Disease In Companion Animals Research Articles

A surveillance system for diseases of companion animals in the Veneto region (Italy).

Experts and international public health organisations stress the lack of surveillance systems for companion animal diseases and the need to implement such surveillance as a priority of the 'One Health' perspective. This paper presents the features of a system for the collection, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of data regarding the health status of pets in the Veneto region (Italy). The system involved the construction of a Web-based database containing the diagnoses of transmissible and non-transmissible diseases of dogs and cats made by veterinarians in their practices, hospitals, kennels and catteries. Each diagnosis constitutes a single record, also containing data on the identification of the individual animal and on several characteristics of epidemiological relevance. The World Health Organization (WHO) 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) for human diseases has been adapted to canine and feline diseases to standardise the diagnostic nomenclature. Software has been specifically created for online data entry and data management. The first results show that the main disorders were digestive (21%), dermatological (18%) and cardiovascular (11%) among 1,087 diagnostic records in dogs, and digestive (23%), dermatological (15%) and urinary (14%) among 289 diagnostic records in cats. The main causes of death are represented by cardiovascular (21%) and gastrointestinal (21%) diseases in dogs and by urinary (31%) disorders in cats. At present, no institutional surveillance system for companion animal health exists in Italy, and veterinarians joining this project and sharing the outcomes of their clinical activity are acting on a voluntary basis.

Spontaneous painful disease in companion animals can facilitate the development of chronic pain therapies for humans.

To outline the role that spontaneous osteoarthritis (OA) in companion animals can play in translational research and therapeutic pharmacological development. Narrative review summarizing the opportunities and limitations of naturally occurring, spontaneous OA as models of human OA pain, with a focus on companion animal pets. The background leading to considering inserting spontaneous disease models in the translational paradigm is provided. The utility of this model is discussed in terms of outcome measures that have been validated as being related to pain, and in terms of the potential for target discovery is outlined. The limitations to using companion animal pets as models of human disease are discussed. Although many steps along the translational drug development pathway have been identified as needing improvement, spontaneous painful OA in companion animals offers translational potential. Such 'models' may better reflect the complex genetic, environmental, temporal and physiological influences present in humans and current data suggests the predictive validity of the models are good. The opportunity for target discovery exists but is, as yet, unproven.

Clinical mycobacterial diseases of companion animals: part 2. Management of companion animal mycobacteriosis

Mycobacterial diseases are being more frequently diagnosed in companion animals in first opinion practice in the UK. These infections can be challenging both to diagnose and manage; this and a previous article aim to give an overview of the relevant background and epidemiology, management and prognosis for companion animal mycobacteriosis (CAM). This second article explores the treatment options available to clinicians, as well as some of the considerations required before treatment is started.

Blastomyces helicus, an Emerging Dimorphic Fungal Pathogen Causing Fatal Pulmonary and Disseminated Disease in Humans and Animals in Western Canada and United States

Background Blastomyces helicus (formerly Emmonsia helica) is a recently described dimorphic fungus first isolated from a man who died of encephalitis in Alberta, Canada. The geographic range, epidemiology and clinical features are unknown.Methods We reviewed clinical and veterinary isolates of Blastomyces and Emmonsia at the University of Alberta Microfungus Collection and Herbarium and the UT Health San Antonio Fungus Testing Laboratory. Isolates were selected based on low B. dermatitidis DNA probe values and/or atypical morphology. DNA sequence analysis was performed. Epidemiological and clinical data were analyzed.ResultsIsolates of B. helicus were identified from eight human (Table 1) and five veterinary cases (Table 2). Mycelial and yeast-like phases of typical clinical isolates are shown in Figures 1 and 2, respectively. Isolates were referred from provinces and states shown in Figure 3.Table 1:Clinical isolates of Blastomyces helicusCase/yearLocationMedical historySampleOutcomec1/1970AlbertaAlcoholism, diabetesCerebrospinal fluid (CSF), lungFatalc2/1992SaskatchewanChronic leukemia, steroidsBlood, bone marrow, liver, sputumFatalc3/1999TexasLupusBloodUnknownc4/2004AlbertaUnknownBronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), bloodUnknownc5/2010CaliforniaLiver transplantBlood, pleural fluidFatalc6/2010TexasUnknownCSFUnknownc7/2010CaliforniaHIVBALUnknownc8/2017NebraskaUnknownBAL, pleural fluidUnknownTable 2:Veterinary isolates of Blastomyces helicusCase/yearLocationAnimalSamplev1/2005ColoradoDogLungv2/2007UnknownDogLungv3/2009MontanaCatLungv4/2012ColoradoCatLungv5/2014ColoradoUnknownLungFigure 1.Mycelial phase of B. helicus (c2) at 25C showing typical helically coiled hyphae and absence of conidia.Figure 2.Yeast-like phase of B. helicus (c1) at 35C showing typical variably sized yeast-like cells in chains.Figure 3.Canadian provinces and US states from where Blastomyces helicus isolates were referreConclusion Blastomyces helicus caused pulmonary and fatal disseminated disease, mainly in immunocompromised persons, and lung disease in companion animals in western Canada and US. Epidemiological investigations are needed to establish the burden of disease and geographic range of this pathogen.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

