Signs Of Gastrointestinal Disease Research Articles

Influence of biosecurity on the occurrence of various enteric viruses in broiler flocks

ABSTRACT Common enteric viruses affecting commercial broiler flocks include fowl adenovirus (FAdV), chicken parvovirus (ChPV), chicken astrovirus (CAstV), avian reovirus (ARV) and avian rotavirus (AvRV). To investigate their prevalence and to identify single and multiple infections we collected intestinal samples from 49 Austrian broiler flocks during necropsy of dead-on-farm birds twice during a production cycle (7–14 days and 28–35 days). Altogether, up to three consecutive clinically healthy flocks without signs of gastrointestinal disease were sampled from 17 different farms. Samples were analysed using virus isolation and PCR/RT–PCR methods. Virus prevalence was correlated with production data and on-farm biosecurity and management practices. Overall, ARV (75%) was most commonly detected in the flocks, followed by CAstV (61%), ChPV (61%), FAdV (57%) and AvRV (8%). Only in three (6%) flocks were none of the investigated enteric viruses detected. Flock infection profiles were very heterogeneous and included individual detection of the investigated viruses as well as different combinations thereof (up to all five investigated viruses). Even in the absence of clinical diarrhoea and/or macroscopic intestinal lesions, statistical analysis confirmed that the number of viruses detected had a significant economic impact characterised by poor weight gain and increased mortality, particularly due to the presence of FAdV, CAstV and/or ARV. Furthermore, the use of barn-specific clothing and/or footbaths as well as regular vermin control, resulted in lower prevalence of enteric viruses in the flocks studied. This highlights the importance of common biosecurity measures in poultry production to prevent economic losses. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Detection timepoints and patterns indicate horizontal introduction of various enteric viruses. Flock infection profiles were very heterogeneous; no dominating virus profile. Broiler production was negatively affected by the number of enteric viruses detected. Common biosecurity measures had a significant negative effect on virus prevalence.

Short colon syndrome in cats.

Shortening of the colon has been described in cats, but its imaging and clinicopathological features remain poorly understood. Description of the signalment, clinical presentation, imaging, endoscopic and histological features of short colon syndrome in cats. Ninety-three cats diagnosed with short colon. Multi-institutional, descriptive, retrospective case series study. Medical records were searched for a diagnosis of short colon on abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography, endoscopy, autopsy, or a combination of these modalities. The median age of included cats was 12 years at the time of diagnosis. Diarrhea was the most common clinical sign (60/92; 65%), followed by vomiting (36/92; 39%), weight loss (36/92; 39%), and inappetence (24/92; 26%). Thirteen percent of cats (12/92) had no signs of gastrointestinal disease at the time of diagnosis. In addition to a shortened colonic length, 79% (66/84) of cats had concomitant colonic thickening on ultrasonographic examination. On colonoscopy, mucosal ulcerations of the colonic wall were seen in 39% (9/23) of cats. Histopathologically, all cats but 1 (diagnosed simultaneously with colonic small cell lymphoma) had lymphoplasmacytic colitis, and when small intestinal biopsies were performed, concurrent lymphoplasmacytic enteritis or small cell lymphoma of the small intestine. Lymphoplasmacytic colitis is seen commonly in cats with short colon, suggesting a potential link between these entities.

The effect of feeding on serum concentrations of cobalamin, folate, trypsin-like immunoreactivity, and pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity in dogs with signs of chronic gastrointestinal disease.

It is unknown if serum concentrations of cobalamin, folate, canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI), and canine trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI) obtained postprandially are equivalent to measurements obtained after withholding food in dogs with suspected gastrointestinal disease. Measurements of serum concentrations of cobalamin, folate, cPLI, and cTLI postprandially will be equivalent to measurements after 12 hours of withholding food in dogs with signs of chronic gastrointestinal disease. Changes observed will not alter clinical interpretation. 51 client-owned dogs with signs of gastrointestinal disease. Prospective single arm clinical trial. Serum concentrations of cobalamin, folate, cPLI and cTLI 2, 4, and 8 hours postprandially were compared by equivalence testing to values after withholding food for 12 hours (baseline). Mean serum cobalamin concentrations 2 hours (498.1 ± 213.1 ng/L; P = 0.024) and 4 hours (501.9 ± 207.4 ng/L; P = 0.008) postprandial were equivalent to baseline (517.3 ± 211.5 ng/L). Mean serum cTLI 2 hours (31.3 ± 14 μg/L; P < 0.001) and 4 hours (29.6 ± 13.1 μg/L; P = 0.027) postprandial were equivalent to baseline (31.1 ± 15 μg/L). Mean serum folate concentration 2 hours postprandial (15 ± 7.7 μg/L) was equivalent to baseline (13.7 ± 8.3 μg/L; P < 0.001). Equivalence could not be assessed for cPLI due to results below the lower limit of quantification. Feeding altered the clinical interpretation in 27% (cobalamin), 35% (folate), 20% (cTLI), and 12% (cPLI) of dogs. The clinical interpretation for a substantial number of samples changed after feeding, therefore withholding food before sample collection is prudent.

