We aimed to test the influence of storage temperature and time for canine and feline ESR. Forty dogs and 12 cats were included and randomly allocated in "room temperature" and "refrigerated" groups. Both groups had the T0 ESR measures few minutes after complete blood count. Afterwards, room temperature group had ESR measured at 2, 4, 6 and 8h after T0, whereas the "refrigerated" group had the blood sample stored at 4-6°C for 24 and then T24h ESR was measured. In each ESR measurement, [[1]Militello C. Pasquini A. Valentin A.A.M. Simčič P. Feo G.D. Lubas G. The Canine Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): Evaluation of a Point-of-Care Testing Device (MINIPET DIESSE).Vet. Med. Int. 2020; 20203146845https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3146845Crossref PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar] blood samples were put on a tube rocker waiting for ESR analysis; [[2]Hu Q.-L. Li Z.-J. Lin L. Zhang L. Lv Y.-J. Wu L.-F. Chen M.-Y. Effect of storage temperature and time on erythrocyte sedimentation rate.Eur. J. Med. Res. 2022; 27: 76https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-022-00701-3Crossref PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar] before inserting the blood tube in the MINI-PET ESR instrument, samples were gently mixed again by complete inversion 10 times; (3) each mixed blood tube was inserted in the one of the four MINI-PET tubes position; (4) on the machine display, patient's species has to be chosen and the 14 minutes countdown started; (5) after the 14 minutes optical reading, the ESR result (mm/h) is displayed on the machine. ESR of canine samples at room temperature were significantly stable until T6, while feline samples remained stable at T8. After 24h at refrigerated temperature, both canine and feline samples were stable.• MINI-PET is an ESR automatic continuous-loading instrument that can analyze up to four EDTA blood samples simultaneously using an optical system that measures the erythrocytes sedimentation level• We aimed to test influence of storage temperature and time for canine and feline ESR• At room temperature, dogs' samples were stable within 6 hours from collection, and cats' samples were stable until 8h. At refrigerated temperature, there was no difference in T0-T24 ESR in both canine and feline samples
Background: HIV infection is associated with increased risk of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) and risk calculators underpredict these outcomes in infected individuals. The underlying mechanisms leading to high CVD risk are not yet clear. Low-grade inflammation and platelet abnormalities which persist even after individuals undergo successful antiretroviral therapy have been implicated in the development of CVDs in individuals with HIV infection. Objective: This study evaluated plasma levels of platelet activation and inflammation markers in HIV uninfected, HIV infected subjects receiving Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) and those naive to ART. Materials and Methods: A total of 284 adults comprising of subjects receiving ART (187), ART naive (32) attending an HIV treatment center and HIV uninfected blood donors (65) were investigated in this analytical cross sectional study. Platelet activation and inflammation markers were assessed by measuring plasma levels of sP-selectin, platelet factor 4 (PF4), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Results: HIV infected patients had higher levels of sP- selectin, PF4 and IL-6 than uninfected controls (p<0.001). ART naive subjects had higher levels of PF4 as compared to the individuals receiving ART (p<0.001). Levels of TNF-α did not differ across groups by HIV (p=0.992) or ART status (p=0 993). A positive correlation was observed between IL-6 and sP-selectin levels in HIV infection (r=0.2690; p=0.001) but lacked in the HIV uninfected (r=-0.1065; p=0.5825). Conclusion: Levels of platelet activation and inflammation markers were elevated in HIV infected individuals regardless of ART and significance of this in HIV- related cardiovascular risk should be investigated further.
Abdominal ultrasound examinations (AUEs) are commonly used in the diagnostic evaluation of canine acute pancreatitis (AP). The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate and monitor the ultrasonographic changes observed in dogs with clinically suspected AP on consecutive AUEs. The study population was constituted by 38 client-owned dogs hospitalized for no less than 48 h from January 2016 to December 2019. Dogs included in this study were suspected of AP based on the clinical examination and abnormal rapid specific canine pancreatic lipase test performed at admission. Dogs were submitted to two AUEs, the first on the first day of hospitalization, and the second between 40–52 h after the first one. Twelve dogs had both AUEs suggestive of AP. Fourteen dogs received an ultrasonographic diagnosis of AP exclusively on the second AUE. Twelve dogs remained negative on both the first and the second AUE. In 26 out of 38 patients the second AUE was suggestive of AP. If a patient is suspected of AP, it is advisable to carry out ultrasonographic monitoring at least within the first 52 h after admission, since ultrasonographic signs of AP may only become observable later after hospitalization.