VetCompass Australia: A National Big Data Collection System for Veterinary Science.

Simple SummaryThe VetCompass Australia program collects real-time clinical records from veterinary practices and aggregates them for researchers to interrogate. It delivers Australian researchers sustainable and cost-effective access to authoritative data from hundreds of veterinary practitioners, across Australia and opens up major international collaborative opportunities with related projects in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.VetCompass Australia is veterinary medical records-based research coordinated with the global VetCompass endeavor to maximize its quality and effectiveness for Australian companion animals (cats, dogs, and horses). Bringing together all seven Australian veterinary schools, it is the first nationwide surveillance system collating clinical records on companion-animal diseases and treatments. VetCompass data service collects and aggregates real-time, clinical records for researchers to interrogate, delivering sustainable and cost-effective access to data from hundreds of veterinary practitioners nationwide. Analysis of these clinical records will reveal geographical and temporal trends in the prevalence of inherited and acquired diseases, identify frequently prescribed treatments, revolutionize clinical auditing, help the veterinary profession to rank research priorities, and assure evidence-based companion-animal curricula in veterinary schools. VetCompass Australia will progress in three phases: (1) roll-out of the VetCompass platform to harvest Australian veterinary clinical record data; (2) development and enrichment of the coding (data-presentation) platform; and (3) creation of a world-first, real-time surveillance interface with natural language processing (NLP) technology. The first of these three phases is described in the current article. Advances in the collection and sharing of records from numerous practices will enable veterinary professionals to deliver a vastly improved level of care for companion animals that will improve their quality of life.

Porphyromonas gulae Activates Unprimed and Gamma Interferon-Primed Macrophages via the Pattern Recognition Receptors Toll-Like Receptor 2 (TLR2), TLR4, and NOD2.

Porphyromonas gulae is an anaerobic, Gram-negative coccobacillus that has been associated with periodontal disease in companion animals. The aims of this study were to analyze the ligation of pattern recognition receptors by P. gulae and the subsequent activation of macrophages. Exposure of HEK cells transfected with Toll-like receptors (TLRs) or NOD-like receptors to P. gulae resulted in the ligation of TLR2, TLR4, and NOD2. The effects of this engagement of receptors were investigated by measuring the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), CD86 expression, and inflammatory cytokine production by wild-type, TLR2-/-, and TLR4-/- macrophages. The addition of P. gulae to unprimed and gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-primed (M1 phenotype) macrophages significantly increased the surface expression of CD86, but only M1 macrophages produced nitric oxide. P. gulae-induced expression of CD86 on unprimed macrophages was dependent on both TLR2 and TLR4, but CD86 expression and NO production in M1 macrophages were only TLR2 dependent. P. gulae induced an increase in secretion of interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-13, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α) by M1 macrophages compared to that by unprimed controls. Among these cytokines, secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α by M1 macrophages was dependent on either TLR2 or TLR4. Our data indicate that TLR2 and TLR4 are important for P. gulae activation of unprimed macrophages and that activation and effector functions induced in M1 macrophages by P. gulae are mainly dependent on TLR2. In conclusion, P. gulae induces a strong TLR2-dependent inflammatory M1 macrophage response which may be important in establishing the chronic inflammation associated with periodontal disease in companion animals.

