Dogs In Grenada Research Articles

Retrospective Analysis of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Clinical Samples of Dogs in Grenada, West Indies

Background: Clinical infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, imposing a severe economic burden. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a gram-negative bacterium, had demonstrated a prominent level of acquired antimicrobial resistance to its selective antimicrobials. Currently, there is no updated information about the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Grenada. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of P. aeruginosa from the clinical isolates of dogs in Grenada. Methods: This retrospective study used the diagnostic reports from January 2015 to December 2022. The diagnostic microbiology laboratory reports of canine patients at the Small Animal Clinic of St. George’s University in Grenada were analyzed to study the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of P. aeruginosa. Result: Among the various bacterial clinical isolates, ninety-one clinical samples were positive for P. aeruginosa. The antimicrobial susceptibility test pattern of these isolates revealed susceptibility to gentamicin (95.6 %), ceftazidime (96.7%), imipenem (97.7%) and ciprofloxacin (97.8%). The result of the present retrospective study illustrates that P. aeruginosa isolates from canine patients in Grenada are susceptible to the recommended antimicrobial drugs. However, this study also revealed the recent development of progressive antimicrobial resistance. This mandates the judicious use of antibacterial drugs against bacterial infections in Grenada.

Ancylostoma ceylanicum Hookworms in Dogs, Grenada, West Indies.

Ancylostoma ceylanicum hookworms are recognized agents of human infection in the Asia–Pacific region. We investigated prevalence of zoonotic hookworm infections in dogs in Grenada in 2021; 40.8% were infected by hookworms, including Ancylostoma ceylanicum. Surveillance of this parasite in dogs and humans is needed in tropical/subtropical countries in the Americas.

Antimicrobial resistance patterns of commensal Escherichia coli isolated from feces of non-diarrheic dogs in Grenada, West Indies.

Background and Aim:There is currently no published information on the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of commensal Escherichia coli in dogs of Grenada origin. Monitoring antimicrobial resistance helps in the empirical selection of antibiotics. This study determined the occurrence of E. coli including the O157:H7 serotype in feces of non-diarrheic dogs of Grenada origin and the antibiotic resistance pattern of the E. coli isolates.Materials and Methods:Fecal samples from 142 of the 144 (98.6%) dogs were culture positive for E. coli. Selection of up to three colonies from each of the 142 E. coli-positive samples yielded a total of 402 E. coli isolates, which were analyzed for the presence of non-sorbitol fermenting colonies, and O157-agglutination.Results:Of the 402 E. coli isolates, 30 (7.5%) were non-sorbitol fermenters. However, none of the 402 isolates gave a positive reaction (O157:H7) to the E. coli O157:H7 latex kit. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests against 12 antibiotics revealed low resistance rates to all the tested antibiotics except for tetracycline (Te) (23.4%), cephalothin (CF) (13.2%), and ampicillin (AM) (7.7%). Thirty-nine out of the 402 (9.7%), E. coli isolates were resistant to two or more antibiotics of different classes.Conclusion:This is the first report of isolation and antimicrobial susceptibilities of commensal E. coli from non-diarrheic dogs in Grenada. Some of the isolates (39/402 isolates, 9.7%) were resistant to multiple antibiotics. This study showed that presently, dogs in Grenada should not be considered a reservoir for the E. coli O157:H7 serotype and for multiple antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains. Among the 402 E. coli isolates, the resistance rate to drugs other than Te, CF, and AM was very low.

Serovars and antimicrobial resistance of non-typhoidal Salmonella isolated from non-diarrhoeic dogs in Grenada, West Indies.

