Comparison of ELISA and IFAT for Leishmania infantum by European and Middle Eastern diagnostic laboratories.

Background: Visceral leishmaniosis (VL) is the most severe form of human leishmaniosis, with an estimated 95% case fatality if left untreated. Dogs act as peridomestic reservoir hosts for the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum, a causative agent for human leishmaniosis, endemic throughout the Mediterranean basin. To assure consistent and accurate surveillance of canine infection and prevent transmission to people, consistent diagnosis of canine L.

The Use of the Nitroblue Tetrazolium Test in Blood Granulocytes for Discriminating Bacterial and Non-Bacterial Neutrophilic Dermatitis.

This study aimed to evaluate differences in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by peripheral blood neutrophils in healthy dogs, dogs with superficial pyoderma, and dogs with sterile neutrophilic dermatitis using the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test. Additionally, the study assessed the potential of the NBT reduction test as a diagnostic tool to differentiate between these clinical conditions. A total of 28 dogs were divided into three groups: healthy (n = 10), superficial pyoderma (n = 10), and sterile neutrophilic dermatitis (n = 8).

New immunomodulatory treatment protocol for canine leishmaniosis reduces parasitemia and proteinuria.

The current standard treatment for canine leishmaniosis (CanL), N-methylglucamine antimoniate (MGA) given with allopurinol, is not fully effective and may cause adverse effects and drug resistance. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that nucleotides, administered alone or with AHCC, offer benefits in the treatment of CanL. This study examines the effects of a new immunomodulatory treatment protocol in which dietary nucleotides and AHCC are added to the recommended standard treatment.

Development of a Simple IFN-γ Release Whole Blood Assay for the Assessment of Specific Cellular Immunity in Dogs.

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a zoonotic disease caused by , where increased interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels are associated with controlling the infection and mild to moderate disease. Therefore, monitoring IFN-γ concentrations is essential for monitoring the immune responses in CanL. This study compared a faster, cost-effective IFN-γ release whole blood assay in tubes (WBA-T) with a standardized version (WBA-S) in 41 dogs at different states of infection.

Short Term Treatment Monitoring of Renal and Inflammatory Biomarkers with Naturally Occurring Leishmaniosis: A Cohort Study of 30 Dogs.

Various inflammatory and renal biomarkers have already been assessed for monitoring the response to anti-leishmanial therapy in canine leishmaniosis. This study assessed the parasite load, various inflammatory and renal biomarkers pre- and post-treatment, and any association between the studied variables and the degree of disease severity at diagnosis. This is a prospective cohort study of 30 client-owned dogs with leishmaniosis, classified according to LeishVet's guidelines as stage I (n = 2), stage IIa (n = 7), stage IIb (n = 6), stage III (n = 8), and stage IV (n = 7).

Evaluation of serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation in dogs seropositive for various vector-borne pathogens.

Background: Canine vector-borne diseases (VBDs) induce non-specific dysproteinemias, detectable by serum protein electrophoresis (SPE). VBDs have been reported to induce a monoclonal gammopathy pattern. Monoclonal gammopathies are commonly the result of paraprotein (M-protein) produced by an immunoglobulin-secreting neoplasm.

Clinical significance of blood cell ratios in healthy and sick Leishmania infantum-seropositive dogs.

Background: The accuracy of blood cell ratios (BCRs) as cost-effective and easily accessible diagnostic and prognostic markers of inflammatory conditions has been investigated in veterinary medicine in recent years.

Methods: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratios were studied in 195 dogs clinically evaluated and tested for anti-Leishmania infantum (Li) antibodies (Li-seronegative (Li), n = 10; Li-seropositive clinically healthy (Li), n = 100; Li-seropositive with clinical and/or clinicopathological abnormalities (Li), n = 85). The Li dogs were classified in LeishVet stages IIa/IIb (Li) (n = 66) and III/IV (Li) (n = 19).

Serum and urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 as markers of inflammation and renal damage in dogs with naturally occurring leishmaniosis.

Background: Renal disease in canine leishmaniosis is of great importance owing to increased risk of mortality. In human visceral leishmaniosis, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) has been used as a marker of renal damage and inflammation. The purpose of this study was first to determine the serum MCP-1 and urinary MCP-1-to-creatinine ratio (uMCP-1/Cr) in healthy dogs and dogs with leishmaniosis at diagnosis, and second to determine whether these markers can differentiate disease severity at diagnosis.

Infection in Wild Lagomorphs and Domestic Dogs in North-East Spain.

is a zoonotic protozoan parasite distributed worldwide that is transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. Dogs are the main reservoir for human infections. However, in recent years, the capacity of lagomorphs to contribute to transmission has been confirmed.

A blinded, randomized and controlled multicenter clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of Leisguard as an immunotherapeutic treatment for healthy Leishmania infantum-seropositive dogs.

Background: Domperidone (Leisguard) is an immunomodulatory drug used as a preventive measure in healthy dogs. However, no studies have been published in healthy Leishmania infantum-seropositive dogs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of domperidone as immunotherapy in Leishmania-seropositive healthy dogs.

