Parvoviral Enteritis Research Articles

Suspected Leukoencephalopathy Associated with Parvovirus Infection in a White Shaker with Parvoviral Enteritis and Neosporosis

Suspected Leukoencephalopathy Associated with Parvovirus Infection in a White Shaker with Parvoviral Enteritis and Neosporosis

Update on Canine Parvovirus Infection: A Review from the Literature

| Canine parvovirus (CPV) enteritis is a highly contagious, virulent, acute, and fatal gastrointestinal viral disease that fundamentally transforms the pups and collapses the body’s posthaste branching organs, such as bone marrow, lymph node, and the flimsy cell of the intestine, causing bloody diarrhea amidst a high mortality and morbidity rate. CPV is distributed in the family Parvoviridae beneath the subfamily Parvovirinae that pertains to the genus Protoparvoviorus with a high genomic replacement unlike other DNA virus; the organism is primarily segmented into three forms acknowledged as (CPV-2a, CPV-2b, and CPV-2c), which resembles to be liable for the infection’s statewide spread. For transmission, the fecal-oral pathway is deemed the most obvious route than other permissible routes. Moreover, spreading through contact interactions, environmental pollutants, and the host reservoir, like a stray dog, could be feasible. Distressingly, such a pathogen is currently endemic in Asian nations, including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and China. Thus, the literature review encompassed comprehensive knowledge concerning contemporary disease occurrence with causes and transmission imperative for management practice. Besides, the study converged on afresh advanced treatment procedures, vaccine progressions, and public awareness efforts, which can be a baseline for the policymaker, veterinarians and pet owner to limit further outbreaks.

Improved Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for Visual, Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Canine Parvovirus Antigenic Types

Canine parvoviral enteritis remains one of the dreaded enteric viral diseases of dogs. Rapid detection of the etiological agent, Canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2) is required for managemental intervention and initiating therapeutic and control measures. The present study describes Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) using loop primers, validating the assay on all the circulating CPV-2 antigenic types and testing in 120 suspected clinical samples. The novel LAMP assay was completed within 30-45 min at 64°C in a water bath. Analytical sensitivity of the LAMP assay was 100 times more than conventional PCR and was comparable to real-time PCR. LAMP was able to detect 62 positive samples while conventional PCR could detect only in 51 samples. The developed LAMP provides a simple, rapid, cost-effective, sensitive, specific method of detection of CPV-2 infection in dogs in clinical settings.

Lifetime diagnosis of carnivore plague

Main problem: Until now the problem of intravital direct diagnosis of canine plague (Kara's disease), aimed at detecting the viral antigen in the secretions and excretions of sick animals, remains urgent. In the case of the disease of carnivorous dogs, the issue of reliable intravital diagnosis is more urgent, since the plague of carnivores in dogs is treated. Lifetime diagnosis of this disease by methods applicable in veterinary clinics is preferable, since in the case of timely and correct diagnosis, therapeutic measures will be more effective. Purpose: To improve the system of antiepizootic measures against canine plague among dogs in terms of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Methods: Analysis of data from private veterinary clinics reporting on the incidence of small domestic animals was used. Various serological methods were used. Differential diagnosis from infectious hepatitis in dogs was carried out by means of CBR, DPR, from parvovirus enteritis - by HIR with cat erythrocytes. To check the specificity of reactions and determine the concentration of the test material, excluding false positive results, samples of pathological material obtained from dogs with various infectious diseases, as well as those obtained from healthy intact animals, were examined. Results and their significance: The use of a complex of various diagnostic methods ensures the diagnosis of plague of carnivores in any form of the disease and at any stage, even in the case of mixed infections, as well as differentiate it from parvovirus enteritis, infectious hepatitis and other carnivorous diseases similar to plague. Valuable in the RAM for the detection of the virus-specific antigen of the plague of carnivorous virus is that it can be used to diagnose the disease in vivo by examining fecal samples and swabs from the oral and nasal cavities.

