Development of a Novel Canine Parvovirus Vaccine Capable of Stimulating Protective Immunity in Four-Week-Old Puppies in the Face of High Levels of Maternal Antibodies.

Many highly effective vaccines have been developed to protect dogs against disease caused by canine parvovirus, but despite this vaccine interference by maternally derived antibodies continues to cause immunisation failure. To help overcome this limitation we have developed a novel, recombinant canine parvovirus type 2c vaccine strain, based on the structural and non-structural elements of an established type 2 vaccine. This novel CPV-2c vaccine strain has unique efficacy in the field, it is able to induce sterilising immunity in naïve animals 3 days after vaccination and is able to overcome very high levels of maternally derived antibodies from 4 weeks of age-thus closing the immunity gap to canine parvovirus infection in young puppies.

Metagenomic Analysis of DNA Viruses with Targeted Sequence Capture of Canine Lobular Orbital Adenomas and Normal Conjunctiva.

Our study aims are: (1) to evaluate phenotypically normal canine conjunctival and orbital tissue and tissue from canine lobular orbital adenomas (CLOAs) for the presence of viral genomic material and (2) phylogenetically classify detected DNA viruses to determine if a DNA virus is associated with CLOAs. A total of 31 formalin fixed paraffin embedded CLOA tissue samples, 4 papillomas or sarcoid, and 10 fresh clinically normal conjunctival tissues were included in this study. Genomic DNA was isolated from all samples and sequencing libraries were prepared.

Intravitreal enzyme replacement preserves retinal structure and function in canine CLN2 neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

CLN2 neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive vision loss, neurological decline, and seizures. CLN2 disease results from mutations in TPP1 that encodes the lysosomal enzyme tripeptidyl peptidase-1 (TPP1). Children with CLN2 neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis experience ocular disease, characterized by progressive retinal degeneration associated with impaired retinal function and gradual vision loss culminating in total blindness.

Papillomavirus DNA not detected in canine lobular orbital adenoma and normal conjunctival tissue.

Background: Canine lobular orbital adenomas are benign tumors that arise from orbital glandular tissue and extend into the orbit, conjunctiva, and third eyelid. Surgical excision is challenging and recurrence rates are high following excision alone. Enucleation and exenteration reduces the likelihood of recurrence, but is a radical therapeutic option for an otherwise visual and comfortable eye.

Corrigendum: Early-Onset Progressive Retinal Atrophy Associated with an IQCB1 Variant in African Black-Footed Cats (Felis nigripes).

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/srep43918.

Bilateral retinoschisis in a dog: A veterinary clinical application for optical coherence tomography.

A 11-year-old neutered male Labrador retriever-cross dog was presented to the University of Missouri-Columbia Veterinary Ophthalmology Service for subtle visual deficits. Indirect ophthalmoscopy revealed a smooth, bullous elevation in the superior-temporal retina OU. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) performed OU showed inner retinal separation consistent with retinoschisis.

OCULAR FINDINGS AND SELECT OPHTHALMIC DIAGNOSTIC TESTS IN CAPTIVE AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS (PELECANUS ERYTHRORHYNCHOS).

The aim of this study was to establish normal ophthalmic parameters for select diagnostic tests in American white pelicans (Pelecanuserythrorhynchos). Twenty-one zoo-housed American white pelicans were manually restrained for noninvasive ocular diagnostic testing and complete ophthalmic examination. Tear production quantification using the phenol red thread test (PRTT), fluorescein staining, and intraocular pressure (IOP) evaluation were performed.

Early-Onset Progressive Retinal Atrophy Associated with an IQCB1 Variant in African Black-Footed Cats (Felis nigripes).

African black-footed cats (Felis nigripes) are endangered wild felids. One male and full-sibling female African black-footed cat developed vision deficits and mydriasis as early as 3 months of age. The diagnosis of early-onset progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) was supported by reduced direct and consensual pupillary light reflexes, phenotypic presence of retinal degeneration, and a non-recordable electroretinogram with negligible amplitudes in both eyes.