Exploring the Relationship between Neutrophil Activation and Different States of Canine Infection: Nitroblue Tetrazolium Test and IFN-γ.

This study aimed to investigate the role of neutrophils in canine leishmaniosis by assessing neutrophil activation and its relationship with different states of infection and antibody and IFN-γ production. Dogs were categorized into five groups: healthy-seronegative ( = 25), healthy-seropositive ( = 21), LeishVet-stage I ( = 25), Leishvet-stage II ( = 41), and LeishVet-stage III-IV ( = 16). Results of the nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test (NBT) showed significantly higher neutrophil activation in stage I (median:17.

Effect of storage on the nitro blue tetrazolium reduction test in dog blood samples.

Introduction: The nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test (NBTT) has been used for measuring the metabolic activity of phagocytes of mammals. Activated neutrophils transform NBT into formazan in the cytoplasm. The NBTT can detect the activation of neutrophils in peripheral blood and is used to assess neutrophil function in dogs.

Serological survey of Leishmania infantum in apparently healthy dogs in different areas of Spain.

Background: Canine leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is an endemic disease in Spain. The dog is considered the main reservoir, and the detection of specific serum antibodies against L. infantum antigen is the most used technique for diagnosing this infection.

Effect of Local Administration of Meglumine Antimoniate and Polyhexamethylene Biguanide Alone or in Combination with a Toll-like Receptor 4 Agonist for the Treatment of Papular Dermatitis due to in Dogs.

Papular dermatitis is a cutaneous manifestation of canine infection associated with mild disease. Although it is a typical presentation, nowadays, there is still no established treatment. This study evaluated the safety and clinical efficacy of local meglumine antimoniate, locally administered polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) alone or PHMB in combination with a Toll-like receptor 4 agonist (TLR4a) for the treatment of papular dermatitis due to and assessed parasitological and immunological markers in this disease.

Signalment, Immunological and Parasitological Status and Clinicopathological Findings of -Seropositive Apparently Healthy Dogs.

Canine leishmaniosis caused by is a disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations. Epidemiological serosurveys performed in Europe often lack a thorough assessment of clinical health status of studied dogs. The aim of this study was to evaluate signalment, immunological and parasitological status and clinicopathological findings of -seropositive apparently healthy dogs (n = 212) living in endemic areas.

Needle tract seeding and malignant transformation of hepatocellular adenoma into well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma in a dog.

An 11-year-old neutered female Golden Retriever was referred for investigation of marked increases in liver enzyme activities. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a large pedunculated liver mass. Diagnosis of hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) was made when the mass was excised after a first unsuccessful attempt through ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy.

Clinicopathological findings and risk factors associated with spp. infection in cats: A case-control study (2008-2021).

In Europe, spp. infection was documented in domestic and wild felids. Cats often develop a subclinical infection, while fatal disease is rare.

Vector-borne and other pathogens of potential relevance disseminated by relocated cats.

Large populations of unowned cats constitute an animal welfare, ecological, societal and public health issue worldwide. Their relocation and homing are currently carried out in many parts of the world with the intention of relieving suffering and social problems, while contributing to ethical and humane population control in these cat populations. An understanding of an individual cat's lifestyle and disease status by veterinary team professionals and those working with cat charities can help to prevent severe cat stress and the spread of feline pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens, which can be overlooked in cats.

Leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum is an important zoonotic disease transmitted by sand flies with a high prevalence of infection in dogs and cats in regions whereby transmission occurs. Clinical disease is systemic with variable presenting signs and degrees of severity. It affects the skin, lymph nodes, eyes, bone marrow, kidneys, and other organs.

Specific Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses in Cats and Dogs: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Dogs are the main reservoir of and display different immunological patterns correlating with the progression of infection to disease. Data about feline adaptive immune response are scant. This study aimed to compare the prevalence and immune response in cats and dogs from the same endemic area of canine leishmaniosis.

Association between feline immunodeficiency virus and Leishmania infantum infections in cats: a retrospective matched case-control study.

Background: Feline leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is often associated with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection; however, the role and clinical significance of this coinfection remain unknown. This study aimed to assess whether FIV is associated with L. infantum infection in cats from canine leishmaniosis endemic areas and to report the clinical signs and hematological alterations associated with coinfection.

Detection of specific antibodies against Leishmania infantum in canine serum and oral transudate using an in-house ELISA.

Background: Canine leishmaniosis caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum is a complex infection due to its variable clinical signs and laboratory findings. Therefore, a broad range of techniques is available for diagnosis. Testing for specific antibodies in serum is the most commonly used technique, although the testing of other body fluids, such as oral transudate (OT), can be an alternative as its collection is non-invasive and testing can be performed by untrained personnel.

Use of preventive measures and serological screening tools for Leishmania infantum infection in dogs from Europe.

Background: There are several screening tools for detecting Leishmania infantum infection in dogs and various preventive measures to protect against it. Some studies have investigated them, but not many have described their current use. The aim of this study was to investigate which preventive measures and serological screening tools for L.