Morphofunctional changes in sable organs and tissues in parvovirus enteritis

High resistance of the caged sable to infectious diseases was noted during the long-term practice of fur-bearing animals breeding. But in recent years, local epizootics in sables, manifested by enteritis, have increasingly begun to appear in fur farms. Parvovirus enteritis was established in the laboratory study of pathological material from sick animals by PCR and RHA. The causative agent of this disease is a virus belonging to the Parvoviridae family, the genome of which is represented by single-stranded DNA. The structure of the virion makes all parvoviruses very stable in the external environment. Carnivore parvoviruses penetrate almost all cells of the body, and reproduce only in the most mitotically active tissues, which is the constantly reproducing intestinal epithelium. Parvoviruses are characterized, on the one hand, by a high (up to 98.5%) degree of genome identity and, on the other hand, by pronounced antigenic variability and genomic polymorphism. This indicates the possibility of interspecific transmission and damage to side (random) hosts, which can serve as a reservoir for recombination and selection of strains with new antigenic properties and species tropism. Since 2017, employees of the Research Institute of Fur-Bearing and Rabbit Breeding named after V.A. Afanasyev, monitoring studies are carried out in various animal farms of the Russian Federation, where sable is bred and from pathological material from sables that have died with clinical signs of enteritis, the DNA of parvovirus is often isolated by PCR. Since the totality of the data obtained suggests the danger of the disease for the unique Russian sable with parvovirus enteritis, the study of morphological and functional changes in sables is an urgent task.

Evaluation of C-reactive protein, albumin, neopterin, urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor and leukocyte count as prognostic parameters in dogs with parvoviral enteritis

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, neopterin (Np), urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and leukocyte levels in dogs with parvoviral enteritis and to show the prognostic importance of these. In the study, a total of 48 dogs, 40 with parvoviral enteritis and 8 were healthy, were used. The dogs with parvoviral enteritis were divided into two subgroups, non-surviving (n=12) and surviving (n=28). The non-surviving dogs with parvoviral enteritis in the study had significantly (p<0.05) lower leukocyte levels than the control group and the surviving dogs with parvoviral enteritis. Serum albumin concentrations of non-surviving dogs with parvoviral enteritis were also significantly (p<0.05) lower than the control group. On the contrary, the CRP levels of the non-surviving and surviving dogs with parvoviral enteritis were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the control group. There was also no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of Np and uPAR levels. The cut-off values of leukocyte, CRP and albumin were 4.5×109L, 120.50 mg/L and 2.28 g/dL, respectively. As a result, it can be stated that decreased leukocyte and albumin levels and increased CRP levels in dogs with parvoviral enteritis may be an indicator of poor prognosis. It was also determined that serum Np and uPAR levels in dogs with parvoviral enteritis do not have any prognostic importance.

Assessment of certain biomarkers for predicting survival in response to treatment in dogs naturally infected with canine parvovirus

Canine parvovirus (CPV) enteritis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in puppies despite aggressive treatment. Identification of reliable biomarkers for CPV enteritis is essential to determine the severity, duration of hospitalization, and predict the clinical outcome. Meanwhile, the biomarkers will assist in decision-making with clients about the further course of treatment or euthanasia. The present study was conducted to evaluate the changes of total leukocyte count (TLC), neutrophil count, and serum concentrations of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), intestinal fatty acid binding protein-2 (IFABP-2), albumin, ceruloplasmin (Cp), cortisol, free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) in survivors and non-survivors as a predictor of the clinical outcome. Marked leukopenia, neutropenia, hypoalbuminemia, elevated levels of CK-MB, IFABP-2, Cp, and cortisol were noticed in CPV-infected dogs than healthy dogs but, LDH, FT3 and FT4 concentrations did not differ significantly. The CPV-infected non-survivors had persistent leukopenia, neutropenia and elevated CK-MB, IFABP-2, Cp and cortisol concentrations at 72 h of commencement of treatment. In CPV-infected survivors, TLC and neutrophil count were significantly increased, and CK-MB, IFABP-2, Cp and cortisol concentrations were significantly decreased at 72 h of commencement of treatment. The positive predictive values (PPVs) for survival using cut-off value of TLC (>3.2 × 103/μL), neutrophil count (>1.65 × 103/μL), CK-MB (≤234.50 U/L), IFABP-2 (≤7.61 ng/mL), Cp (≤0.605 g/L) and cortisol (≤16.90 ng/mL) were determined as 89.47%, 88.88%, 94.73%, 93.33%, 94.44% and 89.47%, respectively with better area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve as well as sensitivity. The magnitude of decrease in TLC, neutrophil count, and increase in CK-MB, IFABP-2, Cp and cortisol concentrations at 72 h of initiation of treatment in dogs with parvoviral enteritis could be useful indicators for the prognosis of the disease. Based on sensitivity (%) and specificity (%) from ROC curve analysis and PPV (%), it is concluded that serum CK-MB concentration will serve as the most useful biomarker followed by Cp and absolute neutrophil count.