Serum proteome of dogs with chronic enteropathy.

Chronic enteropathy (CE) is common in dogs and can occur with multiple etiologies including food-responsive enteropathy (FRE) and idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To study the protein profile and pathway differences among dogs with FRE, IBD, and healthy controls using serum proteome analysis. Nine CE dogs with signs of gastrointestinal disease and histologically confirmed chronic inflammatory enteropathy and 16 healthy controls. A cross-sectional study with cases recruited from 2 veterinary hospitals between May 2019 and November 2020 was performed. Serum samples were analyzed using mass spectrometry-based proteomic techniques. Proteomic profiles showed marked variation in relative protein abundances. Forty-five proteins were significantly (P ≤ .01) differentially expressed among the dogs with CE and controls with ≥2-fold change in abundance. The fold change of dogs with IBD normalized to controls was more pronounced for the majority of proteins than that seen in the dogs with FRE normalized to control dogs. Proteins involving reactive oxygen species, cytokine activation, acute phase response signaling, and lipid metabolism were altered in dogs with CE. Cytokine alterations, acute phase response signaling, and lipid metabolism are likely involved in pathogenesis of CE. Although there are insufficient current data to justify the use of proteomic biomarkers for assessment of CE in dogs, our study identifies potential candidates.

Occurrence of cystoisosporosis among domestic cats in Thrissur district, Kerala

This study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of cystoisosporosis among domestic cats in Thrissur district, Kerala. A total of 155 cats were included in this study. Faecal samples collected from all the cats were subjected examination by direct smear method and floatation by Sheather’s sugar solution. Of 155 faecal samples examined, oocysts were found in 28 cats (18.06 per cent). Among these, 12 were collected from cats with signs of gastrointestinal diseases and 16 from cats which are apparently healthy with firm faeces. Mixed infection with Cystoisospora spp and Toxocara, Ancylostoma and Cystoisospora were also detected in three (1.94 per cent) and one (0.65 per cent) cat respectively. Various risk factors associated with the infection were also studied. Prevalence was found to be higher in cats less than six months old. Gender and breed were not affected the prevalence. This study demonstrates that cystoisosporosis is common in cats.

The microbiota of healthy dogs demonstrates individualized responses to synbiotic supplementation in a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundProbiotics have been demonstrated to ameliorate clinical signs of gastrointestinal diseases in dogs in various studies. However, the effect of probiotics in a healthy population, as well as factors contributing individualized responses, remain largely unknown. This trial examined gut microbiota (GM) and health outcomes in household dogs after synbiotic (SN) supplementation containing probiotics and inulin (a prebiotic). Healthy dogs were randomized to receive SN (50 mg/d inulin and 20 billion total CFU/d of L. reuteri, P. acidilactici, E. faecium, L. acidophilus, B. animalis, L. fermentum, L. rhamnosus) or placebo (PL) for 4 weeks. Owners completed a health survey and collected stool samples for GM profiling (shotgun metagenomic sequencing) at baseline and week 4 in both groups, and at week 6 in the SN group.ResultsA significant shift (p < 0.001) in β-diversity was observed in the SN (n = 24), but not PL group (n = 19), at week 4 relative to baseline. Forty-five bacterial species, 43 (96%) of which were Lactobacillales, showed an increase in the relative abundances (≥2 fold change, adjusted p < 0.05) in the SN group at week 4. E. coli also decreased at week 4 in the SN group (2.8-fold, adjusted p < 0.01). The altered taxa largely returned to baseline at week 6. The degree of changes in β-diversity was associated with GM at baseline. Specifically, dogs with higher Proteobacteria and lower Lactobacillales responded more robustly to supplementation in terms of the change in β-diversity. Dogs fed SN tended to have lower diarrhea incidence (0% vs 16%, p = 0.08).ConclusionsSN supplement had a short-term impact on the gut microbiota in healthy household dogs as characterized by shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Findings warrant further investigation with longer duration and populations at risk of gastrointestinal diseases. The magnitude of response to the supplement was associated with microbial profile at baseline. To our knowledge, this is the first study documenting such association and may provide a basis for personalized nutrition in companion dogs.