Highly suspected cases of salmonellosis in two cats fed with a commercial raw meat-based diet: health risks to animals and zoonotic implications

BackgroundFeeding raw meat-based diets (RMBD) to companion animals raises public health concerns for both animals and humans. While considerable attention has been paid to bacterial contamination of commercial pet food, few literature studies have investigated foodborne disease in companion animals. Salmonellosis is reported to be infrequent in cats but no known data or studies estimating feline salmonellosis are available or large-scale epidemiological studies assessing Salmonella risk factors.Case presentationTwo highly suspected cases of salmonellosis in two cats fed with a commercial frozen poultry RMBD are presented, for the first time from the same household. The clinical presentation, diagnostics, treatment and follow-up are reported and the zoonotic implications are discussed.ConclusionsThis case highlights the health risks posed to both animals and owners by feeding RMBD to pets, and suggests that these risks should be considered by veterinary practitioners.

Tick-Virus Interactions: Toll Sensing.

Ticks are important vectors of viruses that infect and cause disease in man, livestock, and companion animals. The major focus of investigation of tick-borne viruses has been the interaction with the mammalian host, particularly the mechanisms underlying disease and the development of vaccines to prevent infection. Only recently has research begun to investigate the interaction of the virus with the tick host. This is striking when considering that the virus spends far more time infecting the tick vector relative to the vertebrate host. The assumption has been that the tick host and virus have evolved to reach an equilibrium whereby virus infection does not impede the tick life cycle and conversely, the tick does not restrict virus replication and through blood-feeding on vertebrates, disseminates the virus. The development and application of new technologies to tick-pathogen interactions has been fuelled by a number of developments in recent years. This includes the release of the first draft of a tick genome, that of Ixodes scapularis, and the availability of tick-cell lines as convenient models to investigate interactions. One of the by-products of these investigations has been the observation of familiar proteins in new situations. One such protein family is Toll and Toll-like receptors that in vertebrates play a key role in detection of microorganisms, including viruses. But does Toll signaling play a similar role in detection of virus infection in ticks, and if it does, how does this affect the maintenance of viruses within the tick?

Clinical mycobacterial diseases of companion animals: part I

Mycobacterial diseases are being more frequently diagnosed in companion animals in first opinion practice in the UK. These infections can be challenging both to diagnose and manage; this and a following article aim to give an overview of the relevant background and epidemiology, diagnosis, management and prognosis for companion animal mycobacteriosis (CAM). This first article discusses the different mycobacterial species involved with CAM, the epidemiology and the various clinical presentations which may result from infection.

Ticks and tick-borne diseases: A roundtable discussion

Both ticks endemic to the UK and exotic tick species are important as vectors of a variety of pathogens causing diseases in companion animals and in humans. It is generally felt that tick abundance is increasing and tick ranges expanding, but there is a lack of robust long-term data to confirm this, and more surveys such as those that have been carried out by Bristol University are needed. In the UK, most cases of clinical disease in companion animals involve dogs with babesiosis; PCR of appropriate samples is useful in diagnosis of this and other tick-borne infections. Cases involving the small Babesia species are particularly challenging to treat. Clinical disease due to tick-borne pathogens is rare in cats but can occur, particularly in immunosuppressed individuals. More studies are needed on treatment of these pathogens in companion animals. Tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme disease, can be important zoonoses. There is still much to be learned about treatment and about detection of the Lyme borreliosis pathogen. The passive tick surveillance scheme from the Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology unit of Public Health England, and other surveillance systems, have detected a wide range of ticks being imported on dogs entering or re-entering the UK, including both endemic and exotic species. There are risks of importation both of pathogens causing non-endemic diseases and of new species of ticks that might become established in the UK.

Expanding veterinary biosurveillance in Washington, DC: The creation and utilization of an electronic-based online veterinary surveillance system

ObjectivesTo enhance the early detection of emerging infectious diseases and bioterrorism events using companion animal-based surveillance. MethodsWashington, DC, small animal veterinary facilities (n=17) were surveyed to determine interest in conducting infectious disease surveillance. Using these results, an electronic-based online reporting system was developed and launched in August 2015 to monitor rates of canine influenza, canine leptospirosis, antibiotic resistant infections, canine parvovirus, and syndromic disease trends. ResultsNine of the 10 facilities that responded expressed interest conducting surveillance. In September 2015, 17 canine parvovirus cases were reported. In response, a campaign encouraging regular veterinary preventative care was launched and featured on local media platforms. Additionally, during the system’s first year of operation it detected 5 canine leptospirosis cases and 2 antibiotic resistant infections. No canine influenza cases were reported and syndromic surveillance compliance varied, peaking during National Special Security Events. ConclusionsSmall animal veterinarians and the general public are interested in companion animal disease surveillance. The system described can serve as a model for establishing similar systems to monitor disease trends of public health importance in pet populations and enhance biosurveillance capabilities.