Molecular characterisation of canine parvoviruses from clinical samples and vaccines in Nigeria.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) the causative agent of canine parvovirus enteritis is an intractable pathogen of dogs characterised by mutations, evolutionary changes and eventual vaccine failure. The disease is a serious problem in dogs with limited studies conducted in Nigeria. Therefore, this study was designed to characterise the subtypes of CPV isolates in six commonly used vaccines and 157 clinical samples collected from seven states in Nigeria from June 2016 to March 2018. Faecal samples collected from the clinical cases were subjected to in-clinic immunoassay to detect viral antigens. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify viral VP2 gene in the samples and commonly used vaccines in Nigeria. Thereafter, PCR products were sequenced and analysed. The result showed that 93.0% of the dogs tested positive for CPV in both assays; 72.8% were puppies less than six months old, with 58.3% of them vaccinated. Partial VP2 gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis of 11 random clinical samples showed that CPV-2c 7(63.6%) and CPV-2a 4(36.4%) were the predominant subtypes in Nigeria; with genetic signatures that are 98.7% to 99.9% closely related to Asian and European strains, respectively. No CPV-2b was detected. Amino acid mutation analysis divulged some imperative transmutation sites: D305Y, Y324I, Q370R, N375D, T440A, Y444S, I447M and Y451C in the isolates. The viruses in the vaccines were characterised as the wild-type CPV. The genetic variability, viral population heterogeneity and phylogenetic linkage with isolates from other countries probably suggest transboundary migrations and local differentiations are contributing to continuous CPV evolution and vaccine failure in Nigeria.

Serum biomarkers of endothelial glycocalyx injury in canine parvoviral infection

Canine parvoviral enteritis (PVE) is one of the most common diseases in young dogs. A range of diseases and inflammatory conditions can cause endothelial glycocalyx (eGCX) disruption, therefore, this study aimed to determine the presence of eGCX damage in dogs with PVE using serum biomarkers of eGCX, and to evaluate their prognostic importance among survivor and non-survivor dogs. Twenty dogs diagnosed with PVE and 10 healthy dogs of both sexes, mixed-breed, and under 6 months of age were included in the study. Clinical examination, blood gas analysis, and complete blood cell counts of the dogs were performed. To detect the eGCX injury, serum endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1), syndecan-1 (SDC-1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), and heparan sulfate (HS) levels were measured. Results showed that at the time of admission serum levels of ESM-1 were higher in dogs with PVE compared to that of the healthy dogs. Dogs with PVE were further assigned into two groups: survivors (n:10) and non-survivors (n:10). The ESM-1 had high sensitivity and specificity to differentiate between survivor and non-survivor dogs with values of 100% and 67%, respectively, with at an optimum cut-off point of ≥460 pg/mL. We concluded that higher levels of ESM-1 in dogs with PVE may indicate eGCX injury when compared to healthy dogs. Also, the high levels of serum ESM-1 in non-survivor dogs suggest that serum ESM-1 may carry some prognostic usefulness for predicting mortality in dogs with PVE.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium bacteraemia in a puppy with canine parvoviral enteritis

A 12-week-old female intact, pit bull terrier cross breed puppy presented with vomiting and haemorrhagic diarrhoea. Phagocytosed bacterial rods were observed on peripheral and central blood smears. A commercially available...

