BET Inhibitor JQ1 Attenuates Feline Leukemia Virus DNA, Provirus, and Antigen Production in Domestic Cat Cell Lines.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a cosmopolitan gammaretrovirus that causes lifelong infections and fatal diseases, including leukemias, lymphomas, immunodeficiencies, and anemias, in domestic and wild felids. There is currently no definitive treatment for FeLV, and while existing vaccines reduce the prevalence of progressive infections, they neither provide sterilizing immunity nor prevent regressive infections that result in viral reservoirs with the potential for reactivation, transmission, and the development of associated clinical diseases. Previous studies of murine leukemia virus (MuLV) established that host cell epigenetic reader bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins facilitate MuLV replication by promoting proviral integration.

Blood and bone marrow findings in two pups with mucopolysaccharidosis type VII.

Routine blood smear findings in two of four 11-day-old mixed-breed dog littermates were suggestive of a lysosomal storage disease (LSD) that was documented to be mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (MPS VII) by molecular testing. In this condition, a functional β-glucuronidase deficiency results in the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in cells and tissues where β-glucuronidase is important in GAG degradation. Most neutrophils and a moderate number of lymphocytes within the blood had atypical cytoplasmic magenta inclusions.

Total nucleated cell and leukocyte differential counts in canine pleural and peritoneal fluid and equine synovial fluid samples: comparison of automated and manual methods.

Background: Rapid and precise measurement of total and differential nucleated cell counts is a crucial diagnostic component of cavitary and synovial fluid analyses.

Objectives: The objectives of this study included (1) evaluation of reliability and precision of canine and equine fluid total nucleated cell count (TNCC) determined by the benchtop Abaxis VetScan HM5, in comparison with the automated reference instruments ADVIA 120 and the scil Vet abc, respectively, and (2) comparison of automated with manual canine differential nucleated cell counts.

Methods: The TNCC and differential counts in canine pleural and peritoneal, and equine synovial fluids were determined on the Abaxis VetScan HM5 and compared with the ADVIA 120 and Vet abc analyzer, respectively.

Clinical, morphological, and molecular characterization of Penicillium canis sp. nov., isolated from a dog with osteomyelitis.

Infections caused by Penicillium species are rare in dogs, and the prognosis in these cases is poor. An unknown species of Penicillium was isolated from a bone lesion in a young dog with osteomyelitis of the right ilium. Extensive diagnostic evaluation did not reveal evidence of dissemination.

Options for the control of bovine leukemia virus in dairy cattle.

The subclinical impact of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) on the sustainability of the US dairy industry is only now being fully recognized. Findings of recent longitudinal studies conducted in Michigan dairy herds were consistent with the results of previous studies in showing that within-herd prevalence of BLV-infected cattle was negatively associated with milk production and cow longevity. Risk factors relating to routes of hematogenous transmission such as the use of shared hypodermic needles, shared reproductive examination sleeves, and natural breeding were associated with BLV within-herd prevalence.

Impact of bovine leukemia virus infection on neutrophil and lymphocyte concentrations in dairy cattle.

Objective: To determine the effect of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection on absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte concentrations in healthy lactating Holstein dairy cattle.

Design: Observational cross-sectional survey.

Animals: 311 healthy lactating Holstein dairy cattle from herds in Michigan (n = 2), Wisconsin (1), Iowa (1), and Pennsylvania (1).

Clinical features and risk factors for development of urinary tract infections in cats.

The clinical and diagnostic features of 155 cats with urinary tract infection (UTI) and 186 controls with negative urine culture/s were characterized retrospectively (signalment, clinical signs, urinalysis, urine culture, concurrent diseases, lower urinary tract diagnostic/therapeutic procedures). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with UTI. Cats of all ages were affected by UTI with no sex/breed predisposition.

Evaluation of modified Wright-staining of dried urinary sediment as a method for accurate detection of bacteriuria in cats.