Intravitreal implantation of TPP1-transduced stem cells delays retinal degeneration in canine CLN2 neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

The CLN2 form of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis is a neurodegenerative disease that results from mutations in the TPP1 gene. Affected children exhibit progressive declines in most neurological functions including vision. Functional declines are accompanied by progressive brain and retinal atrophy.

Intracerebroventricular gene therapy that delays neurological disease progression is associated with selective preservation of retinal ganglion cells in a canine model of CLN2 disease.

CLN2 disease is one of a group of lysosomal storage disorders called the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs). The disease results from mutations in the TPP1 gene that cause an insufficiency or complete lack of the soluble lysosomal enzyme tripeptidyl peptidase-1 (TPP1). TPP1 is involved in lysosomal protein degradation, and lack of this enzyme results in the accumulation of protein-rich autofluorescent lysosomal storage bodies in numerous cell types including neurons throughout the central nervous system and the retina.

Multifocal retinopathy in Dachshunds with CLN2 neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

The CLN2 form of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis is an autosomal recessively inherited lysosomal storage disease that is characterized by progressive vision loss culminating in blindness, cognitive and motor decline, neurodegeneration, and premature death. CLN2 disease results from mutations in the gene that encodes the soluble lysosomal enzyme tripeptidyl peptidase-1. A null mutation in the TPP1 gene encoding this enzyme causes a CLN2-like disease in Dachshunds.

Surgical correction of congenital entropion in related Boer goat kids using a combination Hotz-Celsus and lateral eyelid wedge resection procedure.

Five related Boer goat kids (≤4 months of age) were presented to the University of Missouri, Veterinary Teaching Hospital (MU-VMTH) with epiphora and blepharospasm of several weeks duration and commencing prior to 1 month of age in all animals. Clinical examination confirmed euryblepharon and entropion bilaterally in two females and one male and unilaterally in two female kids. Deep stromal corneal ulceration was present in two eyes, and corneal granulation tissue and fibrosis were present in half (5/10) the affected eyes.

Peters anomaly in a red kangaroo (Macropus rufus).

A 10-mo-old female red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) presented with a unilateral congenital corneal opacity OD. Complete ophthalmic examination revealed a shallow anterior chamber and a focal area of corneal edema with multiple persistent pupillary membranes extending from the iris colarette to the corneal endothelium adjacent to the edematous area of cornea. High-resolution B-scan ultrasound of the anterior segment showed an area consistent with thinning of Descemet's membrane in the area of corneal edema.

Local photodynamic therapy delays recurrence of equine periocular squamous cell carcinoma compared to cryotherapy.

Objective: (i) To report the successful treatment of 10 cases of equine periocular squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) with surgical excision and photodynamic therapy (PDT) using verteporfin. (ii) To evaluate time to first tumor recurrence between PDT-treated horses and horses treated with surgical excision and cryotherapy.

Methods: A total of 24 equine PSCC cases were included: group 1 (n = 14) had excision and cryotherapy (1993–2003), group 2 (n = 10), excision and local PDT (2006–2010).

Enzyme replacement therapy delays pupillary light reflex deficits in a canine model of late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (CLN2 disease) is a hereditary neurological disorder characterized by progressive retinal degeneration and vision loss, cognitive and motor decline, seizures, and pronounced brain atrophy. This fatal pediatric disease is caused by mutations in the CLN2 gene which encodes the lysosomal enzyme tripeptidyl peptidase-1 (TPP1). Utilizing a TPP1-/- Dachshund model of CLN2 disease, studies were conducted to assess the effects of TPP1 enzyme replacement administered directly to the CNS on disease progression.

Long-term outcome of sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome in dogs.

Objective: To investigate long-term outcomes and owner-perceived quality of life associated with sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) in dogs.

Design: Survey study.

Animals: 100 dogs with SARDS examined at 5 academic veterinary institutions from 2005 to 2010.