СРАВНИТЕЛЬНАЯ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ ИНФУЗИОННОЙ ТЕРАПИИ ПРИ ЛЕЧЕНИИ СОБАК, БОЛЬНЫХ ПАРВОВИРУСНЫМ ГАСТРОЭНТЕРИТОМ

The article presents the results of studies obtained through a comparative assessment of the infusion therapy effectiveness in treating dogs with parvovirus gastroenteritis. The problem of veterinary services for dogs in the conditions of Russian cities is becoming relevant, since in recent years in a number of cities of the Russian Federation outbreaks of natural focal and especially dangerous infections have been noted, when the source of their pathogens were domestic and synanthropic animals living near human dwellings, in economic and industrial objects and directly in urban areas. In connection with the increase in the incidence of parvovirus enteritis in dogs, the damage caused to them, in our country and abroad, the problem of studying this disease is becoming very urgent, as evidenced by numerous literary publications. The use of new drugs with a number of positive properties is limited and the issues of their use in veterinarian practice have not been sufficiently studied. The aim of the research was to carry out a comparative analysis of infusion therapy effectiveness when treating dogs with parvovirus enteritis. The studies were carried out at the “Doktor Aibolit” clinic in Rostov-on-Don. The subjects of the research were dogs with parvovirus enteritis. The initial diagnosis was made on the basis of anamnestic and clinical data, the final diagnosis was made only after laboratory tests and serological diagnostics. According to the principle of analogs, 15 dogs with parvovirus enteritis were selected for the experiment, and 3 groups were formed - 2 experimental and 1 control, 5 dogs each. Treatment of dogs with parvovirus enteritis was carried out in combination with the obligatory prescription of etiotropic and pathogenetic therapy. In 1 experimental group, Reamberin was used 100-200 ml once a day, in group 2 - RingerLocke’s solution; and in animals of the control group we used isotonic sodium chloride solution 0.9%. The effectiveness of infusion therapy in curing dogs with parvovirus gastroenteritis, using Reamberin, showed a 100% result; using a Ringer-Locke solution - 80%; using 0.9% sodium chloride - 60%. Based on the studies carried out, we recommend to use Reamberin at a dose of 100- 200 ml for intravenous infusion once a day for 4-5 days, for the treatment of dogs with parvovirus enteritis, as part of complex therapy.

Determinants of Work-Related Risks among Veterinary Clinical Students in South West Nigeria.

Veterinary practices or activities expose professionals, including students, to hazards associated with animal contact. To describe workplace health and safety status and risk factors associated with hazards among veterinary clinical students in South West Nigeria, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using a semistructured questionnaire. Data on demographics, health and safety (HS) status, work-related hazards, healthcare facilities, and immunisation history were obtained. Of 167 students recruited, 100 (60.2%) were males, and >77.1% fell within the age group of 21–25 years. Many participants (77.0%) reported the lack of active HS committee. Exposures to various physical hazards (PHs) such as needlestick injuries (NSIs, 41.5%), animal scratches (42.0%), animal kicks (33.0%), falls/slips (25.0%), and, less frequently, animal bites (13.8%) were reported. Allergies (35.9%) and acute gastrointestinal infection (25.6%) mainly after contact with dogs presented with parvoviral enteritis were reported. For chemical hazards, 27.8% and 29.0% of participants indicated having had eye burn and choke on exposure to formalin. No adequate immunisation against either tetanus, rabies, or both was provided (<18%). An association between accommodation type and students' level of health and safety training was observed (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.241–0.897, p=0.02), and frequencies of student contact with various animal types were strongly associated with exposures to different physical and biological risks (p < 0.05). This study revealed poor health and safety training, practices, and increased exposure of students to a wide range of hazards. Therefore, the development of mitigation programmes in veterinary schools becomes critical to safeguard students' wellbeing.