Non‐typhoidal salmonellosis remains an important public health problem worldwide. Dogs may harbour Salmonella in their intestines and can easily shed Salmonella in the environment with the possibility of transmission to humans. Thus, monitoring is essential to understand the role of dogs in zoonotic transmission. The objectives of this study were to determine the shedding of Salmonella by owned, apparently healthy dogs in Grenada, West Indies, to identify the serovars, and to examine their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles. Faecal samples collected during August to October, 2016 from 144 non‐diarrhoeic owned dogs were examined by enrichment and selective culture for the presence of Salmonella spp. Eight (5.6%) of the tested animals were culture positive, yielding 35 Salmonella isolates that belonged to six serovars of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica. These were serovars Arechavaleta from two dogs, Arechavaleta and Montevideo from one dog, and Javiana, Rubislaw, Braenderup and Kiambu from one dog each. All these serovars have been reported as causes of human salmonellosis globally. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests on 35 isolates showed absence of resistance to the currently used drugs for cases of human salmonellosis, including ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime. One isolate (2.9%) was resistant to neomycin, two isolates (5.7%) showed intermediate susceptibility to neomycin, and another (2.9%) had intermediate susceptibility to tetracycline. This is the first report of isolation and antimicrobial susceptibilities of non‐typhoidal Salmonella serovars from dogs in Grenada. This study shows that dogs in Grenada may be involved in the epidemiology of salmonellosis.

Expression pattern of tumor markers in canine hemangiopericytoma

Hemangiopericytoma is a common vascular neoplasm of dog thought to be derived from pericytes. A study was undertaken on 15 canine tumors selected from biopsy and necropsy (N) submissions for the period 2004 to 2016 of dogs in Grenada which were diagnosed histologically as canine hemangiopericytomas. Immunohistochemistry was performed on nine (9) cases to determine the reactivity for vimentin, cytokeratin, chromogranin A, c-Myc, and p53. All 9 cases (100%) showed reactivity for vimentin and four cases (44.4%) were positive for c-Myc. All cases were uniformly nonreactive for cytokeratin, chromogranin A and p53. Since vimentin is a protein expressed in mesenchymal cells, further studies using more tumor markers are indicated to differentiate canine hemangiopericytoma from other mesenchymal sarcomas.

Bacterial Isolates from Urinary Tract Infection in Dogs in Grenada, and Their Antibiotic Susceptibility

Of 52 culture positive urine samples from dogs in Grenada for six years (2004 through 2009) 65.5% of isolates were Gram-negative bacteria, with E. coli as the predominant species, followed by Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Other Gram-negative isolates included Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter anitratus, and Serratia plymuthica. Among the Gram-positive isolates, Staphylococcus intermedius was the most common species, followed by S. aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and enterococci. Sensitivity results obtained with 6 antibiotics showed least resistance to enrofloxacin, the rate being 19% for all isolates together. More than two-thirds of isolates were resistant to tetracycline. For Gram-positive isolates, resistance to cephalothin was even less than that against enrofloxacin, with a rate of only 13%. Overall resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was 36%. The most common drug used for treatment of urinary tract infections in Grenada has been amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, followed by enrofloxacin.

Prevalence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in stray dogs (Canis familiaris) from Grenada, West Indies

In the present study, fecal samples from 445 stray dogs, collected during July 2008 to December 2012 were examined for gastrointestinal parasites. Fecal samples were collected throughout the six parishes of the country, under the national rabies control program. Fecal samples were examined for gastrointestinal (GI) parasites by flotation technique. Out of 445 dogs 394 (88.5%) (95% Confidence interval (CI) 84.54% to 91.46%) dogs were found infected with one or more species of gastrointestinal parasites. The results revealed the presence of at least one parasite egg of 73% Ancylostoma spp., 15.7% Trichuris vulpis, 3.8% Toxocara canis, 1.4% Coccidia spp. and 1.1% Strongyloides spp. The prevalence of the GI parasites according to stray dog age groups was statistically significant (p 0.05, χ2). Analyzing the prevalence of GI parasites in various age groups the results showed that dogs under 12 weeks of age had a higher prevalence than juveniles (12–24 weeks) and adults (over 24 weeks). The presence of zoonotic parasites in stray dogs in Grenada, poses possible risks of contamination of the environment which may have public health implications.

