A Retrospective Comparative Evaluation of Selected Blood Cell Ratios, Acute Phase Proteins, and Leukocyte Changes Suggestive of Inflammation in Cats.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratios have been proposed as diagnostic and prognostic markers for neoplastic and inflammatory diseases in dogs and cats. The aim of this retrospective preliminary study was to evaluate the relationship between these ratios and markers of inflammation routinely measured in cats. A total of 275 cats were enrolled.

spp. Prevalence in Cats from Southern Italy with Evaluation of Risk Factors for Exposure and Clinical Findings in Infected Cats.

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease, but feline leptospirosis is rarely reported. This study aimed at investigating spp. prevalence in cats from southern Italy, evaluating risk factors, clinical findings and laboratory data associated with infection.

Retrospective evaluation of hyperproteinorrachia without pleocytosis (albuminocytologic dissociation) and survival in dogs.

Background: Hyperproteinorrachia (raised cerebrospinal fluid total protein [CSF-TP]) without pleocytosis (HP) (also known as albuminocytologic dissociation) is identified in dogs with different neurologic diseases. However, the association between survival and increased CSF-TP is unknown.

Objectives: (a) Identify conditions commonly associated with HP in dogs and (b) investigate whether higher CSF-TP concentrations or other relevant factors are associated with 1-year survival.

Serum amyloid A levels and alpha 2 and gamma globulins on serum protein electrophoresis in cats exposed to and infected with Leishmania infantum.

Background: Dogs are the main reservoir hosts of Leishmania infantum; nevertheless, recent investigations indicate a likely role for cats in the epidemiology of Leishmania infection. Feline leishmaniosis (FeL) remains poorly characterised, partly due to the lack of suitable diagnostic tools. This study aimed to compare serum amyloid A (SAA) levels and serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) profiles (specifically, alpha 2 and gamma globulins) in cats naturally exposed to or infected by L.

In Utero Gene Therapy (IUGT) Using GLOBE Lentiviral Vector Phenotypically Corrects the Heterozygous Humanised Mouse Model and Its Progress Can Be Monitored Using MRI Techniques.

In utero gene therapy (IUGT) to the fetal hematopoietic compartment could be used to treat congenital blood disorders such as β-thalassemia. A humanised mouse model of β-thalassemia was used, in which heterozygous animals are anaemic with splenomegaly and extramedullary hematopoiesis. Intrahepatic in utero injections of a β globin-expressing lentiviral vector (GLOBE), were performed in fetuses at E13.

Myoclonus and hypercalcemia in a dog with poorly differentiated lymphoproliferative neoplasia.

A 1-year, 8-month-old Rhodesian Ridgeback was presented with obtundation, ambulatory tetraparesis, and myoclonus. Initial clinical findings included ionized hypercalcemia with an apparent marked increase in parathyroid hormone, thrombocytopenia, and nonregenerative anemia. Low numbers of circulating atypical cells were noted on blood film evaluation.

Validation of a commercial 1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero glutaric acid-(6'-methylresorufin) ester lipase assay for diagnosis of canine pancreatitis.

The objectives of this study were fourfold: technical validation of a commercial canine 1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero glutaric acid-(6'-methylresorufin) ester (DGGR) lipase assay, to calculate a reference interval for DGGR lipase by the indirect a posteriori method, to establish biological validity of the assay, and to assess agreement between DGGR lipase and specific canine pancreatic lipase (Spec cPL) assays. Dogs with histologically confirmed acute pancreatitis (n=3), chronic pancreatitis (n=8) and normal pancreatic tissue (n=7) with stored (-80°C) serum samples were identified. Relevant controls were selected.

Comprehensive annotation and evolutionary insights into the canine (Canis lupus familiaris) antigen receptor loci.

Dogs are an excellent model for human disease. For example, the treatment of canine lymphoma has been predictive of the human response to that treatment. However, an incomplete picture of canine (Canis lupus familiaris) immunoglobulin (IG) and T cell receptor (TR)-or antigen receptor (AR)-gene loci has restricted their utility.

Investigation of the association between serum protein concentrations and concurrent chronic kidney disease in hyperthyroid cats.

Our objective was to identify if changes in serum protein concentrations occur in hyperthyroidism and to assess their association with the development of azotaemia following treatment. Initially non-azotaemic hyperthyroid cats and healthy older cats were included. Serum concentrations of protein fractions were determined by agarose gel electrophoresis and compared between; hyperthyroid and control cats, initially non-azotaemic hyperthyroid cats which developed azotaemia in a 4month follow up period (masked-azotaemic) and those which remained non-azotaemic, and hyperthyroid cats before and at the time of restoration of euthyroidism.

Validation of an electrophoretic method to detect albuminuria in cats.

Objectives The aims of this study were to validate a semi-automated high-resolution electrophoretic technique to quantify urinary albumin in healthy and diseased cats, and to evaluate its diagnostic performance in cases of proteinuria and renal diseases. Methods Urine samples were collected from 88 cats (healthy; chronic kidney disease [CKD]; lower urinary tract disease [LUTD]; non-urinary tract diseases [OTHER]). Urine samples were routinely analysed and high-resolution electrophoresis (HRE) was performed.

Effect of prewarming EDTA blood samples to 37°C on platelet count measured by Sysmex XT-2000iV in dogs, cats, and horses.

Background: Pseudothrombocytopenia secondary to platelet clumping is a common cause of preanalytic error for platelet counts in dogs, cats, and horses. In human beings, it is suggested that prewarming blood samples to 37°C prior to hematology analysis will reduce platelet clumping.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of prewarming EDTA blood samples to 37°C on measured platelet counts and other hematologic variables.