Pupillary light reflex deficits in a canine model of late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (CLN2) is a hereditary neurological disorder characterized by progressive retinal degeneration and vision loss, cognitive and motor decline, seizures, and pronounced brain atrophy. The progressive loss of neurological functions eventually leads to death, usually by the early teenage years. Utilizing a canine model of CLN2, therapeutic studies to inhibit the brain and retinal degenerations are currently under way.

Canine parvovirus type 2c identified from an outbreak of severe gastroenteritis in a litter in Sweden.

A litter of recently-vaccinated puppies in Sweden experienced signs of severe haemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Canine parvovirus (CPV) was suspected as the cause of this outbreak on the basis of the clinical signs and the presence of parvoviral antigen in the faeces from one of the affected pups - confirmed using a commercial in-clinic faecal antigen ELISA test kit. A concern was raised about whether the vaccine (which contained a live, attenuated strain of CPV) could have caused the disease and so further faecal samples from the affected pups were submitted for laboratory virus isolation and identification.

Quantitative assessment of the canine pupillary light reflex.

Purpose: To develop instrumentation and methods for thorough quantitative assessment of the pupillary light reflex (PLR) in dogs under varying stimulus conditions.

Methods: The PLR was recorded in normal Dachshunds using a custom system allowing full user control over stimulus intensity, color, and duration. Chemical restraint protocols were compared to determine which protocol provided for optimal baseline stability of pupil size and appropriate eye positioning.

Surgical management of orbital nodular granulomatous episcleritis in a dog.

A 27 kg, 6-year-old, male castrated German shorthaired pointer presented to the University of Missouri, Veterinary Teaching Hospital with the complaint of progressive exophthalmia of 2 years duration optical density (OD). Lack of retropulsion OD was noted on physical examination. Anterior segment examination OU and fundic examination OS did not reveal any abnormalities.

In vitro susceptibility patterns of Aspergillus and Fusarium species isolated from equine ulcerative keratomycosis cases in the midwestern and southern United States with inclusion of the new antifungal agent voriconazole.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the in vitro susceptibility of Aspergillus and Fusarium spp. isolated from horses with ulcerative keratomycosis, address regional differences in equine keratomycosis isolates, and provide susceptibility data to update prior studies.

Animal Studied: Fourteen horses with ulcerative keratomycosis.

Dacryops (lacrimal cyst) in three young labrador retrievers.

This case series constitutes a report of dacryops in multiple Labrador retrievers and the use of smooth-muscle actin immunostaining to confirm the lacrimal duct origins of the cyst wall. Three Labrador retrievers were presented with a history of a slowly enlarging mass adjacent to the left medial canthus. Ultrasonography of the masses revealed they were each spherical, thin-walled cystic structures.

Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of periocular squamous cell carcinoma in horses: a pilot study.

Objective: Local photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a novel cancer therapy in veterinary ophthalmology. A prospective pilot study seeking to demonstrate proof of principle and safety for the treatment of equine periocular squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) was therefore conducted. We hypothesized that surgical excision with adjunctive local PDT is an effective and safe treatment for equine PSCC.

Detection of Leptospira interrogans DNA and antigen in fixed equine eyes affected with end-stage equine recurrent uveitis.

Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is the most frequent cause of blindness in horses worldwide. Leptospira has been implicated as an etiologic agent in some cases of ERU and has been detected in fresh ocular tissues of affected horses. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of Leptospira antigen and DNA in fixed equine ocular tissues affected with end-stage ERU.

Angiostatin and integrin alphavbeta3 in the feline, bovine, canine, equine, porcine and murine retina and cornea.

Purpose: Angiogenesis is tightly controlled in the ocular tissues of domestic animals but its mechanisms are not fully understood. This is largely because of insufficient data on the expression of molecules that impact angiogenesis. Because angiostatin and one of its receptors integrin alphavbeta3 inhibit and promote angiogenesis, respectively, we hypothesized that the normal retina and cornea of domestic animals would express angiostatin but not integrin alphavbeta3.