Analysis of canine parvoviruses circulating in Australia reveals predominance of variant 2b and identifies feline parvovirus-like mutations in the capsid proteins.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a major enteric pathogen of dogs worldwide that emerged in the late 1970s from a feline parvovirus (FPV)-like ancestral virus. Shortly after its emergence, variant CPVs acquired amino acid (aa) mutations in key capsid residues, associated with biological and/or antigenic changes. This study aimed to identify and analyse CPV variants and their capsid mutations amongst Australian dogs, to gain insights into the evolution of CPV in Australia and to investigate relationships between the disease and vaccination status of dogs from which viruses were detected. CPV VP2 sequences were amplified from 79 faecal samples collected from dogs with parvoviral enteritis at 20 veterinary practices in five Australian states. The median age at diagnosis was 4months (range 1-96months). Only 3.7% of dogs with vaccination histories had completed recommended vaccination schedules, while 49% were incompletely vaccinated and 47.2% were unvaccinated. For the first time, CPV-2b has emerged as the dominant antigenic CPV variant circulating in dogs with parvoviral enteritis in Australia, comprising 54.4% of viruses, while CPV-2a and CPV-2 comprised 43.1% and 2.5%, respectively. The antigenic variant CPV-2c was not identified. Analysis of translated VP2 sequences revealed a vast repertoire of amino acid (aa) mutations. Several Australian CPV strains displayed signatures in the VP2 protein typical of Asian CPVs, suggesting possible introduction of CPV strains from Asia, and/or CPV circulation between Asia and Australia. Canine parvoviruses were identified containing aa residues typical of FPV at key capsid (VP2) positions, representing reverse mutations or residual mutations retained from CPV-2 during adaptation from an FPV-like ancestor, suggesting that evolutionary intermediates between CPV-2 and FPV are circulating in the field. Similarly, intermediates between CPV-2a-like viruses and CPV-2 were also identified. These findings help inform a better understanding of the evolution of CPV in dogs.

Clinical evaluation of hyperimmune plasma for treatment of dogs with naturally occurring parvoviral enteritis.

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a single infusion of hyperimmune plasma (HIP) in dogs with canine parvovirus (CPV). Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. University teaching hospital. Client-owned dogs with naturally occurring CPV. Dogs presenting for CPV treatment (n=31) underwent cardiovascular resuscitation and were randomized to receive a single dose of either HIP (10mL/kg IV) or placebo (0.9% sodium chloride [10mL/kg IV]) during the first 6hours of hospitalization. All dogs were treated with a standardized treatment protocol (IV fluid therapy [120mL/kg/d isotonic crystalloids], cefoxitin [30mg/kg IV q 8 h], maropitant [1mg/kg IV q 24 h], and buprenorphine [0.01-0.02mg/kg IV q 8 h]) until hospital discharge. Dogs treated with HIP (n=16) demonstrated a lower shock index at 24 hours (median = 0.77, range: 0.5-1.5) than those treated with placebo (n=15, median = 1.34, range: 0.5-1.7; P= 0.02). Plasma lactate concentration was lower at 24 hours in HIP-treated dogs (median = 1.3mmol/L, range: 0.9-3.4mmol/L) than in placebo-treated dogs (median = 2.1mmol/L, range: 1.1-3.4mmol/L; P= 0.01). There was no difference in duration of hospitalization when comparing HIP-treated dogs (median = 3.2 days, range: 0.83-10 days) to placebo-treated dogs (median = 2.83 days, range: 1-8.38 days; P= 0.35). Survival was 16 of 16 (100%) for the HIP group and 14 of 15 (93.3%) for the placebo group (P= 0.32). HIP at 10mL/kg IV administered to dogs with CPV within the first 6hours of hospitalization improves markers of shock during the initial 24hours of hospitalization. No effects were observed on duration of hospitalization or mortality; however, this study was underpowered to evaluate these effects. HIP was well tolerated in this population of critically ill dogs.

Phylogenetic and Geospatial Evidence of Canine Parvovirus Transmission between Wild Dogs and Domestic Dogs at the Urban Fringe in Australia.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is an important cause of disease in domestic dogs. Sporadic cases and outbreaks occur across Australia and worldwide and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Whether transmission of CPV occurs between owned dogs and populations of wild dogs, including Canis familiaris, Canis lupus dingo and hybrids, is not known. To investigate the role of wild dogs in CPV epidemiology in Australia, PCR was used to detect CPV DNA in tissue from wild dogs culled in the peri-urban regions of two Australian states, between August 2012 and May 2015. CPV DNA was detected in 4.7% (8/170). There was a strong geospatial association between wild-dog CPV infections and domestic-dog CPV cases reported to a national disease surveillance system between 2009 and 2015. Postcodes in which wild dogs tested positive for CPV were 8.63 times more likely to also have domestic-dog cases reported than postcodes in which wild dogs tested negative (p = 0.0332). Phylogenetic analysis of CPV VP2 sequences from wild dogs showed they were all CPV-2a variants characterized by a novel amino acid mutation (21-Ala) recently identified in CPV isolates from owned dogs in Australia with parvoviral enteritis. Wild-dog CPV VP2 sequences were compared to those from owned domestic dogs in Australia. For one domestic-dog case located approximately 10 km from a wild-dog capture location, and reported 3.5 years after the nearest wild dog was sampled, the virus was demonstrated to have a closely related common ancestor. This study provides phylogenetic and geospatial evidence of CPV transmission between wild and domestic dogs in Australia.