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma in two dogs in Grenada, West Indies: Case report

Primary lung tumours are uncommon in the dog, whereas pulmonary metastatic neoplastic involvement is common. We report the pathologic features of pulmonary adenocarcinoma in two dogs (case No. 1:10 -year-old castrated male German Shepherd dog; case No. 2: adult intact male pothound stray dog). Case No. 1 presented with left hind limb paralysis and pain upon walking; it was also positive for heart worm disease. There was no history for Case No. 2 which was euthanized and submitted for disposal under the stray dog control program of the Ministry of Health and the Division of Veterinary and Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry, Fisheries & Environment, Grenada. Post-mortem examination revealed a single pulmonary nodule in both cases with metastasis to the liver and pelvic canal in case No. 1. Histopathologically, all the tumour masses consisted of neoplastic, polygonal to cuboidal epithelial cells with moderate amounts of cytoplasm and a large hyperchromatic nucleus arranged in nests and trabeculae. Immunohistochemically, the epithelial cells possessed keratin-cytokeratin in their cytoplasm. The origin of these tumours from bronchiolar epithelial cells or alveolar type I pneumocyte is suggested. Although the incidence of canine primary lung neoplasms is markedly low, this condition must be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary lesions in older dogs.

Squamous cell carcinoma in nasal and paranasal sinus in dogs in Grenada, West Indies

Squamous cell carcinoma is considered rare among neoplasms in the nasal and paranasal sinuses. Out of the 987 dogs with tumors on various sites, 14 dogs (1.4%) had tumors in the nasal and paranasal sinuses; including two squamous cell carcinomas. In the present communication, we describe squamous cell carcinoma in these 2 dogs. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first report of squamous cell carcinoma in the nasal cavity in dogs from Grenada.

Intraoperative bleeding in dogs from Grenada seroreactive to Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis.

BackgroundFrequent exposure of Grenadian dogs to Rhipicephalus sanguineus results in Anaplasma platys, and Ehrlichia canis seroreactivity. During elective surgeries, substantial intraoperative hemorrhage occurs in some seroreactive dogs.ObjectivesTo assess hemostatic parameters and bleeding tendencies as well as prevalence of PCR positivity in apparently healthy A. platys and E. canis seroreactive and seronegative free‐roaming dogs from Grenada.AnimalsForty‐seven elective surgery dogs allocated to 4 groups: Seronegative control (n = 12), A. platys (n = 10), E. canis (n = 14) and A. platys, and E. canis (n = 11) seroreactive.MethodsPreoperatively, hemostasis was assessed by platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and buccal mucosal bleeding time. Intra‐ and postoperative bleeding scores were subjectively assigned. Blood, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph node aspirates were tested by PCR.ResultsBleeding scores in dogs coseroreactive for A. platys and E. canis were higher (P = .015) than those of seronegative dogs. A. platys DNA was amplified from 7/21 (33%) A. platys seroreactive dogs and from 1 E. canis seroreactive dog; E. canis DNA was amplified from 21/25 (84%) E. canis seroreactive dogs. E. canis DNA was amplified most often from blood, whereas A. platys DNA was amplified most often from bone marrow.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceApparently healthy, free‐roaming dogs coseropositive for A. platys and E. canis may have increased intraoperative bleeding tendencies despite normal hemostatic parameters. Future investigations should explore the potential for vascular injury as a cause for bleeding in these dogs. Improved tick control is needed for dogs in Grenada.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in stray and owned dogs of Grenada, West Indies

Aim: This serological survey was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in two populations of dogs (stray and owned dogs) in Grenada. Dogs get infected with oocysts voided from cats, definitive hosts of T. gondii. In dogs, T. gondii causes subclinical to clinical disease. Earlier studies conducted in Grenada on a small population of owned dogs showed evidence of exposure to T. gondii. Materials and Methods: Antibodies to T. gondii were determined in serum samples from 625 dogs (368 stray and 257 owned dogs) from around all six parishes in Grenada, West Indies, using an indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 123 (33.4%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 28.58-38.22%) of stray dogs and in 64 (25%; 95% CI: 19.71-30.29%) of the owned dogs. Seropositivity was higher in stray dogs than in pet dogs (p=0.026). Whereas, there was no sex predisposition to seropositivity in owned dogs (p=1.0), female stray dogs showed a higher prevalence than male stray dogs (p=0.04). Conclusion: These results support previous findings that T. gondii is prevalent in Grenada. In this study, overall seropositivity for T. gondii in dogs in Grenada is lower than noted in 2008, but is still higher in stray dogs than in owned dogs.