Partial Obstruction and Intestinal Bleeding Secondary to a Congenital Duodenal Diverticulum in a Dog

Background: Intestinal diverticulum is an abnormality resulting in the formation of a blind-ended saccular pouch that can be acquired either congenital, true (involving all intestinal layers) or false (involving the mucosa and submucosa), with extraluminal and intraluminal type. In humans, the acquired is more frequent, being the colon is the most affected segment followed by duodenum; most of duodenal diverticulum remains asymptomatic, but biliary obstruction, recurrent acute pancreatitis, hemorrhagic ulcer, proximal intestinal obstruction and perforation may occur. The aim of this report is to present a case of a congenital disease in dogs, prone to misdiagnosis due to non-specific clinical signs.Case: An 8-month-old male Boxer was evaluated due to recurrent hyporexia, vomiting, melena and syncope over three months with signs of a possible intestinal obstruction. Physical examination showed no abnormalities except for pale mucous membranes. Complete blood count revealed anemia and leukocytosis. Platelets and biochemical profiles were normal. Abdominal ultrasound examination indicated a dilated duodenum, measuring approximately 3.36 cm in diameter, with heterogeneous fluid content and hyperechogenic structures with acoustic shadow, peristalsis appeared decreased and non-progressive. The gastrointestinal positive contrast study was performed to better evaluate abnormalities detected at ultrasonography. Images after 30 m of contrast administration demonstrated a marked distension of the duodenum, filled with contrast and a mildly filled stomach displaced to the left. Sixty min after contrast administration a marked distension of the entire duodenum, with tortuous aspect and filled with contrast was seen. The caudal duodenal flexure was connected to a large barium filled saccular structure that measured approximately 7 cm in diameter, consistent with a duodenal diverticulum. A blood transfusion was performed and surgical treatment indicated. The diverticulum and a small portion of the caudal duodenal segment were resected, an end-side enteroanastomosis was made due to the difference in diameter between intestinal segments. The patient was medicated with sucralfate (12.5 mg/kg), ranitidine (2 mg/kg), metronidazole (25 mg/kg), dipyrone (25 mg/kg) and, tramadol (2 mg/kg) and recovered quickly from surgery. Histopathological examination characterized the diverticular tissue as a true diverticulum by the presence of all intestinal layers. Post-operative and follow-up evaluations showed no recurrence of clinical signs.Discussion: In veterinary practice, congenital duodenal diverticulum is a rare condition documented in dogs, curiously all Boxers None of the reported cases in literature had the diagnostic of duodenal diverticulum made exclusively by ultrasonography. Other diagnostic imaging modalities, such as gastrointestinal barium study or endoscopy, were necessary. In one case a diagnostic was made during exploratory laparotomy. The marked dilatation of the duodenal segment impaired ultrasound evaluation, allowing recognition of an obstructive pattern, not the diverticulum itself. At histopathological examination, the diverticular tissue was characterized by a thickened wall with a hypertrophied muscle layer, characterizing a true duodenal diverticulum. The location, breed and age of the dogs affected with duodenal diverticulum was similar in all veterinary cases reported. Dogs presenting signs of gastrointestinal disease and abdominal pain are common in patients referred to ultrasound examination. However, despite the rare reports described, we must consider this affection as a differential diagnosis, whenever boxer puppies present these clinical signs associated with gastrointestinal bleeding and syncope.

THE SITE OF ABSORPTION OF CO58-LABELED VITAMIN B12 IN MAN. AN INVESTIGATION MADE BY INTESTINAL INTUBATION WITH POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL AS A MARKER SUBSTANCE.

