Measurement of feline-specific pancreatic lipase aids in the diagnosis of pancreatitis in cats.

Objective: To establish a reference interval for a feline-specific pancreatic lipase assay (Spec fPL test; Idexx Laboratories Inc) in healthy cats and determine the sensitivity and specificity of the Spec fPL test in a large group of ill cats with and without pancreatitis.

Animals: 41 healthy cats, 141 cats with clinical signs consistent with pancreatitis, and 786 stored sera with known feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) concentrations.

Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, nonrandomized study.

Evaluation of Anaplasma spp. seroprevalence in dogs and association with incidence of human anaplasmosis.

Point-of-care (POC) ELISA tests are routinely used in US veterinary practices to screen canine patients for antibodies to tick-transmitted pathogens. Results are also used to monitor spatial and temporal trends in canine seroprevalence, and these data can build awareness of the risk to humans of tick-transmitted diseases such as Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. This study utilized a second-generation test that has incorporated additional Anaplasma-specific peptides into a commercial POC ELISA test to allow detection of Anaplasma spp.

Analytical validation of an ELISA for the measurement of feline pancreas-specific lipase and re-evaluation of the reference interval and decision threshold for diagnosing pancreatitis.

Background: The diagnosis of feline pancreatitis can be challenging. The clinical presentation often includes mild, nonspecific clinical signs, such as vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss. Measurement of feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) concentration in serum has been reported to be sensitive and specific for a diagnosis of pancreatitis in cats.

Evaluation of barcoded magnetic bead-based immunoassays for the simultaneous detection of feline leukemia virus antigen and antibody against feline immunodeficiency virus.

Testing platforms that leverage automation, require minimal sample volume, and enable various tests to be performed simultaneously on a single sample have the potential to improve workflow and efficiency in veterinary diagnostic laboratories. We evaluated a barcoded magnetic bead (BMB) technology using established immunoassays for detection of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) p27 antigen and antibody against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Analytical sensitivity, limit of blank, and limit of detection were used to establish a functional sensitivity of 1.

Seropositivity of main vector-borne pathogens in dogs across Europe.

Background: Canine vector-borne disease (CVBD) has been an area of increasing interest in Europe over the last few decades, and there have been changes in the prevalence and distribution of many of these diseases. Monitoring CVBD infections in Europe is often done by individual countries, but aggregated data for the European countries are helpful to understand the distribution of CVBDs.

Methods: We used an extensive retrospective database of results from point-of-care rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests on dogs across Europe to identify distribution and seropositivity in animals tested for selected CVBDs (Anaplasma spp.

Vector-borne pathogens of zoonotic concern in hunting dogs of southern Italy.

Dogs are commonly exposed to vector-borne pathogens (VBPs), yet few data are available on hunting dogs, which are often at high risk of infection due to their involvement in field activities. To investigate the occurrence of VBPs and evaluate the relative performance of different diagnostic tools, blood and serum samples were collected from hunting dogs (n = 1,433) in rural areas of southern Italy. All samples were tested by Knott's technique for filarioids, serologically (SNAP® 4Dx® Plus) for Anaplasma spp.

Role of NK-Like CD8 T Cells during Asymptomatic Borrelia burgdorferi Infection.

Lyme disease (LD) due to Borrelia burgdorferi is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the United States. There is a poor understanding of how immunity contributes to bacterial control, pathology, or both during LD. Dogs in an area of endemicity were screened for B.

Associations between presence of Bartonella species deoxyribonucleic acid and complete blood cell count and serum biochemical changes in client-owned cats.

Background: Infection with Bartonella species is common in cats but reported effects of bacteremia on laboratory variables differ.

Objectives: Evaluate for associations between Bartonella bacteremia and CBC and serum biochemical changes in sick and healthy cats throughout the United States.

Animals: A total of 3964 client-owned cats.

Bartonella spp. seroepidemiology and associations with clinicopathologic findings in dogs in the United States.

Background: Improved understanding of Bartonella spp. serology in dogs may aid clinical decision making.