Background: Urinary sediment examination and quantitative urinary culture results are frequently discordant.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare accuracy of light microscopic examination of wet-mounted unstained (wet-unstained) and air-dried modified Wright-stained (dry-stained) sedimented preparations of urine with results of quantitative aerobic bacterial culture for detection and characterization of bacteriuria in cats. In addition, the presence of pyuria detected by urinalysis and potential risk factors were assessed.

Optimized processing of fine-needle lymph node biopsies for automated immunostaining.

A straightforward, reliable technique for postcollection processing and evaluation of cytologic specimens for antigen detection using an automated immunostainer was developed. Visual assessment of cell suspension turbidity was used in parallel with light microscopic examination of concentrated cytospin preparations to verify the diagnostic utility of samples for immunocytochemical staining. Fine-needle lymph node biopsies from 81 dogs with lymphadenomegally and a cytologic or histologic diagnosis of lymphoma were introduced into ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid tubes containing standardized storage media.

Generalized calcinosis cutis associated with disseminated paecilomycosis in a dog.

A 4-year-old spayed female mixed breed dog was referred to the Michigan State University, Veterinary Teaching Hospital (MSU-VTH) with vomiting, lethargy and anorexia of 2 weeks duration. Abdominal radiographs and ultrasonography showed hepatosplenomegaly. Cytological evaluation of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirates of the liver and spleen revealed fungal organisms and pyogranulomatous inflammation; fungal culture documented Paecilomyces variotii infection.

Lyophilization does not inactivate infectious retrovirus in systemically infected bone and tendon allografts.

Background: A review of multiple transplantations of human immunodeficiency virus-infected musculoskeletal allografts found that recipients of lyophilized (freeze-dried) bone or tendon from an infected donor all tested negative for human immunodeficiency virus. The finding that 75% of the recipients of fresh-frozen bone from the same donor contracted human immunodeficiency virus has led to speculation that freeze-drying may render retroviral-infected musculoskeletal allografts noninfectious.

Hypothesis: Lyophilization does not inactivate retrovirus in systemically infected bone and tendon.

Antiretroviral efficacy of a 98% solution of glycerol or ethylene oxide for inactivation of feline leukemia virus in bone.

Objective: To determine whether infectious retrovirus was inactivated in bones from FeLV-infected cats after ethylene oxide (ETO) sterilization or preservation in a 98% solution of glycerol in an in vitro cell culture system.

Sample Population: Metatarsal bones obtained from 5 FeLV-infected cats and cultured with feline fibroblast cells.

Procedure: Metatarsal bones were treated with 100% ETO, a 98% solution of glycerol, or left untreated.

Demineralization for inactivation of infectious retrovirus in systemically infected cortical bone: in vitro and in vivo experimental studies.

Background: Clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated viral transmission through the transplantation of fresh-frozen infected bone. While sterilization methods sufficient to inactivate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been shown to markedly alter osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties of bone allografts, the ability of a process for creating demineralized bone matrix to abrogate transmission of a retrovirus has not been investigated, to our knowledge. We hypothesized that a clinically accepted demineralization procedure would alter the nucleic acids of the feline leukemia virus (FeLV, a retrovirus with a structure and replication cycle similar to those of HIV), inactivating the virus in infected bone and rendering it noninfectious.

Serum and plasma latex agglutination tests for detection of fibrin(ogen) degradation products in clinically ill dogs.

An increased concentration of fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDPs) commonly is used in conjunction with other hemostatic test abnormalities to identify patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Positive FDP results, however, have been observed in dogs without clinical evidence of DIC. The purpose of this study was to evaluate FDP concentrations in a group of clinically ill dogs with a variety of disorders.

Clinical evaluation of a leukocyte esterase test-strip for detection of feline pyuria.

Commercial macroscopic test-strips (dipsticks) that indirectly detect urine leukocytes by quantifying leukocyte esterase (LE) activity have been advocated as a simple, rapid, and inexpensive alternative to microscopic examination for detection of significant pyuria in urine specimens. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a commercial LE test-strip for detection of feline pyuria. Two hundred and thirteen consecutive urine specimens were collected from 188 different feline patients and analyzed for LE activity with a LE test-strip (Multistix 2 Reagent Strips:Ames Division, Bayer Corp.