Seroprevalence of Canine Leishmaniasis in Owned and Stray Dogs from Grenada, West Indies

The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Leishmania antibodies in two populations of dogs (owned and stray) in Grenada, West Indies. Leishmainiasis caused by a hemoflagelate protozoan, is zoonotic disease that affects a wide range of animals including man. Dogs are considered main reservoir for the organism. Antibodies to Leishmania spp were determined in serum samples from 836 dogs (344 stray and 492 owned dogs) using qualitative immunochromatographic dipstick tests (ICTs) based on recombinant antigens specific for visceral leishmaniasis (Kalzar detect rapid test:In Bios, USA). Seropositivity for leishamanis spp. was detected in 23 dogs (2.7%, 95% confidence Interval (CI) 1.06% to 3.8%). Thirteen of these were stray dogs (3.7%) and ten were owned dogs (2.0%). Results from this study indicate that dogs in Grenada are exposed at a low level to leishamaniasis.

Immunohistochemical Detection of p53 Tumor Suppressor Protein in Round Cell Tumors of Dogs in Grenada, West Indies

Immunohistochemical Detection of p53 Tumor Suppressor Protein in Round Cell Tumors of Dogs in Grenada, West Indies

Immunohistochemical detection of c-Myc oncoprotein in round cell tumors of dogs in Grenada, West Indies

The expression pattern of tumor molecular marker c-Myc in some canine round cell tumors in Grenada was retrospectively examined. A total of 40 tumors including 19 transmissible venereal tumor (TVT), 14 canine cutaneous histiocytoma (CCH) and 7 mast cell tumor (MCT) were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining for the presence of c-Myc proto-oncoprotein. Nuclear over expression of c- Myc was detected as moderate to strong immunoreactivity in mast cell tumor and weak in TVT and CCH. The percentage of immunomarked cells for c-Myc was 15.8 % for TVT, 14.3 % for CCH and 57.1 % for MCT. The correlation between expression pattern and malignancy or proliferative potential of these tumors was difficult to establish.

Exposure to <em>Brucella canis</em> in Owned and Stray Dogs in Grenada, West Indies

The aim of this cross sectional study was to estimate the prevalence of exposure to <em>Brucella canis</em> in owned and stray dogs in Grenada. Documentation of exposure to this important bacterial pathogen in dogs will facilitate instituting appropriate prevention and control measures and education of the public about potential zoonotic implications. Serum samples were collected from 255 stray and 204 owned dogs in Grenada from 2009 to 2011. Sera were initially screened with the rapid slide agglutination test and the positive samples further tested with 2-mercaptoethanol rapid slide agglutination test. Exposure to <em>B. canis</em> was found in 10 stray dogs but none in owned dogs.

Spirocercosis in owned and stray dogs in Grenada

The aim of this retrospective study was to estimate the prevalence of Spirocerca lupi and its associated lesions in owned and stray dogs in Grenada. During 2001–2011 necropsies were carried out on 1022 owned and 450 stray dogs at the pathology diagnostic laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada. Lesions due to S. lupi characterized by focal to multifocal granulomatous esophagitis with aneurysms, mineralized plaques and nodules in the adjacent thoracic aorta were found in 90 (8.8%; 95% confidence interval, 7.1–10.5%) of owned dogs and 64 (14.2%; 95% CI, 11.2–17.6%) of stray dogs. Stray dogs were significantly more affected by spirocercosis than owned dogs (p=0.0022). Of the 90 owned dogs with spirocercosis, 3 dogs had aberrant migration to the thoracic vertebral column with resultant spondylitis; 1 dog each had aberrant migration involving the stomach and the lung. Two dogs had ruptured aorta with hemothorax. Among the 64 stray dogs with spirocercosis, one dog had an esophageal granuloma that transformed into a fibroblastic osteosarcoma; spondylitis due to aberrant migration of S. lupi and hypertrophic osteopathy. We report spirocercosis for the first time in the dogs from a tropical island of Grenada.