Objective: Describe demographic and geographic patterns of Bartonella spp.

Evaluation for associations amongst Giardia duodenalis assemblages and diarrhea in dogs.

Giardia duodenalis is a species complex comprising at least eight assemblages. Most dogs harbor the host-adapted assemblages C and D and approximately 30 % harbor the zoonotic assemblages. Humans and dogs with giardiosis can exhibit a variety of clinical manifestations ranging from the absence of clinical signs to acute or chronic diarrhea.

Haematological and biochemical abnormalities in hunting dogs infected with Acanthocheilonema reconditum, associated risk factors, and a European overview.

Acanthocheilonema reconditum is a filarial parasite transmitted by arthropods (fleas, lice, and ticks) that infect dogs. There is minimal published data available to date on potential haematological and biochemical changes associated with this parasitic infection. Study aims were (i) provide an overview of A.

Feline Leukemia Virus p27 Antigen Concentration and Proviral DNA Load Are Associated with Survival in Naturally Infected Cats.

Longitudinal studies of cats naturally infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are important for understanding disease outcomes. Levels of p27 antigen and copy numbers of proviral DNA have been associated with FeLV-infection courses. The purpose of this prospective study was to establish cutoff values for p27 antigen concentration and proviral DNA load that distinguished high positive from low positive groups of cats and to evaluate an association with survival.

Canine infection with Dirofilaria immitis, Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp. in the United States, 2013-2019.

Background: Dogs in the US are commonly infected with vector-borne pathogens, including heartworm and tick-borne disease agents. The geographic distribution of both arthropod vectors and the pathogens they transmit continues to expand.

Methods: To describe the current geographic distribution and prevalence of antigen of Dirofilaria immitis and antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia spp.

Global distribution of canine Babesia species identified by a commercial diagnostic laboratory.

Babesia species are important canine pathogens with a nearly worldwide distribution. Our understanding of the distribution of these parasites is continually improving. This is in large part, due to improved molecular diagnostic capabilities.

Risk of Development of Chronic Kidney Disease After Exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma spp.

Lyme disease is a multi-faceted illness caused by infection due to Borrelia burgdorferi. Acute kidney damage secondary to Lyme disease is well described but less so as a chronic event. The role of Anaplasma spp.

Predominant risk factors for tick-borne co-infections in hunting dogs from the USA.

Background: Both incidence and geographical range of tick-borne disease has increased across the USA. Similar to people, dogs are hosts for Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp.

Trends in canine seroprevalence to Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma spp. in the eastern USA, 2010-2017.

Background: Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are tick-borne infections transmitted by Ixodes scapularis in the eastern USA; both agents cause disease in dogs and people. To characterize changes in seroprevalence over time, Cochran Armitage trend tests were used to evaluate percent positive test results for antibodies to B. burgdorferi and Anaplasma spp.

Associations between clinical canine leishmaniosis and multiple vector-borne co-infections: a case-control serological study.

Background: Dogs that have clinical leishmaniosis (ClinL), caused by the parasite Leishmania infantum, are commonly co-infected with other pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens (VBP). A recent PCR-based study found that ClinL dogs are more likely to be additionally infected with the rickettsial bacteria Ehrlichia canis. Further information on co-infections in ClinL cases with VBP, as assessed by serology, is required.

Evaluation of a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for feline leukemia virus p27 antigen and comparison to proviral DNA loads by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is an oncogenic retrovirus of cats. While higher viral RNA and proviral DNA loads have been correlated with progressive infections and disease, a similar correlation has been suggested for p27 antigen concentrations. This analytical study compared the results of a quantitative ELISA for p27 antigen with quantitative real-time PCR results for FeLV proviral DNA in patient samples.

Association of acute Babesia canis infection and serum lipid, lipoprotein, and apoprotein concentrations in dogs.

Background: Babesia canis infection induces a marked acute phase response (APR) that might be associated with alteration in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and disease prognosis.

Hypothesis: Dogs with B. canis-induced APR develop dyslipidemia with altered lipoprotein concentration and morphology.