Assessment of intestinal and cardiac-related biomarkers in dogs with parvoviral enteritis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intestinal and cardiac biomarkers in the determination of intestinal and cardiac damage in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. The material of this study consisted of 10 healthy dogs (control group) and 30 dogs with parvoviral enteritis (experimental group) admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University.Serum samples were extracted from the collected blood samples taken from vena cephalicavenipuncture for analysis of blood gases, haemogram and to measure the levels of intestinal-fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), trefoil factor 3 (TFF-3), claudin-3 (CLDN-3), heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kits. Statistically significant decreases in the blood gas hydrogen ion concentration (pH), partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), sodium (Na), bicarbonate (HCO3), and oxygen saturation (SatO2) levels and significant increase in the levels of I-FABP, TFF-3, CK-MB, cTnI and also in the haemogram, a decrease in leukocyte (WBC) level and an increase in platelet (THR) level were detected in parvoviral dogs compared to the control group (p⟨0.05). Also ROC analysis revealed on 0th hour for the utility of I-FABP and on 48th hour for TFF-3 in differentiating in the experimental group between the survivor and non-survivor dogs. Other intestinal-related biomarker (CLDN-3) and none of the cardiac-related biomarkers (H-FABP, CK-MB and cTnI) are not high enough for prediction of mortality.In conclusion, it was determined that I-FABP and TFF-3 for the intestinal injury and morta-lity prediction, and CK-MB and cTnI for the cardiac injury were useful and reliable biomarkers to determine the damage caused by parvovirus in dogs.

Canine parvovirus: a predicting canine model for sepsis

BackgroundSepsis is a severe condition associated with high prevalence and mortality rates. Parvovirus enteritis is a predisposing factor for sepsis, as it promotes intestinal bacterial translocation and severe immunosuppression. This makes dogs infected by parvovirus a suitable study population as far as sepsis is concerned. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the differences between two sets of SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) criteria in outcome prediction: SIRS 1991 and SIRS 2001. The possibility of stratifying and classifying septic dogs was assessed using a proposed animal adapted PIRO (Predisposition, Infection, Response and Organ dysfunction) scoring system.ResultsThe 72 dogs enrolled in this study were scored for each of the PIRO elements, except for Infection, as all were considered to have the same infection score, and subjected to two sets of SIRS criteria, in order to measure their correlation with the outcome.Concerning SIRS criteria, it was found that the proposed alterations on SIRS 2001 (capillary refill time or mucous membrane colour alteration) were significantly associated with the outcome (OR = 4.09, p < 0.05), contrasting with the 1991 SIRS criteria (p = 0.352) that did not correlate with the outcome. No significant statistical association was found between Predisposition (p = 1), Response (p = 0.1135), Organ dysfunction (p = 0.1135), total PIRO score (p = 0.093) and outcome. To explore the possibility of using the SIRS criteria as a fast decision-making tool, a Fast-and-Frugal tree (FFT) was created with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 29%.ConclusionThese results suggest that increasing the SIRS criteria specificity may improve their prognostic value and their clinical usefulness. In order to improve the proposed PIRO scoring system outcome prediction ability, more specific criteria should be added, mainly inflammatory and organ dysfunction biomarkers.

Evaluation of Serum Apolipoprotein A1 in Canine Sepsis.