Intestinal intubation was performed with a tri-bore tubing in ten subjects without signs of gastrointestinal disease. After administration of a test meal containing Co 58 -labeled vitamin B 12 and with polyethylene glycol as a marker substance, samples of intestinal juice were collected from the upper, middle and anal thirds of the small intestine. During the passage of the test dose from the upper to the middle third of the gut a modest, but significant, absorption of about 6 per cent was discovered. During the passage from the middle to the anal third of the intestine a considerably larger absorption took place, on an average of about 25 per cent of the oral dose. These results agree entirely with those obtained from experiments performed in animals and with clinical observations in man after operations on the small intestine. The most outstanding feature was that, contrary to the generally accepted view, our study seems to indicate that in certain cases the absorption of B 12 begins far up in the jejunum. This seemed to be the case in 3 out of 9 experiments. The study throws no light on the cause of this.

Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis infection, co-morbidities and associated risk factors in dogs admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital in Israel

Giardia duodenalis causes gastro-intestinal (GI) disease and carries a zoonotic risk. The risk for infection depends on local prevalence and individual immunity, but clinical signs are inconsistent and the role of G. duodenalis in other GI diseases is unknown. The current study aims were to evaluate the prevalence of G. duodenalis in dogs presented to a university veterinary teaching hospital in Israel, investigate risk factors for infection and its associations with other diseases. Fecal samples from 163 dogs were tested for G. duodenalis by an antigen assay (FASTest® Giardia strip). Prevalence of G. duodenalis infection was 11.9 %. It was significantly associated with young age (≤1year) and canine parvoviral enteritis. Housing conditions, signs of GI disease or other systemic diseases were unassociated with infection. In conclusion, G. duodenalis infection prevalence is relatively low in the study population. Young age and diagnosis of co-infections are common, warranting screening for G. duodenalis.

The Role of Hydrocolonic Sonography in Diagnostics of the Intussusceptions due to Neoplastic Process in Children

Introduction. A nonsurgical reduction is the treatment of choice for intestinal intussusception. A neoplasm-associated intussusception always requires surgery. In case of a tumour it is very important to have the diagnosis determined prior to surgical treatment. The hydrocolonic sonography technique makes it possible to assess the tissue structure and to visualize the lumen of the intestine.Materials and methods. The study presents a retrospective comparative analysis of clinical manifestations and diagnosis methods in all the patients with intussusception (n = 380) treated at the Arkhangelsk Children’sClinicalHospital in 1981–2018. This included all the neoplasm-associated intussusception cases (tumours and polyps). The data was compared to clinical manifestations of intussusception associated with other causes (idiopathic, mesenteric node hyperplasia, diverticulum).Results. Neoplasm-associated intussusception is a rare occurrence (2.3%). If the cause of the intussusception is a tumour the typical recorded manifestations include the combination of the signs of gastrointestinal diseases and loss of weight (8–12%), and a chronic course of development (over one to three months). Polyp-associated small intestinal and ileocolic intussusception, a casuistically rare situation, first manifested as an acute intestinal obstruction with protracted abdominal pain syndrome in anamnesis, or recurrent intussusceptions. Traditional and hydrocolonic sonography made it possible to make the diagnosis of intussusception and to identify a tumour. Non-tumour-associated intussusception presented with an acute course of the disease in every case. It manifested with the typical triad of symptoms (abdominal colic pain, rectal haemorrhage, palpable intussusceptum mass) in every third case. The manifestation of the disease as the dyad of symptoms (vomiting and abdominal colic pain) was significantly more frequent (p = 0.001).Conclusions. Clinical presentation of neoplasm-associated intussusception has certain unique qualities. The ultrasound of abdominal cavity and hydrocolonic sonography make it possible to find the intussusception and to identify the tumour or polyp in the structure of the intussusceptum in 100 % of cases at primary examination. The data obtained is used for the optimisation of the surgical treatment strategy.

Fecal Calprotectin, Elastase, and Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Levels After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass; Calprotectin Is Significantly Elevated in the Majority of Patients.

BackgroundRoux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) causes several alterations in gastrointestinal function. We hypothesized that levels of three commonly used fecal tests change after RYGB.MethodsFecal levels of calprotectin, elastase, and alpha-1-antitrypsin were determined in 122 patients without signs of gastrointestinal disease 1 to 2 years after RYGB. Medians, distribution of values, and the percentage of patients with levels above or below reference values were determined.ResultsMedian fecal calprotectin level was 163.5 (<30–1587) μg/g; in 87 % of patients, it was above the reference value (<50 μg/g). Median fecal elastase level was 444 (<15–647) μg/g; 13 % was below the reference value (>200 μg/g). Median fecal alpha-1-antitrypsin level was 0.51 (<0.20–2.20) mg/g, comparable to the reference values.ConclusionsFecal calprotectin levels are significantly higher than the reference value in most patients after RYGB. Fecal elastase is significantly lower. This might indicate that the validity of fecal calprotectin testing is impaired after RYGB and the specificity for fecal elastase is decreased. Clinical awareness of altered fecal markers after RYGB is essential to prevent unnecessary diagnostic tests, such as colonoscopy. Fecal alpha-1-antitrypsin is not influenced by RYGB.