Public health risk of antimicrobial resistance transfer from companion animals.

Antimicrobials are important tools for the therapy of infectious bacterial diseases in companion animals. Loss of efficacy of antimicrobial substances can seriously compromise animal health and welfare. A need for the development of new antimicrobials for the therapy of multiresistant infections, particularly those caused by Gram-negative bacteria, has been acknowledged in human medicine and a future corresponding need in veterinary medicine is expected. A unique aspect related to antimicrobial resistance and risk of resistance transfer in companion animals is their close contact with humans. This creates opportunities for interspecies transmission of resistant bacteria. Yet, the current knowledge of this field is limited and no risk assessment is performed when approving new veterinary antimicrobials. The objective of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the use and indications for antimicrobials in companion animals, drug-resistant bacteria of concern among companion animals, risk factors for colonization of companion animals with resistant bacteria and transmission of antimicrobial resistance (bacteria and/or resistance determinants) between animals and humans. The major antimicrobial resistance microbiological hazards originating from companion animals that directly or indirectly may cause adverse health effects in humans are MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, VRE, ESBL- or carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae and Gram-negative bacteria. In the face of the previously recognized microbiological hazards, a risk assessment tool could be applied in applications for marketing authorization for medicinal products for companion animals. This would allow the approval of new veterinary medicinal antimicrobials for which risk levels are estimated as acceptable for public health.

A surveillance system of diseases of small companion animals in the Veneto Region (Italy)

A surveillance system of diseases of small companion animals in the Veneto Region (Italy)

FACTOR VII DEFICIENCY IN POLISH HOUND – ACCIDENTAL EVENT OR NEW PERMANENT RISK?

The Polish Hound (ogar polski) is a small, old breed of hunting dogs.The breed was recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1966.A three–year–old Polish Hound male, was admitted to the Clinic of Internal Diseases of Companion Animals of Life Science University in Lublin because of signs of haemorhagic diathesis. There was no preceding history of trauma. General clinical examination was unremarkable. On initial diagnostic testing prothrombin time (PT)of the patient was prolonged nearly by three times. To characterize the dog’s coagulopathy further, samples were collected for coagulation screening tests, mixing studies and factor analyses. Investigations revealed factor VII activity below 2%.Unfortunately we had been unable to determine whether the disorder is inherited or is the result of a spontaneous mutation. It is very likely that the nature of described deficit is inherited. Canine hereditary FVII deficiency was first described in 1962 as an incidental finding in Beagles. Later, the defect was identified in another breeds, such as: English Bulldogs, Alaskan Malamutes, Miniature Schnauzers, Boxers, Scottish Deerhounds, Alaskan Klee Kai Dog and mixed–breed dogs. In 2005 a molecular characterization of FVII deficiency in Beagles was described. Unfortunately we had been unable to determine whether the disorder is inherited or is the result of a spontaneous mutation. To our knowledge this case is the first to report of isolated factor VII deficiency in Polish Hound.

Isolation of Brucella abortus from a Dog and a Cat Confirms their Biological Role in Re-emergence and Dissemination of Bovine Brucellosis on Dairy Farms.

Brucellosis is highly contagious bacterial zoonoses affecting a wide range of domesticated and wild animals. In this study, Brucella (B.) abortus bv 1 was identified in uterine discharge of apparently healthy bitch and queen with open pyometra housed on a cattle farm. This study highlights the role of dogs and cats as symptomatic carriers and reservoirs for Brucella. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first report of feline infection with B.abortus bv 1 globally. These pet animals may contaminate the environment and infect both livestock and humans. Surveillance and control programmes of brucellosis have to include eradication of the disease in dogs, cats and companion animals.

Parasitic zoonoses associated with dogs and cats: a survey of Portuguese pet owners' awareness and deworming practices.