Decreased serum apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1) concentration is associated with mortality in human sepsis. The diagnostic and prognostic role of serum Apo-A1 concentrations in canine sepsis was evaluated. Serum samples from septic dogs (n = 91) and healthy controls (n = 15) were retrospectively analyzed. According to the sepsis origin, four categories were identified: parvoviral enteritis (n = 26), pyometra (n = 20), septic peritonitis (n = 19), and miscellanea (n = 26). The canine acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation fast score (APPLEfast), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin concentrations were reviewed in all enrolled dogs. Increased CRP (252.6 ± 119.2 mg/L; Reference Interval: 0–8.5 mg/L) and significant lower serum albumin and Apo-A1 concentrations were documented in dogs with sepsis (22.8 ± 5.3 g/L and 1.17 ± 0.27 g/L, respectively) compared to healthy ones (33.1 ± 2.5 g/L and 1.32 ± 0.05 g/L, respectively) (P < 0.0001). According to the origin of sepsis, only the subgroup of dogs with septic peritonitis had significantly lower Apo-A1 (1.03 ± 0.26 g/L) concentrations compared to healthy dogs (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in serum albumin and CRP concentrations, and in APPLEfast score values among the different subgroups of sepsis. Diagnosis of septic peritonitis was associated with a higher frequency of death (P = 0.006). In septic dogs, significant lower Apo-A1 concentrations were detected in non-survivors (1.02 ± 0.28 g/L; n = 27) compared to survivors (1.23 ± 0.24 g/L; n = 64; P = 0.0007). Moreover, significant higher values of the APPLEfast score were calculated in non-survivors (26 ± 4; n = 19) compared to survivors (23 ± 4; n = 51) (P = 0.0114). According to the area under the ROC curve analysis, Apo-A1 <96 mg/dl had a fair accuracy (AUC = 0.72) to correctly predict mortality (P = 0.0004). Apo-A1 might support a diagnosis of canine septic peritonitis with a potential prognostic significance. Further prospective studies are warranted.

Role of electrolyte abnormalities and unmeasured anions in the metabolic acid‐base abnormalities in dogs with parvoviral enteritis

BackgroundThe strong ion model (SIM) is an alternative paradigm in the characterization of acid‐base disturbances particularly in complex disorders.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo compare the acid‐base changes in dogs with parvoviral enteritis (PE) using the Henderson‐Hasselbalch (HH) approach, with 2 strong ion approaches.AnimalsForty‐four dogs with PE, and 16 age‐matched control dogs.MethodsProspective controlled observational study. Acid‐base status was evaluated using the HH model, Fencl‐Stewart (FS) approach and a validated strong ion model (VDM). The acid‐base changes according to each model were classified and compared. Statistical correlations between pH, CO2, and various SIM variables were performed, as well as between the sum of effects (SOE) of the SIM and the individual variables comprising the SOE.ResultsThe HH model identified acid‐base disorders in 31/44 cases of which 16/31 were mixed with metabolic acidosis and concurrent respiratory alkalosis the most common (10/31). Using the FS approach, metabolic changes were present 36/42 cases, with changes in free water (FW), chloride, and unmeasured anions (UA) being the most prevalent. Both FW and UA correlated well with pH; however, UA were most consistently abnormal in severe acidemia. Similarly to the HH, the VDM detected acid‐base disturbances in 28/44 cases. Major contributors to the acid‐base changes were hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and Atot acidosis because of elevated globulins and increased UA.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceAcid‐base changes are common and complex in dogs with PE, and were easier to understand using a SIM paradigm. Increases in UA have not been documented in PE in dogs.

Study of adjuvant effect of fosprenil on immunogenicity of vaccines against parvovirus enteritis and rabies in experiment

To prevent most common viral diseases of small pets, vaccines are most often used that stimulate animal immune system and provide specific protection. Data on the adjuvant properties of well-known and widely used immunomodulator of natural origin, fosprenil, used in veterinary practice as an immunomodulator with antiviral activity for the correction of the immune response in various viral infections, during experimental immunization of BALB/mouse vaccines against dog parvovirus enteritis and rabies are presented in the article. It was shown that fosprenil use in animals at immunostimulating dose (5 pg/mouse) significantly enhances the effect of immunization with both vaccines. So, fosprenil significantly increases the titer of post-vaccination antibodies to standard liquid inactivated vaccine against parvovirus enteritis in dogs. In experiments with the rabies vaccine, it was found that the administration of fosprenil in animals along with vaccine not only contributes to significant increase in the titer of specific antibodies, but also to significant increase in coefficient of protective activity of rabies vaccine. Thus, fosprenil exerts an adjuvant effect on post-vaccination immunity caused by vaccination of mice with rabies and parvovirus enteritis vaccines.