Diagnostic performance and application of a real-time PCR assay for the detection of Salmonella in fecal samples collected from hospitalized horses with or without signs of gastrointestinal tract disease

The main objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of Salmonella in fecal samples collected from hospitalized horses with or without signs of gastrointestinal (GI) tract disease. The PCR assay used primers and a probe that targeted the invA gene of Salmonella. Assuming a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 96.6%, and a disease prevalence of 2%, 5%, and 10–15% in study horses, the PCR assay had a high (100%) negative predictive value, and a positive predictive value that ranged from 37% in horses without signs of GI disease that tested Salmonella culture-negative, to 60% in horses with signs of GI disease that tested Salmonella culture-negative, to 76–83% in horses with signs of GI disease that tested Salmonella culture-positive. This study provides evidence that the real-time PCR that targets the Salmonella invA gene can be used as a screening test for the detection of Salmonella in feces of hospitalized horses with signs of GI disease. Horses that test PCR-positive can be tested in series using bacteriologic culture to reduce false positive results or to provide additional data (e.g., antibiogram and serotyping data) that can be used to identify potential nosocomial Salmonella infections.

Development, factor structure and application of the Dog Obesity Risk and Appetite (DORA) questionnaire

Background. Dogs are compelling models in which to study obesity since the condition shares many characteristics between humans and dogs. Differences in eating behaviour are recognised to contribute to obesity susceptibility in other species but this has not been systematically studied in dogs.Aim. To develop and validate an owner-reported measure of canine eating behaviour and owner or dog related factors which can alter the development of obesity. Further, to then test variation in food-motivation in dogs and its association with obesity and owner management.Methods. Owner interviews, a literature review and existing human appetite scales were used to identify relevant topics and generate items for the questionnaire. Following a pilot phase, a 75 item online questionnaire was distributed via social media. Responses from 302 dog/owner dyads were analysed and factor structure and descriptive statistics calculated. Results were compared with descriptions of dog behaviour and management from a subset of respondents during semi-structured interviews. The optimum questions were disseminated as a 34 item final questionnaire completed by 213 owners, with a subset of respondents repeating the questionnaire 3 weeks later to assess test–retest reliability.Results. Analysis of responses to the final questionnaire relating to 213 dog/owner dyads showed a coherent factor structure and good test–retest reliability. There were three dog factors (food responsiveness and satiety, lack of selectivity, Interest in food), four owner factors (owner motivation to control dog weight, owner intervention to control dog weight, restriction of human food, exercise taken) and two dog health factors (signs of gastrointestinal disease, current poor health). Eating behaviour differed between individuals and between breed groups. High scores on dog factors (high food-motivation) and low scores on owner factors (less rigorous control of diet/exercise) were associated with obesity. Owners of more highly food-motivated dogs exerted more control over their dogs’ food intake than those of less food-motivated dogs.Conclusions. The DORA questionnaire is a reliable and informative owner-reported measure of canine eating behaviour and health and management factors which can be associated with obesity development. The tool will be applicable to study of the canine obesity model and to clinical veterinarians. Results revealed eating behaviour to be similarly associated with obesity as exercise and owners giving titbits.

Gastrointestinal perforation associated with endoscopy in cats and dogs.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic tool for cats and dogs with signs of gastrointestinal disease. This retrospective study examined the case records of six cats and one dog diagnosed with perforation secondary to gastrointestinal endoscopy. Gastrointestinal perforation occurred in 1.6% of cats and 0.1% of dogs that underwent endoscopy during the 17 yr study period (from 1993 to 2010). It can be difficult to predict what animals are at risk for gastrointestinal perforation but possible risk factors suggested by this study include small intestinal infiltrative disease in cats and preexisting gastrointestinal ulceration in both cats and dogs. Overall, gastrointestinal endoscopy is associated with a low rate of gastrointestinal perforation.

