heavy tail are more similar to the same anatomical regions in felids than to any other extant carnivore. The pelvis and femur, as well as the knee and tibio-astragalar joints, a...

Canine Babesiosis: Epidemiological and Clinical Features

Babesiosis is a cosmopolitan disease produced by blood parasites Babesia, a genus of protozoal piroplasms and transmitted by ticks bites. In Europe canine babesiosis is produced by two species of protoazoals, Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni that are very different by phenotype and genotype. Clinical signs vary depending on the species or subspecies that are involved. This study presents epidemiological and clinical aspects of the disease from the south part of the country. The study had been performed from January to December 2008 in the Clinics of The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Bucharest, on a number of 508 suspected dogs. Suspicion was based on the clinical signs. Ticks had been discovered on the skin of the animals during examination proceeded by the doctors in the clinics or by the owners. Blood samples had been microscopically examined after MGG coloration, with an immersion objective. In parallel the identification of the ticks had been performed.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of Muntingia calabura extracts and fractions

The aim of the present study is to determine the in vitro antimicrobial activity of various extracts, partitions and fractions of Muntingia calabura (Elaeocarpaceae) leaves against a selected panel of microorganisms. The leaves of M. calabura were soaked separately in the aqueous, chloroform and methanol solvent systems in the ratio of 1:20 (w/v) for 72 h and these procedures were repeated three times. Antimicrobial testing was carried out using the micro-broth dilution method. The microbes targeted were Staphylococcus aureus 25923, S. aureus 33591 (a multi-drugs resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolate), Escherichia coli 35218, Pseudomonasaeruginosa ATCC 27853, Candida albicans 10231 and Microsporum canis ATCC 36299. The methanol extract inhibited MSSA (MIC = 1250 µg/ml; MBC = 1250 µg/ml) and MRSA (MIC = 1250 µg/ml; MBC = 1250 µg /ml) and considered the most effective extract and was further partitioned sequentially using the aqueous, petroleum ether and ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate partition exhibited effective antibacterial activities with the MIC/MBC value of 156 and 313 µg/ml against S. aureus 25923 and S. aureus 33591, respectively. The ethyl acetate partition underwent fractionation process and yielded 15 fractions (A1-A15) of which only fractions A9 to A15 effectively inhibited the growth of S. aureus 25923 and S. aureus33591 with MIC/MBC values ranging from 78 to 2500 µg/ml. Key words: Muntingia calabura, Elaeocarpaceae, antimicrobial activity, micro-broth dilution, ethyl acetate fraction.

Demythologizing Arctodus simus, the ‘short-faced’ long-legged and predaceous bear that never was

ABSTRACT In this study, we review the previous evidence on the paleobiology of the giant, ‘short-faced’ bear Arctodus simus (Mammalia: Carnivora: Ursidae) and contribute new ecomorphological inferences on the paleobiology of this enigmatic species. Craniodental variables are used in a comparative morphometric study across the families Felidae, Hyaenidae, Canidae, and Ursidae. Principal components analyses (PCAs) do not show an ecomorphological adaptation towards bone-cracking or hypercarnivory in the ‘short-faced’ bear. In contrast, PCAs and discriminant analyses restricted to the craniodental data set of ursids suggest close morphological resemblance between A. simus and the extant omnivorous bears. In addition, the scaling of snout length on neurocranial length in bears indicates that the face of A. simus was not particularly short. Body mass estimates obtained from major limb bone measurements reveal that A. simus specimens of around 1000 kilograms were more common than previously suspected. Scaling relationships in extant bears of limb lengths on the least width of the femoral shaft (the variable best correlated with body mass) indicate that A. simus was not as relatively long-legged as previously thought. For these reasons, although the isotopic signature of A. simus has been interpreted as evidencing that it consumed large amounts of flesh relative to some contemporary populations of Ursus arctos, our results do not support the previous views of A. simus as a fast-running super-predator or as a specialized scavenger. In contrast, the picture that emerges from this study is one of a colossal omnivorous bear whose diet probably varied according to resource availability.

Small-mammal consumption by sympatric canids in southern Brazil: niche overlap and prey selection

The crab-eating fox, Cerdocyon thous, and the pampas fox, Lycalopex gymnocercus, are two endemic canids from the neotropics that are sympatric in the Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil. Previous studies indicated that both species feed mainly on small mammals, without marked differences between their diets, at least when small-mammal genera are not determined. In the present study, our objective was to evaluate the similarity in diet composition of those foxes, identifying the genera of small mammal consumed. Besides that, we also investigated potential patterns of prey selection by the canids. We analyzed 222 samples of fox feces from the National Park of Aparados da Serra (NPAS) in southern Brazil (29°10’S, 50°05’W) collected from 2000 to 2005. Fox species were determined by identification of hairs found in scats. We also conducted, between 2000 and 2002, a survey of small mammals using capture-mark-recapture techniques. Our results indicated that the species studied do not differ significantly in relation to the small mammals they consume. We also detected that both canids seem to prefer feeding on rodents of the genus Akodon. On the other hand, rodents of the genus Oligoryzomys were consumed less than would be expected. Our results indicated that prey similarity is very high for the studied canids, even under a more refined analysis of small-mammal preys. This pattern supports the suggestion that niche differentiation between C. thous and L. gymnocercus probably occurs through other mechanisms than diet (e.g. habitat or activity time). Key words: araucaria forest, cerdocyon thous, rodents, feeding habits, niche overlap, lycalopex gymnocercus.

Exposición al parásito Toxocara canis en una población escolar de la comuna 7 del distrito de Santa Marta, Colombia.

The toxocariosis is a zoonosis caused by ingestion of infective eggs of parasites toxocara species, present in the contaminated soil. Human infection by Toxocara canis is a major cause of visceral larva migration syndrome. The main source of the disease are dogs infected with the parasite. In Santa Marta district the dogs population is high, however there isnt known prevalence of toxocariosis in these animals nor in humans. The purpose of this study was to assess exposure to Toxocara canis in school children between 2 and 16 years old from seven commune of Santa Marta district. The blood levels of IgG against antigen secretion/excretion of L2 larvae of Toxocara canis and total IgE blood levels was determinate, also the presence of intestinal parasites and epidemiological and clinical factors related to human toxocariosis. In a sample of 133 children, 42.1% were Toxocara canis seropositive and 92.5% had blood levels of total IgE. Epidemiologic factors associated with Toxocara exposure were the absence of drinking water (p <0.0001), lack of sewage (p = 0.034), contact with soil (p <0.0001) and presence of pets (dog,

Editorial: Bears and Canids

Editorial: Bears and Canids