BackgroundParasitic diseases of companion animals comprise a group of globally distributed and rapidly spreading illnesses that are caused by a wide range of arthropods, helminths and protozoa. In addition to their veterinary importance, many of these parasites can also affect the human population, due to their zoonotic potential. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the knowledge of Portuguese pet owners regarding the zoonotic potential of parasites that dogs and cats can harbour, most common drugs, frequency of use and reasons for endo- and ectoparasite control.MethodsSeventy hundred and fifty multiple-choice questionnaires designed to obtain data knowledge about the meaning of zoonosis, knowledge about parasitic diseases and perception regarding their zoonotic potential, as well as the drugs, frequency and reason for deworming their animals were delivered to dog and/or cat owners from non-rural (i.e. urban or semi-urban) and rural parishes who attended veterinary medical centres from continental Portugal.ResultsA total of 536 (71.5 %) questionnaires were retrieved. Two hundred and ninety five (56.5 %) responders had heard of zoonosis/zoonoses, but only 184 (35.2 %) knew their meaning. Tick fever, mange, leishmaniosis and ascaridiosis/roundworms were the parasitic diseases from pets most frequently identified. The number of owners who recognized the different parasitoses, who stated to have heard about zoonoses and who were aware of the potential transmission of parasites from animals to humans was significantly higher in those with intermediate (i.e. ≥9 and ≤ 12 years of schooling) and/or higher academic degree (i.e. licentiate, master’s and/or doctorate degrees). The combinations of febantel-pyrantel-praziquantel (23.5 %) and milbemycin-praziquantel (34.5 %) were the most widely endoparasitic drugs used in dogs and in cats, respectively. The most common ectoparasiticide used in dogs was a combination of imidacloprid-permethrin (33.4 %), while in cats it was imidacloprid (26.3 %) followed by fipronil (25.4 %). The most used treatment schedule against internal and external parasites in dogs and cats was an administration every three months and the main reason to do it was as a prophylactic purpose.ConclusionsThe majority of Portuguese owners that attended veterinarian clinics use endoparasiticides and ectoparasiticides in/on their pets as a prophylactic measure, although in many cases not in the correct schedule of treatment. In addition, most of them are not aware of the possible transmission of parasites from their dogs and cats to themselves, a fact which highlights the important role of veterinarians in the continuous implementation of effective control measures to reduce the risk of parasitic infections in both humans and companion animals.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1533-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Concise Review: Stem Cell Trials Using Companion Animal Disease Models.

Studies to evaluate the therapeutic potential of stem cells in humans would benefit from more realistic animal models. In veterinary medicine, companion animals naturally develop many diseases that resemble human conditions, therefore, representing a novel source of preclinical models. To understand how companion animal disease models are being studied for this purpose, we reviewed the literature between 2008 and 2015 for reports on stem cell therapies in dogs and cats, excluding laboratory animals, induced disease models, cancer, and case reports. Disease models included osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc degeneration, dilated cardiomyopathy, inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's fistulas, meningoencephalomyelitis (multiple sclerosis-like), keratoconjunctivitis sicca (Sjogren's syndrome-like), atopic dermatitis, and chronic (end-stage) kidney disease. Stem cells evaluated in these studies included mesenchymal stem-stromal cells (MSC, 17/19 trials), olfactory ensheathing cells (OEC, 1 trial), or neural lineage cells derived from bone marrow MSC (1 trial), and 16/19 studies were performed in dogs. The MSC studies (13/17) used adipose tissue-derived MSC from either allogeneic (8/13) or autologous (5/13) sources. The majority of studies were open label, uncontrolled studies. Endpoints and protocols were feasible, and the stem cell therapies were reportedly safe and elicited beneficial patient responses in all but two of the trials. In conclusion, companion animals with naturally occurring diseases analogous to human conditions can be recruited into clinical trials and provide realistic insight into feasibility, safety, and biologic activity of novel stem cell therapies. However, improvements in the rigor of manufacturing, study design, and regulatory compliance will be needed to better utilize these models. Stem Cells 2016;34:1709-1729.

Comparative Study of the Vertebral Heart Scale (VHS) and the Cardiothoracic Ratio (CTR) in Healthy Poodle Breed dogs