The importance of ultrasonographic pneumatosis intestinalis in equine neonatal gastrointestinal disease

Summary Reasons for performing study: Recognising the presence of a necrotising component of the gastrointestinal disease may be clinically useful in ill equine neonates. Objectives: To study the importance of abdominal sonograms in neonatal foals suffering from gastrointestinal conditions and to describe the clinical features of necrotising gastrointestinal disease. Hypothesis: There is a subgroup of neonates with sonographically detectable pneumatosis intestinalis (PI), reflecting a necrotising disease. Methods: Records of foals aged ≤7 days hospitalised from 2005 to 2009 with signs of gastrointestinal disease were evaluated (n = 89). The association of sonographic, clinical and clinicopathological signs with necrotising gastrointestinal disease and outcome was determined. Results: PI was imaged in 19 foals. Twenty‐seven foals were classified as having necrotising gastrointestinal disease based on the presence of gastrointestinal signs (colic, diarrhoea, gastric reflux or abdominal distension) and sonographic PI (n = 19), surgical (n = 2) or pathological (n = 6) evidence of gastrointestinal necrosis. There was a difference between survival rate in foals with and without necrotising disease (33.3 and 69.4%, respectively, P = 0.005) or foals with and without PI detected sonographically (36.8 and 72.1%, respectively, P = 0.023). PI was the only sonographic finding associated with outcome. Prematurity, the presence of blood in the faeces, gastric reflux, abdominal distension, abnormal echogenicity of the colon and the lowest white blood cell count during hospitalisation were associated with necrotising gastrointestinal disease (P<0.05). Conclusions and potential relevance: Abdominal sonograms have prognostic value in neonatal gastrointestinal disease. PI and the presence of necrotising gastrointestinal disease were common and associated with a poor prognosis.

High prevalence of dna from non-H. pylori helicobacters in the gastric mucosa of venezuelan pet dogs and its histological alterations

Non-H. pylori helicobacters (NHPH) have been demonstrated as gastric spiral-shaped bacteria in specimens obtained from dogs; however, their roles in the pathogenesis of upper gastrointestinal disease have not yet been clearly established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of NHPH DNA in the gastric mucosa of dogs and its association with histopathology. Helicobacter was detected through histopathological techniques, PCR, and FISH analysis from fundic biopsies of twenty dogs with or without signs of gastrointestinal disease. PCR and FISH were based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequences. Nineteen dogs showed mild to marked gastritis in the fundus, and only one dog had a healthy gastric mucosa. NHPH DNA was detected in 18 dogs with gastritis and one with normal gastric mucosa. However, there was no significant correlation between the presence of NHPH DNA and the degree of gastritis. These results show a high prevalence of NHPH DNA in the gastric mucosa of dogs from Venezuela. Further studies are necessary to determine a possible association between a specific NHPH species and the degree of gastritis.

Detection of Mycobacterium avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis‐Specific DNA by PCR in Intestinal Biopsies of Dogs

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is the cause of paratuberculosis. MAP infections have not been reliably detected in dogs, but a reemerging debate about the link between MAP and Crohn's disease has renewed interest about the occurrence of MAP in pets. This study was undertaken to examine canine intestinal biopsies for the presence of MAP-specific DNA. Forty-two dogs with chronic vomiting, diarrhea, or both; and 14 dogs with no gastrointestinal disease. All dogs with signs of gastrointestinal disease had a standard work-up for chronic gastrointestinal disease. Endoscopically obtained intestinal biopsies were submitted for histopathologic and molecular investigations. Biopsies were screened for MAP-specific DNA by 3 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods (nested, seminested, and triplex real-time PCR). Samples from control dogs were obtained during necropsy. Histopathology of the biopsies was indicative of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in 17 and neoplasia in 6 dogs. Six dogs showing nonspecific changes responded to diet and were classified as having food-responsive enteropathy. In 13 dogs a final diagnosis was not established. MAP-specific DNA was detected and confirmed by sequencing in 8 dogs (19%). These dogs were diagnosed with food-responsive enteropathy (n=3), IBD (n=2), and open diagnosis (n=3). MAP-specific DNA was not detected in dogs with no gastrointestinal disease. MAP-specific DNA was detected in approximately one fifth of dogs with chronic gastrointestinal disease and might play a role as a pathogenic agent. Apart from animal welfare, the zoonotic aspect warrants further studies addressing the viability of MAP organism in canine intestinal biopsies by culture.