Canine chronic biliary tree disease (CBTD) is a suspected risk factor for pancreatic injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and features of pancreatic involvement in canine CBTD, and their relationship with hyperlipemia and its severity. CBTD was defined as the increase in at least two of ALP, GGT, total bilirubin, cholesterol, and a biliary tree abnormal abdominal ultrasound (graded mild to severe). Pancreatic ultrasound appearance was recorded and classified as acute/chronic. Dogs were divided into a PBD group (pancreatic and biliary disease) and BD group (only biliary tree disease). PBD group was subgraded into a “pancreatic injury” and “pancreatitis” group. Eighty-one dogs were retrospectively included: 56 in the PBD group and 25 in the BD group. Of the PBD group, 20 had pancreatitis (15 chronic and 5 dogs acute). US score was mild in 64 dogs and moderate in 17 dogs, and it was not associated with evidence of pancreopathy. Sixty-six dogs had hyperlipemia (mild = 27 dogs; moderate-to-severe = 39 dogs) and no association with pancreopathy was found. Pancreatic injury was more frequent than pancreatitis in CBTD dogs. Although both acute and chronic pancreatic injury may be present, chronic forms were more frequent. Pancreatic injury should be considered in CBTD patients due its possible clinical significance.
Abstract Background In humans, respiratory complications in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) are a common life-threatening comorbidity. Since possible lung impairment has not been individually evaluated in canine AP, the aims of the present study were to: (1) describe the prevalence, types and severity of pulmonary complications in dogs with acute presentation of AP, and (2) evaluate their association with mortality. AP diagnosis was based on compatible clinical and laboratory parameters, abnormal canine pancreatic-lipase test, and positive abdominal ultrasound within 48 h from admission. The canine acute pancreatitis severity score (CAPS) was calculated for each dog at admission. Arterial blood gas analysis and thoracic radiography were performed at admission. Thoracic radiography was classified on the basis of pulmonary pattern (normal, interstitial or alveolar) and a modified lung injury score (mLIS) was applied to the ventrodorsal projections for each dog. VetALI/VetARDS were diagnosed using current veterinary consensus. Dogs were divided into non-survivors or survivors (hospital discharge). Clinical, radiological and blood gas parameters collected at presentation were compared between survivors and non-survivors and associated with mortality. Results This prospective cohort study included twenty-six client-owned dogs with AP. Twelve out of twenty-six dogs (46%) died or were euthanized. At admission, thirteen dogs showed respiratory distress at physical examination, which was associated with death ( P < 0.001). Radiographic abnormalities were found in twenty-one dogs: alveolar ( n = 11) and interstitial pattern ( n = 10). Radiographic alterations and mLIS score were both associated with death ( P = 0.02 and P = 0.0023). The results of the arterial blood-gas evaluation showed that non-survivors had lower PaCO 2 and HCO 3 − levels, and higher A-a gradient than survivors ( P = 0.0014, P = 0.019 and P = 0.004, respectively). Specifically, three dogs had aspiration pneumonia, and VetALI was diagnosed in nine dogs (34.6%), and no dogs met the criteria for VetARDS. The presence of VetALI was associated with mortality ( P < 0.001). Conclusions As with humans, possible lung impairments, such as VetALI, should be investigated in dogs with acute presentation of pancreatitis.
To report abdominal ultrasonography (AUS) findings in dogs with clinical signs of acute pancreatitis (AP) during the first 2 days of hospitalization and to compare AUS findings with severity of disease and mortality rate.37 client-owned dogs with clinical signs of AP.Dogs suspected of having AP with complete medical records, AUS examinations performed throughout the first 2 days of hospitalization, and available frozen surplus serum samples for quantitative measurement of canine pancreatic lipase (cPL) concentrations at hospital admission met the criteria for study inclusion. Dogs were grouped as AUS+ or AUS- on the basis of positive or negative findings for AP on AUS, respectively. Abdominal ultrasonography findings of AP were stratified (as mild, moderate, or severe) by use of an AUS severity index, and a canine acute pancreatitis severity score was calculated.24 of 37 (64.8%) dogs had AUS findings of AP at hospital admission, whereas 10 had positive findings for AP on AUS within 2 days of hospitalization. Three (8%) dogs were AUS- but had serum cPL concentrations > 400 μg/L (ie, values considered diagnostic for AP). On the AUS severity index, 5 of 34 (14.7%) AUS+ dogs had mild findings, 18 (52.9%) AUS+ dogs had moderate findings, and 11 (32.4%) AUS+ dogs had severe findings. Severe findings were associated with a higher risk of death than mild and moderate findings. A significant association was found between canine acute pancreatitis severity scores and mortality rates.For dogs with clinical signs of AP, repeated AUS examinations during hospitalization should be performed, severe findings on the AUS severity index may indicate an increased risk of death, and serum cPL concentrations may increase earlier than findings on AUS of AP.