Neoplastic and Nonneoplastic Cutaneous Tumors of Dogs in Grenada, West Indies

This retrospective survey was undertaken between 2002 and 2007 on samples from dogs residing in Grenada. The objectives of the study were to identify the most common histologic types of canine cutaneous tumors, determine the relative frequency of each tumor type, and compare results to reports from other regions. In a series of 225 skin masses examined, the proportion of neoplasms was 72% whereas nonneoplastic tumors accounted for 15.6%, and inflammatory conditions constituted 12.4%. There were 10 types of nonneoplastic tumors with hamartomas being the most common (28.5%), followed by sebaceous hyperplasia (25.7%) and fibroepithelial polyps (22.8%). The 10 most common cutaneous neoplasms were hemangiosarcomas (19.1%), histiocytomas (8.6%), melanocytomas (8%), mast cell tumors (6.8%), lipomas (6.8%), hemangiopericytomas (6.2%), papillomas (5.6%), fibrosarcomas (5.6%), hemangiomas (4.9%), and squamous cell carcinomas (4.3%). Tumors of vascular origin and transmissible venereal tumors were more common in dogs in our study than reported from other regions.

A serological study ofDirofilaria immitisin feral cats in Grenada, West Indies

A study to determine the seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis was carried out in feral cats in Grenada. Of the 137 feral cats tested for circulating antibodies (IgG; lateral-flow immunoassay) and circulating antigens (Ag; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), 8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.5-12.5%) were antibody positive and 5.1% (95% CI 1.4-8.8%) were antigen positive. No significant difference between cats aged>1 to 4 years and cats less than 1 year of age was found (P>0.05, χ²). There was also no significant difference (P>0.05, χ²) between male and female cats. Dirofilaria immitis prevalence is relatively high in the feral cat population of Grenada. Evidence of D. immitis infection in feral cats coupled with the endemic nature of heartworm disease in dogs in Grenada leads us to suggest the introduction of heartworm prophylaxis in cats. To the authors' knowledge, this serological evidence of heartworm infection in feral cats in Grenada is the first report from the Caribbean region.

Seroprevalence of Canine Leishmaniasis and American Trypanosomiasis in Dogs from Grenada, West Indies

Canine leishmaniasis and American trypanosomiasis (AT) are caused by related hemoflagellated parasites, Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi, which share several common host species. Dogs are reservoirs for human infections by both pathogens. We determined the prevalence of antibodies to Leishmania spp. and T. cruzi in dogs from Grenada, West Indies. We examined 70 dog sera using the qualitative immunochromatographic dipstick tests (ICTs) based on recombinant antigens specific for visceral leishmaniasis and AT. Antibodies to visceral Leishmania were not detected in Grenadian dogs by ICT. Using the canine dipsticks for AT, antibodies to T. cruzi were determined in 3 (4.3%) of the 70 dogs. Results from this study indicate that dogs in Grenada are exposed in low levels to T. cruzi , but not to visceral Leishmania spp. at all.

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum Antibodies in Dogs From Grenada, West Indies

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are structurally similar parasites with many common hosts. The prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum was determined in sera from dogs in Grenada, West Indies. Using a modified agglutination test, antibodies to T. gondii were found in 52 (48.5%) of the 107 dogs, with titers of 1:25 in 17, 1:50 in 19, 1:100 in 7, 1:1,600 in 5, and 1:3,200 or higher in 4. Seroprevalence increased with age from 2.2% in dogs <6 mo old to 18.9% in dogs older than 2 yr, indicating postnatal transmission of T. gondii in this population of canines. There was no correlation between the health of the dogs and the seroprevalence or magnitude of the T. gondii titer. Antibodies to N. caninum were determined by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Two of the 107 dogs had N. caninum antibodies (IFAT titers 1:100 and 1:400); these dogs had T. gondii titers of 1:1,600 and 1:50, respectively. Results indicate that these 2 structurally similar protozoa are antigenically different.