Development of a fecal sample collection strategy for extraction and quantification of fecal immunoglobulin A in dogs

To develop a fecal sample collection strategy and quantification method for measurement of fecal IgA concentrations in dogs. Fecal samples from 23 healthy pet dogs of various breeds. Immunoglobulin A was extracted from fecal samples. An ELISA for the measurement of fecal IgA concentrations was established and analytically validated. Intraindividual variation of fecal IgA was determined by calculation of coefficients of variation. A sample collection strategy was developed on the basis of results of intraindividual variation of fecal IgA concentrations. A reference range for fecal IgA concentrations was determined. The method for extraction and quantification of fecal IgA was determined to be sufficiently sensitive, reproducible, accurate, and precise. On the basis of the intraindividual variability of our results, the determined fecal sample collection strategy required analysis of a total of 4 fecal samples/dog, with each fecal sample collected on 2 consecutive days with 28 days between sample collection periods (ie, days 1 and 2 followed by days 28 and 29). Reference range values for fecal IgA concentration were 0.22 to 3.24 mg/g of feces. Methods of fecal IgA extraction and quantification used in our study allow for identification of dogs with consistently low fecal IgA concentrations. Use of these techniques will enable future investigations into possible associations between low fecal IgA concentrations and signs of gastrointestinal disease in dogs.

Perinuclear Antineutrophilic Cytoplasmic Antibody and Response to Treatment in Diarrheic Dogs with Food Responsive Disease or Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The goal of this study was to investigate the correlation between perinuclear antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (pANCA) and clinical scores before and after treatment in diarrheic dogs with food‐responsive disease (FRD) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). pANCA serology was evaluated prospectively by indirect immunofluorescence in 65 dogs with signs of gastrointestinal disease, and if positive, pANCA antibody titers were determined. Thirty‐nine dogs with FRD responded to a novel diet, and 26 dogs with IBD were treated with corticosteroids. The severity of clinical signs was scored by means of a canine IBD activity index (CIBDAI). At initial examination, a significantly (P= .002) higher percentage of dogs were pANCA‐positive in the FRD group (62%) compared with the IBD group (23%). pANCA titers were significantly higher (P=.003) before treatment in the FRD group (median titer 100) compared with the IBD group (median titer 1). However, there was no difference in pANCA titers between the groups after respective treatments because dogs in the IBD group had a significant increase in pANCA titer after treatment. The CIBDAI score decreased significantly (P &lt;.001) after treatment in both groups (74% moderate to severe in FRD dogs before versus 8% after treatment; 85% moderate to severe in IBD dogs before versus 32% after treatment). There was no correlation between pANCA status in FRD or IBD dogs before treatment and scores for CIBDAI, endoscopy, or histopathology before or after treatment, except for the endoscopic duodenal score in dogs with FRD after treatment (P= .03). A positive pANCA test before therapy may aid in the diagnosis of FRD.

Perinuclear Antineutrophilic Cytoplasmic Antibody and Response to Treatment in Diarrheic Dogs with Food Responsive Disease or Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The goal of this study was to investigate the correlation between perinuclear antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (pANCA) and clinical scores before and after treatment in diarrheic dogs with food-responsive disease (FRD) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). pANCA serology was evaluated prospectively by indirect immunofluorescence in 65 dogs with signs of gastrointestinal disease, and if positive, pANCA antibody titers were determined. Thirty-nine dogs with FRD responded to a novel diet, and 26 dogs with IBD were treated with corticosteroids. The severity of clinical signs was scored by means of a canine IBD activity index (CIBDAI). At initial examination, a significantly (P = .002) higher percentage of dogs were pANCA-positive in the FRD group (62%) compared with the IBD group (23%). pANCA titers were significantly higher (P = .003) before treatment in the FRD group (median titer 100) compared with the IBD group (median titer 1). However, there was no difference in pANCA titers between the groups after respective treatments because dogs in the IBD group had a significant increase in pANCA titer after treatment. The CIBDAI score decreased significantly (P < .001) after treatment in both groups (74% moderate to severe in FRD dogs before versus 8% after treatment; 85% moderate to severe in IBD dogs before versus 32% after treatment). There was no correlation between pANCA status in FRD or IBD dogs before treatment and scores for CIBDAI, endoscopy, or histopathology before or after treatment, except for the endoscopic duodenal score in dogs with FRD after treatment (P = .03). A positive pANCA test before therapy may aid in the diagnosis of FRD.