In Vitro Influence of Mycophenolic Acid on Selected Parameters of Stimulated Peripheral Canine Lymphocytes.

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is an active metabolite of mycophenolate mofetil, a new immunosuppressive drug effective in the treatment of canine autoimmune diseases. The impact of MPA on immunity is ambiguous and its influence on the canine immune system is unknown. The aim of the study was to determine markers of changes in stimulated peripheral canine lymphocytes after treatment with MPA in vitro.

Validation of an automated enzyme immunoassay for the measurement of serum total thyroxine in cats.

Background: Hyperthyroidism is common in older cats, which necessitates frequent screening of serum total thyroxine (TT4) concentrations. Fast, cheap, and reliable methods to measure TT4 in cats are needed.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was the validation of a human TT4 enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for use with feline serum, and derivation of a TT4 reference interval (RI) for cats aged 9 years and older.

Over-expression of Plk4 induces centrosome amplification, loss of primary cilia and associated tissue hyperplasia in the mouse.

To address the long-known relationship between supernumerary centrosomes and cancer, we have generated a transgenic mouse that permits inducible expression of the master regulator of centriole duplication, Polo-like-kinase-4 (Plk4). Over-expression of Plk4 from this transgene advances the onset of tumour formation that occurs in the absence of the tumour suppressor p53. Plk4 over-expression also leads to hyperproliferation of cells in the pancreas and skin that is enhanced in a p53 null background.

Gamma delta T-cell large granular lymphocyte lymphoma in a dog.

A 2-year and 6-month-old female neutered Labrador Retriever with Horner syndrome, megaesophagus, and a mediastinal mass was referred to the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals of the Royal Veterinary College. A large granular lymphocyte (LGL) lymphoma was diagnosed on cytology; flow cytometric analysis revealed a γδ T-cell phenotype (CD3+, CD5+, CD45+, TCRγδ+, CD4-, CD8-, CD34-, CD21-). Chemotherapy was started with a combination of lomustine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisolone, followed by bleyomicin.

Inhibition of UDP-glucosylceramide synthase in mice prevents Gaucher disease-associated B-cell malignancy.

Clonal B-cell proliferation is a frequent manifestation of Gaucher disease - a sphingolipidosis associated with a high risk of multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Gaucher disease is caused by genetic deficiency of acid β-glucosidase, the natural substrates of which (β-d-glucosylceramide and β-d-glucosylsphingosine) accumulate, principally in macrophages. Mice with inducible deficiency of β-glucosidase [Gba(tm1Karl/tm1Karl)Tg(MX1-cre)1Cgn/0] serve as an authentic model of human Gaucher disease; we have recently reported clonal B-cell proliferation accompanied by monoclonal serum paraproteins and cognate tumours in these animals.

Thromboelastography in healthy dairy cows.

Thromboelastography is a whole blood-based coagulation assay that can be used to investigate hypocoagulability and hypercoagulability, as seen with thromboembolic diseases and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Numerous coagulopathies due to different causes are reported in cows. The objective was to establish reference intervals for thromboelastography using the TEG 5000 (Haemonetics GmbH, Munich, Germany) with citrated whole blood samples and kaolin activation in dairy cows and to investigate possible thromboelastographic changes between cows in different lactation periods.

Use of Six Sigma Worksheets for assessment of internal and external failure costs associated with candidate quality control rules for an ADVIA 120 hematology analyzer.

Background: Quality control (QC) validation is an essential tool in total quality management of a veterinary clinical pathology laboratory. Cost-analysis can be a valuable technique to help identify an appropriate QC procedure for the laboratory, although this has never been reported in veterinary medicine.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the applicability of the Six Sigma Quality Cost Worksheets in the evaluation of possible candidate QC rules identified by QC validation.

Stability of immunophenotypic lymphoid markers in fixed canine peripheral blood for flow cytometric analysis.

Background: Flow cytometric analysis of blood samples for immunophenotyping lymphoproliferative diseases has become popular in veterinary medicine. Unfortunately, the use of this technique has been limited by the necessity to test samples within a short time frame after blood collection. A possible solution to this problem is the use of fixative products to preserve the stability of lymphoid antigens.

Pathology caused by persistent murine norovirus infection.

Subclinical infection of murine norovirus (MNV) was detected in a mixed breeding group of WT and Stat1(-/-) mice with no outward evidence of morbidity or mortality. Investigations revealed the presence of an attenuated MNV variant that did not cause cytopathic effects in RAW264.7 cells or death in Stat1(-/-) mice.

Choroid plexus carcinoma cells in the cerebrospinal fluid of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

An 11-year-old female intact Staffordshire Bull Terrier was referred to the Queen's Veterinary School Hospital at the University of Cambridge with sudden onset of episodic behavioral changes, a mammary mass, and papilledema in the right eye. On physical examination the dog appeared depressed and had a head tilt to the right with anisocoria. Using magnetic resonance imaging, a broad-based lesion that obliterated the fourth ventricle was detected in the right brainstem.

Comparison of semiquantitative test strips, urine protein electrophoresis, and an immunoturbidimetric assay for measuring microalbuminuria in dogs.

Background: The presence of albumin in urine, even in small amounts, is always abnormal and usually reflects kidney dysfunction. Different techniques are commercially available for the measurement of microalbuminuria in dogs.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of semiquantitative test strips, urine protein electrophoresis, and a validated immunoturbidimetric assay in the measurement of microalbuminuria in dogs.