Background: Veterinary cardiology has been widely divulged, especially because of the search for diagnostic methods that allow early identification of heart disease in companion animals. Several techniques are available, such as digital radiography (DR), computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) that are being applied to patients with various diseases. VHS has been widely used in clinical practice in veterinary medicine as a way to diagnose heart size increases in lateral thoracic radiography in small animals. Cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) is a predictive factor for cardiac insufficiency in humans. In veterinary medicine, this index is still little used. The objective of the present study was to compare the vertebral heart scale (VHS) and cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) to assess changes in the size of the cardiac silhouette dogs in thoracic radiographs.Materials, Methods & Results: The VHS and CTR of forty healthy poodle breed dogs (20 males and 20 females) from University Veterinary Hospital at the Federal University of Piauí were assessed. The animals were placed in supine and lateral decubitus, to obtain radiographic images in dorsoventral (DV) and right and left laterolateral projections of the thoracic region. The images acquired on the photosensitive radiographic chassis were analyzed by digital radiographic image system installed in the Image Diagnosis Service of the University Veterinary Hospital -HVU/UFPI. VHS (Vertebral Heart Scale) measurements were taken using the sum of the heart length and heart width at its greatest diameter, comparing with the vertebral bodies from the fourth thoracic vertebra (T4). The CTR was assessed by comparing the greatest width of the heart silhouette and the distance between the thoracic walls at height T8. The heart width was measured from the two greatest distances (ML and MR), from the vertical line that divides the limit between the right and left sides of the heart, at the point of its greatest diameter. Similarly, the thoracic width was measured at the point of greatest thoracic diameter (MTD). The mean of the VHS and CTR in the males was 9.83 ± 0.85v and 0.48 ± 0.05, respectively. The females showed values of 9.65 ± 0.65v and 0.50 ± 0.03, respectively (P > 0.05). The mean of the VHS and CTR, considering males and females, was 9.72 ± 0.73v and 0.48 ± 0.04, respectively. VHS and weight correlated positively (r = 0.96), as the CTR and weight (r = 0.94). VHS and age showed high correlation (r = 0.96) as CTR and age (r = 0.93). VHS and CTR showed high correlation (r = 0.96).Discussion: Although congenital malformations and genetic diseases can occur, the acquired heart diseases correspond to most of the complications found in dogs. VHS increases considerably 6 to 12 months before the development of congestive heart failure (CHF). The poodles studied, considering the universe of males and females (P < 0.05), presented mean VHS values of 9.72 ± 0.73v. Similarly, there was no significant difference between genders for VHS measured in right and left decubitus in normal dogs. The cardiothoracic ratio measured for the poodles studied showed mean values of 0.48 ± 0.05. In humans, values below 0.5 are considered normal, while values above this may indicate the presence of cardiomegaly. The CTR is intimately related to the volume of the left ventricle and CTR values above 0.5 in humans are pathological. Our results demonstrated that VHS and CTR showed strong correlation in their measurements, suggesting that CTR, constantly used in humans, could be considered as a tool to assess the size of the heart silhouette in dogs of the poodle breed.

Development of Structure-Based Vaccines for Ehrlichiosis.

The obligate intracellular bacterium Ehrlichia chaffeensis that resides in mononuclear phagocytes is the etiologic agent of human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis (HME). HME is an emerging and often life-threatening zoonotic, tick-transmitted infectious disease in the USA. Lack of early diagnosis and treatment of HME are the main factors that lead to severe and fatal disease. Ehrlichia also causes diseases in companion animals and domesticated ruminants. E. chaffeensis and E. canis cause canine ehrlichioses in dogs, whereas E. ruminantium causes heartwater in cattle, sheep, and goats. As yet there are no commercially available vaccines to protect against these pathogens. This chapter describes a protocol to develop a structure-based vaccine for Ehrlichia based on the antigenic proteins P28-19 and Ehrlichia Hsp60.

Uso de «Chancapiedra» (Phyllantus niruri) como Terapia para la Urolitiasis por Estruvita en un Conejo (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Mascota

La urolitiasis es una enfermedad común en animales de compañía, pero su etiopatogénesis y frecuencia es poco conocida en conejos. El tratamiento convencional sugerido puede ser quirúrgico o médico; sin embargo, el tratamiento alternativo basado en el uso de la planta «chancapiedra» (Phyllantus niruri) es comúnmente empleado en casos de urolitiasis humana en la medicina tradicional peruana, aunque se desconocen sus mecanismos farmacológicos. Se reporta el caso de un conejo macho que presentaba disuria y dolor a la palpación abdominal. El examen radiográfico reveló la presencia de un cuerpo radiopaco en la uretra. Se diagnosticó urolitiasis y se programó el tratamiento quirúrgico para el día siguiente, sugiriéndose como terapia complementaria la infusión de «chancapiedra» como agua de bebida. Al día siguiente el propietario halló el urolito cerca al dormidero de su mascota y el examen ultrasonográfico reveló la ausencia del cálculo en el tracto urinario del animal. El examen de laboratorio indicó que el urolito estaba compuesto de fosfato amónico-magnésico.